Kurt Beil, ND, MSOM, MPH
Helfgott Research Institute
National College of Natural Medicine
049 SW Porter St., Portland, OR 97207
(503) 552-1804 – kbeil@ncnm.edu
EDUCATION
Portland State University, Portland, OR
Sept 2007 –
 Master of Public Health (Health Promotion—Integrative Medicine) Mar 2010
Internship: Urban green space policy for public health & urban planning
 Graduate Certificate in Sustainability
National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR
 Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Thesis: “Our Connection to Nature: A Holistic Examination
of the Therapeutic Potential of the Environment,
as Demonstrated in the Cardiovascular System”
National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR
 Master of Science in Oriental Medicine
Thesis: “Ling: Numinous Manifestations of Spirit
in Classical Chinese Medicine”
Sept 2000 –
June 2006
Sept 2002 –
Dec 2008
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
 Bachelor of Arts - Major: Biological Sciences (Conc: Evolution)
Minor: Psychology
Sept 1994 –
June 1998
EMPLOYMENT
Post-doctoral Researcher -- Helfgott Research Institute, NCNM
Sept 2010 – present
Topics: Restorative Healing Environments, Psychoneuroendocrinology
Public Health Consultant – Metro (Portland Regional Elected Government)
Health Impact Assessment of Portland’s Parks, Trails & Natural Areas
Jan 2010 – Mar 2011
Adjunct Faculty – National College of Natural Medicine
Apr 2008 - present
Environmental Medicine; Microbiology & Public Health, Journal Club
Adjunct Faculty – Portland Community College
Human Health & the Environment, Stress and Human Health
Jun 2013 – present
Private Clinical Practice – Naturopathic & Chinese Medicine
Portland, OR
Nov 2006 – present
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GRANTS AND AWARDS
5 R25AT002878-06 – NIH/NCCAM Institutional CAM Education Award
PI: Heather Zwickey, PhD – NCNM.
Role: Vanguard Faculty
Integration of Evidence-based Medicine into Curriculum via Faculty
Training in Academic and Clinical Research Methods
2011-2013
James F. and Marion L. Miller Grant for Sustainability (Portland State U.)
March 2009
Development of ‘Sustainability & Health Awareness Survey’ to measure
relationship between PSU community’s attitudes toward sustainability
and potential impacts on individual, community and ecosystem health
INVITED RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
Nature, Health & Access – Forum (Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR) June 28th 2014
“Psychophysiological evidence of Biophilic Ecopsychology”
Design and Well-Being in the Built Environment – Symposium
University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
 “Inclusion of Restorative Green Spaces in Urban Planning and Design”
March 9, 2014
Calif. Assoc. Naturo. Doc. Merging Medicine Conference XIII (La Jolla, CA)
 “Biophilic Medicine: The Preventive, Therapeutic and Restorative
Power of Contact with Nature”
October 14, 2012
Integrative Medicine for the Underserved (Santa Clara, CA)
 “Green Space: Multiple Benefits for Underserved Populations”
September 8, 2012
ORAL ABSTRACTS
6th Northwest Environmental Health Conference (Portland, OR)
 “Sauna Therapy: Detoxification of environmental toxicity”
April 8, 2014
Amer. Assoc. of Naturopathic Physicians Conf. (Keystone, CO)
 “Stress Moderating Effects of Environmental Variables”
5th Northwest Environmental Health Conference (Portland, OR)
 “Natural and Built Environments as Determinants of Health”
July 13, 2013
March 15, 2013
Amer. Assoc. of Naturopathic Physicians Conf. (Bellevue, WA)
 “Ecological Therapeutics: Contact with Nature in the 21st Century”
August 16, 2012
International Making Cities Livable Conference (Portland, OR)
 “Effects of Environmental Settings on Measures of Holistic Health”
May 21, 2012
4th Northwest Environmental Health Conference (Portland, OR)
 “Environmental Settings & Health Effects (ESHE) Study”
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Feb 10, 2012
ORAL ABSTRACTS (cont.)
