NUNM awards more than $360,000 in scholarships for 2024-25 - National University of Natural Medicine

More than 30 students across all programs earn support for their academic pursuits thanks to generosity of alumni and donors.

The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) awarded more than $360,000 in scholarships this year to assist students in their educational pursuits.

A total of 31 new and returning students at NUNM received scholarships for this 2024-25 academic year. Awards were provided to both in-person and online students across nearly all degree programs in Chinese medicine, naturopathic medicine, nutrition, global health and clinical research.

With awards ranging from $2,000 up to $40,000 a year, NUNM scholarships are made possible thanks to our generous alumni, donors and supporters.

“These scholarships provide meaningful support to our students, helping to ease the financial burden of their education and allowing them to focus more fully on their studies,” said Dr. Carrie Baldwin-Sayre, associate vice president of advancement and community engagement at NUNM.

This year is the first that NUNM awarded the Naturopathic Physicians for Oregon Communities (NPOC) scholarship, which was part of a landmark $400,000 grant NUNM received in June. The NPOC scholarship, an initiative by the Oregon Health Authority to address healthcare needs in the state’s rural and underserved areas, awards $80,000 over two years to each of five students in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program.

“We are deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity helps nurture the next generation of natural medicine practitioners,” Baldwin-Sayre said, “making a tangible difference in their academic journey.”

NUNM is proud of the passion, dedication and academic talent of its students and is pleased to be able to provide support throughout their journey to improve healthcare and the lives of individuals and communities everywhere through natural medicine.

The 2024-25 scholarships and their recipients are:

Naturopathic Physicians for Oregon Communities (NPOC) Scholarship

Diana Frainey

Diana is a fourth-year dual degree student pursuing her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Nutrition degrees. Growing up in a family impacted by domestic violence and addiction, she witnessed firsthand the gaps in care for marginalized communities and developed a deep passion for integrative medicine and a strong desire to serve underserved populations. These experiences solidified her commitment to offering a bio-individual approach to wellness, focusing on preventative medicine, addiction recovery, and trauma-informed care. Diana strives to make naturopathic medicine accessible to underserved populations who often lack resources and support. In the future, she envisions creating community-based health programs that integrate nutrition, naturopathic medicine, and holistic therapies to address both the physical and emotional health of her patients. Her academic success is complemented by at least a decade of extensive, hands-on clinical experience working for underserved populations, which has strengthened her commitment to create a more inclusive healthcare system to ensure everyone has access to the care they need to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Tabitha Grow

Tabitha is a single mom and a year 3/4 Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine student who is passionate about metabolic therapies, chronic infections, and mold toxicity. She has served in the Student Government Association at NUNM and is a leader in multiple clubs. She has also been proactive in advocating for low-income communities in the local Portland area through Medicaid assistant volunteer work. Tabitha graduated from Portland State University with a bachelor’s in public health and biology. She is passionate about the systemic issues that create inequity and would like to be involved in government policy in the future. A born-and-raised Oregonian, she has a deep love for the PNW and finds pleasure in camping, hiking, and foraging. On her off time, you will find her sharing this love of nature with her son, seeking out new waterfalls and hot springs.

Anna Osman

Anna is a fourth-year Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine student, originally from Cape May, New Jersey, who has enjoyed the transition into becoming a West Coaster! Anna studied biology in her undergraduate years and is passionate about mental health and physical medicine. She is dedicated to bridging the gap between allopathic and naturopathic medicine, integrating the strengths of both philosophies. Outside of school, Anna enjoys attending classes at the gym, being crafty, cooking and baking, playing the flute and binge-watching documentaries and reality TV. Anna looks forward to her career as a naturopathic physician.

Anastasia (Stacy) Rempel

Stacy Rempel is a third-year Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine student at NUNM. She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest to Slavic immigrant parents who showed her the beauty of natural medicine. As a future naturopathic doctor, Stacy aims to serve her community through education and access to care, providing support for patients in their native tongue. During her time at NUNM, Stacy also served on the Student Government Association and Naturopathic Medical Student Association. Living in the Pacific Northwest, her free time is filled with coffee shop-hopping, family gatherings, and the joy of reading on rainy days.

