Distinguished Alumni Recognized for
Significant Contributions in Integrative Medicine

December 15, 2025

TEMPE, Ariz. – Sonoran University of Health Sciences is excited to announce the 2025 recipients of the Sonoran University Alumni Awards, which celebrate graduates who exemplify leadership, innovation and service in advancing naturopathic medicine, nutrition and community health. This year’s honorees represent the best of Sonoran’s alumni network: professionals who are transforming lives and shaping the future of health care.

The award recipients include:

“Advancing Sonoran” Award: Kristen Bishop, ND (class of 2011)
Dr. Bishop is a naturopathic physician in private practice and the director of the residency program at Keystone Natural Family Medicine in Mesa. Her commitment to mentorship and education is evident in her ongoing support of Sonoran University students and graduates, offering shadowing and elective off-site opportunities, and regularly serving as a guest speaker for events organized by Admissions, Career Services, Alumni Relations and student clubs. Since 2016, she has hosted 19 residents.

Dr. Bishop is also the former legislative committee chair for the Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association and is a sought-after presenter for community and professional organizations throughout Arizona. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with the Advancing Naturopathic Medicine Award in 2016, the Physician Volunteer of the Year Award in 2018, and the AZNMA Physician Achievement Award in 2023.

 

“Advancing Naturopathic Medicine” Award: Monique Lai, ND (class of 1996)
A trailblazer in the field of naturopathic medicine, Monique Lai was part of the inaugural graduating class of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (now Sonoran University) in 1996. With more than two decades of experience in private practice, she has dedicated her career to whole-person healing, focusing on the integration of body, mind and spirit.

Dr. Lai has been a tireless advocate for naturopathic licensure in Wyoming. She and McKenzie Steiner, ND, initiated the state’s licensure efforts, and she has supported them for many years through financial contributions, grassroots campaigning and organizational leadership. Thanks to her unwavering commitment, licensure in Wyoming is now closer than ever to becoming a reality. She is also passionate about public education, working to raise awareness about the rigorous clinical training naturopathic doctors receive through accredited programs, distinguishing them from those with less formal or online-based training.

 

“Advancing Nutrition” Award: Katie (Lynn) Arpaia, MS, CNS, LDN (class of 2022)
Katie Arpaia is a certified nutrition specialist and licensed dietitian nutritionist based in Florida, currently serving as a health coach at Virta Health, which is focused on reversing Type 2 diabetes. Prior to her work for Virta Health, she was a nutrition educator for Feeding the Gulf Coast, which involved supporting SNAP-eligible communities and providing practical nutrition education tailored to limited budgets and resources.

Arpaia was selected to collaborate with Mathematica on the USDA’s Thrifty Meal Plan project, where she developed five weeks of budget-friendly meal plans for a reference family of four. Her work emphasized affordability, convenience, palatability and reducing food waste, using both original and adapted recipes to meet dietary guidelines.

She began her nutrition journey through fitness as a competitive bodybuilder and personal trainer, later expanding into clinical nutrition with a focus on eating disorders. Her career spans weight loss clinics, startups, hospitals and nonprofit work, each experience deepening her understanding of nutrition in diverse settings.

 

“Community Service” Award: Lauren Salisbury, ND, MS, LAc (class of 2016)
Lauren Salisbury completed a three-year general family medicine residency at the Sonoran University Medical Center and has served as the director of Roosevelt Health Center, one of Sonoran University’s free community clinics, since 2022. She is also a licensed acupuncturist and holds master’s degrees in both acupuncture and nonprofit management. As a McNair Scholar, a U.S. Department of Education initiative designed to prepare low-income, first-generation and underrepresented undergraduate students for doctoral programs, Dr. Salisbury has long been committed to academic excellence and service to underserved communities.

At Roosevelt Health Center, Dr. Salisbury leads a fast-paced, high-volume clinic that remains deeply rooted in patient-centered care. She is passionate about teaching and mentoring students, helping them navigate the unique challenges of community medicine, which often differs significantly from traditional naturopathic practice. Her leadership has resulted in thousands of patient success stories and a formidable reputation among both patients and students.

In addition to her clinical and teaching roles, Dr. Salisbury has been instrumental in advancing the clinic’s mission through strategic partnerships, grant initiatives and data-driven improvements. This year, she is leading efforts to align patient data metrics with national health standards—an initiative that could unlock federal funding and further demonstrate the university’s impact on Arizona’s underserved populations.

The awards were presented to each honoree in December. For more information on Sonoran University, please visit www.sonoran.edu.

About Sonoran University of Health Sciences

Sonoran University of Health Sciences is a private non-profit and internationally recognized higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The University’s College of Naturopathic Medicine, College of Nutrition, and School of Mental Health’s evidence-based program offerings shape a healthier future by supporting students as they train to excel as healthcare professionals.

Serving the University’s mission, the Sage Foundation for Health supports several Community Clinics focused on providing free naturopathic medical care to local under-resourced communities. The College of Nutrition’s Virtual Center for Personalized Nutrition provides personalized and evidence-based care delivered at no cost. The Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research is a state-of-the-art laboratory seeking to improve therapies for global health concerns. The University’s Clinical Care branch operates open-to-the-public clinics and Medicinary, Arizona’s largest natural pharmacy. The Medical Center provides naturopathic healthcare to patients seeking evidence-based complementary services. The Neil Riordan Center for Regenerative Medicine focuses on non-opioid solutions to pain and pain management.

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