What is it like to be enrolled in the only six-year ND program in North America? Challenging, but rewarding too, beyond anything I ever expected. The course load is approximately 20 hours per week and includes evenings and Saturdays, plus I am working during the day.
 
Although a first-year student, I am in my second year at BINM. During my time on campus, I work for the campus bookstore and sit on the Publicity Committee that organizes our annual Open House. In fact, I would like to invite anyone who will be in the Lower Mainland area to check out the open house on Saturday, May 8 from 10am to 4pm. 
      
In this blog I will share my naturopathic medical school experiences through my eyes. I will explore current issues, events and researches that are happening at school and that affect the profession in general. For example, last April regulations were passed in Victoria to give naturopathic physicians in BC the right to prescribe certain pharmaceutical drugs. To prepare NDs for these changes, a Pharmaceutical Prescribing Upgrade course is offered by BINM and has started in March this year.
 
We have all seen the emerging research on the importance of vitamin D. Well another great study, with 31,000 participants, found those with the lowest level of the sunshine vitamin also had an 80 percent greater risk of death, a 54 percent higher risk of diabetes, a 40 percent higher risk of coronary artery disease, a 72 percent higher risk of kidney failure and a 26 percent higher risk of depression¹. Wow! And all for lack of one of nature's most available and least expensive vitamins!
 
I welcome everyone to this blog.  Like any good physician, I'll keep my finger on the pulse of current issues and events to share with you. Your comments, responses and suggestions are welcome. I can be reached at wtao@bioclinicnaturals.com.  
  
Reference

1. Globe and Mail.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/vitamin-d-may-reduce-heart-disease-risk/article1501253/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter.  Accessed on March 16, 2010.