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President's Message: One-time assessment outlined, as well as updates on website, Symposium, CME, liaison with LAc's
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory.
Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
Sun Tsu
Author, The Art of War
By Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH
President, AAMA
Dear Colleagues:
In August 2008, AAMA had a Membership Summit in Dallas, TX. We attempted to look into the future for new and exciting insights to re-shape the AAMA. A survey of the membership indicated that of paramount importance was to develop a White Paper to help membership understand the coding and billing process, as well as a guide on how to maximize reimbursement from insurance companies. What this may mean for us power users is more money into our pockets. The AAMA Board has taken that priority and has received a proposal to complete that task. The proposal is from EBG Advisors, Inc., a large legal group that specializes in health care related issues. It consists of two parts:
- Part A: Develop Reimbursement Fact Sheet Compliant with Existing Reimbursement Requirements. The time frame for this part is 4-6 weeks as proposed.
- Part B: Identify Strategic Options for Potential Code and Payment Revisions. The time frame for this part is 6-8 weeks.
This White Paper, when completed, in Part A will provide a 3-5 page document that summarizes coding, coverage and payment for acupuncture services in the most complete straight forward manner that can be generated. It certainly does not relieve each of us from using our best judgment in application of this information during our billing for services. It will be a reflection of the current situation. Part B will be designed to develop strategies, as we move forward, for the revision of coding and payment, including revisiting the Medicare RVUs and/or global designations. The cost of this project, however, is not insubstantial. The budget for Part A is $22,700, and the budget for Part B is $21,000, totaling $43,700. The Academy simply does not have the excess funds to go forward with this project. Therefore, we are referring this proposal to the membership for your input and support if it is desired that this project go forward.
PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
We are asking for a one-time assessment of $80 per member to support this project. Your vote to proceed is the assessment. Please respond to a mailing that was sent to the membership. If members do not feel this is the priority that it was felt to be at the summit, we will simply have to discontinue further work in this area at this time, and we will refund the special assessments collected.
Here is my opinion: Our lives and practices are probably packed to the edge with many things to do. Eighty bucks out of your pocket will get you a reliable and “state of the art” report that deals with the madness of insurance reimbursement. Yes, it would be cheaper if you research it yourself. Well, one thing I learned as a doctor is that as soon as I step out of my area of expertise, grandma can’t help me. By the time most of us might get it done, we will realize that so much is still unknowable, we probably will chuck the project away and be doomed to our meager reimbursements. And you probably will stop caring when you realize that the insurance companies hate you and play by their own rules. Can we have redemption for $80? Will we ease the sins of the insurance establishment? Probably not, but we may storm through the enemy’s defense.
Most important, AAMA must not be divided on the issues the White Paper addresses. Let’s come together on this one and have a charted journey of success. So what is your message to the Board? Save our souls (SOS), here is my 80 bucks, or forget it man, that’s how much I make per acupuncture patient. Thank you, Dr. Robert Schulman, for your hard work with Dr. Robert Carlisle, in guiding us through this labyrinth.
ACADEMY UPDATES
AAMA Website News: It looks like our website will go into beta testing soon and after that, members will have the opportunity to make the final judgment by your comments.
Symposium 2010: Dr. Tom Burgoon’s work, under the watchful eye of Vice President Richard Hobbs, MD, continues to progress. Three Pre-Symposium Workshops have been firmed up on April 22, 2010, as well as a nearly complete slate of presentations for the Symposium April 23-25, 2010, "Science and Practice of Acupuncture: Rekindling the Spirit." Get your suntan lotion and bathing suits ready for a great time at Orlando World Center Marriott Resort.
Long-Distance CME: Dr. Steve Burns and I met with the owner of Iquim, regarding the development of our first on-line educational offering…..we had hoped by now to have it ready. Well, we have been leaping, tumbling and screaming to get it done. It is like Swiss cheese, and we have more work to do to fill in the holes. In the meantime, we have two other courses that have been recorded that we hope to edit to be ready to provide members as DVD courses, similar to what we have done successfully with the review course. More on that in the next Newsletter.
