About HANP
HANP
The Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (HANP) is a specialty organization within the naturopathic medical profession affiliated with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). The HANP is a nonprofit organization with no owners or stockholders and relies on the volunteer work of the HANP Board, student representatives, and focus group volunteers.
We connect naturopathic physicians who use homeopathy in their practices.
We guide, teach, and support naturopathic physicians in pursuit of greater knowledge of homeopathy in their practice.
We lead naturopathic physicians to excellence and expertise in the use of homeopathy as a core therapeutic modality within the profession.
We are a community of naturopathic physicians who practice homeopathy and we welcome those curious about homeopathy to dig deeper, learn more, and hone their skills.
HANP MISSION
Our mission is to promote excellence in the practice of homeopathy among naturopathic physicians.
We establish and uphold specialist standards, provide education and mentorship, and are committed to protecting and preserving homeopathy as a core therapeutic modality within the naturopathic profession.
HANP Activities Include:
- Encouraging the development and improvement of the homeopathic curriculum at naturopathic colleges
- Offering homeopathic continuing education
- Working with other homeopathic organizations toward the advancement of the homeopathic profession
- Distributing our published Simillimum~ our peer-reviewed journal
- Assisting with board certification in classical homeopathy to naturopathic physicians
The Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (HANP) is a community centered around the mastery of our craft. It is both exclusive and inclusive.
We provide education and mentorship for a greater understanding within the homeopathic discipline.
The History of HANP
The Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (HANP) formed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, from a nucleus of dedicated practitioners who sought homeopathic education from one of the few naturopathic schools available in the United States, the National College of Naturopathic Medicine.
“The HANP was originally started in 1982 by several naturopaths who felt the need for a specialty organization in homeopathy.”
~ Past President Durr Elmore, ND
Once the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) was formed in 1985, the HANP became one of their first affiliates, which positioned it as a specialty organization within the profession.
The first annual HANP case conference was held in Portland, Oregon, USA in April 1987. During that conference, the HANP’s Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation were adopted and a Board of Directors elected. Doctors Durr Elmore, Michael Traub, Steve Albin, Stephen Messer, and Paul Herscu were the first board members. As Vice President, Dr. Paul Herscu, was the first editor of Transactions, the publication that later evolved into Simillimum. Dr. Paul Mittman was the first editor of Simillimum, followed by Dr. Durr Elmore in July 1989.
One early objective of the HANP was to certify licensed naturopathic physicians in the use of classical homeopathy. The Homeopathic Board Certification Exam (HBCE) that the HANP administered was created by a committee. Doctors’ Lamb, Stephen Messer, and Michael Traub served on that committee. Forty-six naturopathic doctors took the HBCE in September of 1988. Twenty-seven of them passed to become the first board-certified Diplomates of the HANP (DHANP).
In the early to mid-1990s, Christa Louise became the first official Executive Director of the HANP. By the mid-1990s, under the leadership of Executive Director Susan Wolfer and Presidents, Doctors Stephen Messer and Bruce Dickson, the HANP reached its zenith with around 1100 Simillimum subscribers and case conference attendees. Dr. Brent Mathieu was recruited, circa 1998, to prepare and administer the HBCE. Dr. Mathieu joined the board in 1999, and became President in the early 2000s> He later took the position of Executive Director.
HANP case conference attendance declined as more homeopathic continuing education venues became available and travel expenses increased after the tragedies of September 11th, 2001, The HANP’s last case conference was held in Vancouver, British Columbia in October 2003 during the presidency of Dr. Neil Tessler. Concurrently, prominent DHANPs initiated their own independent programs, conferences, and journals. By the mid-2000s, various new approaches to homeopathy became popular. Discord arose within the homeopathic community as DHANPs and other homeopaths became divided in their definition of classical homeopathy—something still present in the homeopathic profession.
Healing this divide has become a goal of the HANP as we move forward. The HANP has adapted to evolutionary changes and despite these shifts, a basic question and principle still guides us:
How do we continue vitalistic medicine within both naturopathy and homeopathy? How do we act in harmony with the healing power of Nature to restore holism and vitality to our patients?
Today, the HANP is a community organization made up of motivated individuals (colleagues?) within the homeopathic profession who strive to shape and strengthen our profession while supporting and connecting within the existing infrastructure. The HANP provides a forum for naturopathic practitioners to communicate, learn, and influence the magnificent field of homeopathy.
“What is vitally important is our continual learning-studying-communicating, sharing our knowledge, and becoming better homeopaths. This is the purpose of the HANP.”
~ Durr Elmore, Simillimum, October 1989.