Dr. Todd Rowe, a certified psychiatrist and author of several books on homeopathy, has been practicing and teaching homeopathy for 20 years.  Within homeopathy, his true calling is the challenging task of imparting homeopathic knowledge to others - teaching.  With a good measure of compassion and sensitivity, he is leading the newly forming medical school - the American Medical College of Homeopathy, which will be the only full time homeopathic school in the USA.   Dr. Rowe's detailed bio    I am grateful that Dr. Rowe took the time for these thoughtful responses to the questions I emailed to him.

Contents at a glance:

When should practitioners introduce homeopathy into their practice?
Homeopathy vs other modalities: How long to wait for results?
Why homeopathy is so challenging
The simillimum alone may not be enough
The homeopathic community - When is being in harmony more important than being right?
Doctrine of Signatures, Kingdoms, Families of Remedies, and Hahnemann's spirit of experimentation
Feeling of satisfaction following cures from remedies first proved by one's own group.
In his own words, what Dr. Rowe's books are like
True calling in homeopathy is as a teacher
Reawakened love of Hahnemann's Lesser Writings
Wonder, humility, dedication, passion for the art - qualities of homeopathic mentors
The American Medical College of Homeopathy - a full time homeopathic medical school
Homeopathic training compared to conventional/naturopathic/chiropractic education
So what makes this school different?
Prerequisites
Clinical training - most important aspect
A love for all life - important quality of a homeopath
CHC, DHANP and ABHt
First class target date February 2008, location Phoenix
Sound like fun?  Here's how to join in
Distance Learning here to stay

I would encourage mental health practitioners who are interested in a more holistic and patient-centered approach to their practice to study homeopathic medicine. However, the treatment of mental illness with homeopathic medicine is not easy. It cannot be learned in a weekend course or the simple study of a few books. To become a skilled practitioner of homeopathic medicine requires both persistence and dedication. This means attendance at one of the many homeopathic schools around the nation (see appendix in Choosing a Career in Homeopathic Medicine for a listing of these programs). The rewards however are great and can lead to a deeply satisfying career.

Homeopathy vs other modalities:  How long to wait for results?

GC: Many people see homeopathy as 'soft' medicine - suitable for first aid, self-limiting conditions and for animals. For the patient confronted with chronic, life-threatening disease, how much time and effort should he invest in homeopathy, in comparison to other natural and conventional modalities?

TR:With over 250 forms of alternative medicine available in the world today, it can be overwhelming for many patients to pick and choose the best treatment modalities for their particular condition. Some patients opt for doing multiple modalities at once, but the consequence is that these modalities can interfere with each other leading to poor results at best.

Homeopathy is the third most common form of alternative medicine in the world today and is said to be the fastest growing. It is a complete system of healing and is very effective for chronic life threatening conditions. The success rate in my practice in the treatment of chronic disease is about 80% (defined as patient satisfaction that they are glad that they came to see me).

How much time and effort should you invest in homeopathy for your condition? Generally I recommend to my new patients that they give me three tries to find a homeopathic medicine that will be helpful for them. Each try generally takes about two months and therefore I ask for about a six month commitment. Any good practitioner must know when their treatment is not working and be willing to refer to other practitioners when they are not successful.

Why homeopathy is so challenging

GC: Would you like to inspire us with a story of a formidable challenge you have overcome since you started studying homeopathy?

TR: One of the central keys to success in homeopathic treatment is to develop the skill of becoming an unbiased observer. This has been a never ending journey that I embarked on when I became a homeopath. Not only must homeopaths be able to perceive their patients clearly but also patients must be able to perceive themselves. Homeopaths rely on patients accurately reporting their symptoms. Unfortunately in our modern world, many have lost the capacity to describe what is going on within them. They have lost the language of their symptoms.

It is not uncommon in my practice for patients to complain of pain and yet be unable to describe the nature, quality or modalities that accompany that pain. They will often respond " . . . you know, doctor, it is just pain." Frequently patients describe their condition in terms of diagnoses or lab results rather than based on their symptoms. There also are some who through years of psychotherapy are no longer able to relate a clear picture of themselves and their emotions but can only parrot what they have been told in therapy.

Many practitioners who move to the United States from second or third world countries report this. They describe how much more difficult it is to take a good case in the United States and because of this, how they can be initially frustrated with their results.

