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President's Message: AAMA president outlines accomplishments, plans for coming year
By Rey Ximenes, MD, FAAMA
President, AAMA
Well, another year gone by, and exciting things continue to emerge on the horizon. I was handed the presidency a little earlier than expected, but it has all worke d out. I want to thank Dr. Richard Hobbs for all he did. I was honored to serve as vice president under him and am glad for all he taught me. I would also like to thank all of the Board members and all of you members for having the faith to allow me to be your president.
There are a lot of things in store for us this coming year. We got off to a great start with the 2012 Symposium. It was a wonderful meeting with some of the best speakers we have had, thanks to the efforts of people like Drs. Anna Kelly and Jay Sandweiss. Weended up in the black, and that always helps the bottom line. Atlanta was great, and the hotel treated us well.
Efforts are always made to improve the Symposium and up the bar every year, but it takes new, fresh faces with new ideas to do this. We are always looking for members to help out with the committees and the logistics, so don't be shy. We want you to be a part of it. Next year, we will celebrate 25 years of the Academy, so let's all put in some effort and have a really special Symposium, May 2-5, 2013 in Baltimore, MD.
Educational Committee
The Educational Committee, under the direction of Dr. Claudia Harsh, has been hard at work putting together CDs, DVDs, Chapter presentations and webinars to assist members in learning all they can. Dr. Allen McDaniels and the Best Practices Committee have not only given us the "Acronyms for Acupuncture Techniques," but also the "Recommendations for Best Needling Practices with Respect to Skin Preparation." We need to know more about what you would like to see and hear.
AAMA Website Progress
Dr. Jay Horowitz and crew have been hard at work on our website, and despite many obstacles, they are moving along towards a more streamlined site with more options for your convenience. The look will change and the functionality will increase.
It has taken a lot of hard work to get it this far, and it will take more to get what we want. However, we will persist until it is a polished site capable of doing all that we need. This is probably one of the more important things that we need to make this organization function more smoothly and effectively.
Medical Acupuncture Journal
AAMA is delighted to let members know that Mary Anne Liebert Co, publishers of the Academy’s Medical Acupuncture journal will be increasing the frequency from quarterly to bi-monthly starting in January 2013. They are taking this step now as the volume of quality articles submitted to the journal has been on the increase and in recognition of the growing interest in medical acupuncture worldwide. Members of the Academy receive the journal free as part of membership
International Ties
The Academy’s ties with the international community remain strong. We have renewed commitments with ICMART and continue to fill our role as a leader in the world of acupuncture. Dr. Marshall Sager has continued to work on the Lexicon and its approval in the international community, and has agreed to be our representative in ICMART this year.
On the home front, Drs. Richard Hobbs and Richard Niemtzow have worked with the AAAOM on licensing issues, especially in South Carolina, to ensure that physicians will always have the right to practice. Their work has given us promise that this will occur.
In this newsletter, see information about the Pan Pacific Conference on Acupuncture being held in Australia in November. The four medical acupuncture societies in the English language Pacific Rim countries of US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia each take turns hosting this event, only every four years. This is your chance to participate at a great ocean front location in Australia.
So as you can see, there has been a lot of activity recently. We will continue to work to have a better organization capable of serving your needs. In order to do this, we need your help at all levels. Members are more than welcome to see where they can help. See you next time.
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AAMA Symposium enjoyed by 300 in Atlanta
New Board, Fellows, the State of AAMA, contest winners, 2013 plans
More than 300 healthcare professionals and exhibitors enjoyed the 24TH Annual AAMA Symposium, “Acupuncture: Evolving Perspectives,” with informative sessions, presenters, a Dinner Dance and more in Atlanta. Anna Kelly, MD, FAAMA, was chair, assisted by Jay Sandweiss, DO, FAAMA.
