Natural Doctors International is the oldest naturopathic global health organization in North America. Our work of more than a decade has brought integrative healthcare to the underserved by providing an opportunity for naturopathic physicians, licensed acupuncturists, integrative MDs, nurses and other holistically orientated health care practitioners the opportunity to serve our larger global community. Our work in policy has created a space for a continual dialogue of the value of naturopathic medicine in global health. Our collaborative model promotes responsible volunteerism and brings together change makers that work towards permanent holistically minded solutions to health - mind, body, spirit, individual, community, planet. Since 2005, our naturopathic clinic in Ometepe, Nicaragua has provided over 20,000+ patients free naturopathic integrative medical care by volunteer naturopathic physicians and CAM providers and nearly $500,000 USD of medicines. Our CE course, Global Health in Natural Medicine, has graduated more than 500 students and physicians and remains the leading course within its field to train students, interns and physicians in global medicine.
Our Interest in Interprofessional Practice and Education:
We at NDI have been practicing and implementing interprofessional practice and education for over a decade in our integrative clinic in Nicaragua. We have been committed to this collaborative work since our inception and hope to create meaningful collaborations with other groups working on global health issues.
Signature Programs and Activities:
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NDI Global Health Courses - Natural Medicine in Global Health
Located on the beautiful UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Ometepe Island, this unique course give medial professionals of all kinds an opportunity to work in an integrative medicine clinic that official works with a Ministry of Health system. Naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, herbalists, medical students, MDs, DOs, DCs, allied health care professionals, or anyone interested in global health that wish to volunteer are encouraged to attend one of our 10-day international global service learning trips.
Herbal Medicine in Global Health - This NDI Medical Herbalism in Global Health course is designed specifically for herbalists of all levels and professions who want to delve into or improve thier clinical herbalism. The course offers an invaluable clinical experience and an expert clinical herbalist faculty.
NDI Interprofessional Internships
NDI global health internships are offered year round and are a minimum of 1 month. You may apply to the NDI internship program if you are a medical student, student of a global health program (undergraduate, masters of science or masters of public health), global health or grassroots social justice organizations, or medical professional. All internships are a combine administrative, project and if you are qualified, clinical service. Students can only shadow doctors and will be given a certain amount of shifts to do so. If you are a student, and wish to intern, a minimum of 1 month is required.
NDI Global Health Policy
At NDI we believe that in order to effectively participate in global health, our professions must be involved at the highest levels of health policy to affect change. To this end, we believe that working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations is critical to the advancement of naturopathic medicine. We completely support and are actively working collaboratively with other NDs around the world to establish a World Federation of Naturopathic Medicine. This year, for the first time in history, thanks to the generosity of the World Federation of Chiropractic, naturopathic physicians attended a WHO World Health Assembly. NDI will continue to lead the naturopathic profession in prioritizing global health in national agendas. NDI Executive Director, Tabatha Parker, co-chairs the AANP Global Health Committee, and represents on the Naturopathic Coordinating Council (NCC) with the main purpose to further this global policy work, and represents the naturopathic community at global health forums whenever possible.