The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine's (NCCAM) National Advisory Council (NACCAM) welcomed six new members today. Appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, each new council member will serve a 4-year term, replacing members who have completed their service. The Council, which meets three times a year, is composed of 18 members including investigators, physicians, licensed complementary and alternative medicine practitioners, and representatives of the public. They contribute their time and expertise in offering advice and recommendations to NCCAM on the prioritization, conduct, and support of complementary and alternative medicine research, including research training and dissemination of health information derived from Center-supported research.

"NCCAM is pleased to welcome six new members to our advisory council, and we look forward to working with them," said Stephen E. Straus, M.D., NCCAM Director. "Their scientific and clinical expertise and perspectives will enrich the Council's ability to provide valuable insights as we prioritize our research — an important responsibility as the Center begins drafting its second 5-year strategic plan."

The six new NCCAM Council members are:

Carlo Calabrese, N.D., M.P.H., research professor at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM); senior investigator at NCNM's Helfgott Research Institute; clinical assistant professor at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU); and clinical investigator at Kaiser Center for Health Research, Portland, OR. He was a founder and co-director of Bastyr University's Research Institute and taught epidemiology and biostatistics at Bastyr. He has conducted studies on nutrients, botanicals, and CAM practices and is an author of 20 papers and 7 book chapters on CAM research. His current work is in clinical trials of natural products and CAM approaches in diabetes, cognitive performance, and inflammatory conditions.

Jeanette M. Ezzo, Ph.D., M.P.H., Ms.T., research director of James P. Swyers Enterprises, a company based in Takoma Park, Maryland, specializing in designing and developing evidence-based CAM materials for a variety of audiences. Dr. Ezzo has published systematic reviews on a variety of CAM modalities including acupuncture, mind-body therapies, and massage. In addition to a background in epidemiology and biostatistics, she is a certified massage therapist who maintains a private practice in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Ezzo also teaches critical appraisal skills to breast cancer advocacy groups.

Robert E. Fullilove, III, Ed.D., associate dean for community and minority affairs and professor of clinical sociomedical sciences at Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University, New York, NY. He currently co-directs the Community Research Group at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University along with his wife, Mindy Thompson Fullilove, M.D. The Fulliloves are also co-directors of a newly formed degree program in urbanism and community health in the Department of Sociomedical Sciences at Mailman.

L. David Hillis, M.D., professor and vice chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX. Dr. Hillis has performed extensive clinical research in patients with ischemic, valvular, and congenital heart disease, and with colleagues has done a series of studies on the influence of cocaine on the heart. Coauthor of over 250 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 50 book chapters and review articles, he is also the primary author of Manual of Clinical Problems in Cardiology, now in its 6th edition. He serves on the editorial boards of the New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation, and American Journal of Cardiology.

Bala V. Manyam, M.D., professor, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine, and director, Plummer Movement Disorders Center, Temple, TX, where he established a basic science laboratory and clinical center for movement disorders. He also performs research on Ayurvedic drugs, especially for degenerative neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Manyam has authored more than 170 publications, including book chapters on movement disorders, Ayurveda, general neurology, and the history of neurology. He has served on the editorial boards of Neuroepidemiology and Phytotherapy Research.

Joel G. Pickar, D.C., Ph.D., associate professor at the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research at Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA. Prior to joining the Center in 1999, Dr. Pickar was an associate professor in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology at Kansas State University. Dr. Pickar's research laboratory is studying neurophysiological issues related to the vertebral column and to chiropractic manipulation. He is on the advisory editorial board for The Spine Journal and has published 3 book chapters and more than 30 articles.

NCCAM, a component of the National Institutes of Health, DHHS, is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, training CAM researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals. For additional information, call NCCAM's Clearinghouse toll free at 1-888-644-6226 or visit NCCAM's Web site at nccam.nih.gov.