New leadership
In Atlanta, the 2012-’13 AAMA Board of Directors was elected:
President Rey Ximenes, MD, FAAMA
Vice President Sandi Amoils, MD
Secretary Paras Mehta, MD
Treasurer Claudia Harsha, MD
Jay Abel-Horowitz, MD, was elected a Board Member at Large. Other directors are listed online.
New Fellows
Elected as Fellows in Atlanta were: Anne Lynn, MD, DABMA, of Seattle, WA; Aena Han Payne, MD, DABMA, of Ridgeland, MS; Douglass N. Powell, MD, DABMA, of Skaneateles, NY; Susan K. Sorensen, MD, DABMA, of Palo Alto, CA, and Norman Zavela, MD, DABMA, of Perrysburg, OH.
The State of AAMA
The Treasurer reported that the Academy finances were steadily improving as the economy improves. The AAMA ended FY 2011 with a modest net income, and with this successful Symposium, it appears the Academy is on track to do so again this year. The AAMA is currently at 1,283 members and expects to end the year at or about 1,320. The Academy ended last year at 1,330. Exit surveys continue to show that the most common reason members drop out is that they are no longer practicing acupuncture.
Poster Competition Winners
1st Place ($750) – Seung-Yeon Cho, KMD, PhD
“Effectiveness of Acupuncture and Bee Venom Acupuncture in Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease”
2nd Place ($500) – Chang-Nam Ko, KMD, PhD
“Preventative Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Cerebral Vasospasm Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage”
3rd Place ($250) – Alison Lee, MD, FAAMA
“Use of Multichannel Laser Acupuncture Point Stimulation in an Acupuncture Practice”
Research Paper Winners
1st Place ($1,500 plus more) – James Ochi, MD, DABMA
“Acupuncture Reduces Tonsillectomy Pain”
2nd Place ($750 plus more) – Josne Carla Paterno, MsC
“Evaluation for Renoprotective Activity of Electroacupuncture and Moxibustion Using Nephrectomy Rats”
Photos taken in Atlanta by Dr. Robert Gross are posted online.
Symposium Material Available
At Symposium, the book by Lonny Jarrett, LAc, “Clinical Practice of Chinese Medicine” was offered at a discounted rate to Practice Members. The Academy has a limited supply of these available on a first-come, first served basis. Click here to purchase this book by the 2012 Pre-Symposium presenter.
Also available from this meeting are the Syllabus from the four Pre-Symposiums and the Symposium. In addition, audio tapes of sessions at the Symposium can be purchased online.
Again in Atlanta, the Academy was fortunate to have Steven K.H. Aung, MD, OMD, PhD, offer his Calligraphy Demonstration during the Poster Presentation Wine and Cheese Reception. Dr. Aung explained the technique and meaning of each piece being created. Then there was a Silent Auction for the calligraphy, which serves as a fundraiser for AAMA.
Other Highlights
Members also enjoyed the Dinner/Dance, early morning “Gong with Aung” with Dr. Aung, group lunch, the exhibit area with companies featuring products and services related to medical acupuncture, the Review Course and the American Board of Medical Acupuncture Certification Exam.
2013 Preparations
Jay Sandweiss, DO, FAAMA, will be chair of next year’s Symposium, assisted by Vice Chair Yuan-Chi Lin, MD, FAAMA and the Symposium Committee. It will be May 3-5, 2013 at the Renaissance Harborplace Baltimore in Baltimore, MD. The Review Course will be April 30-May 1, followed by the Pre-Symposium Workshops on May 2, 2013 and the ABMA Exam on May 5, 2013.
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6th Pan Pacific Medical Acupuncture Forum to be held in Australia
The 6th Annual Pan Pacific Medical Acupuncture Forum will be held Nov. 14-18, 2012 on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia. Academy members are encouraged to learn more about this conference and then make plans to attend.