LaDaisy Turner

LaDaisy is a fourth-year dual degree student in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine & Master of Science in Global Health programs. She was blessed to grow up in the small island nation of The Bahamas in the Caribbean, as a proud Afro-Bahamian American. LaDaisy was attracted to naturopathic medicine for the balance it can provide and was encouraged to take a more personalized approach to health by focusing on the root cause of illness. She is also an advocate for health equity and the continued normalization of holistic and traditional medicines within underserved and marginalized communities, particularly social justice and reproductive issues for women within Black and Brown communities. LaDaisy has a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from West Virginia University and an MBA from Davenport University. Some of her leisurely passions are traveling, learning new languages (currently learning Swahili), experiencing new cultures, coffee shop-hopping and having an obsession with chocolate.

1000 Friends of NUNM Scholarship

Rebecca Dao

Rebecca is a third-year student in the Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization program. Born in Oakland, California, she has a desire to help the community that has never faltered. With an array of experience throughout the years, her work included bringing toys to kids in the PICU, giving patients their herbal prescriptions, and coaching people of all ages with public speaking. Outside of Rebecca’s career, she loves to cook adapted Vietnamese dishes, perform stand-up comedy/improv, and DJ the night away. Her passion to nourish and heal is prioritized, understanding that each individual’s journey is different and can look and feel like anything. Rebecca seeks out ways to recognize disharmony and change that both inside the clinic and out. People asked her, “What fuels you?” Her answer: Phở broth. She continues to thrive in remembrance of her late father, sister, and grandparents. They would have loved to see Rebecca at her best at NUNM.

Payton Follestad

Payton is a dual-degree student in her fourth year of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Clinical Research programs. In 2019, she graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Arts focused on biology, society, and the environment. Driven by a profound commitment to mental health and holistic well-being, Payton aspires to revolutionize therapeutic approaches. She recognizes the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and is dedicated to advancing their integration into mainstream medicine and furthering research on their medicinal use while honoring traditional origin and practices. Payton envisions a comprehensive model that melds clinical practice, rigorous research, community engagement, and policy advocacy. She aims to contribute to a healthier society where transformative healing experiences and holistic care are accessible to all, creating a brighter and more interconnected world. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring the PNW.

Alumni and Friends Scholarship

Ryan Hofer

Ryan is a fifth-year student of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program who is constantly amazed by the effectiveness of natural medicine. He looks forward to continual exploration of botanical and hands-on modalities for the treatment of chronic inflammation and mental health. When more people have access to high-quality, gentle, natural modalities, our communities are stronger and more resilient towards the challenges of economic inequity and climate change. After graduation, Ryan plans to dedicate his efforts to making natural medicine services available to as many people as possible in the most cost-effective ways.

Jennifer Novak

Jj is a student in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program who first began her journey into naturopathic medicine in Illinois, where she worked with a youth recovery program centered on healing through nature. She went on to earn a degree in biomedical science from Idaho State University, where she became increasingly focused on community-based social justice. This passion led her to establish an organization aimed at fostering communication between those on opposing ends of societal power dynamics. She is grateful for these experiences and the relationships built, which enriched her community, as well as her own emotional and cultural well-being. She continues to apply this knowledge throughout her studies at NUNM, through ongoing personal education, and volunteer work. Her mission is to blend her commitment to social change with her expertise in holistic medicine and create healing spaces that can empower vulnerable populations to achieve the health and well-being they deserve.

Adam Patterson

Adam is a 5/6 dual-degree student in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Global Health programs, focusing on community wellness, behavior change, and mental health care. Over the past decade, Adam has worked extensively with both local and international communities to empower individuals and youth to deepen their connection with the environment, food systems, and social support networks. With a passion for fostering sustainable wellness, Adam aims to use their education in the future to build systems that can promote lasting health and resilience within communities.

