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President's Message: New website, Webinars, educational programs, reimbursement, membership efforts
By Richard F. Hobbs, III, MD, FAAFP, FAAMA
President, AAMA
Last summer, when notices were sent to renew AAMA membership, my letter indicated that we need you. We need your energy, your knowledge, your skills and your financial support as, collectively, we work to promote medical acupuncture as an option for our dear patients. If you have not already renewed your membership, please do so right away.
I am now half-way through my term as president. At the beginning, a year seemed like a long time, but, predictably, I have discovered that it is really not much time at all, especially when there is so much to do. And, at the six-month mark, the passage of time seems, if anything, to be accelerating.
Working on Goals
Your Board of Directors has been working very hard to accomplish our goals. Design of our new website is in the final stages; a series of webinars have been offered and more educational programs are being planned; a mechanism now exists for members to receive advice on reimbursement issues, and we are expanding our outreach to invite former members to return, to retain current members and to recruit new members.
In addition to the accomplishments of the board, the Symposium Committee engineered a very successful symposium in San Diego last spring and has planned another remarkable program for Atlanta, April 26-29, 2012.
Our aim has been to meet your needs, your diverse needs, for we are a very diverse group. Would that I could say that we have accomplished everything that we, as a board, set out to do and that, as an organization, we are sitting pretty. Unfortunately, we still face many challenges, some related to the difficult economic times, some related to the fact that we are a volunteer organization and all of us have very busy lives. However, the will and the spirit are still strong. We will get there. But, as I said, we need you.
“How Does Acupuncture Work?”
The other day, as often happens, a patient asked me “how the deuce” I became interested in acupuncture and “how the deuce does it work?” I am sure you get the same questions. Each of us, no doubt, comes up with our own, unique answers when the time comes. For me, it is intriguing that so many of us have gravitated toward such ancient principles of healing, despite all of our exposure to the benefits of conventional, scientific, high-tech, Western medicine. Powerful forces must be at work. It is also interesting that we have chosen to follow so many different paths of learning and practice.
The truth, however, is that, whether you subscribe to classical theories or five elements or energetics or neuroanatomical approaches or microsystems or all of the above, it does not matter. They all work. Patients get better. We just don’t know exactly how, at least from a Western, scientific perspective. Oh, there are many theories and some extraordinary correlations in the lab, but, so far, there is not a complete explanation. Too many exceptions, too many paradigms…
One of these days, hopefully, we will figure it all out and then we will be able to explain to the skeptics of the world, in scientific terms, what exactly happens when a needle is inserted in an acupuncture point . We may, indeed, have a grand unified theory of acupuncture. In the meanwhile, remaining constantly vigilant for that moment of disclosure, we can enjoy the mystery.
Wishing you and yours safe, healthy and happy holidays!
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Sign up now for free AAMA Webinar on billing Nov. 30
“Billing 101 – The Basics of Getting Paid” by Rey Ximenes, MD, FAAMA
The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture's third webinar for members at no cost, “Billing 101 – The Basics of Getting Paid,” will be presented live by Rey Ximenes, MD, FAAMA, starting at 8pm EST on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011.
“What I plan to do is review with members with what to get from the patient in terms of demographics, how to find out if acupuncture is covered, how to find out if the Dx is covered and how much do they pay," said Dr. Ximenes. "The webinar will attempt to take the member through a claim -- from start to finish.”
AAMA members (only) can register online for that webinar. The event will be taped and available for download in the Member Area of the AAMA website shortly after the session airs. This webinar will be offered at no cost to members.
Future Events
The next webinar will be held on Jan. 25, 2012. Webinar dates are Oct. 26th, Nov. 30th (dark in December) and Jan. 25th. They will be held at 8pm on those dates (the last Wednesday of the month).
Past webinars -- "Getting Started: Setting Up an Acupuncture Practice" by Dr. Claudia Harsh, and "How To Get Paid: Reimbursement Principles and Pearls for Workers Compensation and Accidents" by John P. Kohler, MD, FAAMA -- are posted online.
Watch for details on the webinars in the AAMA Newsletter and the Academy’s online calendar and then log on with your peers.
