United Ayurveda
Discussion - A Unified Ayurvedic Professional Group
Developing Story.....
Hasmukh Pariekh Wrote on June 11, 2024
Hello Dr. Jayarajan,
I hope this message finds you well. I am addressing the following matter of concern to you as the current President of NAMA, your Board Members, and key members of other relevant Ayurvedic organizations for consideration.
I understand that the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) was founded in 2000 by a group of professionals with the vision of establishing a robust framework to support Ayurvedic practitioners and the classical education and practice of Ayurveda in the United States.
NAMA's mission, then, was clear and unwavering: to preserve, protect, promote, and advance the ancient, classical wisdom, knowledge, science, and practice of Ayurveda for the benefit of all beings. Over the past 24 years, NAMA has strived to be the voice of the Ayurvedic profession, empowering individuals, communities, and humanity to enhance health, well-being, and self-awareness through Ayurveda.
Despite its growth being gradual, NAMA has garnered recognition and support from Ayurvedic professionals and the related business community, steadily expanding Ayurveda's presence and, to a limited extent, recognition from certain health forums in the country.
However, it is important to acknowledge that in recent years, at a critical juncture in NAMA's journey, a significant rift has emerged within the association's leadership and membership. A notable sector of Ayurvedic professionals, predominantly BAMS graduates from India, have expressed serious disagreements with NAMA's current direction and practices. Consequently, they have chosen to part ways and establish a parallel forum, the National Consortium of Ayurvedic Medicines (NCAM). Similar disagreements in the past have also led to the formation of other such associations.
While NAMA has made significant strides in achieving its mission, this uncalled-for division represents a pivotal moment in the growth of Ayurveda in the United States. It poses a potential threat to the overarching goal of gaining federal recognition for Ayurveda as an alternative health care system in the country.
I represent a group of dedicated and vibrant Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) members, some of whom are listed below, who have serious concerns about this division among Ayurvedic professionals and its impact on the community. We, the ABC members, remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the common core values and mission of promoting and spreading the wisdom of Ayurveda. However, we are keen to continue working exclusively and ONLY with a united and vibrant forum, currently embodied by NAMA, to ensure a bright and prosperous future for Ayurveda in this country.
The Ayurvedic professionals and the ABC are interdependent in our efforts to promote and grow Ayurveda in the country. Therefore, we, the business community, strongly advocate for a promising and constructive structure under a single organization to achieve formal recognition of Ayurveda, which currently seems unattainable in the near future. We believe that NAMA, with a strict and timely approach, can address the following important issues to construct this unified structure:
1. The NAMA management should make concerted efforts to bring together all divided professional groups, such as NCAM, AAAP, AAPNA, etc., under the NAMA banner. This process should involve respectful dialogue and serious efforts to resolve differences between concerned group members through meaningful and amicable understanding and agreement.
2. At the same time, NAMA and the supporting Ayurvedic forums must align their policies, education systems, and accreditation criteria with the established rules and regulations for Ayurveda education, teaching curricula, institutional credentials and certifications, and Ayurvedic practices as recognized and directed by AYUSH.
3. NAMA must seek formal recognition from AYUSH, the Indian governmental body overseeing Ayurveda, as the sole authority in the United States under which an accreditation body can be established to monitor Ayurvedic education and practices. All self-proclaimed education systems, Ayurvedic teachings and practices should be brought under this unified accreditation body.
4. The current self-recognized accreditation bodies should not be endorsed by the Ayurvedic community. Instead, a formal independent accreditation body, formed under the directive of AYUSH, should be established. This body would be capable of negotiating with the US Government for the recognition of Ayurveda as an alternative health care system in the country.
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) serves as an exemplary model of a robust national organization for us to compare. It addresses and implements comprehensive rules and regulations while validating competency at every level in the practice of acupuncture and herbal medicine through professional certification. You must be aware of this organization and their services.
Implementing these criteria through a recognized overseeing authority will facilitate federal approval and establish Ayurveda as a well-defined healthcare system in the United States. This alignment ALONE will also bolster confidence within the members of ABC and overall Ayurvedic community, affirming our collective efforts to promote and spread this ancient science as a promising tool for health and well-being.
The fragmentation of professional forums, with limited markets, impose significant costs on the Ayurvedic Business Community, as supporting each such group separately becomes expensive and inefficient. Moreover, none of these divided organizations have provided the confidence that they can deliver tangible returns on the support provided by the business community.
It is unjustifiable for the business community to continuously support multiple divided professional organizations, especially when their events, aimed at promoting Ayurveda, do not guarantee a return on investment. These events often have limited attendance due to the fragmented professional community and lack public engagement, being not open to public, making it challenging for contributing businesses to recover their mounting expenses.
Given the reasons outlined above, ABC members strongly believe that the establishment of a single, unified national professional Ayurvedic association is crucial. Such an organization would effectively justify the business community contributions to enhancing health, well-being, and self-awareness through Ayurveda, ensuring a prosperous and cohesive future for the Ayurvedic community in the United States.
We, the ABC members, sincerely request NAMA to initiate genuine dialogue with each of the separated professional groups and work towards reunifying the divided forums under NAMA. Once Ayurvedic professionals are united to create a cohesive front to achieve our goals, we, the business community, will review and reconsider our support and contributions to future events and the Accreditation body, ensuring mutual benefit for all parties involved.
I have copied all concerned parties on this email and sincerely urge everyone to unite under one umbrella. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you require any further assistance in addressing this matter.
Thank you all for your consideration,
Jayarajan Kodikannath wrote on June 12, 2024
Dear Hasmukhji,
Thank you for your mail bringing such an important point for our collective attention and action. We appreciate the Ayurvedic Business Community for their continued support to NAMA in taking the Ayurvedic profession forward with a mission to make it a legalized profession in this country which will help the entire Ayurvedic ecosystem to grow and thrive. NAMA is an organization led by democratically elected members from the community, and, as you rightly mentioned, NAMA has been representing the Ayurvedic community for the last two decades. It has created the necessary infrastructure for the profession to move toward its mission. NAMA, with the support of various stakeholders from the community, collectively spent an enormous amount of time and money to get where we are today. We need to stay together as a unified community. I will share your email with the NAMA Board and will come back to you with a detailed response in the next few days.
Best regards,
Hasmukh Pariekh Wrote on June 14, 2024
Dear Dr. Jayarajan,
I appreciate your prompt and encouraging response to the serious concerns raised in my earlier communication. Thank you for bringing these issues to your next Board meeting and emphasizing the necessity of uniting every cadre of the community under one roof. Your recognition of the importance of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) in supporting NAMA and other forums in their efforts to grow and spread the wisdom of Ayurveda is greatly appreciated.
I urge other groups to address this matter internally and determine how they can contribute to unifying under one banner to achieve our shared goal: obtaining formal approval and recognition from the US Government for Ayurveda as an alternative healthcare system that can be freely practiced in the country.
We all understand that reconciling the significantly different views among various groups may be challenging, and opening a dialogue with the other group may be an uphill task for some members. However, it is imperative that we rise above personal feelings and ambitions and selflessly work to resolve our differences for the greater cause of uniting everyone to secure the required recognition so that Ayurveda can be practiced legally in this country without fear or frustration.
We must also recognize that obtaining US Federal Government recognition is not possible without a strong, unified representation. This requires a sound and comprehensive Ayurveda education policy, teaching curricula, institutional credentials, accreditation criteria, and regulating certifications, supported by a white paper endorsed, recognized, and directed by AYUSH. It is crucial that we collectively re-engage AYUSH by submitting our apologies for past shortcomings that led to the loss of their moral and financial support. We must request them to recognize this collective group as the competent authority to move forward toward achieving our goals.
We must recognize the urgent and critical situation we are facing. The current disorganized systems guiding Ayurvedic practices in the country are leading us towards serious legal challenges, which could explode any minute and cause irreparable damage to the future of Ayurveda. The current situation that we are in should serve as a warning to all responsible forums. Without proper legalization and oversight by a competent authority, we risk creating a situation that could become unmanageable. It feels like we are all sitting on a time bomb that may explode at any minute.
Therefore, collectively, we, the ABC members, have decided to address these serious concerns through you and the NAMA Board members first, as all the other splinter groups originally stemmed from NAMA. We want NAMA to make a comprehensive effort to bring them back into the fold. We understand that NAMA has a significant responsibility in this matter and should initiate a serious but constructive dialogue to diligently resolve all differing issues through proper discussions.
Should NAMA, despite earnest and meaningful dialogue, not succeed in reuniting the other groups under its fold, it could result in a significant setback for the entire Ayurvedic community, casting a shadow over the future of Ayurveda in the country for years to come. Please note that this failure would not impact the Ayurvedic Business Community directly, but it would continue to severely affect professionals who cannot practice Ayurveda legally in this country and must rely on other certifications. Therefore, ABC members are making this effort to genuinely seek recognition for our ancient, invaluable, and highly effective science that promotes a healthy way of living.
In the event that unification efforts fail, we, the ABC members, would be reluctantly compelled to collectively decide to indefinitely withdraw our support from all professional groups, including NAMA and any other associations or consortia that continue to exist thereafter, until a unified front emerges.
Simultaneously, if the current efforts to unify fail for any reason, we, the ABC members, are responsibly calling for constructive suggestions for the unification of all groups from anyone interested in preserving and promoting Ayurvedic wisdom.
I earnestly request all responsible groups to set aside past grievances and work together to reunite under a single entity that is acceptable to all involved.
Thank you,
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 17, 2024
Dear colleagues,
Namaste to all. As a stakeholder and established community leader of ayurveda in the USA and in India, please consider the following points for the ongoing discussion about a unified ayurvedic professional group.
