Posts filed under ‘Community Updates’
Naturopathic Licensure in Maryland: Legislative Update
This is the first year that legislation has been introduced to license the practice of naturopathic medicine in Maryland by the Maryland Association of Naturopathic Physicians. The bill, as written, would allow naturopathic physicians who have graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school (accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education) to practice as primary care physicians. Without licensure, Maryland residents do not have a clear way to differentiate from naturopaths who received their training through on-line correspondence courses from non-accredited schools and those of us practitioners who completed pre-medical prerequisite coursework, graduated from accredited 4-year naturopathic medical schools, and passed rigorous licensing exams. Licensure of naturopathic physicians in Maryland will also help to address the growing shortage of primary care practitioners in the State and bring a greater focus to chronic disease prevention in primary care settings.
HB 1100 was heard by the Health and Government Operations Committee in the House of Delgates on Tuesday March 8th and SB 560 was heard by the Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee in the Senate on Wednesday March 9th. We were grateful to have as part of our testimony panel Dr. David Schleich, President of National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and Karen Howard, Executive Director of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. In addition, we had several patients who have experienced great benefit from naturopathic medicine share their healing stories with the legislators. While our testimony was generally well-received in both the House and Senate, the voice of opposition from the Board of Physicians and the Maryland Medical Society had significant influence in halting further movement of our bill this session.
The next steps in this process require continued education of the legislators, the Board of Physicians, and the Maryland Medical Society regarding the vital role that naturopathic medicine can play in strengthening the delivery of quality health care in Maryland. The Maryland Association of Naturopathic Physicians plans to continue a dialogue with groups who opposed our bill over the next several months so that we may move forward with greater success during the 2012 legislative session.
Special thanks to all of the patients and healthcare practitioners who wrote letters of support to encourage passage of this bill and to our gentle-hearted, yet brilliantly-minded lobbyist Jim McComb for his tireless efforts on our behalf.
BRINGING WELLNESS TO CAPITOL HILL
Every year the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) sponsors an amazing event that brings the field of Naturopathic Medicine to the attention of our nation’s congressional leaders. The Federal Legislative Initiative, or “DC FLI,” takes place in early May involving several days of training and preparation before sending forth over 150 naturopathic physicians and naturopathic medical students ready to lobby for changes in healthcare that will increase access to naturopathic sevices for more Americans. During this year’s Lobby Day on May 3rd, I had the privilege of visiting the offices of Senator Cardin and Congressman Sarbanes from Maryland as well as Senators McCaskill and Bond and Congressman Clay from my home state of Missouri.
Our specific requests included:
- Adding naturopathic physicians to federal loan reimbursement programs that support primary care physicians working in rural and under-served communities.
- Incorporating a more specific definition of “integrative healthcare practitioner” into future Healthcare Reform Bill revisions.
- Protecting the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act (DSHEA) as it is written to ensure safe access to quality nutritional supplements.
Thankfully, our profession’s core philosophy of encouraging individuals to take a more active role in their own health was well-received by the legislative aids we met with on the Hill. One day we hope that naturopathic medicine can help meet the growing need for more primary care physicians in our country’s challenged healthcare system. Until then, we will keep bringing ideas and recommendations for shifting the “healthcare conversation” back to health and healing to the offices and ears of those who can implement change.
How can you participate in this change? Visit the AANP website and sign up for the Action E-List to receive alerts when you can e-mail your congressmen and congresswomen.
Let your voice be heard!
Add Wellness to that Spring in your Step…
Dr. Emily will be spreading the word about the benefits of naturopathic medicine at several different venues in the Baltimore community this Spring, and you are welcome to attend!
Homeopathy 101: The Art of “Less is More”
An introduction to the art and practice of homeopathy.
When: Thursday March 25th 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Where: Evolvewell Healing Arts Studio (4800 Roland Ave., Baltimore, MD)
Cost: FREE
Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine Symposium
How Can Nature Heal You?
When: Thursday April 8th 7:00pm
Where: Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus – Krieger Room 205
Cost: FREE
Spring Detox Class – 2 Class Offerings!
A 4-week course designed to promote safe & gentle detoxification while reconnecting you back to your “most well” self. Class includes a guided elimination diet plan, a deeper understanding about how to care for your liver and GI tract, recipes and weekly wellness plans to help reduce inflammation and support natural detox pathways in the body.
When: Wednesdays 7:00pm – 8:30pm April 21st, 28th, May 5th, 12th
OR Saturdays 9:00am – 10:30am April 24th, May 1st, 8th, 15th
Where: Seeds Center for Whole Health (3600 Roland Ave. Suite 3)
To Register: (443) 226-7665 or dremilytelfair@gmail.com
Cost: $250
Connecting Your Wellness with Haiti’s Relief
The first few weeks of this decade have truly jolted the entire world to consider the fragility of life and how vulnerable we can become in the face of Nature. The spirit and resilience of the Haitian people also remind us that amidst devastation, miracles are possible.
