The Bastyr University Board of Trustees has announced that Bastyr University (Kenmore, WA) Co-founder and Founding President Dr. Joseph E. Pizzorno returns to the university to serve as its interim president following the departure of Devin Byrd, PhD.

According to Bastyr, Dr. Pizzorno’s leadership comes at a critical time for the university, as the board seeks to ignite new interest in the field of naturopathic medicine and the complementary natural health arts and sciences, increase university enrollment, and grow its clinical presence in Seattle, WA and San Diego, CA. Dr. Pizzorno who is affectionately known to millions as “DrJoe” brings visionary direction to the institution he helped establish nearly five decades ago.

“Bastyr University is struggling through some problems that affect its health, and in partnership with the board, cabinet, faculty and staff, I will work to heal the university and restore it to a place of enduring wellness,” said Dr. Pizzorno.

Dr. Pizzorno is an internationally recognized leader in environmental, functional;; and integrative medicine. He led the effort to make Bastyr University the first accredited college of naturopathic medicine in the United States. According to Dr. Pizzorno , it is his mission to transform our disease-driven health care model in the U.S. into a way of care rooted in healthful living, personalized care and proactive whole person wellness.

“With Dr. Joe leading us, we have gained a deeply experienced leader whose capacity for innovating the natural health arts and sciences higher education category knows no bounds,” said Bastyr University Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Jane Guiltinan. “We look forward to new frontiers that expand Bastyr University’s capacity for reaching and teaching more healers while growing our university’s footprint as a leading institution for academic research and publication.”

For more information, visit www.bastyr.edu.