About

Once Upon a Time in Senegal

There was once a young man in Senegal who was passionate about the health of living beings, initiated into healing by his grandfather, a traditional healer. Alioune DIAW, Dipl. ABFM, CTN, DO, DVM, Ph.D., embarked on a long journey to create a dialogue between science and tradition. In 1995, he earned his State Doctorate in Veterinary Sciences and Medicine from EISMV. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he then crossed continents to settle in France. In 1999, he obtained a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Burgundy/ENESAD (now AgroSup)/INRA and published his dissertation in this field.

With this dual academic background, he was recruited to the United States, joining the University of Kentucky as a Research and Extension Specialist. His mission was to assist farmers, primarily tobacco growers (Barned Tobacco), in diversifying their production in response to economic challenges and lawsuits against the tobacco industry. By successfully introducing Boer sheep and goats as a profitable alternative, he transformed the outlook of local farmers. Having fulfilled his mission, he left his position after completing his responsibilities. During this period, he also used plants for healing, a practice that reminded him of his grandfather’s teachings: “I do what I do, and it works, but honestly, I don’t know how it works. It’s up to you to find the answer by learning from the world.” This realization led him to understand that the path to deepening this knowledge lay in science.

In 2001, Dr. DIAW embarked on a transformative journey across the United States to train in naturopathy and osteopathy, ultimately earning a Ph.D. in dual studies. His journey also took him to Harvard (HBSO, HMx), where he further specialized, obtaining a certificate in immunology. Having settled in France since 2005, he founded the Académie de Vitalopathie (AVCN/IMF), with the mission of elevating naturopathy standards through a scientific and rigorous approach. There, he developed a unique clinical training program, offering students the opportunity to undertake international internships in local conditions, allowing them to explore traditional and ancestral practices. These experiences enrich their education by honing their intuition, observation, and communication skills.

In 2010, he became a practitioner in functional medicine, earning the prestigious title of Diplomate in Functional Medicine (DABFM) in 2012. He continued his efforts by introducing, in 2018, the first Bachelor’s degree in Naturopathy in France, in partnership with the Swiss-based FEDE, further strengthening the country’s academic offerings in this field.

Since 2019, as President of the Fédération Française de Naturopathie (FENA), Dr. Alioune DIAW has tirelessly worked to structure and standardize naturopathic practice in France. In 2023, he assumed the presidency of the Commission S98N of AFNOR, contributing to the regulation and alignment of professional standards. He consistently emphasizes the fundamental values of naturopathic practice: a deep human commitment to others, combined with scientific rigor.

With prestigious qualifications, including certificates from Harvard Medical School in pharmacology, genetics, biochemistry, immunology, and physiology, Dr. Alioune DIAW embodies scientific precision applied to natural well-being. A polyglot, he has published numerous scientific articles and actively participates in international conferences, advocating for evidence-based naturopathy.

Today, his story continues through the Académie de Vitalopathie, where he trains generations of professionals in a holistic approach to natural health, bridging tradition and modernity.