“I am pleased to forward to members an invitation from Chin Chan, MD, vice president of the Australian Medical Acupuncture College, to participate in the 6th Pan Pacific Medical Acupuncture Forum,” said AAMA Executive Administrator C. James Dowden. “This event comes around only once every four years. Each time it is hosted by one of the national medical acupuncture associations in Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the US. The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture hosted the 4th Pan Pacific meeting in Las Vegas in 2000.”
This year, the Pan Pacific Acupuncture Forum will be held on the beautiful Gold Coast of Australia. Physician acupuncturists from all four countries participate in these meetings. There are four days of programs with clinical presentations from participants of each of the four societies. It is a great opportunity to exchange information and practice tips and to learn new techniques from practitioners in each of the participating countries.
“There are opportunities available for you to present at the meeting, as well,” Dowden said. “Naturally there is ample opportunity for sight seeing. All is not work, either, as they invariably promise and deliver a collegial and lively social component too.”
Material Available Online
Look through the materials posted here to get more details on the schedule, registration fees and hotel. Note that those staying at the headquarters hotel enjoy a discounted registration fee. A fair number of Academy members have participated in these Pan Pacific Forums in the past and many have come back reporting on what a valuable and enjoyable experience it was.
“Many bi-national friendships have been developed over the years at these meetings. For those Academy members who are able to take part, I believe you will have a similar experience.,” Dowden noted.
Members with questions or who need further information are encouraged to give Jim Dowden a call (310/364-0193) or an email (administrator@medicalacupuncture.org). Also, please let him know if you are thinking of attending, as AAMA is looking to gather some US members to participate on panel discussions or in other aspects of the program.
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Joseph M. Helms Founder's Lecture given by 'Father of Acupuncture'
Joseph M. Helms, MD, FAAMA, talked about founding the AAMA in his presentation, “The Implantation and Transformation of Medical Acupuncture,” before the Annual Membership Meeting at Symposium in Atlanta, GA.
He talked about the first Symposium in Philadelphia in 1988. Then the “father of acupuncture,” now he called himself the “grandfather of acupuncture.”
Dr. Helms told about his background and his quest to find a specialty. He talked about going to Paris to study in “the glorious heyday in the early 1970s. It was an exciting buffet of personalities and concepts.” Dr. Helms noted that Benjamin Franklin’s grandson studied acupuncture in Paris. He brought it back to treat prisoners, but the technique didn’t take.
During the first acupuncture program he lead with five students, “it felt like lightning had struck, regarding my specialty.” Now Dr. Helms teaches 80-100 students twice a year.
“I wanted to do more than just interpret my notes from France,” Dr. Helms said. “I wanted to make them more applicable for US physicians. This all pre-dates the arrival of the TCM model that arrived in Europe from China.”
Keep Acupuncture Evolving
Dr. Helms noted “little is evolving in China currently. There’s a rigid interpretation. It’s limited, brainwashing and arrogant. In the West, however, exploration is taking place. AAMA is more inclusive of changes and techniques. We should appreciate that we’re the country that embraces changes and implantation. Spirit – We need to guard and protect this from being taken away.”
The AAMA founder pointed to Dr. Richard Niemtzow’s work with the military as an example of that evolution. He showed a video of a Marine hurt during duty, who had improvements after acupuncture. “Acupuncture to service members is new and evolving,” Dr. Helms said. “An area I want to pursue.”
“Acupuncture studies in France became restricted to universities and became fossilized and institutionalized because of politics,” Dr. Helms said. “And then reimbursement became a problem. Acupuncture by physicians in France has died. Private membership societies went away.”
“I was drawn to acupuncture because it allowed me a way to deal with problems not addressed by conventional medicine,” said Dr. Helms. “We must guard against this from happening in the US. To protect patients.”
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External Examiner
Dr. Nakazawa shares experience observing Dr. Aung, students at university
By Hiroshi Nakazawa, MD, FAAMA.
