For NDs wishing to access the LearningHub, the work-around when creating an account is to select the account type as “Affiliate” (e.g., those without a direct BC Health Authority Employee ID).

Join colleagues for a casual post day one ANM gathering with light nibbles and good conversation. These happy hour events are a relaxed opportunity to connect, share insights from the day, and enjoy time together in person.

When: October 4th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Where:

Saskia Karlen is a third-generation insurance broker specializing in life and health insurance, financial planning, and employee benefits. With a BA from the University of British Columbia, Saskia transitioned from a successful career in marketing to the insurance and financial services industry. She provides personalized insurance solutions and financial planning strategies to individuals and businesses, helping them achieve long-term financial security.

Saskia is highly regarded for her expertise in insurance solutions and has been a key provider of life and health insurance services. She has a deep understanding of the financial needs of both individuals and businesses and uses her extensive knowledge to ensure clients are well-protected.

Sindy Billan is the founder of SB Wealth Solutions and has been an investment and insurance advisor since 2003. Licensed in BC for the sale of investments, life, and health insurance products, Sindy brings a unique, holistic approach to financial advising, incorporating considerations of health, wealth, and work-life balance. She is dedicated to helping families and business owners prepare for their financial futures with strategic solutions tailored to their individual needs.

Sindy is passionate about educating her clients and has presented at numerous seminars and workshops for both business owners and medical professionals. She has sponsored booths at BCND’s Advancing Naturopathic Medicine & Northwest Naturopathic Physician Convention (NWNPC) since 2011. Outside of her professional life, Sindy enjoys golf, spending time with her grandkids at Granville Island, and cooking for her family

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine, and how does that inspiration continue to shape your work today?
Put simply, Naturopathic Medicine transformed my health, and I am incredibly passionate about helping others see the same amazing possibilities that exist within their own health journey.


2. What has been the most fulfilling moment or achievement in your career as a naturopathic doctor?
Watching innumerable patients achieve amazing health outcomes by incorporating simple and foundational principles of naturopathic medicine.


3. What has been the greatest challenge in your journey as an ND, and how have you overcome it?
Facing my own human fear of inadequacy is likely the greatest challenge I face. When a patient comes in the door with something new or more complex than I have yet seen, this old fear raises its ugly head. But then I take a deep breath, ground myself, open my ears and heart to open and active listening, and when I do this, what the patient tells me always guides me towards the next right thing.


4. What advice would you give to someone curious about becoming a naturopathic doctor or exploring naturopathic medicine?
First, take your time to decide. The journey through school and into business beyond is not for the faint of heart. But if you decide to take the plunge, the personal growth and reward as a result, is worth it. Second, in my humble opinion, choose Naturopathic Medicine for Naturopathic Medicine — in other words, choose it for its six foundational principles.


5. What’s one thing you wish everyone knew or understood about naturopathic medicine and the role of NDs?
That NDs know what they are talking about when it comes to naturopathic medicine. We are rigorously trained and are the only practitioners in the healthcare world that have the capacity to seamlessly bridge natural medicine with conventional or allopathic medicine. We are an invaluable of the healthcare team and I simply wish we were respected as such.


6. If you could describe what it means to be an ND in one sentence, what would it be?
For me personally, it means passion, inspiration and nourishment.


7. How does your work as an ND positively impact your patients and your community?
I inspire my patients everyday to see something positive and transformative in their health.


8. What is one aspect of naturopathic medicine that you feel makes it truly unique in today’s healthcare landscape?
We truly optimize a patient’s health versus manage their disease. As mentioned above, we are the only healthcare providers with the capacity to seamlessly weave the natural and conventional models of medicine for a patient.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine, and how does that inspiration continue to shape your work today?
My passion for naturopathic medicine grew from two powerful experiences. First, as an athlete, I saw firsthand how natural therapies, like targeted nutrition and recovery protocols, optimized performance in ways conventional approaches couldn’t. This taught me that the body thrives when given the right tools to heal itself.

Second, when my sister faced a chronic illness in my young adult years, I witnessed how fragmented our healthcare system could be. Naturopathic medicine’s focus on root-cause healing and patient empowerment became my calling. Today, these experiences shape how I practice: merging evidence-based science with individualized care to help patients function and excel.


2. What has been the most fulfilling moment or achievement in your career as a naturopathic doctor?
The most fulfilling part of my career isn’t tied to a single moment, instead more about the privilege of witnessing patients reclaim their lives. Whether it’s a busy patient finally overcoming chronic fatigue, a student restoring their gut health after years of discomfort, or an athlete returning to peak performance without relying on quick fixes, these transformations reaffirm why I chose this path.

Naturopathic medicine doesn’t just treat symptoms; it reignites possibility. When a patient tells me, ‘I feel like myself again,’ or ‘I didn’t know I could feel this good’, that’s the ultimate achievement. It’s why I’m passionate about making holistic care accessible because everyone deserves to be healthy and thrive.


3. What has been the greatest challenge in your journey as an ND, and how have you overcome it?
One of the greatest challenges in my journey as an ND has been holding space for profound suffering, especially when faced with the limits of what medicine can do. Early in my career, I cared for an 18-year-old cancer patient whose life ended far too soon. While I was grateful to offer comfort in his final days, the experience left a lasting weight. It was a stark reminder that healing doesn’t always mean curing, and that our role extends beyond prescriptions to being fully present with patients in their hardest moments.

