AAMA
Newsletter
Serving the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
May 2001

Members Enjoy AAMA Sympoisum

Click here for Symposium pictures

    AAMA's 13th annual Symposium. "Shaping the Future of Medicine," attracted almost 400 physicians to the jazz-filled city of New Orleans in March.
Marshall A. Sager, DO, DABMA, took the reins from Bryan L. Frank, MD, DABMA, as president. His officers include Vice President Wendy E. Page-Echols, DO (who reported AAMA total assets of $580,491 as of March 31, 2001), Treasurer Nader Solman, MD, and Secretary Hiroshi Nakazawa, MD, DABMA.
Directors for 2001-'02 include Jeff A. Baird, DO; Steven E. Braverman, MD; Michael W. Coomes, MD; John F.K. Flanagan, MD; Gene G. Hong, MD, DABMA; Robert A. Schulman, MD, DABMA, and Dr. Frank. Barbara Gilbertson, DO, was thanked for her service as she stepped down.
    In related articles in this issue, Dr. Sager talks about his goals for AAMA and lists committee heads; Dr. Hong outlines his Membership Committee plans, and Dr. Nakazawa outlines ABMA.
    Held at the spacious Hilton New Orleans Riverside, the event kicked off with an Acupuncture Review Course followed by Pre-Symposium workshops. The Symposium featured outstanding speakers (from France, Canada and Spain in addition to the US) and practical topics, and the Certification Exam concluded activities. Photos taken by Dr. Frank and Academy staff are featured on the website: medicalacupuncture.org. One highlight was a riverboat cruise down the Mississippi, which flowed mightily next to the hotel. After workshops, physicians strolled to colorful Bourbon Street in the historic French Quarter for spicy dishes like seafood gumbo and crawfish.
    "As chairman of AAMA's 2001 Symposium, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all the speakers who joined us this year and helped make this event one that was rich in substance and in value," said Nader Soliman, MD. "The Symposium proved to be one of the most successful ever with great attendance. Some of the most common and complicated medical problems were presented by talented and experienced teachers in the field of acupuncture. For those who were able to attend, I would like to thank every one of you for joining us, and to those who were not able to attend, we hope to see you at the Academy's next Symposium in Los Angeles in 2002. Finally, I would like to thank AAMA Executive Administrator James Dowden and his staff for outstanding work that helped make this Symposium one of the most successful ever."

Poster Contest
    Six abstracts of research projects or case reports were submitted for consideration as a Poster at the Symposium. Primary author Roberto Perez-Millan, MD, and secondary author Leslie Foster, DO, of Washington, DC, won for, "Low Frequency Electroacupuncture in the Management of Refractory Plantar Fasciitis: A Case-Series and Literature Review." Prize is free attendance at a future Symposium for the primary author, whose work will be published in Medical Acupuncture. Symposium Vice Chairman Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, wishes to thank the judges: Drs. Peter Johnstone, Steve Braverman, Eric Hsu, Lowell Kobrin and Joanne Shay.

MARF Research Award
    The annual MARF Research Award sponsored by Seirin-America went international this year. Toshiyuki Maeda, MD, of Japan took first place ($3,000 plus free Symposium, travel expenses to $500 and several nights lodging), coming to New Orleans to present his study on the establishment of the theory of acupuncture and moxibustion in traditional Chinese medicine, with four coworkers from Medical Trainer College. He donated his prize to MARF for research and presented both MARF and AAMA with exquisite Japanese vases. Philippe Jeannin, MD, took third ($1,000 plus free Symposium), coming to the meeting from Paris, France to present his study on the effects of acupuncture in treatment of chemotherapy side effects. Second place went to Drs. Noel Nowicki and Allison Averill of AAMA ($2,000 plus free Symposium and travel expenses to $500) for their study on acupuncture's effect on dysphagia following stroke. Seirin-America will again support the contest in 2002. Anyone interested in research is asked to get working on a project to enter.

Exhibiting Companies
    Acu Med, Inc., AcuBead, Allergy Research, Apex Energetics, Bamboo Software, Ltd., Bio Essence Corp., Biomeridian, BIOS Overseas, Inc., Chinese Health Institute, EHM Rehabilitation Technologies, Ltd., Electro Therapy Association, Electromedical Products International, Inc., Five Element Acupuncture Physician Training Program, Gaia Herbs, Inc., Golden Flower Chinese Herbs, Haelan Products, Inc., Health Concerns, Helio Medical Supplies, Inc., Honso USA, Inc., Integrated Medicine Seminars, LLC, JMR Acupuncture and Herbal Products, Kampo Institute, Kan Herb Co., Lippincott-Williams & Wilkins, Lotus Herbs, Mayway Corp., Meditalent Enterprises, Ltd., Pantheon Research, Inc., Pleomorphic Sanum Products, Inc., Q-Puncture, Inc., Seirin America, Thorne Research, Inc., W.B. Saunders/Mosby/Churchill and Womens Group Formulas.
    Special thanks to companies that provided additional support to this year's Symposium: Kan Herb Co. for Friday evening's Wine and Cheese Reception and Lotus Herbs for Friday morning's refreshment/coffee break.
Chaired by Dr. Flanagan, AAMA's 14th Annual Symposium will be held in Los Angeles in April 2002. See calendar for dates and hotel information.

