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Rita Bettenburg, ND

Dean of Naturopathic Medicine, Professor

Bio

Dr. Bettenburg graduated from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) with highest academic honors, and did a one-year residency in Family Medicine. She is an associate professor at NCNM, teaches Clinical and Physical Diagnosis, and Pediatrics, and is the Dean of Naturopathic Medicine.

She was named Physician of the Year by the American Association membership in 1994. Dr. Bettenburg serves as Medical Director of Outside In, the interdisciplinary medical clinic for the homeless and indigent in Portland. She is a past Council member and incoming President (as of August 2009) of the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), which performs programmatic accreditation for naturopathic colleges in the United States and Canada. She is also the Medical Director of NaturNet, a naturopathic managed care panel.

In addition to her responsibilities at NCNM, Dr. Bettenburg has a private practice at Natural Childbirth and Family Practice in Portland.

Getting to know Dr. Bettenburg

Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota
High School: Academy of the Holy Angels, Minneapolis MN
Colleges: Gonzaga University, University of Minnesota and NCNM
Activities: gardening, cats, motorcycles, the beach, travel, needlework, and work!
Music: eclectic
Personal Style: active and straight-forward
What I like best about Portland: I have lived all over the country and in foreign countries, and simply like the small town feel with large town amenities.

 

Curriculum Vitae

Rita Bettenburg, ND

Updated Nov. 20, 2008

EDUCATION
1989-90 One year residency, Family practice, NCNM
1989 ND, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland, OR
1974 BS, Medical Technology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
1970 Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
   
TEACHING
2006-08  Professor, Clinical/Physical Diagnosis, Pediatrics, NCNM; clinical faculty
1993-05  Associate Professor, Clinical/Physical Diagnosis, Pediatrics, Case Presentations, NCNM; clinical faculty
1990-92 Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Laboratory Diagnosis, Clinical/Physical Diagnosis and Research Methods, clinical faculty, NCNM
1986-90 Instructor, Laboratory Diagnosis, NCNM
1980-85  Practical clinical chemistry to medical technology interns, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota
1974-75 Immunology and protein chemistry practical, VA Medical Research, Minneapolis, MN
   
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2005-08 Dean of Naturopathic Medicine, NCNM
2004-05 Interim Dean of Naturopathic Medicine, NCNM
2003-08 Community Clinic Director, NCNM
1990-08 Staff physician NCNM, Portland OR
1997-08  Outside In clinic Medical Director
1997-08  TB Control Officer, NCNM
1997-08  Associate Medical Director, Comprehensive Health Plans, Portland OR
1992-08 Private practice, Portland, OR
1994-08 Laboratory Director NCNM (CLIA 88), Portland, OR
1994-95 Chief Medical Officer, Portland Naturopathic Clinic, NCNM, Portland OR
1991-95 Director of Research, NCNM, Portland OR
1990-92 Private practice, Wilsonville, OR
1989-90 Resident in Family Practice, NCNM, Portland OR
1986-88  Newberg Community Hospital, Newberg, OR
1987 Metropolitan Clinic, Portland, OR
1986-87 Clinical laboratory, NCNM
1980-85 Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, Laboratory,  Minneapolis MN
1976-80 Laboratory Services, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1975-76 Parnassus Heights Clinical Laboratory, San Francisco, CA
1974-75 Veteran’s Administration Hospital Research Department, Minneapolis, MN
   