This reality reshaped how I approach both practice and self-care. I’ve learned to lean on my ND community for support, prioritize my own emotional resilience through mindfulness and boundaries, and honor the privilege of walking alongside patients whether toward recovery or peace.


4. What advice would you give to someone curious about becoming a naturopathic doctor or exploring naturopathic medicine?
Becoming a naturopathic doctor isn’t just a career, it’s a lifestyle. This path demands dedication beyond your typical “office hours”. Whether it’s staying current with emerging research, holding space for patients after hours, or advocating for our profession in a skeptical world. This profession is so rewarding as I’ve witnessed lives transform through holistic healing and it makes every challenge worth it.

If you’re curious, I’d say: shadow an ND, talk to current students, and reflect on why you’re drawn to this work. NDs are often lifelong learners, compassionate listeners, and relentless advocates for their patients. It’s not an easy journey, but if you’re passionate about empowering others to heal (mind, body, and spirit) there’s no more fulfilling path.


5. What’s one thing you wish everyone knew or understood about naturopathic medicine and the role of NDs?
Naturopathic doctors are your trained guides in the often-overwhelming world of health information. While anyone can Google symptoms or supplements, an ND brings 4+ years of rigorous medical training to interpret that data through the lens of your unique biology, lifestyle, and goals. We don’t just hand out protocols, we help you navigate the noise with evidence-based wisdom, so you can make choices that align with your body’s true needs, not trends or guesswork.

I like to think of an ND as your health interpreter, translating science into actionable steps. In an era of information overload, our role is to empower you with clarity, not more confusion.


6. If you could describe what it means to be an ND in one sentence, what would it be?
To be an ND is to empower healing and equipping patients with the knowledge, tools, and compassion they need to not just feel better, but live better.


7. How does your work as an ND positively impact your patients and your community?
For patients, it’s about supporting them by either guiding a perimenopausal woman to navigate hot flashes and brain fog with herbs and lifestyle changes or helping chronic illness patients to understand their bodies rather than fear them. This is an “aha” moment when someone realizes they are not broken, and providing the right support can change how they see their health positively.

For the community, it’s preventative medicine in action. Every patient who learns to nourish their gut, manage stress effectively, or prioritize sleep becomes a beacon for their family, coworkers, and social circles. By addressing root causes, we reduce long-term strain on healthcare systems and redefine what “healthcare” can look like with less crisis management and more sustained vitality.


8. What is one aspect of naturopathic medicine that you feel makes it truly unique in today’s healthcare landscape?
One unique aspect of naturopathic medicine is the use of time. NDs utilize time to listen deeply, unravel complex health histories, and to see the whole person behind the symptoms. While today’s healthcare system often reduces patients to quick diagnoses and prescriptions, NDs prioritize thorough assessments that consider physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors. This careful approach allows us to identify underlying concerns, and to build partnerships where patients feel heard, not rushed.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine, and how does that inspiration continue to shape your work today?
My own health journey, including struggles with digestion and mental health, led me to naturopathic medicine. Acupuncture brought immense relief when nothing else helped, and lifestyle changes helped me truly thrive. That experience continues to guide my work and passion for patient care. (More of my story: drromifungnd.com, CCNM Magazine, pg 30–33).


2. What has been the most fulfilling moment or achievement in your career as a naturopathic doctor?
Seeing patients feel better whether digestion, energy, or mental clarity—is deeply fulfilling. I value the trust built even when things aren’t improving, because that’s where collaboration happens. Teaching and empowering others—from patients to colleagues—is a privilege. One memorable moment: being stopped at the airport by the wife of a long-time patient with cognitive decline, expressing her gratitude for the care I provided.


3. What has been the greatest challenge in your journey as an ND, and how have you overcome it?
Facing misconceptions was tough early on. But I chose to focus on the difference I make. I’m not here to replace the medical system, but to complement it. My 13+ years of training allows me to approach health differently, and that’s a strength.


4. What advice would you give to someone curious about becoming a naturopathic doctor or exploring naturopathic medicine?
Ask yourself “what kind of doctor do you want to be”? Do you want to focus on lifestyle and long-term care, or something more acute? Who do you want to serve? Observing different healthcare providers can help clarify your path.


5. What’s one thing you wish everyone knew or understood about naturopathic medicine and the role of NDs?
That naturopathic medicine isn’t about choosing between conventional and natural—it’s about combining the best of both. NDs take time to understand the whole person, uncover root causes, and guide patients with evidence-based, personalized care. We’re trained, regulated professionals who work alongside other healthcare providers to support long-term, sustainable health—not just symptom relief.


6. If you could describe what it means to be an ND in one sentence, what would it be?
I’m a health detective—I stay curious, gather evidence, and don’t intervene until I understand the full picture.


7. How does your work as an ND positively impact your patients and your community?
I help patients take control of their health, especially brain health, by addressing root causes like nutrient deficiencies, sleep issues, or insulin resistance. In the community, I share knowledge through public talks and social media, creating a ripple effect of informed, empowered individuals.


8. What is one aspect of naturopathic medicine that you feel makes it truly unique in today’s healthcare landscape?
Docere—Doctor as Teacher. When patients understand their health, they feel empowered to change it. Education transforms outcomes.