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Contributor Biography

Rick Kirschner, ND, VNMI

Author, speaker, naturopathic physician, strategist, and longtime public teacher helping people work with change, communication, and the larger arc of healing.

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Public Career

Four decades of teaching change, communication, and leadership

In a public career spanning 40 years, Dr. Rick Kirschner has offered students and audiences a powerful approach to dealing with change that unlocks creativity, enhances team communication, and increases commitment.

In keynote speeches for association events and conferences, in seminars and training for Fortune 1000 companies, and at executive retreats, he has helped people find motivation to do the important work today for a better tomorrow.

Documentary Work

From communication to medical history

In 2015, Rick premiered the documentary film How Healthcare Became Sickcare: The True History of Medicine.

That project extends his public work into the history of medicine and the larger questions that shape modern healthcare.

Professional Background

Medicine, public affairs, and Academy stewardship

A 1981 graduate of the National University of Natural Medicine, Dr. Kirschner was an Oregon licensed naturopathic physician for 40 years.

He served on the board of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians as the first Chair of Public Affairs and webmaster. He is Past President of the Naturopathic Medicine Institute, a long-time faculty member with the Institute for Management Studies, and a thought leader with Athena Interactive.

Current Role

Helping the founders’ vision take form online

As acting President of NMA, he also serves the Academy as webmaster, helping bring the Foundations founders’ vision to life online.

That combination of strategy, communication, and stewardship makes his role in the Academy especially fitting.