Table of Contents:
- Pay It Forward
- SAR Conference Announcement
- Information on SAR 2007 Conference
- SAR Young Investigator Awards
- Giovanni Maciocia Seminar
- Tai Sophia Institute Workshop: "Redefining Health"
- NCCAOM Moving to New Headquarters
- AMA/CPRC Issues Meeting
- AAOM Holiday Greeting Card
Greetings OM Members and Colleagues:
Welcome to the Qi-Unity Report – December 2006!
It is difficult to believe that the end of the year is now only days away. The rush of Christmas is behind us, and we stand with excitement at the threshold of another New Year before us!
A Christmas gift to my husband this year was a DVD of a movie that deeply touched me: Pay It Forward, staring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hung and Haley Joel Osment. The movie tagline says it all… “Just imagine. You do a favor that really helps someone and tell him or her not to pay it back, but to pay it forward to three other people who, in turn, each pay forward to three more and on and on into a global outpouring of kindness and decency. Impossible?” The movie adaptation is from a novel written by Catherine Ryan Hyde and demonstrates “how much impact one heartfelt idea can have!”
As we look to the New Year, it is always beautiful to interpersonally ponder one’s life and the fresh new changes we choose to make to better ourselves, but this year, if each of us were to expand our resolve beyond ourselves to “pay it forward” to three people in our lives, our ability to alter our reality is truly open-ended. If we “pay it forward to three people and these three in turn “pay it forward” to another three people - we have already impacted nine lives in total. When these nine people “pay it forward”, 27 lives are changed… some way… some how, and from there 81 hearts have been touched!
As we stand at the threshold of 2007, let us bless the bounty of life we have and “pay it forward” to another, and through these random acts of kindness our world shall change!
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SAR Conference Announcement
Celebrate the tenth anniversary of the 1997 NIH Consensus Conference with the Society for Acupuncture Research.
Review the past decade and learn future plans in acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
http://www.aaom.info/qiunity/06/12/sar_conf_2007.pdf (PDF)
Society for Acupuncture Research Plans to Hold 2007 Conference at the University of Maryland
Lixing Lao, Ph.D., L.Ac., and Rosa Schnyer, L.Ac. Co-Presidents, SAR Sherman Cohn, President, NAF, Tierney Tully, MSOM, Dipl.Ac.(NCCAOM), Executive Director, NAF
The Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR) will hold its annual conference at the University of Maryland in Baltimore on November 8 - 11, 2007. The conference will mark the 10th anniversary of the 1997 National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Acupuncture that established acupuncture as a medical modality worthy of research. SAR’s mission is to improve the quality and increase awareness of research in acupuncture, herbal therapy, and other modalities of Oriental medicine. The conference is open to everyone interested in research in acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM).
The conference will celebrate the NIH consensus anniversary, attracting national and international AOM and biomedical researchers, practitioners, students of AOM, and health care policy analysts. SAR’s annual conference is an international forum for Oriental medicine researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to assess acupuncture rigorously as evidence-based medicine and to pursue collaborations that will drive future research.
This year’s conference offers the opportunity to review the state of the evidence regarding efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of acupuncture based on the research of the last ten years and to discuss the status and future of acupuncture research. It will provide unique learning and networking opportunities for those interested in AOM and AOM research. As in past years, researchers are invited to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations of AOM research projects recently completed, on-going, or in the planning stage. The deadline for abstract submission is April 1, 2007. For further information, please call 301-571-0624. The criteria, abstract format information, and submission forms may be found on the SAR web site, www.acupunctureresearch.org.
In order to encourage young investigators, the National Acupuncture Foundation (NAF) and SAR will award $1000 for each of the three best research presentations by a student or postdoctoral fellow in acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM). Awards will be based on both the submitted abstract and the presentation (oral or poster). To be considered for one of these awards, clearly indicate your student or postdoctoral status and email your abstracts to helene.langevin@uvm.edu by April 1, 2007.
SOCIETY FOR ACUPUNCTURE RESEARCH
The Status and Future of Acupuncture Research:
Ten Years After the NIH Consensus Conference
Young Investigator Awards
In order to encourage young investigators, the National Acupuncture Foundation (NAF) and the Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR) will award $1000 each for the three best research presentations by a student or post-doctoral fellow in acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM). Awards will be based on both the submitted abstract and the presentation (oral or poster) according to the following criteria:
- Is the work original?
- Does the work have scientific and/or clinical significance?