1. The future of any health profession is the USA depends on its stakeholders understanding the regulatory and legal environment of education, clinical practice, and the roles of products and services as commercial entities.
We must recognize that members of the community who are unlicensed health professionals – not receiving regular bulletins from government offices of health professions or not trained in understanding the medical education, licensing, clinical-practice and regulatory guidelines – do not often know how to navigate accurate discussions on the regulation of ayurveda using facts.
These discussions include the requirements for licensure, insurance, regulation, and sale of medicines. Often people ambitiously demand that ayurveda should be legal in America without understanding process and procedure.
2. Several legal repercussions have already occurred in the Ayurvedic community since 1997, either due to lawsuits against practitioners for failing to recognize disease; calling oneself doctor when the legal environment of the state does not allow the use of the title doctor or physician; educational reprimanding for giving credentials that are misleading; or improper medical claims on products or services.
Most recently, the Ayurvedic Doctor designation created a legal response from government education authorities.
3. The Health Freedom Acts in 11 states have mitigated some of these issues, but ayurvedic practitioners must be keenly aware of regulations and guidelines in their own state, and it is the responsibility of professional associations to clearly and accurately inform their members.
Without fulfillment of that responsibility, a group must not assume leadership over the community of professionals.
4. The injudicious use of the Ayurvedic Doctor credential has occurred multiple times in the community without the concomitant competency in ayurvedic medical science, clinical decision making, communication skills with patients in America. Practitioners using such credentials must give assurance that they avoid the current scope of all licensed medical professions while adhering to state laws and regulations relevant for Ayurvedic practitioners.
5. Organizations that support credentials with some registration but no assessment of competence create an atmosphere of potential risk to patients.
6. In the letter from the ABC to the NAMA President, authority and responsibility was given for leadership in uniting the community.
Responsible leadership should not always be granted to the elder. Assumptions that seniority begets skills and management are dangerous. Several associations and organizations have attempted to exercise leadership and bluntly failed at organizing the needs of the community.
7. NAMA is not the oldest organization of ayurveda in the USA. CAAM holds that distinction. The history of NAMA's founding includes a lawsuit to support an unlicensed ayurvedic doctor. Its leadership must include humility and awareness of history as it moves forward.
8. Competence in the practice of ayurvedic medicine is essential, both for the safety of the patients who entrust ayurvedic professionals, and for the reputation of ayurveda as a true science. Counselors acting as physicians jeopardizes the understanding of authentic ayurveda by the American community.
The responsibility of removing ignorance about Ayurveda and mitigating its reputation as a pseudoscience lay in the hands of NAMA for years, and it was met with poor skills of articulation, failed strategic involvement in the CAM community, and lack of proper engagement with key groups in the medical regulation authority.
Part of this was due to lack of professional education and practice skills within the leadership. Part of this was due to lack of timely communication and inability to respond to sensitive timelines or requirement for involvement in national initiatives.
9. It is essential to remember that key board members of NAMA left the organization over years repeatedly to form other groups, not because of ideologic differences, or personal conflicts, but because members of the perpetual executive committee of NAMA had vested interests that systemically propagated unethical agendas.
10. For years, members of the NAMA executive committee utilized the BAMS vaidya community for information, teaching and access, without granting true voice and rights to leadership. They rotated ownership and lack of transparency among themselves, repeatedly demonstrating unbalanced preference for their own schools and discrimination against members who requested more professional standards for the whole community in line with the accurate practice of ayurveda. The NAMA leadership refused to have CME or educational or professional organizing for BAMS graduates seeking to practice in the USA, even though many BAMS board members were teachers in NAMA-approved schools.
11. After exasperation and repeated humiliation, Ayurvedic professionals chose to distance themselves from unethical operators and disrespect of the only legal ayurvedic credential worldwide, which is the BAMS/MD (Ayu).
Specifically, ayurvedic professionals were disturbed at the opportunistic nature of NAMA around collecting membership fees and promising licensure to ignorant newbies and reaping the benefits of tuition monies paid by eager prospective students seeking valid ayurveda credentials in order to practice ayurveda legally. Those monies were never transparently reported, and were often used for paid benefits to specific volunteer BOD members.
12. The continued failure of assumed leaders continues today, with the recent failure of the 2024 NAMA conference to engage more than 50 members of the 10000+ stakeholders in the US-based ayurveda community - which spurned the letter of June 11, 2024 by Hasmukh ji.
In addition, there have been continued failures in repeated attempts by leaders to communicate with NAMA authorities over the past 2 years. Hostile and pompous nonprofessional behavior has occurred repeatedly during mediated discussions of community stakeholders, with invitations to engage, and in community concerns about thwarting dangerous program decisions, such as the Ayurvedic Doctor designation.
13. No organization in the USA including CAAM, AAPNA, NCAM, NAMA or NCAE has ever proven an ability to gather the ayurvedic community, to create strategic roadmaps for ayurveda in the USA, to educate systematically and accurately about issues of licensure, competency-based credentialing, capacity-building, legal regulation, registration, health insurance, lobbying, competency-based ciinical practice, or business strategy for graduates of ayurvedic programs.
14. The Work requires accurate and objective evaluation of proposed professional performance and competence guidelines from AYUSH or any other organization. This has never been done by any ayurvedic group or combined professional effort in the USA.
15. A strategic workplan with roadmap needs to be proposed, discussed in a timely fashion, and implemented. Ayurvedic community leaders in the USA must not defer to any foreign authority that is unaware of USA regulations and guidelines. Using the SMART goals template, we must chart a course that has clear, attainable, and meaningful objectives, with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely goals, and uses articulate, precise and accurate points for the best positioning of ayurveda in the USA.
We must do it by consensus, not the usual lack of transparency among a few players, and we must have everyone's participation. This will require evolving all stakeholders in the community to focus on the common goal of forwarding ayurveda in America and using all resources together to promote awareness and participation.
16. Certainly the authentic practice of ayurveda relies on a strong financial network and appropriate sales of products and services, but self-regulation must include a vision and roadmap for taking the entire ayurvedic community forward, not only those activities that provide commercial advantage for a select few.
In summary, it is evident that many of us who have led initiatives in the USA ayurvedic community would like to work with a unified ayurvedic community, and some of us have pondered strategies on how to create it. We must create a team with the skills to manifest this worthy goal.
Please feel open to share your thoughts with me directly or with the group.
Please also share this conversation string within the leadership of your associations so that everyone is aware of our discussion.
Thank you for reading.
Marc Halpern wrote on June 17, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
Thank you for your note. Just a few corrections for the record.
May all groups find a place of peace and begin their work from this place. May all groups seek to get out of their own way and be like a Krisha’s flute, a vessel of the divine prana shakti. And together, may the fruit of our work create beauty and harmony in the world.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya Wrote on June 18, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
Please educate all on this email about Schools in the US that have state approval to provide certifications also provide legal credentials. I have heard about this vaguely, and would like to know how you achieved this excellence. It will also clarify for the naysayers who say that legal credentials in ayurveda are not possible. Thank you in advance.
Your statements supporting unity, forgiveness, and harmony were wonderful to read. Indeed, most of us in the Ayurveda community have such visions. Human frailties and insecurities as well as limited skill sets stop many who are very well-meaning. But together I think we could do it. We need to get up, and get going, and get there!
Looking forward to learning more history from your perspective.
Warmly, Bhaswati
Marc Halpern Wrote on June 18, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
The issue that requires clarification when discussing this topic is what is meant by “legal credentials”. Only schools can provide educational credentials to students. Schools that have State Approval to operate provide legal credentials (diplomas, certificates) to their graduates. Associations typically provide continuing education credits that may or may not be accepted by a 3rd party private or government organization. I do not know of any associations that provide primary educational certifications. That NAMA provides an Ayurvedic Doctor certificate is misleading as is Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Ayurvedic Practitioner. However, I think they’ve made strides to clarify that this is only an “internal membership designation” and has no authority outside of the organization. Any private organization can create the names for their membership levels. Again, these are “internal” only, with no benefits outside of the organization. However, these designations are often misused by the members creating problems for the entire profession.
Note that BAMS / MD (Ayu) is another credential issued by a school. However, these are, as you know, from schools outside of the United States and have no legal weight in the US.
No educational credentials currently have any greater or lesser weight in terms of right to practice in the US. Right to practice is based solely on State law and these laws vary state to state. Eventually, State licensing will address these issues – one State at a time.
Regarding CCA’s Ayurvedic Doctor Program: This credential was approved in 2015 and was sustained until 2022 when the State of California changed policy and now denies all Ayurvedic Doctor certifications that are not issued by “degree granting institutions” that are “federally accredited”. The State oversight committee notified all California Schools in 2022 who were offering State-Approved Ayurvedic Doctor programs (CCA and Kerala) to discontinue their program immediately and change their program name. CCA kept the curriculum and changed the program name to Medical Ayurvedic Specialist. Prior graduates can continue to use the Ayurvedic doctor title in their bios and in writing. It is unclear if they can use it in practice. The California State Medical Association has made it clear that they do not want Ayurvedic Doctors using the title “Doctor” in California in clinical settings. There is no case law to back up their position, however, they work closely with the Attorney General and “could” prosecute someone for doing so. That does not mean it would hold up in court.
Future court issues are why the profession needs unification as these battles are costly and time consuming. Without unification, these battles can not be won. Unified professions have won (beaten the medical community) every time in court including Chiropractors, Naturopathic Doctors and most recently Doctors of Physical Therapy.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 18, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
It is so educational. Thank you for taking the time to share.
