AAMA Offers Connection, Growth and Opportunity
— By Richard A. Elliott, MD, MSJ, DABMA, AAMA Board of Directors
In my practice as a pediatric anesthesiologist and pain physician, I am privileged with helping children and their families manage all aspects of both acute and chronic pain. Over the last month, I have had the opportunity to provide this care to several inpatient, end-of-life pediatric patients. In these unique and fleeting moments, I attempt to balance pain and symptom management while providing patients and their families quality time together. Obviously, my management approach is multimodal and is inclusive of acupuncture. In addition to medications and other western medical modalities, I am able to incorporate acupuncture to aid not only in the management of pain but also symptoms such as dyspnea, constipation and confusion. Although emotionally challenging on numerous levels, connecting with these patients and their families through acupuncture is wondrous to the least.
As I reflect on this and my ongoing journey as a physician acupuncturist and active member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA), I would like to share several thoughts that come to the mind. First and foremost is the feeling of connection that comes from interacting with my fellow physician acupuncturists. Whether it is attending the annual symposium, serving on an academy committee or joining a sponsored webinar, the camaraderie, friendships and overarching feeling of being part of something “bigger” are ever present. In this dynamic era of medicine, healthcare and politics, being part of a larger community (e.g. AAMA) not only provides innovative and unique therapeutic endeavors that we can integrate into our practices and offer our patients, but also adds to our sense of personal well-being while affording opportunities for continued growth.
Whether you are a seasoned medical acupuncturist or a physician new to medical acupuncture, the AAMA and its associated endeavors offer unique opportunities to deepen your expertise as well as connect (or reconnect) with our unique, professional community. As we have learned from the blue zones, strong social connections as well as sense of purpose and belonging are essential components of long, fulfilling lives (and careers). In light of this, please consider becoming active in the AAMA.
The 2026 AAMA symposium is an ideal way to either reconnect with acupuncture colleagues or begin a new adventure. This year’s program theme is “Acupuncture Intelligence — the Original AI: Modern Medicine Rooted in Ancient Wisdom” and will take place in April in Denver, Colorado. It Is specifically designed to explore the mechanisms of acupuncture through diverse scientific perspectives while providing a sundry array of practical, clinically relevant tools you can immediately integrate into your practice. Additionally, attending the AAMA Annual Symposium is a unique opportunity to increase your professional connections through structured and informal networking with numerous medical professionals in the field. The program includes plenary presentations and concurrent workshops that facilitate discussions on practical clinical problems and research. The poster presentation session and reception, as well as the dedicated exhibitor area, provide informal environments to meet peers and industry partners.
The new year is upon us, it is time for reflection, fresh starts, and making resolutions for personal improvement, goal setting, or embracing new opportunities. Challenge yourself and consider the AAMA.
