National University of Health Sciences President, Dr. James F. Winterstein, recently received the following sincere letter of appreciation from the executive director of the Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC).

The mission of ACCAHC is to create and sustain a network of national complementary and alternative medicine educational organizations and agencies, which will promote mutual understanding, collaborative activities and interdisciplinary health care education. National University, as well as several of its deans and faculty members, have been an integral part of this organization, supporting its mission and goals.

Dear Jim,

While reviewing the September newsletter of the Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC – www.accahc.org) this past week I began to think of NUHS’ many significant contributions to our work. The immediate stimulus to my reflection was the brief note that Vince De Bono will be among the team of ACCAHC leaders who will be representing our disciplines at the nation’s most significant conference on interprofessional education/care, this November. This isn’t even Vince’s most significant role with us. He is also the ACCAHC External Affairs Representative for the ambitious national Pain Action Initiative: A National Strategy. He’s been commended by the leaders of that effort for his work there. He also serves on our Education Working Group.

Then I can’t say enough about the exceptional work of Greg Cramer as chair of our Research Working Group. Greg’s helped forge ACCAHC well-received and impactful policy statements to the NIH and the new Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Jerrilyn Cambron joined the research group recently and immediately began offering fine contributions.  And Kristina Connor continues as a regular participant in our Clinical Care Working Group.

Topping it off is the phenomenal leadership investment NUHS made as a Gold Sponsor of the ACCAHC Center for Optimal Integration, now in development.  Our view is that our disciplines can’t complain about not being at the table and in key US dialogues on the future of health care if we don’t show up. NUHS has been helping us big time to “represent” as my 19-year-old son would put it. We’re making measurable headway. Thanks, sincerely, on behalf of ACCAHC.

 — John Weeks, Executive Director, ACCAHC