Journal CME: I hunted down the paperwork and had lots of promises of helpers to “fill out the tedious forms and questionnaires.” I got an “ugh” and some more “ughs” and no “purrs.” Looks like I will have to do it the hard way, and it will not jingle my bells.
Liaison with the Lac’s: I’m still waiting to have a meeting to discuss legislative and educational interests. The AAMA is ready to meet. We have received both written and sonic booms from the LAcs, but no message from the USS Enterprise to take us where we have never been before.
I will end my message to wish you a good rest of the year as the holidays approach. Let us all be together and a force to reckon with on future acupuncture healthcare issues. And, please, take a moment to send in your special assessment so we can get that project off and running.
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Exciting sessions planned for AAMA Symposium 2010; bring the family to Orlando, FL
It’s time to mark the Annual AAMA Symposium, "Science and Practice of Acupuncture: Rekindling the Spirit," on your calendar for April 22-25, 2010: Highlights in Orlando, FL include: Craig PENS Technique, Biomedical Acupuncture for Sports Medicine Injuries and for Enhancing Athletic Performance, and Acupuncture for PTSD Treatment.
Pre-Symposium Workshops
·Korean Hand Therapy - Lowell Kobrin, MD, PhD
·Integrating Functional Medicine and Acupuncture Therapy - Sandi Amoils MD, Liz Woolford, MD
·Medical Qigong Therapy - Suzanne Friedman, LAc, DMQ
The plenary session will be scientific presentations, while the afternoon will be practical clinical workshops on a variety of topics:
·Craig PENS (HMI staff)
·Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Lori Jones LAc)
·Biomedical Acupuncture for Sports Injury and Trauma Rehabilitation (Yun Tao Ma, PhD)
·Traditional Chinese Acupuncture Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, GERD and IBS (Li Hua Xu MD)
·Battlefield Acupuncture (Richard Niemtzow, MD)
·Acupuncture in Cancer Care (Suzanne Friedman LAc)
·Treatment of Acute Macular Degeneration and Peripheral Neuropathy (Alston Lundgren MD)
·Chinese Nutrition and Dietetics in Liver Disharmonies (Uwe Siedentopp MD)
·Billing and Practice Management Issues (Marshall Sager MD)
·Traditional Chinese Acupuncture in Clinical Practice (Francisco Lozano MD).
Here are more details on some of those clinical workshops:
There will be a two-part clinical workshop by Joseph Helms, MD, and Helms Medical Institute staff, in Craig PENS Technique. This is an electroacupuncture technique that has been shown in multiple controlled clinical research studies to be very effective for difficult pain conditions. This workshop will be in two four-hour segments (parts I and II) during afternoon workshop sessions.
Dr. Helms and his staff are well known for the clarity of their teaching and their dedication to bringing effective clinical acupuncture techniques to American physicians. This workshop will be included in the regular afternoon workshops but will require a special pre-registration. Participation in this workshop will be limited in size to ensure a balanced teacher to student ratio.
Sports Medicine
Yun Tao Ma, PhD, author of “Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management, Integrative Approach” (Elsevier 2005), will give a clinical workshop, Biomedical Acupuncture for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Ma has a 40-year history in clinical acupuncture study, neuroscience research at the National Institutes of Health, and teaching experience. He is dedicated to studying and teaching effective acupuncture techniques explained in terms of modern neuroscience and physiology.
