New York University College of Nursing announces an innovative, new three course specialty sequence for health professionals, Herbs, Nutraceuticals and Supplements (HNS), funded by a
$400,000 three year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Offered as an elective nine credit, three course sequence, the HNS sequence is open to senior undergraduate and
graduate students in the College of Nursing. This specialty sequence provides a unique opportunity for supplemental learning in this exciting arena.
The HNS sequence is led by Dr. Joyce Anastasi, the Independence Foundation Professor in Nursing, and an accomplished nurse scientist who recently joined the NYU College of Nursing faculty.
Dr. Anastasi is the Founding Director of the College of Nursing's Division of Special Studies in Symptom Management where she is currently conducting two NIH funded randomized clinical trials testing minimally
invasive therapies for the management of symptoms in HIV and irritable bowel syndrome. Dr. Anastasi notes that "Education and development of clinical skills in HNS is critical for health professionals practicing in
today's health care market as patients commonly use HNS as an adjuvant to conventional medications. They self-prescribe and learn about HNS products from the commercially driven herbal, neutraceutical, and
supplement industry, underscoring the need for further education for health professionals. Students who complete the HNS sequence will be prepared to initiate discussion about the use of common HNS in
diverse cultural groups and educate patients about dosing, side effects, herb-drug interactions, and contraindications". Dr. Anastasi developed the HNS curriculum with her team, including Dr. Bernadette Capili and master
herbalist Faye Schenkman.
For further information about this unique, Herbs, Neutraceuticals, and Supplements, three course sequence, please contact Matthew Cosby (212) 998-9201 or mdc6@nyu.edu
Course Descriptions:
N41.2401 (fall 2009), 3 credits
Herbs, Nutraceuticals and Supplements© (HNS) I
This course will introduce students to the scientific, regulatory and practice issues related to herbs, nutraceuticals and supplements (HNS). The use of HNS and complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) is typically a self-initiated process rather than practitioner initiated, presenting unique challenges in terms of safety and regulatory issues to both consumers and practitioners. This course will provide students
with the foundation to communicate and to advise patients in a culturally sensitive manner, on the appropriate use of HNS. Students will also receive an introduction to botany and phytochemistry as a primer for herbal
pharmacotherapeutics in HNS II.
N41.2402 (spring 2010), 3 credits
Herbs, Nutraceuticals and Supplements© (HNS) II
This course will focus on commonly used herbs, nutraceuticals and supplements (HNS). There are hundreds of HNS products widely available in various pharmacies, health food stores, grocery stores and the internet.
This course will introduce students to HNS supported by the German Commission E. The German Commission E is a governmental regulatory agency established in 1978, composed of scientists, toxicologists, physicians and pharmacists
who evaluate the uses, side effects and known drug/HNS interactions. Additional HNS products supported by current clinical trials and herbs indigenous to cultural origins and native lands will also be discussed, as this field is continually
evolving. The scientific evidence, indications, dosage and safety considerations for each HNS will be presented.
N41.2403 (summer 2010), 3 credits
Herbs, Nutraceuticals and Supplements© (HNS) III
This course incorporates a seminar and an introduction to ethnopharmacology. Seminars will be led by an Herbalist and Advanced Practice Nurse. Western diagnoses such as cancer, arthritis, AIDS etc. will be
presented using case study formats. During each seminar, students will be required to analyze and formulate appropriate therapeutic plans incorporating when appropriate, HNS products. Ethnopharmacology will be
introduced through guided field experiences at well-regarded medicinal herbal gardens and Traditional Chinese Medicine pharmacopeias in New York City. Students will have the opportunity to interact and field questions to
leading botanists and herbalists regarding authentic traditional knowledge of use of medicinal plants.
HNS Faculty:
Joyce K. Anastasi, PhD, DrNP, FAAN, LAc
Dr. Anastasi, Director of the HNS course series and Independence Foundation Professor of Nursing, is an accomplished nurse scientist, having served as Principal Investigator of several federally funded
clinical trials for managing the symptoms of chronic illness. Dr. Anastasi is also the Founding Director of NYUCN's Division of Special Studies in Symptom Management, where she is currently conducting two NIH-funded RCTs
testing minimally invasive therapies for the management of chronic symptoms in HIV and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. She has authored many articles on complementary and alternative medicine and symptom management and
has spearheaded three federally-funded nursing subspecialty programs. She is a licensed acupuncturist trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine and certified by the National Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Bernadette Capili, DNSc, APRN, NP-C
Dr. Capili is an Assistant Professor at NYUCN and is also a nurse scientist. She has conducted federally funded clinical trials in the area of dietary supplements and nutritional therapy for cardiovascular risk reduction and has authored many articles.
Faye Schenkman, MA
Faye Schenkman is a NCCAOM-certified master herbalist and has been in clinical practice for over two decades. She is a highly sought-after lecturer and has authored several book chapters and journal articles in the field of HNS.
