One Small Step…

By Jolene Habeck, BS, MAc
Contributions by Colleen Ragan, DiplAc, LAc

The profession of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, after many years of development in the U.S., is finally surfacing in this time of healthcare reform. With the growth national awareness comes the growth state associations or, in this case, the formation of one. South Dakota, one of the last remaining states in the U.S. without regulation of practice, has formed the South Dakota Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association (SDAOMA).

This fledgling group began the conversation to form SDAOMA well over a year ago. In the last six months, bylaws have been written and sustained, officers have been elected, and membership fees have been established, all of which have helped to move the group toward the next step of incorporating with the state. The membership requirements to join SDAOMA are NCCAOM or California certification, graduation from an accredited school, and payment of membership dues.

The officers of the association are president, Colleen Ragan, DiplAc, LAc (CO) of Rapid City, vice president, Kirsty Docken, DiplAc of Rapid City, treasurer, Adam Graves, ND, LAc of Watertown and secretary, Alexandra Rose, DiplOM of Sioux Falls.

SDAOMA has many challenges facing them, one being the more than 400 mile distance separating a majority of the practitioners. Another challenge is passing an acupuncture regulatory act—its first bill proposal was submitted to the South Dakota legislative session in February, 2009, and pushed to committee without any further action.

Other goals of the association include holding a conference/meeting (with continuing education units available), building a community that can withstand the many miles that separate the practitioners, and spreading awareness about AOM statewide to help increase patient numbers.

In some of the last frontier of this country yet to be touched by AOM, one small step has the undeniable movement underway.