Dr. Deborah McKay ’05 advocates for a naturopathic education and causes that drive positive change.

When Dr. Deborah McKay discovered her calling in naturopathic medicine at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), she said it felt like she was “struck by lightning.”  

While studying pre-medicine at Portland State University, McKay said she was “blown away” by a guest speaker who came to present their career as a naturopath. That same year, she decided to enroll in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program at NUNM. 

“I guess that’s a theme in my life,” said McKay, who earned her ND degree from NUNM in 2005. “When I know something, I know it in my bones, and I don’t look back. Not everyone has that trait, and I feel lucky.” 

McKay knew from childhood that she wanted to be a doctor, but it took time to reach that goal. “By the time I graduated, I had a family to care for and was already a mid-life soccer mom,” she said. “I was never the oldest person at NUNM, but let’s say I didn’t blend in very well.” 

Shortly after graduation, McKay opened her private practice, Hormones and Holistic Healthcare, where she specializes in hormone balance and services such as herbal medicine and nutrition. 

With the mission of supporting her mentors and helping future naturopathic physicians, McKay also became a regular donor to NUNM.

“As an institution, NUNM has preserved the entire profession of naturopathic medicine,” she said. “So, that’s a very good use of my contributions.” 

Dr. McKay spoke with NUNM about finding her path as a naturopathic doctor (ND) and the importance of supporting organizations that create meaningful change in the world. 

How did you decide to become an ND?  

I once wrote an essay about this, entitled “Slow Motion Lightning.” I never thought I was going to become a naturopathic doctor. It was just stunning, and it all happened in slow motion over a matter of weeks. I did the ‘Student for a Day’ [now ND Exploration Day] at NUNM, where you’re assigned a student guide and follow them around to various classes. The whole campus, the classes, the labs, the hands-on experiences—it just felt so right. It was like being struck by lightning. I don’t remember the details, but the experience felt like I had giant, invisible hands on my shoulders, guiding me through the dark. I just knew it was my calling. Having a calling is tied to ancient Greek mythology, as the word ‘vocation’ comes from the Latin word ‘vocare,’ which means ‘to call,’ and refers to “hearing the voices of the Gods.” That’s the sensation I had. I just knew I had to do this. 

What motivated you to give back to NUNM as a donor? 

There’s a peculiar kind of uplift and dopamine surge that comes from doing good. I feel that privilege with every patient I meet, but I also feel it every time I send off a check to NUNM, even if it’s just a little contribution. It’s a sense of ethical obligation. On the whole, NUNM is a force for good in this world. These are my teachers, and it’s important to honor them. In every scholarly endeavor, every religion, and every apprenticeship, honoring our teachers is essential, so that’s a big part of it. It’s also important to make sure this knowledge is available for the next generation. There are many threats out there and if I can offer a tiny bit of stability, I need to do that. This is part of my legacy, and I can’t do it by myself, but I’m plugged into an institution that can. 

Do you have any parting words for future NDs? 

By the time I was done with my education, I recognized that we in the world of naturopathic medicine are actually more grounded in science than mainstream medicine. We are early adopters of evolving science, and the reason is that we are accustomed to working with modalities that don’t harm people, giving us the courage to adopt new methods. We also work more closely with our patients and it’s common for us to spend up to an hour with them to explain things more thoroughly, and so we have better relationships. I have a much better toolkit as a naturopathic physician than I would have had as an MD. Their focus is mainly on pharmacy and surgery—and that’s it. We use herbalism, homeopathy, hands-on therapy, and body-mind-spirit medicine. It’s really important to understand how the human body works, what happens when something goes wrong, and how to restore health by working with the body’s natural processes. It’s nice to have Mother Nature as a partner, rather than working against her. 

Written by Ashley Villarreal, Marketing Content Specialist