Nomination Forms: Bios and Statements
Peter Bongiorno, ND, LAc
Bio: I am co-director of InnerSource Natural Health and Acupuncture, with busy practices in New York City and Huntington, Long Island. I researched in neuro-endocrinology at the National Institutes of Health and Yale University, then attended Bastyr University for my naturopathic doctorate and acupuncture degrees. I teach public classes on natural health at NYU, the Natural Gourmet Institute, and I am a regular guest lecturer at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. I am a major contributor to the 3rd edition of the Textbook of Natural Medicine. I lecture at both national and local naturopathic conferences, and will be a speaker at this year's NYANP conference, where I will be unveiling my newest publication Healing Depression: Integrated Conventional and Naturopathic Therapies (July 2010), a textbook for physicians.
Statement of Intent: It has been an honor to serve on the NYANP board since 2003, and to serve as vice-president for the last four years. Throughout this time, I have witnessed and presided over times of both abundance of spirit and finances, and also I have helped us move through moments scarcity of these valuable materials. What I have learned is that to keep alive and vital, the priorities of the NYANP should be:
(1) to cultivate the NYANP as a resource and live community for the ND's of New York - without community, there is little strength
(2) to cultivate awareness for the profession in the state in order to create prosperous doctors
(3) to remain relentless in our quest for licensing, and to use both grass roots and legislative action to achieve this purpose
(4) to create a sound strategy for consistent membership and income for the NYANP in order to support the above priorities
In my almost 7 years on this board, we have made substantial gain in all these areas. These gains, though, have been small relative to where we need to go. The last two years of economic challenge has proved a learning period for all of us where we were able to distill our activities to the basic. We learned even in this elemental state we can still thrive. My hope is to continue to lend an experienced eye to the board and help guide us to greater awareness, prosperity and a medical license in the coming next year. Thank you for your trust and support.
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Peter D'Adamo, ND
Bio: I grew up in New York. I’ve been in practice for 29 years, most of them in the greater New York area. I was a board member of the AANP during its most formative years (1990 - 1994). Hopefully I can be of some use with the licensing efforts.
Statement of Intent: I would like to help increase awareness of the profession in New York State and would principally work to develop means and avenues of communication to counter the negative aspersions that are being promoted by elements of the NYS medical establishment. I would also like to see all NDs in adjacent states become members of the NYANP.
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Sean Heerey, ND
Bio: Sean E. Heerey is a graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Prior to beginning his naturopathic medical career, Sean was a bilingual (Spanish/English) Speech-Language Pathologist for over 10 years. He is a native of New York City and was raised in a bilingual/bicultural home. Sean blends whole food nutritional supplementation, homeopathic drainage, flower essences and dietary/lifestyle modifications to help his patients make healing changes in their lives. One of the strengths of naturopathic medicine lies in the process of helping others make lasting and sustainable changes in their lives. He practices in Manhattan and Queens and treats both English and Spanish-speaking patients. He is married and lives with his wife and 2 small children, ages 4½ years and 2 years.
Statement of Intent: I would like to continue to serve my state organization by holding a position on the state board. I would like to help further the profession of Naturopathic Medicine in New York State by becoming a more active participant in the NYANP. A position on the NYANP Board is a great vehicle for which to accomplish this. I am very motivated to help my state organization in the licensure process. The profession of Naturopathic medicine is unique in the field of healthcare in its individual, patient-centered approach to healing. This uniqueness needs to be conveyed to the public. With a position on the state board I can become fully aware and informed on the issues impacting our profession and contribute to its growth. My communication skills, willingness to serve, desire to help and passion for Naturopathic medicine are all assets that can help the NYANP and Naturopathic profession as a whole. I am committed to helping this profession attain licensure status in New York as well as assisting in the guidance, growth and protection of Naturopathic medicine and naturopathic doctors in New York State.
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Sharon Stills, ND
Bio: Graduated from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, Dr. Sharon Stills has extensive training in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Therapeutic Nutrition, Botanical Medicine, European Biological Medicine, Complementary Naturopathic Therapies, Thermography (non-invasive adjunct to mammography), Body Composition Analysis and Lifestyle Counseling. Founder of Naturopathic Solutions Inc., and now in her 9th year, her practice has become one of New York’s largest truly Naturopathic clinics. Dr. Stills makes it a priority to continually educate herself in order to provide top quality, cutting-edge naturopathic medicine to the public. Dr. Stills is a board member of the NY Association of Naturopathic Physicians and a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians as well as a national lecturer and a foremost proponent of SANUM Therapy.
Statement of Intent: After serving for the last two years as Treasurer of the NYANP I am excited to be seeking re-election. I have learned a lot working with the board and feel that my experience and expertise makes me the best candidate for this position. I am committed to seeing the Naturopathic community here in NY grow and am most passionate about pursuing a license for us to practice medicine here. Naturopathic Medicine has done so much for me on so many levels and it is with honor that I participate as a board member to give back as best I can!