PRESENTATIONS
2008 “Childhood Obesity and Health Risks”, Northwest Physicians Convention, April 2008
2005 “Autism: A Silent Epidemic”, Northwest Naturopathic Physicians Convention, April 2005
2005 “Coding Naturopathic Visits for Insurance Reimbursement” CHP Provider Seminar, October 2005
2003 “Public Health and Infectious Disease”, AANP Convention, Portland OR, August 2003
2003 “Eating Disorders and Naturopathic Medicine” CHP Annual Meeting, Portland OR, October 2003
2002 “Naturopathic Treatment of Asthma”, CHP Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, October 2002
2001 “Naturopathic Medicine in Practice”; Oregon Health Sciences University medical school
2001 “Naturopathic Approach to Vaccination Concerns”; Oregon State Immunization Program
2000             “Naturopathic Thyroid Therapy”; Graduate Ed in Women’s Health, Portland OR
2000             “Eating Disorders”, CHP Annual Meeting, Portland, OR
2000             “Coding a Visit”, CHP Annual meeting, and NCNM Grand Rounds
2000 “Naturopathic Medicine in the Community”, Portland State University, Portland OR
2000 OHSU Medical school: Integration of CAM and Allopathic Medicine
1999 “Naturopathic Medicine: Terms and Transcription”; Kaiser Permanente; Vancouver, WA. 
1998 “Chart Notes: the Art of the Chart”; NaturNet Providers meeting; NCNM Grand Rounds; Portland, OR
1998 OHSU Medical school: Integration of  CAM in allopathic medicine
1998 “Performance and Documentation of  the Physical Examination”; Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Seattle, Washington
1998 “Naturopathic Medicine in the Community”; Portland State University, Portland OR
1998 “Naturopathic Medicine in Managed Care”; Providence Hospitals, Portland OR
1996 20 hour seminar in Pediatrics, Resident Physician Program, Arizona Board of Naturopathic Physicians and Southwest College, Scottsdale, AZ
1996 “Naturopathic Medicine and Nursing”, OHSU Nursing seminar, Portland OR
1995 “Naturopathic Treatment of Tinnitis”, International Tinnitis Symposium, Portland OR
1994 “Thyroid Replacement and Wilson’s Syndrome”, OANP Seminar, Portland, OR
1993 “Naturopathic Medicine and Dentistry”, Oregon Health Sciences University, Association of Women Dentists. Portland, OR
1993 “Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy and Evaluation”, NWNP Convention, Seattle WA
1993 “Baseline Candida albicans Testing” Original research, AANP Convention, Portland OR
1993 “Herbal and Nutritional Medicine in the US”. Press conference, Washington DC
1992 “Public Meeting: NLEA Legislation” OANP, Portland OR
1992 “Evaluation of Thyroid Disorders and Replacement Therapy”, OANP seminar, Timberline OR
1992 “NLEA Legislation and its Impact on Medical Practice”, Western Association of FDA Officials, Port Ludlow, Washington
1992 “Herbal Bronchodilators in Aerosolized Therapy”; Original research, AANP Convention, Tempe, AZ
1991 “Update on Childhood Immunizations”, NWNP Convention, Portland OR
1991 “Immunizations and the Naturopathic Practice”, Indicus Medicus seminar, Seattle, WA
1991 “Chronic fatigue Syndrome and Epstein Barr virus”, OANP seminar, Portland OR
1990 “Microbiological Specimen Collection in the Office Setting”, OANP seminar, Portland, OR
   
COMMITTEES: NCNM
Clinic Development Team, Program Development Team 2007-2008
Chair of Steering Committee for CNME site visit 2005
Steering Committee for Northwest Accreditation site visit, April 2005
Steering Committee for accreditation review 2003-2004
Safety Committee 2003-2007
Academic Appeals Committee Chair 1990-1993
Admissions committee 1993-2001
Research committee 1994-1996
Curriculum Committee 1994-1997
Chair Curriculum Committee 1997-2004
Accreditation Steering Committee 1997
Safety Committee 1996-1999
TB Officer NCNM 1997-2007
Continuity of Care/Quality Insurance committee Chair 1998-2002
Post Medical Education Committee 1999-2001
Institutional Review Board NCNM 1998-2003
Peer Review Committee Chair 2003-2006
   
LICENSES  
Naturopathic Physician license Oregon #707 (1989)
American Association of Clinical Pathologists registry and affiliation #093988 (1974)
California Clinical Laboratory Technologist license #25325 (1976)
NCA affiliation (1980)
   
AFFILIATIONS/BOARDS
Council on Naturopathic Medical Education Board of Directors (2001-2007)
  Vice President 2004-2005
  Treasurer 2005-2007
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians member 1989-2007
AANP Board Member 1996-1999
Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians member 1989-2007
  Board member 1992-1998
  President/Past President 1993-1999
FDA MEDWatch partner (1994-02)
OSALT Advisory Board (1996-02)
Medical Director  NaturNet Board of Directors (1997-2007)
ORCAMIND Data Safety Review Board, OHSU 2000-2005
   
PUBLICATIONS 
 “Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review", Journal Of Naturopathic Medicine. 7:1,1997, p 91-94
“Herbal Bronchodilators in the Treatment of Asthma”, Protocol Journal of Botanical Medicine, 1995
Basic Urinalysis, self-published, 1991
   
