Tom Drost, 40, is pursuing a naturopathic doctorate degree and is an advanced standing student. Having already attended conventional medical school and having practiced conventional medicine for four years, he offers his perceptions on the differences and similarities between the training for and practice of the two disciplines.

Have your ideas about the programs offered here changed since you've been here?

I have actually become more interested in my subjects and find each day that there is so much more to medicine than I have ever known. I am more enthusiastic about learning different modalities than ever before. Sometimes I feel like never leaving school.

What were you doing before you came to Bastyr?

I decided to become a doctor when I was in the sixth grade. I decided to become a surgeon when I was 16 years old. After graduating from high school in 1977 in southern Nevada, I attended the University of Wyoming on a football scholarship and received a BS in zoology/physiology (premed) in 1981. I attended the University of Nevada School of Medicine on a health profession scholarship sponsored by the United States Army and received my medical degree in 1985. I completed a residency in general surgery along with a trauma research fellowship at the University of South Florida School of Medicine in 1991. I entered the army as a major in the medical corps and served in Germany for three years mainly at an army medical center and the 502 MASH. After finishing my four-year obligation at Fort Benning, Georgia, where I met Lisa, we returned to Las Vegas, Nevada, where I was in private practice for four years before moving to Washington and enrolling in Bastyr.

How did you find out about Bastyr and what made you decide to come here?

I found out about Bastyr through my wife who already had a deep interest in naturopathic medicine and Oriental medicine/acupuncture. Most of the information we found was on the Internet and we ordered a catalog. I became burned-out and disillusioned with the current health care system and the way my profession was being conducted in general. My job became just that - a job. I had lost much of the passion I once had. Patients were demoralized and many times angry at us as physicians. I felt we as physicians had let down society in not doing a better job preventing the rising incidence of chronic illnesses, auto-immune diseases, obesity, diabetes - and the list goes on and on. Finally, I became angry at the cold, technological and impersonal approach to care that I perceived we had evolved into. Bastyr was the most prestigious institution in the United States for a naturopathic medicine degree, so I enrolled.

Which classes have you most enjoyed so far?

I have enjoyed all of my classes so far. My immunology class was not just a review but much more in-depth than in medical school. The theory classes are fascinating and nutritional therapy classes are outstanding. Homeopathy is also very interesting and complicated. I am looking forward to exploring it further.

What do you like most about Bastyr?

The thing I like the most about Bastyr are the people. This includes the staff as well as the students. I have never been in such a courteous and caring environment in my life. The grounds are beautiful and very conducive to study. The availability of knowledge is impressive.

What is the most challenging part about going to Bastyr?

The most challenging part of going to Bastyr is just returning to the difficult routine of medical school. I once said that I would never do it again.

Do you find yourself able to balance schoolwork with hobbies and home life?

Balancing schoolwork with the rest of my life can be difficult at times. However, I have adopted a more mature attitude than I had in medical school. I know my priorities are my health and my family. As long as I keep that in mind and take a deep breath when I feel overwhelmed, things go smoothly and without difficulty. I budget my time and use all opportunities to study during the week, especially when Lisa is in class, so I can free up my weekends to have fun and relax.

Do you think there is a way to classify Bastyr students? If so, how would you classify them?

Bastyr students are as competent as any medical student that I have encountered during medical school, in residency and in practice. The one thing different about Bastyr students is the seemingly innate sense to take care of emotional, spiritual and physical aspects of their lives first.

How do you envision your future practice?

I envision my future practice as a general medical practice including naturopathic medicine integrated with allopathic medicine, limited general surgery, acupuncture, aromatherapy and massage therapy.

Do you feel confident in the training you are receiving?

I am very confident in the training that I am currently receiving.

Do you have advice for the incoming student? And/or how is your experience at Bastyr different than what you expected?

My advice to anyone who wants to enter the medical profession, whether it be via medical school or a naturopathic college such as Bastyr, is to define the priorities in your life and how you want to live your life first, and then structure your professional goals around this.

Interviewed winter 2003.
Drost graduated with a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree in June 2003.

Read more student, faculty and alumni interviews in our academic degree programs section.

Home | Site Map | Search | Contact Us | Jobs | Privacy Policy | E-Newsletter | Press Kit (PDF) | Printer Friendly Bastyr University. Copyright © 2010. All Rights Reserved. Bastyr is a registered trademark of Bastyr University.