SCNM’s Innovation, Campus Expansion and Community Outreach Recognized
Tempe, AZ – Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine received the 2014 Business Excellence Award from the Tempe Chamber of Commerce at the Breakfast for Chamber Champions on Feb. 28. The annual award honors outstanding organizations that have demonstrated commitment to quality, value leadership, a passion for the community and actively pursued innovative services and products.
“The Business Excellence Awards recognize outstanding businesses in our community,” said Mary Ann Miller, President/CEO of the Tempe Chamber. “Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine is an amazing company dedicated to their customers, their staffs and the community. We are proud they’re part of the Tempe Chamber, and we celebrate their continued success.”
The award recognizes SCNM for its constant innovation, growth and commitment to the community. SCNM is on the forefront of advancing the naturopathic medical profession and boasts many educational and patient care “firsts” including a revised cutting-edge curriculum, the industry’s first job board, NDjoblink.com, and moving the teaching clinic to electronic medical health records first.
Founded in 1993, SCNM was originally located in Scottsdale, AZ, and moved to the Tempe, AZ, campus in 1996. SCNM has grown during its 20 years from a six-person non-profit to a diverse organization with 249 full- and part-time employees and 418 students. SCNM is in the unique situation of operating in two dynamic environments – higher education and health care. In addition to offering a four-year naturopathic medical degree, SCNM also manages a campus-based medical center offering 14,000 patients annually and 10 community health centers for underserved populations.
Additionally, in Fall 2014, SCNM will open a new 47,000 sq. foot building on the campus with a one-of-a-kind naturopathic pain/rehabilitation clinic, teaching kitchen for community classes, larger natural pharmacy, an open-to-the-public library with health and wellness information, a healthy café, fitness area, space for public courses, and much more to accommodate SCNM’s growth and future plans. SCNM’s Community Medicine program is well-known for its outreach clinics targeting underserved populations. SCNM students and physicians provide free medical services to patients at 10 community clinics and support medically-underserved children and families, domestic violence victims, individuals battling HIV/AIDS and individuals working to recover from addiction.