Northwest Adds New Dean, Board Members
Dr. Hazel Philip has been chosen as the new academic dean at Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NIAOM). She previously chaired the departments of nutrition, acupuncture and Oriental medicine at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences. She was also an assistant professor in naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and Oriental medicine at the college.
In her new role as academic dean, Dr. Philip will be responsible for planning the school's curriculum and course scheduling. She will also aid in hiring and supervising faculty and maintaining the institute's academic standards.
In related news, Northwest has appointed four new members to its board of directors. The new board members are: Laura Bradburn, LAc. A 1998 graduate of NIAOM, Ms. Bradburn maintains a busy acupuncture and massage clinic in Seattle, Washington. She is also a licensed massage therapist specializing in Oriental bodywork, herbs and Reiki.
Henry Berman, MD. Dr. Berman graduated from New York University School of Medicine in 1965 and is board certified in pediatrics and medical management. He has served for more than two decades in the fields of health insurance, legislation and organizational strategies.
Jack Jones, BS. Mr. Jones is the information technology manager for Radia Medical Imaging, the largest radiology private practice in Washington state. He is also a member of the Healthcare Information Management Systems Society.
Rosemary Jones, BA. Ms. Jones graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1984 with a degree in journalism. She is a contributing writer to the alternative medicine website NaturalHealhers.com and covers alternative care issues for a number of print publications.
New Gingko Biloba Study Underway
One of the most popular herbal supplements on the market is gingko biloba. An extract made from the leaves of the gingko biloba tree, the supplement is believed to contain antioxidant properties that may shield the brain from certain age-related afflictions.
To date, no definitive studies have been performed to determine its effectiveness for such conditions. That lack of information may soon change, however, as the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Institute on Aging have awarded a $15 million grant for a multi-site study to see what role gingko biloba may play in combating dementia.
Dr. Steven DeKosky of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine will be the study's principal investigator. Studies will be conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), as well as the medical schools of Johns Hopkins University, the University of Vermont and Wake Forest University.
In the study, a group of 2,000 people will be randomly assigned to receive daily doses of either gingko biloba or a placebo. A second group of 500 patients aged 65 and older and in good physical condition will also be recruited about six months after the initial group. Both groups will be followed for six years to study any differences in the rate of development of any forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
"This is the first scientific study that will examine whether gingko biloba works or not," said Dr. Oscar Lopez, a researcher at UPMC. The study is important, he noted, "because people are spending millions on this type of over-the-counter alternative treatment."
Pacific College Appoints Dr. Haines Academic Dean
Dr. Thomas Haines has been named the new academic dean of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to his position. Prior to joining Pacific College, he served three years as the academic dean of the American College of Traditional Oriental Medicine in San Francisco.
As Pacific's academic dean, Dr. Haines will assist the president in overseeing the school's ongoing expansion and accreditation projects. He will also coordinate the efforts of faculty and academic deans at the school's campuses in New York and Chicago.
Governor Gavin Newsom has retracted the proposed budget cuts to the Medi-Cal acupuncture program for low-income Californians for the 2024-2025 budget year. This decision marks a significant victory for health care providers and advocates who have long championed acupuncture as a vital component of comprehensive medical care.
There’s no doubt that many of your patients visit your practice because they are in pain. And there’s certainly no doubt that curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa) can be incredibly effective in stopping that pain, whether due to chronic conditions like arthritis or acute pain from intensive workouts. But your patients may also benefit from curcumin for other reasons.
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Fair and appropriate wages in health care are typically based on economic evaluations. A simple literature review illuminates that acupuncture is missing economic evaluations; which implies you are either underpaid or overpaid. The complexity of services provided by most American acupuncturists, which they are trained and certified to provide, must be reimbursed fairly.