PROFESSIONAL OFFICES HELD
2005-2007 Treasurer, CNME
2004-2005 Vice President CNME
1991-1993 First Vice President, OANP
1993-1995 President, OANP
1995-1999 Past President, OANP
1995-1998 Speaker of the House, AANP
1998-1999 Board member AANP
1997-1998 President, OANP
1997-2007 Associate Medical Director, CHP
1996-1999 Board member, AANP
   
HONORS AND AWARDS
Highest Academic Honors graduating class of 1989, NCNM
1994 AANP Physician of the Year
1998 Leadership Award NCNM
2006 Oregon Women in Education recognition
   
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PROJECTS
1994 Assessment of self culturing techniques for vaginal candidiasis
1993 Baseline Candida albicans and Parasite testing: results in asymptomatic persons; presented at AANP convention 1993
1992             Herbal bronchodilator therapy in the treatment of asthma; Botanical Protocol Journal, 1995; Presented AANP convention 1994
1991 Hydrotherapy and Body Temperature Effects, PI on original research student project
   
CONTINUING EDUCATION
2007 American Association of Naturopathic Physicians convention, August 2007 Palm Springs CA
  Foundations International Editor’s Retreat, April 2007, Stevenson, WA
  Northwest Naturopathic Physician’s Convention April 2007, Portland OR
   
2006 American Association of Naturopathic Physicians convention, August 2006, Portland, OR
  Pharmacist on line Pharmacy review December 2006
  Medical Ethics seminar, OBNE, May 2006, Portland OR
   
2005 Northwest Naturopathic Physicians Convention, Vancouver BC, April 2005
  AANP Convention, Phoenix, AZ, August 2005
  Risk Management Seminar, Western States Chiropractic College, Portland OR, Nov 2005
   
2004 “Talking with Patients” Communication skills and medical liability; CHP conference, April 2004
  OSHA Compliance Program March 2004
  National Healthcare for the Homeless Conference, June 2004, New Orleans LA
  AANP Convention, Seattle Washington, September 2004
   
2003 Advances in Clinical Research and Outreach, and the Clinician’s Role, Heather Zwickey PhD
  Women’s Health Update, Tori Hudson ND, 4/03
  AANP Convention, Portland, OR, August 2003
                  Research Opening Session, Dr Strauss and Panel
                  Glutathione, Dr. Gutman
                  Hyperlipidemia, Dr. Lutack
                  Nutritional Herbal Update, Drs. Brown and Austin
  Manipulation of Oral Glucose Tolerance, Dr. Plummer
  Herb/Nutrient/Drug Combinations, Dr. DiDomenico
  Hormone Replacement Therapy, Dr. Tori Hudson
  Thyroid Prescribing Options, Dr. John Dye
  Combining Herbal Remedies with Pharmacy Drugs, Dr. Duterme
  Hepatitis C, Dr. Patrick
   
2002 AANP Convention, Salt Lake City UT August 2002
  Facilitating Roles for Naturopathic Research, Richard Nahin
  Etiology, Pathogenesis of Childhood Asthma, Alan Miller ND
  Treatment of Cardiovascular Dsease, Decker Weiss, ND
  Clinical Evidence, Enrico Liva ND
  Regenerative Injection Therapy, Rick Marinelli ND
  Healing the Beautiful Mind: The Role of Lipids, Kane, PhD
  Clinical Nutritional Update, Steve Austin ND
  Hormone Replacement Therapy and Contraception, Tori Hudson ND
  The Future of Herbal Medicine in the U.S., Tierona Low Dog MD
  The Ideal Diet: Does it Exist?, Russell Marz, ND
  Endocrinology and Aging, T. Michael Culp ND
  Naturopathic Therapies A to Z, William Mitchell ND
   
2001           Preventative Injection Advanced IV Therapy 6 hours, 12/01
  Naturopathic Treatment of Thyroid Disease and Wilson’s Syndrome, 2/01
  AANP Convention, Tucson, AZ August 2001
  Children’s Allergies and Treatments, Doris Rapp ND
  Clinical Anecdotes, Shiva Barton ND
  Gynecological Cancers, Judy Fulop ND
  Botanicals and Drug Pharmacokinetics, Daniel Rubin ND and Francis Brinker ND
  Natural Hormone Research Review, Deb Moskowitz ND
  Drugs for Cognitive Enhancement, David Nicoletti RPh, CCN, FIACP, FACA
  Cellular Fatigue, Michael Culp ND
  Transdermal Treatments. David Nicoletti RPH, CCN, FIACP, FACA
  Herbal Therapy for Autoimmune disease, Kerry Bone MR, BSc (Hons)
  Hemachromatosis and Iron Overload, Alex Vasquez ND, DC
  Effective Pain Management, David Nicoletti, RPH, CCN, FIACP, FACA
   