Past Chair, American Board of Medical Acupuncture
Past President, AAMA
Being invited by Dr. Steven KH Aung, director and chief instructor of the Medical Acupuncture Program, I attended at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, as an external examiner in May. I would like to share with Academy members my impressions of the university, faculty, student candidates and last but not least, Dr. Aung for the 2011-’12 academic year.
I was so impressed with what a wonderful time I had in just two days. First of all, I was received with a very warm, kind reception by Program Coordinator Jessica Crossley. She was so cordial and thorough throughout my stay, coordinating my lodging, transportation, etc. She made a grand first impression for the faculty of the University of Alberta.
Of course, the campus is so beautiful, spacious and clean. The class rooms are also well kept and in order. This is rather rare in the US, unfortunately.
The program’s 22 student candidates were all good, some even excellent. They were evaluated, as well prepared for this Board by Dr. Aung. The students were very attentive and eager to learn, asking excellent questions. I was very happy to be welcomed by this group of young, serious students.
Steven KH Aung, MD, OMD, PhD
I have known Dr. Aung -- one of the great teachers of medical acupuncture and a frequent Symposium presenter -- for at least 15 years. His religious teachings are all combined as “spirit,” “love” and “affection” to everyone he touches. His art, calligraphy, painting and famous Qigon (Chigon) exercise are second to none. Many US acupuncturists have learned his Qigon.
Dr. Aung’s personality penetrates everyone. At the University of Alberta, I again witnessed his warm human personality, which was felt by each student. The university is very fortunate to have him at the helm of the program. I know Dr. Aung and the University of Alberta will achieve further success, leading all of us to the newer sphere of medicine and peace for the world.
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Physicians earn Board Certification in medical acupuncture
The following physicians recently met the stringent requirements of the American Board of Medical Acupuncture (ABMA) and have achieved Board Certification in medical acupuncture. They have earned the designation DABMA (Diplomate, American Board of Medical Acupuncture):
Tanja Boskov, MD, of Elmhurst, IL; Freda L. Dreher, MD, of Lebanon, NH; Gordon Hugh Kerr, MD, of Richmond, VA; John Maddalozzo, MD, of Chicago, IL; Kelly K. McCann, MD, of Newport Beach, CA; Gary L. Monroe, MD, of Anchorage, AK; James W. Ochi, MD, of Encinitas, CA; Kate Reker Raymond, DO, of Acworth, GA; Robert J. Sciacca, MD, of Birmingham, AL; Eric A. Smith, MD, of Wooster, OH, and Stevan A. Walkowski, DO, of Athens, OH
The Academy has posted a list online of physicians who are Board Certified. Diplomates (DABMA) are listed alphabetically by last name, along with their location, and dates of expiration.
Click here for more on the Board Certification process.
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Physicians complete process for 10-year ABMA recertification
The following physicians have completed the process set by the American Board of Medical Acupuncture Board of Trustees to be recertified as a Diplomate for another 10 years:
Rosalie A. Bondi, DO, of Denver,CO; Ricardo M. Buenaventura, MD, of Beavercreek, OH; Tapan Chaudhuri, MD, of Raytown, MO; Mary Jo Fishburn, MD, of Towson, MD; Jack M. Gindi, MD, of Agoura Hills, CA; Martha M. Grout, MD, of Scottsdale, AZ; Peter S. Hanfileti, MD, of Vancouver, WA; Yoon Hang Kim, MD, of Tyrone, GA; Ming Y. Huang, MD, of Somerville, NJ; Mary K. Jeffries, MD, of Roseland, VA; Nathaniel C. Kirkland, MD, of Maurertown,VA; Shi-Hong Loh, MD, of Hoboken, NJ; Elizabeth Reynolds-Yoon, MD, of Fairfax, VA; Marshall H. Sager, DO, of Bala Cynwyd, PA; Nader Soliman, MD, of Rockville, MD; William H. Stager, DO, of West Palm Beach, FL; Marie Steinmetz, MD, of Alexandria, VA; Philip J. Stevens, DO, of Oreland, PA; Canh Q. Tran, MD, of Washington, DC, and Peter Arm-Woo Won, MD, of South Plainfield, NJ.