Much of this stems from allopathic thinking. The homeopath must educate their patients concerning homeopathic thinking and help them rediscover the language of their symptoms and their bodies. For some patients, this comes easily and they need little direction other than some initial education. Other patients require frequent redirection and have a tendency when stressed to relapse into allopathic thinking. A third (strikethrough: category) group of patients have great difficulty in even relating their symptoms to the homeopath. This represents an obstacle to cure.

Those patients who have the most success in this area are the ones who are the most self-responsible. Rather than blindly turning over their health care to others, they work with their practitioners by being self aware. Ultimately, it is these patients who have the most success in homeopathic treatment.

The homeopath must develop skills in unbiased observation. Homeopaths must first be able to accurately observe their patients. Samuel Hahnemann states in the Organon, Aphorism #83: "The individualizing examination of a disease case, for which I am giving only general instructions here demands nothing of the medical-art practitioner except freedom from bias and healthy senses, attention while observing and fidelity in recording the image of the disease." This includes skills in observing verbal, non verbal and emotional cues. It involves the capacity to perceive what is unique and individualizing in a case. Observation skills are not something that can easily be obtained. They represent a lifelong journey of exploration and work.

Homeopaths must also be able to observe life. It is the unbiased observation of homeopaths during proving research that gives all homeopaths an accurate description of each of the homeopathic remedies that they use. It is a homeopath's unbiased observation of their cured cases that allows them to further their homeopathic knowledge. It is their unbiased observation of life that allows them to see the remedy states in the world around them. In this way, all of life becomes a classroom and a teacher. This involves the capacity to perceive what is unique and individualizing in life.

Lastly, homeopaths must be able to accurately observe themselves. This is the key to the removal of bias or prejudice. We can see remedies in others only to the extent that we can see them in ourselves. Each of us contains the potentiality for all remedy states within us. Often when homeopaths obtain homeopathic treatment themselves, their observational skills greatly improve. This involves the capacity to perceive what is unique and individualizing in ourselves. It is this uniqueness in ourselves that permits us to see it in our patients.

Unbiased observation does not simply come from the mind but also from the heart. It requires the capacity to see from all of ourselves so that we can engage our patients more fully, as human beings.

The simillimum alone is not always enough

GC: Do you have any personal success stories or memorable cures with homeopathy that really stand out in your memory?

TR: "We should aim to cure sometimes, to relieve often, but to comfort always." -William Osler MD

Early in my career as a homeopath I saw a nine year old boy who suffered from asthma, recurrent bladder infections and psoriasis. After taking a careful case, I prescribed the remedy Staphysagria 1M. The child did well with these problems with complete resolution of his chronic asthma and bladder symptoms and a gradual amelioration of his psoriasis symptoms over time. I was very pleased and felt that I had found the similimum (the exact right remedy for the case).

Yet the child had a very physically abusive father. The child was very shy, withdrawn and quiet, suppressing much anger about his family situation. After the remedy, he became more vocal and challenging to his parents. This was intolerable to his father who became so enraged that he beat him, breaking the child’s arm and leg and the child had to be hospitalized. The family refused to let me see the child again. Later I learned that he had fully relapsed with resumption of his physical symptoms.

This and other cases brought me to wonder if being a good homeopath is always enough? I have found that it is just as important to be a good healer as it is to be a good homeopath. Some homeopaths are poor healers, while some excellent healers have minimal skills as a homeopath.

To be a good healer, one must possess wisdom, compassion and the capacity to see the larger picture. This requires the ability to hold and build rapport with one’s patients. It necessitates mutual respect between patient and practitioner. It is much more than simply technique or knowledge.

What attracts patients to a homeopath is most often not their homeopathic knowledge as much as their skills as a healer. When asked why they chose a particular practitioner, patients will often say “he listened” or “she cared” or “I felt comfortable with her”, rather than “he has much homeopathic knowledge”.

I believe that it is important to teach and train homeopathic practitioners to be more than just good homeopaths. Specific skills and attitudes as a healer need to be nurtured and developed. This unfortunately is something that is frequently neglected in allopathic training. Much of this training must be individualized. Every practitioner and teacher has certain skills, knowledge and qualities that are unique to them and that make them good at what they do. These are akin to the secret ingredient that a master chef places in his/her creation. This is part of the magic and mystery that makes the homeopathic process work. Good teachers do not focus so much on imparting this quality to their students as helping their students find the gifts that they bring to homeopathy that are uniquely their own.

With my patient, I learned that finding the right remedy is not always enough. It is vital to see the whole picture and to determine what type of effect giving the right remedy would have on the system. For example, in the above case, it would have been necessary to treat the parents before even considering treating the child. This of course presupposes that the homeopath can even see the potential for abuse. Cases like these have been vital to my growth as a homeopath and as a healer.

