September 2025 Newsletter

From the Past Chair | The Latest | ASA Sponsors | Ads | State Associations Updates

From the Past Chair

Dear Colleagues,

As I look back on the past six years, I am both humbled and deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve on the ASA Board of Directors, including the last five and a half years as Chair. On September 1, I concluded this chapter of service—an experience that has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. Walking alongside so many of you in advancing our shared mission has been a privilege I will always cherish.

Reflecting on this journey, I see an organization that is stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future. Together, we built structures and processes that will sustain the ASA for years to come. We forged partnerships that enhance our advocacy on behalf of the profession, and we launched programs that reinforce the ASA’s role as a unifying voice for acupuncturists nationwide. None of this would have been possible without the collective effort, wisdom, and commitment of the ASA Board, Council, Committee Chairs, Committee members and all of our exceptional partners. Thank you all for your tireless service!

I am especially gratified to pass the baton to Paul Magee, who officially assumed the role of Chair on September 1. He is supported by a highly talented executive committee—Kelly Hora as Vice Chair, Ross McCallum as Secretary, and Hongjian He as Treasurer—along with Board Directors Charis Wolf and Samina Quraishi. With Paul’s vision and experience, and the dedication and balance of his leadership team, I am confident the ASA is poised to continue growing and thriving in the years ahead. 

Over the next year, I will serve as Immediate Past Chair and remain on the Board to help ensure continuity and see several important projects through to completion. After that, I will step aside fully, leaving space for new voices and fresh energy to guide the organization toward its next set of goals. I respectfully ask all of you to support Paul and his team with the same trust, collaboration, and encouragement you have so generously given me over the years.

Finally, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each one of you. Serving in this role has been both a responsibility and a gift, and I am profoundly thankful for the confidence you placed in me. The chance to learn, to grow, and to serve alongside such a dedicated community of colleagues and friends has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Though my term as Chair has concluded, my admiration for this profession and for all of you endures, and I will carry these years—and the memories we have built—with me always.

Cheers to the next era of the ASA!

With gratitude,

The Latest – What the ASA Committees are doing right now

Conference Committee – Chair, LiMing Tseng

The American Society of Acupuncturists’ 2026 Conference will be held on April 25 & 26, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Please save the date! More information and stay tuned for a call for speakers!

Federal Advocacy Committee – Chair, Amy Mager

For more information, or if you have any questions, please reach out to: gro.u1768435357casa@1768435357ycaco1768435357vdA1768435357
To find out about HR 1667, the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act of 2025 please go to: https://asacu.org/medicare/

Federal Advocacy and VA Community Care Updates
HR 1667 Legislative Progress

The ASA Federal Advocacy Committee continues its collaborative efforts with ASA and NCCAOM leadership teams to advance HR 1667 through the legislative process.

VA Community Care Enhancement Initiative
We are pleased to announce our ongoing collaboration to support acupuncture community care providers in utilizing the VA’s Enhanced Provider Scheduling (EPS) online system. This innovative platform has dramatically reduced appointment wait times for veterans seeking acupuncture services.

Significant Wait Time Improvements:

• Previous wait times: 45 days
• Current wait times: 9 days
• Future goal: 3 days

Educational Webinar Opportunity

ASA and NCCAOM Collaborative Webinar with the VA
Join us to learn about the EPS system and discover how to get started as a VA community care provider.

Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM EDT, 7:00 CDT, 6:00 MDT, 5:00 PDT

Additional information about the EPS program and webinar registration details will be made available through ASA and NCCAOM communications channels.

Register for the webinar through this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VA_EPS_2025

State Advocacy Committee – Chair, Jennifer Broadwell

The ASA State Advocacy Committee was created to better understand the needs of our member state associations and to support them in developing their advocacy committees and communities to further their success. In addition, we manage several ongoing projects for the ASA:

• ASA’s Advocacy Toolkit for Members: A library of resources including documents and other advocacy / organizational tools that can aid individual state advocacy efforts. 
• BillTrack 50: Our legislative monitoring tool that allows our member states to track legislation at every stage and research their members of Congress. 
• State Practice Act Comparison: An ongoing project that seeks to document, catalog, and analyze the current variations in our state acts. 

We are looking for additional members that are wanting to work with us to support state advocacy. You can apply here.