After 10 years, each candidate for recertification was required to submit the following:
· Application for recertification.
· Copy of current active medical license.
· Documentation of 150 hours of continuing education credits in medical acupuncture since certification. CME credit is preferred. Topics must be primarily acupuncture. Independently awarded CEU credits may be acceptable, at the discretion of the Board.
· Submission of two written Case Reports on actual cases treated to demonstrate continued knowledge and proficiency in the discipline. Specific Case Report Guidelines will be provided.
· Payment of a recertification fee of $250.
There is no written examination required for recertification.
Applications for recertification should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the original certification to assure sufficient time for Board review and approval. Each submission is submitted to the Board for review to confirm the adequacy of the Case Reports and to confirm that the continuing education requirements were met.
For those designees who are unable to complete the process by the expiration date, an automatic extension of up to three years is available upon request.
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Medical Acupuncture Research News
The following is a review of reported research results and related news recently announced or released through Internet outlets:
·The abstract, “Acupuncture and heart rate variability: a systems level approach to understanding mechanism,” was published in the BioMed Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2012). Recent research has elucidated different mechanisms for acupuncture. However the inter-relationship between these mechanisms and how acupuncture affects complex physiological systems is still not understood. After reviewing a lot of literature, researchers concluded that acupuncture may synchronize the two branches of the autonomic nervous system.
·The abstract, “Therapeutic efficacy observation on acupuncture for post-withdrawal syndrome of heroin dependence,” was published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science (Vol. 10, No. 3, 2012). Researchers observed and analyzed intervention effects of needling different points for post-withdrawal syndrome of heroin dependence in 60 males, and provided clinical basis for screening specific points. They concluded that acupuncture can alleviate the post-withdrawal syndrome and anxiety of heroin dependence.
·The abstract, “Neuroendocrine Mechanisms of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Hypertension,” was published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Volume 2012). Researchers mapped the brain network by which acupuncture reduces high blood pressure through downregulation of excess sympathetic nerve activity. Acupuncture points, combined with electroacupuncture, successfully reduced high BP in hypertensive patients and in animal models of hypertension.
·The abstract, “Effects of electroacupuncture on embryo implanted potential for patients with infertility of different symptom complex,” was published by the Department of Reproduction, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of TCM in February 2012. The study explored impacts of electroacupuncture on embryo implanted potential and its molecular mechanism in patients with infertility symptoms. Researchers concluded that due to electroacupuncture, “the pregnancy outcome and the pregnancy rate are improved.”
·The abstract, “Electroacupuncture at PC6 (Neiguan) Improves Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling Pathways Through the Regulation of Neuroendocrine Cytokines in Myocardial Hypertrophic Rats,” was published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Vol. 2012). After applying electroacupuncture to lab rats, researchers measured myocardial hypertrophy indices, electrocardiograph readings, structural changes of the heart and other areas. They concluded “experimental results showed that Ang II and ET participate in the formation of MH (myocardial hypertrophy) and that EA (electroacupuncture) can improve MH by regulating the role of neuroendocrine-cytokines.”
·The abstract, “An overview of systematic reviews of complementary and alternative medicine for fibromyalgia,” was published in Clinical Rheumatology (Vol. 31, No. 1, 2012). This study evaluated all systematic reviews of single CAM interventions for treatment of FM. They found beneficial effects from acupuncture, but none from chiropractic interventions. This study further underscores the importance of these findings and future directions for CAM in chronic pain conditions and CAM research.
·The abstract, “Effects of acupuncture on stress-induced relapse to cocaine-seeking in rats,” was published in Psychopharmacology (July 2012). This study investigated effects of acupuncture on footshock-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking rats. Researchers concluded that acute footshock stress reinstated cocaine-seeking behavior in cocaine pre-exposed rats. They suggested that acupuncture attenuates stress-induced relapse by regulating neuronal activation in the NAc shell.