Dr Ma will demonstrate a systemic “de-stress” needling protocol for enhancing athletic performance, needling techniques for biomechanical balancing of the musculoskeletal system, treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness and overtraining syndrome, treatment of common soft tissue dysfunction in sports injuries and treatment of chronic sports injuries. Dr Ma’s techniques and teaching come highly recommended by some AAMA members who are using his textbooks and techniques in their pain management practice. Dr Ma will present this two-hour workshop twice during the symposium.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Lorraine Da Luz Viera Jones, PhD, will present, Acupuncture Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Originally from Oxford, England, Dr Jones trained in acupuncture at JR Worsley’s Traditional College of Acupuncture in Learnington Spa, UK, where she was also a senior teacher. While practicing in England, Dr. Jones began treating members of the British military for PTSD. During her 30-year career in acupuncture, she has treated 1,000-plus cases of PTSD, including military personnel, rape victims and abused children. She has developed a three-part protocol for treatment that is clinically very successful. She now lives and practices in the US, and organizers are very pleased to have her as a guest speaker at Symposium.
Hotel Details
The annual Symposium will be held at Orlando World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, FL, April 23-25, 2010. The Medical Acupuncture Review Course will be held April 20-21, 2010, followed by Pre-Symposium Workshops on April 23, 2010. The Board Certification Exam will be given on April 23, 2010 – all at the host hotel. The Academy has negotiated a specially discounted room rate of $169/night (single/double). That rate is only good until March 23, 2010. To reserve your room, call the hotel at 407/238-8973 and be sure to mention the AAMA Symposium.
Bring the Family
At the end of a day of medical acupuncture sessions, join your family to relax and recharge. Orlando has entertainment options for nearly everyone. There’s fine dining, exclusive — and budget-minded — shopping, hot nightlife, sensuous spas, endless rounds of golf, outdoor activities, and of course, world-famous theme parks and attractions. To search Orlando's extensive activities, choose one of the categories here or visit visitorlando.com.
Watch the AAMA website for more information.
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ABMA recertification process set for those approaching 10-year deadline
The ABMA Board of Trustees has finalized procedures for recertification for those designees who are approaching the 10 year recertification deadline. The first of those will be up for recertification by June 30, 2010.
Each candidate for Re-Certification will be 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. 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. Access a description of the Case Report Guidelines by clicking here.
· Payment of a recertification fee of $250.
There will be no written examination required for recertification.
Applications for recertification will be accepted up to 6 months prior to the expiration of the original certification. Each submission will be submitted to the Board for review to confirm the adequacy of the Case Reports and to confirm that the continuing education requirements are met. If all requirements are met, the Board will grant a ten-year certification.
The Recertification Application form will be posted to the AAMA website shortly.
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Consumers spend $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on CAM; Acupuncture visits increase 3-fold in 10 years
US adults spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on visits to complementary and alternative medicine practitioners, such as visits to medical acupuncturists, and purchases of CAM products, classes and materials in the prior 12 months, according to a nationwide government survey released in July.
The abstract, “Costs of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Frequency of Visits to CAM Practitioners: United States, 2007,” was published in the National Health Statistics Reports (No. 18, July 30, 2009). It reports that CAM expenditures account for about 1.5% of total health care expenditures ($2.2 trillion) and 11.2% of total out-of-pocket expenditures (conventional out-of-pocket: $286.6 billion and CAM out-of-pocket: $33.9 billion).
Acupuncture Visits
Despite the overall decrease in visits to CAM providers in 2007 compared with 1997, visits to acupuncturists increased over this same time period, with 17.6 million visits estimated for 2007 (79.2 visits per 1,000 adults), or three times that observed in 1997 (27.2 visits per 1,000 adults).
The abstract states that the increase for acupuncture may in part be due to the greater number of states that license this practice and a corresponding increase in the number of practitioners in 2007 compared with 1997, as well as increased insurance coverage for these therapies. Large numbers of articles in the lay press about the benefits of acupuncture were published during this period, increasing awareness in the general population. Together, greater opportunity and increased awareness may explain much of the observed increase in adult use of acupuncture.
The abstract concludes that the US public makes more than 300 million visits to CAM providers each year and spends billions of dollars for these services, as well as for self-care forms of CAM. These expenditures, although a small fraction of total health-care spending in the United States, constitute a substantial part of out-of-pocket health-care costs and are comparable to out-of-pocket costs for conventional physician services and prescription drug use.