2000             Adolescent Medicine for Primary Care Practitioners, Legacy Emanuel Hospital, September 2000
  AANP Convention, Seattle, WA; September 2000
                  Learning the Use of Botanical Medicines, Bill Mitchell ND
                  Healing with Plant Spirits and Quantum Physics, Crinnion,
                 Frances, Stansbury
                 Women’s Health Update, Tori Hudson ND
                  Clinical Anecdotes, Shiva Barton ND
                 Hepatitis C Update, Hangee Bauer
                 Thyroid Hormone Metabolism, Kelly
                 Herb-Drug Interactions, Miller
                 Molecules that Detoxify, Quig
                 Phytochemicals as Hormone Modulators, Appleton
  Complementary Health Care Plans annual meeting
                 Eating Disorders
   
1999             Integrative Cancer care Conferences, Tori Hudson et al; Good Samaritan Hospital, Mar, Apr 1999
  Common Problems in the Pediatric Practice, Legacy Emanuel Hospital, May 1999
  OANP Seminar, Newport OR Oct 1999
  AANP Convention, Coeur D’Alene, ID, Nov 1999
                  The Science underlying Naturopathic Medicine, Bland PhD
                  Pharmacology of Selected CVD and CNS drugs; Jensen PhD, Pizzorno ND
                  Understanding Porphyria, Kruzel ND
                  Pathophysiology of Stress and the Use of Adaptogenic Herbs; MacIntosh PhD, ND
                  Successful Aging and Growth Hormone; Kern PhD
                  Achieving Normal Blood Sugars in Type II Diabetics; Bernstein MD
                  Nutrients and Botanicals for Diabetes; Head, ND
                  Undiagnosed, Misdiagnosed, or Mistreated Complications of Type II Diabetes; Bernstein
                  Adult Onset Diabetes: Integrated Management Approach; Breed ND, Ross, MD
   
1998 EENT: Protocol Update; Richard Barrett ND; October 1998
  AANP Annual Convention, Portland, Oregon; August 1998
                  The Vitalistic Thread; Stansbury, Mitchell and Frances ND
                  Pharmacology of the Naturopathic Formulary; Clyde Jensen PhD
                  Naturopathic Co-Management of Cancer; Dr. Reilly
                  Environmental Medicine and Cellular Biochemical Enhancement in the Treatment of Cancer; Drs. Crinnion and Lamson
                  Death is not the Enemy; Dr. Bergcamp
                  IM and IV Magnesium Therapy; Dr. Russell Marz
                  Clinical Pearls; Dr. Tyler
                  5-HTP: The Natural Way to Boost Serotonin Levels; Dr. Michael Murray
                 Materia Medica-Drug Interactions; Dr. Paul Saunders
  Client Centered HIV Counseling Seminar, Oregon Health Department. Portland Oregon; May
  Northwest Naturopathic Physicians Convention; Portland Oregon, May 1998
                 Roots of Naturopathic Medicine, Leo Scott ND
                 Life Style Effects on Vision, Dr. Terry Hohner
                 Clinical Anecdotes, Robert Schwartz ND
                 Management of Menopause; Suzanne Scopes ND
                 Legal Consequences of Charting; Marlene McAnich
                 Homeopathic Remedies; Judith Reichenberg-Ullman
                 Nutritional Interpretation of Lab Tests; Tom Kruzel ND
                 Choices in Medicine:Pharmacological and Botanical; Clyde
                 Jensen PhD and Jill Stansbury ND
                 Fibromyalgia: an Alternative View; Carolyn McMakin DC
                 New and Old Uses of Individual Vitamins; Bill Mitchell ND
  Annual Recertification in CPR
   
1997 Common Pediatric Problems in Primary Care Setting; Emmanuel Hospital, Portland OR; November 1997 (3 hours)
  IV Therapy Protocols for Certification; OANP sponsored two day seminar at NCNM; April 1997 (14 hours)
  OANP Seminar. Newport, OR; October 1997 (12 hours)
  Annual CPR Certification

 

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Courses

Dr. Bettenburg teaches the following:

CLE709  Clinical Secondary Rotation                     
CLE811  Clinical Primary Rotation