Governance Committee – Chair,  David Bock

The Governance Committee is reviewing past unfinished projects and organizing internal files in preparation for addressing the future needs of the ASA.

Insurance Committee – Chair, Mori West

As usual, we have been hard at work.  We continue to answer questions from various state representatives.  We are working on outreach to PTs and chiros about sharing a CPT code application.  We have clarified which MA plans require PCP referral.  BIG NEWS – We recently found out that the chiropractors are putting up a new code for a chiropractic-acupuncture taxonomy code.  We will be discussing our next steps at our next meeting.  We don’t know for what reason they are wanting this sub-category taxonomy code.  They currently have them for a variety of specialties, like neurology, radiology and sports physicians. Typically a subspecialty taxonomy code doesn’t override carrier requirements, but we need to get a better sense of why they want this code.  There are 2 different certifying bodies of chiropractors that certify chiros for acupuncture. MORE TO FOLLOW!

Medicaid Committee – Contact, Joe Pandolfo

With decreases in federal Medicaid funding on the horizon, now is the right time to be attentive to our respective states’ efforts to achieve better health outcomes in more cost-effective ways.

Whether your state currently covers acupuncture care for Medicaid beneficiaries, the evolving funding landscape presents an opportunity to make policymakers more aware of the value of your care.  

Our committee is available to share resources and provide consultation to support your Medicaid advocacy activities.  We have presented and recorded webinar style modules, to share experiences and strategies from the field. We are currently developing a reference chart from earlier sources, to document the current status of acupuncturist coverage across state Medicaid programs.

You are welcome and encouraged to contact us with questions, requests, or updates about your state’s efforts at gro.u1768435357casa@1768435357diaci1768435357deM1768435357.

Membership/Benefits Committee – Chair, Mary Beth Jones-Prizer

ASA Members receive all of the following great benefits! Details available on the Member Benefits Package page. 

• 2025 ASA Member Certificate (printable)
• 2025 ASA Member Digital Badge
• Insurance Specialists, Inc. – discounts on all types of insurance (Life, AD&D, Disability Income, Business Overhead Expense, Dental, Cyber Liability, Pet)
• Jane App – 1-month grace period on a new account
• Transformational Herbal Pharmacy – 5% discount
• Golden Needle – 5% discount (some products excluded)
• AAC – discount on malpractice insurance

Nominating Committee: Chair, Alexandra Russell

We are accepting applications for ASA Committee Members
Use this form to apply for a committee position!

We also invite candidates for ASA Board of Directors – Read this to learn about BOD Positions and how to apply 

Reach out anytime with questions ~ gro.u1768435357casa@1768435357mocmo1768435357n1768435357

Research Committee – Chair, Lisa Conboy

In addition to supplying research support for other committees, the research committee continues on a few fronts. We are culling and creating content for a research section of the ASA Website.  We are working to finish up our paper on DEI and the acupuncture profession.  Regular research summaries have also continued.  We are planning research modules for the ASA community.

Strategic Planning Committee – Chair, Candace Sarges

We are about to launch the much anticipated Board and Leadership Training program. 

The training program is multilayered but will begin with Zoom webinars for State Board members and representatives. The webinars are divided into Modules since there is a lot of information to digest. The 1st Module, which is on creating functional Mission and Vision statements, is scheduled for September 10, 2025 at 8 pm.  State Representatives, please ensure that your respective State Board is aware. The webinars will be approximately an hour to an hour and a half long for the presentation, plus time for Q&A afterwards.  The follow up Zoom meeting for the first Module is October 15th. The webinars will be recorded and stored for future reference by member State Boards. There will also be written materials available which will be stored for further reference. 

Even if you think you have a handle on certain topics, there is always more to learn.  We strongly encourage everyone to participate. Contact Candace Sarges to register.

Student Committee – Chair, Angela Serabian

The Student Committee is looking for new, excited members! We are looking for individuals who want to become leaders in the Acupuncture community. Please email gro.u1768435357casa@1768435357stned1768435357uts1768435357 for more information!

ASA Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

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State Association Updates

Arizona

🌟 AMAAZ Hybrid CEU Event Fall 2025
Earn 8 CEUs • All About Labs for Acupuncturists • In-Person or Online

📍 Phoenix, AZ + Online | October 19, 2025

Step beyond the treatment room and into a full day designed to strengthen your clinical practice. The Asian Medicine Acupuncturists of Arizona (AMAAZ) invites you to our 2025 Hybrid Event—attend in Phoenix or online for CEUs, practical training in lab testing and interpretation, and the opportunity to connect with colleagues shaping the future of our profession.

