Homeopathy Papers

Opening a Homeopathic Medical School in the United States

Written by Todd Rowe

The author discusses the opening of the first homeopathic medical school in the U.S. since 1930. He offers a grand plan for restoring homeopathy to its former glory. Submitted by the American Medical College of Homeopathy.

Overview

We have a dream whose time has come. Alternative medical facilities are growing exponentially as people discover better health in a way that is safer, more affordable and curative of chronic disease. Our dream has been to build a homeopathic medical school in Phoenix, Arizona, graduating more practitioners to help even greater numbers of people reach good health and maintain it.

The American Medical College of Homeopathy (AMCH) is opening a new four-year, full-time homeopathic medical school in February 2011. This represents an expansion of educational services from its current part-time programs. The graduates of this new program will be granted a doctoral degree in homeopathic medicine. This program expects to attract students nationwide, and internationally, who seriously wish to study homeopathic medicine. We anticipate a total student body of 240. The program will be available in both campus-based and synchronous online formats.

History

Currently there are no full-time homeopathic medical schools in the United States. There were about twenty full-time homeopathic medical schools at the turn of the 20th century, the last closing their doors by 1930. These schools were vital in keeping the practice of homeopathic medicine alive during their day.

The world has many successful full-time homeopathic medical schools. There are several hundred in India alone and they can be found throughout Europe and Latin America, and many other countries. The existence of full-time homeopathic medical schools has been shown to immeasurably help the growth of homeopathic medicine in the countries in which they exist.

The Need for a Homeopathic Medical School

There is a strong need for a full-time homeopathic medical school in the United States and particularly in Arizona. The following is the rationale:

Growth and Demand for Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is growing tremendously in the world today and is in much public demand. A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that over 50% of the public in the United States routinely use alternative medicine. This is expected only to increase in the next twenty years. The insurance industry and many corporations are increasingly including alternative medicine in their health plans. A 1997 survey by the American Animal Hospital Association reported that 21% of all pet owners used some form of alternative medicine on their pets.

Because of America’s renewed interest in finding alternative care, the following are now true:

  • There are approximately 10,000 homeopathic practitioners in the United States who specialize in the practice of homeopathy.
  • Nearly 100% of conventional medical schools in the United States offer some form of training in alternative medicine.
  • 80% of current medical students desire some form of training in alternative medicine.
  • 70% of family physicians desire training in alternative medicine.
  • 69% of Americans routinely use unconventional therapies.
  • 56% of Americans surveyed believe their health plans should cover alternative therapies.
  • The alternative medicine marketplace is currently valued at $30 billion or more, with an annual growth rate of close to 15%.
  • The AMA has resolved to give more attention and study to alternative therapies.

Growth and Demand for Homeopathic Medicine

Homeopathy is the second most common form of alternative medicine in the world today and the most common form of alternative medicine in North and South America. It also is the fastest growing form of alternative medicine in the world today. Currently, the public demand for homeopathic medicine far outstrips the number of homeopathic practitioners. This program would make homeopathic medicine more available and accessible to the public. This is especially true of the Hispanic community where homeopathic medicine is particularly popular and in common usage. Homeopathic medicine is also quite consistent with Native American medicine, both utilizing substances from the natural world. Also, homeopathy is extremely popular in India and there is a fast growing community in Arizona of immigrants from India. The existence of such a school would build a legacy for the future of homeopathic medicine in the United States.

Safety and Reduction of Health Care Costs

Homeopathic medicine is an effective, safe and relatively inexpensive form of health care. Homeopathic medicines do not have side effects. Typically the cost of treatment is less than one-third of that of conventional medical treatment. In addition, the cost of homeopathic medicine is typically one fifth of conventional medicines.

The public is seeking methods of healing that are safer and less expensive than conventional medicine. Homeopathy also has the capacity to get to the root cause of illness and effect cure, rather than simply managing chronic symptoms over time.

Need for a Profession

Homeopathic medicine is currently practiced by a disparate group of practitioners, including medical doctors, osteopathic doctors, naturopathic doctors, doctors of chiropractic, doctors of oriental medicine, nurse practitioners and unlicensed practitioners. Homeopathy today is at the same place that chiropractic medicine and naturopathic medicine were several decades ago. By creating chiropractic and naturopathic medical schools and licensing their professions, chiropractors and naturopaths have able to grow rapidly and become what they are today. This program would help to grow the homeopathic profession and provide the needed next step in the growth of the homeopathic community. Many current homeopathic schools provide insufficient hours or training for skilled practice or certification as a homeopathic practitioner. This is particularly true of clinical training.

