1981 |
Acupuncture legalized in Florida. Some of the early licensees were Linda Chin, William Huang, Robert and Vivid Chung, Su Liang Ku and Joseph Hou. Apprentice process established which required working under and MDs and DOs.
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1982 |
First Acupuncture Exam offered and 30+ APs were licensed.
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1982 |
Florida State Acupuncture Association (FSAA) (precursor to FSOMA) established with 30 members, among them were Barbara Mitchell, Anna Lee, Joseph Hou, David Bole and Harvey Kaltsas. Joseph Hou was president.
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1984 |
Practice of Acupuncture established to “certify acupuncturists”. BOA established with Terre Larsen as Chair. New Licensing exam established.
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1985 |
Harvey Kaltsas became president of FSAA
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1987 |
James Pinkman (now Maguire) elected president. Harvey Kaltsas, David Bole, Luis Celpa were appointed to the Board of Acupuncture and worked to expand the scope of practice.
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1993 |
Danny Quaranto became president and the name of the association was changed from FSAA to Florida State Oriental Medical Association (FSOMA). There are about 1000 licensees in the state.
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1994 |
FSOMA established as a 501(c)6 Florida Not for Profit professional association
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1996 |
First FSOMA Conference, they were initially held every 2 years. Now they are held yearly with Nationally and Internationally known speakers. Richard Brown is FSOMA President with yearly terms
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1997 |
Mary Riggin was president. First Acupuncture Education Day held in March, planned by Mary Riggiin. Membership doubled, at 50% level.
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1998 |
Riggin joins the Board of Acupuncture to help write the rules from just passed legislation. Legislation expanded our practice
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1999 |
First Professional Management hired
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2001 |
Growing pains
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2003 |
David Rindge becomes president. Professional lobbyist hired. A revitalized and restructured FSOMA emerges thanks to Isali Ben Jacob and David Rindge.
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2005 |
Amy Sear was president. The Conference is now a yearly event. New management is hired. Mixon & Associates hired as lobbyists. Connections are made to Florida State government departments and other medical associations.
Brought bank accounts to over $100K, made Annual Conference profitable, restored faith and trust in FSOMA, and began recording conference sessions. Established a vetting process for BOD members
Sear was a founding member of the nationally based Council of State Associations
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2011 |
Peggy DeLara was president. The profession loses PIP – Acupuncture is removed from Auto Accident coverage. FSOMA Strategic Planning instituted. Connections in Tallahassee strengthened.
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2013 |
Ellen Teeter was president. FSOMA exhibits at medical conferences like Worker Comp Institute, Fl Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (FSIPP) and Fl State Massage Therapy Association(FSMTA) promoting referrals and use of AOM. FSOMA presents a lecture on when to refer for acupuncture at FSIPP |
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Over 60 APs and AOM Students attend AcuEd Day in 2016. A charter bus travels from Miami to Tallahassee to pick them up. Educating the legislature about the problems with dry needling takes center stage.
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2017 |
Sandra Kahn is president. AcuEd Day 2017 focuses on how AOM can help with Opioid epidemic and the problems with dry needling.
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2018 |
AcuEd Day is scheduled for Feb 20th and the FSOMA Conference August 10-12th |