AIHM 2020 Conference Recap

It has been just over a month since the conference ended, and we’re still amazed by the experience that the conference was. Collectively we learned, spent time, and had deep conversations surrounding systemic racism and equity in healthcare that we believe will prompt change in this world. One of the highlights was there were 38 countries represented and over 1,000 people in attendance! We talk about global issues and it’s amazing that individuals from all over our world were present to engage at the conference. 

“The conference was wonderful, and I am so glad that it is now global! It’s been my goal for AIHM since the beginning to see the conference go international.” -Rauni Prittinen King, RN, MIH, BSN, CHTP/I, HNB-BC

“The AIHM Annual Integrative Health & Medicine conference went virtual this year from October 9-11, 2020. The theme of the conference was People, Planet, Purpose Inspiring Learning, Collective Wisdom and Transformative Action. The inequities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the social unrest following the murder of George Floyd, mobilized millions of people around the world to stand against racism and demand health care as a human right. AIHM created a Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) task force to help re-design the conference to include innovative programming on eliminating racism in healthcare, racial healing, with 4 immersive discussion panels along with traditional IM topics on integrative cardiology, pain management and oncology. The conference was exceptionally well received and there were over a thousand participants from 38 countries.”

-Yvette Miller, MD, BSN, MSPM, ADS, ABIHM

“AIHM conference 2020… WOW. I am an in-person, prone-to-hugging, people person. So the idea of my favorite conference to “come home to” going virtual felt dubious. And I have to say…. it blew all of my expectations out of the water. It was HIGHLY interactive (even more than a regular conference) and just as deep and meaningful in its connections. As a founding member of the Black, Indigenous and People of Color task force, our desire to tell the story of racism in health care and to begin, together, to craft a movement toward equity for all practitioners and patients, was met and exceeded. I have always loved the AIHM and considered it my professional home. But I have never been prouder of who we are or the vital work that we do, than I was at the conclusion of our 2020 conference.

I am excited about all of the events coming our way that were sparked at the conference and can’t wait to see you there!”

-Rachel Carlton Abrams, MD, MHS, ABoIM

Conference Photos

Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Forum

Our BIPOC forum was an incredible success. The BIPOC task force helped to re-design the AIHM conference to include programming focused on eliminating racism in healthcare, racial healing, and included four immersive discussion panels. Here’s a list of resources related to this subject that were recommended reading/watching from the conference. (Resource List)

Honoring the late “Enchanted Gardener”

This year Leslie Goldman also known as the “enchanted gardner” passed away. Leslie was known and loved throughout the integrative health community. Leslie would bring plants to integrated health conferences to allow people to plant their dreams into the soil. There was a special time dedicated to Leslie during this year’s AIHM conference.

Start at the 10 minute mark to watch Mimi sharing about Leslie.

Congratulations to these Research Award Winners!

AIHM was thrilled to receive over 45 abstract submissions for our virtual conference! Abstracts were received in a wide variety of topics on integrative health and medicine, naturopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, holistic nursing, mind-body research, acupuncture, consciousness and spirit, public health and policy related to integrative health and medicine, or other relevant topics. During the conference, we held a reception for the research award winners. We awarded a first, second, and third place for professional tier and another set of rewards for the student tier. View all submissions here.

Surprise Birthday Celebration for one our Founders!

During the conference, we celebrated one of the founders and past presidents of AIHM, Gladys McGarey. It was a complete surprise to her, and fun to honor someone who has such an impact on this organization. Gladys turned 100 years old! Watch the video below (start at 39 minute mark) to see the celebration!