Node Smith, ND

The New Mexico Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NMANP) celebrated a huge legislative success on March 1, 2019 with the passing of State Bill 135 by the Health and Human Services Committee. This is a crucial first step in the eventual licensure of naturopathic physicians in the state of New Mexico.

SB 135 “Naturopathic Doctors’ Practice Act”

The SB 135, titled “Naturopathic Doctors’ Practice Act,” would allow naturopathic physicians to be licensed and to practice the full scope of their training from an accredited college or university specializing in naturopathic medicine.

Passing of SB 135 would make New Mexico the twenty-second state to approve licensure of naturopathic physicians

The passing of SB 135 would make New Mexico the twenty-second state to approve the licensure of naturopathic physicians. Currently, states that license naturopathic physicians include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Washington. U.S. Territories Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands also license NDs. Canadian provinces licensing NDs include Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

Revised legislation, HB 244, passed with a unanimous vote giving NMDs the ability to be licensed and practice their training in Idaho

On March 5, 2019, naturopaths from Idaho celebrated a similar victory, with the passing of SB 244. The Idaho Association of Naturopathic Physicians were happy to comment: “After several days of concentrated negotiations with many interested parties, an agreement was reached between the IDAANP and other groups representing natural health care providers. The revised legislation, HB 244, was passed with a unanimous vote out of the Health and Welfare Committee today. This bill will give naturopathic medical doctors (NMD) the ability to be licensed and practice their training in Idaho.”

Node Smith, ND, is a naturopathic physician in Humboldt, Saskatchewan and associate editor and continuing education director for NDNR. His mission is serving relationships that support the process of transformation, and that ultimately lead to healthier people, businesses and communities. His primary therapeutic tools include counselling, homeopathy, diet and the use of cold water combined with exercise. Node considers health to be a reflection of the relationships a person or a business has with themselves, with God and with those around them. In order to cure disease and to heal, these relationships must be specifically considered. Node has worked intimately with many groups and organizations within the naturopathic profession, and helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic Revitalization (ANR), which works to promote and facilitate experiential education in vitalism.

Node Smith graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in 2017, and is currently licensed as a naturopathic physician in Oregon and working towards becoming licensed in Saskatchewan, Canada as well.