From ND Student to Medical Director

Dr. Stewart was drawn to:

• Strong academic foundations in biomedical and clinical sciences
• Extensive hands-on clinical training
• Exposure to a broad range of naturopathic modalities
• Arizona’s scope of practice for licensed naturopathic doctors

She emphasizes that location, mentorship, and clinical access played an important role in shaping her long-term professional trajectory.

Dr. Stewart credits Sonoran’s hands-on clinical training and mentorship model as foundational in preparing her to confidently transition into residency and eventually practice ownership.

Dr. Stewart describes the ND program as academically challenging and growth-oriented.

Her advice to students:

• Avoid comparison to peers
• Develop disciplined study habits
• Build meaningful professional relationships
• Strive for excellence without burnout

She emphasizes that naturopathic medical education requires both academic commitment and personal resilience.

After graduation, Dr. Stewart completed a one-year clinical residency affiliated with Sonoran University.

Naturopathic residencies are optional post-graduate clinical training programs that provide:

• Additional supervised patient care experience
• Mentorship in clinical decision-making
• Transition support from student to independent practitioner

She strongly recommends residency training when available, noting that additional clinical exposure builds long-term confidence and competence.

Dr. Stewart’s professional path included multiple roles:

• Associate physician
• Independent contractor
• Business partner
• Practice owner

Today, she serves as Owner and Medical Director of Nourish Medical Center, a naturopathic clinic in San Diego that includes multiple licensed naturopathic physicians.

Her experience reflects an important reality for prospective students:

A career in naturopathic medicine may include entrepreneurship, leadership, and business management.

Dr. Stewart advises students not to rely solely on clinical training.

She recommends developing:

• Foundational business literacy
• Practice management skills
• Systems thinking
• Financial sustainability planning

Because many naturopathic practices operate in cash-pay or hybrid insurance models, physicians must understand both patient care and business operations.

Dr. Stewart notes that scope of practice for naturopathic doctors varies by state.

Licensing laws determine:

• Diagnostic authority
• Prescriptive rights
• Procedural privileges
• Modalities allowed

Prospective students should research the state(s) where they plan to practice to understand regulatory differences.

Her message to new students is clear:

“If this is your passion, commit fully.”

She encourages students to:

• Work with intention
• Represent the profession professionally
• Maintain high clinical standards
• Prioritize patient-centered care
• Develop both clinical and communication skills

She also highlights the importance of adaptability, especially as healthcare technology and artificial intelligence evolve.

Dr. Stewart hopes to see:

• Expanded clinical training access
• Growth in residency opportunities
• Continued professional recognition
• Thoughtful integration of emerging healthcare technologies

Her journey reflects the diverse career pathways available to graduates of accredited naturopathic medical programs.