Patty Smith-Verspoor FHCH, DVHH, HD(RHom.), DMH, DVH, BSEd.
Bio
Patty Smith has been interested in homeopathy since her first introduction in 1977. When her father was admitted to Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia for a triple coronary bypass, she already was suggesting alternative treatment (and reading, at that time, Dr. Robert Mendelsohn’s Confessions of a Medical Heretic and The Pritikin Program by Dr. Nathan Pritikin). Following her father’s surgery there was a medical snafu, putting him into a coma for five months before he died at Christmas, 1980.
With more determination, and after witnessing homeopathic miracles in her home (ex-husband’s finger almost being severed by a lawnmower but healing beautifully; burned hand when she put the potholder on her right hand and removed the Thanksgiving turkey with her left; food poisoning, etc.) she began her studies in earnest.
She joined the Bryn Athyn, PA study group (affiliated with the National Center for Homeopathy) and eventually turned her wholistic parenting group in Mercer County, NJ into an affiliated study group of the NCH. She served as the New Jersey representative to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Study Group Council of the NCH and helped create and revitalize homeopathic study groups in NJ. She was awarded a scholarship from Boiron, one of the world’s largest homeopathic pharmaceutical companies, to the National Center for Homeopathy’s Summer School.
In 1995 she moved from New Jersey to Ottawa, Canada after being offered a partnership in the Norsana Academy Clinic, sharing the space with Rudolf Verspoor (whom she subsequently married). She served as the Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs for the British Institute (Canada) for more than five years, working with Rudi to develop the advanced practitioner programs offered in Canada. She was a co-founder of the National United Professional Association of Trained Homeopaths (NUPATH), served on its Board of Directors for ten years, and currently is an Ex-Officio member. She also is founding member of the Canadian and International Heilkunst Associations. Patty is a Doctor of Homeopathic Medicine (HD[RHom.]), a Doctor of Medical Heilkunst (DMH), and a Doctor of Veterinary Heilkunst (DVH).
Last, but by no means least — she loves and adores her two fascinating daughters, Meghan (age 20) and Kelsey (age 17); and her animals Baby Doll (a filly); Angel (a rescue pony) and Truffles (Dutch Warmblood/Throughbred cross); Maggie (a West Highland White Terrier); and Timou, her baby Africa Grey Parrot. Her enjoyment of the latter group led to her (ongoing) research and development of the use of Hahnemann’s medical system with animal health, Veterinary Heilkunst.
Patty co-authored Autism: The Journey Back with Rudi Verspoor, and worked with him on Homeopathy Renewed. She has contributed many articles to newspapers, and wholistic and homeopathic journals and magazines in the United States and Canada. She is editor of the Heilkunst Journal, a publication of the Hahnemann Center for Heilkunst, and Resonance, the newsletter of the Hahnemann College and Clinic. She currently is working on A Patient’s Guide to Heilkunst and A Patient’s Guide to Vaccinations, and Homeo- and Homo-prophylaxis.