Bastyr and NUNM to Merge

 

 
 

Bastyr University and Clinics (Seattle, WA and San Diego, CA) and National University of Natural Medicine
and Clinics (NUNM, Portland, OR) plan to merge. A formal letter of intent (LOI) was signed by Bastyr University President Devin Byrd, PhD and NUNM President Melanie Henriksen, ND, LAc, CNM. The merger is set to finalize in 2024 pending a definitive agreement.

Together, Bastyr and NUNM will enhance learning for students by expanding access to classes online and at campuses in California, Oregon and Washington. Together, the universities will provide students with opportunities to participate in clinical research and residency programs.

“This partnership establishes a new standard for natural medicine higher education in North America,” said NUNM Board of Directors Chairperson Noel Snodgrass, DC. “By formalizing our long-time collegial relationship with Bastyr, we have the opportunity to increase teaching and learning opportunities, while preserving the culture and legacy of our institutions.”

NUNM offers 12 programs with a focus on integrative medicine, an innovative Naturopathic Doctorate First-Year Online degree, and top-ranked hybrid and online programming.

“We are heartened by how closely our university missions and visions already align,” echoed Bastyr University Board of Trustees Chairperson Gary Quarfoth, PhD. “We share a fervent commitment to advancing equity in and access to medicine, health advocacy, and a deep reverence for the healing power of nature.”

Bastyr offers 23 degree and certificate programs. Building on their strong science-based foundations, both Bastyr University and NUNM are the recipients of several multimillion-dollar research grants from the National Institutes of Health. A combined Bastyr-NUNM University boasts:

• More than 1,000 students enrolled in natural health and science degree and certification programs.
• Campuses and clinics in Portland, San Diego and Seattle areas.
• More than $15.5 million in combined scientific research funding.

“It is incumbent upon higher education leaders to meet this moment and to do so with vigor,” said Dr. Byrd. “This merger improves access for students while offering more flexibility in how they learn, more interdisciplinary program options, and expands research and clinical practice opportunities.”

The partnership creates opportunities for career mobility for more than 300 of the institutions’ combined faculty and staff while offering more resources.

“Collaboration moves natural medicine forward,” noted Dr. Henriksen. “We recognize the best academic experiences are predicated on taking great care of our people. This partnership, with this caliber of partner, enables us to better support our talented teams as they train tomorrow’s cohort of natural health practitioners.”

For more information, visit https://bastyr.edu and https://nunm.edu.