Please send information you find on research involving the efficacy of medical acupuncture to bart.ortberg@dowdenmanagement.com.
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Acupuncture at the Olympics
Acupuncture made another strong showing at the Olympic Games.
Dr. Bret Moldenhauer, an acupuncturist from Chattanooga, TN, travelled to the Olympics with world-class runner and Team USA Olympian, Dee Dee Trotter. As her personal acupuncturist, he brought his acupuncture equipment to the track and treated Dee Dee Trotter on the spot during training.
In pole vaulting, Team USA Olympian Jeremy Scott sailed through Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon. Acupuncture is included in his regime of care for the treatment of his knee, reports WRCB-TV.
Click here for more from HealthCare Medicine Institute.
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Member News
A national survey of physicians published in June found that 75% of doctors use their desktops for practice management tasks. By comparison, 25% used a laptop for such work, 10% an iPad or another tablet and 6% a smartphone. Desktops also were the most common tool used for clinical tasks, electronic prescribing and accessing an EHR. Check out American Medical News for more on the survey conducted by the health care directory named little blue book and its parent company, Sharecare.
The Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Program was reviewed by the Academy’s CME Committee and has been approved for Academy sponsorship for up to 196 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. The program will begin September 2012 and concludes in August 2013 in Santa Monica, CA. Instructors are Neil R. Gumenick, M.Ac. (UK), L.Ac., and Eliot Ivanhoe, M.D., M.Ac. (UK).
Members participating in AAMA's referral program will be happy to hear that there were 2,042 unique visits to the website referral page in May, 2,078 visits in June and 1860 visits in July from patients seeking medical acupuncturists in their area. Members interested in participating in the Patient Referral Program should visit the physician listings online to verify that they are listed. Only Practice level members are eligible to participate, and the Academy staff needs explicit notice to include a member in the program.
Members are reminded about dues for the 2012-’13 membership year. The Academy is currently conducting its dues renewal campaign. Renewal notices have been sent out with invoices. Members may pay by check in the mail, credit card via fax or mail, or renew quickly and easily online. Click here and then enter your user name (membership number) and password (last name with first letter capitalized). Information is posted here on upgrading your membership category.
The Academy has hosted free webinars for members. Led by Drs. Claudia E. Harsh, John P. Kohler, Rey Ximenes and Paras Mehta, the event recordings are now posted in the Member Area of the AAMA website.
Bryan L. Frank, MD, FAAMA, is president of Global Mission Partners, Inc., a 501-c-3 not-for-profit charitable corporation. He announces that opportunities are open for volunteers to join GMP projects in 2012 to Mexico in September and India in November. Vacation with a purpose! Visit www.GlobalMissionPartners.org or contact Dr. Frank at bfrankmd@hotmail.com.
If you are a Full Member or Fellow of the AAMA with DABMA certification, you should be printing the Medical Acupuncture certification mark on your stationary, business cards or other listings to promote your special accomplishments in medical acupuncture. The certification mark is available only to Full Members and Fellows of the AAMA who are currently Board Certified by the ABMA. See the image of logo posted online. The mark has been registered with the US Patent Office as a Certification Mark that is available for the exclusive use of those who meet the specified credentials. See the Certification Mark Guidelines posted online for standards on how the mark should be used in printed materials including acceptable type face, size, color, etc. For an electronic copy of a reproducible jpeg copy of the logo to provide your printer, Full Members and Fellows who are currently Board Certified through the ABMA may send a request to administrator@medicalacupuncture.org. Upon verification of your status, a jpg file will be sent to you.