🧪 Morning Session
Lab Ordering & Interpretation Made Simple
Dr. Kelly Wilhelms, PhD, DABCC, MLS(ASCP)CM
Scientific Medical Director at Sonora Quest Laboratories

• How to order labs with confidence
  
• Navigating ICD-10 coding
  
• Understanding the most common lab tests and their clinical significance

🧭 Afternoon Session
Labs Through Functional Medicine & TCM
Dr. John Nieters, DAOM, L.Ac.
Nationally recognized educator, clinician, and author of The Sweet Spot

Dr. Nieters will guide attendees through lab interpretation from both Functional Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspectives, including:

• How to identify underlying imbalances using blood chemistry
  
• Correlations between lab values and TCM diagnostic patterns
  
• Practical frameworks to integrate lab data into patient care plans
  
• Tools to improve outcomes for complex and chronic conditions
  

📚 Special Bonus: All in-person attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Dr. Nieters’ book, The Sweet Spot.

🗳️ AMAAZ Annual Board Meeting & Elections
Be part of the conversation shaping the future of acupuncture in Arizona. (Accepting Nominations)

Why Attend?
✔ Earn 8 CEUs (nationally recognized)
✔ Master lab ordering, coding, and interpretation skills
✔ Learn practical Functional Medicine + TCM integration
✔ Attend in-person or virtually
✔ Exclusive gift for in-person attendees: Dr. Nieters’ book The Sweet Spot
✔ Network with colleagues and leaders across the profession

Registration

• Members: $225 Early Bird | $259 after 10/5
  
• Non-Members: $289 Early Bird | $320 after 10/5
  
• Students: $115 Early Bird | $135 after 10/5
  
• Online: $320
  

⚡ Space is limited—reserve your seat today!
👉 Register Here

California

Secure your spot for Analyzing Blood Work through a Functional Medicine Lens, the first in our fall webinar lineup.
Tuesdays | 7:00–9:30 p.m. PT | 2.5 CEUs each

View the schedule and register here.

Pricing per webinar:
$80 Regular, $32 CSOMA Member, and a FREE no-credit option

California
AACMA

➤ Medi-Cal Acupuncture Benefit Secured
Thanks to the dedicated advocacy of the California Acupuncture Coalition (CAC) and strong support from our State Legislature, acupuncture will remain a covered benefit under Medi-Cal for the coming budget year. This is a meaningful victory for our profession and the patients who rely on us.

 ➤ Ongoing Advocacy
CAC has extended its one-year contract with the lobbying firm TPA. With this partnership, we will continue to focus on two critical priorities: protecting our profession from the unsafe practice of dry needling by unlicensed providers, and working to improve insurance coverage for acupuncture services.

➤ CAC Growing Stronger
Our coalition continues to expand! CAC has grown from three member associations to five: AACMA, AKAMAC, CSOMA, UAA, and AMUAA. This broader alliance strengthens our voice and impacts in advocating for the acupuncture profession statewide.

➤ 50th Anniversary Celebration
On July 13, 2025, we proudly celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Acupuncture Legalization in California. This milestone event honored our pioneers, celebrated our achievements, and looked ahead to the bright future of acupuncture in California and beyond.

Connecticut

We’re pleased to welcome three new members to our Board:

• Dean Choksi, MSac, Dipl.Ac, L.Ac.
• Joseph Downer, D.Ac., L.Ac.
• Jill Kleiber, DACM, L.Ac.

We are deeply grateful to Maggie Barili, R.N., LAc., Dipl.Ac., and Patricia Heraghty, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac., O.T. for their outstanding service on the Board.

As the new season begins, our activities will include presenting comments to the Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, a statutory body established to guide the effective use of proceeds from opioid litigation settlement agreements.

Hawaii

HAMA extends sincere gratitude to Olivia Hsu-Friedman, DACM, LAc., Past Chair of ASA, for her outstanding dedication and service. We also offer warm congratulations to Paul Magee, Ma.O.M., LAc. on his appointment as the new Chair of the ASA Board. We look forward to working with everyone in uniting and moving our profession into a fabulous future!

