Dr. Kurt Beil likes to live as close to balance with the natural world as possible, and hopes to bring that sense of harmony to his patients, students and community. As adjunct professor in both the naturopathic and classical Chinese medicine departments, he believes that the holistic medical education programs at NCNM truly exemplify non-linear, systems-based approaches to healing. As a graduate of Portland State University’s Master of Public Health and Sustainability programs, Kurt understands the need for restoring a feeling of relationship with the natural world in order to best produce an environment that promotes health for individuals, communities, and the planet. He is very grateful to teach at NCNM and to share the gifts of knowledge, passion and compassion for natural medicine that he received when he was enrolled as a student.
Courses taught: • CCM 632 — Integrative Microbiology & Public Health • CLS 631 — Environmental Medicine
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
Portland State University, Portland, OR
9/2007-3/2010
Master of Public Health
Graduate Certificate in Sustainability
National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR
9/2000-6/2006
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Thesis: “Our Connection to Nature: A Holistic Examination of the Therapeutic
Potential of the Environment, as Demonstrated in the Cardiovascular System"
National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR
9/2000-6/2006
Master of Science in Oriental Medicine
Thesis: “Ling: Numinous Manifestations of Spirit in Classical Chinese Medicine”
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
9/1994-6/1998
Bachelor of Arts, Biological Sciences (Evolution)
Minor – Psychology
TEACHING AND LECTURING
Adjunct Professor – National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR
• Academic Research – Environmental Health
Fall 2011-present
• Environmental Medicine
Fall 2009-present
• Integrative Microbiology and Public Health
Spring 2007-2011
Guest Lecturer – National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR
• "Environmental Public Health Policy"
Oct. 26, 2012
• "Influenza Diagnosis and Treatment in Chinese Medicine
Nov. 1, 2009
• “History and Practice of Naturopathic Medicine”
Feb. 20, 2009
• “The Therapeutic Potential of Nature”
Oct. 7, 2008
• “Neural Viruses”
May 8, 2007
• “Spirochetes and Protozoal Parasites”
May 1, 2007
• “Bacterial Epidemics in Chinese Medicine”
Apr. 24, 2007
• “Protozoal parasites”
Apr. 3, 2007
• “Anti-biotic Resistant Bacteria and Nosocomial Pneumonias”
Feb. 28, 2007
• “Coliforms, Other Enterobacteraceae, and Obligate
Gram-Negative Rods”
Jan. 25, 2007
Guest Lecturer – Portland State University, Portland, OR
• "Integrative and Ecological Medicine and Primary Prevention"
Feb. 18, 2010
• “Current Topics in Integrative Medicine Healthcare Policy”
May 12, 2009
• “Traditional House-hold Medicine”
May 19, 2008
• “Introduction to Naturopathic & Classical Chinese Medicine”
May 8, 2007
Guest Lecturer – Art Institute of Portland, Portland, OR
• "Sustainable Design and Health"
Aug. 14, 2012
• "Sustainability and Health"
Feb. 14, 2012
• "Biophilic Design, Health and Sustainability"
Jul. 26, 2011
PUBLICATIONS
"The Influence of Urban Natural and Built Environments on Physiological and Psychological Measures of Stress-A Pilot Study," Beil, K. & Hanes, D. ,
International Journal of Environmental Research in Public
March 2013
Health, 10(4):1250-1267
"Mental Health Outdoors: The Benefits of Nature"
Rural Connections: Western Rural Development Center Pub.
Sept. 2010
"Nature as a Therapeutic Agent"
Green Living Journal
April 2010
"Nature as a Determinant of Health" (book chapter"
Foundations of Natural Medicine Textbook
(in press)
"Environmental Influence on Holistic Health Measures" (research letter)
Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing
(under review)
“Natural Medicine: The Healing Effects of Exposure to Nature”
Naturopathic Doctor News & Review
June 2009
“Therapeutic Reactions to a Natural Environment” Symbiosis
The Journal of Ecologically Sustainable Medicine
(in press)
“Toxoplasmosis: Mind-Body Parasite?”
Naturopathic Doctor News & Review, Vol. 2, No. 4.
Dec. 2007
“The Importance of Stress-Reduction Classes for High School Seniors”
• Environmental Settings & Health Effects II (ESHE II)
5/2012-11/2012
• Heart Rate Variability & Autonomic Recovery in A Visual
Environment Stress Trial (HARVEST)
9/2010-12/2011
• Environmental Settings & Health Effects (ESHE)
4/2010-10-2011
Report: "Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Intertwine: The Portland Metro
Region's System of Parks, Trails and Natural Areas" - Metro
3/2010-12/2010
Public Health Field Experience Internship - Kaiser Permanente & Metro
• "Health in Nature: Public Health Model for Urban Land-Use
Planning"
Sept-Dec. 2009
Recipient–Miller Grant Award – PSU Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices
• “PSU Sustainability and Health Awareness Survey”
9/2009-June 2010
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Public Health, Human Ecology, Environmental Health, Ecopsychology, Civic Ecology, Community Development, Integrative Medicine, Natural Medicine, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Classical Chinese Medicine, Holistic Systems Science, Healthy Places, Urban Green Spaces, Biophilia, Traditional Ecological Knowledge
EMPLOYMENT
Post-Doctoral Researcher–NCNM's Helfgott Research Institute
