WANP Awards
Every few years, the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians gathers our community together to recognize, celebrate, and honor the WANP members who make this organization - and the profession - great. Below are the awards our Board of Directors confers to community-generated nominees and the past recipients of each award.
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.
Recipients: Kelsey Klausmeyer, ND (2025); Hannah Gordon, ND, FNP, RN (2022); Sarah Acosta Smith, ND, & Brendan Smith, ND (2019)
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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. These recipients are naturopathic physicians who advance our profession in part by simply being who they are and improving the perception of naturopathic medicine by the way they live and practice. Whichever way they have inspired the profession, it has been quiet and relatively unrecognized.
Recipients: Masahiro Takakura, ND, PhD, DC, LAc (2025); Amy Hobson, ND (2022); Cindy Breed, ND (2019)
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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. Recipients of this award are naturopathic physicians who are 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, their impact is mighty by virtue of their passion, their character, and their love of the medicine.
Recipients: Lela Altman, ND, LAc, FABNG (2025)
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The Hon. 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. This award acknowledges those who are not necessarily naturopathic physicians, but who work adamantly and diligently on behalf of our medicine. These people may not be well-known in naturopathic circles, but their influence is significant in the larger community. Like Hon. Commissioner Deborah Senn herself, these recipients are not afraid to speak for what is right and fair and are innovative thinkers and problem-solvers when it comes to opening doors for naturopathic physicians and our patients.
Recipients: Kristine Arena (2025); 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, contributing notably to the organization through 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/or dedicated and engaged membership.
Recipients: Eva Sofia, ND, AEMP, QPFC (2025); Kara Menzer, ND (2022); Cindy Phillips, ND (2019); Eileen Stretch, ND (2019)
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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.
Recipients: Eric Yarnell, ND, RH(AHG) (2025); Michelle Simon, ND, PhD (2022); Chad Aschtgen, ND, FABNO (2019)