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AOMSM ANNUAL MEETING REPORT
We held our annual membership meeting on Sunday, April 27th at NESA. 27 people attended and participated in a discussion about integrative medicine with Jim Moran and Elaine Walsh, two acupuncturists working in integrative practices.
The issue of insurance was the subject of a long discussion. Currently, a bill is being drafted by a Massachusetts legislator that will require insurance policies issued in MA to cover acupuncture services. AOMSM has formed a task force to discuss and work on this topic. Anyone who is interested can join the task force. For more information please read the article below.
Following a buffet lunch we proceeded with the business meeting - AOMSM president Nancy Gilfoy reported on accomplishments of the past year and plans for 2008-2009, and elections were held for the board of directors (see article below).
Participants agreed it was a very informative, productive, and engaging meeting. Thanks to Jim and Elaine for leading the panel discussion, Lane for the surprise 10% discount in the bookstore for AOMSM members attending the meeting, and to NESA for hosting the annual meeting once again.
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ANNOUNCING INSURANCE TASK FORCE
One of the outgrowths of the AOMSM annual meeting in April is the formation of a task force looking into the issue of insurance reimbursement for acupuncture. The task force will examine the issue both in Massachusetts and nationally: talking with Richard Ruth, L.Ac. who is working with Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli on a bill requiring all insurance policies in Massachusetts to cover acupuncture; learning about previous efforts to pass an insurance parity bill in the Commonwealth; and looking at the Hinchey Bill requiring coverage of acupuncture by Medicare. The goal of the task force is to develop a strategy for effecting change in the current system.
Ellen Highfield is the chair of the task force and the first meeting will be on Sunday, June 22. If you are interested in joining the task force, contact Ellen at eshighfield@comcast.net.
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INTRODUCING NEW BOARD MEMBERS DOYLE, GUO AND WALSH
Six people were elected to the AOMSM board of directors at the 2008 annual meeting in April. Nancy Gilfoy, Dawn Meltzer and Susan Patten were elected to their second two year terms and Hudson Doyle, Jim Guo and Elaine Walsh to their first two year terms.
Hudson Doyle Lic.Ac., MAOM, is a 2007 NESA graduate. He completed a post-graduate internship in acupuncture and herbal medicine at the Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hangzhou, China. He works with his father, James P Doyle D.O., in their Newton Center office.
Dr. Jim Guo, D.C. Lic.Ac., MAOM, CSCS, received his doctoral degree in Chiropractic Medicine from the National College of Chiropractic, and his Master degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from NESA. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Dr. Guo is the owner of Acupuncture & Chiropractic Clinic, LLC, in Attleboro, MA. He is also on staff at Train Boston, a sports training facility in Wellesley, MA.
Elaine Walsh, Lic.Ac. M.Ac., is a 1997 NESA graduate. She currently practices in an integrative medicine setting at the Pain and Wellness Center of Peabody, MA and at Salem Hospital. Elaine co-teaches laser acupuncture with Dr. Margaret Naeser and has recently conducted clinical studies using laser to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and using red light to treat alopecia areata.
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AOMSM PRESIDENT PROVIDES TESTIMONY ON PROPOSED REVISED ACUPUNCTURE REGULATIONS
AOMSM
President Nancy Gilfoy spoke before the Board of Registration in Medicine on April 25 regarding the proposed revisions to the Massachusetts acupuncture regulations. Her testimony reflected the discussion held with members attending the 2007 annual meeting. A full transcript of the testimony can be seen at www.aomsm.org
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CONFERENCE DISCOUNT FOR AOMSM MEMBERS
The AOMSM is an affiliate partner of the TCM World Foundation conference Building Bridges: Transformation: Nurturing the Healers, Healing the Patients Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2008, in Chantilly, VA. AOMSM members receive a 20% discount on their conference registration. To see the complete program, go to www.tcmconference.org.
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June 2008