Click here for details from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
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NIH study examines efficacy of acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia
The National Institutes of Health recently published a report on how people with chronic health conditions such as fibromyalgia often turn to some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as medical acupuncture.
According to reviewers quoted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine who have assessed the research on CAM and fibromyalgia, much of the research is still preliminary. Therefore, evidence of effectiveness for the various therapies used is limited.
Research on acupuncture for fibromyalgia has produced mixed results. One review article notes that three studies found some evidence to support the use of electroacupuncture (in which the needles are pulsed with electric current). However, the effects of electroacupuncture in these studies were mostly short lived, and two studies of traditional acupuncture had negative results.
Click here for details.
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Members earn DABMA certification
The following AAMA members 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):
Mark V. Boswell, MD, of Lubbock, TX; Kevin J. Coughlin, MD, of Lincoln, NE; Sung-Lana Kim, MD, of Willowbrook, IL; Shao Chyi Lee, MD, of Edina, MN; Dominic M. Sciamanda, DO, of Erie, PA; Matei Teodorescu, MD, of Fairmont, MN; Mehrdad M. Tavallaee, MD, of Ashland, OH; Adam David Weglein, DO, of Houston, TX and James Y.Z. Wu, MD, of Smithtown, NY
The Academy has posted a list online of members 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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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 in Modern Society,” was published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (Vol, 2, Issue 1, 2009). The purpose of this review was to give Western trained physicians exposure to history, basic knowledge and its clinical applications of acupuncture to accommodate accelerating interests in acupuncture. When treating patients who may utilize CAM, it’s important that medical practitioners be educated on acupuncture and its scientific evidence. Acupuncture affects afferent nerve signaling to influence the release of endogenous opioids to promote pain relief. Click here for details.
· The abstract, “Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Placebo (Sham) Acupuncture are Differentiated by their Effects on μ-opioid receptors (MORs),” was published in the Journal of NeuroImage (Vol. 47, Issue 3, 9-09). Researchers showed acupuncture increased the binding availability of mu-opoid receptors (MOR) in regions of the brain that process and dampen pain signals. Participants included 20 women who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. One implication of this research is that patients with chronic pain treated with acupuncture might be more responsive to opioid medications since the receptors seem to have more binding availability. Researchers said these findings could spur a new direction in acupuncture investigations following recent controversy over large studies showing that sham acupuncture is as effective as real acupuncture in reducing chronic pain. Click here for details.
· The abstract, “Modernization of Traditional Acupuncture Using Multimodal Computer-based High-tech Methods — Recent Results of Blue Laser and Teleacupuncture from the Medical University of Graz,” was published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (Vol. 2, Issue 3, 2009). This study focused on new technical and methodological investigations. Researchers concluded that the modernization of acupuncture using high-tech methods can open up new dimensions in acupuncture research. The ability to heal illnesses and relieve pain with teleacupuncture has become reality. Click here for details.
· The abstract, “Making Sense of the Metaphor: How Acupuncture Works Neurophysiologically,” was published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (Vol. 29, Issue 8, 8-09). AAMA member Narda G. Robinson, DO, DVM, FAAMA, said dropping the veil of mystery surrounding acupuncture's effects exposes the compelling and vibrant inner workings of acupuncture based on anatomy and physiology. Abundant information exists concerning the connections between acupuncture anatomy, nerve stimulation, and neuromodulation of the peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous systems. This body of evidence can assist equine practitioners and researchers in approaching acupuncture from a scientific, rather than a metaphorical, platform. Click here for details.
· The abstract, “Acupuncture Research: Placebos by Many Other Names,” was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (Vol. 169, No. 19, Oct. 26, 2009). The trial was designed to determine if adjunctive acupuncture was more effective than usual care for chronic back pain and if acupuncture involving needle insertion was more effective than simulated (noninsertive) acupuncture in clinically relevant acupuncture points. Researchers concluded that "it remains unclear whether acupuncture or our simulated method of acupuncture provide physiologically important stimulation or represent placebo or nonspecific effects.” Click here for details.