What are your thoughts on teachers, gurus, and coaches giving certifications not in a state-approved school? what about state-exempted programs such as faith-based programs?
As I know there are several associations that grant credentials such as board-certifications in different fields. Are they legal, and do they hold authority?
Marc Halpern, wrote on June 19, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
If I were to answer many of your questions, it would just be my opinion. They are questions for the profession to explore and unify around a position. I can share with you once again that only a legally operating institution can provide a legal certification. Any other certification would be frowned upon in the future by any State board and put the program and its students at risk.
Faith based- religious institutions are capable of seeking State-Approval for their programs. The State is fine with that. It means that the religious institution seeks to uphold the standards expected of schools and provides either degrees or career training (certifications). State approval provides students with the assurance that their school is operating professionally. It is true that some faith-based institutions operate outside of State-Approval. This is mainly to avoid State oversight and the need to operate to professional standards. If challenged, most states will push back on this unless the credential being given is as a minister of the religious organization. If it is a career-based certification, the State will quickly see through it. It only takes one complaint to cause that organization a giant headache. The question for the profession is whether they want the profession to be a religious profession and practitioners to be “ministers of ayurveda”.
We live in a highly entrepreneurial and unregulated society leading many to just do whatever they want until challenged. Fortunately, most of those organizations don’t grow very large and have a major impact. If they do grow large then they will be under greater scrutiny and will need to play by the rules or risk being shut down. Professional organizations and eventual State-licensing puts an end to the unregulated approach to education and is essential for the profession to reach its potential.
Board Certifications: Any board can be created by anyone and can administer an exam. Those who pass it can say they are “Board Certified by XYZ organization”. However, that does not afford any additional practice rights or benefits. By itself it is meaningless except to show off another certificate on the wall.
It should be noted that as the profession advances we will operate as a profession in a more organized manner. Often, in health care professions there are National Board Exams and State Board Exams. National Board Exams are typically administered to qualify to take State Board Exams. State Board Exams are licensing exams. State licensing is the highest form of recognition and the only credential that really matters once this is in place. For instance, you can graduate medical school but if you don’t pass the State Board, you can’t practice. State Boards are formed through legislative action.
Organizations that administer National Board Exams typically operate independent from all other organizations.
and focus only on the administration of their exam. Typically, qualifying schools administer the exam. Whether any of that matters depends upon two main factors.
1. Do they have the support of the schools
2. Do they have the support of the States (State Boards) once they are formed.
An example if you want to look at it more closely would be the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners which failed in its first two attempts to gather support but eventually, after about 40 years, was successful gaining support and became the standard for National Board Exams.
Please note that I am copying Manju Koli, the new President of CAAM as this thread of discussion may be beneficial for her and their organization as well.
I hope the profession can truly come together in an environment of mutual respect and a clear vision that everyone can support.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 19, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
This was very helpful to learn about nuances of credentialing and accreditation.
From reading your expert knowledge, I have this idea to gather people who have worked on credentialing for their own schools to work together on a document that would tell the history and state-of-the-art of ayurveda credentialing and then produce a white paper for publication.
I am happy to guide the effort with a master outline and serve as an editor on a team.
It would be an amazing document.
Thoughts from you Marc, or from anyone in the group?
Warmly, Bhaswati
Marc Halpern wrote on June 20, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
My understanding of a “white paper” is that it is not only an informative research-based document but also injects the author’s or group’s opinion on related topics. I would suggest that this is not helpful. Separating information from opinion goes a long way toward cultivating unity. Opinions separate stakeholders in the process. Given both how fragile and opinionated our community can be, I would suggest omitting your opinion, or the opinion of the group that participates, and sticking to factual parts of the process and how other professions have navigated these waters. This would be much more useful and better accepted by those who do not participate in the writing of the paper and create a much needed road map that can guide the future.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 20, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
We agree that a 2024 White Paper on Ayurveda in the USA would be a research-based and fact-based document, produced by US-based Ayurveda community for all readers. Several attempts in recent years have been made and should serve as excellent resources.
Yes, of course the group's evaluation is important, with inclusion of minority perspectives, as well as the dominant ones whose decisions created actions that have led us to today.
History repeatedly struggles to tell the story of what happened from the perspective of the weakest who lost the battles but who provide rich history on the struggles and tribulations toward the end goal. An example is the struggle of the less vocal, less articulate or junior Indian vaidya who struggled to be heard at ayurveda community gatherings. Another example is the struggle of students of ayurveda, or classically-educated ayurvedic practitioners to ask basic questions and to feel included when asking 'why' questions.
Opinions are relevant when backed with replicable data, accessible sourcing and backup through fact-based documents. For credentialing, this should be easy, if we access policy documents. But many things are not found online or easily, and much knowledge is trade secret, kept only to a few. For the struggles in the community and our collective failure thusfar to get Ayurveda established in the USA, and why things happened as they did, some opinions might enrich the understanding. The source then in the references would be, conversation with XYZ, June 19, 2024.
The lesson to learn is our own bias. Which information do we consider as injecting of the author’s opinion as vile or as relevant, and which do we omit? Published references have their own bias. The process of doing it ethically to include all issues relevant to the credentialing path of ayurveda will hopefully help us decide which path to take. Some truths will need to be stated, even with the fragile opinionated members in the community listening.
In reality, many historical facts may not be on paper and are part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ayurveda, subjecting it to the opinion category. As a group, we will have to decide which items to keep in the paper and why. Of utmost importance is the writers' voices and ability to write well (in English).
The White Paper needs to discuss state-of-the-art of Ayurveda Credentialing in America. I agree that comparisons of other health professions make provide some insight on road maps. But expert opinions may also be insightful for the reader to know the history of why we ayurveda-bandhus is struggling to manifest credentialing and licensure.
How to create the much-needed roadmap is the issue at hand. I am happy to get off the armchair and well-positioned to lead the implementation of a White Paper, and it would be an honor to do so, with a great team of contributors.
Warmly, Bhaswati
Marc Halpern wrote on June 20, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
I would be happy to support simple factual and historical paper based on the process in the US. I cannot support the paper as you outlined it below for the following reasons.
1. Papers that use facts to back up opinions are by their very nature biased and typically written to stake out a position to influence or control the process. This results in pushback and division.
2. I do not believe that the process will benefit from expressing any opinions, either majority or minority, Indian or Western, student or graduate. This will simply muddy the waters of a paper whose goal is to articulate the legal and historical process of how professions in the US develop the infrastructure to support licensing. If more than one path is discovered (and there is more than one) than each can be articulated from a factual and legal perspective. Writing from a perspective of detachment is essential to acting in the best interests of the profession.
There is certainly a place for opinion and debate. This will be best served in meetings and not in publication – in my opinion . Good luck to you!!
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 20, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
Very glad to know you would be happy to support a simple factual and historical White Paper on Ayurveda based on the process of credentialing in the USA
We seek to articulate the legal and historical process that professions in the US used to develop the infrastructure to support licensing and apply that to building a roadmap for Ayurveda, trying for such a process decades later.
As my sister is a judge in the courts of the USA, we discuss the gray zone of interpretation of laws, statutes and regulations when working with new situations. We use factual and legal perspectives and tarka in our vaada of discussions about healthcare.
I hope factual perspectives in discussion will help us to produce a document that you and all will enjoy reading.
Warmly, Bhaswati
Marc Halpern wrote on June 20, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
You seem committed to the “white” paper rather than a simple research paper. This tells me that you are committed to finding the facts that support your position while possibly omitting those that do not. While still useful, it is not one that I have much interest in investing my own personal time. Still, I wish you success and hope that your contributions brings value to the profession.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 20, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
Your sentences repeatedly make assumptions of my intentions, and I am not sure why that is.
My idea of 'white paper' may be different from yours.
My idea of 'simple research paper' may be different from yours.
What your assumptions tell you may be different from my actual position.
Why assume I will omit those facts that do not support my position?
Please have more respect for my education, training and experience in writing white papers and research papers. I would not be volunteering for herculean tasks unless I thought I could contribute to it
I pray for your open-minded positivity and hope for meaningful contributions and compilation by each person who seeks to be part of this authoritative, research-based document that presents information, expert analysis and the ayurvedic community's insights into the topic of ayurvedic credentialing and solutions to the problems.
If anyone on this string of cc's would like to contribute to the conversation, please do. It will be wonderful to gather ideas toward a roadmap for writing such a document.
Warmly, Bhaswati
Marc Halpern wrote on June 20, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
I am truly sorry if my statements offended you. You seem insistent on a white paper and my understanding is that a white paper implies taking a position and inserting opinion. If that is not your intention, please refer to it only as a research paper. If there is no section on opinion or insertion of opinion, I’ll most certainly support it.
As you know, before beginning any research project, it is helpful to clearly define the project and its scope as well as to define the methodology or approach to the project. It’s toward that I was responding to you.
Good luck!
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 20, 2024
Namashkaar Marc,
Hope you are enjoying the first evening of summer
and the almost beginning of Jyestha Purnima (10:01pm ET, June 20)
Thank you for your response. I was not offended but paused to understand what your definition of white paper implies for you. So thank you for the clarification.
In my ocean, a white paper implies experts writing an analysis, those who are familiar with the topic and able to give authoritative, research-based information, expert analysis, and insight, with proposed solutions from a place of familiarity, neither bias nor ignorance. For example, armchair theorists discussing vata vs. human clinicians seeing it in patients, or clinicians who understand the spine writing about low back pain, rather than laboratory rat researchers. Of course, objectivity and factual approaches are part of keeping it useful.