AAMA’s 25TH Annual Symposium will be held at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace in Baltimore, MD. The Review Course will be April 30-May 1, 2013, followed by Pre-Symposium Workshops on May 2, 2013, the Symposium May 3-5, 2013 and then the ABMA Exam on May 5, 2013. To book a room at AAMA’s discounted rate of $199/night (sgl/dbl), call (410) 547-1200 or 800-535-1201 by April 7, 2013 and mention the AAMA Symposium.
Raman Kapur, MD, announces the 15th National Conference of Acupuncture Association of India, Dec. 7-9 at the India International Centre in New Delhi, India. It is designed to provide participants with information on different approaches to the treatment of common conditions seen in clinical practice, so that they may tailor acupuncture treatments to the needs of individual patients. The conference will focus on clinically relevant treatment approaches and techniques that the acupuncture practitioner can put to immediate use. The Symposium is designed for instruction and training of health care professionals practicing acupuncture.
Editor-in-Chief Dr. Richard Niemtzow of the journal, Medical Acupuncture, is seeking volunteer reviewers to review manuscripts. Reviewers will access manuscripts online. Reviews must be completed and returned within one business week. Reviewers successfully completing a series of timely, high-quality reviews may be invited to join the Editorial Board (at the discretion of the editor in chief). Please send brief qualifications and contact information to n5ev@aol.com.
Academic Director Luis E. Vazquez, MD, of the Institute of Continuing Medical Education at the Puerto Rico College of Physicians and Surgeons, announces that the Complete Course in Medical Acupuncture for Physicians is running through Jan. 12, 2013 at San Jorge Children’s Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This course offers 372 Category 1 CME credits through the Puerto Rico College of Physicians and Surgeons. The Puerto Rico Medical Acupuncture Course was recently added to the list of ABMA-approved training programs listed online.
Attention all DABMA designees: The ABMA is now into the second year of certification renewals. More recent Diplomates have been completing the renewal process quicker, as they are aware of the requirements and are prepared to meet them. As a reminder, you must document completion of 150 hours of continuing education credits in medical acupuncture-related courses at the time of re-certification. Those who are short are asked to complete those credits before your certification comes up for renewal.
The 7th National Acupuncture Congress with International Participation, under the leadership of Ankara Acupuncture and Complementary Medicine Association, will be held in Patalya Thermal Resort Hotel in Kızılcahamam, Turkey, Oct. 12-14, 2012. The congress will feature the latest developments in acupuncture, complementary and alternative medicine, nutrition therapy, anti-aging and phytotherapy.
As part of AAMA membership, members are being offered access to more than 400 journal articles categorized by disease/health application that promote the efficacy of acupuncture. Contact The Helms Medical Institute at mafp@hmieducation.com to obtain your unique password to access this information anytime. Then go to http://hmieducation.com/home and click on "Published Articles." Scroll down to "View Articles Not in the Public Domain."
The International Congress on Naturopathic Medicine (ICNM) will take place in Paris, France from July 7-9, 2013 at the Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre. ICNM will gather multi-disciplinary naturopathic physicians, therapists, professors and health care professionals from around the world, to improve patient care and define alternative healthcare.
Please send news items and photos to bart.ortberg@dowdenmanagement.com.
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Chapter News
Arizona
Arizona Chapter meetings are held at 9 am the second Saturday of the month at Dr. Martha Grout’s office, Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine, 9328 E. Raintree Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. For details, call 480/240-2600 or e-mail drmartha@arizonaadvancedmedicine.com. There are monthly speakers on topics related to medical acupuncture, as well as Chinese and Functional/Integrative medicine. Email Dr. Grout to get on the email list for meeting announcements.
Georgia
The Georgia Association of Medical Acupuncturists will hold its Annual Academic Meeting Sept. 29-30, 2012 in Atlanta, GA. The invited speaker is well-known national/international author, academician and clinical acupuncturist, Dr. Richard Tan of San Diego.
GAMA invites everyone to visit their website to learn more about their organization’s philosophy, mission, events and much more. Their site includes a “Member” page, which includes contact information for each GAMA member. For information regarding membership and seminars, contact GAMA President Carlos Parrado, MD, at parrado.pena@att.net.
