Two-day speaker series explores trends in integrative medicine, support and advocacy for future physicians.

In honor of National Women’s History Month, the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) hosted “Women’s Health Awareness,” a two-day panel series on March 19 and March 21. 

The event aimed to deepen the understanding of women’s health experiences, promote better support in medical practice, and equip students with tools to advocate for themselves and others in their careers. 

Taking place on campus and streamed virtually, it brought together students, faculty, and staff to discuss key issues impacting women’s health. Panelists and medical experts covered topics such as equitable care, alternative treatments for women’s health, and mental wellness. 

NUNM organizers noted that “Women’s Health Awareness” would be the first in a series of health events, with future sessions planned to address health concerns for various populations, including the specific health needs of men, children, and gender-diverse individuals. 

The first panel, held on March 19, featured health experts who discussed the barriers surrounding women’s health, as well as advocacy and support for physicians working in this field. The second day followed up with topics such as cultural awareness and how integrative medicine can be tailored to meet women’s health needs.

The panel featured: 

• Dr. Kimberly Windstar, NUNM women’s health professor and naturopathic physician at NUNM’s Main Clinic 

• Dr. Marianne Marchese, NUNM associate professor, naturopathic physician, and expert in environmental medicine and women’s health 

• Lisa Tongel, an NUNM adjunct faculty member and licensed acupuncturist specializing in reproductive health, fertility, and pregnancy care 

• Dr. Emma Neiworth-Petshow, assistant professor of biomedical sciences at NUNM and a naturopathic physician with a focus on cardiopulmonary disease and women’s health 

• Dr. Katherine Patterson, associate professor of laboratory medicine at NUNM and a naturopathic physician specializing in chronic conditions. 

Barriers in Women’s Health 

Dr. Petshow emphasized the importance of ensuring that patients feel heard, noting that many women she sees in her practice have shared experiences where their health concerns were overlooked. 

“Sometimes people avoid seeking care or following up with providers due to a lack of recognition of their pain, the symptoms they’re experiencing, or their lived experience,” she said. “As medical providers, we can help address this by providing space for patients to really be listened to and helping guide them toward treatment outcomes or solutions.” 

Dr. Patterson said she has encountered patients who share similar feelings and explained that misunderstandings can arise, particularly considering the history of women’s exclusion from medical research and knowledge.

“There is a deficit we’re working on overcoming,” she said, “which tends to set women up at a disadvantage for their symptoms being understood in medicine.” 

Women in the Profession

Many of the panelists agreed that experiences of “imposter syndrome” and self-doubt can be common among female practitioners, but said personal advocacy can help overcome these feelings. 

Petshow pointed out that individuals working in a naturopathic field may already face added pressure to validate their skills and abilities. 

“As health care providers in the ‘alternative’ medicine space, we really hold a high level of responsibility for ourselves to make sure that we’re staying up on evidence informed practices,” she said, “and helping people navigate the health information space because it can be really challenging.”  

Despite any ongoing obstacles, the speakers noted a positive trend of more women entering healthcare—including at NUNM, where an increased number of women have pursued naturopathic medicine degrees.

Petshow said data shows more women are now being accepted into medical school programs overall. “It’s great in the sense that, within the past 200 years, women weren’t even allowed to be in medical school,” she said.  

Benefits of Integrative Medicine

Dr. Marchese and Dr. Windstar agreed naturopathic treatments can offer distinct benefits to women. Patients who choose to avoid certain medications can still benefit from effective herbal supplements that help treat hormonal imbalances or conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. 

Marchese added that naturopathic physicians have additional advantages in addressing mental health issues. By treating the whole person, they are able to identify progressive symptoms, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, that may be neglected. 

“I would tell you that there’s definitely an increase in women reporting mental health symptoms and wanting treatment for it,” she said. “I think it’s always been there, but now women have a voice.” 

She added that older generations have advocated less frequently for mental health needs, but she has witnessed more women and men who now seek treatment to manage various concerns.  

Support for Physicians  

Tongel advised the student attendees not to underestimate the power of engaging in activities like attending conferences to grow both personally and professionally. 

“Having groups of other providers within your discipline and other disciplines can be really is essential,” she said. “This is a really particularly amazing environment where we’re around each other all the time but it’s different when you leave the school setting.” 

Patterson went further to include external support systems such as community, urging students to think holistically in their practice. She encouraged them to consider not only patients’ bodies and minds but also their sense of belonging and community, as these factors contribute to mental health. 

“These are things we need to talk about with each other in medical appointments and outside of medical appointments,” she said, “to lift each other up and support each other.” 

Beyond Women’s Health 

Marchese said while not everyone may specialize in women’s health, future physicians will still benefit from education and clinical shifts to better understand a range of concerns, adding that women have also been shown to seek medical services more frequently.

“Women’s Health is not just reproductive health, it’s the whole body,” she said, “and when you leave here, you’ll have the foundation to make an impact in the lives of your female-bodied patients.” 

In closing, Windstar emphasized the crucial impact NUNM students will have, regardless of their specialty. 

“We’re so grateful that you’re here and that you’re doing this work,” she said. “The people that you’re going to make a difference with is profound.” 

Written by Ashley Villarreal, Marketing Content Specialist