The establishment of homeopathic medical schools will improve the quality and professionalism of the homeopathic profession. The current practice of homeopathic medicine lacks sufficient standards and research. The introduction of a homeopathic medical school will help to fulfill this need. The creation of such a program would also improve the quality of homeopathic education.

Need for Medical Training

Although there are many part-time schools around the country in homeopathic medicine, none offers any medical training. Quality medical training is essential for the ability to safely practice medicine, for diagnosis and for the capacity to work collaboratively with other health care practitioners. The establishment of a full-time program will significantly improve the quality and safety of homeopathic practitioners.

Supporting the Community

Homeopathic medicine has a long history of benefiting local communities. A vital part of the homeopathic medical school will be a Community Health Department. The homeopathic medical school is planning a free/reduced fee clinic, women’s health clinic and a clinic on the Navajo Reservation and outreach programs in the Hispanic Community. Students will be required to perform a senior project that benefits the local community. In addition we anticipate eventually employing 100 staff and faculty as part of the medical school.

Transforming Healthcare

Homeopathic medicine has the potential to transform healthcare in the United States. Homeopathy provides a more effective, cheaper and safer form of healing. It has the capacity to cure many of the modern diseases that are incurable using conventional medicine.

Who is the American Medical College of Homeopathy?

The American Medical College of Homeopathy is a 501c3 non-profit Arizona corporation that promotes quality education and research in homeopathic medicine. It currently runs a state licensed school with accreditation for its certificate programs through the Council on Homeopathic Education. AMCH programs are nationally renowned for their high standards of quality and excellence.

The mission of the American Medical College of Homeopathy is:

  • To maintain and grow a viable and sustainable institution of higher learning in homeopathic medicine;
  • To provide homeopathic students with the knowledge and skills essential to the principles and successful practice of homeopathy within a technological learning environment;
  • To inculcate homeopathic students with the fundamental attitudes of compassionate, humanistic patient care;
  • To promote in homeopathic students a spirit and desire for lifelong independent learning and scholarship;
  • To engender nationally recognized leadership in homeopathic research;
  • To promote an inclusive, collaborative community for humanistic, sustainable healthcare.

AMCH is a center of excellence in homeopathic education, clinical care and research. AMCH offers classical homeopathic training in both traditional and distance learning modalities. The college offers the following programs:

AMCH Doctoral Program

This program offers a 4280 clock-hour intensive training program in homeopathic medicine. This program includes extensive medical and homeopathic education. Prerequisites are a bachelor’s level of education with courses in physics, chemistry, biology and psychology. Graduates will receive a doctoral degree upon graduation. The program is offered in both campus and synchronous online formats, although online students are required to do residential intensives. Advanced placement for those with prior homeopathic or medical training is permitted. The program fully prepares students for national homeopathic certification. This program is licensed in the State of Arizona.

AMCH Practitioner Program

This program is an 1104-hour intensive training program in classical homeopathy. This is designed to train practitioners in the practice of classical homeopathy. This program is licensed in the State of Arizona and accredited by the Council for Homeopathic Education. Prerequisites are an associate’s degree of education with courses prior or concurrent with the program in anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Graduates will receive a certificate upon graduation. The program is offered in both campus based and synchronous online formats, although online students are required to do residential intensives. Advanced placement for those with prior homeopathic training is permitted. The program fully prepares students for national homeopathic certification.

Homeopathic Practitioner Distance Learning Programs

This program offers a 40-hour introductory course and a 50-hour intermediate course in classical homeopathy. They are CD based and are designed to provide the minimum hours necessary to sit for licensure with the Arizona Homeopathic Board of Medical Examiners. These programs are open to MD’s, DO’s and ND’s. The introductory program has been in existence since 1998 and has successfully graduated over 200 students. These programs are licensed in the State of Arizona and endorsed by the American Institute of Homeopathy.

4. Acute Care Homeopathy Course

This is a 40-hour course offering a practical and comprehensive introduction to first-aid and acute care problems using classical homeopathy. Based on AMCH’s Distance Learning Introductory Course, classes consist of lectures on theory and philosophy, materia medica for acute care problems, case work and repertory work. These classes are targeted for the general public.

