Cleveland to host HOLISTIC HEALTH NOW Conference -‘a unique conference with spirit’ for everyone

Cleveland is already a center for traditional medicine and world-class healthcare and now our city is gaining a reputation as center for holistic, integrated and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Just ask Donna Nowak, Executive Director/CEO of the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA), which is now headquartered in Cleveland. “In November, the Cleveland area will get a gigantic boost of positive energy and support for a patient-centered approach to healthcare,” says Nowak. “We will also be generating ideas for physicians who want to build and sustain an integrative medical practice.”

The national educational conference, HOLISTIC HEALTH NOW, will be held November 5-7 at the Renaissance Hotel on Public Square.

While designed for doctors and healthcare practitioners, anyone interested in alternative healthcare can attend. It is believed to be the first time a national holistic conference has been held here.

The conference has been approved for Continuing Medical Education (CME’s) to medical professionals and CPE’s for counselors and social workers, Nowak says. Other practitioners can also earn CE’s and CEU’s.

The AHMA, which stresses collaboration, has been working together with the Integrated Therapies Committee of MetroHealth Hospital and Western Reserve Geriatric Education Center, to host an exciting pre-conference on Nov. 5. Attendees may choose workshops from three tracks, including “Power of the Heart”, “Purpose & Passion”, and “Positive Aging.”

The main conference on Nov. 6-7 includes major presentations Healthcare futurist Leland Kaiser, speaking on “Designing Healthcare that Heals,”Tieraona Low Dog, MD, of the University of Arizona, Benjamin Kligler, MD, of the Beth Israel Integrative Medicine and Scott Shannon, MD, of the University of Colorado, Department of Child Psychiatry.

Approximately 30 other MDs, DOs and speakers from the fields of chiropractic, naturopathic, nursing and more, will present evidence-based educational workshops such as:

· “Hospitals that Heal”

· “Laboratory Evaluations for Understanding a Patient’s Nutrition and Supplements Needs”

· “Natural Therapies for Prevention & Treatment of the Common Cold”

· “Healing the Roots of Emotional Trauma”

A panel, including medical students from Case Western Reserve University, will share research presentations and an update on holistic medical education.

Several panels include local experts, such as Sherri Tenpenny, DO and Keith Jordan, DC.

The event concludes Saturday evening, Nov. 7, with a gala event of delicious, nutritious food, a healthy dose of holistic comedy, music and dancing.

“Our goal is to create an environment for learning from distinguished speakers who have a vision for the future of healthcare,” says Conference Co-Chair and President-Elect David Forbes, MD, of Nashville, TN. “You can also network with friends, old and new, and share ideas that have helped you survive and thrive in holistic medicine.”

Registration can be completed on-line at www.holisticmedicine.org. A limited number of exhibitor spaces are available, as well as opportunities for sponsors/partners. For more information, call Kathleen Alter, 216-292-6644.

Dr. Keith Jordon, DC one of the presenters at the AHMA Conference Nov. 5-7