NUNM's $1.5M Gift Fuels Major Expansion in Integrative Medicine

PORTLAND, Ore. – February 27, 2026 – The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) is set to significantly enhance its campus and clinical training capabilities, propelled by a $1.5 million gift from distinguished alumnus Dr. Noel Peterson and his wife, Teresa Shelley. The donation, one of the largest in the university's history, will accelerate a multi-phase campus expansion and support the creation of a new integrative medicine center, a strategic move that comes as patient demand for holistic and naturopathic care skyrockets across the nation.

University officials have described the gift as a major milestone that not only fast-tracks crucial infrastructure projects but also solidifies the institution's role as a leader in natural medicine education. A portion of the funds has already been deployed, advancing Phase 1 of the campus redevelopment, which includes vital academic and administrative renovations.

A Legacy of Healing and Service

The donation is deeply rooted in a multi-generational commitment to the advancement of naturopathic medicine. Dr. Peterson, a 1978 graduate of NUNM, has been a pillar of the natural medicine community in Oregon for over four decades. As the medical director of Oregon Regenerative Medicine, he has built a career focused on integrative orthopedics and whole-person healing, earning the 2019 Living Legend Award from the Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OANP) and NUNM.

His extensive service includes past presidencies of the OANP, directorship of the NUNM clinic in the 1980s, and board positions with the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), the field's key accrediting body. This long history of engagement underscores his dedication to the institution that launched his career.

"NUNM shaped how I practice medicine and serve my patients," Peterson said in a statement. "We believe healthcare should be personal, integrative, and accessible, and this investment supports the next generation of providers and the communities they will serve."

This family commitment extends through Teresa Shelley, whose mother, Kathleen Shelley, PhD, was instrumental in national efforts to achieve federal recognition for the CNME. Her work helped establish the rigorous professional accreditation standards that legitimized and elevated naturopathic medical education across North America.

Building the Future of Integrative Care

The centerpiece of the expansion funded by the gift is the future Peterson-Shelley Center for Integrative Medicine. This facility, slated for Phase 2 of the campus development, is envisioned as a state-of-the-art teaching clinic and community health center. It will provide students with invaluable hands-on clinical education while simultaneously expanding access to integrative, whole-person care for the Portland community.

While specific services are still in planning, the new center is expected to build on the comprehensive offerings of NUNM's existing health centers, which blend conventional primary care with naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, clinical nutrition, and hydrotherapy. The focus on providing a real-world clinical setting is critical for training practitioners equipped to meet the complex health needs of modern patients.

"Transformational projects depend on partners willing to invest in the future," noted Carrie Baldwin-Sayre, ND '04, Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Communications at NUNM. "This gift strengthens our ability to expand clinical training opportunities and increase access to integrative healthcare in our community."

Responding to a National Surge in Demand

The timing of NUNM's expansion aligns with a seismic shift in the healthcare landscape. The U.S. complementary and alternative medicine market, valued at over $52 billion in 2025, is projected to surge to more than $375 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of nearly 28%. This explosive growth is driven by patients seeking more personalized, preventive, and holistic approaches to manage chronic illnesses like pain, autoimmune disorders, and mental health conditions.

This trend is further supported by growing acceptance within conventional medicine. Recent data indicates that over half of medical specialists now accept complementary approaches, with many actively incorporating methods like acupuncture and mindfulness-based stress reduction into their practices. Post-pandemic, a significant percentage of naturopathic doctors have reported practice expansion, signaling robust and sustained demand for their services.

NUNM's investment in its new center is a direct response to this demand, positioning the university to produce more highly skilled graduates and serve a patient population increasingly looking beyond conventional treatments for answers.

A Shifting Educational Landscape

The gift and subsequent expansion also come at a pivotal moment for the naturopathic educational sector. NUNM, founded in 1956 as the longest-standing accredited naturopathic medical school in North America, operates in a competitive field of nine accredited institutions. This landscape is on the verge of a significant consolidation, as NUNM and Bastyr University, another leading institution with campuses in Washington and California, have announced plans to merge.

The proposed merger aims to create a powerhouse institution on the West Coast, combining financial resources, expanding online learning and residency programs, and streamlining curricula. In this context, the Peterson-Shelley gift is more than an investment in a single campus; it represents a significant enhancement of the physical assets and clinical training capacity that NUNM brings to the unified entity.

The new Peterson-Shelley Center for Integrative Medicine will not only serve NUNM's immediate goals but will likely become a cornerstone of the merged university's presence in Oregon. This infusion of capital strengthens the institution's foundation, ensuring it is well-equipped to train the next generation of providers and define the future of integrative healthcare on the West Coast and beyond.