Washington, he helped the institution become the first fully
accredited university of natural medicine and the first NIH-
funded center for alternative medicine research.
“Thousands of graduates now practice this medicine based
on my design and teaching and the standards I established,”
said Pizzorno, co-author of A Textbook of Natural Medicine
and Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, both internationally
acclaimed.
Making his mark in the public sphere as well, he was ap-
pointed by President Bill Clinton to the White House Com-
mission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy
in 2000 and to the Medicare Coverage Advisory Commit-
tee in 2002, the first non-conventional medical expert in the
BASTYR UNIVERSITY
country to serve in the latter capacity.
Pizzorno is founding president of Bastyr University in Kenmore, Wash., the first
Pizzorno has also made positive strides in the corporate
fully accredited university of natural medicine.
world by founding SaluGenecists, Inc., which uses artificial
intelligence systems to give personalized health advice. Cor- “Harvey Mudd teaches people to think creatively, which
porations integrating SaluGenecists’ tools into their health I value tremendously. In the work I’ve done, I’ve gone down
promotion programs have witnessed a two percent per-year pathways others haven’t because I’ve been willing to think
increase in healthcare premiums, “while everyone else is see- differently.”
ing 10 percent,” Pizzorno said. And, today, many enjoy greater health as a result.
Pizzorno’s groundbreaking endeavors have generated sol-
id credibility and profound respect for the practice of natural Brenda Bollinger is a freelance writer based in San Bernardino, Calif.
medicine, and he looks back at HMC as the genesis of his
ability to innovate.
Dr. Pizzorno on H1N1
“While we are regularly bombarded by media stories of the latest virulent virus, the reality is that every day
there is a constant battle/balance between infectious agents seeking a home in which to grow and multiply
and our body’s resistance to invasion. Our defense against viruses—regardless of their level of virulence—
is highly dependent on intact mucous membranes and an immune system which can respond rapidly and
effectively. Both are highly dependent on adequate levels of several nutrients such as vitamins A, C and
D and the mineral zinc. Unfortunately, these are commonly deficient in the American diet. According
to NHANES (the national nutritional status survey done every few years in the U.S.), 38 percent of us
are deficient in vitamin C, 73 percent deficient in zinc and 75 percent deficient in vitamin D. And most
of these numbers are getting worse.
“Though a lot of fear is periodically generated about these viruses, the much bigger problem is the high
degree of susceptibility to infection suffered by most of the population—and it is not necessary.
“So when asked about H1N1, or whatever infectious agent is in the news, my first response
is to focus on improving resistance to infection. Be clear that a sufficiently large dose of a
highly virulent organism can overwhelm even an optimally functioning immune system. However,
the vast majority, regardless of the virulence of the organism, get an infection because resistance is
inadequate.”
FALL/WINTER 2009 Harvey Mudd College 2 3
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