2025 Triennial Awards Nominations

Who inspires you? Submit your nominations today!

We are delighted to bring our community together once again to celebrate and honor those who contribute notably to the advancement of our profession. This year, we will recognize up to six (6) individuals identified by our members as leaders and mentors for us all. Read through the award descriptions below and submit the names of your nominees today. All nominations will be reviewed and final selections will be made by WANP's full Board of Directors.

Don't forget to join us in celebration at our Triennial Gala + Awards Ceremony: Celebrating 90 Years of WANP on Saturday, November 8, 2025!

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Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award recognizes a naturopathic physician who has made notable contributions to the profession despite relative newness to it. This person is recognized by peers to be a “Rising Star” in the field of naturopathic medicine and shows potential to become a leader in the advancement of our profession for years to come.

The ideal candidate for the Rising Star Award is a naturopathic physician who is newer to the profession (15 years or fewer), but who has already made a mark on our medicine. This person may be training future doctors by teaching or offering residencies; creating job opportunities for their peers; stepping into a key role leading a naturopathic organization; engaging in innovative practice or research that they share with others; expanding access to naturopathic medical care; publishing quality naturopathic content; or undertaking a similar endeavor.

To be eligible for the Rising Star Award, a nominee must*

• Be a current member of the WANP
• Hold an active naturopathic medical license in good standing with the Washington State Department of Health
• Have been in practice for 15 or fewer years

Past recipients: Sarah Acosta Smith, ND, & Brendan Smith, ND (2019); Hannah Gordon, ND, FNP, RN (2022)

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Unsung Hero Award

The Unsung Hero Award recognizes a naturopathic physician who is seldom in the public eye of the profession but works tirelessly behind the scenes to advance naturopathic medicine and make the world a better place.

The ideal candidate for the Unsung Hero Award is a naturopathic physician who advances our profession in part by simply being who they are and improving the perception of naturopathic medicine by the way they live and practice. Perhaps this person volunteers their time in the interest of public health. Maybe they serve on an advisory committee or task force through state or federal government, bringing a naturopathic voice to the conversation. Maybe this is a teacher who helps train and inspire the next generation of NDs. They may have been a “first in the field” who paved the way for others. Maybe they run a practice that serves as a model and resource for others. Whichever way they have inspired you, it has been quiet and relatively unrecognized.

To be eligible for the Unsung Hero Award, a nominee must*

• Be a current member of the WANP
• Hold an active naturopathic medical license in good standing with the Washington State Department of Health

Past recipients: Cindy Breed, ND (2019); Amy Hobson, ND (2022)

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The Dr. Joy Yu Memorial "Small but Mighty" Award

The Dr. Joy Yu Memorial “Small But Mighty” Award recognizes a naturopathic physician who lives the naturopathic principles of Docere and Vis medicatrix naturae as Dr. Yu herself did. An avid outdoor enthusiast, a practitioner of healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise, a rescuer of abandoned animals, and a lifelong student and teacher, Dr. Yu truly led patients, colleagues, and students by example.

The ideal candidate for the Small but Mighty Award is a naturopathic physician who is involved in advancing our profession through teaching - whether at one of our accredited naturopathic medical schools, at continuing education conferences, or through public education. No matter how small the audience, this person’s impact is mighty by virtue of their passion, their character, and their love of the medicine.

 To be eligible for the Champion of Naturopathic Medicine Award, a nominee must*

• Be a current member of the WANP
• Hold or have held an active naturopathic medical license in good standing with the Washington State Department of Health
• Have demonstrated involvement in providing high quality education about naturopathic medicine (e.g. preceptors, academic faculty, conference lecturers, residency site directors, etc.)

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The Deborah Senn Memorial "Friend of Naturopathic Medicine" Award

The Deborah Senn Memorial “Friend of Naturopathic Medicine” Award recognizes a member of the community whose service and advocacy on behalf of naturopathic medicine deserves commendation.

The ideal candidate for the Deborah Senn Memorial “Friend of Naturopathic Medicine” Award is not necessarily a naturopathic physician, but is someone who works adamantly and diligently on behalf of our medicine. This person may not be well-known in naturopathic circles, but their influence is significant in the larger community. Like Hon. Commissioner Deborah Senn herself, this person is not afraid to speak for what is right and fair and is an innovative thinker and problem-solver when it comes to opening doors for naturopathic physicians and our patients.

Past recipients: Sue Gragg (2022)

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President's Award**

The President’s Award recognizes a naturopathic physician who has gone “above and beyond” for the betterment of the WANP and its members.

The ideal candidate for the President’s Award is a naturopathic physician who has contributed notably to the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Service on the Board of Directors, active participation on a committee of the WANP, providing key advice and guidance to assist the Board or its leadership, and even dedicated and engaged membership all qualify someone for this recognition.

To be eligible for the President’s Award, a nominee must

• Be a current member of the WANP
• Hold or have held an active naturopathic medical license in good standing with the Washington State Department of Health
• Serve or have served on the WANP Board of Directors or on an active committee of the WANP OR have otherwise assisted the WANP Board of Directors in a meaningful way

Past recipients: Cindy Phillips, ND (2019); Eileen Stretch, ND (2019); Kara Menzer, ND (2022)

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Champion of Naturopathic Medicine Award

The Champion of Naturopathic Medicine Award recognizes a naturopathic physician who has significantly advanced our profession in a clear and compelling way. This person is a true leader of our profession - serving as a role model and inspiration to others.

The ideal candidate for the Champion of Naturopathic Medicine Award is a naturopathic physician who is well-known and well-established in the profession. This person has at least 15 years of experience in the field of naturopathic medicine and has a demonstrated record of moving the profession forward through advocacy, leadership, mentorship, research, education, publication, or similar endeavor.

To be eligible for the Champion of Naturopathic Medicine Award, a nominee must*

• Be a current member of the WANP
• Hold an active naturopathic medical license in good standing with the Washington State Department of Health
• Have at least 15 years of experience in the naturopathic medical field

Past recipients: Chad Aschtgen, ND, FABNO (2019); Michelle Simon, ND, PhD (2022)

*WANP staff will verify that nominees meet eligibility needs. Nominate away and we'll sort it out!
**This award recipient is nominated by the current President of the WANP's Board of Directors.