Healthy By Nature International Conference (Vancouver, BC)
 “Portland Metro’s Intertwine – A Regional System of Nature & Health”
Sept 22, 2011
3rd Northwest Environmental Health Conference (Portland, OR)
Feb 11, 2011
 “The Intertwine HIA: Portland Metro’s Parks, Trails and Natural Areas”
1st Intl Healthy Parks, Healthy People Congress (Melbourne, Australia) Apr 13, 2010
 “Green Spaces as a Holistic Method of Health Promotion:
A New Paradigm of Health for the 21st Century”
 “Active Transportation in the Portland Metro Region:
Promoting health, livability and the experience of nature”
2nd Northwest Environmental Health Conference (Portland, OR)
 “Nature as a Source of Environmental Health”
Mar 5, 2010
Amer. Assoc. of Naturopathic Physicians Conference (Tacoma, WA)
 “The Need for Nature as a Therapeutic Agent”
Oregon Public Health Assoc. Student Symposium (Corvallis, OR)
 “Green Spaces as a Holistic Method for Health Promotion”
Aug 21, 2009
Apr 3, 2009
1st Psychology, Ecology, & Sustainability Conference (Portland, OR)
 “Mind-Body Ecology: How Ecopsychology Affects Holistic Well-Being”
Jun 8, 2007
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Beil, K. (2014) “Population-based Analysis of the Relationship between
Green Space and Mental Health in Wisconsin”
(Review & Commentary) Natural Medicine Journal. Sept; 6(9)
tent Sept 2014
Beil, K. (2014) “Exposure to Residential Green Space Improves Mental Health” July 2014
(Review & Commentary) Natural Medicine Journal. Jul; 6(7)
Beil, K., Hanes, D., and Zwickey, H. (2014) “Environmental Influence on
Mar 2014
Holistic Health Measures” (Res. Letter) Explore: J Sci Heal. Mar-Apr;10(2):115-7
Beil, K. (2013) “Environmental Tree Loss and Respiratory & CVD Mortality”
(Review & Commentary) Natural Medicine Journal. Dec; 5(12)
Dec 2013
Beil, K. & Hanes, D. (2013) “The Influence of Urban Natural and Built
March 2013
Environments on Physiological and Psychological Measures of Stress –
A Pilot Study” (Original Res. Article) Intl J Env Res Pub Health 10(4):1250-1267.
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Beil, K. “Nature as a Determinant of Health” (Book Chapter)
Foundations of Natural Medicine Textbook
under review
RESEARCH POSTERS
International Research Congress on Integrative Med & Health (Miami, FL)
 “Consideration of Personal and Environmental Variables in the
Measurement of Psychophys. Stress Response to Different Settings”
Symposium on Portland Area Research on CAM (Portland, OR)
 “Findings from Exposure to Natural & Built Urban Settings”
May 15, 2014
May 4, 2013
Healthy By Nature International Conference (Vancouver, BC)
Sept 22, 2011
 “Environmental Settings & Health Effects: Holistic Measures of Health”
Oregon Public Health Association – Convention (Corvallis, OR)
 “Urban Agriculture as a Multi-Modal Public Health Tool”
Oct 26, 2009
First Annual James F. & Marion L. Miller Grant Forum (Portland, OR)
 “PSU Sustainability and Health Awareness Survey (SAHAS) Results”
June 2009
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Report -- “Physical Activity & the Intertwine: A Public Health Method of Feb 2011
Reducing Obesity and Healthcare Costs” www.oregonmetro.gov
“Access to Nature” (Contributor)
The Portland 25–year Development Plan: Health and Human Safety
Dec 2010
“Mental Health Outdoors: The Benefits of Nature”
Rural Connections: Western Rural Development Center Publication
Sept 2010
“Natural Medicine: The Healing Effects of Exposure to Nature”
Naturopathic Doctor News & Review. Vol 5. No. 6
June 2009
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
First Intertwine Forum on Community Health and Nature (Portland, OR)
 “Exploring the Links between the Natural World, Health & Well-being”
May 8, 2014
Nature, Health + Ecology: UN World Environment Day (Portland, OR) June 1, 2013
 “The Environment of Health: An Ecological Approach to Well-Being”
Earth & Spirit Council for Indigenous Education: Earth Day (Portland, OR)
 “Biophilia and Health: Why Contact with Nature is Good for You”
Portland Japanese Gardens Guest Speaker Series (Portland, OR)
 “Nature and Health: Gardens as Healing Spaces”
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April 21, 2012
Feb 9, 2012
Sound therapy Internet Radio www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6pNCZdC_dQ
 “Natural, Mental and Public Health”
Sept 23, 2011
TEACHING AND LECTURING
Adjunct Faculty – Portland Community College (Portland, OR)
 Human Health & the Environment
HE 278
 Stress and Human Health
HE 242
3 credits
4 credits
2013-present
2013-present
Adjunct Faculty -- National College of Natural Medicine (Portland, OR)
 Environmental Medicine Journal Club
RES 501
2 credits
 Clinical Environmental Medicine
CLS 631
2 credits
 Integrative Microbiology & Public Health CCM 732
3 credits
Sept – Dec 2011
2008-present
2007-2011
Guest Lecturer -- Art Institute of Portland (Portland, OR)
