Why AANP 2026 is the most important gathering of naturopathic & integrative physicians in years.
There is a moment (you probably remember yours) when you knew that naturopathic medicine was more than a career. It was a calling. A commitment to a different kind of healing, one that honors the whole person, works with the body’s intelligence, and refuses to settle for symptom management when root-cause resolution is possible. That calling did not arrive in isolation. It arrived inside a community of teachers, mentors, colleagues and hopeful patients.
That community gathers every summer for the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians’ (AANP) Annual Convention; AANP 2026. This July, it gathers in Madison, WI and the stakes have never felt higher, the invitation never more urgent.
AANP 2026, the largest gathering of naturopathic doctors and students in the United States, takes place July 16-18, 2026, at the Madison Concourse Hotel. Whether you join in person on the shores of Lake Mendota or tune in from your clinic anywhere in the world, this Convention is your professional home base. This year, it is more than that. It is a rallying point.
Unity Is Not Optional Right Now
The naturopathic profession is at an inflection point, natural medicine is becoming a household name, recognition is expanding, patient demand is rising, and the policy conversations that will shape the future of medicine are happening right now. The practitioners who show up—physically, virtually, collectively—are the ones who shape those conversations.
That is why AANP 2026 exists. Not merely as a continuing education event (though the education aspect is impressive). And not merely as a networking opportunity (though the connections forged here last careers and change lives). AANP 2026 is where the profession thinks out loud, makes decisions together, and leaves stronger than it arrived. The theme, One Gathering. Endless Impact, that trickles through every session, every reception, every late-night conversation by the water is the same: unity breeds strength, and strength creates change.
Madison in July: Come Early, Stay Late, Bring the Family
If you have never visited Madison in the summer, you are in for a genuine delight. Wisconsin’s capital city sits on a narrow isthmus between two lakes—Lake Mendota and Lake Monona—and in July it is all open water, farmers’ markets, bike paths and golden afternoon light. The city consistently ranks among the most livable in the country, and summer is when it earns that reputation most fully.
The Madison Concourse Hotel places you steps from the Wisconsin State Capitol and within easy reach of the city’s legendary outdoor scene. Kayaking, paddleboarding, sunset cruises, the famous Olbrich Botanical Gardens means there is no shortage of reasons to arrive a day early or linger a day late. Families are warmly welcomed: AANP 2026 is as much a summer destination as it is a professional gathering. Bring your partner, bring your kids, and let Madison be the backdrop for a trip that feeds both your practice and your soul.
The Educational Experience You Expect—and Then Some
The CE program at AANP 2026 delivers the cutting-edge clinical content the naturopathic and integrative medicine communities have come to rely on. Across multiple tracks and formats, you will encounter the latest research, innovative treatment protocols, and the kind of practitioner-to-practitioner knowledge transfer that no textbook can replicate.
But the Convention’s value extends well beyond the lecture hall. This year’s agenda is packed with events designed to connect, inspire, and genuinely delight every doctor, student, and affiliate in attendance.
Students & Practitioners, Stronger Together: Co-hosted With NMSA
One exciting aspect of AANP 2026 is that it is co-located with the Naturopathic Medical Students Association (NMSA), bringing the next generation of naturopathic doctors into the same rooms, receptions and conversations as the profession’s most experienced practitioners.
For students, AANP 2026 is an unparalleled opportunity to network directly with seasoned physicians and to ask the questions that textbooks cannot answer, to learn what thriving in practice actually looks like, and to begin building the professional relationships that will define their careers.
An Agenda Packed With Education and Fun Events
AANP 2026 will have speakers and sessions that both naturopathic physicians and integrative practitioners alike will benefit from. Nephrology expert, Jean Jacques Dugoua, ND, PhD, will discuss Naturopathic Strategies for Managing, Preventing and Reversing Kidney Disease; Manna Semby, ND, MSCP, IFMCP, will speak on Perimenopause, the Brain and Female Longevity: A Clinical Playbook for NDs; the renowned Alan Christianson, ND, will lecture on Natural Desiccated Thyroid in 2026: Prescribing, Transitioning and Regulatory Updates; Racheal Onah, ND, MRN, will speak on the popular topic, Restoring Gut–Hormone–Liver Balance: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in the Treatment of MASLD; Steven Sandberg-Lewis, ND, DHANP, FABNG, will provide hands-on expertise in his workshop: Highly Effective Myofascial Release Techniques for the Pelvis and Lower Extremity; Kim Furtado, ND, will speak about the Therapeutic Order: Navigating an Ever-increasing Toxic World; and the authority on the subject, Paul Richard Saunders, PhD, ND, R HOM, DHANP, DABHM, will update attendees with his lecture: Botanical Medicine: Research Review, to name a handful of our knowledgeable experts.
