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From the Director The Natural AdvocateWhite House Establishes CAM CommissionOn March 7, 2000 President Clinton established the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy (WHCCAMP) with Executive Order 13147. The Commission was thereby charged with generating a report, to be submitted through the Secretary of Health and Human Services that makes “recommendations for assuring that public policy maximizes the benefits to Americans of complementary and alternative medicine.” These recommendations will address: the training and education of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners, research to increase knowledge about CAM practices and products, providing information to [allopathic] healthcare professionals about CAM that can be made readily accessible and understandable to the general public, and guidance for appropriate CAM access and delivery. The Commission comprises members appointed by the president, as well as, an executive director appointed by the secretary. The executive level search for commissioners directed an aim at knowledgeable parties that hail from both conventional health care operations and CAM practices. James S. Gordon, M.D., of Washington DC, who is presently the director of the Center for Body-Mind Medicine, was appointed by the president to serve as chair. Other commissioners include: George M. Bernier, Jr., M.D., Galveston TX, George Thomas DeVries, III, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, William R. Fair, M.D., Longboat Key, FL, Joseph J. Fins, M.D., New York, NY, Sister Charlotte Rose Kerr, R.S.M., Baltimore, MD, Wayne B. Jonas, M.D., Alexandria, VA, Dean Ornish, M.D., Sausalito, CA, Dr. Conchita M. Paz, Las Cruces, NM, Buford L. Rolin, Atmore AL, Julia Scott, Washington DC, Thomas Chappell, Kennebunk, ME, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, Corrales, NM, Effie Poy Yew Chow, Ph.D., San Francisco, CA. In the July 13, 2000 swearing in ceremony, Secretary Donna Shalala, Department of Health and Human Services stated, “By signing the executive order this year, the president lifted the issues related to complementary and alternative medicine to the highest levels of government. As the head of the department responsible for these activities, I intend to keep them there.” On October 19, 2000, President Clinton named five new members to the WHCCAMP. These most recent additions are Dr. David E. Bresler, Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Veronica Gutierrez, Lake Stevens, WA, Linnea Larson, Oak Park, IL, Dr. Xiao Ming Tian, Bethesda, MD, and Dr. Donald W. Warren, Clinton, AK. The Commission will terminate two years from the date of its inception unless extended by the president prior to such date. Call CNH at 800-586-4CNH (4264) for contact information. |