Several persons have commented to me 1:1 about this thread, and I thank you for educating all who cared to read this important exchange. We have the beginnings of a project outline, scope and research steps.
Shubho Purnima and to everyone on this conversation.
If you would like to get involved with research and/or writing on ayurveda credentialing in the USA, please contact me.
Warmly, Bhaswati
Jim Ventresca Wrote – June 24, 2024
Open Letter From the President of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission
Dear Mr. Hasmukh Parkh and the Ayurvedic Community,
First of all, I would like to thank you and the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) for your generous support of the Ayurvedic profession over the years. Your commitment is vital to the growth and recognition of Ayurveda in the United States.
It is clear that everyone connected to Ayurveda is concerned about the divisions within the Ayurvedic community in the US. Such fragmentation only serves to dilute the potential impact Ayurveda can have on the healthcare system in this country. I appreciate you pointing out these divisions and suggesting some solutions.
I am writing to you as the president of the the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (ACC), but also as a veteran of the Oriental medicine movement to gain its current position as a legally recognized profession in the US. I have been involved with the accreditation of acupuncture and Oriental medicine schools for over 30 years. I took the first certifying exam offered by the NCCAOM in 1985 and have been NCCAOM certified ever since. I served as a site visit team leader for the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) for over six years when acupuncture accreditation was in its infancy in the US. I served as an item writer for the national acupuncture board exam offered by the NCCAOM and spent a dozen years working as the academic dean at an acupuncture college. I am very well-versed in accreditation of specialty first-professional degrees in the US and know first-hand what is required to bring a medical system into legal use in the US. I am confident that by following the “acupuncture model” we could see Ayurvedic licensure in the US before too long.
My experience with the early stages of acupuncture’s establishment in the US has informed my perspective on Ayurveda’s journey on a similar path. Despite the divisions within the acupuncture community, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) and NCCAOM have persisted because accreditation and certification are central to the profession
As AAC president, I have strived to follow the acupuncture model, which the World Health Organization (WHO) is also using to fast-track Ayurveda’s acceptance globally. We all must understand that following this model requires (1) understanding the pathway to legal implementation of Ayurveda as a profession in the US, (2) cooperation within the profession and, (3) funding. The main reason it took acupuncture decades to accomplish licensure is a lack of cooperation between Asian providers and American-trained providers, which created a rift between practitioner organizations. Ayurveda can benefit from the lessons learned from the acupuncture approach and need not fall into this same trap.
However, it is important to understand the pathway to legal implementation within the US. To do this, we need to distinguish between Professional Membership Organizations, Accrediting Organizations, and Certifying Bodies and to understand their separate roles in legalizing and formalizing the practice of Ayurveda in the US. There are three key organizations necessary to create a legally recognized profession in the United States:
Professional organizations:
Professional organizations have a high profile, but their role in the process of legalizing a profession is minimal. Their role is of maximum importance in creating a cohesive community of practitioners. To this end, it would indeed be ideal if NAMA could gather all the various factions of providers under one umbrella organization. NAMA, as the foremost Professional Membership Organization, is well-positioned to spearhead this effort.
When it comes to legalizing a profession, while NAMA, CAAM, or other professional organizations may be the most visible or seem the most important Ayurvedic organizations to an outside observer, accreditation and certification bodies are absolutely vital for establishing the profession in the US. Without independent accreditation and certification, schools will not be recognized by the US Department of Education (USDOE), and licensure will remain unattainable, regardless of unity within the profession.
Certification Body:
An independent certifying body is crucial to ensure that graduates of accredited programs have acquired the knowledge necessary to practice Ayurveda safely and effectively. In the US, certifying bodies, like accrediting bodies, must operate independently from all other organizations. This independence is essential to comply with US educational standards and customary practices. It ensures that credentialing and accrediting organizations can fulfill their missions without any external influence that could compromise their integrity or objectives.
Unfortunately, there has been little direct funding for certification, as well as for accreditation. The National Ayurvedic Medicine Association Certification Board’s (NAMACB) financial constraints currently require it to remain under the direction of NAMA. This means they are not independent. Ideally, increased funding would allow NAMACB to break free of NAMA, as the AAC did some years ago, with the support of NAMA though that transition.
Despite these challenges, NAMACB is setting the standard for certifying individual providers of Ayurveda in the US. They are doing excellent work and are aligned with usual and customary practices in the US. This positions NAMACB well to carry out the critical task of credentialing individuals.
Accrediting body:
When it comes to legalizing a profession in the US, the accrediting body is essential.
Without accredited schooling there is no pathway to legal licensure in the US.
I would like to clear up some misunderstandings around the relationship between AAC and the other organizations, and how an accrediting organization must function in the context of the US.
The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) plays a pivotal role in establishing Ayurveda’s credibility within the US. While your letter was addressed specifically to NAMA, I, as AAC's president, will address some of your concerns from the perspective of an independent accrediting organization.
Your reference to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) as a model is spot on. This is the model we have been following at the AAC for the last six years.
However, the suggestion of an accrediting body working under AYUSH's direction is not feasible in the US. We must work within US laws and regulations. No matter how much we wish BAMS providers to be recognized and licensed, it will not happen without US-based independent accreditation and certification that meets US guidelines; not those of India.
Regarding your specific points about education and accreditation:
Accreditation in the US is only effective if the accrediting body follows US Department of Education guidelines. This is the “acupuncture playbook” the AAC is working from.
The main obstacles to the acceptance of Ayurveda into the US healthcare delivery system are accreditation and certification.
And the main obstacle the Accreditation Commission and the Certifying Board are facing now is funding.
With sufficient funding, the Accreditation Commission can apply to the USDOE for recognition, and the Certification Board could become independent of NAMA, as it must.
Ayurveda is at a critical juncture in the United States. Funding is essential to continue our progress. The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) is the only accrediting body in the US dedicated to accrediting Ayurvedic schools according to US Department of Education (USDOE) guidelines. This is the only pathway to Ayurveda becoming a legal profession and medical system in the US. Most Ayurvedic schools and programs in the US are seeking accreditation through our Commission.
Do not be misled by other websites claiming to accredit Ayurvedic schools, as they often turn out to be mere profit-driven entities designed to confuse the public. These organizations, known as accreditation mills, offer accreditation that is worthless.
The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) is the only accrediting body in the US aligned with US Department of Education (USDOE) guidelines and committed to the genuine work of accreditation. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we are transparent and open to inspection. Our board of directors includes representatives from various aspects of the Ayurvedic community, and we welcome comments and criticisms from the community.
Financial Support:
To see this profession thrive, now is not the time to withdraw financial support.
The Commission is close to being self-sustaining through accreditation fees, potentially within the next year. However, we currently face significant financial challenges. The work the AAC has accomplished over the past five years is not only commendable but has exceeded expectations and is at risk, due to lack of funding.
I humbly ask that you and the rest of the kind folks who have supported this profession continue to do so, with the knowledge that supporting accreditation and certification within the United States, following US rules, regulations, and guidelines, is both the most pressing and promising way to ensure the future of this profession in the West.
We all need to recognize that the path forward is clear and has been traveled before. Ayurveda has the potential to expand greatly in the US, but this requires unification of the profession, with concessions from all parties involved.
Thank you again for your continued support and dedication to Ayurveda. We look forward to working together to achieve our common goals.
Sincerely,
Jim Ventresca, DOM (NM), L.Ac. (MA) Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM)
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC)
Bhaswati Bhattacharya Wrote on June 24, 2024
Dear Dr. Jim ji,
Thank you for your email. There is so much useful education in your lengthy email. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to write it!
Ayurveda is a clinical profession. Most who become certified are interested in active practice and interaction. They want to counsel and teach patients, even patients who enter as students.
For many of us who are licensed health professionals, any accreditation commission that ensures that schools are providing adequate education should have actively-practicing competent clinicians and qualified clinician-educators in that professional subject as the evaluators.
Of the 8 persons listed in the AAC BOD roster (https://www.ayurvedicaccreditation.org/board-of-directors), all are highly accomplished but how many are actively-practicing ayurvedic physicians trained in ayurvedic medicine? Could they be certified by a group of clinicians assessing their competence to practice ayurvedic medicine? Of course, most US-based ayurveda schools use BAMS vaidyas as teachers because they have been licensed to practice ayurveda after active clinical experience. This information should be included in the bio of AAC BOD. At least half of the BOD do not appear to have experience that I would send a patient to them for ayurvedic medical care.
Your assessment too that professional organizations have the 'role to create a cohesive community of practitioners' is astute. The discussion of why so many former BOD members of NAMA and so many graduates of NAMA-approved schools are not even members should be addressed. The fact that dozens have gone out and painstakingly started other organizations to create community is a red flag that is not addressed in your letter. CAAM tried to mediate-host a discussion with NAMA and thee community – which logically should have been hosted by NAMA if it were a leader in organizing the community. Even in this exchange of emails, where is the leadership by NAMA BOD?
For this reason and others, we need to create a steering committee that will unify and actively l-e-a-d, with a transparent roadmap, no financial conflict of interest, and a plan that is S.M.A.R.T. and involves everyone who wants to be part of the community.
I look forward to meeting you and learning more from your vast experience.
We have over 30 cc on this exchange. Please, all stakeholders, contribute your thoughts.
Warm regards,
Bhaswati
Sanjiv Kalra Wrote on June 25, 2024
Dear Dr. Jim,
Good evening. Hope that you are doing well.
