AAAOM National Conference and Expo Offers More to Students!

By Jolene Habeck, President Elect, AAAOM-SO

At this year’s AAAOM National Conference and Expo in Chicago there will be many new opportunities for students to learn and mingle together.

The 3rd Annual National Student Caucus will get things rolling that Saturday morning, from 10am-2pm. During that time, students will be brought up to date on all AAAOM-SO events, accomplishments and goals of the upcoming 2008-2010 term. Also, a variety of speakers, door prizes and scholarships will be given out to students. The meeting will conclude with the AAAOM Student Organizational Council (SOC) Elections. For more information on running for a national position, please visit our website at www.aaaomonline.org/studentservices.

Following the student caucus will be the first ever student specific workshop offered at the AAAOM Conference. The workshop is entitled, Building a Successful Practice, and will be taught by Loni Anderson, L.Ac. Anderson has worked as a paralegal in the U.S. and Japan, lectured at Tokyo University, and had a lucrative coffee business abroad. She obtained her masters in TCM from Emperors College and currently maintains her clinic in Culver City, CA. Seeing the need for acupuncturists to understand business basics, she began to consult and lecture on this subject. Anderson is a commissioner for the Small Business and Health Commissions for the 47th State Assembly District and has worked with Assembly Speaker Karen Bass on legislation for small businesses. This workshop is great opportunity for those who are getting ready to start a practice or who want to modify their current model.

Later Saturday evening, a AAAOM-SO General Membership Meet & Greet will be held at the RAM Brew Pub, located 2 blocks from the Westin, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. This will be a great time to meet the old and new SOC members, as well as students from across the nation, in a casual, fun atmosphere. Appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided, and there will be a cash bar for those interested. After the Meet & Greet, from 9:30pm until midnight, the AAAOM invites all students to join them for the live music and dancing that follows their annual banquet.