HAMA President Barbara Ota, DACM, DAc. and HAMA Vice President Denice Murphy, MSOM, LAc. will be attending the Pacific Symposium in San Diego. The Pacific Symposium is the largest acupuncture conference in the US! 

Becky Jacobs, DACM, DAc., HAMA Treasurer, attended the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Nonprofit Organization’s Huddle in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. The HANO Huddles were held on each island as an opportunity for members to network with other non profit organizations to share ideas. Dr. Jacobs also attended HANO workshops online for budgeting and financial oversight. 

The HAMA Fall newsletter will feature HAMA member Elena Kozmidi, DACM, LAc. Dr.Kosmidi owns Hawaii Holistic Care in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. The ‘featured member’ section is a new addition to the HAMA newsletter created by HAMA Director Erin Heidrich, MAcOM, LAc. 

The HAMA 2025 Annual Meeting will be on October 5, 2025 from 10am-12pm via Zoom. The meeting is open to both members and non members. Only HAMA members will be eligible for the amazing giveaways from our sponsors. For more information go to the HAMA website: hawaiiacupuncture.org

Maine

The Maine Acupuncture Society has been engaged in several community outreach opportunities this summer. New to MAS in 2025, local members set up a table at the Yarmouth Farmer’s Market on Thursday afternoons in July and August. Members also offered free auricular acupuncture at Shapleigh Community Days July 25th, 2025, and at the Massabesic Lions Club in August.

Membership Chair, Naomi Skoglund, continues to build the MAS social media presence by promoting member highlights. Members have been appreciative of the chance to learn more about their colleagues.

MAS is also pleased to report we will be promoting workshop opportunities for members utilizing a tiered advertising system on our multiple social media platforms. If you have a workshop opportunity you would like to promote to Maine Acupuncture Society members, please email gro.e1768435357m-sam1768435357@ofni1768435357. We look forward to working with you!

Massachusetts

Acupuncture Society of Massachusetts Annual Meeting November 02, 2025

All are welcome!
✨ Up to 9 CEUs/PDAs available | Inspiring speakers | Lunch provided | Legislative & Community Updates
📅 Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025
📍 Location: Reuben Hoar Library (35 Shattuck St, Littleton, MA 01460)

For more information, visit: https://www.acusocietyma.org/

Registration open  09/17/2025.

Questions? Contact gro.a1768435357mytei1768435357cosuc1768435357a@nim1768435357da1768435357

Michigan

The Dance of Diagnosis and Treatment in Acupuncture:
Utilizing Tools from Manual Medicine

Drs. Jay Sandweiss, D.O. & Dan Bensky, D.O. workshop in Ann Arbor, October 11-12, 2025!

Sat 10.11.25 ~ 9 am to 6 pm (registration at 8:30)
Sun 10.12.25 ~ 8 am to 4 pm 

15 HOURS OF TRAINING (CME and CEU Applied for)
Team Rehabilitation Altarum Institute
3520 Green Ct, Suite 150
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

$1,250.00 USD
Extensive handouts & delicious meals included!

To register:
Call Dr. Sandweiss at his office: 734-995-1880
Or, text him at: 734 276-7573

Workshop Description:
As the esteemed clinician (and mentor of Dr. Sandweiss) George Goodheart Jr., D.C. said, “Diagnose the need; supply the need, observe the result.” In this workshop Drs. Sandweiss and Bensky will share approaches that do just that for acupuncture focused practices. These will include: precise muscle testing as developed by Applied Kinesiology, the use of Counterstrain, Muscle Energy Technique, and Myofascial Release applied to acupuncture points, and tools from Engaging Vitality such as Qi Signal Assessment and Channel Listening. These techniques can be used in a wide variety of circumstances and are particularly helpful for subacute or chronic issues, particularly within the musculoskeletal system.

Oregon

This year has been one of the most complex for Oregon acupuncturists, with several significant legislative and regulatory developments. Two major bills passed: the 5NP tech bill and the PT scope expansion bill. While the PT dry needling bill may feel like a setback at first glance, the Governor’s signing letter included an important win for our profession: dry needling performed by physical therapists is clarified as not acupuncture for insurance purposes. This distinction helps preserve patient access to acupuncture benefits and prevents unintended depletion of coverage. The Governor also directed the PT Board to work with the Oregon Medical Board during rulemaking, including establishing clear definitions, education and training standards, and opportunities for stakeholder input. This upcoming rulemaking process is a key opportunity to influence how PT dry needling will be implemented in Oregon.