5. Medical Center

AMCH offers comprehensive reduced-rate homeopathic medical services to the general public. These services cover nearly all medical conditions and are available on either a walk-in basis or scheduled appointment. The medical center also offers an educational environment for homeopathic practitioners who wish to further their studies in classical homeopathy.

6. Postgraduate Training

AMCH offers an ongoing series of postgraduate seminars for its students, alumni, faculty and for the homeopathic community. These seminars are held periodically throughout the year in Phoenix, Arizona. AMCH also has an alumni association.

7. Preceptorships

AMCH offers preceptorships for visiting students from other programs. Preceptorships are one-on-one or small group experiences where students study with a homeopathic practitioner. These include medical students, osteopathic students, naturopathic students, residents, fellows and nursing students. Rotations vary from half day to a full month in length.

Future Campus

In addition to the establishment of a full time medical school, AMCH is raising funds to build a campus which will house the following entities:

  • The American Medical College of Homeopathy
  • Medical Center (to eventually become a homeopathic hospital)
  • Regional Pharmacy and Bookstore
  • Free or Reduced Income Clinics
  • Homeopathic Public Information Center
  • Homeopathic Public Library
  • Homeopathic Research Center
  • American Museum of Homeopathy

We see this program as a critical next step in the growth of homeopathic medicine and the practice of alternative medicine in the United States. We are seeking $10,000,000 towards the establishment of this campus.

Funding for the College

We have raised $1 million of the $1.2 million needed for Phase One to date towards the start of this project. We are seeking an additional $10,000,000 over the next five years towards the establishment of the medical school and related programs. Contributions towards the establishment of the American College of Homeopathy and related programmatic, scholarship and endowment funding will create the only full-time medical school of homeopathy in the United States, provide students the opportunity to study homeopathy and become credentialed and licensed practitioners and change the face of traditional medicine for the future generations.

The campaign has been structured to provide a variety of opportunities for involvement. With naming opportunities in the capital portion beginning at $25,000, the campaign offers a meaningful menu of funding alternatives and financial partnerships.

For More Information

Contact us at 1951 West Camelback, Suite 300, Phoenix AZ 85015; 602-347-7950; [email protected]. For more information about this project, please visit our website at www.AMCofH.org.

Artistic Renderings of the Future Campus   (Click Images to Enlarge)

 

About the author

Todd Rowe

Dr.Todd Rowe MD, MD(H),CCH,DHt is a licensed homeopathic physician in Arizona. He teaches extensively and has written several books on classical homeopathic education including Homeopathic Methodology and the Homeopathic Journey. He is the past-president of the National Center for Homeopathy and serves on the Board of Directors for the Council for Homeopathic Education. He is the President of the American Medical College of Homeopathy and the Society for the Establishment of Research in Classical Homeopathy.

27 Comments

  • Cogratulations!!!!!!!!!!
    Having founded the Auckland College of Classical Homeopathy, (Now part of SPCNT) back in 1984, and then getting involved with NZQA, the NZ standards and regulatory body, I know the struggles you must have gone through and will for a long time to come. Homeopathy is the easy part of it.
    God bless and Go Go Go.

    Derek Briggs

    • HI Derek

      Many, many thanks for you kind support. It has been a long journey and taken 7 years to get to where we are now. We still have quite a ways to go but making steady progress. You are right . . . the homeopathy is the easy part!

      Warmly,

      Todd

  • Dear TED ROWE
    Congratulations on this grand project.

    I was always under the impression that there existed a few Homeopathic medical schools in USA which was preparing future Homeopathic doctors.Is BASTYR college in Washington not such a college?

    When will this college start functioning,that is take in students for the first semester.

    Will you all cater to the needs of doctors from Asian countries who have qualification and registration from their countries but would like to be certified here also,as there are many green card holders who would like to get the local registration to practice in USA.

    I will appreciate your comments on this subject,

    Dr Wequar Ali Khan
    BSc,DHMS (PAK). HMD(LON)
    Miami florida

    • Dear Dr. Khan

      This is the first homeopathic medical school in the United States since the 1930’s. The other schools that you are referring to are naturopathic medical schools. Homeopathic medicine is only one of many modalities offered at naturopathic medical schools and they average approximately 200 hours of homeopathic study within their curriculum.

