Annual Symposium Schedule

The Symposium will be an in-person meeting in Denver, CO. The Schedule-at-a-Glance times are reflected in local Denver, CO (Mountain) time.

Back again this year will be the option to live-stream the plenary sessions and then view the rest of the meeting on-demand after-the-fact!

Meeting Safety Disclaimer

By registering for this meeting, participants acknowledge that they recognize the risks associated with attending and interacting with meeting attendees, staff, and others while participating in the AAMA Annual Symposium.  By registering for this meeting, participants acknowledge that AAMA is not liable for the spread or transfer of any virus, illness or injury for me or any of my guests as a result of attending the AAMA Annual Symposium.

Participants also acknowledge that participation in demonstrations or practical exercises during the meeting is voluntary and at participant’s own risk. By registering, you agree and understand requirements and potential risks with your participation.

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Thursday, April 23

Pre-Symposium Workshops

Workshop I – “Applied Clinical Mastery in Medical Acupuncture: Advanced Pattern Differentiation & Specialized Techniques” – Francisco Lozano, MD, PhD

8:00 am – 5:30 pm

Workshop II – “Heart and Soul of Medical Acupuncture” – Tate Kauffman, MD, FAAMA

8:00 am – 5:30 pm

Workshop III – “Pragmatic Acupuncture in Any Setting” – Michael Freedman, MD, FAAMA

1:30 pm – 5:45 pm 

Friday, April 24

7:50-8:00  Opening/Welcome Lecture by Meeting Chair

8:00-9:00  Plenary Session

9:00-10:00  Plenary Session

10:00-10:30 Break/Networking

10:30-11:30 Plenary Session

11:30-12:30 Plenary Session

12:30-1:30 Group Luncheon

1:30-3:30 Concurrent Workshops

3:30-4:00 Break/Networking

4:00-6:00 Concurrent Workshops Repeat

6:15-7:30 Opening Reception

Saturday, April 25

6:30-7:30 Early Morning Exercise

8:00-9:00 Plenary Session

9:00-10:00 Plenary Session

10:00-10:30  Break/Networking

10:30-11:30 Joseph M. Helms Founder’s Lecture

11:30-12:00  AAMA Annual Membership Meeting – Members of the Academy Only

12:00-1:30 Lunch on Your Own

1:30-3:30 Concurrent Workshops

3:30-4:00 Break/Networking

4:00-6:00 Concurrent Workshops Repeat

6:15-7:30 Poster Presentations & Cocktail Reception

Sunday, April 26

6:30-7:30 Early Morning Exercise

8:00-9:00 Plenary Session

9:00-9:45 Plenary Session

9:45-10:00 Break/Networking

10:00-12:00 Concurrent Workshops

12:00 Symposium Adjourns

1:00-5:00 ABMA Board Certification Exam

Annual Symposium Details

Thursday, March 23, 2026

7:30 am – 5:00 pm Pre-Symposium Registration

7:30 am – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast

PRE-SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOPS

8:00 am – 5:30 pm

  • Workshop I – “Applied Clinical Mastery in Medical Acupuncture: Advanced Pattern Differentiation & Specialized Techniques” – Francisco Lozano, MD, PhD

8:00 am – 5:30 pm

  • Workshop II – “Heart and Soul of Medical Acupuncture” – Tate Kauffman, MD, FAAMA

1:30 pm – 5:45 pm

  • Workshop III – “Pragmatic Acupuncture in Any Setting” – Michael Freedman, MD, FAAMA

Friday, April 24, 2026

7:00 am – 5:30 pm        Annual Symposium Registration

7:00 am – 8:00 am         Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors

7:50 am – 8:00 am         Annual Symposium Opening

8:00 am – 9:00 am       “The Complete Channel System: A Classical Chinese Tapestry of the Multidimensional Human Being” – Leora Esterra, MD, MAc, DiplAc, DABMA

9:00 am – 10:00 am     “Integrating Electroauricular Acupuncture into Joint Replacement Surgery: A Perioperative Pain Management Approach” – Stephanie Cheng, MD, FAAMA