The homeopathic community  - When is being in harmony more important than being right?

GC: What changes have you seen in the homeopathic community since you first began practicing. Has anything happened in the homeopathic community that has markedly encouraged or upset you? How do you feel about the way it is going?

TR: Homeopathy in the United States is at a crossroads. It is a very exciting time but also difficult. Alternative medicine has grown tremendously in the United States in the last 15 years, but homeopathic medicine has remained stagnant. The potential for growth is there but the homeopathic community has not capitalized on the opportunity to move the homeopathic profession forward. What are the core issues that prevent homeopathy from moving forward? I believe that the following are the central issues:
• Tensions between the “fundamentalist” homeopaths and the “modernist” homeopaths
• Tensions between the diverse groups of homeopathic practitioners (professional homeopaths, naturopathic practitioners, medical practitioners etc.)
• Lack of a unified homeopathic community
• Tensions between unicist prescribers and polypharmacy prescribers
• How qualified must I be to practice homeopathy? (certification issues)
• Should our focus be on creating better standards and regimentation or on individual freedom? (structural issues)

I believe that only by standing together and resolving our differences will we be able to move forward as a profession. What currently holds us back in homeopathy is infighting. This was a problem in 19th century homeopathy and we must learn from those previous mistakes. Sometimes being in harmony is more important than being right. We can disagree and debate, but we must not put each other down or claim homeopathy for our specific prejudice. Hahnemann warned against prejudice in our case work but also we must be free of prejudice in how we work together and treat each other. We need to learn to focus on what is common rather than what divides us.

In his book The Different Drummer, Scott Peck says that “Community is a place where conflict can be resolved without physical or emotional bloodshed and with wisdom as well as grace. A community is a group that fights gracefully”. Historically, homeopaths have been rugged individualists. Individualism was required in pioneering a new movement and breaking free of the allopathic tradition. Building community can be difficult in such a group. Today, we can move forward as a profession only by forming a strong vital community.

To move forward, there must be a commitment to nurturing the community and to building bridges. Homeopathy does not belong to one particular group, ideology or faction, but to the entire world community. This is why homeopathy has been called the peoples’ medicine.

Doctrine of Signatures, Kingdoms, Families of Remedies, and Hahnemann's spirit of experimentation

GC: A quick perusal of your Homeopathic Methodology suggests that you believe that the Doctrine of Signatures and the use of Kingdoms and Families of remedies can be useful to a homeopath in a clinical setting. There has been some disagreement among leading homeopaths as to what part, if any, these concepts should play in the practice of homeopathy. Can you describe how you might actually use one of these concepts to treat a case, and what limitations you might impose on their use?

TR: What attracts me most to Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, is not his writing but his spirit as a healer. Hahnemann at his best was an experimenter. He was always growing and changing, trying out new ideas. He wrote six editions of the Organon and undoubtedly would have written more, given time.

I believe that it is critical for homeopathic practitioners to stay firmly grounded in the fundamental art and science of homeopathic medicine. However, I also believe that it is equally critical to grow and to experiment with new ideas and new approaches to practice. This is in part what keeps homeopathy vital and alive.

I have personally found the idea of families to be extremely useful in my practice. Hahnemann began this idea with his introduction of the concept of miasms and this has gradually expanded over time. This includes concepts such as miasmatic families (eg. Sycotic remedies), mineral families (eg. Acid remedies), plant families (eg. Compositae plant family), animal families (eg. Insects), environmental families (eg. Desert Remedies) or families based on their effects on man (eg. Drug Remedies). Identifying that a patient needs a remedy from a particular family or group has made possible the prescribing of many small remedies that I never would have accessed in any other way. This in turn has made more accurate and successful prescribing.

For example, I recently gave the remedy Atropinum successfully to a patient in my practice. I had given the remedy Belladonna previously with only limited results. The totality of symptoms pointed strongly to Belladonna. When I studied the case I realized that the patient needed a remedy from the Solanaceae plant family, but in the Tubercular miasm (Belladonna lies more in the acute miasm). The Belladonna was close but the Atropinum worked curatively.

I find that the idea of families is not always useful in a given case. Some cases lend themselves well to a family approach and others do not. The best homeopaths I find are ones that are flexible in their case analysis tools and do not limit themselves to any one approach.