A Cupcake A Day…
…May keep the doctor away… that is if you following a gluten-free diet and want a bit of indulgence without the digestive upset. Baltimore’s newest “food allergy-friendly” establishment Sweet Sin Bakery has opened in the Remington neighborhood (123 W. 27th Street at 27th & Howard) with a storefront full of delectable treats including cupcakes, breads, pies and cookies that are all gluten-free. Many of the items are dairy-free and soy-free along with several baked goods that are even egg free. Special requests for desserts made with agave nectar instead of sugar can be ordered ahead of time. For those who live with Celiac Disease, gluten-intolerance, or other food sensitivities, finding eateries that honor these dietary restrictions can be difficult. Thanks to pastry chef Renee D’Souza, Baltimorians have another reason to shop local and make healthier dessert choices. (Note that eating a cupcake-a-day is not medical advice & it is important to monitor sugar consumption for overall health.) Visit: www.glutenfreedesserts.com to learn more.
Now Offering: Prenatal Massage
Receiving bodywork during pregnancy can support expectant mothers in connecting more deeply with their babies in a safe and empowering environment. Dr. Emily is certified in prenatal massage therapy and offers women a wealth of knowledge and therapeutic tools as a bodyworker and naturopathic doctor that can reduce stress, relieve musculoskeletal tension, and improve circulation.
Contact Dr. Emily at (443) 226-7665 to discuss when it is best to introduce massage therapy in pregnancy. 60 & 90 minute sessions available.
Garden Views: Feeding the Need
One of Baltimore City’s most bountiful urban gardens is now on display right in front of City Hall (Fayette & Holliday St.). This is not the typical ornamental garden of petunias and begonias that cover many city plots, rather the City of Baltimore has invested in a vegetable garden to feed the homeless with fresh in-season produce. Created by landscape designer Angela Treadwell-Palmer, this garden was also made possible by numerous donations of plants and volunteer support. To date, Angela calculates that 1,500 pounds of vegetables have already been harvested and donated to Our Daily Bread, a local soup kitchen that serves 700-800 meals per day. You may want to add this to your ”list of attractions” as you tour visitors around Baltimore this summer!
Do you have a garden story to share? Please send a photo and any comments about what inspires you to keep growing to dremilytelfair@gmail.com.
Great Soul Closing End of June
Sadly, I announce that Great Soul Wellness Studio will be closing its doors at the end of the month. The challenging economic times added a heavy strain to the business which celebrated its first birthday in February.
I want to thank and honor all those who invested time, energy and resources to keep the wellness community going over the course of the last year – especially the co-owners Stacey, Wendy and Stacy. They shared a beautiful vision to bring experiences of wellness and healing to the Lauraville community and hopefully that vision will continue to manifest in new and lifegiving ways.
The change this means for my individual practice is that all of my patients and clients will now see me exclusively at Seeds in Hampden. Thankfully, my practice is still steady and growing. For those who have not yet seen me in Hampden, it may be helpful to know that most patients express a sense of peace and comfort when entering the space at Seeds.
I appreciate your patience during the transition. My hours for seeing patients at Seeds may fill quickly, so please try to schedule soon for any upcoming follow-up appointments. I will be seeing patients at Seeds on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and I may be adding time Wednesday mornings and some Saturdays (temporarily) by appointment only. Please contact me directly at (443) 226-7665 or via email (dremilytelfair@gmail.com) for scheduling all appointments.
Eating Well at the Waverly Market
Treat yourself to the “taste of wellness” at the Waverly Farmers’ Market by paying a visit to Don and Renee Gorman. As former restaurant owners they are skilled in offering warm and hospitable service as well as serving up delicious whole foods cuisine. A rare find in Baltimore – Don and Renee have many WHEAT & GLUTEN FREE and DAIRY FREE items available. From quinoa muffins and vegan brownies to spelt-crusted pizzas and veggie burritos with rice tortillas, you are sure to find fresh food made with love and healing intention. This dynamic duo enjoys sharing their passion for healthy nutrition as part of a holistic lifestyle rooted in wellness.
The Waverly Farmers’ market is open year-round on Saturdays from 7am-12pm at the 400 block of 32nd Street. Visit www.32ndstreetmarket.org to learn more.
Naturopathic Doctors Lobby for Healthcare Reform
On Monday May 4th a group of approximately 100 naturopathic physicians, medical students and supporters of natural healthcare ventured to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of all those touched by dis-ease in this country longing for a new approach to healthcare. We met with staff members from the offices of Senators and Congressmen/women throughout the day bringing the message to include an emphasis on prevention and wellness in any upcoming proposals for healthcare reform. The event which takes place annually was organized by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, an organization that works very hard to ensure that licensed naturopathic physicians and our patients have a voice in federal legislation.
I participated in meetings at the offices of Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski and Representative John Sarbanes (Maryland’s 3rd District). In both meetings our messages were well received. It was a great pleasure to join forces with my Maryland colleagues to represent both our current and future patients with the hopes that our efforts will increase awareness about naturopathic medicine on a state and national level.
