By Erika Schultz, Graduate Intern at AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine
AOM Day is celebrated annually on Oct 24.
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See how we celebrated AOM Day in 2012
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See how we celebrated AOM Day in 2013
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine day is October 24th, 2011, and as with any day of commemoration, gratitude and appreciation are typical sentiments and core to its celebration.
The dictionary defines both the terms ‘gratitude’ and ‘appreciation’ as nouns, though the true essence of each are usually fully realized with the adjoining of a verb – whether through a spoken word, a hand-written note, or some other gesture.
AOM Day: Giving Gratitude and Appreciation to the Profession
Erika Schultz, Graduate Intern at AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine
The verb is essential – for it brings life to these sentiments that exemplify the pride and honor we employ using this medicine as a means to help others. The verb provides the action. The celebration of AOM day of giving gratitude and appreciation to our profession, our teachers, our colleagues, and our patients is most easily realized through taking ACTION to increase patient accessibility to our services.
There are many uncertainties in our current political landscape only one of which is health care reform. That is why it is so important that we be pro-active in spreading the word about the importance of getting acupuncture included as an Essential Health Benefit under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Even if you are a practitioner who runs a cash only practice, there is still much service to be provided to the masses. It is our call to ACTION to see that acupuncture is deemed essential – to ensure its recognition and efficacy in this country as a viable healing practice and to make it even more accessible to people.
Acupuncture as an Essential Health Benefit
In May, AAAOM submitted a white paper to the Institute of Medicine in support of acupuncture as an Essential Health Benefit. On October 6, 2011 the Institute of Medicine issued a Consensus Report to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The HHS will make a determination about the inclusion of acupuncture by December, 2011.
In the meantime we must show our gratitude and thanks to our profession, one another, and our patients by advocating for increased access to our services. So get the word out – post the link http://aaaom.rallycongress.com/ on your Facebook page, tweet it, tumble it, whatever it takes – just get the support we need at this critical time.
Erika Schultz is a graduate intern at AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin, Texas. She can be found on Twitter @AcuInternErika, on LinkedIn and at Paramount Wellness.