ND Awards Categories 2025

All nominees for awards in the designated professional categories must meet the following general criteria:

  • Be a member of BCND.
  • Demonstrates excellence as a naturopathic doctor (ND) consistently.
  • Shows a commitment to professional development on an ongoing basis.
  • Actively participates in health-related or professional organizations outside of their clinical practice (not required as part of employment).
  • Demonstrate innovation and progressive thinking in their approach to naturopathic medicine.
  • Acts as a role model and mentor within the profession.
  • Excels in interpersonal relationships and communication skills.

Awards Categories

This award recognizes an ND, active or retired, who has made outstanding contributions to the profession of naturopathic medicine at the provincial, national, and/or international levels throughout their career. As BCND’s most prestigious honor, it is presented only when such achievement has been earned, typically in the later stages of an ND’s career.

Recipients must have made a substantial impact in at least three of the following areas:

  • Advancement of naturopathic practice, particularly in improving patient care.
  • Contributions to naturopathic education through innovative teaching.
  • Engagement with professional associations at provincial, national, or international levels.
  • Contributions to healthcare, government, or public initiatives in support of naturopathic medicine.
  • Advancing the naturopathic profession as a whole.

Note: Typically only ONE Lifetime is given per year.

This award recognizes an ND or group of NDs for outstanding advocacy efforts that result in meaningful change, whether for a specific group, policy advancement, or health system improvement.

Criteria:

  • Advocacy efforts must have led to a significant outcome or decision.
  • Actions must have involved exceptional effort, innovative approaches, or groundbreaking processes.
  • Work must surpass standard expectations of naturopathic practice.
  • Advocacy must respect inclusivity, values, and autonomy of those impacted.

In cases involving controversy, nominees should demonstrate efforts to mediate and build consensus among differing viewpoints.

This award is given to an ND who demonstrates excellence in naturopathic education within academic or clinical training settings.

Criteria (minimum of four must be met):

  • Displays deep and current knowledge of naturopathic medicine.
  • Utilizes innovative teaching and instructional methods.
  • Develops impactful programs, curricula, or courses.
  • Creates engaging and supportive learning environments.
  • Advances naturopathic knowledge through research and practice integration.
  • Demonstrates leadership in educational planning or policy.
  • Authors high-quality educational materials, such as guides, textbooks, or digital content.
  • Receives recognition as an effective educator by peers and students.

This award honors an ND who has shown exemplary leadership in advancing naturopathic medicine and making impactful contributions to the healthcare system, staff, and patients.

Criteria (minimum of four must be met):

  • Holds or has held a senior leadership role with significant success.
  • Demonstrates visionary leadership and delivers effective results for the profession and healthcare.
  • Actively participates in and contributes to professional organizations.
  • Leads efforts to improve practice standards, education, research, or patient care.
  • Receives recognition from peers for innovation and thought leadership.
  • Contributes to significant changes in healthcare integration or policy.

This award recognizes outstanding clinical practice within naturopathic medicine.

Criteria (minimum of four must be met):

  • Delivers exceptional patient-centered care.
  • Fosters a culture of respect and collaboration within healthcare teams.
  • Advocates for patients and families effectively.
  • Demonstrates leadership in implementing evidence-based practices.
  • Develops innovative patient, family, or community programs.
  • Integrates professional development learnings into clinical practice.

This award highlights a recently graduated ND who has demonstrated exceptional promise and exceeded expectations in their early career (within five years of graduation).

Criteria:

  • Consistently excels as a naturopathic doctor.
  • Shows commitment to ongoing professional development.
  • Demonstrates leadership and a positive influence within their practice setting.
  • Innovates and fosters positive changes in naturopathic practice.
  • Demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility for their personal development, seeking opportunities to learn and grow professionally.

Consistently models high standards of ethics, integrity, and respect, and strives to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community

This award recognizes a student (of any year) currently enrolled in a naturopathic medicine program at a BC-based institution who demonstrates outstanding advocacy for the naturopathic profession. It honours those who actively advance the visibility, credibility, and integration of naturopathic doctors as vital contributors to BC’s healthcare system*.

Criteria:

  • Nominees must be student members of BCND.
  • Champions the role of naturopathic doctors in improving access to care and supporting the health of British Columbians.
  • Engages in advocacy, outreach, or representation that reflects BCND’s mission and elevates the voice of the profession.
  • Demonstrates initiative in organizing or participating in efforts that connect naturopathic medicine to community, policy, or interprofessional collaboration.
  • Models professionalism, leadership, and a clear commitment to the advancement of naturopathic medicine in BC.

*Please note: Students in formal leadership or representative roles are eligible; however, to ensure fairness, the selection process will focus on the nature, impact, and initiative of the advocacy work itself—regardless of title or position. Recognition will be based on meaningful contributions to the profession that extend beyond the expectations of any other role.

This award honors interdisciplinary teams that must include NDs (at least one) alongside other healthcare professionals, recognizing their excellence in integrative, patient-centered care. It celebrates teams that have demonstrated innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to holistic, evidence-informed approaches that enhance patient outcomes and quality of life. This award acknowledges those who have successfully integrated naturopathic medicine into broader healthcare models, setting a high standard for team-based care.

Criteria (must meet three of four criteria):

  • Demonstrated efforts to create an inclusive, patient-centered culture that prioritizes holistic and collaborative care.
  • Development and implementation of education, training, or team-based models that enhance the integration of naturopathic and conventional medicine.
  • Creation of innovative tools, procedures, policies, or treatment approaches that improve access, efficiency, and outcomes in patient care.
  • Commitment to breaking down silos and fostering a seamless, team-based approach to whole-person healthcare.

This award honors a naturopathic doctor who exemplifies the foundational principles of naturopathic medicine, integrating traditional wisdom with exceptional patient care. It recognizes those who uphold the legacy of the profession, demonstrating a deep commitment to holistic, root-cause-focused healing while ensuring patients receive compassionate, individualized care.

Criteria (must meet three of five criteria):

  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to the traditional principles of naturopathic medicine, including holistic, patient-centered, and preventative care.
  • Actively integrates naturopathic philosophy into clinical practice, ensuring continuity between historical wisdom and modern healthcare approaches.
  • Provides exceptional care that reflects the core values of naturopathy, emphasizing healing the whole person and addressing the root causes of illness.
  • Serves as a steward of naturopathic medicine’s legacy, educating patients, peers, and the community on its enduring principles and benefits.
  • Inspires future generations of naturopathic doctors by embodying and promoting the values, ethics, and traditions that define the profession.