Bastyr University Research Scientist Appointed to Institute of Medicine Committee on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Business Editors, Health/Education Writers

KENMORE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2003

Leanna Standish, ND, PhD, LAc, senior research scientist at Bastyr University, has been appointed to the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Committee on the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) by the American Public.

The IOM is one of four organizations comprising the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academies provide science and technology advice in several forms: written reports, symposia and convocations, conferences and workshops and white papers. IOM issues approximately 50 reports a year, working via a study committee of experts who volunteer their time.

Dr. Standish has spent 25 years as a research scientist and has published widely. She's also served on the Advisory Council for the National Institute of Health's National Center for CAM from 1999-2001 as well as on the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Advisory Panel for CAM. Currently she is principal investigator (PI) on several NIH/NCCAM funded research projects in the areas of neurophysiology and HIV/AIDS. Additionally, she is the PI on an NCCAM grant to develop a research agenda in naturopathic medicine. Her clinic practice specializes in cancer, AIDS, hepatitis C, and neurological diseases.

"It's exciting to be a part of this distinguished organization and to see them focusing on CAM," said Dr. Standish. "If we're going to make significant improvements in public health, we need to understand these therapies as scientists, and to assure that people have safe access to trained and properly educated professionals."

The Committee on the Use of CAM by the American Public will explore scientific and policy implications of CAM, through three main efforts. They will describe the use of CAM by the American public, to include a comprehensive overview of all therapies, how they are provided and what population uses them. Additionally, they will identify major scientific and policy issues including regulation, integration with conventional medicine, training and certification. Their work will result in a conceptual framework to guide decision-making.

The project is funded by 16 institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The first meeting will be held in February and the work will conclude with a final report to be issued at the end of June 2004.

"The efforts of this IOM committee will build on the good work of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy," said Dr. Thomas C. Shepherd, President of Bastyr University. "Bastyr has a strong history as a pioneer in CAM research, and we're pleased that one of our senior scientists has the opportunity to contribute her expertise."

Bastyr University, in Kenmore, Washington, is an accredited institution, internationally recognized as a pioneer in the study of natural healing. It is the leading university for natural health sciences in the United States, encompassing a multidisciplinary curriculum and a world renowned research institute.