      Our first class is opening in February of 2011.

      We are offering advanced placement for those with prior homeopathic training from other countries. It is possible to place out of up to 2 1/2 years of the curriculum. All students must matriculate for at least 1 1/2 years to be able to graduate, receive their degree and become eligible for licensure.

      Warmly,

      Todd Rowe

  • Hi Dr.Todd Rowe,
    Congratulations on this big step you took,,This will surely take our system of Homoeopathy to new heights..
    Many of the homoeopaths migrating to US found it difficult to continue with this system.Hope this college of Homoeopathy will be of great help to everyone..
    With best wishes on your project,

    Dr.Sandhya.R.

    • Sir, I have read your discussions in the blog “Dr. chandrakant bhapkar on September 6, 2010 Diabetes Case | Treat The Man, Not The Disease”. I am 44 years old. For the past 4 years I am taking Allopathy medication for Type 2 Diabetics. I want to meet you. How to contact you sir, please?

  • I express my best wishes for great success in all your endeavours that may bring succour to humanity. Allopathy has totally mesmerised the US citizens at the moment despite sufferings that follow treatments of chronic diseases.

  • congrats on your new project you have risen like a phoenix in US to accomplish this task.may the Good God bless with good health and strength to make ur projects agrand sucess.

  • Respected Doctor,
    I think it is a very good decision for future mankind. i hope you should teaches student not only based on classical way but also on based on underlying pathology. I think it would be the better way of quick and long lasting relief. Thanks.
    Dr Himanish Ray. B.H.M.S.(CAL)
    kOLKATA. INDIA.

  • Hello,,Sir,,,,,
    1st i say congratulation to you for growing and growing Hpathy.I pray to god who help in your work to reach your target.
    I am Hpathy healer,,,i want to do distance learning course from your medical collage so i req.you pl. give me information about fees for it.

    thanking you……..
    bharat sarvaiya

  • Respected Sir,

    Its nice to hear such news.Hope all success.Please take the help of enlightened homoeopaths all over the world.

  • Dear Todd,

    Absolutely fantastic news and heartiest congratulations. in 1920’s Homeopathy was at its peak in America. I am sure with great efforts you guys will bring back that era. We need to have many many colleges like these all over the US.
    Just like in India so many homeopaths are practising scientific homeopathy and dealing with advanced pathological cases with one remedy and one dose, with such medical schools in the US, even you guys will do it. that’s what is most needed. no place for theories, hypothesis and ‘new ideas’. Homeopathy itself is a new idea. Cheers and keep it up.

    yours in homeopathy
    Rajesh

  • Hi Dr. Todd Rowe,

    Would you please inform if AMCH obtained the recognition from the United States Department of Education (USDE)?

    Regards,
    Dr. Imtiyaz

    • Dear Dr. Imtiyaz

      Greetings to you. Recognition from the United States Department of Education (USDE) is not for AMCH but for the Council on Homeopathic Education. They are pursuing this and hope to submit their application in 2011. If all goes well, they will be recognized by the end of 2012.

      Warmly,

      Todd

  • Hi

    Dr Todd Rowe,
    Congratulation for American Medical college of Homeopathy (USA).
    I wish your all success and ALLAHA bless you.

    Prof Dr Shaikh Shamsur Rahman.
    Abu Dhabi,
    U A E.