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AAMA planning 24th Annual Symposium in Atlanta
Make plans now to head to Atlanta, GA to experience their famous Southern hospitality and learn the latest advancements in medical acupuncture at AAMA’s 24TH Annual Symposium, “Acupuncture: Evolving Perspectives,” April 26-29, 2012.
The Review Course will be on April 24-25, 2012, the Pre-Symposium Workshops on April 26, 2012 and the ABMA Certification Exam on April 29, 2012. Anna C. Kelly, MD, FAAMA, is Symposium chair, assisted by Vice Chair Jay Sandweiss, DO, FAAMA.
The location will be at Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Atlanta, GA. To reserve the AAMA discounted room rate of $159/night (sgl/dbl) pending availability, book online or call the hotel by April 1, 2012 at 404/237-1234 and be sure to mention the AAMA Symposium.
Just to whet your appetite, some sessions include: “Modern Perspectives on Ancient Medicine,” “MRI and Ultrasound Findings in Acupuncture,” “Acupuncture in the Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ,” “Evidence of Trigger Point Acupuncture: An Overview ,” “Comprehensive Acupuncture Treatment for Allergy,” “Acupuncture Mechanisms: Basic Science,” “Helms Goes Curious, Part II, (for DABMA’s only),” "Medical Acupuncture: From Physical to Spiritual Practice," “Comparative Neuroanatomical Acupuncture: Implications for Clinical Practice,” “How to Successfully Treat the Most Difficult, Complex and Complicated Cases with Medical Acupuncture: The Triple Energizer” and more in concurrent workshops and plenary sessions.
Another Sneak Peak
Chair Dr. Sandweiss is planning these Pre-Symposium Workshops:
- Pre-Symposium Workshop I – "Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis"
Instructors Ross Rosen, L.Ac. & Brandt Stickley, L.Ac.
- Pre-Symposium Workshop II – “Chinese Scalp Acupuncture”
Instructor Jason Hao, DOM
- Pre-Symposium Workshop III – "Integrating Acupuncture, Manual Medicine, and Nutraceutical Medicine: 'These are a few of my favorite things...' "
Instructor Jay Sandweiss, DO
- Pre-Symposium Workshop IV – “Chinese Medicine and Cancer Care”
Instructor Jeffrey Yuen, L.Ac.,DOM
There will also be Poster Presentation Wine and Cheese Reception, Free Papers, the Research Competition, the Dinner/Dance, early morning "Gong with Aung" with Steven K.H. Aung, MD, OMD, PhD, group lunch, the exhibit area with companies featuring products and services related to medical acupuncture, the Review Course, the American Board of Medical Acupuncture Certification Exam and more.
Watch for an announcement soon about the Symposium website listing the outstanding Faculty, timely sessions, Pre-Symposium Workshop descriptions, registration and more.
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Call for Symposium Poster Presentations
Members are invited to apply to present a Poster Presentation at the AAMA Symposium 2012, in Atlanta, GA April 26-29, 2012.
Please follow all instructions carefully to allow your application to be fully considered. Space and time is limited. Poster Presentations must be submitted in English.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Application to make a Poster Presentation at the AAMA Symposium should be submitted no later than March 15, 2012. An abstract (summary) of the proposed Poster Presentations should be submitted via email by March 15, 2012, to jdowden@prodigy.net with the e-mail subject line reading: AAMA Poster Presentation, in order to be properly received. Abstracts should have the title, author, affiliation, contact information and abstract body of no more than 250 words.
Poster Presentation Awards will be presented to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place presentations, with $750, $500 and $250 awarded, respectively. Awards will be announced at the close of the Symposium.
If your poster application is accepted, you will be notified by April 1, 2012.
AS PER CME REQUIREMENTS, NO COMMERCIAL ENDORSEMENT OF ANY PRODUCT OF ANY KIND IS ALLOWED AND THIS WILL DISQUALIFY ANY SUBMISSION.
Accepted Poster Presentations should be formatted on paper or laminated poster presentations measuring no greater than 48 inches tall and 72 inches wide (landscape formatting). Posters should be ready for mounting with pins or tape. Accepted Posters will remain on display in the Poster area and must be installed on Friday, April 27 between 1-3 pm. Posters should be removed on Saturday, April 28 by 2 pm. Posters that are not removed by the stated time will be discarded.