Feeling of satisfaction following cures from remedies first proved by one's own group

GC: It is unusual, though not unknown, for a homeopath to put as much time and energy into provings as you have. We count these provings of yours at this time:
Gila Monster
Creosote Bush
Road Runner
Alligator
Crested Prickle Poppy
Cactus
Vulture
Stingray
Turquoise
Wood Sorrel
Which of these are the most widely prescribed and useful, and are there particular chronic conditions that any of them have helped consistently? Is there a common theme among desert-derived remedies? Can you describe the satisfaction of using provings to discover a new remedy, which actually cures a chronic condition?

TR: 1. Which are the most widely prescribed and useful and any chronic conditions which has been useful for?

The provings that we have conducted have not been well publicized. None of the remedies have been widely used, although there have been case reports of the efficacy of all of these remedies.

I do find that I almost never prescribe a remedy after I have completed a proving of it. I find that I have difficulty prescribing these remedies, because I am too close to their energy. I find that it takes some time before I can integrate this new remedy into my practice and into myself. I am very cautious of provings where the prover immediately has many cases of the remedy walk into their office after the proving is finished.

Of all the provings conducted, I would judge that Carnegeia gigantea (Saguaro Cactus) has been the most widely used. This has proven particularly useful for cardiac conditions, constricting pains, edematous conditions and for assisting with issues relating to sexual abuse.

2. Is there a common theme among desert-derived remedies?

We are in the process of finishing a book entitled Desert Medicine which will be a compilation of all of our desert provings (coauthored with Anneke Hogeland and Judy Shriebman). The book is an attempt to describe the desert themes, sensations and movements using homeopathy as a tool. It should be available in about one year. Very briefly, the common themes are: Water retention and loss; Prolonged torpor followed by intense activity; Endurance; Desolation; Nomad; Violence and Underground.

3. Can you describe the satisfaction of using provings to discover a new remedy, which actually cures a chronic condition?

Some of the most satisfying moments in my career as a homeopath have come when homeopathic practitioners report deep and lasting cures of chronic conditions using the remedies that we have proven. This also has given me the courage and fortitude to continue to conduct provings, despite the great amount of work and resources that this entails.

In his own words, what Dr. Rowe's books are like:

GC: When I look at your books and tapes that we have available, I see the provings books, along with another group of books and tapes that concern the teaching and learning of homeopathy:
• Homeopathic Methodology - an Introductory Homeopathic Workbook
• The Homeopathic Journey - A Guide for Learners, Teachers and Leaders,
• Choosing a Career in Homeopathic Medicine
Can you give a short description of each book, indicating how or by whom it might be used?

TR:1. Homeopathic Methodology

This is an introductory work-book that is designed to teach fundamental skills in repertory, case taking and case analysis. It has been widely used as an instructional tool in introductory courses in homeopathic medicine.

2. The Homeopathic Journey

The Homeopathic Journey is designed for anyone with an interest in homeopathic education. It was written to help individuals take the next step, whether it is as student, teacher or administrator. It provides a basic road map and describes what can be expected on one’s homeopathic educational journey.

The book is also an attempt to portray the heart of homeopathic education. The hope is that readers will find that which sustains, supports and motivates them through the vicissitudes of their own educational process. The wonder and majesty of homeopathic education are explored to help inspire the reader. This book focuses more on process than content. It describes the dynamics of transformation on the homeopathic journey. The process of homeopathic education is life long and there is always another step on that journey. This work is a guide to that process.

Much of the homeopathic education in the past has been allopathically focused. Allopathy here is used to mean conventional medicine. Homeopathic educators borrow administrating, teaching and learning methods from allopathic medicine and expect to apply this to homeopathy and are then surprised when the approach fails. They use allopathic methods inculcated into them from their own past. A goal of this book is to explore a method of educating that is homeopathically oriented. This is a challenge. It means leading, teaching and learning in ways that are new and may not be comfortable. This takes courage.

Homeopathic education is different from many other fields of education. At bottom, it is learning about all life. It is extraordinarily broad in its scope. Because of this, learning and teaching homeopathy is not easy. It necessitates change and requires growth on deep levels. The training is prolonged, individualized and emotionally charged. This book is an attempt to be honest about this, as well as to describe the great joys in the process.

3. Choosing a Career in Homeopathic Medicine

This is a simple small booklet that is designed to answer the question: Should I pursue a career in homeopathic medicine? It describes the joys and satisfactions of a career in homeopathic medicine and gives the student a roadmap of what to expect in their homeopathic education. The booklet is not targeted at any particular program and gives a listing of all US homeopathic programs in the appendices.