- Are the goals and hypotheses of the study clearly stated?
- Are the methods described succinctly and clearly?
- Are the presented data valid?
- Are the conclusions justified by the results?
Please clearly indicate your student or post-doctoral status and email your abstracts to helene.langevin@uvm.edu by April 1, 2007.
Study with a Master!
Giovanni Maciocia is giving a seminar entitled "The Extraordinary Vessels and the Treatment of Male Disorders" in Chicago in February. Read more about this; register early!http://www.aaom.info/qiunity/06/12/maciocia_ilaaom_ad.pdf (PDF)
TAI SOPHIA INSTITUTE SIGNATURE WORKSHOP
"REDEFINING HEALTH"
FEBRUARY 3-4TH, 2007
“Redefining Health”, a signature two day weekend workshop led by Tai Sophia Institute President Robert Duggan and Chancellor Dianne M. Connelly will provide participants with skills to view one's self, career, and relationships with a fresh perspective. Participants learn as many as 20 practical skills for making positive changes in their lives. Business executives, teachers, and healthcare practitioners who have taken the seminar credit it with showing them ways to be more effective and fulfilled in their professional and personal lives.
The workshop is scheduled for 9am - 5pm, Saturday, February 3 and 9:30am - 4:30pm, Sunday, February, 4. It takes place at the Institute, 7750 Montpelier Road, Laurel, MD. Cost is $150 and 12 CEUs are available. For nurses, 15 contact hours are available. To register, or for more information, call 410-888-9048, Ext.661. The school's website is www.tai.edu.
Robert Duggan and Diane M. Connelly are co-founders of the Institute. He is the author of Common Sense for the Healing Arts. She conducts workshops internationally and is the author of Traditional Acupuncture: the Law of the Five Elements, All Sickness is Homesickness, and co-author of Alive and Awake: Wisdom for Kids.
Founded in 1975, the Tai Sophia Institute is now regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Institute offers Master's degrees in acupuncture, herbal medicine and the applied healing arts. Its current enrollment totals more than 375 students. In addition to its degree programs the Institute provides a variety of wellness-based community education programs. The Institute maintains faculty supervised student clinics for acupuncture and herbal consultations. More than 1000 alumni of the Institute practice acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other healing arts around the country.
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NCCAOM Moves to Florida
Relocation to Jacksonville Creates Many Opportunities for NCCAOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Amy Murphy, 714-573-0223
ALEXANDRIA, VA., December 20, 2006 - The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is pleased to announce the relocation of their offices from Alexandria, VA to Jacksonville, FL. The new office address will be 76 South Laura Street, Suite 1290, Jacksonville, FL 32202. This address will be effective as of January 31, 2007.
This long anticipated move has allowed NCCAOM to invest in the purchase of an office suite in the Jacksonville area rather than continuing to lease in the high-priced Metropolitan Washington, DC area. The office relocation to Florida was initially approved by the NCCAOM Board of Commissioners in 2003. However, those plans were put on hold because of the passing of former NCCAOM Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Christina Herlihy. “After Chris’s death, the organization needed time to heal and regroup, so we made the decision to temporarily hold off on the move to Florida until the organization had recovered from the loss of our CEO,” stated Board Chair Bryn Clark, Dipl. OM. “Now, with the support of our new CEO, Dr. Kory Ward-Cook, we will realize this organizational goal with the purchase of a location in Florida as originally planned in 2003.”
“The Jacksonville area will provide the organization with a stable and healthy environment to continue its growth so that we can offer the best in customer service to our Diplomates and candidates," said CEO Kory Ward-Cook, Ph.D., MT(ASCP), CAE. “We believe that it is in the best interests of the NCCAOM and our stakeholders to relocate to an area that is more cost-effective and offers many of the same advantages as our current location. We will continue to have a national presence representing Diplomates worldwide.”
The transition period for the move will take place between late January and early February 2007. Diplomates, candidates, and schools will be given ample notice regarding the move. NCCAOM anticipates that there will be a period up to one week when candidates and Diplomates will have access only to general information.
Specific information will be available once the installation of the new computer system is complete. As always, all possible measures will be taken to ensure that there is no breakdown in communication before, during or after the move.