I was going through your email response to the concerns Ayurveda Professionals here in the United States have raised for various reasons,
I am writing to express my grave concerns on behalf of the Ayurveda Fraternity of the USA about the malfunctioning and accreditation of programs under the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and the Accreditation Commission for Colleges of Ayurveda (ACC) Ayurveda Boards. As a stakeholder in the field of Ayurveda, I have observed several alarming issues that need immediate attention and resolution.
Although there may be some confusion due to historical factors and the similarity in the names of certain organizations, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) is a fully independent organization with no connections to NAMA, ACC or other Organization.
This is in keeping with US Department of Education Guidelines.
As an independent accrediting agency, we take no position on actions taken by other organizations to which you refer.
First and foremost, there have been reports of uncertified programs running under the umbrella of NAMA and ACC Ayurveda Boards. This not only puts the credibility of these organizations at stake but also compromises the quality of education being provided to students. It is imperative that strict measures are put in place to ensure that only accredited programs are allowed to operate under these boards.
Furthermore, there have been instances of programs being accredited without meeting the necessary standards and requirements. This not only undermines the integrity of the accreditation process but also poses a risk to the students who are enrolled in these programs. It is crucial that the accreditation process is transparent and rigorous to maintain the quality and standards of Ayurvedic education.
We urge you to take immediate action to dilute these boards to ensure that only certified (AYUSH) programs are allowed to operate under one unified body. Additionally, we recommend conducting a thorough review of the accreditation process to prevent any further lapses in the future and, Like you, many people have suggested that AYUSH should oversee or accredit Ayurvedic education in the United States.
No matter how many people feel this way, it is not an option. It is a pipe-dream.
Accreditation within the US must come from US-based accrediting agencies to be considered valid and credible. There is no other option.
AYUSH is a Ministry of the Indian Government. The United States Department of Education does not approve foreign government miniseries as US accrediting bodies.
The Chinese government can not oversee Acupuncture education in the United States, and by the same token, AYUSH cannot oversee Ayurvedic education in the United States.
Accreditation of educational institutions in the US is typically conducted by recognized accrediting agencies that are approved by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
If you want to see Ayurveda licensed in the United States, we have to play by United States' rules.
To the best of my knowledge, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission is the only accrediting body in the United States actively performing accreditation work in line with US Department of Education guidelines.
as a Chinese Herbal Medicine Doctor, you seem to be a misfit for this position and assume the responsibility for Ayurveda and Programs.
Thank you for sharing your opinion on my fitness for this position.
Sincerely,
Jim Ventresca, DOM.
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC)
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to seeing prompt and effective measures taken to rectify these issues and uphold the integrity of Ayurvedic education under the guidance of AYUSH ministry and US Higher Education Department.
Sincerely,
Prof Vaidya Sanjeev Kalra
MD (Ayurveda-Neuro-Psychiatry),
Executive Healthcare Leadership and Management (Johns Hopkins University)
MDBA (Hospital Management and Finance)
MHA-CB (University of Phoenix)
A.P-Department of Physiology and Health,
Clinical Training Director of the BA in AyurVeda Wellness and Integrative Health
Lisa Cavallaro wrote on June 26, 2024
Dear Colleagues,
Included below in this email, you will find communication from AAC’s Board President submitting our Proposed Position on Uniform Ayurvedic Educational Program Titles.
We ask that you read through this important information and provide us with your feedback. We also ask that you disseminate this communication freely to your colleagues and students. All comments will be reviewed at the end of the period.
Thank you for your careful consideration.
Lisa Cavallaro, Psy.D.
Executive Director
Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission
Request for Feedback on Proposed Ayurvedic Medical Education Titles
Dear Stakeholders in the Ayurvedic Community,
To maintain clarity and consistency in the realm of Ayurvedic medical services and education, and to align with US Department of Education regulations and guidelines, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (the Commission) (AAC) is advocating for standardized nomenclature across all accredited Ayurvedic medical education programs and the titles bestowed upon their graduates.
Standardized terminology for various levels of schooling and training is essential for the advancement and growth of any profession in the US. This policy aligns with customary accreditation practices and aims to provide consumers of Ayurvedic medicine and education with clear information to evaluate practitioners and schools accurately.
The Commission is on the brink of adopting a uniform program title for what currently stands as the highest level of training in Ayurvedic Medical Education within the United States.
To ensure inclusivity and transparency, the Commission is actively seeking feedback from all stakeholders in the Ayurvedic community before finalizing this change in nomenclature.
We recognize the importance of hearing from as many interested parties as possible yet acknowledge the limitations of our outreach efforts. Therefore, we kindly ask for your assistance in disseminating this information and encouraging all stakeholders to share their valuable feedback.
If you wish to contribute your perspective to this process, please respond in writing to [email protected] by July 31, 2024.
Thank you for your continued collaboration and support.
Sincerely,
Jim Ventresca, DOM
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission
------------------------------------------
AAC’s Proposed Position on Uniform Ayurvedic Educational Program Titles
The Commission requires that schools offering accredited programs utilize only Approved Program Titles in all aspects of their operations, including naming, marketing, promotion, degrees, diplomas, certificates, and graduate titles.
Schools holding any Commission accreditation may not offer non-accredited programs under the same title as any accredited programs, nor may the schools confer degrees, diplomas, certificates, or graduate titles for non-accredited programs bearing the same titles as accredited ones.
Traditionally, some institutions in the US have conferred "Doctor of Ayurveda" diplomas and certificates to graduates who completed their highest levels of training. However, it is deemed inconsistent with accepted educational standards to grant doctoral degrees/titles to graduates of what are currently certificate programs.
In alignment with US Department of Education guidelines and regulations, the Commission will accredit master’s and doctoral programs only when offered by institutions that meet the established standards and regulations for awarding master's degree and doctoral degrees in the United States, typically necessitating regional accreditation.
The Commission acknowledges the existence of programs designated as "doctor" programs offered by institutions that have yet to attain regional accreditation. The Commission expects these programs to undergo peer review for accreditation under the proposed title of "Advanced Clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner."
The Commission acknowledges that many individuals have received ancestral doctoral degrees or certificates and are currently using the title of doctor. The title a practitioner uses to represent themself to the public is not within the scope of the Commission, but rather within the scope of state and local government. The Commission takes no position on this practice.
Presently, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission is open to considering accreditation for five levels of Ayurvedic training programs:
Approved Program Titles:
The titles of “Ayurvedic Health Counselor” and “Ayurvedic Practitioner” are established and are approved for all AAC candidates and accredited schools.
The Commission is requesting feedback only on the “Advanced Clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner“ title. (formerly known as Ayurvedic Doctor)
Reserved Program Titles:
Master of Ayurveda and Doctor of Ayurveda: These titles are currently limited to regionally accredited degree-granting institutions.
The Commission appreciates your feedback on this important matter.
Vivek Shanbhag Wrote on June 27, 2024
Dear Hasmukh Bhai,
Thank you for your emails discussing the crucial issues regarding Ayurveda in the US. Heartfelt gratitude to you and the Ayurveda Business Community (ABC) for everything you have done for years to promote Ayurveda in the US. Your emails demonstrate your sincere efforts to unite the Ayurveda community and achieve our shared goal of Licensed Ayurveda Practice in the US.
I am writing to you as the president of the National Consortium of Ayurveda Medicine (NCAM). NCAM's mission is to function as a consortium of aligned Ayurveda organizations supporting each other in promoting authentic Ayurveda, emphasizing competence-based education, accreditation, and credentialing to maximize public awareness, well-being and safety.
The national and global organizations collaborating in this consortium are: the American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals (AAAP), the Global Council for Ayurveda Research (GCAR), the International Council for Ayurveda Accreditation (ICAA) and the National Certification & Credentialing Board for Ayurvedic Medicine (NCCBAM). NCAM has collaborated with Ayurveda organizations from Florida, Arizona, Ohio, Colorado, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Texas, Minnesota, Union of Midwest States, and the following international organizations: the Canadian Ayurvedic Professionals Association, the International Academy of Ayurveda, the Siddha Vetha Multiversity, Healing Our Earth, the Global Indian Scientists & Technocrats Forum, the Canada India Foundation, the Global Ayurveda Festival and the World Health Congress. For more details about NCAM, please visit https://ncamusa.org/
All of us at NCAM appreciate the support provided by members of ABC to NCAM’s 2023 Mega-Conference, where 310 attendees enjoyed learning and networking for three days with 70+ speakers. This well-appreciated conference was a collaborative event by all of the above organizations with support from Ministry of AYUSH.
Your emails along with other responses were discussed by the Directors of NCAM and the collaborating organizations -after which this response was drafted. NCAM and its collaborators stand for constructive dialogue and collaborative work. We will support such efforts by ABC and others.
You and ABC have rightly prioritized the concern that if the Ayurveda community in the US remains divided, then it will be difficult to achieve progress in Ayurveda education, credentialing, accreditation, licensing, and products to deliver high-quality Ayurveda healthcare for America and prosperity for Ayurveda businesses. We are familiar with the history of divisions in the American Acupuncture community that have caused significant hurdles in their licensing and prosperity.
As a solution, you have suggested bringing all stakeholders together for a constructive dialogue to resolve differences through discussions. NCAM has attempted this, without success, several times in the recent past. We agree with Dr. Marc Halpern’s statement, that “…unity is important. It will be important to come to the table with humility and inclusiveness, providing no single interest group with any greater position of power.”