True calling in homeopathy is as a teacher

GC:While many homeopaths remain focused in clinical practice or writing, you seem to love the teaching/learning aspect of the subject. How has this come to be? And these days, how do you manage to balance the clinical practice of homeopathy with teaching it, and perhaps more so now, with administration and teaching teachers of it?

TR: Although I love my homeopathic clinical practice, research and leadership work, my true calling in homeopathy is as a teacher. I have always found that I learned best through teaching. I began teaching very early in my homeopathic training and used this as a way to solidify my knowledge and skills. The key for me was teaching to my level of competence-mostly I did introductory talks and teaching beginning level study groups initially. I also quickly discovered that I was a much better teacher than I was a speaker. The requisite skills for these are very different.

When I first started teaching in homeopathy, I found that there was very little support and guidance. Mostly I taught as I was taught. I found that there was a tremendous learning curve and I made many, many mistakes along the way. I eventually became interested in helping other homeopathic teachers in their process and journey. This is what led to much of my writing on education.   

One of the greatest weaknesses of many homeopathic practitioners (and other healers) is lack of self-care. For me, this entails striking a healthy balance in my work. I have found that when I have done exclusive patient care, that I tend to burn out. Ultimately, I have found the best balance for me is 1/3 clinical work, 1/3 teaching (and writing) and 1/3 leadership/volunteer work. I find that if I stick to this balance, I am able to accomplish a great deal more and I remain in balance.

Reawakened love of Hahnemann's Lesser Writings

GC: Other than your own books, is there a particular book or translation of a book that you consider invaluable to success in homeopathy? Any other publications, not limited to homeopathy books, that you consider indispensable for a healer? journals? magazines?

TR: I would say no. There have been very important books in my development at various points in my career, but none of these has consistently been invaluable in my practice or work throughout my entire career. The only exception would be of course the Organon and I still prefer Wenda Brewster O’Reilly’s translation as being the most musical and dynamic. Recently I have fallen in love again with Hahnemann’s Lesser Writings. I find that they represent a more rough and less polished Hahnemann, yet well illustrates his growing process and journey.

To be a homeopath for me, necessitates the study of all life. I sometimes tease my accountant that everything I do is homeopathy and therefore tax deductible. I find that everything I have read and studied has been indispensable in this process. This is especially true of works that have helped me to explore my own process and helped me to remove the obstacles to becoming a healer.

Wonder, humility, dedication, passion for the art - qualities of homeopathic mentors

GC: Who have been your primary mentors over the years and what is it about these people that has earned your respect?

TR: I have had many homeopathic mentors over the years. The ones that had the greatest and last influence have included Nancy Herrick, Massimo Magliavari, Roger Morrison, Rajan Sankaran, Jayesh Shah, Johnathan Shore, George Vithoulkas and Edward Whitmont. Each has provided different qualities that have been essential for me in my work. The qualities that have been the most central have been:
• Humility: Arrogance is the greatest enemy of freedom from prejudice.
• Wonder: It is the capacity to wonder that is most important for me in the making of a homeopath.
• Dedication: Persistence and dedication are central aspects of any healer.
• Passion for the Art: It is the passion for what we do that often sustains us through the rough stretches of the homeopathic journey.
• Service: This involves the willingness to give back to life.
• Dynamis: A good teacher energizes those around them. They have the capacity to free themselves and their communities from the danger of stagnation and identification with the status quo. This requires that they can learn from their own experiences.
• Integrity: Integrity is consistency between ones values, goals and actions. This is what inspires trust.

The American Medical College of Homeopathy - a full time homeopathic medical school

GC: As if now to focus your dream of homeopathic education, you are now planning The American Medical College of Homeopathy, which will be the first full-time homeopathic medical school in the United States. Could you describe how the plan is being received and in particular, what qualifications graduates will earn, and what licensing examinations they will be eligible to write?

TR:
1. How is the plan being received?
The formation of a national homeopathic medical school requires the input and support of the entire homeopathic community. Thus far the project has met with support from diverse aspects of the national homeopathic community and homeopathic organizations. It also has received the local support of the Arizona homeopathic and allopathic communities. We have been getting much input from the national homeopathic community as we move forward with the project. In addition, we held a national foundational meeting in February of this year, in Phoenix.
2. What qualifications graduates will earn?
Students will graduate with the credential Doctor of Classical Homeopathy (DCH).
3. What licensing examinations they will be eligible to write?
Graduates will be eligible for licensure through the Arizona Homeopathic Licensing Board. In addition, they will be eligible for certification through any of the national certification boards.