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (www.nccaom.org) was established in 1982 and is incorporated as a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue code. Over 20,000 Diplomates are currently certified through NCCAOM, which is a member of the National Organization for Competency Assurance and which is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
AMA Coalition for Patient’s Rights Collaborative (CPRC) Task Force
December 14, 2006 – Qi-Unity Draft Report
5:20 PM - 6:20 PM
Note: The CPRC is an AAOM Task Force. Hereafter, this will be referred to as the AOM Task Force. The AAOM will utilize the work of this task force to input into the activities of the Coalition for Patient’s Rights (CPR). The CPR is the national task force comprised of 34 national organizations of CAM and allopathic providers formed to address the issues posed by the AMA.
Tasks Force Members Invited
(Comprised of those submitted applications to represent their respective associations):
1. Dort Bigg, ED, ACAOM (Attended)
2. Jim Bloomfield, Director, CSOMA (Attended)
3. Rebekah Christensen, ED, AAOM (Attended)
4. Lynn Eder, AAOM Staff Editor, AAOM (Attended) (AOM TASK FORCE Secretary)
5. Lloyd Wright, Director, AAOM (Attended)
6. Neal Miller, Director, AIMS (Unable to Attend)
7. Will Morris, President, AAOM (Attended)
8. David Patton, President, FAOMRA (Pete Gonzalez, AZ Acu Board) (Unable to Attend)
9. David Sale, ED, CCAOM (Attended)
10. Amy Sear, President, FSOMA (Attended)
11. Betsy Smith, Associate Deputy Director, NCCAOM (Attended)
CPRC Meeting Agenda:
1. Self Introductions (All)
2. Update Report: Rebekah Christensen
3. Establish Goals of the AOM TASK FORCE (All)
(Per above, the AOM TASK FORCE is the AAOM AMA Task Force)
4. Establish Action Items (All)
5. Set date of next meeting (All)
Links to AMA (and related) Documents
Resolution 814, Resolution 902
HR-5688, Resolution 904
Coalition for Patient’s Rights; Members
AMA posted online Report 21
1. Self Introductions (All)
Dort Bigg, ED, ACAOM: Participating to address this issue on behalf of ACAOM, specifically – AOM accrediting issues must be protected. AMA is an organization that represents only one of many health care professions, and its primary focus is to protect the economic interests of its member physicians. Many AMA actions are specifically intended to promote the pecuniary interests of its members under the guise of protecting health care consumers. AMA, through the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (NCME), and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), is are only one two of numerous accrediting agencies approved by the U.S. Secretary of Education to accredit programs for training safe and competent health care professionals. For example, ACAOM has been continuously recognized as the accrediting agency for the AOM profession since the mid-1980’s. It is arrogant for the AMA or any other health care organization to make determinations about educational standards, certification requirements, scope of practice and licensing titles governing other health professions. It is not in the best interests of AMA or any other organization to politicize the educational/certification processes for other professions;
Jim Bloomfield, Director, CSOMA: Participating to address the work of the AOM TASK FORCE with the CSOMA membership;
Rebekah Christensen, ED, AAOM: Participating as the Chair of the AOM TASK FORCE on behalf of the AAOM;
Lynn Eder, AAOM Staff Editor, AAOM: As staff editor for the AAOM, representing the AAOM as secretary for the AOM TASK FORCE;
Lloyd Wright, Director, AAOM: Participating as the Chair of the AAOM Legislative Committee to integrate these activities into AAOM’s overall Legislative activities;
Will Morris, President, AAOM: The composite AMA documents are benevolent paternalism; turf protection is harmful to public welfare;
David Sale, ED, CCAOM: The CCAOM has not made an evaluation of the level of threat that the AMA initiative presents and, at this time, is participating in these meetings to monitor developments;
Amy Sear, President, FSOMA: As president of FSOMA, has been following the AMA activities since AAOM began its reporting. Participating to determine what her state and FSOMA can do. The original documents that she has read concerned her that states rights were being impacted; what is being proposed is redundant legislation as Florida has laws in place that govern the practice of acupuncture, so why should the federal government become involved?;
Betsy Smith, Associate Deputy Director, NCCAOM: Participating to listen in order to determine the role of the NCCAOM on the AOM TASK FORCE.
2. Update Report: Rebekah Christensen
A comprehensive update report was provided by Rebekah Christensen. This document provides our constituencies with a comprehensive understanding of the AMA issues, the sequence of activities to date, and the composite membership and goals and actions of the Collation for Patient’s Rights (CPR).