· The abstract, “Acute Effects of Acupuncture Treatment with Baihui (GV20) on Human Arterial Stiffness and Wave Reflection,” was.published in Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabiliation (Vol. 2, Issue 2, 2009). The acute effects of acupuncture treatment on arterial stiffness and wave reflection were investigated in this study, and, simultaneously, an augmentation index (AI), as an index of wave reflection, was estimated. Results indicated that acute treatment at Baihui enhanced arteriosclerotic parameters. In post-acupuncture, the AI profoundly decreased, presumably resulting from the involvement with neurovascular modulators. Click here for details.
· The abstract, “Investigation of Electrical Responses to Acupuncture Stimulation: The Effect of Electrical Grounding and Insulation Conditions,” was published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (Vol. 2, Issue 1, 2009). This study objectively investigated the electrical response to acupuncture stimulation (ERAS) under conditions that might affect the efficacy of acupuncture. The meridian electric potentials (MEPs) were measured. This study verified that acupuncture therapy might be affected by acupuncture conditions such as the electrical grounding condition of the operator and the subject and the insulation condition of the acupuncture needle. Click here for details.
· The abstract, “Acupuncture-Like Treatments Improve Outcomes Compared to Usual Care for Low Back Pain,” was published in Insciences electronic journal (5-09). This trial enrolled 638 adults with chronic low back pain in three groups who had never had acupuncture and who had rated the "bothersomeness" of their pain as at least a 3 on a 0-to-10 scale. Patients with chronic low back pain who received acupuncture or simulated acupuncture treatments felt better than people who only received conventional care. The study outlines the mechanisms of benefit derived from acupuncture studies. Click here for details.
· The abstract, “Bonghan Circulatory System as an Extension of Acupuncture Meridians,” was published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (Vol. 2, Issue 2, 6-09). The Bonghan system (BHS) is a newly-discovered circulatory system, which corresponds to classical acupuncture meridians. This study concluded that with this technique, the BHS in adipose tissue became traceable, and the BHS was discovered on the fascia surrounding tumor tissues, a finding which may have great significance in relation to serious health problems. Click here for details.
Please send information you find on research involving the effectiveness of medical acupuncture to bdortberg@aol.com.
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AAMA Member News
The 22nd Annual AAMA Symposium, "Science and Practice of Acupuncture: Rekindling the Spirit," will be held April 23-25, 2010, with the Pre-Symposium on April 22, 2010, the Review Course on April 20 & 21, 2010 and the Board Certification Exam on April 25, 2010. The location will be the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort, 8701 World Center Drive in Orlando, FL. For the AAMA discounted room rate of $169/night (single/double), call the hotel by March 23, 2010 at 407/238-8973.
The official website was recently launched for the International Council of Medical Acupuncture and Related Techniques 2010 Congress, which will be held in Riga, Latvia on May 28-30, 2010. During the 2010 Riga Congress, elections and General Assembly will be held. Take advantage of early bird registration for the 2010 ICMART Congress in Riga, a beautiful and historic city on the Baltic Sea.
The Academy’s 2009 Symposium was held in Fort Worth, Texas. The Syllabus for the 2009 Symposium and Pre-Symposiums are available for purchase. Click here for an order form.
Peter T. Dorsher, MS, MD, was keynote speaker at Medical Acupuncture Society of New Zealand annual conference, "Languages of Healing," and gave a two- day workshop on advanced neuroanatomic acupuncture techniques for spine and joint pain. He also gave four lectures at the first annual. Brazilian Medical College of Acupuncture Symposium in Porto de Gahlinas Brazil in October. In addition, Dr. Dorsher had a publication in J Pain in July on how myofascial pain data provides evidence of meridians.