At the same time, the HERC (Health Evidence Review Commission) denied expansion of covered diagnosis codes, maintaining higher-than-necessary administrative burdens and barriers to care. Insurance pressures continue to mount, including Providence’s transition to ASH for claims processing and extensive audits across MODA and BCBS. These challenges highlight the importance of coordinated advocacy and strategic engagement.

In response to these demands, the OAA made the decision to terminate our previous lobbying firm due to their inability to meet the organization’s needs. We are actively searching for a new firm that can effectively represent acupuncturists, amplify our voice, and ensure that our concerns are addressed in Salem.

While the professional landscape in Oregon remains complex, there are clear opportunities to shape policy, clarify practice standards, and protect patient access to care. Engaging in the upcoming PT rulemaking process will be essential to ensure that our expertise and perspective are included. The OAA will continue to provide updates and guidance as these efforts unfold.

Key Event:
Annual Conference: Sunday October 5th

Tennessee

The Tennessee Acupuncture Council extends our heartfelt gratitude to our Vice President, Bonnie Forrester, for her dedicated service both as Vice President of TAC and as our Alternate Representative to the ASA. We are excited to welcome Rachelle Poffenberger, TAC’s current Secretary, as our new Alternate Representative to the ASA.

With this transition, TAC is seeking 3–4 new officers to join our Board in the coming weeks. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved, contribute to the growth of acupuncture in Tennessee, and help shape the future of our profession. Interested candidates can email gro.l1768435357icnuo1768435357Cerut1768435357cnupu1768435357cANT@1768435357tnedi1768435357serp1768435357 to begin the board application process.

Our President, Alexandria Russell, will soon be taking maternity leave and is grateful for the support of the TAC Board during this special time.

Looking ahead, TAC is in the early stages of planning our Spring 2026 Conference—stay tuned for more details!

Texas

Join the TAAOM for the 2025 Fall Symposium in Richardson, TX: October 10–12th, 2025 | 17.5 CEUs

Three days. Ten expert speakers. Hands-on techniques, practice-transforming insights and the kind of professional connections that can only happen in person.

From Herbal Frameworks & Clinical Confidence with Jeremy Cornish… to Practice Management & Breaking the Martyr Mindset with Dr. Tonya Weber… to Pelvic Care + The Sinews with Krystal Lynn Couture… and Pain Resolution & Herbal Layering with Dr. Mark Brinson… 

We will also dive into Esoteric Acupuncture, Trauma-Informed Care, Eye Healing with Abdominal Acupuncture, and more. Every session offers grounded, practical skills infused with the wisdom and spirit of our medicine.

🎟 Details & registration: www.taaom.org

Limited in-person tickets available.

Where timeless tradition meets inspired innovation, advancing our medicine together with heart, purpose, and vision.

Wisconsin

WISCA 2025 Annual Meeting
📅 Sunday, Oct 12th | 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Midwest College of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, 6232 Bankers Rd, Mt Pleasant, WI 53403

Featured Workshop: Culinary Medicine to Fight Pain and Inflammation with Five Elements Theory (4CEUs)
Speaker: Dr. Sina Smith
Learn how food can reduce pain and inflammation by integrating modern nutrition with the wisdom of Oriental medicine. This hands-on workshop explores how dietary choices affect pain pathways and inflammation, compares common diet approaches, and applies the Five Elements Theory through flavors and food energetics.

Key Takeaways

• Understand how diet affects pain and inflammation
• Compare elimination, anti-inflammatory, Mediterranean, and plant-based diets
• Use the Five Flavors to create healing sauces and meals
• Build menus with pain-controlling foods and seasonings
• Identify dietary corrections to minimize inflammation

Agenda Highlights
8:30 – 9:00 | Check-In
9:00 – 1:20 | Culinary Medicine Workshop (lectures, demos, hands-on menu planning)
1:20 – 2:20 | Networking Luncheon prepared by Dr. Sina Smith
2:20 – 4:00 | BOD Updates, Committee Reports, Elections & Q&A

Registration
Become a member

Virginia


ASVA will remain actively engaged in legislative and advocacy efforts through the end of the year, focusing on refining the scope of practice for acupuncture and safeguarding the profession against scope creep. With a major election approaching in November, we strongly encourage all members to participate and make their voices heard at the polls.