Authentic, constructive dialogue should include every stakeholder: ABC, NAMA, NAMACB, AAC, NCAM, AAAP, GCAR, NCCBAM, ICAA, AAPNA, etc, and the state organizations. We all need to acknowledge varying opinions and perspectives to resolve our differences. Following are some of the issues dividing the US Ayurveda community:
Best regards,
NCAM Executive Board
President: Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
Vice-President: Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman
Co-Secretaries: Vaidya Meenakshi Gupta & Vaidya Deepa Bhatt
Co-Treasurers: Jeff Mitchell & Kiffie Hester
NCAM Board of Directors
Dr. Amit Gumman
Dr. Aparna Bapat
Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya
Karla A. Cain,CAP
Vd. Pratibha Shah
Renee Mehrra
Hasmukh Parikh Wrote – June 28, 2024
Hello Everyone,
On behalf of the ABC members, I extend my sincere thanks to all of you, including Vivek Shanbhag, Lisa Cavallaro, Sanjeev Kalra, Jim Ventresca, Marc Helpern, and Bhaswati Bhattacharya, for their candid views and suggestions regarding our effort to unite all forums of Ayurveda. These communications have highlighted several issues and revealed various approaches to bring the Ayurvedic Community together.
However, we are still awaiting crucial input from Dr. Jayrajan and the Board of Directors of NAMA, whose perspectives are essential. The ABC members earnestly seek their insights on this critical issue of unity, especially since almost every existing group has splintered from NAMA. Understanding NAMA's viewpoint and the reasons behind these separations, which may have led to the divergent paths taken by these groups, and how to resolve these issues, is vital for our efforts.
We earnestly appeal to NAMA for their response on this matter as soon as possible, ideally by the first week of July, to help guide our next steps in unifying the community as the need of the hour is urgent.
Thank you,
Jim Ventresca wrote on June 28, 2024
Dear Dr. Bhaswati ji,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this important topic.
We all need to engage in more pathways of communication that encourage more cooperation within the community.
I am grateful to Hasmukh ji for getting this conversation started, and to all those who have contributed so far.
Please see my comments entered below within the context of your email.
Sincerely,
Jim
Jim Ventresca, DOM
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission.
Vaidya Jayarajan Wrote – June 29, 2024
Dear Hasmukhji,
Thank you for initiating this important conversation. It is very interesting to see the perspectives and this will help all of us to understand the gaps and where we need to improve as a community. NAMA takes this matter very seriously and our Board is diligently working to address each concern. We will send our response to you by next week.
Thank you for your patience.
CC: NAMA BOD
Namaste~
Dr. Jim and Vaidya Sanjeev Kalra Conversation –
Dear Dr. Jim,
Good evening. Hope that you are doing well.
I was going through your email response to the concerns Ayurveda Professionals here in the United States have raised for various reasons,
I am writing to express my grave concerns on behalf of the Ayurveda Fraternity of the USA about the malfunctioning and accreditation of programs under the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and the Accreditation Commission for Colleges of Ayurveda (ACC) Ayurveda Boards. As a stakeholder in the field of Ayurveda, I have observed several alarming issues that need immediate attention and resolution.
Although there may be some confusion due to historical factors and the similarity in the names of certain organizations, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) is a fully independent organization with no connections to NAMA, ACC or other Organization.
This is in keeping with US Department of Education Guidelines.
As an independent accrediting agency, we take no position on actions taken by other organizations to which you refer.
First and foremost, there have been reports of uncertified programs running under the umbrella of NAMA and ACC Ayurveda Boards. This not only puts the credibility of these organizations at stake but also compromises the quality of education being provided to students. It is imperative that strict measures are put in place to ensure that only accredited programs are allowed to operate under these boards.
Furthermore, there have been instances of programs being accredited without meeting the necessary standards and requirements. This not only undermines the integrity of the accreditation process but also poses a risk to the students who are enrolled in these programs. It is crucial that the accreditation process is transparent and rigorous to maintain the quality and standards of Ayurvedic education.
We urge you to take immediate action to dilute these boards to ensure that only certified (AYUSH) programs are allowed to operate under one unified body. Additionally, we recommend conducting a thorough review of the accreditation process to prevent any further lapses in the future and,
Like you, many people have suggested that AYUSH should oversee or accredit Ayurvedic education in the United States.
No matter how many people feel this way, it is not an option. It is a pipe-dream.
Accreditation within the US must come from US-based accrediting agencies to be considered valid and credible. There is no other option.
AYUSH is a Ministry of the Indian Government. The United States Department of Education does not approve foreign government miniseries as US accrediting bodies.
The Chinese government can not oversee Acupuncture education in the United States, and by the same token, AYUSH cannot oversee Ayurvedic education in the United States.
Accreditation of educational institutions in the US is typically conducted by recognized accrediting agencies that are approved by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
If you want to see Ayurveda licensed in the United States, we have to play by United Sstates' rules.
To the best of my knowledge, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission is the only accrediting body in the United States actively performing accreditation work in line with US Department of Education guidelines. as a Chinese Herbal Medicine Doctor, you seem to be a misfit for this position and assume the responsibility for Ayurveda and Programs.
Thank you for sharing your opinion on my fitness for this position.
Sincerely,
Jim Ventresca, DOM.
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC)
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to seeing prompt and effective measures taken to rectify these issues and uphold the integrity of Ayurvedic education under the guidance of AYUSH ministry and US Higher Education Department.
Sincerely,
Prof Vaidya Sanjeev Kalra
MD (Ayurveda-Neuro-Psychiatry),
Executive Healthcare Leadership and Management (Johns Hopkins University)
MDBA (Hospital Management and Finance)
MHA-CB (University of Phoenix)
A.P-Department of Physiology and Health,
Clinical Training Director of the BA in AyurVeda Wellness and Integrative Health
Marc Halpern Wrote on June 29, 2024
Namaste everyone,
I’m excited for the possibility that all stakeholders in the Ayurvedic community may come together and hoping that NAMA will participate. I would like to suggest that should such a meeting to unify the profession take place, that it not be hosted by a “specific existing organization” but simply by a “facilitator” of the meeting. Hence, no “organization” can either take credit for the meeting, or overly influence the meeting. If no facilitator is available, the same benefit can come from an ad hoc organization formed only for this purpose, ie. “The Coalition for Ayurvedic Unity” which dissolves when the work of unity is completed.
I would also suggest that the first meeting be about “process” and not content. If process is not agreed upon, the content becomes irrelevant. In my experience, an unfair process leads to more division than differences in perspective, policy, or opinion. If the group first agrees to a fair process, and it is followed, everyone can move forward with the decisions that are made. This requires a willingness for everyone to accept outcomes that are not in a specific groups favor.
To often, meetings, hosted by a singular group, become “listening sessions”. Meetings like this give power to the organizing party who agrees to “listen” but not “act” upon any of the information heard. In other words, the organization in power appears to listen but then acts in any manner they feel is best. Naturally, this continues to provoke conflict.
There are only two basic approaches.
1. Democracy – Votes among the stake holders take place. This requires a willingness to accept the outcome of votes that go against a group’s interests. It also requires a wiliness to change course in the future or at any time based on the voting majority.
2. Autocracy – The most powerful dictates the path forward. Every autocrat believes their way is the right way and is best for everyone, even if others can’t see it. Naturally those who do not feel include eventually revolt against the autocrat. While most autocrats are individuals, you can also have autocratic groups, in this case, organizations that reject any path forward other than the one they envision.
Should a first meeting take place, I strongly urge it to begin with an exploration of the process that will be followed. If we can’t agree to a process, how will we agree to an outcome. This can certainly take place over Zoom. I would then consider the benefit of an in-person weekend summit to explore the complexities of policy.
One final note: When discussing stakeholders, I urge you to include and consider the roles of the schools. They are separate from the organizations. Unfortunately, schools have not been able to successfully organize and have no unifying representative organization to speak for them. While organizations formed, large schools other than CCA would not participate as their work with NAMA created a conflict of interest. Without the support all major schools, no effort can succeed. It is important to separate some people’s roles as a “school representative” from an “organizational representative”. A good example is NAMA whose President is also a School Director responsible for the success of one school”. It should be clear that NAMA does not represent schools – even if some schools have chosen to be members and advertise through the organization.
Many blessings.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Dr. Marc Halpern
President: California College of Ayurveda
Vice President: The HeartWay; Embracing Life, Honoring Death
Co-Founder: California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine
Co-Founder: National Ayurvedic Medical Association
Sanjiv Kalra Wrote – June 30, 2024
Dear Dr. Mark and Respectable Ayurveda Fraternity Members,
Thank you for putting forward the first step towards the common goals and mission of Ayurveda, Education, and the Practice.
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request a meeting to discuss some important agendas that require our attention.
It is crucial that we come together to address these matters as they have a significant impact on our overall performance and success. By collaborating and sharing our ideas, we can find effective solutions and make informed decisions.
I propose that we schedule a meeting at a time that is convenient for everyone so that we can have a fruitful discussion and move forward with a clear plan of action.
Your participation and input are invaluable, and I am confident that together we can achieve great results. Please let me know your availability for the zoom meeting so that we can finalize the details.
Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to our productive discussion.
Best Regards and Blessings,
Parag More wrote on June 30, 2024
Dear All,
I could not agree more with all of you!! Coming together, so that it will be a common strength to move forward on Ayurveda.
We love it and we are promoting it in our CSR.
Do not hesitate to drop an email personally if anything is needed from our side.
Look forward to meeting you all.
Have a great evening.
Thanks and best regards,
Parag More
SKVL Organic World Pvt Ltd
SKVL Organic World Inc.
Jayarajan Kodikannath wrote on July 1, 2024
Dear Hasmukhji,
The NAMA Board of Directors thanks you for your sincere message and intention to unify our community. We recognize that it has taken some time for us to respond - we wanted to be sure that we did so in a way that considers the diverse perspectives on this matter.