3. Establish Goals of the AOM TASK FORCE (All)
There was group discussion by the Task Force members to further understand issues at hand prior to establishing goals. Highlights of the discussion concluded that the AMA has only identified the parameters of its investigation, but as yet has not conducted the investigation. Thus, HR 5688, a federal bill closely related to the AMA initiative, is premature and based on erroneous assumptions. The sponsors of this federal bill appear to be pushing forward before they have evidence of an actual problem. This is also the impression of the 34 (non-MD) allopathic practitioner groups and CAM practitioner groups that are members of the Coalition for Patient’s Rights (CPR). At present the AMA is still continuing not to consult with any of the entities that are identified for investigation, and following the AMA House of Delegates meeting in November 2006, the AMA pushed forward with Resolution 902 and Resolution 904. One task force member commented that several of these fields representing allopathic (non-MD providers) were created because MDs needed these professions to support them in the context of patient care. MDs do not have enough time to give patients the level of care that allopathic support professions can provide. They needed to rally around a cause – and this is that cause. It was further concurred that the patient community is demanding alternatives to allopathic medicine – the need for our services is “patient-driven.”
Why did the AAOM join the Coalition for Patient’s Rights? Through the development of the CPR, which the AAOM joined on behalf of our profession in August 2006, this is the first time that non-MD allopathic providers have come together around a common purpose or cause. From the perspective of enhancing integrative medicine, this collective response is a positive benefit arising from the potential threat that the AMA initiative poses to our profession and to non-MD allopathic providers.
California Working Group was Formed: California has formed its own working group of the state counterparts of the national associations participating in the CPR. Thus far there has been only one meeting, and they have not determined their continuum, nor their goals and purpose. A secondary meeting is scheduled for January 24. As a result of the AAOM’s participation, it was evident that the national CPR members had not informed their state counterparts of the full activities being pursued by the AMA.
Does HR 5688 have a deadline? There will be no action in this current congress on HR 5688 and the bill will need to be re-introduced in the new congress when it convenes in 2007. This gives all professions that are impacted the opportunity to address HR 5688 and the associated issues comprising the AMA activities. But we must be proactive and timely in formulating a plan and taking action.
Task force HR 5688 Discussion:
Bill Purpose: Should this legislation be enacted, it would prohibit misleading and deceptive statements (including advertising) that a person is a medical doctor or has the same or equivalent education, skills, or training as a medical doctor. As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be required to conduct an investigation of health care providers engaging in the conduct prohibited by the bill. The purpose of the investigation would be to: 1) identify specific acts and practices (including frequency of occurrence) constituting a violation of the bill; 2) identify instances of harm or injury resulting from such acts and practices; and 3) identify instances where any State public policy has permitted such acts and practices.
- It was the consensus of the Task Force that this type of action raises a legal issue concerning possible federal encroachment on the right of states to regulate the healthcare professions. Rebekah Christensen informed the Task Force that the CPR Steering committee has preliminarily identified that it is the intention to address this issue on a state-by-state basis where necessitated by the activities of the AMA.
- A question arose as to why the FTC should be involved. A member of the task force commented that the FTC Act, which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, is a logical vehicle for the AMA sponsored bill. The FTC act focuses on prevention of “deceptive advertising” and HR 5688 strongly suggests that use of the “Doctor” title by non-MD providers could be deemed “deceptive.” This issue will be played out if this bill proceeds in the next Congress in 2007-2008.
- It is important for the Task Force to make apparent the fallacy upon which the AMA’s investigatory initiative is based, particularly if the AMA questions the adequacy of the training and competency of AOM practitioners.
National Strategy of CPR: The CPR has developed a steering committee to put forth goals and objectives to be considered by the CPR at-large. The feedback from the CPR steering committee is not yet available and will be provided to the CPR for our AOM constituencies as soon as it is available. The CPR does collectively represent more than 3 million allopathic (non-MD) and complementary medicine practitioners. Also, specific members of the CPR are politically active on this issue; to include but not limited to The American Nursing Association (ANA) and American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. A complete list of CPR members is provided.
Motivation for AMA Investigation: The AMA’s specific motivation is not fully known, is likely multi-faceted, and appears to be substantially based on fear. There appear to be a substantial number of MD’s that do not believe in these activities and, to a good extent, those MDs that disagree are not members of the AMA.
Public Awareness of Minimal AOM Training by MDs: The general public is probably not aware of the minimal amount of acupuncture training that most MDs have who provide acupuncture services compared to that of a professionally trained acupuncturist. A consumer chart comparing the varying levels of training among a number of categories of acupuncture providers in the U.S. may be found on the CCAOM website at www.ccaom.org/KnowYourAcupuncturist.pdf. Many AOM practitioners and others have found this chart very useful.
