Toronto, Ontario – May 21, 2015 – Eighteen international medical graduates (IMGs) were recognized as the first-ever foreign-educated doctors to receive a degree in Naturopathy from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) at its 35th convocation on Thursday in Toronto.
“We congratulate our inaugural IMG graduates and believe that naturopathic medicine provides an excellent option for IMGs seeking to define careers for themselves in Canada,” said Bob Bernhardt, PhD, President and CEO, CCNM. “Their patients and Canada’s health-care system will benefit from the knowledge and skills these graduates have acquired through their combined studies in Canada and abroad.”
The graduates were the first IMGs to access CCNM’s ‘Bridge Delivery’ stream, which offers graduates of medical schools outside of Canada an opportunity to secure a successful health-care career in Canada by using their skills, training and experience as future naturopathic doctors.
CCNM’s first ever class of IMG graduates represent a range of educational and cultural backgrounds.

About the CCNM Bridge Delivery for IMGs

Launched in 2013 in recognition of the skills and knowledge that IMGs bring to Canada, Bridge Delivery allows students to complete the naturopathy program at CCNM in two years (6 full terms). Eligible candidates must have graduated from a recognized medical program (as per the Medical Council of Canada) and have successfully completed the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE). Visit http://www.ccnm.edu/prospective_students/bridge/bridge for more information.

About the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine

For almost 40 years, the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) has been Canada’s premier institute for education and research in naturopathic medicine. CCNM educates and trains naturopathic doctors through its rigorous full-time program, culminating in the only naturopathic degree in Canada. Visit www.ccnm.edu<http://www.ccnm.edu> for more information.