The Medical Acupuncture Review Course is available on DVD. Visit the AAMA Store to purchase this valuable learning tool.
As part of AAMA membership, practice members are being offered access to more than 400 journal articles categorized by disease/health application which promote the efficacy of Acupuncture. Contact Phil McGee at phil@hmieducation.com to obtain your unique password to access this information anytime. Then go to www.hmiacupuncture.com and click on "LINKS."
Members participating in AAMA's referral program will be happy to hear that there were 2,720 unique visits to the website referral page in August, 2,440 unique visits to the website referral page in September, and 1,435 in October 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.
Nader Soliman, MD, president of Alternative Medicine Seminars, has announced the fall schedule for meetings addressing Auricular Therapy, Auricular Medicine, Three-phase Hand Acupuncture and Homeopathy for Physicians. The schedule also includes a seminar presented by Dr. Richard Niemtzow, addressing Battlefield Acupuncture and treatment of Xerostomia.
A new DABMA training program was recently approved. Mark D. Seem, PhD, LAc, is director of Acupuncture Integrative Medicine Program at Tri-State College of Acupuncture, 80 Eighth Ave., Ste. 400 in New York, NY 10011 (212/242-2255).
The National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s May issue of CAM featured a cover story about Acupuncture and Pain.
The Academy has a limited number of the book, “Getting to Know You,” by Joseph M. Helms, MD, in stock. While they last, Practice members can purchase them at the discounted price of $17, plus $3.50 postage and handling. Contact AAMA headquarters at 310/364-0193.
Bryan L. Frank, MD, FAAMA, has led mission projects in Nepal, India, Kenya, Mexico and Ecuador in 2009, treating patients in small villages that have little or no access to healthcare. The teams treat with an integrative health care approach, utilizing bio-medicine, medical acupuncture, botanicals, etc. AAMA members are invited to visit Dr. Frank's mission website and consider joining a mission in 2010.
 
Dr. Frank in Kano Village, Kenya, right, and acupuncture on patient in Badegaon Village, Nepal
The Society for Acupuncture Research Conference will be held March 19-21, 2010 at the Sheraton Hotel in Chapel Hill, NC. Co-sponsored by the UNC – Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Program for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, and Integrative Health Center of Chapel Hill, the SAR Conference is entitled, Translational Research in Acupuncture: Bridging Science, Practice and Community. This conference will explore effective strategies for advancing translational research as it applies to acupuncture and will focus on addressing paradoxes emerging from the research evidence to date.
An online network exchange has been established by faculty at the University of Alberta for the Pediatric Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research and Education Network for those with an interest in pediatrics and alternative medicine.
Academy Founding Member Lowell E. Kobrin, MD, PhD, DABMA, FAAMA, wrote a letter to the editor posted here, entitled, “The Survival of the AAMA is Essential for Physician Acupuncturists, but Major Changes are Needed to Ensure this as Acupuncture Becomes Increasingly Accepted by Mainstream Medicine.”
Drs. Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco and Angelica Fargas-Babjak will be offering, Contemporary Acupuncture for Health Professionals, in units this spring at McMaster University – Continuing Health Sciences Education in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The program is accredited for 300 hours AMA PR Category 1 & M2 by the College of Family Physicians of Canada MAINPRO-M1, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada.
Elective TCM internships are now available to all medical students within the University of California education system, reports Acupuncture Today (Vol. 10, No. 8, 8-09). Further, the University of California-San Francisco is developing its first-ever semester-long TCM elective course. It's available to medical, pharmacy, nursing and physical therapy students. "Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine into Clinical Practices" just started this fall semester.
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 and copy rosalynr@aol.com.
Please send news items and photos to bdortberg@aol.com.
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AAMA 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. E-mail Dr. Grout to get on the e-mail list for meeting announcements.
California
Chapter officers are working hard to come up with innovative ideas for CME credits. They are continuing their membership drive to make the Chapter stronger. Academy members interested in joining the California Chapter are encouraged to contact President Haleh Sheikholeslami, MD, at calchapaama@hotmail.com.
