TORONTO, May 21, 2014 – The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) will honour its 2014 graduating class at the College’s 34th convocation on Thursday, May 22, at the University of Toronto’s Convocation Hall.

“The 137 individuals who will cross the stage within Convocation Hall will be the first group of graduates to receive degrees,” says Dr. Bob Bernhardt, president and CEO. “To enter the naturopathic program you require a degree with standard premedical prerequisites. To graduate, you must have been successful throughout four intensive years of medical education, culminating in a year of supervised clinical practice. It is reassuring that the Province of Ontario now permits the educational path of these individuals to be recognized with the appropriate credential. I am pleased that this historic change will be celebrated in one of the most historic educational edifices within Canada.”

This year, CCNM’s honorary degree recipient is Lise Alschuler, ND. Lise graduated from Brown University with an undergraduate degree in medical anthropology and received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in 1994. She is board certified in naturopathic oncology. She is past-President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, a founding board member and current Vice President of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and currently serves as a Director of the Naturopathic Post-Graduation Association. Lise is widely recognized internationally as an expert in cancer treatment and prevention and is a sought-after speaker to physicians, patients and the general public. She makes regular media appearances and has received professional recognition and awards for her work in integrative medicine.

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) is Canada’s premier institute for education and research in naturopathic medicine. CCNM offers a rigorous four-year, full-time naturopathic medicine program. The College educates, develops and trains naturopathic doctors through excellence in health education, clinical services and research that integrate mind, body and spirit.

Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are primary health-care practitioners. Interns at CCNM’s Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic improve their patients’ health by identifying and treating the underlying causes of illness, employing therapies such as lifestyle counselling, nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture/Asian medicine, manipulation, homeopathic medicine, and hydrotherapy/massage.