Alumni Spotlight
Dr. Kaley Burns Builds Successful Career on Education and Experiences
Kaley Burns, ND, (NUHS ‘16) chose to attend NUHS to become a naturopathic doctor because she wanted to become proficient in individualized, whole-person, integrative health care. “An education from NUHS facilitated me to employ care in a patient-centered, comprehensive manner, providing the most appropriate treatment for each patient,” she says. After graduation, she was fortunate to join an integrative family practice in Connecticut, “with a highly intellectual and encouraging team of doctors.”
Beyond her studies, Kaley made a point of becoming very involved at NUHS, joining multiple organizations, planning various events, and founding a couple student clubs. She also made an effort to be active outside of the NUHS community by joining national organizations, attending conferences, shadowing doctors, attending hospital grand rounds, and obtaining additional training in IV therapy and sports medicine. These activities not only helped her make important contacts on campus, but also network with doctors of various specialties around the country. “As NDs, we are given the task of educating not only our patients, but also other medical professionals about our distinct advantage in the evolving medical paradigm,” says Dr. Burns.
Dr. Burns’ experiences in the NUHS Whole Health Center – Lombard not only helped prepare her for patient care, but also gave her the opportunity to participate in a brigade with Naturopathic Doctors International in Nicaragua, as well as a clinical rotation at Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic in Montana. “These supplementary clinical opportunities enabled me to further develop and apply my training in two diverse, yet powerful patient settings,” she states. “For those heading into their clinical year, I strongly suggest taking advantage of extra clinical opportunities.”
While NUHS is there to support students in their growth as a doctor, Dr. Burns says, it is ultimately up to the student to seek out opportunities and supplementary training, such as residency options, and shadowing doctors in both licensed and unlicensed states, as both offer diverse prospects for NDs.
Instead of the residency experience, Dr. Burns began talking to the doctors she had shadowed over her four years. She also joined the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), and received periodic updates on job opportunities in the ND community. “I sent my resume out to countless recipients, periodically interviewing and visiting various clinics,” she says. “ND students tend to think there aren't any options for new graduates that will pay well, provide a supportive assembly of coworkers, and allow you flexibility to grow in your practice as a doctor. I can confidently say that these opportunities do exist. There are a variety of options available to new graduates if you are willing to apply yourself and seek them out.”
Dr. Kaley Burns
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