There will be no organized or moderated discussions over posters. However, you should be available to offer your explanation to interested colleagues on Friday, April 27 at the Wine and Cheese reception at 5-7 pm. Please be present at that time, as Poster Presentation Award winners must be present to be eligible to win an award.
Those selected for Poster Presentations are responsible for their own transportation and housing costs and must pay Symposium registration fees in order to participate in the Poster Presentations.
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Call for Free Paper Presentations at Symposium
Members are invited to apply to present a Free (Oral) Paper at the AAMA Symposium 2012, in Atlanta, GA April 26-29, 2012.
Please follow all instructions carefully to allow your application to be considered fully. While space and time are limited, we do expect a hearty number of great submissions. All Free Papers must be submitted in English.
FREE PAPER ORAL PRESENTATIONS
An abstract (summary) of a proposed Free Paper oral presentation should be submitted via e-mail by March 15, 2012 to jdowden@prodigy.net with the e-mail subject line reading: AAMA Free Paper, in order to be properly received. Abstracts should have the title, author, affiliation, contact information and abstract text of no more than 250 words.
Free Paper topics may be clinical or research (basic or clinical) related. Those selected for Free Paper Oral Presentations are responsible for their own transportation and housing costs and must pay Symposium registration fees in order to participate in the Free Paper Presentation Sessions.
Free Paper Awards will be offered to up to three presentations based on the committee's sole judgement as to the quality of the paper, research and value as a contribution to the medical acupuncture scientific literature. Awards will be announced at the close of the Symposium. All paper authors and presentors will be listed in the final Symposium program.
Only computer and oral presentation is allowed (No overhead projectors, whiteboards or similar aids). Presentations for PC's (Windows 98 / 2000 professional / XP professional configurations) will be accepted, (no MAC, no UNYX). Please prepare and submit your presentation application using PowerPoint Version 2007 or XP standard. Pictures must be in the following format: jpg, gif, tif, or .bmp (format pict is not allowed as it will not be displayed correctly).
AS PER USA AMA REGULATIONS, NO COMMERCIAL ENDORSEMENT OF ANY PRODUCT OF ANY KIND IS ALLOWED AND THIS WILL DISQUALIFY ANY SUBMISSION.
Please, save the presentation on a CD or USB flash disk.
Standard PCs will be provided with OS Windows XP (1,136 GHz processor). The PC projectors project at XGA resolution (1024 x 768 pixels).
You will NOT use your own laptop. Rather, you should bring the file in the manner described above.
All speakers should bring media with their presentation to the technician AT LEAST TWO HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THEIR SESSION.
Time allocation for the Free Oral Papers is 20 minutes. The speaker should present for 15 minutes and allow 5 minutes for questions. The Session Chairperson will announce the 15- and 20-minute times and will stop the presentation at the 20-minute time, even if the presentation is not complete.
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Call for Research Papers at AAMA Symposium
Members are invited to apply to present a Research Paper at the AAMA Symposium 2012 in Atlanta, GA on April 26-29, 2012. Please follow all instructions carefully to allow your application to be considered fully. While space and time are limited, we do expect a hearty number of great submissions from our international colleagues. Further, international submissions have often won awards for our Poster Presentations and Research Papers at our Symposia for many years. All Free Papers, Poster Presentations, and Research Papers must be submitted in English.
RESEARCH PAPER COMPETITION
This is a call for entries for the annual Acupuncture Research Paper Award. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-place awards will be presented at the AAMA Symposium. The deadline for submission of research papers for the competition is March 15, 2012. If your paper is selected as one of the winners, you will be notified by April 1st, 2012. We are pleased to offer:
- First Place: $1,500, Symposium Registration, travel to $500, and three night's hotel lodging for the presenting author. Paper to be presented at AAMA Symposium in Atlanta, GA, April 2012. Second Place: $750, Symposium Registration, travel to $500.
- Third Place: $350 and Symposium Registration.
The First Place winning paper is to be presented in a 30-minute Plenary Session at the Symposium. Papers for second and third place to be announced at the Symposium. Authors will be acknowledged there.
