Welcome New Members

One of the most important activities for a professional society such as ACLM is the creation of opportunities to meet, connect, share and learn.  Although in the current era this can happen via a variety of electronic formats, there is still a place for in-person meetings. The history of annual meetings within ACLM is somewhat of a potpourri. In 2004 and 2005 we had our annual meeting in conjunction with the Healthy People meetings at Loma Linda University. In 2006 we had held our third annual meeting at a separate venue in southern California. Although scientifically successful, the meeting was financially difficult for a young organization, and ACLM chose to forgo an annual meeting in 2007. In 2008 ACLM again met in conjunction with the Healthy People meeting at Loma Linda University. Beginning in 2009, we began meeting with the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) as part of their annual meeting. In 2009 in Los Angeles and 2010 in Washington DC our presence at the Preventive Medicine meetings was low key but growing. In 2011 in San Antonio, due to a strengthened affiliation and understanding between ACPM and ACLM, Preventive Medicine 2011 was co-branded as Lifestyle Medicine 2011. ACLM had significant input into meeting planning and presentation and overall, it felt like a significant success.

As ACLM and ACPM discussed the structure of the 2012 Preventive Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine meetings in Orlando, it became clear that the financial model used in 2011 was not viable long term. Because of this, ACLM will again take a more subdued role. Never-the-less, thanks to the strong work of David Ferriss, MD, MPH and multiple others on his team, ACLM has had significant input into the Clinical Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine track of Preventive Medicine 2012. An excellent slate of sessions and workshops that can benefit the practicing Lifestyle Medicine physician will be presented. This will again be our annual scientific meeting. We encourage all to join us in Orlando February 22-25, 2012.

Several weeks ago the ACLM board voted to also move forward with an ongoing annual fall meeting. This was driven by two primary events. The first was the tremendous success of our first annual practice management workshop. This meeting was successful from multiple perspectives including content, connection, participation and economics. The second driver was the recognition that because of the diverse goals of the ACPM annual meeting, our role there will likely continue to be somewhat limited.  

What we see going forward is an annual meeting in the fall focusing on Lifestyle Medicine practice - both the practical and the financial aspects. This will be our primary meeting and will usually occur mid-September. We will also continue to work with ACPM to ensure high quality Lifestyle Medicine content in their annual meeting that always occurs mid to late February. This will be our scientific meeting.

So, we are now becoming a society with two annual meetings, one which we produce independently and a second which we help develop under the ACPM umbrella. If annual meetings are a proxy for our success, we can congratulate ourselves for now being able to double our previous offerings.  

Thank you for joining us on this amazing journey.

Corey Howard, MD, FACP

"Lifestyle Medicine is the first field to truly empower people to live a better life."      

Double-board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Dr. Corey Howard brings multiple dimensions to his philosophy and practice of Lifestyle Medicine. Founder and Director of Physician's Life Centers in Naples, Florida, he brings this multi-dimensional expertise to patients, offering programs designed to help people live a better life.   

He asserts that "Most physicians today are reactive, focusing solely on disease management", and argues the need for a more proactive approach - comprehensive programs focused on overall health, the prevention of disease, and the attainment of optimal health and wellness.

His focus has shifted over the years. Concentrating in his early career on gastroenterology, he has performed an estimated ten thousand gastro-endoscopic procedures. As his practice evolved toward general medicine, he found himself increasingly compelled to prevent disease and to help people find a better way of living. While atop a mountain in Utah, he committed himself to change; deciding then and there to reshape his practice and transform his life. Describing himself as out of shape at the time, he began training for a triathlon and without knowing how to swim, dove into the sport as a personal challenge. This mission led him to Ironman, taught him a great deal about nutrition and sports medicine, and strengthened his commitment to help others discover the transformative power of lifestyle.

"My mission is to improve the health of Americans. Obesity is our number one cause of death. In my practice, I see a lack of individual responsibility. Patients have the sense that medicine is going to deliver health, that medicine will do it for them." He points to the need to empower patients to take responsibility for their health. While his practice is built upon a foundation of general medicine with the majority of his patients viewing him as their primary care provider, he envisions Lifestyle Medicine moving toward a specialty model. "I would encourage Lifestyle Medicine practitioners to view this as a specialty; that of helping people get better and allowing them to live a better life."

Physician's Life Centers offer an array of services including a comprehensive medical review, personalized nutrition and fitness programs, and physician-directed and designed weight loss programs. The practice model includes assessments such as VO2 testing, body fat analysis, and antioxidant scanning (measuring carotenoid levels in tissues) along with conventional lab work and screenings. The practice is primarily insurance-based, featuring multiple revenue streams including those services offered on a cash basis. The practice system (e-clinical) facilitates efficiency in generating and sending letters to patients and in managing billing and coding and allows Dr. Howard to communicate with patients as questions and needs arise.  

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