MEET NASH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Carleen Johnson, CCH
1. Carleen, please tell us about yourself. What led you to becoming a homeopath?
As many have come to know about homeopathy, I was amazed by its impact on my children’s health. I was fortunate to have learned about homeopathy from a woman who had moved from the UK where it was widely known. Its principles and tenets made so much sense to me that I chose to get involved with a study group and to later attend the New England School of Homeopathy.
2. Please tell us about your work as NASH Executive Director.
When I attended school the goal was always to become a RSHom(NA) through NASH. Since I hadn’t completed my education and clinical hours when NASH had their own certifying process, I worked with the CHC and received my CCH. With that in hand I was able to join NASH as a Registered member and was immediately recruited as a Board member. I served for a number of years as Secretary. When the health of our Executive Director was challenged I helped her out and eventually took over somewhat unexpectedly when she was no longer able to work. Since the entire Board works on a volunteer basis, my role as Executive Director is to support the Board in the work that needs to be done to keep NASH afloat. Our members are our biggest commitment.
Our Registered members need NASH to work for their continued ability to practice homeopathy. And our students are our future – we want to ensure that they can
continue on their path of becoming practitioners. There is constant communication about what is in the best interests of our members - whether is it working with the FDA or with
homeopathic organizations. There is also a need to ensure that we continue to work within our bylaws ensuring that homeopathy can continue to be practiced. For example we have
partnered with the National Health Freedom organizations to provide legal assistance to our members who are working on getting Safe Harbor legislation introduced in their respective states.
3.What
is the mission and purpose of NASH
?
NASH’s mission has always been to represent the professional homeopath. NASH was initially founded to enhance the position of the professional homeopath. At one point homeopathy was offered primarily by medically licensed practitioners. As the number of people who became trained as practitioners but who were not licensed in some other medical profession grew there was a need to gain recognition. That’s what the founding fathers/mothers of NASH did. We sort of take that recognition for granted now. The professional homeopath is the largest group of homeopathic practitioners in North America and NASH works in their best interest as their only membership organization.
4. What is
NASH’s role in promoting and advancing homeopathy in North America
?
While NASH’s existence and the recognition of the high standards of our Registered members indirectly impacts the advancement of homeopathy in North America, more importantly, we promote and advance the professional homeopath. We practice so much in isolation, that it’s necessary to have a connection with our colleagues. Being on the NASH Board and now working for the Board, I have that connection and I am very much aware of the issues facing practitioners. Personally as a practitioner in Maine, I have witnessed how supportive NASH was in its work with the homeopaths who initiated Safe Harbor legislation in Maine. This hard working group of practitioners did diligent work that paid off by the quick passage of their bill.
That occurrence alone will change the landscape of practicing homeopathy in my state and will only be advantageous for the promotion of homeopathy. As we grow our profession by strengthening the quality of our practitioners and the number of
them in the US/Canada, we will be able to address the growing need for the use of homeopathy in our health care system. While our mission is not public education/awareness, we work with and are very supportive by working in committee or by providing financial support to organizations whose mission it is to provide public awareness of homeopathy. We collaborate with National Center for Homeopathy and Americans for Homeopathy Choice, as well, with the National Health Freedom organizations. And we enjoy our working relationship with the CHC and
ACHENA.
5
.What is your vision about the future of Homeopathy?
Homeopathy will continue because we know that it works. And through communication among the important homeopathic organizations we continue to advocate for good educational programs to provide for future homeopathic practitioners. I have greater hope for the future than ever before because of the collaboration that is occurring.
6.What message would you like extend to CHC certificants, homeopaths and the greater homeopathic community?
There are many students and CCH’s who are hopeful to share their skills. I would recommend that you connect with the larger homeopathic community in whatever way you can to keep your vision alive. As homeopaths we frequently work alone and can begin to doubt our vision of becoming a practitioner. Establish yourself with some group, a state association, as a NASH student or start a study group. By staying in touch with the larger community there is more opportunity and chance for our profession to grow.