Bob Moore Memorial Scholarship

Brenda Ballard

Brenda lives in Florida in the Tampa Bay area. She is working remotely toward her studies in the Accelerated Bachelor to Master of Science in Nutrition program while juggling her job as a stay-at-home mother. She homeschools her four young children and strives to contribute to her family household by maintaining a large garden with a significant quantity of food. She also makes items such as laundry detergent, soap, and household cleaners from scratch, which contribute financially through a small online store. In her spare time, she volunteers at local farms to help grow sustainable and organic produce for both her household and others in the community.

Tammy Mazure

Tammy is in her second year of the Master of Science in Nutrition program at NUNM, focusing on clinical nutrition. While her route to working in the field of healthcare utilizing a natural approach was circuitous, it was deeply influenced by her varied path of working and traveling in both the US and abroad. These experiences expanded her ways of thinking and her approach to the world. They opened her eyes to different natural healthcare approaches and healthy ways of eating while cultivating her adaptability and expanding her cultural knowledge. She believes proper nutrition is more than what we eat and drink—it is also about how we move our body and feed our soul through all our senses. To help her community regain balance in health, she plans to offer medical nutrition therapy, provide functional nutrition education, and work on nutrition and natural health research throughout her future career.

Danielle Swenberger

Dani is a student in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program at NUNM. Originally from the Midwest, she has an undergraduate degree in global studies with a focus in sustainable development and has worked in the sustainable food industry for the last 15 years, most recently in organic certification. Dani has a strong passion for sustainable agriculture and nutritious food, which caused her to change careers and go back to school to become a naturopath. She hopes to focus on nutrition and food as a means of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and apply her experience in the industry to help expand access to healthy food for as many of her patients as possible.

Diane Greenberg Memorial Scholarship for Naturopathic Gerontology

Gillian Chase

Gillian is in her fourth and final year of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program, where she serves as President of the Geriatrics Club. Her passions include geriatrics, end-of-life care, environmental medicine, hormonal balance, and mental health. Gillian aims to open a private practice focused on vitality, integrating nature cure principles like botanical medicine and hydrotherapy. She was recently awarded the Diane Greenberg Memorial Scholarship for her dedication to holistic elder care. Gillian is committed to improving elder health on a larger scale, particularly within care facilities, extending her impact beyond individual practice. In her free time, she enjoys rockhounding, hiking, foraging, printmaking, and practicing yoga, reflecting her love for creativity and personal growth.

Dr. Robert Sklovksy Memorial Scholarship

Sophia Shalmiyev

Sophia is a student pursuing her degree as an acupuncturist through the Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization program at NUNM. She is also a child art therapist, painter and writer. Sophia previously attained her master’s degree in creative art therapy, along with a master’s in writing, and is the author of Mother Winter, a book about emigrating from the Soviet Union and losing her mother to alcoholism. Sophia lives in Portland with her two children.

A recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.

Friends of Dr. Martin Milner Scholarship

Tammy Beaulieu

Tammy is a third-year student of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program at NUNM. She received her undergraduate degree in Integrative Health Science at the American College of Healthcare Sciences. By 56 years old, she had experienced life-changing events that led her to pursue a career in healthcare, such as raising an Autistic child, taking care of her mother through various health issues, and working in different professional industries. Her exposure to the difficulties life can present has made her resilient and determined to become a primary care physician to be able to meet people where they are and work together to provide the best possible care for patients and the community.

Innovation in Wellbeing Scholarship

Rachel Fiske

Rachel is a second-year student in the Master of Science in Global Health program. She is originally from Portland but has also lived in Central America (Nicaragua and Costa Rica) for 12 years. With a background in women’s studies and social work, she is thrilled to be gaining NUNM’s invaluable education as she works to grow her own global health nonprofit, Salud Para Todos Caribe. She hopes to make her site available to university students wishing to serve their global community and is incredibly grateful for the support this scholarship granted her. Rachel firmly believes integrative healthcare should be accessible to all and that everyone should have the same options when it comes to their healthcare, regardless of socioeconomic class and other barriers that impede high-quality, respectful care.

