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Board Members

The Board of Naturopathic Medicine consists of seven members appointed by the governor for three-year terms. Membership consists of five licensed Naturopathic physicians and two public members. Each member serves a three-year term and is eligible for reappointment.

Becoming a Board Member is quite rewarding and it is a great way to give back to your community and your profession.  If you are interested for a position on the Board click here for more information.  Click here for the Board Member Guide Book.


Board Chair Joana Freedman, PT, Portland - Joana has been a practicing Physical Therapist for 35 years in a wide variety of treatment settings including acute care, outpatient orthopedics and geriatrics. Currently, she is working for Accelerated Care Plus as a Clinical Program Consultant.  She has previously served eight years on the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board, four years as Chair (2002-2011).  Joana lives in Portland, OR with her wife and Italian Greyhound, Prada.




Board Appointment October 2017
 

Board Member Meghan Larivee, N.D., Portland/Hood River -  Dr. Larivee earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado. She received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine, with honors, and a Master of Science of Oriental Medicine from National College of Natural Medicine.  She completed her integrative medicine residency training in Davis, CA.

Dr. Larivee practices medicine in Portland at one of the largest integrative clinics in the country, Kwan Yin Healing Arts Center.  She provides holistic, individualized care to support the health and well being of her patients. 




Board Appointment February 2022

Board Member Ryan Martin, N.D., Newberg - Dr. Martin has been practicing Naturopathic medicine since 2015 and runs a small primary care clinic in Newberg. He largely works with families and children and he delivers babies as a midwife. He has lived all over the US and around the world. He has been living in the Newberg Oregon area for the last 20 plus years and is very involved in the community. He enjoys traveling, cooking, and working in the garden with his family.





Board Appointment 2023


Board Member Ryan Minarik, N.D., Portland - Ryan Minarik, ND, LAc, is a dually licensed naturopathic physician and acupuncturist practicing in Portland.  He specializes in treating chronic pain, sports injuries, and joint conditions.  He co-founded and practices at FoRM Health, a large, multi-disciplinary functional medicine and orthopedic clinic in the Southeast Sellwood neighborhood.

Growing up, Dr. Minarik loved science and sports, and his mother was passionate about nutrition. This combination led him to study pre-med as an undergraduate at the University of Washington in Seattle. However, during his studies, it became clear to him that conventional medicine left out many effective therapies and lifestyle practices that were just as important in treating disease and dysfunction.  Dr. Minarik decided to study both naturopathic and Chinese medicine at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, then completed a two-year residency while simultaneously founding Elixia Wellness Group in 2008 (which would later become FoRM Health).  

His post-doctoral continuing education has led him to appreciate what both conventional and alternative medicine have to offer and he aims to combine the best of both of these to remain at the forefront of progressive and regenerative solutions for physical injuries.  He now brings over 15 years of experience to his practice, and believes that his role is to help encourage each patient's body to access its innate ability to heal itself.   His sole practice focus is in orthopedics which allows for a unique specialty within the naturopathic and acupuncture professions.

Board Appointment February 2022

 

Board Member Zia Robles-Hernandez, N.D., Albany - Dr. Zia has been practicing Naturopathic Medicine  in Albany Oregon since 2011 and has been part of the team at Clinica de Guadalupe since February of 2022. She graduated from National College of Natural Medicine (now NUNM). 

Her passion is to serve her community  on a journey of healing by re-connecting to their inner wisdom to re-vitalize their lived experience. 

She is the mother to 3 young men, life-companion to a witty Electrician, and enjoys hiking, drawing, comedy and enjoying adventures in the company of her family and friends.


Board Appointment 2023

 

Board Member Bill Walter, N.D. Eugene - Bill Walter, ND is a naturopathic physician practicing at the Community Health Centers of Lane County, serving a primarily Medicaid and uninsured population. He is the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians liaison to the Integrative Pain Care Policy Congress, and is the former Chair of the AANP Scientific Affairs Committee. Representing Lane County, he works with Trillium on their Clinical Advisory Panel as well as their Peer Review and Credentialing Committee, and was past Chair of their chronic non-malignant pain management committee. He has lectured nationwide about how to use natural medicine approaches when treating patients with chronic pain. He graduated from Bastyr University in 2009, and completed his residency at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health. Dr. Walter earned his Bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz. Dr. Walter lives with his wife and their 12-year-old daughter, and they enjoy hiking, their pets, and table-top Euro-games.
Board Appointment 2019


Public Board Member Kate Watkinson Wright, Portland.  Kate Watkinson Wright is a native Oregonian, born and raised in the Willamette Valley. She earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and attended law school at the University of Oregon.  Kate has practiced employment law for nearly 20 years and loves her work.  In addition to running her law firm, Kate and her RN husband remain busy raising two young children and giving belly scratches to their beloved dog Tater.  Kate is an avid home cook and plant parent, prolific gardener, lover of nature, and devoted to her family.  Kate is drawn to naturopathic medicine both as a patient and advocate, and is grateful to be able to support the profession and the citizens of Oregon as a Board member.

Board Appointment December 2023


Becoming a Board Member is quite rewarding and it is a great way to give back to your community and your profession.  If you are interested for a position on the Board click here for more information.