ND student’s NUNM Discovery Day talk to focus on medical prevention and advocacy efforts to help counter natural disasters.

With NUNM Discovery Day: “Climate Change Health Risks Revealed” set for October 26, the National University of Natural Medicine is featuring event speakers who will discuss the links between climate change and health. 

Maggi Weiseman, a medical student at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), had always viewed nature as an integral part of daily life growing up in the Appalachian Mountains region.

This early connection to the outdoors persisted throughout her academic journey, deepening Weiseman’s appreciation for the environment and its impact on health. 

Now in her fourth year of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program, Weiseman said she felt a pivotal career moment happen during her environmental studies coursework at NUNM.  

“It provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the intricate relationship between environmental factors and human health,” said Weiseman. “This academic experience transformed my personal interest into a professional passion.”

As she discovered the far-reaching effects of climate change, she said that environmental medicine became a cornerstone of her medical philosophy. It also led her to form daily habits to reduce her carbon footprint and adopt principles of conscious consumerism, she said.  

“This evolution of my interests—from personal passion and academic pursuit to professional focus—reflects my belief that environmental medicine is not just a specialization,” she said, “but a crucial lens through which we must view modern healthcare.”

Weiseman said she could use education to help bridge the gap between environmental awareness and practical, personalized healthcare, equipping patients with the tools to navigate environmental health challenges effectively.  

“This evolution of my interests—from personal passion and academic pursuit to professional focus—reflects my belief that environmental medicine is not just a specialization,” she said, “but a crucial lens through which we must view modern healthcare.” 

For the NUNM Discovery Day: Climate Change Health Risks Revealed event, Weiseman’s talk is entitled “Burning issues: Health consequences of wildfires”. She said she aims to discuss the physical and mental health effects of wildfires, as well as the unique position natural medicine can play in addressing these concerns. 

Weiseman answered questions about the upcoming event and shared her hope for natural solutions that can lead to better health outcomes in the future:

NUNM: How did the topic of wildfires become important to you? 

Weiseman: My interest in wildfires was ignited by a stark personal experience after moving to the Pacific Northwest from the East Coast. A family vacation to Bend, disrupted by smoke, opened my eyes to the profound impact wildfires have on daily life in this region. This firsthand encounter transformed wildfires from an abstract concept to a tangible, pressing issue in my mind.  

Over the past two years, living in the PNW has deepened my understanding of wildfires as an integral part of the local ecosystem and a growing concern for public health. As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of wildfires are projected to increase, making this a critical issue for residents and healthcare providers alike. 

How is the natural medicine community in a unique position to address healthcare issues related to climate change?  

NUNM students are indeed uniquely positioned to engage in environmental advocacy and help communities adapt to climate change. Here’s why: 

• Holistic approach: NUNM’s naturopathic curriculum emphasizes a holistic view of health, which aligns perfectly with understanding the complex interactions between environmental factors and human wellbeing 
• Environmental medicine focus: The environmental studies block at NUNM provides students with specialized knowledge about how environmental factors impact health, giving them a strong foundation for advocacy work 
• Practical experience: NUNM students gain firsthand experience with environmental health issues like wildfires, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in the Pacific Northwest. This real-world understanding can inform their advocacy efforts 
• Preventive medicine emphasis: Naturopathic medicine’s focus on prevention aligns well with the proactive measures needed to address climate change impacts on health 
• Patient education skills: NUNM students are trained to educate patients effectively. This skill is crucial for raising awareness about environmental health issues and promoting sustainable practices 

By leveraging these unique aspects of their education, NUNM students can become effective environmental advocates and leaders in climate change adaptation within the healthcare sector. Their training equips them to bridge the gap between environmental science and public health, making them valuable assets in addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time. 

Why do you feel it’s important for both the NUNM community and broader public to attend this event? 

By attending this event, students and members of the public can gain valuable knowledge to protect their health, support their communities, and contribute to broader climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. 

• Personal health awareness: Climate change directly impacts individual and community health. Attending would help people understand these risks and learn how to protect themselves and their families
• Mental health implications: Climate change can significantly affect mental health, including eco-anxiety and post-traumatic stress from climate-related events. The event could provide coping strategies and resources
• Preparedness for extreme weather: As extreme weather events become more frequent, understanding their health impacts can help individuals better prepare for and respond to these events
• Community resilience: Knowledge gained can empower individuals to contribute to local adaptation efforts and increase community resilience to climate-related health risk
• Informed decision-making: Understanding the health impacts of climate change can help individuals make more informed decisions about their lifestyle, voting choices, and community involvement
• Economic implications: Climate change affects food production and livelihoods. Understanding these impacts can help individuals plan for potential economic challenges
• Networking and support: The event provides an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and find support in addressing climate-related health concerns

NUNM: What do you hope attendees can take away from this event?   

I hope this event, and my talk in particular, will serve as a catalyst for empowerment and positive action in the face of climate-related health challenges. My primary goal is for attendees to leave feeling informed, connected, and capable, rather than isolated or overwhelmed by the unknown. Specifically, I want to emphasize that there are tangible, everyday actions we can take to positively impact our health and resilience in the face of climate events like wildfires. Too often, healthcare can feel like a realm where patients lack knowledge and power. I aim to flip that narrative. 

Ultimately, I want attendees to leave with a sense of hope and agency. While the challenges of climate change are significant, we are not powerless. By understanding the risks, implementing protective strategies, and working together, we can build healthier, more resilient communities in the face of environmental changes. 

By Ashley Villarreal, Marketing Content Specialist