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HISTORY
The Section on Integrative Medicine (SOIM) was established to develop and identify educational and policy strategies to advocate for research on complementary and alternative therapies used in pediatrics. The SOIM is governed by an executive committee of 6 member pediatricians. Larry Rosen, MD, chairs the section. The Section has both formal and informal liaison relationships with various AAP committees, sections, and chapters.

• SOIM has developed programs and workshops that have been presented at the National Conference & Exhibition, Pediatric Academic Societies and other international Integrative Medicine meetings. The emphasis has been on providing evidence-based information on various CAM therapies commonly used by children and families to treat common or serious conditions.
• CAM-related topics are provided in the journal, Pediatrics In Review, to help prepare pediatricians for board exams and recertification.
• The American Board of Pediatrics has requested the submissions of potential questions based on these PIR articles with the expectation that more CAM questions will be covered on the boards. A clinical report for clinicians and a patient education brochure on CAM was published. The report provides an overview of various therapies, insurance coverage, medical liability, and provides guidance on communicating effectively with patients and families who use or are interested in using CAM.
• SOIM has been represented at meetings of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and has given testimony to urge target research on infants, children, and adolescents as a population of special interest for future research.
• SOIM recognizes the lack of research on CAM, especially in the pediatric population, and is working with the Pediatric Research in Office Setting (PROS) Network to develop a research agenda and strategies for CAM therapies most commonly used by children and families.
• SOIM will work with AAP Department of Federal Affairs to urge the NIH, NCCAM to target infants, children, and adolescents as a population of special interest for future research.SOIM will work with the Division on Health Care Finance and Quality Improvement to develop priorities, goals, and strategies for enhancing reimbursement for effective, appropriate complementary therapies.
• SOIM will highlight successful clinical models of pediatric integrative care to help support pediatricians who are interested in developing this type of practice.

Current Executive Committee Members

Larry Rosen , MD, FAAP
Chair

Sunita Vohra, MD, FRCPC, FAAP
Vice-Chair

Hilary McClafferty, MD, FAAP
Program Chair

Olle Jane Sahler, MD, FAAP
Membership Chair

Timothy Culbert, MD, FAAP

Michelle Bailey, MD, FAAP

Kathy Kemper, MD, MPH, FAAP
Past Chair

For further information on the AAP SOIM or for questions or concerns, please call 847/434-7920.