RULES
Submissions must be original work, in either clinical research or basic biochemical or physiological research pertaining to acupuncture. The work must not have been previously published. Work completed and accepted for publication during the 2011-‘12 year period will be considered, if the publishing journal will allow presentation at AAMA Symposium.
Papers should include the name and degree of the principle author and any coworkers, the institution or affiliation (if any), mailing address and telephone/fax numbers. E-mail addresses are desirable but not mandatory.
Submissions should be received by March 15, 2012. Beyond that date, due to judging time and notification needs prior to the spring Symposium, papers cannot be guaranteed acceptance for this year.
Submissions will be judged and rated on originality, suitability for publication, research design, and clinical or basic science relevance.
If human subjects are involved in the research, proper informed consent must have been obtained and approval of appropriate institutional review committees obtained, where applicable.
All submissions must be in English. All proprietary rights to the research work are reserved to the author(s), including future right to publish any and all aspects of the research.
Acknowledgement of receipt of the submission will be sent within 15 working days. The AAMA Board of Directors will assign a panel of judges. Winners will be selected at the sole discretion of the judges and the AAMA Board. Winners will be notified in adequate time to attend the spring Symposium.
The paper may be submitted via email, though the AAMA assumes no liability or responsibility for papers not received. E-mail submissions should be sent to jdowden@prodigy.net with the e-mail subject line "AAMA Research Paper Award Contest," in order to be properly received and considered for the Research Paper Awards.
Hard copies of the paper may be sent to be received by March 15, 2012, to:
Research Award Contest
c/o C. James Dowden, Executive Administrator
1970 E. Grand Ave., Ste. 330
El Segundo, CA 90245
310/364-0193
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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):
Deborah L. Baldemor, MD, of Scottsdale, AZ; Douglas N. Powell, MD, of Skaneateles, NY; Naykala, A. Ruse MD of Cullman, AL, and Myron Siu, MD, of Boston, MA
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:
Mike Buffington, MD, of Fayetteville, AR; Elizabeth C. Christenson, MD, of Kailua HI, and Kathleen J. Zisser, MD, of Santa BarbaraAfter 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:
·New research concludes that “acupuncture may function as a somatosensory-guided mind-body therapy.” The study compared MRI readings of real acupuncture with sham acupuncture. The MRI imaging showed that true acupuncture yielded greater activity compared to that with sham acupuncture. Real acupuncture also produced significantly “greater activity in both cognitive/evaluative (posterior dmPFC) and emotional/interoceptive (anterior dmPFC) cortical regions.” The MRI results showed that true acupuncture “increased cognitive load.” Check out, “Understanding Acupuncture: Time to Give it a Try?” in National Institutes of Health “News in Health.”
·The abstract, “Randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for prevention of radiation-induced xerostomia among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma,” was published in American Cancer Society’s journal, “Cancer” (Nov. 9, 2011). This trial sought to determine whether acupuncture can prevent xerostomia among head/neck patients undergoing radiotherapy. A randomized, controlled trial among 86 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma was conducted comparing acupuncture to standard care. Researchers found that acupuncture given concurrently with radiotherapy significantly reduced xerostomia and improved quality of life.
·The article, “Acupuncture Energetics: Clues to an Expanded View of Somatovisceral Homeostasis,” by Joseph Audette, MA, MD, was published in the American Academy of Pain Management’s journal, “The Pain Practitioner” (Vol. 21, No. 3, fall 2011). Therapeutic benefits of acupuncture were reviewed, including effects via hormones by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and endorphins. Recent advances in understanding the neuromodulatory effect of acupuncture, and how the nervous system integrates information from visceral and somatic afferents, provide insight into the neuroanatomy of pain. The piece concluded that an enhanced view of the neuroanatomy of pain allows researchers to better comprehend an active acupuncture point and the value of careful surface palpation to treatment and health assessment.
·A major UK trial at the University of York funded by Arthritis Research UK has just gotten underway to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture and Alexander Technique lessons in alleviating chronic neck pain. The trial period will be three years and involve 450 patients.