Full time homeopathic medical training compared to conventional/naturopathic/chiropractic

GC: Would it be accurate to say that students will receive the same training as a conventional MD, but with extensive homeopathy and de-emphasis on conventional drug therapies?

TR: To create a program that has the same amount of medical training as a conventional MD, but with extensive homeopathic training would require a six year program. We decided that this would not be workable.

What we have created instead is a program that has similar medical training to a naturopathic doctor or chiropractic doctor, but with extensive training in homeopathic medicine rather than the seven modalities of naturopathic or physical manipulation modalities of chiropractic.

This however is not entirely accurate. We also believe that the medical part of the curriculum should not be taught allopathically but homeopathically. This will require a fundamental shift in the style and context of the medical training.

There will be some training in conventional drug therapies as we feel that it is critical that homeopathic physicians understand the side effects and mechanisms of action of conventional drug therapies.

Overall the program will be about 4300 hours in length (same length as conventional medical schools) with roughly 50% of the training in homeopathy and the other 50% of the training in the medical sciences.

So what makes this school different?  

GC: Aside from being the first full time homeopathic medical school in the United States, what do you consider are the unique attributes of the school's teaching philosophy that set it apart from other homeopathic schools?

TR: Actually this is not the nation’s first homeopathic medical school. There were many such medical schools in the past, approximately twenty existing at the turn of the century. Also there are many international homeopathic medical schools. What we have discovered is that the presence of homeopathic medical schools has had a profound impact on the growth of the homeopathic profession in the areas in which they have existed.

There are a number of qualities that separate the medical school from other homeopathic schools:

1. Target Population: Unlike most current homeopathic school in the US, our target population will be younger students, right out of college. We feel that this is central to revitalizing the homeopathic profession.

2. Tracks: In addition to the full time program, we will be offering two other tracks. There will be a medical only track which will be offered to graduates of other homeopathic schools who wish to pursue medical training. There also will be a homeopathic only track which will be offered to those licensed health care practitioners who already have had extensive medical training.

3. Clinical Training: We believe that the most important way to learn homeopathy is in the doing of it. Much of our curriculum is devoted to clinical training and this begins during the first week of class and extends throughout the entire four years of the program. The clinical training is designed to bring the student to a place of increasing autonomy so that by the time of graduation they are practicing nearly independently.

4. Humanism: What most distinguishes homeopaths from allopaths is the holistic and humanistic qualities of their work. We will be offering a class in self-care and we emphasize the self-growth of students in our program. Central to this process will be an ongoing class throughout the curriculum entitled the Healer’s Way.

5. Community: Having a campus and a more extended program will also permit the establishment of a strong homeopathic community. We believe that our graduates should become an integral part of the homeopathic community in which they live and practice. We will require a community project as part of the training program.

6. Research: We plan our creating a homeopathic research institute as part of the campus. We recognize that not all student are interested in pursuing homeopathic research, but we do feel that fundamental research attitudes are a vital part of what it is to be a healer. We will emphasize skills in our program such as developing the spirit of inquiry and critical thinking which are central to good research. We will require a research project as part of the training program.

7. Mentorship: We have found that mentorship is one of the most important aspects of training. Mentorship will continue throughout all four years of the program.

8. Non-Lecture Format: We believe that lecture is not the best format for teaching homeopathy. We will be utilizing a variety of formats including problem based learning, discussion and case based learning.

9. Miscellaneous Classes: The extended length of our program will permit the teaching of a number of classes which we are quite excited about. These include classes in Removing Obstacles to Cure, Developing the Capacity to Observe, Developing the Capacity to Perceive, Grand Rounds and classes in Integrative Medicine.

Prerequisites

GC: What do you expect to be the educational pre-requisites for admission?

TR: Prerequisites for the Doctor of Homeopathic Medicine Program

All candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university or the equivalent from an institution outside the United States. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required in all post-secondary work.

Although there are basic science prerequisites (see below), well-rounded people with backgrounds in the humanities, arts or social sciences are often excellent candidates for the medical profession. We encourage a broad range of life experiences rather than a narrow basic science foundation. Criteria for selecting applicants for admission to AMCH’s programs include motivation, intellect, and character essential to becoming a physician. Applicants are considered on the basis of academic performance, maturity, and demonstrated humanitarian qualities. Work and/or volunteer experience in health care, coupled with an awareness of the field of natural medicine, is strongly recommended.