With more than 30 speakers, 40 sessions and 42 continuing education hours,* attendees are in for a formative learning experience. But AANP 2026 isn’t just about learning; it’s also a place to kick back and have fun with your peers.
The Agenda:
Thursday, July 16: Kicking it Off
The AANP 2026 Convention officially opens on Thursday with a schedule that moves from the globally minded to the purely festive.
• Naturopathy Around the Globe Mixer (12-1:30 p.m.)—Hosted by the AANP Global Health Committee, this lunchtime networking event connects practitioners who are curious about, or actively pursuing, international practice.
• Welcome & Exhibitor Reception (5:15-6:30 p.m., Exhibit Hall)—Sponsored by Standard Process, the opening reception sets the tone for everything that follows and is where attendees start to network. All doctors, students, exhibitors and guests are welcome.
• Alumni Receptions (after 6:30 p.m.)—Each naturopathic school hosts its own alumni gathering at the hotel.
• All Schools Dance (8:30 p.m.–late)—Close out the first day by dancing the night away with friends old and new.
Friday, July 17: From the Farm to the Floor
• Complimentary Tour of Standard Process Farm & Manufacturing Home (8 a.m.-2 p.m.)—This exclusive, Convention-only experience takes attendees behind the scenes at Standard Process for an inspiring look at regenerative agriculture and whole-food supplement production.
• AANP & NMSA Collaborative Event (Friday Evening)—Last year’s Olympic Pool Party became an instant legend. This year, the AANP and the NMSA are collaborating on another unforgettable evening. Saturday, July 18: A Grand Finale
• NMSA Cup Finale (10:30-11:30 a.m.)—Find out who will win the coveted Golden Avocado this year.
• Dane County Farmers’ Market Lunch Break (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)—One of the largest producers-only farmers’ markets in the country wraps around the Capitol Square every Saturday, and AANP 2026 builds it right into the schedule.
• Farm to Pharm Trivia (1-2 p.m.)—Earn CE credits while testing your botanical and pharmacognosy knowledge in a genuinely fun trivia format.
• Annual Membership Meeting & Awards (2-3:15 p.m.)—Celebrate the accomplishments of the profession and the colleagues who embody its best values.
• Cocktail Reception & AANP Gala & Awards Ceremony (6:30 p.m. onward)—Co-sponsored by DUTCH Test and EuroMedica, the Gala is the formal capstone of AANP 2026.
Sunday, July 19: Post-convention Herb Walk
For those who want one more morning of community before heading home, a guided herb walk with the renowned Dr. Eric Yarnell & Dr. Lorinda Sorensen will close out the extended weekend.
The Virtual Door Is Open Too
Not able to make it to Madison? AANP 2026 is available virtually, and the online experience is built with the same intention as the in-person program: real education, real connection, real value. Wherever you practice you are welcome here.
This Is the Year to Show Up
The work you do in your clinic every day is quietly radical. You are practicing a model of medicine that the broader health care system is only beginning to understand. That work deserves support: the support of colleagues, of a professional organization, and of a community that has chosen the same path.
For a few powerful days, join the AANP and your fellow physicians in one of the most vibrant summer settings in the country.
• Come to sharpen your clinical edge through inspired CE and hands on workshops
• Come to exchange ideas with peers who are solving the same real-world challenges
• Come to build relationships that strengthen your practice and the profession
• Come for the energy, the conversations, the community and the moments that remind you why you chose this path.
Because when NDs show up together, they don’t just connect—they accelerate the future of our profession. And when the profession advances, patients everywhere benefit. Registration is open. Reserve your spot, pack for lake weather, and we will see you in Madison this July!
*In-person continuing education hours total 42 with a breakdown of 29 general, 8.75 pharmacy, 1.25 ethics, 0.5 cultural competency. Virtual hours total 34 with a breakdown of 21 general, 8.75 pharmacy, 1.25 ethics, 0.5 cultural competency. CE totals are subject to change.
Taryn Ernest is the communications director for the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), the professional membership association advancing the recognition of licensed naturopathic physicians to transform access to whole health naturopathic medicine in the U.S. With more than nine years of dedicated service to the AANP, Ernest directs all communication efforts related to the association’s initiatives, events, and advocacy, effectively engaging a diverse membership of licensed naturopathic doctors. Ernest brings a passion for impactful communication to her role, overseeing the association’s marketing and communications strategies. Her efforts have enhanced the visibility and reach of the naturopathic medical profession. Prior to joining the AANP, she gained valuable experience in advertising and marketing, equipping her with a well-rounded expertise in strategic communication and outreach.
