Annual Conference

August 13-16, 2008

“Embody Nature, Redefine Health”

An exciting Annual Conference, in collaboration with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, was held at the fabulous Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Following are just a few of the many positive comments shared by AHMA members who attended the historical event:

“My wife and I have attended 15+ AHMA conferences, and this was the best ever! It was great to come together with the AANP, and see the bridges being built between the organizations.”

“I had a great time at the annual conference, and hope that the combined annual sessions of AHMA/AANP become at least an every-other-year tradition if not a yearly tradition.”

“I didn’t know what to expect with AHMA’s medical doctors and the AANP’s naturopathic doctors joining together for an annual conference, but it was awesome. The two groups came together seamlessly. Thank you to the leadership of both organizations for your vision and courage.”

“It was a lovely meeting. AHMA is a wonderful organization I am proud to be part of."

From the 2008 AHMA Conference Chair, Bill Benda

“AHMA and AANP unite in unprecedented conjoined annual conference”

August 13-16, 2008 marked the first time the memberships of two leading integrative organizations conjoined in a single conference as full partners in all keynote presentations, break-out sessions, membership meetings, social events, and, of course, the in-pool bar. Although there were initial concerns as to whether professions that have had historical reservations about each other could meld together for a few days, they were completely put to rest. Participants quickly came to the realization that we are all people by birth and MDs, NDs, etc. by training.

Just as political parties find the value in coming together in body and spirit each four years to solidify communal vision, the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) and American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) are now inextricably connected in the desire to reinvent a healthcare system that it is based upon health rather than illness.

Conference keynote speakers included Dianne Connelly, Bradford Keeney, and Nortin Hadler. In addition to the main conference agenda, one of the conference highlights was a panel entitled, “Practicing Partnership, Integration for the 21st Century”, which featured the leadership of seven national organizations. The result of that panel and private meetings which followed later, was the initiation of communal projects to forward shared ideals. The collaboration will continue.

Panel Participents Included:

• Moderator William Benda, MD, (Board member of both AANP and AHMA)
• Lise Alschuler, ND, President, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
• Hal Blatman, MD, President, American Holistic Medical Association
• Jeanne Drisko, MD, President, American College for Advancement in Medicine
• Debra Short, President, Natural Products Association
• Victor Sierpina, MD, President, Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine
• Lucia Thornton, RN, MSN AHN-BC, President, American Holistic Nurses Association
• John Weeks, Executive Director, Academic Consortium of Complementary and Alternative Health Care

Should you find interest in exploring the content and outcomes of the event, contact AHMA’s Executive Director, Donna Nowak or Trustee Bill Benda for further details.