Paul is Professor of Materia Medica, teaching Botanical and Homeopathic medicine, patrenteral therapy and clinical supervision at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. He was former Chief Naturopathic Medical Officer and Associate Dean for External Affairs at CCNM and has a private practice in Dundas, Ontario. He attended the three-year Canadian Academy of Homeopathy program and has received a Diploma of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians in 1993. In 1994 and 2003 he was awarded Naturopathic Doctor of the Year by the Ontario Naturopathic Association for excellence and leadership in clinical training. In 2009, he was appointed to the Product Advisory Committee, Natural Health Products, Health Canada. At the Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine, he lectures on materia medica, pharmacognosy, ethics and jurisprudence.
What brought you to the study of homeopathy? I was introduced to homeopathy as a naturopathic medical student when i began studies at the Ontario College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1986, graduating in 1990. I also did a course with Andre Saine, Eizyaga, George Vithoulkas, Rajan Sankaran, Jeremy Scheel, Louis Klein, Jan Scholten and with John Collins, ND and Durr Elmore, ND when i studied at National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon 1990-1991.
Where did you study homeopathy? Did you complete graduate studies in other areas as well?
Prior to homeopathy I was a student of forestry, forest ecology, glaciology, North American anthropology and paleontology. My PhD is in Forest Ecology; all were excellent preparation for what I do now as a professor and doctor.
How many years have you been practising, and can you estimate how many years your longest-standing patient has been a patient? I have been in practice since 1990 and my longest current patients goes back to 1990-1991.
Are there any of the old master homeopaths with whom you really resonate? Can you tell us why? I enjoy reading Hahnemann, Kent, Nash, Clark, Knerr, Lippe, Boenninghousen.... Perhaps I resonate most with Grimmer and Ramakrishnan because of the number of patients with cancer in my practice.
What is your favourite Materia Medica? i mostly use Vermeulen's Concordant, but Boerkie for house calls and Hering is in the office when i need to look up remedies in it. I also read new proving to find unusual medicines that I am not familiar with.
What made you want to get into teaching? I began teaching as a TA (teaching assistant) in high school for John Riggs’s biology classes in 1966, was a TA while both an undergraduate and graduate student at Purdue University and again at Duke University and also was a TA at OCNM and NCNM. I continue to be a teacher/professor at CCNM, NUHS, CCHM and Beaumont Medical School today. I think it is important to help students learn whether it be science or medicine, and to be there for them as they experience the world. I am happy to offer what I have learned and expect them to go beyond what I know as their experience grows.
What would you say is different about CCHM from other schools?
Size and the chance to to know the students better than at a larger program such as CCNM. There is also a strong, dedicated administrative support at CCHM.
What do you find most rewarding about the teaching experience?
seeing cases solved, patients helped, and student learning how to do homeopathic medicine competently and effectively. Their excitement at seeing a patient get better and control of their life.
Is there a case you are most proud of or would like to share with us?
this morning had a call from the daughter of a patient who said their father’s Parkinson dyskinesia was 80% better from Cocc 200ch.
What has surprised you most in your practice?
You do not have to advertise, your successful patients advertise for you.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Seeing people regain control of their lives and their issues and living to their fullest potential
What is it about Homeopathy that has kept you “hooked” for so many years?
I like the challenge of finding the correct Rx that will solve the mystery and the challenge of learning new Rx each day….there is so much I do not know
How does the practice of Homeopathy enrich your life?
it is an indirect way of being in touch with Nature and a direct way of using Nature to heal others
What might you tell prospective patients considering seeking Homeopathic help?
Tell me your story and your symptoms and lets see if together we can find something in Nature that can help you
What might you tell prospective students considering this as a career choice?
if you like challenge, the mystery, and the intricacy of the human body and human mind, and want to not stop learning and want to help people this is the career for you. You must not be afraid of work.
