Advances in Integrative Medicine 1 (2014) 101

Editorial

AIMA President’s Report 2014

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Advances in Integrative Medicine

jo u r nal h o mep age: w ww.els evier . co m/lo c ate /a imed

The 2013/2014 year for the Australasian Integrative MedicineAssociation would best be described as one of transition. AIMA haspredominately been organized, structured and run for the last 21years by passionate voluntary doctors with the best intentions ofintegrative medicine at heart, backed by devoted administrativestaff.

Whilst strong in dedication, this has not always meant that theBoard and wider body of doctors engaged with AIMA, havenecessarily had the entire spectrum of the association’s needswithin its present skill set.

To alleviate this situation, the new board decided upon theadoption of a CEO position in October 2013, undertaken byGenevieve Gilmore, in order to address such requirements. Thishas led to major changes in the organization over the last yearnecessary for the ongoing function of AIMA within a changingmedical, political, legal and social environment.

Important evolutions in AIMA that may be visible to membersinclude:

� An evaluation of all of the administrative needs of AIMA requiredto organize it into a proficiently working association.� A movement of the AIMA office to Terrigal in accordance with the

new CEO role along with the contracting of several staffspecializing in AIMA’s needs.� A renewal of the AIMA website according to the present

requirements of the association. AIMA would like to warmlythank Peter de Lorenzo, Franko ***** and the team at IMGatewayfor their invaluable assistance in this process.� The continued development, in coordination with Elsevier, of

Advances in Integrative Medicine, an international evidence-based, peer-reviewed journal that has arisen from AIMAs ownJournal of Integrative Medicine (formally, Journal of Australasian

Integrative Medicine Association).� The continuation of AIMA’s political role in supporting integra-

tive medicine within the medical and wider community in anoften controversial and occasionally heated environment.� Ongoing engagement with our affiliated associations and

organisations, including ASMI in the development of the Self-Care Alliance.� The liason with and education of both medical students and GP

registrars in the field of Integrative Medicine.� Maintenance of our position with the RACGP in order to provide

integrative medical curriculums such as the pending Diploma ofIntegrative Medicine.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2014.08.001

2212-9626/� 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

AIMA also continues to provide an invaluable Conference everyyear, this year cleverly organized by Dr. Valerie Malka, that allowsboth for educational opportunity and an all important sense ofcommunity within a professional group that, whilst integrative,often, ironically works in isolation from the wider mainstreammedical population.

Looking forward, there are obvious challenges ahead. Integra-tive medicine remains a controversial area of practice that attractsits detractors. AIMA therefore needs to continue to adapt to thechanging environment in which our association exists and doesindeed require the support of the integrative medical industry ifwe are to fulfil our potential in the future.

It is with a heavy heart but an excited sense of freedom andanticipation that I will be stepping down from AIMA after 14 yearsof devoted service and commitment to this beloved association.Here, I really need to thank my husband, Greg, who has given somuch of himself to AIMA also over these years. Without him, Isimply could not have achieved what I set out to do. A big thankyoualso to my three gorgeous children, Hunter, Persia and Zara whogrew up knowing AIMA as a household name. I know that my truecommitment and dedication that I have shown to AIMA hasinfluenced them, particularly when they inform me that they havea teleconference booked with their friends that evening even ifthey are only 8 years old!

Finally, as outgoing President, I would like to thank all of thededicated board of AIMA including Vice President Dr. KylieDodsworth, Dr. Valerie Malka, Dr. Tim Ewer, Dr. Simon Spedding,Dr. Frank Golik, Dr. Stuart Glastonbury and Geneveive Gilmore whohave supported my work over the last year and, indeed, all membersof AIMA and the AIMA staff for their ongoing commitment.

I would also like to thank all of our sponsors includingBioceuticals-Blackmores, IMGateway and the extended list of thesponsors of our conference that allow the ongoing work of AIMA topersist.

I welcome our new President and invite the new board tocontinue the wonderful work of AIMA with the integrity, honestyand respect that our association has long been respected foramongst its members and associates.

With love and sincerity,

Lily Tomas

E-mail address: lilyt1_@hotmail.com (L. Tomas).