·The abstract, “Patient education integrated with acupuncture for relief of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) randomized controlled feasibility study,” was published in “BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine” (June 25, 2011), the journal of the International Society for Complementary Medicine Research. Researchers assessed the feasibility of delivering patient education integrated with acupuncture for relief of CRF with breast cancer survivors, using usual care as control. Due to recruitment difficulties, they tried several methods that led to the development of a tailored recruitment strategy. The conclusion was that patient education integrated with acupuncture had a very promising effect that warrants an effective recruitment strategy to conduct a larger trial to confirm findings.
·The article, “Headaches and Complementary Health Practices,” was published in the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s, “Clinical Digest” (November 2011). Researchers are studying treatments like acupuncture for different headaches. In two large trials of people with headaches, researchers found that adding acupuncture to pain relievers was more effective than pain relievers alone. A review analyzing results from two large and three small trials comparing true acupuncture with sham acupuncture demonstrated a slightly better effect for true acupuncture. Results of another review article determined that adding acupuncture to acute treatment or routine care may be beneficial in reducing migraine frequency and intensity.
·To address stress, some soldiers are now receiving a new kind of treatment known as Emotional Freedom Techniques. EFT is a short-term psychotherapy approach based on the principles of emotion theory and attachment theory. These services have been provided since the 1990s. “Emotional acupuncture” is a tapping, or touch, therapy that works like emotional acupressure to release the negative emotions and beliefs that are at the root of most problems and pain. It is described as acupuncture without needles, as doctors focus on various energy points to tap throughout the body, from the wrist to underneath the eyes.
Please send information you find on research involving the efficacy of medical acupuncture to bart.ortberg@dowdenmanagement.com.
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Member News
Anna C. Kelly, L.Ac., MD, FAAMA, spoke on the topic of Integral Medicine at the Building Bridges of Integration for Traditional Chinese Medicine 10th Annual Conference. “Transformation: Healing Beyond Time or Space” was held in Chantilly, VA in October. Dr. Kelly is immediate past president of the Georgia Association of Medical Acupuncturists AAMA Chapter.
The Medical Acupuncture Review Course is available on DVD. Visit the AAMA Store to purchase this valuable learning tool. Members participating in AAMA's referral program will be happy to hear that there were 2,410 unique visits to the website referral page 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.The Academy has now hosted two free webinars for members. Led by Drs. Claudia Harsh and John P. Kohler, the events are now posted in the Member Area of the AAMA website. See related article in this issue on free webinar Nov. 30. Register now for, “Billing 101 – The Basics of Getting Paid,” presented online by Rey Ximenes, MD, FAAMA.
A community forum on homeless families accompanied a day of free services in which the needy received acupuncture in Puyallup, WA in November, as part of an effort to raise awareness about homelessness and hunger. The Puyallup Homeless Coalition coordinated the events. Other services included medical, dental and mental health care, haircuts and flu shots.
Bryan L Frank, MD, FAAMA, president of Global Mission Partners, Inc., a 501-c-3 not-for-profit charitable corporation, recently returned from a 15-day mission to northern India. Photos are now posted online. More than 1,500 patients were treated in small clinics in Gujarat and Rajasthan states of India. Opportunities are open for volunteers to join GMP projects in 2012 to Nepal in February/March, Kenya in June, Ecuador in July, Mexico in September and India in November. Vacation with a purpose! Visit www.GlobalMissionPartners.org or contact Dr. Frank at bfrankmd@hotmail.com.
AAMA reminds members who meet special qualifications in Medical Acupuncture about the certification mark to convey their accomplishments. 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. An application has been submitted to the US Patent Office to register this Certification Mark so that it 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.
Check out this animal hospital in New Jersey that added a room to provide acupuncture.AAMA’s 24TH Annual Symposium, “Acupuncture: Evolving Perspectives,” will be April 26-29, 2012. The Review Course will be on April 24-25, 2012, the Pre-Symposium Workshops on April 26, 2012 and the ABMA Certification Exam on April 29, 2012. The location will be at Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Atlanta, GA. For the AAMA discounted room rate of $159/night (sgl/dbl) pending availability, book online or call the hotel by April 1, 2012 at 404/237-1234 and be sure to mention the AAMA Symposium. Symposium 2011 sessions on CDs and syllabus for Pre-Symposium and Symposium can be ordered online.