Kana Moll

Kana is in her third year of the Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine program and brings over 25 years of experience in massage and structural bodywork. She is a passionate advocate for holistic wellness with training in yoga, Qi Gong, and Taiji. Raised in both Japan and North America, Kana holds degrees in biochemistry, food nutrition and environmental science. Her commitment to holistic healthcare is grounded in global experiences, with early years spent on a family farm in Japan, professional work in international wildlife habitat conservation, and time spent raising a family in the mountains of Montana and the suburbs of Eugene. She is inspired by her maternal grandmother, whose rural hostel in northern Japan provided a welcoming community for seasonal forest workers to share simple, wholesome meals, and healing hot springs. In her free time, Kana enjoys exploring the great outdoors—especially the mountains.

Sophie Tajadod

Sophie is a third-year student in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program. Sophie graduated in 2021 from the University of Washington in Seattle with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She is passionate about intertwining her love of science and the natural world with the art of good healthcare. She hopes to use her career as a vessel for service in the local community and positive change across the healthcare landscape by focusing on chronic disease. In her free time, Sophie enjoys being active in nature, reading a good novel, and spending time with her large family, fiancé, and two kittens.

NCMIC Scholarship

Danielle D’Mello

Danielle moved to Portland from the Midwest to pursue her degree in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program and fell in love with everything about the PNW! Always in pursuit of higher medical training and education, she graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s in Physiology and holds additional certifications in E.M.T. and Phlebotomy. Along the way, she found a passion for teaching and giving back to others. Her interests are in homeopathy, botanical medicine, IV therapy, working with disordered eating populations, and making naturopathic medicine accessible to all populations. Her hobbies include spending time with her partner Sean and their two cats (Ginger and Mittens), tending to their many plants, organizing weekly food prep and sharing baked goods.

Percy and Adrienne Frazier Memorial Scholarship

Rudo Duri

Rudo is a passionate dual-degree student in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Clinical Research programs, driven by a commitment to work with underserved communities. With deep cultural sensitivity to global health needs, Rudo plans to focus on preventative care and women’s health. Her global mission work, from rural clinics in Zimbabwe to underserved communities in Barbados and Colombia, has strengthened her resolve to create holistic, accessible healthcare services. She channels her lifelong dedication to community development into transformative global projects. Rudo envisions building hospitals that can provide essential medical care and serve as centers for spreading the gospel of Christ, bringing healing to both body and spirit. She remains dedicated to creating health services that can truly meet those who need it most.

D’Asia Gholar

D’Asia, a native of Gulfport, Mississippi, is a second-year student of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine with a passion for medicine and giving back to her community. Having arrived in Oregon by way of Texas, D’Asia is driven by a lifelong desire to learn and make a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare. She is particularly focused on promoting healthy living and exploring the benefits of naturopathic medicine, both now and for future generations. D’Asia earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Tougaloo College and has worked with nonprofit organizations to develop a deep understanding of the challenges faced by underserved communities. Through her studies and future medical career, D’Asia aims to be a voice for all, advocating for equitable healthcare access and a holistic approach to wellness.

Catalina Membrila

Catalina is a student in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program but describes herself primarily as a student of life. She is an artist, dancer, hiker, naturopath, baker, cook, seamstress, Latina, florist, traveler, friend, barista, and crafter. She is curious, thoughtful, bubbly, and forgets to breathe from the excitement of the beauties found in life. Cat, as she likes to be called, feels privileged to be given an opportunity at NUNM to discover and fulfill a way of life that aligns with her understanding of health as a holistic law. She desires to embody her own healing process so that she may be a channel of healing for her community members. She hopes to share her knowledge of natural healthcare methods and her practices around health to help others who have sought balance in their life. If you see her around, don’t be afraid to ask for a hug.