NAMA remains deeply committed to providing collaborative leadership within the Ayurvedic profession and to promote a positive vision for Ayurveda and its holistic approach to health and wellness. It is difficult to capture the extent of our commitment and actions in an email. We hope to have more conversations with you and others in the Ayurvedic Business Community about how we can serve you better, and in the process, how we can collectively serve the Ayurvedic community and the general public in the United States (US).
When we imagine ten years from now, we are excited by the impact that Ayurvedic professionals and Ayurvedic businesses can make in the healthcare system in the US. NAMA is eager to continue to provide a pathway to a unified practice through our strategic plan and our partnerships with other allied organizations. Our members and the general public need us to succeed. The levels of chronic disease, mental health challenges, fertility issues, and the silver tsunami of our aging population tell us how much we are needed. We must come together.
There are many topics to address from your original letter, and the responses to it. We hope to address many of them here, but know that the depth and complexities of each of these deserve much more than a letter.
For context, it seems important to overview the infrastructure that NAMA has contributed to the Ayurvedic profession in the US over the past 24 years, led largely by a lineage of volunteers - many of whom are part of this thread. NAMA is so much more than a page on a website. Here’s a quick (not exhaustive) summary:
Since the incorporation on July 3, 2000 as a 501(c)(6) Professional Membership-based association with over 1,700 members, NAMA has been continuously working to advance the Ayurvedic profession in the United States. NAMA currently has 10 membership types, including a recently created Vaidya membership. NAMA currently has a 10-seat Board of Directors, 14 Standing Committees and the NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB), which oversees board certification and continuing education for professionals who wish to practice in the US.
Together, our pioneering spirit and the support of so many, has achieved highlights such as (just a few):
Established the Professional Community with 2 levels of Ayurvedic Education (2003-2010).
Created 3 levels of Ayurvedic Professional Education with competency guidelines and scope of practice (2011-2014).
Established Professional Ayurvedic Continuing Education (2016).
Established NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB) in 2017 and developed Board Certification Exams. NAMA engaged a professional testing company with a track record of creating and executing examinations for many other professions, created legally justifiable Board exams for Ayurveda professionals, and implemented the board exams for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
Created an Accreditation Council (NAMAAC) based on the guidelines of the Department of Education in 2019; the council became independent with its own Board and staff in 2021 and was renamed as the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC). AAC initiated receiving candidacy applications for accreditation from the Ayurvedic schools in 2023, and there are 21 programs from 11 schools currently in candidacy and going through the accreditation program.
Achieved a marketing reach of many millions through our events, partnered professionals and businesses, schools, teachers, authors, yoga teachers, and other passionate people who influence health and wellness markets in the US and around the world.
All the above systematic steps and achievements were accomplished by hundreds of volunteers, including BAMS doctors, graduates from various schools in the US, schools, students, Ayurvedic enthusiasts, businesses, and various other stakeholders, including MDs, NDs, yoga therapists and acupuncturists who have great respect for Ayurveda. As a testament to the hard work of these individuals, professional Ayurvedic associations in other countries routinely seek NAMA’s advice in setting up their organizations, and view NAMA as the model they could follow outside of India because we have been able to establish so much.
NAMA has been in a big transition over the last few years - transitioning board members, staff, bringing on a new Executive Director, spinning off the organization that is now the independent Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission, and working to address the divisions in our community, which we take very seriously. We have always had BAMS graduates involved in leading NAMA’s efforts, and during this time, a majority of the NAMA Board members were BAMS-trained individuals. The current NAMA Board was hopeful that such transitions would provide an opportunity for those individuals who had differences with NAMA through the years to step forward to re-engage with us and deepen their involvement, but surprisingly the divergence magnified.
While this transition has been challenging in many ways, the NAMA Board has worked on an ambitious strategic plan, and we hope that the conversations around this plan can serve to align everyone who wants to work in a unified direction - moving Ayurveda towards a licensed profession in the United States. We look forward to communicating our strategic plan, hearing feedback, and consequently working in collaboration with all the stakeholders.
We see AYUSH as an important allied stakeholder. Establishing legal credibility for Ayurveda in the US requires us to first build our own essential infrastructure for the profession based on the legal framework of our country. Jim Ventresca, the President of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission, has already described the types of organizations necessary to create a legally recognized Ayurveda profession in the United States in his open letter. We need a National Professional Organization (such as NAMA and State Associations), Certifying Body (NAMACB), and Accrediting Body (AAC). NAMA welcomes and cherishes a partnership with AYUSH, as we highly respect their leadership and impact on the field of Ayurveda. We believe it will play a key role in advancing the practice of Ayurveda in the US, strengthening the evidence base for it and supporting diplomatic interventions.
NAMA also values the partnership of the National Institute of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) in the US. The co-chair of NAMA’s Research Committee, Julia Arnold, and NAMA Board member, Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, were instrumental in setting up a national study with the NCCIH on Ayurveda and Cancer, which was disseminated through many Ayurvedic groups in the US. Many people in our NAMA and broader community have also been involved in the global effort to standardize Ayurveda terminology and medical billing codes through the World Health Organization. The generous time dedicated by these people benefits our members, as well as the Ayurveda community beyond NAMA’s members, as we move towards licensing. We must recognize that key players in the US may be different than those in India and we must work together to cast a net that is unique to the context we are creating in.
While disagreements are inevitable when we are working on something as vital and complex as establishing a profession in a country, NAMA is committed to prioritizing democratic decision-making. NAMA has a staff of 5, plus 70 volunteers, and over 1,700 members, and the NAMA Board of Directors is voted in by the membership. NAMA works through collaboration and consensus, and strives to make data-driven decisions that take into account the diversity of members and stakeholders that make up our community. We see ALL as valuable contributors to the progression of Ayurveda.
Any dissolution of the current infrastructure, as suggested by NCAM, would erase decades of hard work and investment in this profession that was touched with love by so many here in this conversation, and would be a betrayal to thousands of students, professionals, schools and product-makers who have invested their life into Ayurveda through efforts created collaboratively between the BAMS pioneers, who courageously brought Ayurveda to the USA, and their devoted students and supporters.
In the past several years, NAMA leaders have had conversations with different stakeholders, including groups allied with NCAM (NCCBAM, AAAP, etc.), on expectations, and to discuss potential revisions to the educational standards or competency guidelines. NAMA’s educational standards and competency guidelines have been designed with a focus on integrating with the landscape in the US, without jeopardizing the level of integrity in the practice of Ayurveda. Unfortunately, the entities listed above had stopped engaging with NAMA.
NAMA is aware that some stakeholders are intentional in their effort to not include NAMA in their discussions and actively sew division in the field. This course of action is neither constructive, nor serves the profession or community as a whole, and perhaps it’s becoming evident how these efforts have impacted our Ayurvedic businesses, too. NAMA is eager to continue conversations, and follow systematic processes to ensure that our competency guidelines continue to serve the American public well.
We are glad to hear that many organizations would like to come together and bring unity to our profession again. We welcome those who want to engage with us. However, the NAMA Board does not support divisive or accusatory language that insults and excludes a large portion of our professional community, whom we should be holding with reverence. The infrastructure that we have collectively built is intended to serve both American and Indian-trained practitioners, and also the American public. There is no need to start from scratch and create new national entities for credentialing, accreditation or professional organization, as these entities are already in place. We are open to discussion and considering recommended refinements to better serve Ayurvedic professionals and businesses so we can make a difference in the health of the American public.
NAMA continues to stay open for feedback and constructive criticism, and are committed to taking the necessary steps to course correct, if needed, based on such feedback. We have demonstrated a continued ability to listen and respond. Recently, NAMA revised the Ayurvedic Doctor terminology due to legalities in the use of the word ‘doctor’ in the US; timely, NAMA received additional requests to do so from the Ayurvedic community. As we serve and partner with many constituents at NAMA, and in the spirit of inclusivity and diversity, NAMA has been revamping its membership categories, such as the addition of a Vaidya membership category. This latter action was in response to a call specifically from the BAMS community to give an independent membership category for BAMS, MD-Ayu professionals rather than including them in the AD membership category. The NAMA Board actively and quickly considered these requests, voted to change the Ayurvedic Doctor (AD) designation moving forward, and created a ‘Vaidya’ membership category for professionals with BAMS, MD-Ayu and equivalent credentials so they may have their unique presence in the community. NAMA will continue to assess our member constituents to grow a strong profession in the US. And we will keep investing NAMA’s time, energy and resources where we believe our membership community, board-certified professionals, supporters and partners want us to.
While it is difficult to restore trust in the presence of deeply seated conflicts and grievances (personal, professional, and cultural), it is our duty. We wholeheartedly would like to restore trust and unity through constructive and integrous communication and collaboration, with those who are interested in the same. We hope that individuals who have felt differences with NAMA in the past hear our sincerity, and can come together to meet the common goals and the challenges our profession faces. Our hope is that all organizations find themselves a place in the industry that is useful to fill important community needs.
As mentioned earlier, we are finalizing the 2024 NAMA strategic plan, which we feel will show a path towards some of our common goals. We have been in many conversations with our professional members about the struggles they face in practice in the US without being part of a licensed profession, and our commitment to licensure has never been stronger. We also know that public awareness of Ayurveda in the US, while it has grown tremendously in the last 20 years, must grow more rapidly.
We all need and value the support and commitment of the Ayurvedic Business Community to make the Ayurveda profession and Ayurveda field a reality in the US. NAMA is committed to engage in a continuous process of improvement - and through upcoming conversations about our strategic plan, we believe in what we can collectively achieve.
