ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT

Southwest College of Naturopathic medicine has trained world-class Naturopathic physicians who have pioneered and propelled the future of Naturopathic medicine. Our students share a passion for changing the world, changing how medicine is delivered, and transforming health care. Their paths are as diverse as their interests in the medicine. Many have paved the way for others in the field of Naturopathic medicine, especially in integrative medicine within cardiology, oncology, dermatology and gerontology.

Graduates from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine:

• Share a deep respect for patients and their care.
• Share the unique experience of being educated and trained in Arizona, the state with the widest scope of practice for NDs in the US.
• Learn from nationally and internationally recognized faculty (NDs, MDs, PhDs, DOs, DCs).
• Are ready to assume leadership roles in Naturopathic medicine.

This reputation is your legacy as an alumnus of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Bradley Smith

Bradley J. Smith, was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, attended local grade school and high school before moving back to Indiana on a football scholarship. While at Anderson University in Anderson, IN., he majored in psychology and religious studies, with minors in Sociology and Physics. Attended Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity degree, and led to 15 years work as a Family Therapist with a focus on children and adolescents.

It was during his time that a colleague encouraged him to look at a medical career. Admittedly he did not know a lot about Naturopathic Medicine, but fully agreed with the philosophy and loved the various modalities.

He graduated with the first spring class from SCNM in February of 2000, and immediately began as a first year resident serving with Dr. Smolinski and Dr. Schwager. After a year and a half as a first year resident, he became chief resident for the remainder of my time at SNMC, a great deal of focus which was spent with a free mobile medical clinic called Mission of Mercy, serving the uninsured and underinsured. Additionally, the former Medical Director of Mission of Mercy, Wiliam Schneider, DO, invited me to spend nearly every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings for three and a half years in the Emergency Department at Thunderbird Samaritan Hospital.

He can definitely say that he owes a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. Schneider for teaching him to be a quality primary diagnostician.

About 5 years ago, Dr. Schneider stepped aside as Medical Director at Mission of Mercy, and Dr. Smith was fortunate to be offered that position which he still holds to this day. He also maintains a private office in Mesa, mostly providing low-cost care for the community at large.   

He would not characterize his path as “lucky”, although he does believe he is blessed to be in a position to help so many people who otherwise would go without any medical care. He states, “For now, I believe this is where God wants me…Next week or next year…?”