Nearly half of the Council's membership include practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine licensed in one or more of the major fields of study in which the Center focuses its research. Approximately one-fourth of the members will serve as consumer representatives. Council members will serve overlapping terms of two to four years.

"The charter members of this new council represent a diverse group of medical specialties," said Secretary Shalala. "I am pleased that these experts have agreed to devote their time and expertise to helping the NIH's newest center stimulate research in this very important field."

Congressional language contained in a section of 1999 Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act elevated the former NIH Office of Alternative Medicine to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and mandated that an advisory group be formed with a membership representing key constituencies with mutual interest in complementary and alternative medicine research.

Joining the NCCAM advisory council are:

• Michael F. Cantwell, M.D., M.P.H., Complementary Medicine Physician, Complementary Medicine Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California;
• Mary K. Chung, B.S., President and CEO, National Asian Women's Health Organization, San Francisco, California;
• Richard H. Grimm, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Department of Internal Medicine, Berman Center for Outcomes & Clinical Research, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota;
• Susan Holloran, B.S., Researcher and Writer, Bluemont, Virginia;
• Janet R. Kahn, Ph.D., L.M.T., Senior Research Scientist, Wellesley College Center for Research on Women, Silver Spring, Maryland;
• Ted Kaptchuk, O.M.D., L.A.C., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts;
• Konrad Kail, N.D., Naturopathic Physician, Naturopathic Family Care, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona;
• Dana J. Lawrence, D.C., Director, Department of Publications and Editorial Review, National College of Chiropractic, Lombard, Illinois;
• Diane C. Manley, L.M.T, Massage Therapist, New Bern, North Carolina;
• William C. Meeker, D.C., M.P.H., Director of Research, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer Chiropractic University Foundation, Davenport, Iowa;
• Karen N. Olness, M.D., Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio;
• Herbert Pardes, M.D., Vice President for Health Science, and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York;
• Gilbert Ramerez, Dr.P.H., Associate Professor and Vice-Chairman for Academic Affairs, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Forth Worth, Texas;
• Everett R. Rhoades, M.D., Associate Dean for Community Affairs, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;
• Marilyn J. Schlitz, Ph.D., Director of Research, Department of Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Sausalito, California;
• Leanna Standish, N.D., Ph.D., L.A.C, Research Co-Director, Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington;
• James E. Williams, Jr., M.S., Chief Human Resources Officer, Jim Williams and Associates, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

"The composition of this council bring together people with exceptional scientific knowledge, clinical expertise, and diverse skills," said William R. Harlan, M.D., acting director of the NCCAM. "While broad perspectives and public input are essential attributes of their deliberations, they share a common stake in wanting to advance the center's ability to conduct rigorous research, and provide reliable information in this emergent area of health."

The first council meeting will be held August 31 through September 1, 1999 at the Doubletree Hotel in Bethesda, Maryland. Future meetings will be held three times per year, and operate under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (as amended) guidelines and procedures.