Georgia
The Georgia Association of Medical Acupuncturists (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 members.
During their May Journal Club meeting, board members were elected: President
Anna C. Kelly, MD; President-Elect Yoon Hang “John” Kim, MD, and Secretary/Treasurer Jackie Hermes. They are elated that Leslie Coff, LAc, will speak on the topic of “Seasonal Health” at their November Journal Club meeting. Also, the speaker for members’ 2010 seminar was chosen.
Their annual seminar was successful again this year. Dr. Tan spoke in Atlanta, GA to an audience of 50-plus practitioners in the spring. In reading audience surveys, they found there is an interest in a seminar on nutrition’s healing properties as they relate to Chinese Medicine. GAMA will be hosting Paul Pitchford, author of Healing with Whole Foods, for their 2010 seminar. They are excited to be able to provide this educational experience for their audience.
The Chapter’s vice president and very dear friend, Ed Garbacz, MD, passed away on July 27, 2009 after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a fantastic friend, scholar and physician whom members miss dearly.
For information regarding membership and seminars, e-mail GAMA President Anna C. Kelly at georgiaacupuncturists@yahoo.com.
Illinois
The goal of current 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
The Maryland Society of Medical Acupuncture 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 Chapter President Stephen Burns, MD, at stephen.burns@andrews.af.mil to join MSMA.
Ohio
AAMA Ohio Chapter members would love to see more active participation of the current membership and have input for a large spring CME event in 2010. Please join them and invite medical acupuncture colleagues. For more information or questions, contact Liz Woolford, MD, at Liz.Woolford@myhealingpartner.com.
Pennsylvania
John Kohler, MD, FAAMA, is the president of the Pennsylvania Chapter. Visit www.pamedicalacupuncture.com/ for details on this chapter.
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 bdortberg@aol.com.
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Employment Opportunities
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
-Cincinnati, Ohio
· The Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine is seeking a full-time Integrative Medicine MD or DO to join an established successful practice. The ideal candidate for this position is a board-certified primary care practitioner with training and expertise in Integrative Medicine, Acupuncture and Functional Medicine, although other candidates will be considered. Prolotherapy expertise beneficial. Additional training in our unique synergistic approach will be provided. The Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine is one of the nine Leading Clinical Centers chosen by the Bravewell Collaborative (www.Bravewell.org). We are doing national research on Integrative Medicine as part of Bravenet, first Practice-Based Research Network in Integrative Medicine.For more information, please see our website at www.myhealingpartner.com. Candidates may contact Medical Director, Sandi Amoils M.D at 513-791-5521, or at sandi.amoils@myhealingpartner.com
· Shared office space available in a recently remodeled, busy medical acupuncture practice in Marin County in northern California. Four treatment rooms available. If interested, contact Teresa Black, MD, at 415/519-4026 or takosha@comcast.net.
· An individual is sought with interest in expanding and enhancing Acubriefs. While it is financially stable and a helpful tool, Acubriefs deserves further energy to enhance and promote its utility as a source for online acupuncture references and promoting bibliography formation. Acubriefs also has an extensive library of journals and articles that would wonderfully enhance any library. Many of the journals and articles would be difficult to find anywhere else. Acubriefs is committed to providing access to one of the most comprehensive databases of English acupuncture references. Anyone interested in acquiring Acubriefs and helping it meet its full potential can contact Acubrief’s Webmaster J. Kimber Rotchford, MD, MPH, at Kimber@acubriefs.com.
· New York area acupuncture clinic established in 1994. Collects about $17,500/month. Seller owns the two-story building and is selling the 1,971-square-foot clinic. Clinic has a waiting room, two offices, four examination and treatment rooms, and a small foot detox room. One block off major route. Averaging about 12 new patients/month and about 23 patient visits/week. Doctor is retiring and focusing on his health. (503/645-7590, pps@practicesales.com).
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