One of the UK’s most prominent practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dapeng Zhang, BSc. (hons), MSc, recently launched his new website detailing pioneering acupuncture treatments. The site also gives visitors an insight into alternative therapies that have contributed to his being such a respected healthcare practitioner in the UK. He is well known for his extensive research in pain management at the University of East London.
Ever seen 1,200 acupuncture needles in someone’s forehead? Click here and check out the second slide for the Guiness record set in a self-acupuncture demonstration in China.
Alternative Medicine Seminars have announced the seminar series for spring 2012. The series will include seminars in auricular medicine and VAS (vascular autonomic signal) training. Auricular medicine is a highly sophisticated and intellectually appealing energetic technique that can enrich physicians’ understanding of the energetics of the living system. A homeopathy seminar is also included in the spring series to help practitioners integrate homeopathic remedies into their practices. These are FDA approved and known for their safety and simple administration..
The International Congress on Medical Acupuncture and Related Techniques will be held in Athens, Greece on May 25-27, 2012. Registrations and applications for oral and poster presentations will be available soon via www.ICMART2012.org. Future Congresses will be in Vienna in 2013 and likely in Istanbul in 2014, then Indonesia in 2015. AAMA members are encouraged to attend and present in the Athens Congress.
Steve Jobs’ decision to treat his pancreatic cancer with acupuncture, a vegan diet, herbs and juices, rather than surgery his doctors urged, certainly brought acupuncture into the spotlight. It’s being debated everywhere. And while it’s impossible to judge whether Jobs’ faith in alternative medicine “likely shortened his life,” as the New York Daily News put it, or improved the quality of a life that was already beyond saving, the treatment is now revealed in Walter Isaacson’s new biography.
The next Helms Medical Institute "Medical Acupuncture for Physicians" course starts on Dec. 8 in Tempe, AZ. Clinical units will be in February and May 2012. Details posted at www.HMIacupuncture.com. 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.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 Karyn Scurti at mafp@hmieducation.com to obtain your unique password to access this information anytime. Then go to www.hmiacupuncture.com and click on "LINKS."
The 12th Annual AAMA Japanese Seminar was held in Hamamatsu, Japan Oct. 8-10. Due to post-tsunami disaster and severe economic conditions, the physician attendance was unusually low. Most doctors said they hoped to return in 2012. Well-received daily impromptu sessions for 25 patients were exciting and educational. Sessions at Tokyo's LAc school clinic, now in its fourth consecutive year, were received with a warm welcome. They promised to expand this impromptu session in 2012, said group leader Dr. Hiroshi Nakazawa, front center.
Please send news items and photos to bart.ortberg@dowdenmanagement.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. Email Dr. Grout to get on the email 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 will hold its Annual Academic Meeting Sept. 29-30, 2012 in Atlanta, GA (place TBA announced at a later date). The invited speaker is well-known national/international author, academician and clinical acupuncturist, Dr.Richard Tan of San Diego.
The next local meeting for GAMA will be in January 2012 (date TBA).
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
Members of the Maryland Society of Medical Acupuncturists (MSMA) are looking forward to an active fall lineup and a weekend workshop with Darren Starwynn, OMD. He is the inventor of the Acutron (Microlight: The Science and Business of Energy Medicine). This device is used to improve mood, health and PTSD. Joan Ordman, MD, FAAMA, is president of the MSMA. 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 Dr. Yun-Tao Ma at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine in Cincinnati, OH, Oct. 6-7, 2012. Details will be forthcoming. The Chapter is looking forward to accepting new members.
Ohio Chapter members would love to see more active participation of the current membership. 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
·Well-established mixed medical acupuncture, physical medicine and rehabilitation, alternative pain clinic and general practice available immediately in central Georgia's Lake Country. Recreational opportunities abound. Due to family illness, Penelope Brooks, MD, FAAMA, is relocating to California. She has an office building for sale with one stable tenant who is LPC, PhD in psychology. Her 16-acre horse farm/home with pool/barn/fenced pasture is also available. All very affordable. Her office is 10 minutes from her home. Wonderful place to live and raise children. Contact Dr. Brooks at 478/457-6317 or pbrooks1@windstream.net.
List any medical acupuncture-related job vacancies here free by contacting AAMA Staff Associate Barton Ortberg.
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