From Accountant to Naturopathic Doctor to Educator
For Amy Bader, ND, being promoted to Associate Professor is more than a new title. It represents years of dedication to her students, patients, and the professions she believes she was meant to pursue.
Effective July 1, 2026, Dr. Bader was promoted to Associate Professor here at the National University of Natural Medicine, a milestone she describes as both meaningful and deeply personal.
“It means a lot to me as someone who’s been associated with NUNM for my entire naturopathic career,” she said. “It shows that the work I’ve done in this profession and at NUNM has been respected and valued. It just feels really good to be at that next level.”
That sense of purpose has guided Dr. Bader throughout her career, although her path to naturopathic medicine was anything but traditional.
Finding Her Calling
Before becoming a naturopathic physician, Dr. Bader built a successful career as an accountant after earning her business degree from UC Berkeley. She enjoyed the work and excelled in the field, but something was missing.
Her interest in natural medicine began much earlier, after her mother was diagnosed with leukemia when Dr. Bader was 14. As her family searched for ways to support her mother’s health, she was introduced to conventional medicine alongside Chinese medicine, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and nutrition. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for whole person care.
Years later, while working in accounting, she found herself spending her free time reading about nutrition and herbal medicine. When she discovered naturopathic medicine, everything clicked.
“Within an hour, I had called the schools and was applying,” she said. “I knew it was my career path.”
Looking back, she believes the profession found her as much as she found it.
“I feel like this medicine was meant to be my life’s work. It’s what I was meant to do to give back.”
A Teacher at Heart
Teaching has always come naturally to Dr. Bader.
Long before she entered a classroom as faculty, she was tutoring neighborhood children in math using her closet doors as a whiteboard.
“I have been a natural teacher my whole life,” she said. “Sharing information with people, seeing people learn, helping people connect information in ways that make sense has always been part of who I am.”
Today, that passion shapes every class she teaches.
Rather than relying only on lectures and textbooks, Dr. Bader brings lessons to life through storytelling, humor, and real patient experiences. She believes students remember the moments that make them laugh, think or even become emotional.
“I try to create a visceral, memorable experience in the classroom,” she said. “Those are the moments people will remember forever.”
Her approach extends beyond the classroom into the clinic, where she intentionally creates an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and learning through experience.
Watching Students Become Physicians
For Dr. Bader, some of the most rewarding moments happen during clinical education.
She enjoys watching students transform from nervous beginners into confident clinicians capable of thinking on their feet and caring for patients.
“I tell my students this all the time when they come in during their first week,” she said. “’Think about this moment one year from now, because you’re going to be killing it.’ I’m so proud of them because it is such a steep, fast learning experience.”
She hopes graduates leave NUNM with more than clinical knowledge. She wants them to recognize the value of their education and build careers that reflect their passions.
“The wellness economy is enormous,” she said. “Lean into your passion. Create a niche for yourself. There are so many ways you can use this education.”
Advice for Future Students
When asked what advice she would give to students just beginning their journey at NUNM, Dr. Bader didn’t hesitate.
She encourages students to remember why they chose naturopathic medicine in the first place, especially when the journey feels difficult.
“Always return to your passion,” she said. “Just the fact that you came here means you have moxie and you’re unique.” She also reminds students to recognize their worth and trust that the right opportunities will come when they stay true to themselves.
Life Beyond the Classroom
Outside of NUNM, Dr. Bader finds balance through creativity and family.
She loves painting, making collages, visiting art galleries, and surrounding herself with art. She also treasures time with her daughter, her partner, and a close circle of friends.
“If I’m not doing something creative, then I feel like I’m going to go crazy,” she said with a laugh. “Being a mom and being a partner and doing my art, that’s my happy place.”
As she begins this next chapter as Associate Professor, Dr. Bader remains focused on what has always driven her: helping students discover their own potential.
Her promotion recognizes not only her academic accomplishments, but also the lasting impact she continues to make on future naturopathic physicians and the NUNM community.