2024 NYANP Board Member Elections

Dr. Rick Brinkman – BIO

Dr. Rick Brinkman is best known for his Conscious Communication® expertise conveyed to millions of people via keynotes and trainings in his trademark Educating through Entertainment style. He is a 1980 graduate of NCNM. He specialized in mind / body medicine and studied communication and how it can profoundly affect one’s quality of life. He expanded to public practice becoming a trainer and professional speaker. He has since performed over 4000 programs in 18 countries. Dr. Brinkman is the coauthor of six McGraw Hill books including the 2,000,000 copy international bestseller (25 languages): Dealing With People You Can’t Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst. His latest book is: Dealng with Meetings You Can’t Stand, Meet Less and Do more. This book features the meeting process he developed when on the AANP board and has taught successfully to groups for 20 years. His clients have included: the Astronauts at NASA, LucasFilm, Sony Pictures, the FBI, Defense Department and many more. He has been featured as a communication expert on CNN, the Wall St. Journal, the New York Times and O Magazine. 

Statement of Intent

I served on the AANP board for seven years, first three years as vice president, then three years as President (1997-1999) and one year as past president. During my reign of terror we established the State Alliance for Licensing, that brought together various entities in our profession, i.e. state associations, schools, etc. with the singular goal of supporting getting new states licensed. The still State Alliance lives and I am the host of their monthly webinar series.

Dr. Kirsten Carle – BIO

Dr. Carle is a native upstate New Yorker, hailing from the state’s beautiful mid-Hudson region. While growing up she was inspired by her grandmother; a registered nurse, who was her large family’s go-to expert for medical guidance and knew she would one day go into medicine herself. Spending much of her time in the great outdoors as a kid, she cultivated a love of nature and an aptitude for biology once in school. She pursued pre-med studies in college with every intention of becoming a medical doctor. But after working for a family practice office, she became disillusioned with the conventional medical model and abandoned that pursuit. After a years-long hiatus from an interest in medicine, she was fortuitously introduced to naturopathic medicine through meeting two local naturopathic doctors. She was excited to learn about a medical profession that combined the best of modern medicine with the wisdom of nature to support the body’s innate healing capacity. This reignited her underlying passion for health and healing, and she enrolled in naturopathic medical school on the other side of the country in Portland, Oregon. Upon graduation from the National College of Natural Medicine (now NUNM), she returned to upstate New York to bring naturopathic medicine to a region with more limited access to it. She began her career at The Stram Center for Integrative Medicine with locations in Delmar, New York and Bennington, Vermont, where she practiced in collaboration with a host of integrative medical providers. Dr. Carle holds a naturopathic medical license in Vermont, working there for over five years first as a primary care provider and later specializing in tickborne illnes and other complex chronic health conditions. She currently has a wellness practice in Latham, New York, where she continues to work collaboratively with regional integrative health providers, helping people address a wide variety of health issues She has advanced training in biotherapeutic drainage, homeopathy, tick-borne illness, and mold/mycotoxin illness. Her primary areas of focus include endocrine balance, women’s health, tick-borne illness, biotoxin illness, mood support, sleep issues, autoimmune disease and gastrointestinal conditions. She is also experienced in working with highly-sensitive clients, who experience frequent adverse effects from many medications, botanical medicines and supplements.

Dr. Carle lives in Glenford, New York with her life partner and beloved cat and enjoys spending her free time renovating their 1800’s era cottage, tending to her ever-expanding gardens and exploring the beauty of the Hudson Valley.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

Having served on NYANP board for two consecutive terms and currently as president, I am writing to express my interest in continuing on the board for another term. My intentions for serving on the board include participation in ongoing efforts to license naturopathic physicians in New York State and encouraging more communication and involvement within the New York ND community both within and without the NYANP membership. Thank you for your consideration.

Bio:  Sean E. Heerey is a graduate of the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Prior to beginning his naturopathic medical career, Sean was a bilingual (Spanish/English) Speech-Language Pathologist for over 10 years. He is a native of New York City and was raised in a bilingual/bicultural home. Sean blends whole food nutritional supplementation, homeopathy, homeopathic drainage, flower essences and dietary/lifestyle modifications to help his patients make healing changes in their lives. One of the strengths of naturopathic medicine lies in the process of helping others make lasting and sustainable changes in their lives. A major focus of Sean’s practice is supporting children, and their families, with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and other developmental and language/learning issues. He practices in Forest Hills, Queens and works with both English and Spanish-speaking patients. He is married and lives with his wife and 3 children, ages 18, 16 and 13 years old.

Statement of Intent: I would like to continue to serve my state organization by holding a position on the state board. I would like to help further the profession of Naturopathic Medicine in New York State by becoming a more active participant of the NYANP. A position on the NYANP Board is a great vehicle for which to accomplish this. I am very motivated to help my state organization in the licensure process. Trips to Albany and conversations with legislators and lobbyists have taught me that we need to be focused and consistent in our efforts for licensure. The profession of Naturopathic medicine is unique in the field of healthcare in its individual, patient-centered approach to healing. This uniqueness needs to be conveyed to the public. We truly help our patients to make lasting changes in their lives but there are still so many people who need our help that don’t know about our medicine. As a member of the board, I can more fully impact our profession and contribute to its growth and visibility in New York State. My communication skills, willingness to serve, desire to help and passion for Naturopathic medicine are all assets that can help the NYANP and Naturopathic profession as a whole. I am committed to helping this profession attain licensure status in New York State as well as assisting in the guidance, growth and protection of Naturopathic medicine and naturopathic doctors in New York State. I would be honored to serve for another term.