AOMSM held its annual meeting May 23 at NESA and the same day hosted a seminar on "Conscious Acupuncture Marketing" taught by Kevin Doherty, L.Ac., business development consultant.  It was a very successful day and of value to all those who attended.  Special thanks to Bill Egloff at Crane Herb Company and the folks at LhasaOMS for providing bags of free samples.

About 30 people attended the seminar, which included a lot of information that could be put to use immediately.  Kevin spent the morning talking about using the internet to grow your practice: suggestions of techniques to use to generate new patients; how to maximize your website on search engines; using online videos for education; and using social media like Facebook and Twitter to enhance marketing efforts.  The afternoon focused on ways to make connections with your patients including how to structure the initial intake, and the ins and outs of prepayment plans.

The AOMSM Annual Meeting was held during the two-hour lunch break. Below is a summary of what was discussed, with links to the documents that were passed out during the meeting.

-Review of 2009-2010 AOMSM activities

-Discussion of proposed Bylaws changes

- New Website nearing completion

- Insurance Legislation: sited the new website forums as the future communication hub of legislative issues.  Discussed the upcoming acupuncture insurance summit tentatively scheduled for October

-Discussion of relations between medical acupuncturists and Lic.Ac.s

-Recognition of outgoing board members: Susan Patten, Jim Guo and Nancy Gilfoy

- Election of new board members (see article below)

Thank you to everyone who attended the day and participated in your state acupuncture association.

The AOMSM Insurance Task Force is working to convene a summit on the issue of insurance coverage for acupuncture.  The summit is tentatively scheduled for October and will convene representatives from different areas relevant to the acupuncture insurance issue.  We are seeking to bring together a broad coalition from NESA, Pathways to Wellness, the insurance industry, AAAOM national acupuncture association, the state legislature, medical acupuncturist, the Chinese state acupuncture society.  If you have a connection with someone who would be valuable to have at the Summit, please contact Dawn Meltzer at new.dawn@verizon.net.  The goal is to develop a plan for passing legislation that will expand insurance coverage for acupuncture in the commonwealth and organize a diverse group working to carry out the campaign.  The summit will be run by a professional facilitator to guide the process and assist with community building.

Nicole started her Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Manhattan at Pacific College and earned her degree from the New England School of Acupuncture in Watertown, MA.  Nicole holds a BA in English and Art from the University of Delaware. NIcole practices in Hingham, Ma at the Lane Center for Natural Healing and in Beacon Hill at Core De Vie.  Nicole is interested in working on legislation to benefit the acupuncture and herbal profession.  She is also a member of Veteran's Community Acupuncture Project.  Nicole lives in Brighton with her daughter and husband and is currently training to become a certified birth educator.

Karin Kramer, Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist

Karin received her Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, Illinois and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. She is board certified with NCCAOM (National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists and Oriental Medicine). Karin specializes in pain, stress management, women's health, and prevention measures as well as many other concerns.   She currently practices in Boston's Fianancial District at Chi Wellness Clinic.

Dr Patricia S Boulogne DC, CCSP, MaOM,.AP/D.Ac/L.Ac  is licensed as an Acupuncturist in multiple states, including MA, RI, CT, NY and FL. Her focus is, Lifestyle Health Advocacy, where the primary goal is mentoring/coaching individuals to create and attain their health goals and their ideal optimum health through various venues by empowering individuals to make better informed lifestyle decisions while working with their primary health care providers. She also has expertise in office management resolutions: AIMS- Alternative and Integrative Management Solutions; a business that mentors/coaches clients for their well deserved success. Currently she resides in Quincy, MA.