The following coursework is the minimum required preparation for the study of homeopathic medicine. Applicants may apply with coursework still in progress, but prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation.

REQUIRED COURSES
• Biology 12 semester credits
• Chemistry 12 semester credits
• Physics 6 semester credits
• Psychology: 6 semester credits

Clinical training - most important aspect of the program

GC: How will the school provide clinical experience?

TR: Clinical-training will occur throughout all four years of the program. We feel that clinical training is the most important aspect of our program.

• Year One: Students begin clinical training in their first year. This consists mostly in clinical observation and case-based learning. Students also will be utilizing the Homeopathic Symposium for case material.

• Year Two: Formal clinical training begins in the second year. This is designed to introduce students to case taking and case analysis in a clinical setting. Each student will be taking cases with the instructor while watched by a small group of students using a close circuit TV. Cases will be followed clinically over time.

• Year Three: The third year introduces more advanced clinical training. This is designed to introduce students to case management and more advanced case taking and case analysis. Each student will be taking cases with the instructor while watched by a small group of students using a close circuit TV. Cases will be followed clinically over time.

• Year Four: The last year is designed to bring the student to a level of practice outside the college, in the form of externships. Here the student has clinical training under supervision in a variety of specialized clinics. Cases will be followed clinically over time. These clinics are planned to include chronic disease, acute care, pediatrics, women's health and HIV specialty clinics. We also plan on having a clinic on the Native American reservation. The final part of clinical training is supervision. This is a clinical experience where the student takes cases independently and then receives ongoing supervision after the case is taken.

A love for all life - important quality of a homeopath

GC: What do you feel is the most important quality a student should have, to facilitate his success as a homeopathic doctor?

TR: One of the things that distinguishes homeopaths is their capacity to love life. This is more than simple curiosity. It involves a deep wonder, appreciation and enjoyment of all that life holds.

Every substance in life holds the capacity to heal and homeopaths have found the key to unlock this healing capacity. This necessitates a deep understanding of our patients, our world and of ourselves. This includes an exploration of geology, botany, zoology, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, sociology, literature and many other fields of study.

This capacity allows homeopaths to see life differently than others. Who else but a homeopath will sit with someone and become entranced with the nuances of their bowel habits or be excited to hear that their patient only sleeps with their arms raised above their head. Who else but a homeopath will burn the midnight oil studying the subtleties of the Ericaceae plant family or the toxicology of the poison strychnine.

This fascination is not just with the large things in life, but also with those that are most small. Homeopaths are interested in the small details about their patients' lives, those details that are unique to them. They also wish to explore the small details of the natural world, those that are often overlooked by contemporary science. It is these subtleties which often provides the key to which a given case hangs. The philosopher Espinoza once said that “God is in the details.”

When coming from a place of love and openness, life speaks to you. In the consulting room, homeopaths have the capacity to deeply listen and hear their patients' stories. In the natural world, homeopaths listen to the voice of plants, animals and minerals, developing a deep understanding of their nature. Life reveals itself to us, if we only have the capacity to truly listen.

How do we develop this capacity? How do we develop a love for all life? Some would say that we are simply born with this and it is not something that can be developed. I disagree. I believe that this can be developed and this is the responsibility of good homeopathic educators.

One key that I have found in this process is the idea of stalking, a concept that I learned from the writer Annie Dillard. Being a homeopath often requires single minded intensity. It necessitates total immersion and absorption in the field and in one’s clients. It is a place where there are no distractions, where one puts the allness of one’s being. This intensity is well encompassed in the idea of stalking.

This is much more than detective work-a stalking with the mind. This also necessitates using one’s heart and spirit. Stalking helps homeopaths be open to a deeper understanding of their patients and of the world around them. It is this which ultimately homeopaths are seeking, a resonance between their patients and remedies found in the world.

The other key in this process is one of enjoyment. It is important to have fun with what one does-to find play in one’s work. Patients are attracted to practitioners who love what they do. The homeopathic materia medica is vast and its study can at times be burdensome and the needs of our patients intense. It becomes critical to enjoy oneself on the journey to take time to laugh, relax and listen. The maintenance of a childish attitude is helpful in this regard. For children, playing is a principle way in which they learn about life in all its complexity and wonder. As adults, enjoying our work opens the heart and allows the love to flow into the work and into our lives. It is when this love flows and mirrors the rest of life that we are at our greatest potential as healers.