Membership drive outlined
By Gene Hong, MD, DABMA
AAMA Membership Committee Chair, Board Director

AAMA's 2001     Symposium has come to a successful conclusion. The informative lectures and seminars were only a small part of the rich experience of attendance. The opportunity to see colleagues and to share our experiences as physician acupuncturists was probably the most important reason to be a part of this annual gathering.
    From different specialties and backgrounds, we have all decided individually to do something completely different. We have all decided to practice medical acupuncture. We are pioneers together in this new medical technique. In the future when medical acupuncture is as widely accepted and used as other medical therapies, we will be remembered as the people who spearheaded this effort, the brave few who saw the future and made it happen.
    But as we enjoyed each other's company and camaraderie, you may have noticed faces and names from past symposia that were absent. These are colleagues and friends that have somehow disappeared from the medical acupuncture landscape. Where are they? What happened to their practice of medical acupuncture? Call them, find out and let us know. That will help us change and serve better.
    It is the goal of AAMA to represent and support the practice of medical acupuncture. This is your Academy. Our effort to reach out to our colleagues is a responsibility shared by all members.
    AAMA currently has 1,745 members, a 10% increase from last year's numbers. The Academy is enjoying a 90% retention rate.
    As we engage in the effort to increase Academy membership from 2,000 to 4,000 during the next three years, the most powerful tool in this effort is you. A call from you to your colleague that has somehow become disenfranchised with the Academy and medical acupuncture is the single most effective act. Spread the word to others who are not yet members. Your effort will help us become a more effective and useful organization.
If you would like to become more involved with the creation and implementation of the policies that will help the Academy grow, please contact me (gghong@aol.com, 503/408-0865).

New AAMA president lists goals, committees
By Marshall H. Sager, DO, DABMA
Newly Elected AAMA President

    I want to thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as your president for the next two years.
    Let's take a look at the state of our Academy. Under past president Dr. Bryan Frank's outstanding leadership, we achieved two important goals: Board Certification, and designation as a CME-granting organization. These were critical steps in ensuring excellence in our practice.
    Next, I want to look into the future and tell you about the goals for my administration. My main goal will be to increase the visibility of AAMA-raising its status to a position of national prominence. I intend to make the Academy the authority and source for acupuncture information in America. I want everyone to understand the value of physician acupuncturists and to emphasize our place in this new integrative medical environment.
    We will attack the problem of visibility and prominence on several fronts: the first is education. Through public relations-that is, TV, radio, print and the Internet-we will get the Academy's name into the American conscious. Through education, we will offer our services to medical schools to educate the physicians of tomorrow about medical acupuncture and AAMA. Through the development of Academy-prepared CME courses, we will educate practicing physicians about medical acupuncture and the Academy.
    The second is compensation. Every legislator from Maine to Hawaii must know that we, as physicians, offer our patients the best of both worlds of bio-pharmacologically based medicine and Eastern paradigms. And we must be compensated accordingly. Your Academy has been and will forcefully continue to be on the front lines of this legislative and compensatory battle.
    The third is through YOU. You already know what your Academy does for you in terms of prestige and continuing education. And now you know what your Academy will do for you in the future. Now I ask, what you will do for YOUR ACADEMY?
    Please join with us. Yes, it does involve work, but it has many rewards. Not only rewards of accomplishment, but also the value of friendships you will develop and camaraderie you will enjoy.
    Following is a list of Committees and chairs. I congratulate these dedicated volunteers and know that each of them looks forward to working with you. Please contact the chair of the Committee in which you have an interest.

2001 AAMA Committee Chairs

MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE REVIEW/JOURNAL
Chair - Richard Niemtzow, MD (619/447-6806, n5ev@aol.com)
2002 SYMPOSIUM
Chair - John Flanagan, MD (615/292-6019, jfkflan@earthlink.net)
BUDGET COMMITTEE
Chair - Nader Soliman, MD (301/251-2335, altmedctr@aol.com)
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Chair - Gene Hong, MD, DABMA (503/408-0865, gghong@aol.com)
CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Chair - Will Page-Echols, DO (517/333-3550, page4@pilot.msu.edu)
CME COMMITTEE
Chair - Michael Coomes, MD (612/625-6940, mwcoomes@pressenter.com)
MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE REVIEW COURSE
Acting Chair - Mitch Elkiss, DO (248/443-1666)
MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Chair - William Rutenberg, MD (847/634-2200, wdrutenber@aol.com)
WEBSITE COMMITTEE
Chair - Robert Schulman, MD, DABMA (212/983-1166, rschumd@banet.net)

    Volunteer! I guarantee that you will be doubly rewarded for your efforts. Together, we can reach and even exceed our goals.
You can reach me at: pksager@voicenet.com, and I look forward to hearing from you.

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