Brief Notes: Schleich, Koffler, Hayes, Ullman, Brennan, Duggan, Sandman, plus

Summary:  David Schleich, PhD picked to lead the mothership of modern naturopathic medicine, the now multi-purpose National College of Natural Medicine ... Strong conference turnout for the True North Center conference headed by Bethany Hays, MD, FACOG ... Dana Ullman, MPH is developing a widely-endorsed project that may give homeopathy a major visibility boost ... AMTA selects B.K. Brennan, again, to track toward organization's presidency ... Karen Koffler, MD, back from Israel lands medical director job with Canyon Ranch in Miami ... Tai Sophia Institute earns business ward from its county Chamber of Commerce ... Gary Sandman lands key client for his Signature Supplements line ... Next steps for the 100,000 Lives Campaign ...

David Schleich, PhD, taking the helm at NCNM

The institution which is the "mothership for naturopathic medicine," National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) has selected a new president in David Schleich, PhD. Schleich has been a respected leader of the ND profession for over a decade due to his exceptional service from 1996-2003 as president of Canadian College of Naturpopathic Medicine. According to a notice to the community on January 3, Schleich's work at CCNM quintupled enrollment, created a thriving research department and vastly expanded its asset base. Schleich's background is in business, education and public policy. Many close to the naturopathic profession are excited to have Schleich taking the helm of the institution which graduated the leaders who founded each of the profession's five other federally-recognized North American programs. Schleich, who will assume his position in April, succeeds William Keppler, PhD, who took over NCNM at a rocky financial time. In NCNM's statement on the transition, Keppler is honored for "foresight, tenacity and masterful ability to create community" and pull the institution through it's tough period. NCNM also includes a program in Classical Chinese Medicine.

True North's Bethany Hayes, MD, FACOG

True North, "Maine's Center for functional medicine and the healing arts," drew 150 practitioners from 22 states and provinces to its 5th annual conference last fall. The center, founded and led by

Homeopathy author and publicist Dana Ullman

Dana Ullman, MPH, the author long-time promoter of the field of homeopathy - who is distinguished for having been jailed for his homeopathic practice 30 years ago - is looking for some help on his lifework, a book entitled The Homeopathic Revolution: Famous People and Cultural Heroes Who Choose Homeopathy. Ullman has tracked down scores of stories from grateful users, including the likes of Charles Darwin, Goethe, C. Everett Koop, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Marlene Dietrich, Pete Townsend and a public figure known better for things in the an over-large whole form rather than a homeopathic dose, Pamela Anderson. Ullman is playing to public interest in the famous and powerful. He figures that these stories can help catapult homeopathy into a more significant place in the popular mind. He is using a website to request information from people who may have come across other notables who have been pleased with homeopathy. He is also developing grassroots buzz and marketing for the book. After sharing chapters with numerous luminaries in integrated care, an impressive group are announcing their agreement with the power the book may have. Take a look by going to www.homeopathicrevolution.com  ...

The American Massage Therapy Association announced in a late December release the results of its 2006 election in which M.K. Brennan of North Carolina was chosen via written ballot by AMTA's professional members as president-elect. Brennan will begin a term, in 2008, as AMTA president. Kathleen Miller-Read of Washington was selected as vice president.

Karen Koffler, MD, at Miami's new Canyon Ranch

Karen Koffler, MD, is returning from a six month sabbatical with her family to Israel. She will serve as medical director of the high profile Canyon Ranch Living facility on Miami Beach. Koffler, a member of the first class of graduates of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona was previously employed in a successful stint building up and running the integrative clinic at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare. Koffler told the Integrator that she and family were in need of a warmer climate than the Chicago area. Meantime, Koffler has joined the great-for-my-family-that-I-took-a-sabbatical club ("totally shifted our family dynamics"). I am an honorary ambassador for the club as those who have read the brief report of my family sabbatical will know ... BTW, the Evanston IM site has a very clever little yin/yang wheel on it ...

One sign of integration of complementary and alternative medicine into mainstream culture is the integration of complementary healthcare institutions into the business community. Last year, the Howard County Chamber of Commerce (Maryland) honored Tai Sophia Institute with its "Large Business of the Year Award." The award

Gary Sandman- firm lands key placement

Gary Sandman, a CAM/IM entrepreneur has recently gained a key client for his Signature Supplements

The Integrator has tracked the progress of the 100,000 Lives Campaign to limit unnecessary deaths from medical care. (See articles on unnecessary deaths here and article on first phase successes here.) The program sponsor, the Institute for Health Improvement, has come up with a second phase which targets Protecting 5 Million Lives from Harm. The focus is on continuing to promote a previously selected set of guidelines, plus a new set of guidelines. The new set includes guidelines related to preventing surgical complications, diminishing harm from "high-alert medications", preventing pressure ulcers, making CHF care evidence-based, and more. You can find the list here. Thanks to healthcare journalist Elaine Zablocki for bringing these to my attention.