The CHC, DHANP and ABHt

GC: What will be the significance of the CHC exam to graduates of the American Medical College of Homeopathy?

TR: Graduates of our program will have sufficient hours to sit for the CHC, ABHt and DHANP certification exams. We encourage all of our graduates to become certified after graduation. In addition, we will be using these certification boards as a standard to place out of the homeopathic part of our curriculum for those who wish to pursue the medical only track of our program.

First class target date February 2008, location Phoenix

GC: Where will you hold classes, and how do prospective students get more information?

TR:1. Where will you hold classes?
> Classes will be held in Phoenix Arizona. Our first class is targeted to begin on February of 2008. Our plan is to eventually house the school on a campus that will include the following:
• The American Medical College of Homeopathy (AMCH)
• The AMCH Medical Center
• The AMCH Research Center
• The American Museum of Homeopathy
• Homeopathic Public Information Center
• Homeopathic Veterinary Program
• Homeopathic Garden

2. How do prospective students get more information?
You can contact us at:

The American Medical College of Homeopathy
2001 W. Camelback, Suite 150
Phoenix, AZ 85015
602-347-7950; 602-864-2949(fax); mkttel@cox.net
The AMCH website will be launched by December 1st, 2005.

Sound like fun?  Here's how to join in

GC: Tell us about some different ways people can get involved to support the project.

Provide Ideas and Feedback
This is a large project in scope and we need much input from the homeopathic community to make this successful. The following are committees that you can participate in, either as a member or as a consultant for specific questions that arise during the programs formation:
• Fund Raising
• Homeopathic Curriculum
• Legislative
• Marketing
• Medical Curriculum

Donate Money
The Friends of Homeopathy is the fund raising arm of our non profit school. We are seeking donations over the next three years toward the amount of $350,000 necessary to get us started.

We are also seeking both individual and corporate sponsorships. Individual sponsorships are either in the amount of $5000 or $10,000 and corporate sponsorships are either in the amount of $10,000 or $20,000. We are seeking a presidential sponsor to help us buy a building which would be in the amount of $250,000. We are also seeking pledges of members of the community for $100 per year for the next three years.

Even if you don’t have any money to personally donate, there may be people in your practice philanthropically inclined who would be interested in supporting the project. We would be happy to either approach these people directly or coach you in how to approach them for money.

Spread the Word
We have written articles for about the project for all the leading homeopathic journals. There are still many who have not even heard of the project. Please spread the word. Referring potential students would be greatly helpful, even at this early date.

Buy Our Proving Books
The research arm of our program is the Society for the Establishment of Research in Classical Homeopathy (SERCH). We have published ten provings since the start of our program the most recent being a proving of Roadrunner, available as of January 2005. These provings include Oxalis acetosella (Wood Sorrel), Heloderma suspectum (Gila Monster), Carnegeia gigantea (Saguaro Cactus), Urolophus halleri (Stingray), Cathartes aura (Turkey Vulture), Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator), Turquoise, Argemone pleicanthes (Crested Prickle Poppy), Larrea tridentata (Creosote) and Geococcyx californianus (Roadrunner). Sales of the proving books benefit the school.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum
We hope to house a homeopathic museum as part of the upcoming medical school. Towards this end, we will be having a homeopathic exhibit entitled Desert Medicines at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum starting this spring in Superior, Arizona (east of Phoenix). We will have an entire building dedicated to this space and are hopeful this will attract more people to our programs. Please visit the arboretum if you can and give positive feedback about the exhibit to the museum. We are hopeful that this exhibit will provide the foundation on which future homeopathic exhibits in Arizona can be based and for our future museum.

Desert Institute Seminars
We periodically hold conferences through Desert Institute Seminars. Conferences benefit our school. See our web site for the schedule of future events.

Distance Learning here to stay

GC: We have sold some sets of tapes for the distance learning program of the Desert Institute. Do you plan to maintain this way of learning, or, will it be phased out as the college is created?

TR: We recognize that distance-learning is becoming an increasingly important tool in education. It is often hard for potential students to disrupt their lives and relocate to a new area. We also believe however that a comprehensive homeopathic medical school cannot successfully rely on distance-learning as the primary source of its educational programs. We plan on continuing our introductory distance-learning programs which are designed to teach first aid, acute prescribing and the fundamentals of homeopathic practice. These are currently CD based and we plan on changing these to being internet based. In addition, distance-learning or internet based learning will be a minor part of our educational programs at the medical school.