Categories: EventsFeatures

“50 Shades of Green” a Hit for National College of Natural Medicine

Dr. Julie Briley of NCNM’s Food as Medicine Institute; Obi Ojei from Equilibrium Live, Inc.; NCNM student Mollie Parker; and 2014 graduate Cory Szybala raise their glasses.

Portland, June 26th, 2014. The theme of NCNM’s annual Min Zidell Garden Gala this year was “50 Shades of Green,” which celebrated local companies and organizations dedicated to living in harmony with nature and advancing the healing of all living things. The Gala was the final NCNM event of the year, all of which raised $275,000 in fiscal year 2014. The Gala, hosted by NCNM Vice President of Advancement Susan Hunter, was held on the NCNM campus and drew 200 attendees. The gathering included celebrated poet, author and NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu and his son Tristan, a 2011 NCNM graduate; Jay, Diane and Jason Zidell; and Ken Gordon, owner/chef of Kenny & Zuke’s Deli. (photo credit, Vanessa Morrow, NCNM)

Jay Zidell, CEO of Zidell Marine Corp. and ZRZ Realty; poet, author and NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu; and Diane Zidell (Jay and Diane Zidell Charitable Foundation).

Poet, author and NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu and NCNM Assistant Professor Marcus Miller, MD, ND. Mr. Codrescu was the gala keynote speaker and Dr. Miller was gala co-host with NCNM President David J. Schleich.

NCNM President David J. Schleich with Ruth Shelly, executive director of Portland Children’s Museum, who accepts an NCNM Green Industry Leadership Award for the museum’s newest permanent exhibit, Outdoor Adventure, which helps children experience nature at its best.

The NCNM Min Zidell Garden Gala was an awards dinner honoring the eco-friendly leadership of local companies and organizations. The honorees were: The Portland Children’s Museum; Tree for All Project; Grow Portland; and Ingenuity Innovations.

The mission of National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) is to educate and train physicians, practitioners and pre-professionals in the art, science and research of natural medicine. NCNM is the oldest accredited naturopathic medical school in North America. A nonprofit medical school, NCNM offers graduate medical degree programs in naturopathic medicine, classical Chinese Medicine, natural medicine research, nutrition and global health.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.