10:00 am – 10:30 am     Refreshment Break with Exhibitors

10:30 am – 11:30 am   AcuTalks – Quick Shot presentations

  • “Anatomical Risk Mapping of Peripheral Nerves in Acupuncture and other Complications” – Kendra Unger, MD, FAAMA
  • “The Triple Energizer Exists – Its Anatomic and Physiologic Basis” – Peter Dorsher, MD
  • “Acupuncture for Gastrointestinal Motility Dysfunction” – Massarat Zutshi, MD, DABMA

11:30 am – 12:30 pm   Back to Basics: “The Story of Pens” – Mitchell Elkiss, DO, FAAMA

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm      Group Luncheon

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm        Concurrent Workshops

  • “The Complete Channel System of Classical Chinese Medicine: Building Intention and Coherence” – Leora Esterra, MD, MAc, DiplAc, DABMA
  • “Electroauricular Acupuncture in Practice: Hands-On Needling for Perioperative Joint Replacement Care” – Stephanie Cheng, MD, FAAMA”
  • “PENS in Practice” – Tate Kauffman, MD, FAAMA

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm        Refreshment Break with Exhibitors

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm       Concurrent Workshops (REPEATING)

  • “The Complete Channel System of Classical Chinese Medicine: Building Intention and Coherence” – Leora Esterra, MD, MAc, DiplAc, DABMA
  • “Electroauricular Acupuncture in Practice: Hands-On Needling for Perioperative Joint Replacement Care” – Stephanie Cheng, MD, FAAMA”
  • “PENS in Practice” – Tate Kauffman, MD, FAAMA

6:15 pm – 7:30 pm      Opening Reception

Saturday, April 25, 2026

6:30 am – 7:30 am        Early Morning Exercise

7:00 am – 8:00 am        Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors

8:00 am – 9:00 am        “Acupuncture in Modern Obstetrics: Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Support Pregnancy and Labor” – Deb Davies, DACM, Dipl.OM, LOM

9:00 am – 10:00 am     “Acupuncture in Children: How and When?” – Teresa Esterle, MD, PhD, DABMA

10:00 am – 10:30 am       Refreshment Break with Exhibitors

10:30 am – 11:30 am       Joseph M. Helms Founder’s Lecture: “The Holistic and Integrative Approach of Medical Acupuncture” – Francisco Lozano, MD, PhD

11:30 am – Noon          AAMA Annual Membership Meeting – (Voting Members of the Academy Only)

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm      Lunch on Your Own

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm        Concurrent Workshops

  • “TBD” – Deb Davies, DACM, Dipl.OM, LOM
  • “Acupressure in Children: Techniques and Treatments” – Teresa Esterle, MD, PhD, DABMA
  • “Acupuncture and Special Techniques in the Comprehensive Management of Neck and Shoulder Pain Syndromes” – Francisco Lozano, MD, PhD

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm       Refreshment Break with Exhibitors

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm        Concurrent Workshops (Repeating)

  • “TBD” – Deb Davies, DACM, Dipl.OM, LOM
  • “Acupressure in Children: Techniques and Treatments” – Teresa Esterle, MD, PhD, DABMA
  • “Acupuncture and Special Techniques in the Comprehensive Management of Neck and Shoulder Pain Syndromes” – Francisco Lozano, MD, PhD

6:15 pm – 7:30 pm        Poster Presentations & Cocktail Reception

Sunday, April 26, 2026      

6:30 am – 7:30 am        Early Morning Exercise

7:00 am – 8:00 am        Continental Breakfast

8:00 am – 9:00 am       “The Manaka-Style Acupuncture, East Meets West” – Lee Robertson, DO

9:00 am – 9:45 am     “From Burning Out to Healing Within – Shifting Healthcare to Whole Health Integrated Care for Providers and Patients” – Seetal Preet K. Cheema, MD

9:45 am – 10:00 am       Refreshment Break

10:00 am – 12:00 pm    Concurrent Workshops

  • “Diagnostic Considerations for Extraordinary Vessel Treatment” – Lee Robertson, DO
  • “From Burning Out to Healing Within – Learning Practical Tools for Whole Health” – Seetal Preet K. Cheema, MD

12:00 pm                      Symposium Adjourns

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm        ABMA BOARD CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION (Check-in by 12:30 pm)

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