2011 ZRT Highlights

This past August, the ZRT Cup was held at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, where doctors and students watched the development of our profession at its best. As doctors walked past the competition nook to attend their lectures at the annual AANP conference, interest was sparked by the question: “What is this Z-R-T Cup?” 

On the days of August 17th and 18th, everyone learned that the ZRT Cup is an academic competition amongst the seven accredited naturopathic programs in North America. The winning team takes home the ZRT Cup trophy and a cheque for $7,500 while the second place team receives a cheque for $2,500. 
The winnings from the ZRT Cup must then be used to benefit ND students, schools, clinics or the naturopathic profession. 
But the competition wasn’t just about gloating rights, the smartest school, or the prize. In the years since it started, it has been a consistent inspiration for inter-school friendships, collaborations and healthy competition. When the students on the teams train and prepare themselves, they study much of the material included in the NPLEX board exams, reinforce excellent long-term study habits and develop the professionalism skills necessary to work collaboratively with one another. 

So, as the whispers of the ZRT Cup spread, more and more Naturopathic Doctors sat in on the rounds to support their respective school. 

In the final round of the cup, the Grand Room of the Arizona Biltmore was filled with excitement and suspense. A great battle between the National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) and University of Bridgeport Connecticut Naturopathic Medicine (UBCNM) was overlooked by a room filled with spectators from all academic backgrounds. With Bridgeport’s keen buzzing-in, they took ownership of the ZRT trophy in first place, and NUHS took home the second place trophy. Well done! 
We want to thank the NMSA and all volunteers, judges, question donors, and question writers. Special thanks to ZRT Laboratories and ND Online Learning Centre for their sponsorship of the event. It was a true success! Congratulations to all schools and thank you for your hard work and participation! 
By: Melissa Lee, 2011 NMSA ZRT Cup Coordinator