Dr. Clark is an assistant professor in the new naturopathic medicine program at the University of Western States, of which she is excited to be a part. She is teaching the six-part Function and Dysfunction series, Biomedical Integration I, II and III and Neuroscience. She greatly enjoys working in a collaborative environment with other faculty members and administrators, as well as teaching and working with students.
Dr. Clark earned a BS in physics from Oregon State University in 2000, and ND and MAc degrees from National University of Natural Medicine in 2011. She was in private practice from 2012 to 2020. She began her career in teaching in 2019 at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, Oregon, where she served as chair of the integrative medicine department from 2019 to 2023. In this capacity, she worked with faculty in the biomedicine, research and professional development departments to introduce new curriculum as well as provide support, mediation and consultation in the areas of course design, policymaking and student/faculty and faculty/administration issues.
At UWS, she is eager to further cultivate her skillsets in pedagogy, course development and the integration of technology into both education and health care. She is happy to be a part of this wonderful community.
What made you to decide to come to UWS?
I felt drawn by the new NMD program, and being in the world of natural medicine and part of starting a new program is very exciting. The community here is welcoming and fun. It feels like a good fit!
What excites you most about the school’s future?
Of course the development and launch of the new NMD program, but also the things we are doing to advance educational standards and pedagogy. I have felt impressed by the passion and innovation I see in other faculty members, as well as the investment from the school in developing new learning tools and methods to help students.
Where does your passion for teaching stem from?
I have felt inspired by my own educational journey; not just my successes, but more specifically the difficulties I faced at times when learning new things as a student and in my own career. Those are the places that allow me to spot potential challenges and stumbling blocks commonly experienced by students, and that inspire me to find ways of delivering information that will feel accessible to everyone in the room.
Why do you think the role of naturopathic medicine is so important in integrative health care?
With ND care, the individualization of the approach is very pronounced. A significant component of healing may happen as a result of feeling “seen”, when someone’s whole health picture is viewed in an integrated way. As a patient, to feel able to share personal experiences and be met with respect, acknowledgement, curiosity and understanding can feel invaluable when struggling with health issues.
What is your favorite thing to do in Portland?
One of my favorite things about Portland is its proximity to beautiful outdoor areas where I love to go hiking. It is also just a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing city with a lot of paths and parks and great places in which to walk around.
