The University of Western States (UWS) Board of Trustees has announced the addition of Christine L. Girard, ND, MPH, to the board. Dr. Girard brings an extensive background and knowledge of integrative medicine.
“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Christine Girard as a member of the UWS Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Joseph Brimhall, UWS president and CEO. “Dr. Girard’s exceptional background and experience in the naturopathic medicine community, in higher education administration, and in clinical practice, uniquely qualifies her to deliver valuable perspectives for the board governance of University of Western States.”
Dr. Girard has devoted her career to hospital-based integrative medicine and the education of health care professionals across specialties for more than 25 years. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses for the online programs at the University of Arizona’s Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. Dr. Girard also served as past president/CEO of the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, executive vice president of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and past director of naturopathic medicine at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Girard is the co-founder and past co-director of the Integrative Medicine at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Connecticut. While at Griffin Hospital, Dr. Girard served as a clinical research specialist at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.
“What a great honor to join the Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Girard. “I am delighted to serve alongside such a forward-thinking team of professionals. I have been impressed with the leadership of UWS as it navigates the changing landscape of higher education and health care while remaining constant in keeping the ‘good of the patient’ at the center of care.”
Dr. Girard received her naturopathic degree from National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon and her MPH from the University of Arizona’s Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.
Awards include the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust’s Piper Fellows Program (2013), American Association of Naturopathic Physicians’ Physician of the Year Award (2010), and National College of Naturopathic Medicine’s Pioneer Award (2008).