Illinois
The goal of President Lorene Wu, MD, DiplAc, and Secretary/Treasurer Anthony DeLorenzo, DO is to provide education and support to members. They plan to interface more with the wider acupuncture community by serving on the Illinois Acupuncture Board and by attending meetings of the local acupuncture society.
Meetings are held every other month at Memorial Hospital in LaGrange, IL.
Maryland
Joan Ordman, MD, FAAMA, is president of the Maryland Society of Medical Acupuncturists. The chapter offers educational programs and wants to increase participation. Treat yourself to a nice evening. It is free, and members whose dues are paid receive a nice free meal. The lecture is on the Chapter. Contact Dr. Ordman at jordman@aol.com to join MSMA.
Ohio
The Ohio Chapter will be hosting the, Integrative Systemic Dry Needling for Pain Management Certified Course, on biomedical acupuncture pioneered by Yun-Tao Ma, PhD, LAc, at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine in Cincinnati, OH, Oct. 6-7, 2012. Dr. Ma is a respected researcher and clinician. He is well known for his approach to biomedical acupuncture and has written many books on this subject. Dr Ma maintains a busy practice in Boulder, CO, where he treats many world-class athletes. In this seminar, Dr. Ma will give participants practical approaches to dealing with pain. Instruction will include demonstrations on both attendees and patients with chronic pain. Registration questions should be directed to Nancy Merrell at Nancy.Merrell@myhealingpartner.com. For questions on clinical aspects of the seminar, contact Dr. Amoils (Steve.Amoils@myhealingpartner.com, 513/791-5521). AMA has granted this course 12 Category 1 CME credits.
Ohio Chapter members would love to see more active participation of the current membership, as well as new members. Please join them and invite medical acupuncture colleagues. For more information or questions, contact President Dr. Steve Amoils at Steve.Amoils@myhealingpartner.com.
New Jersey & Pennsylvania
John Kohler, MD, FAAMA, is the president of the Pennsylvania Chapter. Visit www.pamedicalacupuncture.com/ for details on this chapter.
Washington State
“We are encouraging you to instill a little new blood and energy into our Washington State Chapter,” said J. Kimber Rotchford, MD FAAMA. “Is anyone out there willing to be an officer and take over the reins? There is a little bit of money in our bank account, and we do need to figure out how best to spend it? You can best contact me at JKRotchford@gmail.com.”
Click here for an up-to-date listing of AAMA Regional Chapter officers, their contact information, Websites and members. Think about joining a Chapter to learn more about medical acupuncture specific to your area. And if there’s not a Chapter in your region, please consider forming one by contacting Jim Dowden, AAMA executive administrator, at administrator@medicalacupuncture.org. Chapters provide fellowship, professional camaraderie, education and curbside consults.
Chapter representatives, please send your news and photos for the AAMA Newsletter via e-mail to bart.ortberg@dowdenmanagement.com.
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Employment Opportunities
·The Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center (IPMC) at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), Fort Sam Houston, Texas provides comprehensive pain management strategies that are holistic, multidisciplinary and multimodal to optimize soldiers' quality of life. A medical acupuncturist is sought to be part of a multidisciplinary team that will offer a full array of the most current and emerging evidenced-based approaches in integrative medicine for patients with acute and chronic pain who have not responded well to conventional treatment modalities.
·A medical acupuncturist is sought at a stroke therapy center – the first of its kind on the Island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. Participants would be fully compensated for the once-per-month visit. With no acupuncture support there, they must outsource. They would pay for all airfare, meals, accommodations and ground transportation, along with the participant’s requested fee while there each month. Interested physicians can contact Mariella Chatoor at 868/479-4848 or mariellachatoor@gmail.com.
Send your employment vacancy or position sought to bart.ortberg@dowdenmanagement.com for a free listing on AAMA’s website.
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