Physicians Bridge Gap Between Conventional and Alternative Medicine

SAN DIEGO, CA. – This fall, more than 200 physicians will attend a one-of-a-kind, week-long course leading to board certification in integrative holistic medicine. Presented by the American Board of Holistic Medicine (ABHM) and Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in San Diego, The Science and Clinical Application of Integrative Holistic Medicineteaches physicians how physiology, biochemistry, nutrition and herbs, exercise, emotions, spirituality and other elements of integrative holistic medicine can impact health and healing.

“Integrative holistic medicine is an emerging medical specialty that uses a body-mind-spirit approach in the prevention and treatment of diseases,” says Lee Lipsenthal, M.D, president of the American Board of Holistic Medicine. “Patients are using alternative and holistic treatments, and physicians need to become conversant in this new language of medicine in order to facilitate optimal health and healing. A board certified integrative holistic medicine physician has met established standards of knowledge and will help ensure that the patient is receiving safe, quality medical care.”
Studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) show that a majority of adult Americans who use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) believe that their health will improve when using it in combination with conventional medical treatments.

“Patients and physicians are both realizing simultaneously that health is more than the absence of illness – it is the presence of physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual well being,” says Mimi Guarneri, M.D., founder and medical director Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine and ABHM board member. “It is vitally important that we partner with our patients to know how we can help them make a connection between heart and mind.”

More than 25 thought leaders and medical experts will present applications for effectively treating nearly forty of America’s most common diseases and chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, migraines, cancer and menopause. The conference faculty includes nationally known speakers, clinicians, professors, authors and researchers such as:

• Robert Anderson, M.D., founder and executive director, American Board of Holistic Medicine
• Mimi Guarneri, M.D., founder and medical director, Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine
• Lee Lipsenthal, M.D., president, American Board of Holistic Medicine
• Steven Pratt, M.D., best-selling author, Superfoods RX
• David Simon, M.D., medical director, The Chopra Center for Wellbeing
• Lawrence Palevsky, M.D., president, American Holistic Medical Association

The Science and Clinical Application of Integrative Holistic Medicine will be held from October 28 through November 3, 2006. Continuing medical education credits are offered for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants and nurse midwives. A one-day introductory course on integrative holistic medicine is also available for the public on Saturday, October 28. Go to www.scrippsintegrativemedicine.org for a full conference brochure or to register.

The American Board of Holistic Medicine was founded in 1996 with a mission to establish standards of care in the application of the body of knowledge encompassed by integrative holistic medicine, so that these concepts can be fully integrated into medical practice, education, health planning and research. More than 900 physicians have been achieved board certification through ABHM. For more information, visit www.holisticboard.org.

Part of Scripps Health, Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine offers conventional and scientifically validated complementary medicine. Through clinical research, education, prevention and lifestyle changes, the Center seeks to empower its patients to take charge of their health. For more information, visit www.scrippsintegrativemedicine.org.