Isabel Yost

Biography and Expertise of Isabel Yost

Isabel Yost is a naturopath who has dedicated her professional life to the institutionalization and academic advancement of naturopathy in Uruguay. As the founder and director of the School of Naturopathy of Uruguay, she has established a key institution for professional training in the field. The school is officially registered with Uruguay’s Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) and the National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (INEFOP).

Her work directly addresses several thematic axes of the 3rd WCTCIM. Through the development of comprehensive curricula, including a Naturopathy Degree Program, she makes significant contributions to “TCIM Education and Training.” Furthermore, her initiatives to create dialogue with Uruguayan governmental bodies for the recognition and regulation of TCIM are a practical application of the “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems” axis. Her expertise in Phytotherapy, Aromatherapy, and Flower Essences also reflects the “Diversity of TCIM Modalities” central to the congress’s theme.

The efforts of Isabel Yost are foundational to building a bridge between traditional naturopathic practices and the National Health System in Uruguay. Therefore, her leadership in organizing academic events and creating specialized professional courses helps consolidate Naturopathy as a credible and professional discipline, fostering an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration and contributing to the development of well-being societies.

Professional Contributions and Career Highlights of Isabel Yost

The professional career of Isabel Yost is defined by her foundational work in establishing and leading the School of Naturopathy of Uruguay since 2013. Her activities extend beyond administration to encompass curriculum development, academic event organization, and strategic advocacy for the integration of TCIM within national frameworks. Her work has systematically advanced naturopathy in the country.

Her professional contributions are centered on five pillars. These areas of focus demonstrate a comprehensive approach to building a professional discipline from the ground up, ensuring academic rigor, practical training, and official recognition.

• Institutional Foundation: She founded and directs the School of Naturopathy of Uruguay, creating a central institution for naturopathic education in the country.
• Academic Development: Isabel Yost has developed a wide range of academic activities, from conferences and workshops to a full Naturopathy Degree Program offered at two levels, lasting three and five years.
• Curriculum Innovation: She created innovative professional courses in TCIM, such as Homeopathic Pharmacy Technician, Herbal Medicine Technician, Natural Products Consultant, and Traditional Herbalist.
• Advocacy and Integration: She has designed and implemented initiatives and projects aimed at achieving recognition, regulation, and integration of TCIM within Uruguayan governmental bodies, successfully establishing spaces for dialogue.
• Event Creation: She is responsible for the creation and execution of distinguished academic events that bring together professionals and promote interdisciplinary discussion on integrative health.

Expertise and Academic Focus

Isabel Yost is a Naturopath with stated expertise in several key areas of natural medicine. Her qualifications are demonstrated through her extensive work in developing educational programs and her leadership in the field. Her professional focus is on Phytotherapy, Aromatherapy, and Flower Essences, disciplines that form the core of her teaching and practice.

Her role as an educator and curriculum developer at the School of Naturopathy of Uruguay underscores her deep knowledge in these areas. By designing and implementing degree programs and specialized courses, she translates her expertise into structured academic content for training new generations of practitioners. Consequently, her qualifications are best understood through her applied work in building an academic foundation for naturopathy in Uruguay.

• Naturopath: Her primary professional identity, encompassing a holistic approach to health and well-being.
• Expert in Phytotherapy: Specialization in the use of medicinal plants and herbal preparations for health purposes.
• Expert in Aromatherapy: Specialization in the therapeutic use of essential oils.
• Expert in Flower Essences: Specialization in the use of floral essences for emotional and mental well-being.

Dissemination of Knowledge and Academic Events by Isabel Yost

The contributions of Isabel Yost to the field are primarily focused on the creation and dissemination of knowledge through academic events and educational platforms. Rather than traditional research publications, her work involves building forums for interdisciplinary dialogue and presenting integrative health concepts to both professional and public audiences. She has consistently organized conferences and symposia that advance the discourse on naturopathy and integrative health in Uruguay.

A key achievement was the 2nd International Academic Symposium on Naturopathy, Wellbeing and Mental Health, titled “Sharing Knowledge Towards Integrative Health.” This event became a historic milestone as the first naturopathy event in Uruguay to be declared of Ministerial Interest by the Ministry of Public Health. This symposium, along with the accompanying “Your Natural Wellbeing” expo, successfully connected academia, professionals, and the community.

Furthermore, Isabel Yost has organized a series of specialized conferences that have shaped the academic trajectory of her institution. These events have covered topics such as phytotherapy, homeopathic pharmacy, and the role of medicinal plants in chronic diseases, consistently aiming to consolidate naturopathy as a professional discipline through scientific dissemination and collaboration. Each event represents a deliberate step toward building an evidence-informed practice community in Uruguay.

Official Recognitions

The work of Isabel Yost and the School of Naturopathy of Uruguay has received significant official recognition from governmental bodies, underscoring the impact and credibility of her initiatives. This acknowledgment validates the institution’s commitment to high academic standards and its contributions to public health dialogue in the country.

These recognitions are milestones in the effort to integrate naturopathy into the broader healthcare landscape. They serve as a testament to the quality and relevance of the academic events organized under her direction.

• Declaration of Ministerial Interest: The 2nd International Academic Symposium on Naturopathy, Wellbeing and Mental Health, organized by her institution, was officially declared of Ministerial Interest by the Ministry of Public Health of Uruguay. This declaration marked a historic achievement, as it was the first time a naturopathy event in the country received such a high-level endorsement.
• Official Institutional Registration: The School of Naturopathy of Uruguay, founded by Isabel Yost, is registered with the Uruguayan Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) and the National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (INEFOP), which confers official status to its educational programs.

Professional Affiliations and Memberships of Isabel Yost

Isabel Yost actively participates in a number of national and international organizations dedicated to advancing naturopathy and integrative medicine. Her memberships reflect a commitment to global collaboration and adherence to professional standards. These affiliations connect her and her institution to a broader network of practitioners, academics, and policymakers.

Through these roles, she contributes to the collective effort of promoting traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine worldwide. Consequently, her involvement in these networks is crucial for staying informed about global best practices and for representing Uruguayan naturopathy on an international stage.

• World Naturopathic Federation (WNF): Serves as an Academic Member, contributing to the global federation that promotes the naturopathic profession.
• Network of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine in the Americas (MTCI Americas Network): A member of this key regional network that fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange across the Americas.
• Latin American Society of Phytomedicine: Holds membership in this society, reflecting her expertise in the scientific study and application of medicinal plants.
• Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM): A member of this international organization that works to advance integrative health and medicine through interprofessional collaboration.

Connect with Isabel Yost

For more information about the work of Isabel Yost and the School of Naturopathy of Uruguay, you can visit the institution’s official website. It provides details on academic programs, events, and initiatives aimed at promoting integrative health.

School of Naturopathy of Uruguay: www.naturopatiaysalud.edu.uy

Email: [email protected]