AAMA
Newsletter
Serving the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
July 2001

Page
1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Medical Acupuncture Advisory Committee (MAAC) Update
By William D. Rutenberg, MD, DABMA, Chair
MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Regional Chapter Liaison Sub-committee
Most of the regional chapters have been successfully recertified in good standing and therefore, will continue to receive support from the Academy. Recertification is essential to ensure that when members join a regional chapter, they will belong to one that adheres to AAMA's standards and guidelines and that their best interests will be represented.

Chapters provide an excellent opportunity for networking and continuing education as well as contribute to the strength of AAMA as the voice of medical acupuncture. Regional chapters are currently in the formative stages. Interested members can call Drs. Bruce Gilbert, 516/487-2700 (New York); Marie Steinmetz, 703/823-5770 (Virginia); David Bilstrom, 630/434-7640 (Illinois), and Christine Hughes, 704/366-0030 (North Carolina). Contact information for established chapters can be obtained on AAMA's website (medicalacupuncture.org) or from national headquarters.

Members in other states interested in organizing a chapter can contact me (wdrutenber@aol.com, 847/634-4728).

Target Outreach Sub-committee
Our recognition is enhanced by the relationships we develop. One of the committee's goals is to establish liaisons with state and county medical societies as well as with specialty societies. I am eager to recruit at least one volunteer from each state who would be willing to help in this endeavor.

Legislative Awareness
Legislation regulating the practice of acupuncture continues to be brought before the state legislatures. To guarantee our practice rights are not abridged and that we are fairly compensated for our services, we must develop a fast response network. The MAAC regularly reviews proposed legislation at the state and federal levels and needs a volunteer from each state to head a communication tree. The time commitment would be limited to contacting AAMA members to respond in writing if legislation is proposed in their own state that would impact their ability to practice.

The purpose of a communication tree is to put in place a system that would allow a rapid response by Academy members to restrictive legislation proposed in their state legislatures. I would form a subcommittee in each state so that when I learn of legislation that is potentially harmful to us, I would call/e-mail/fax one member who, in turn, would contact others in his/her state to call/e-mail/fax/write their local representative and the legislator proposing the bill. This would ensure that AAMA's voice is heard and our position clearly stated. Lobbyists have told me that as few as five responses from constituents often affects how a legislator votes, especially on issues for which they are not well informed.

If interested, send me an e-mail: wdrutenber@aol.com.

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Leading physician acupuncturist dies

Shyh-Jong "Jack" Yue, MD, recently died. He trained hundreds of physicians and dentists in acupuncture during the past three decades. Dr. Yue was director of rehabilitation medicine at Saint Luke's Hospital in Manhattan and clinical associate professor in rehabilitation medicine at Columbia P&S. He was awarded registration number 002-the second person certified to practice acupuncture in New York State. Dr. Yue was founding president of American College of Acupuncture and helped establish the New York Society of Acupuncture for Physicians and Dentists (serving as president and leading educational tours abroad). Survivors include wife Nai Gi, son David and other family members.