As we grow there will be new challenges to meet and opportunities to seize. The Coalition for Natural Health's intense opposition to the Council for Naturopathic Medical Education's continued recognition by the Department of Education is a formidable threat that we must meet. Our naturopathic medical schools, including Southwest College, either have, or are already seeking regional accreditation. Nevertheless, the repercussions of losing DOE recognition are profound, particularly in our attempts to license new states. This is one of those moments in history that we cannot allow complacency, ennui or internal politics to prevent us from taking the necessary steps to protect the public health and the trustworthiness of the title Naturopathic Doctor .
Time is of the essence.
Secretary Riley is free to make his decision either months from now or perhaps tomorrow. It is imperative that each of us act to help him make the informed choice. The steps will vary from person to person, ranging from writing the Secretary a letter of supporting the CNME, to lobbying your member of Congress or Senator to intervene on the CNME s behalf. Remember, the issue here for our elected officials is not the well-being of our profession, but rather the health and safety of the public by protecting them from substandard health care by non trained or poorly trained individuals calling themselves naturopathic doctors.