UpClose & Personal - School of Massage and Therapeutic Bodywork

Near Seattle, Washington, is one of the world's leading academic centers for advancing knowledge in the natural health sciences. Bastyr University, through natural health education, research and clinical services, seeks to improve the world’s health and well being by educating future leaders in natural health sciences that integrate mind, body, spirit and nature. A two-decade pioneer in natural medicine, they continue to be in the forefront of developing the model for 21st century medicine.

Founded in 1978 as a college of naturopathic medicine, they have kept abreast of the changing face of the healing arts by expanding their multidisciplinary approach to include:

• Herbal Sciences (2001)
• Exercise Science and Wellness (2000)
• Health Psychology (1998)
• Applied Behavioral Science (1992)
• Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (1990)
• Nutrition (1984)

They have recently undertaken a thorough strategic planning process to prepare Bastyr for the future. New president, Thomas C. Shepherd, DHA, explained, "We are entering a new era in our development and growth at Bastyr and have more opportunities than imaginable to participate in the future direction of health care.”

Recognition
As a testimony to their quest for excellence, Bastyr University Founder and President Emeritus Joseph Pizzorno, Jr. ND received the 2002 “Physician of theYear” award from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP).

Along with honoring his lifetime achievements on behalf of the naturopathic profession, Dr. Pizzorno was recognized for his significant work as a member of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Policy. The Commission concluded a series of public hearings on issues relating to CAM this past spring and among the significant recommendations of the final report is that CAM providers be licensed and regulated in accordance with their education and training.

“Dr. Pizzorno is tireless, generous and visionary in every year,” said Nancy Aagenes, ND, and Past President of the AANP. “He was a member of the founding board of AANP and has continually led the profession forward. His voice on the Commission never faltered as he called for all Americans to be served by access to safe and accountable CAM providers.”

Dr. Pizzorno, along with two other physicians, founded Bastyr University (then John Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine) in 1978. Under his leadership, Bastyr became the first accredited multi-disciplinary university of natural medicine in the United States. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Alternative Medicine selected Bastyr as the first Center for Alternative Medicine Research.

In another accolade, Bastyr graduate Dr. Heather Greenlee was first naturopathic physician to receive fellowship from National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at NIH to do postdoctoral research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

This year Bastyr was awarded a $1.145 million institutional training grant from National Institutes of Health (NIH) to train individuals in Complementary and Alternative Medicine research.

Massage
In conjunction with the Brenneke School of Massage, Bastyr University offers a summer massage intensive, which allows graduates to sit for their massage license in Washington State. To qualify, students complete a course sequence that includes kinesiology, introductory massage and a business elective. The increase in total credits is minimal since these courses may also be used to satisfy program and elective requirements. Massage electives have included Mama Massage and Infant Massage.

Bastyr University Scholarship for Licensed Massage Therapists is open to admitted Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine students. This scholarship is in the amount of $1,500 per year and is renewal based on academic performance. All applicants must meet the normal academic requirements for the degree program and provide proof of graduation from a massage school accredited by the Commission on Massage Training Accreditation.

Breast Cancer Awareness
The Bastyr University Cancer Research Center (BUCRC) was established in February 1997. Its mission is to screen, evaluate and develop natural medical therapies for the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Leanna J. Standish ND, PhD, LAc, who leads the program, is committed to ongoing research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) cancer treatments. It conducts unbiased, high-quality research.

They also facilitate the Tierney Basic Sciences Research Laboratory, which specializes in natural products analytical chemistry. Dr. Gowsala P. Sivam, PhD, a nationally recognized leader in pre-clinical cancer research, heads it.

Karen Sherman, PhD, MPH, an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, specializes in methods of doing clinical research in CAM. She’s especially interested in investigating acupuncture and Chinese medicine, massage, and body-mind therapies. She is currently involved in four studies of CAM therapies. Two of these are parallel developmental studies entitled "Relaxation CAM therapies (massage, meditation, and tai chi) for low back pain" and "Physical CAM therapies (acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage) for low back pain."

Outpatient Care
Bastyr Center for Natural Health provides outpatient care to the community with a holistic approach. Staffed by health care teams that include students under the supervision of Bastyr's clinical faculty, the center provides a teaching vehicle for the university as well as quality health care at reasonable rates. Practitioners may make referrals to specialty clinics in homeopathy, botanical medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, physical medicine or psychological counseling. Other areas of specialty include sports medicine, women's health and pediatric care. They also provide medical services for homeless youth in conjunction with the nearby 45th Street Clinic, provide health services for retirees at Covenant Shores Retirement Home and operate an integrative care clinic for people living with HIV and AIDS.

The Herb Garden
Bastyr University's medicinal herb and culinary garden plot is a unique tool for educating students about natural therapies. Students use the herb garden to identify herbs, observe their growth, and learn to prepare and cultivate them properly. This enhances the naturopathic medicine curriculum, which requires every student to know 150 western herbs before graduating. The garden is also used to teach sustainable agriculture and organic gardening, as well as providing a beautiful spectacle to everyone who visits.

To date, over 40 research studies in a range of areas including botanical and homeopathic medicine have been completed or are underway. The studies have been funded by government and foundation grants, contracts and generous donations. Several proposals for future research activities are being developed, and Bastyr intends for its research institute to continue in its commitment to meet the needs of the public and to create a strong future for natural health care. The research institute is always recruiting for current scientific studies.

Bastyr University is diverse in their approach and continues to set the trend in holistic education. Maybe that's why their university president Shepherd calls Bastyr "a 'well' place to be, to work, to learn."

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Resources from the Bastyr University community:

Total Wellness: Improve Your Health by Understanding and Cooperating With Your Body's Natural Healing Systems, Joseph Pizzorno, Jr. ND (Putnam, September 2002)

Breast Cancer, Beyond Convention: the World's Foremost Authorities on Alternative and Complementary Medicine, In M. Tagliaferri, I. Cohen, D. Tripathy (eds.) New York, Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster, 2002.

Naturopathic Medical Treatment for Breast Cancer: Current State of the Science by LJ Standish, C Grosshans, J Lesh, And M Robeson.

Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Joseph Pizzorno, Jr. ND

Natural Medicine for Cancer Joseph Pizzorno, Jr. ND