  • STRANGE FOR ME TO KNOW THAT THERE IS NO RECOGNISED COURSE/DEGREE IN HOMEOPATHY IN USA. SIX YEARS BACK WHEN I VISITED MINNEAPOLIS I FOUND THERE WERE SHOPS WHERE ALL HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES WERE AVAILABLE IN MALLS THE PATENT HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES OF’BOIRON’ VIALS AVAILABLE WITH NAME OF REMEDY AND THE NAME OF DISEASE IT IS USED FOR. FOR EXAMPLE KALI PHOS 200C FOR TENSION, HEAD ACHE WITH INTELLECTUAL FATIGUE/ STANNUM MET 200CK FOR COUGH/ ARG NITRICUM 200CK FOR APPREHENSION STAGE FRIGHT WITH AGITATION/KALI SULPH30C FOR NASAL CONGESTION NASAL YELLOW DISCHARGE AND MANY MORE MEDICINES USED ONLY FOR PARTICULAR SYMPTOM OR SYMPIOMS NOT MORE THEN TWO OR THREE INDICATED ON THE PLASTIC VIAL. IT WAS PREPARED AND PACKED IN THE MANNER THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE USED THEM AS PATENT HEOM MEDICINES WITHOUT KNOWING HOMEOPATHY. I AGAIN REMAINED IN CALIFORNIA FOR SOME TIME AND FOUND THAT HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES WERE AVAILABLE. SO MY OPINION IS THAT THESE HEOM MEDICINES AVAILABLE THERE INDICATE THAT HOMEOPATHIC PRACTITIONERS ARE THERE AND MEDICINES ARE PREPARED IN USA ITSELF THEY MUST BE POPULAR EARNING A LOT BY EXPORTING HEOM PREPARATIONS TO OTHER COUNTRIES.NOW I WISH THAT YOU MUST GET SUCCESS IN YOUR MISSIONGOD BLESS YOU-THANKS AND REGARDS DR SHEKHAR

  • dear sir,
    dont make the complete system of medicine an alternative one, its the only complete system of medicine available for CURING diseased persons, sir plz go through the indian syllabus for the undergraduates once and if you find something extra than add in to the syllabus, sir plz create some PG DEGREE COURSES other than seminars etc
    ill be connected to you
    i am a classical homeopathic doctor from india

    wishing good luck

    kind regards
    DR KIRAN RATHOD

  • Dr.Todd Rowe,
    congratulation for successfully opening a school of Homoeopathy which is a immpeccable science beyond the reach of allopaths rather beyond the reach any science.Encyclopidia of of all.our best wish that you flurish in both financially and knowledge.I am a small distributor in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh state of country INDIA.
    withwarm regards,
    L.M.Srinivas,
    C/O Sree Pushpagiri Enterprises,
    Hyderabad.
    9440842129,
    040-27055349.

  • A note to the homeopathic community from Patrick Hesselmann, Chair of the AMCH Board:
    We appreciate very much the support expressed here and in other places. We are delighted and humbled by this outpouring of unity with our efforts.

    Undertaking this task requires enormous commitment of time, energy and money. Most of our direct contributors are volunteers.

    What we most urgently need at this stage of our development is funding. I post this here because we recognize that many small gifts can do as much as a few large ones. (Not that we’d decline any large gifts!)

    If you are moved by this undertaking to support it financially, you can either go to our website (www.amcofh.org) and click on the green ‘Donate’ button and the Donate Now link, or go directly to the AMCH portal on PayPal (which is where the Donate / Donate now links take you from the AMCH website). The direct link is:

    https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=TWkeWxdr0tRGCbY_Y9rqFpRCyml2dPsHiT2CpZurm92fJ1k6kRRkhHEjJA4&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d9384d85353843a619606282818e091d0

    AMCH is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so all donations are tax deductible at least in the US.

    We thank you in advance for any contribution you care to make to our efforts.

    Patrick Hesselmann, CCH
    Chairman, AMCH Board of Directors.

  • hi,
    congratulation for starting homoeopathic college in USA, I request you,that please concentrate over classical homoeopathy.now a days there is fassion of using petant for certain diseases which is not in hompathic teaching.
    it is good for health of americans because your collage will provide many homopaths in future.

    with best wishes,
    patil satish

  • Dear Todd Rowe,
    Am so glad for this new project of yours. Well, there is a notion among the public as such that Homoeopathy is not a scientific system of medicine.But your approach to this project is purely phenomenol..!!.Am sure that this foundation would be fabulous opportunity for Homoeopathy to flourish. May god Almighty shower his blessings upon you.

    with regards,
    Dr.sujo john
    Life care Hospital
    Ernakulam.

  • dear dr
    you are doing a great job which surely improves homeopathy in the world.
    Please pay special attention to research work. god bless you.

  • Dear Dr. Rowe,

    God bless you and all who helped make this possible. I’m currently on the road to receiving my associates degree in science. I want to help heal people, but not with Western medicine. I always thought there had to be a school like this here in America. No wonder my searches were unsuccessful. This is exciting. Our country is finally becoming more open to different possibilities again. I hope one day to attend your school.

Leave a Comment