A Knight for the U.S.   

USA, June 30, 2008 (PRESSbooth.ORG) -- The kind of knights who duel with swords and defend fair maidens. The kind of knights who look really cool on the movie screen.
Today, in the U.S., there is another kind of Knight. No armor, no sword or lance, no duels or battle cries. Instead, the modern knight is clad in a business suit, full of information on natural medicine, with an engaging personality and an air of quiet, trust-inspiring confidence.

What this knight shares with his medieval counterpart, is a passion to serve a higher ideal. In the day of dueling, a knight served this passion with his weapons of war. Today's knight serves this passion with patience, dedication, networking and the implements of healing.

Today's knight is represented in the U.S. by Dr. Eric Carter of Texas, a board certified specialist in natural medicines, and U.S. Ambassador for the foreign based - Sovereign Medical Order of the Knights Hospitallers (www.smokh.org). Dr. Carter also serves as the CEO of this ancient orders practitioner certification division, the World Organization of Natural Medicine Practitioners (WONMP), www.wonmp.us. WONMP is the primary U.S. presence for the Hospitallers, and is the premier membership organization for Naturopaths, Medical Doctors, Dentist, Nurses and other medical professionals interested in incorporating natural medicine alternatives into their practice. With increased patient demand for safer therapies, many leading physicians in the U.S. now hold membership in WONMP.

Below is the notice of Dr. Carter being Knighted, along with the Grand Master and Grand Dame of the Medical Order (Dr. Charles and Susan McWilliams – Nevis West Indies):

"By recognition of meritorious deeds in health care through the Sovereign Medical Order of the Knights Hospitaller, ranking members of the Sovereign Council, were Honored with Knighthood and Papal Award by representatives of the Vatican”. Honors included “Noble Knighthood into the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Sylvester Pope and Martyr (Latin: Ordo Sanctus Silvestri Papae), which is one of the chivalric orders awarded by the Pope. It is awarded to Christian laymen who are actively involved in the life of the church, particularly as it is exemplified in the exercise of their professional duties and mastership of the different arts. It is awarded directly by the Pope as Supreme Pontiff and head of the Catholic Church and as the Head of State of Vatican City.

"In conjunction with investiture into Knighthood, On April 9, 2008 under invitation and instruction of His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, and Archbishop Andeodato Leopoldo Mancini, Dr. Eric Carter, along with the Sovereign Orders Grand Master and Grand Dame, represented the Order in meetings with His Excellency Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko in Vatican City. Additional meetings are in the process of being arranged for later this year with the Holy See Department of State."

Endorsement by the Vatican is a high honor bestowed for outstanding service, but typical membership or “investiture” into the Sovereign Medical Order of the Knights Hospitaller is available to interested persons that are “nominated” by existing Knights.

Being a Knight in today's Third Millennium, means dedicating oneself to promoting effective safe, natural therapies, to ease suffering and to bringing the relief of Christian charity to the sick, anywhere in the world, not only in hospitals but also in private and rural clinics, hospices, and nursing homes and in shantytowns of destitute populations. The Order does not only dedicate itself to the sick, but to the socially isolated, the victims of persecution and the refugees of any race and religious faith.

The Order is working to construct a Natural Medicine facility at Mercy Gilbert General Hospital in Arizona, and a hospital/clinic in Santo Domingo Ecuador, along with other projects in North and Central America.

Contact:
Dr. Carter
dreric @ earthlink.net,
www.wonmp.us,
www.smokh.org