A blog by Pacific College
5 posts tagged chicago
Congratulations to PCOM-Chicago alumnus Stephen Semptimphelter, EAMP, LAc, on his
Acupuncture Today article—Chinese Medicine: The Natural Way to Children’s Wellness
!
Also see the printed December 2014 issue.
Left, Frank Scott, former Academic Dean of PCOM-Chicago; right, Jack Miller, President of PCOM
On December 15, Brendan Mattson, L.Ac., becomes the Graduate Program Dean and we say a fond farewell to Frank Scott, L.Ac., who has served, mentored, and cared for the Chicago campus since its inception.
We know that he will be t
here for us whenever we need his input and guidance. Here is what is inscribed on a plaque presented to Frank by the college President at the Pacific Symposium:
"The community of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine wishes to express its greatest appreciation for your 15 years of dedication to high academic standards and teaching excellence. Through your thoughtful consideration of incalculable academic issues, you have been a valued advisor to the President.
Because of your experience, you have supported five Campus Directors. As Pacific College’s Chicago Academic Dean and as a teacher, you have been an inspiration to students and fellow faculty members.
Those of us who have worked with you are most privileged to have done so and thank you for your commitment to our shared professional path. We wish for you the health and happiness that you have worked to bring to others.”
WHO: The Himalaya Project
WHAT: INDIEGOGO LAUNCH PARTY!
WHEN: Sunday, October 26, 2014/ 6-9 pm
WHERE: Revolution Brewing in Chicago
WHY: Help start the Dolpo School of Tibetan Buddhist Medicine! By doing so, you will provide sustainable access to healthcare for a community in need while preserving Tibetan medicine.
Tickets for the Indiegogo Launch Party are on sale now! Click HERE to purchase your tickets and save $10 on your entrance fee through Eventbrite.
This fabulous event (which runs from 6-9 pm) includes:
Purchase your tickets today! This event will be one to remember!
For the past six years, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM), as part of the Illinois Acupuncture Federation and in collaboration with the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS), the Illinois Chiropractic Society (ICS), and the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society (IOMS), as well as many tireless individuals, has been working toward securing Illinois state legislation that regulates safe and effective acupuncture treatments for the public.
PCOM is pleased to announce the success of this movement. On April 26 th , 2014, the College received word that after thoughtful, detailed, and carefully considered review of the Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Practice Acts, the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation agreed with PCOM and coalition concerns, and determined that the practice of Dry Needling was NOT in the scope of practice of physical therapy as the acts are currently written for Illinois.
“We had to be really vigilant and persistent,” says PCOM alumnus and lobbyist David W. Miller, MD, LAc (President, Illinois Acupuncture Federation; Legislative Director, ILaaom, member, ISMS), who helped spearhead the movement.
One of the primary missions of all of the Illinois professional acupuncture organizations is to assure that acupuncture is safe and that providers using acupuncture needles are well trained to provide that service. PCOM is proud to have played a part in the recent decision that Intramuscular Manual Therapy, also known as “Dry Needling”, cannot be simply added to the scope of practice of physical therapy by administrative interpretation. The coalition believes this addition would have represented a significant scope expansion for physical therapists, and such changes should be taken to the legislative arena where they belong. “It was indeed a collaborative effort,” Miller says, “we tried every conceivable approach to have this addressed, and ultimately joined with chiropractors, medical doctors, and osteopaths to get the issue the attention it deserved.”
It has been PCOM’s contention that Intramuscular “Dry Needling” as performed currently by physical therapists does not provide safe and effective treatment to the citizens of Illinois. “This is a win for the entire acupuncture profession,” says PCOM Chicago Campus Director, Ed Lamadrid, LAc. “It is an important step in preventing physical therapists from performing acupuncture [by Illinois definition] without formal training.”
Addition of this technique without any educational standards or meaningful oversight of the practice would expose the public to undue risk of harm. “Our passion helped us win out—because we truly knew we were in the right. We want patients to have access to effective treatments with practitioners who are thoroughly trained in the techniques they are providing,” says Miller.
PCOM thanks the Department for its attention to this issue, as well as all the groups and individuals who have helped in this effort. Particular thanks on this effort are extended to Steve Morrill and Curt Fiedler of Morrill and Associates who have helped guide communications and who have spearheaded this work for all of the professional communities, Lindy Camardella and Claudette Baker who joined Dr. Miller in facilitating this process, as well as to Jeannette Hoyt who spent many hours organizing and promoting this effort, and Mary Rogel for being a champion of the community for many years.
In addition, thanks to the members of the Illinois Acupuncture Federation (IAF): ILaaom (the Illinois Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), and AAAA (the Asian American Acupuncture Association) for ongoing support and leadership. Thank you to the ISMS, ICS, and IOMS as well for supporting this effort, as well as the senators and representatives of Illinois who contacted the Department on this matter.
Choosing to become an acupuncturist entails an exciting career ahead of you. It’s always great to like what you’re doing, but incredibly special to love what you are doing!
Check out this video of our PCOM Chicago Campus Director, Dr. Ed Lamadrid talking about why he loves being an acupuncturist.