Summary of the American College for Advancement in Medicine November 2007 Conference on Integrative Medicine: Advancing Science and Clinical Practice

Abstract

The autumn 2007 session of the American College for Advancement in Medicine's International Educational Conference on Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Medicine (CAIM) took place between November 14 and November 18 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Chandler, Arizona, USA. Over 400 physicians gathered at ACAM's (American College for Advancement in Medicine) ‘Integrative Medicine: Advancing Science and Clinical Practice’ to learn the latest science on a variety of illnesses. From topics in cancer and musculoskeletal disorders, to the science of lipids, these were cutting edge lectures from leading scientists and clinicians around the country. ACAM is a not-for-profit medical society dedicated to the education of physicians and allied health care professionals. As the leading voice in CAIM for over 30 years, ACAM strives to bring the best of nutritional and environmental research into the arena of clinical practice. During the meeting, Dr Ken Bock turned over the presidency to Dr Jeanne Drisko, the Riordan Professor of Orthomolecular Medicine and Director of the Program in Integrative Medicine Complementary and Alternative Therapies at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr Drisko's academic background and forward thinking leadership will help guide ACAM through the next 2 years. She has continuously demonstrated her commitment to providing advanced education to physicians through her collaborative efforts within the CAIM community and her research efforts at KUMC. Her plans include expanding Dr Bock's successful legacy of building bridges by reaching out to the academic CAIM physicians in the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine. We look forward to Dr Drisko's visionary efforts on behalf of our organization. ACAM unveiled it's first Integrative Health Guideline on the management of hypercholesterolemia. Graciously sponsored by Employers Resource and authored by Dr Mark Houston and colleagues, this effort promises to be the first in a series that brings fully integrated guidelines to bear on the management of degenerative illnesses. The pre-conference workshop on Hormone Replacement therapy was co-chaired by our incoming president, Dr Jeanne Drisko and president elect Dr Eleanor Hynote. Presenters included Dr David Rosensweet, Dr Eugene Shippen and Dr Jonathan Wright. Emphasis was placed on individualizing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. From titration methods of bioidientical hormones to the benefits of iodine in fibrocystic breast disease this workshop was filled with practical information. ACAM's pre-conference workshop on chelation therapy was co-chaired by Dr James Biddle and Dr Jeffery Morrison. Chelating agents are molecules known for their strong affinity for heavy metals and their ability to remove them from the body. The workshop consisted of lectures describing the general history and biochemical role of chelation therapy, the indications for varied chelating agents, abnormal lab parameters in the setting of heavy metals and the rationale of this therapy in the treatment of chronic degenerative diseases potentially induced by heavy metal exposure and excess calcium.