3. Establish Goals of the Task Force (All)
- Development of a combined Document and Central Repository: There is a need to develop a combined document and central repository delineating all aspects concerning our profession to be studied by the AMA. The document will be collaboratively developed and collaboratively owned by all the organizations participating on the Task Force. The full parameters of the document are yet to be fully defined, but initially include: educational and certification standards, nationally and for each state; the continuing education requirements by state; and all laws and regulations governing scope of practice with contact information to regulatory oversight agencies for acupuncture.
- Collaboration with CPR: Once the Task Force determines the document and repository are complete, the Task Force proposes to enable AAOM to work collaboratively with the CPR to educate and inform the AMA with relevant data from the AOM and other professions.
- Grass-roots Advocacy: Once the Task Force determines the document and repository are complete, and as appropriate for each organization participating in the Task Force, some consideration may be given to developing and implementing a grass roots advocacy program with state government authorities.
4. Action Items of AOM TASK FORCE:
Minutes:
- Release minutes to the constituent groups of the AOM TASK FORCE task force members;
- Publish the minutes in the December issue of the Qi-Unity Report.
Task Force Composition:
- Invite the National Acupuncture Foundation to join the AOM TASK FORCE;
- Determine and invite other representatives that should participate in the Task Force; (Note: All national and state associations were invited by the AAOM to designate board members to participate.)
Document/Repository Composition:
- Repository/Document highlights: Collectively list and further define the table of contents for the collaborative document and repository to be developed by the AOM TASK FORCE.
5. Next Meeting of AOM TASK FORCE: TBA
6. Meeting Adjournment: 6:20 PM PST.
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
My thoughts go out to you in this Christmas season. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve in this community. Let us continue to work together to realize our hopes and dreams.
WillPresident, AAOM
May you all have a joyous holiday and a prosperous new year.
MartinVice President – State Affairs
I wish you all a very Peaceful and joyous Holiday time and with all of us working together for a great year ahead towards the Highest Standards of Practice and unification in our World When all of Our Hearts Speak the same Language.
Respectfully,
DeborahVice President - Corporate Events
I hope this holiday season fills your hearts with joy and happiness. May the new year bring with it opportunity and success.
Blessings,
ShaneTreasurer, AAOM
It is my honor to be of service to our community through the AAOM Board of Directors. My Christmas wish is for all of us to work together for the benefit of our patients and our community. Together we can make this world a better place.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a delightful and prosperous New Year.
LloydDirector, AAOM
I wish you the special holiday glow all throughout the year and a beautiful new year of peace and happiness
Heaven, Human and Earth combine to one...
ChristineDirector, AAOM
Have the courage to throw yourself into life, take risks, weather blows, knowing before you begin that you will be exposed to a series of opposites; Success and failure, happiness and unhappiness, praise and blame….Arnaud Desjardins
Happy Holidays!
JeannieDirector, AAOM
On a recent hike, I passed a woman whom I see regularly. Greeting her in the usual way I said, “Good morning. How are you?” Instead of the typical ‘Fine.’, she said simply, sincerely and remarkably: "Blessed.” During this season and the upcoming New Year, I wish you the embracement and gratitude of many blessings.
KarenDirector, AAOM
Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
ScottDirector, AAOM
Friends and colleagues of the OM community - May our New Year advance unity and prosperity to the profession. I am honored to serve and will strive towards those goals.
TravisDirector, AAOM
Have a Happy, Healthy, Holiday season from the Herbal Medicine Committee!
I’ve served this profession since 2001 and have experienced our growth… as a profession, as well as within the unity and camaraderie demonstrated to and for each other in the advancement of our medicine. In 2007, NCCAOM, CCAOM and AAOM will all celebrate our 25th Anniversaries. May we come together to celebrate and honor that which we have achieved and all that stands before us in ways that are remarkable! I am humble to continue my service to this profession and wish you much prosperity and many blessings in the New Year.
Warmest regards,
BekahExecutive Director, AAOM
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to come.
Best Wishes,
TanishaAdmin/Marketing Assistant, AAOM
There are several specific times when one should observe the following, one of which especially is during the holiday season:
- The data on your computer is important, so get it backed up.
Goodwill towards your IT Department —> Goodwill towards all Mankind
Brian
IT Manager, AAOM
Blessings and Love to All…
Rebekah Christensen,
Executive Director