 Topics related to Biophilic Design for Sustainability & Health
2011-present
Guest Lecturer -- Portland State University (Portland, OR)
 Topics related to Integrative Medicine and Healthcare Practice
2007-present
ACADEMIC ADVISING
NCNM – Primary Mentor – Master of Science in Integrative Med. Research
 John Pluta, MD – Effects of Aromatherapeutic Essential Oils on Mood
and Cognition via Neurohormonal Regulatory Mechanisms
2014-present

Lindsay Rogers -- Effects of Topical Peloid Therapy on Inflammatory
and Functional Profile of Osteoarthritis
2011-present

Travis Whitney -- Meditation’s Relationship to Neuroplasticity via
Cortisol, Arginine Vasopressin and Catecholamine Levels
2012-2013
Portland State University – Thesis Advisor – Master of Architecture
 Judith Gonzales -- Design of Therapeutic Sleep Structure Using
Evidence-Based Design
University of Geneva, Switzerland – Thesis Advisor – Master of Science in
Environmental Science
 Rodrigo Luruena -- The Environmental, Social and Economic Benefits
of Naturopathic Medical Practice
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2012-2013
2012-2013
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology
Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
2012-present
2011-present
2007-present
LICENSURE
Licensed Acupuncturist – Oregon Board of Medical Examiners
Naturopathic Physician – Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners
2010-present
2006-present
CERTIFICATION
Qi Gong Instruction – National College of Naturopathic Medicine
NADA Acupuncture Detoxification Protocol
received Jun 2006
received Jun 2006
CLINICAL TRAINING
Equivalent to General Family Practice, focus on Mind-Body & Environmental Medicine.
Naturopathic and Classical Chinese Medicine modalities, including: Botanical Medicine,
Nutritional Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Homeopathy, Physical Manipulation, Physiotherapy,
Environmental Medicine and Clinical Detoxification, Acupuncture, Mind-Body Medicine
SERVICE & VOLUNTEER ACTIVITES
Peer Reviewer – Intern. Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Jan 2014 – present
Focus: Green Space effects on Health (Psychophysiology, Epidemiology)
Board President – Earth & Spirit Council (Non-Profit Org; Portland, OR)
Promotion of indigenous Earth-based ways of knowing and healing
Jan 2014 – present
Peer Reviewer -- Landscape & Urban Planning (Journal)
Sept 2013 – present
Focus: Green Space effects on Health (Psychophysiology, Epidemiology)
Founding Member – Nature & Health Working Group – Intertwine Alliance
Health Promotion of Portland’s Parks, Trails & Natural Areas
Mar 2012 – present
Volunteer -- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
FEMA Neighborhood-based Medical and community disaster relief
Fall 2011 – present
Attending Physician -- Harmony Event Medicine (Eugene, OR)
Provide medical care & first-aid at public summer events
Summer 08 - present
Lead Physician -- Tashunka Wanagi Lakota Sundance (Goldendale, WA) Summer 06 - present
Management of field medicine healthcare unit for ~500 people
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Eagle Scout Award – Boys Scouts of America
Service Project: Creation of therapeutic horticulture garden for
mentally & physically disabled adults in residential group home
Spring 1993
Board Member – International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine
North American Chapter – Inaugural Member
in development
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Written Report – “Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Intertwine: Mar - Dec 2010
The Portland Metro Region’s System of Parks, Trails & Natural Areas”
 Conceptual Evaluation of the Holistic Public Health Potential of Portland’s
Green Spaces and Infrastructure
Participant – Institute of Medicine Summit: Integrative Medicine and the
Health of the Public (Washington, D.C.)
 “Education/workforce of integrative medicine”
 “Mind-Body-Societal Connections”
Feb 25, 2009
Feb 26, 2009
Graduate Research Assistant – Portland State University (Portland, OR)
Paula Carder, PhD – School of Community Health, Institute on Aging
 “Use of Non-Prescription Health Products in Assisted Living Facilities”
 “Barriers and Opportunities to Sustainability in Senior Housing”
Sept-Aug 2008
Sept-Dec 2008
Independent Research – Northern. Illinois University (Dekalb, IL)
Thomas Roberts, PhD – Department of Psychology
 “Psychotherapeutic and Entheogenic Indigenous Shamanism”
Jun-Aug 1998
Undergraduate Research Assistant – Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) Jan-June 1998
Sohee Park, PhD – Lab Director; Kelly Minor – Psych Graduate Assistant
 Administration of UPenn Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) to outpatients
diagnosed with schizophrenia
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