Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians Spotlights Dr. Jared Zeff

March 2025: This month's OANP Member Spotlight is Dr. Jared Zeff, ND, LAc.

Dr. Zeff has been a dedicated member and supporter of the OANP since 1979, serving as a board member from 1980 to 1985 and as President of the OANP from 1983 to 1984. He currently practices at Creek Clinic in Vancouver, Washington.

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What is your favorite part about practicing naturopathic medicine?

The absolute best part is when people actually get better especially when they've been told by other doctors that there’s no hope. Watching someone completely turn their health around is what keeps me in this work.

What motivates you to continue practicing, researching, or learning about naturopathic medicine?I genuinely love what I do. Burnout has never been an issue for me. Even when cases are tough, they just push me to learn more. People come to us after being told they’re out of options, and then we actually help them. That’s what keeps me going.

In a perfect professional world, what do you wish would be different?

Back when I started, I wanted more recognition for naturopathic medicine. Now, I’d love to see us licensed in every state. What worries me is the creeping over-reliance on pharmaceuticals in naturopathic education. I saw it happen in Washington; when NDs got full prescribing rights, the use of herbs and homeopathy dropped overnight. That’s not what we’re about.

What is your favorite herb, modality, or way in which you help/treat your patients? 

Lomatium dissectum is a powerhouse; it’s an antiviral, and just a drop or two can take out a sore throat. Hydrastis and yarrow are also up there. Homeopathy is another go-to; it’s precise, effective, and doesn’t do any harm. Acupuncture is something I use a lot too. But really, it’s all about the therapeutic order: fix digestion first, stimulate self-healing, use herbs and supplements when necessary, and address structural issues last.

What are some of your favorite places in Oregon to explore nature and unplug? What is your favorite outdoor recreation?

I love the mountains and the coast; Cannon Beach, the lakes around Mount Hood, Smith Rock, the Blue Mountains. Oregon has so many incredible places to swim, and I’ll always pick a river or creek over a pool.

What is your favorite outdoor recreation?

Golf and swimming.

Do you have any big professional news or accomplishments that you'd like to share?Professionally, I think my greatest accomplishment was the development of the Therapeutic Order concept, but what makes me happiest is having two of my kids working in my practice. That means the world to me. I also have 11 grandchildren, and they bring me immense joy. Family is everything to me. I truly believe that marriage and family are the foundation of life, and everything we do—our careers, our accomplishments—it all exists to support that. At the heart of society is a mother with her child, and everything around us is built to sustain that fundamental relationship.

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Why did you become an OANP Member? 

I’ve been involved in state politics since the early ‘80s, and OANP has always been my way in. I served as an officer, represented Oregon at the AANP House of Delegates, and when Jim Sensenig tried to rebuild a national professional association, he called me because he knew I was in the trenches of Oregon politics. I went to those meetings and helped shape what naturopathic advocacy looks like today. I stay involved because without a strong, unified voice, we’re vulnerable.

How does OANP support you?

Back in the day, OANP was the shield that kept our profession from being wiped out by the Oregon Medical Association. They tried more than once to pass bills that would have taken us down, but OANP was always ahead, reading the fine print, testifying at hearings, and making sure we had our own legislation in play.

OANP didn’t just protect our ability to practice, it also made sure we had access to the education we needed. They teamed up with organizations in Washington, British Columbia, Alberta, and Idaho to create the Northwest Naturopathic Physicians Association, which put on an annual conference that covered our CE requirements. Over time, more conferences popped up, and OANP started running its own annual pharmacy conference, which I still go to every year.

What OANP professional CE event or social event have you enjoyed most recently? 

The fall pharmacy conference, hands down. I go every year. In-person conferences beat online ones any day; being able to talk with colleagues, trade ideas, and hear fresh insights is invaluable. I’ve picked up some of my best knowledge at these events, like when a friend casually mentioned a Cochrane study that changed how I view blood pressure treatment.

What is your hope for NDs of the future, say in 2050?

I see a future where naturopaths are the primary doctors people turn to first. More and more MDs are dabbling in naturopathic techniques, but they don’t have the philosophy to use them right. If leadership in public health shifts, we might finally get the national recognition we deserve.

Thank you for being an OANP Member, Dr. Zeff!

[view article from OANP site]