The Healing Path to Wellness
Bio for JoAnn Yanez, N.D., M.P.H. (candidate)
JoAnn Yanez, N.D. Is a health and media consultant based in the mid-west. In her professional career, she is a passionate advocate for wellness, prevention and access to high quality health care services . Whether appearing on television, radio or writing her bi-monthly column for Sioux Falls Woman Magazine, Dr. Jo is commited to educating and elevating the health of Americans. She is regularly called upon to present at conferences and has long advocated to improve our collective health with primary prevention and integration of the 'basics' (good food, good thoughts, good sleep and good physical condition). White House staff, US Senators, members of Congress, Governors, State elected officials and experts in the fields of medicine and health have all heard her passion. Dr. Jo's persistence in building coalitions of corporations, individuals and elected officials is driven by her hope that healthcare will one day truly be a wellness based model. She was awarded the 2006 Legacy Award from her medical school and 2007 NY Association of Naturopathic Physician's Physician of the Year award for contributions to the community at large. She recently completed an internship with the National Foundation of Women Legislators as Director of Health Care Policy - working with Federal and state elected women on health care issues across the country and is currently completing a Master's Degree in Public Health with Des Moines University.
Dr. Yanez is a graduate of the University of Miami where she was a recipient of the National Hispanic and University of Miami Scholarships, member of the Rho Lambda and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Societies and was awarded with the National Kappa Kappa Gamma Treasurer Award two years in a row. She gained an appreciation for the connection between the mind and body while working on post-traumatic stress research impacting children after Hurricane Andrew and volunteering matching developmentally disabled people with college students. Dr. Yanez then went on to graduate from the SW College of Naturopathic Medicine www.SCNM.edu, where she delivered her class commencement address, served as adjunct clinical faculty and Alumna Representative. During this time she was in charge of patient care at Aids Project Arizona and a clinical practice focusing on chronic disease. Aids Project Arizona was recognized with an award from the Mayor of Phoenix during her time at the clinic.
Dr. Jo served as Nomination Committee Chair and board member of the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education www.CNME.org (Federally recognized accrediting body for naturopathic medical colleges in the US and Canada) for six years. She has been instrumental in revising accreditation standards, setting the process in motion for review of naturopathic residencies and maintaining quality naturopathic medical education that adheres to the guidelines set by the United States Department of Education. Additionally, she just completed a 6 year term of office on the NY Association of Naturopathic Physicians Board of Directors, where she served as both Vice President and Director of Government Relations.
Dr. Jo has consistently appeared in print, television and radio since 1979 and as part of her multicultural background is fluent in Spanish and speaks basic conversational Yiddish. For fun, she has enjoyed a lifelong love of music and dance, cooking healthy meals for friends, and volunteers regularly with the American Red Cross.
Dr. Jo maintains an active naturopathic license in Arizona.