Claire Michelson

Claire is in her fourth and final year of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program at NUNM. Born and raised in Missoula, Montana, she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Montana in 2017 with degrees in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and psychology. With a background in youth leadership development and social justice advocacy, Claire is passionate about holistic health education and providing care to patients who seek a deeper understanding of their bodies and more creative solutions to their health concerns. Her clinical interests are broad, ranging from GI and mental health to LGBTQ healthcare and gynecology. After graduation, she plans to return to Missoula to practice naturopathic medicine in her hometown.

Dain Miller

Dain is a student in the Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization program who grew up in Hillsboro, Oregon, in a family of doctors and teachers. Dain has been asking questions about the universe ever since he was young. After studying philosophy and physics at Chapman University, he became interested in Eastern philosophy and Chinese Medicine and decided to become a practitioner and study at NUNM. He intends to use the knowledge he gains within the Chinese Medicine program to better serve his community with more accessible and effective health care. He believes that health is wealth and that healthcare is a human right everyone deserves to attain.

Reed Moshofsky

Reed is a second-year student in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program. Prior to NUNM, Reed received his bachelor’s degree in computer science but felt disheartened by the prospect of a desk job and the potential challenges of artificial intelligence reducing career options in programming. He is very passionate about alternative mental healthcare treatment modalities and has a strong interest in helping athletes optimize performance and manage injuries. Reed very much believes in the value of exercise for mental and emotional resiliency and the importance of having an exercise regimen. He’s also interested in research surrounding the mechanism of action in various herbs, nutrients, amino acids, and other interventions. He is currently working with a long-term friend to launch his own niche supplement business. Reed also plans to run an informative YouTube channel where he can relay research on supplementation.

Gianna Spinosa

Gianna was raised in Arcata, California, where she resided for the majority of her life. Living and studying abroad greatly inspired her to pursue the Master of Science in Global Health program at NUNM. She first completed her undergraduate degree in environmental science, with a minor in dance, at Humboldt State University. Growing up in a community where nature was prevalent, she found passion and purpose in the realm of herbal and natural medicine from a young age. In 2019, she completed her Herbalist Certification at Dandelion Herbal Center in Northern California and has been creating many of her own natural and herbal medicine products ever since. She is most prominently known for her pop-up Cacao and Kava bars at local markets and events. Gianna also resided in Turku, Finland, where she studied development economics and started her education working with entheogenic plant medicines.

Peterson Family Scholarship

Destiny Whitmire

Destiny is a second-year student in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program. She earned a Bachelor of Science in food and nutrition, graduating with honors, prior to pivoting to naturopathic medicine. Destiny is dedicated to serving those most in need and worked as a community nutrition instructor, providing nutrition education to limited resource populations. Her primary focus and passion is in providing for underserved populations and supporting the health of all communities. Beyond primary care, her clinical interests include endocrinology, women’s health, gastroenterology, and more. She is passionate about providing quality care through a patient-centered approach, with individualized treatment utilizing a variety of different modalities such as botanical medicine, nutrition and physical medicine. Outside of her studies at NUNM, Destiny enjoys being active and spending time outdoors exploring the Pacific Northwest. She can often be found walking the land, identifying and appreciating medicinal plants.

Standard Process Scholarship

Jailyn Thomas

Jailyn is a third-year student in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program who recently earned her Master of Science in Nutrition from NUNM this past summer. She is passionate about health education, health literacy and improving health equity for underserved, low-income and minority populations. She looks forward to using her nutrition, naturopathic medicine and public health education experience in a way that directly improves health and wellness at the community level. Her goal is to continue sharing her love for food as medicine and promoting foundations of health through lifestyle choices that help prevent disease and restore vitality.

A recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.

Read About Past Recipients

Support NUNM Scholarships

You, too, can become a donor, name your own scholarship, or invest in NUNM’s general scholarship fund to make a significant difference for future natural medicine practitioners and professionals. Contact the Office of Advancement to find out how.