We are interested in continuing this conversation with all relevant stakeholders, and we will invite you to a discussion forum in August/September where we’d like to discuss some important elements of NAMA’s strategic plan. The date is to be determined. Please be on the lookout for further contact from the NAMA Board and also feel free to reach out individually to us.
We all understand how unity is necessary for the Ayurveda field in the US if we want to make progress. NAMA values the collaboration of all of our members, sponsors, supporters, partners and government entities have historically been able to achieve. We hope to regain the trust in NAMA and also continue to help businesses thrive in the US – because the Ayurvedic profession, and the American public, need us to look ahead and work together to expand Ayurveda in the US.
Very sincerely,
NAMA Board of Directors
Jayarajan Kodikannath- President
Heather Grzych- Secretary
Manas Kshirsagar- Treasurer
Anupama Kizhakkeveettil
Cristina Dos Santos
Madison Madden
Rucha Kelkar
Sushma Jakkula
July 3, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote-
Hello Everyone,
Following our experience at the NAMA Conference in Vail, Colorado last month, we were left with mixed feelings regarding the impact of our ongoing support and sponsorship. Our sincere contributions to NAMA, year after year, have aimed to raise awareness of Ayurveda in the country. However, given the repeated fragmentation within the Ayurvedic community and the assembly of professionals at these events, we must evaluate whether our investments are yielding sufficient returns.
It is a matter of grave concern for the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC), as well as the broader Ayurvedic community, that NAMA has experienced multiple disintegrations due to serious internal differences and its inability to address why leading Ayurveda professionals have left NAMA. This raises questions about whether NAMA or these splintered groups are effectively working towards the recognition of Ayurveda as a legitimate healthcare system in our country, ensuring it can be practiced legally and without fear in the near future.
As ABC members and sponsors of these groups, it is time to critically assess whether we are truly advancing the cause for which these organizations were established. We need to determine if the events organized by these groups are producing tangible results. While the return on investment (ROI) for ABC members remains a primary concern which has been minimal at best in the past few years, we must also consider whether our long-term contributions and support are moving us closer to achieving legal recognition for Ayurveda in the country.
To ensure that our contributions effectively serve the cause of Ayurveda, we must consolidate our efforts to unify the splintered groups. By doing so, ABC members can sponsor a cohesive, unified assembly of the community rather than supporting each group separately. This united front will strengthen our collective impact. Additionally, by leveraging our management, accountability, and team-building skills used in our businesses, we can provide valuable support to advance the community.
Given the communications exchanged with several stakeholders since the unity efforts began, it is now time for ABC members to come together and consult on our future course of support for creating a united community. Our goal is to provide strong financial backing to firmly root the unified group, enabling us to achieve the objective of legalizing Ayurveda in the country. This will allow everyone to accept and practice it without fear.
I request all ABC members to join a Zoom meeting on July 10, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time to discuss this matter. Please share this information with other members who may be interested in our cause.
The agenda for this meeting will be sent early next week.
Thank you for your support.
Manju Kolli wrote on July 3, 2024
Dear Hasmukhji and all :
I sincerely thank you for supporting the Ayurveda profession in this country. It is heartening to see messages from various organizations intending to unify the Ayurveda profession, which is much needed now.
When CAAM started in 1998, it was the only Ayurvedic professional association and mostly represented the graduates from the only state-approved school that existed in the country at that time. Since then there has been increased interest in and growing needs for this growing profession, which led to the establishment of many schools and today there are multiple professional associations on the state and national levels, and business organizations support the development of the profession in the United States. These organizations and associations have been formed independently and registered independently in their own states with their own mission statements.
It is now clearly time for all of us to come together to agree upon standards in order to raise the quality of the Ayurveda profession. CAAM recognizes 6 areas that we see as crucial for the unified future of Ayurveda in the US:
Whether you are a school, business, state or national organization it is important to come together as a round table to gain clarity about the challenges and brainstorm the solutions. In our opinion this does not require dissolving any organization. Unity is not forming one group but it is bringing groups with multiple agendas together for one goal of developing Ayurveda.
CAAM, foreseeing this need, called for a round table meeting in 2022, however, many of us went off the agenda and could not achieve the desired goal. We would encourage a round table yet again with a neutral moderator.
Let us all march towards promoting Ayurveda in public and helping our graduates get jobs. A round table can bring everyone together to outline the challenges that are COMMON TO ALL and brainstorm the solutions. This way each group stays true to fulfilling the mission of their own group while meeting the broader needs of Ayurveda in the US. We look forward to being an active contributor to work together and achieve our common goal.
Best Regards,
CAAM Board of Directors
Manju Kolli-- President
Mary Thompson-- Secretary
Hema Natarajan-- Treasurer
Jessica Scharer-- Board Director
Anu Kizhakkeveettil--Board Director
Mamta Landerman-- Chairperson
Hasmukh Pariekh wrote on July 4, 2024
Hello Everyone,
Please refer to the email sent yesterday, which was intended to acknowledge the responses from various quarters of the Ayurvedic community expressing a desire to unify under one roof. We also aimed to inform everyone that ABC members will discuss, consult, and plan our future course of action based on these encouraging responses.
As mentioned in the previous email, the meeting scheduled for July 10th is specifically for ABC members to address this purpose.
We intend to call a meeting for all stakeholders at a later date, once the ABC members have outlined our support strategy in our effort to unite everyone. We appreciate your patience in the meantime.
Thank you,
Parag More wrote on July 4, 2024
Thanks Hasmukh ji !!
We will be available for this call, please send the meeting invite.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks and best regards,
Parag More
SKVL Organic World Pvt Ltd
SKVL Organic World Inc.
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on July 5, 2024
Dear Ayurveda community member,
The following is a digest of the 50+ emails circulated since June 11, 2024, to 100+ USA-Ayurveda stakeholders.
The conversation was originated by a group of ayurveda sponsors seeking unification and having concerns about the pace and direction of professional ayurveda activities.
This digest attempts to summarize and to brief everyone so that each of us as valuable supporters of ayurveda in the USA may stay aware and get more involved in the upcoming phase of a unification project.
The next major event is a semi-closed planning meeting July 10 of the original ABC (Ayurvedic Business Community) to achieve the common goal of unity with accelerated movement.
The intention thereafter is to call a meeting for all USA stakeholder individuals, businesses, schools, and associations, once ABC members have outlined a support strategy.
PLEASE send this digest out to your Ayurveda colleagues, groups, students, and association members
The following are direct copy-paste from emails sent by the noted individual
Following our experience at the NAMA Conference in Vail, Colorado last month, we were left with mixed feelings regarding the impact of our ongoing support and sponsorship. Our sincere contributions to NAMA, year after year, have aimed to raise awareness of Ayurveda in the country. However, given the repeated fragmentation within the Ayurvedic community and the assembly of professionals at these events, we must evaluate whether our investments are yielding sufficient returns.
It is a matter of grave concern for the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC), as well as the broader Ayurvedic community, that NAMA has experienced multiple disintegrations due to serious internal differences and its inability to address why leading Ayurveda professionals have left NAMA. This raises questions about whether NAMA or these splintered groups are effectively working towards the recognition of Ayurveda as a legitimate healthcare system in our country, ensuring it can be practiced legally and without fear in the near future.
July 3, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh, Founder, Komal Herbal
I represent a group of dedicated and vibrant Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) members, some of whom are listed below, who have serious concerns about this division among Ayurvedic professionals and its impact on the community. We, the ABC members, remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the common core values and mission of promoting and spreading the wisdom of Ayurveda. However, we are keen to continue working exclusively and ONLY with a united and vibrant forum, currently embodied by NAMA, to ensure a bright and prosperous future for Ayurveda in this country.
The fragmentation of professional forums, with limited markets, impose significant costs on the Ayurvedic Business Community, as supporting each such group separately becomes expensive and inefficient. Moreover, none of these divided organizations have provided the confidence that they can deliver tangible returns on the support provided by the business community.
It is unjustifiable for the business community to continuously support multiple divided professional organizations, especially when their events, aimed at promoting Ayurveda, do not guarantee a return on investment.
Once Ayurvedic professionals are united to create a cohesive front to achieve our goals, we, the business community, will review and reconsider our support and contributions to future events and the Accreditation body, ensuring mutual benefit for all parties involved.
-Hasmukh Parekh, Tuesday, June 11, 2024
CC; Ayurvedic Business Community:
1. Yash Prakash, LYBL
2. Dr. Virender Sodhi, Ayush Herbs
3. Garry Grewal, Garry n Sun
4. Sandeep Agarwal, Pure Indian Foods
5. Parag More, SKVL Organic World
...recognition of the importance of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) in supporting NAMA and other forums in their efforts to grow and spread the wisdom of Ayurveda is greatly appreciated.
I urge other groups to address this matter internally and determine how they can contribute to unifying under one banner to achieve our shared goal: obtaining formal approval and recognition from the US Government for Ayurveda as an alternative healthcare system that can be freely practiced in the country.
We all understand that reconciling the significantly different views among various groups may be challenging, and opening a dialogue with the other group may be an uphill task for some members. However, it is imperative that we rise above personal feelings and ambitions and selflessly work to resolve our differences for the greater cause of uniting everyone to secure the required recognition so that Ayurveda can be practiced legally in this country without fear or frustration.
We must also recognize that obtaining US Federal Government recognition is not possible without a strong, unified representation. This requires a sound and comprehensive Ayurveda education policy, teaching curricula, institutional credentials, accreditation criteria, and regulating certifications, supported by a white paper endorsed,
June 14, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote
The future of any health profession is the USA depends on its stakeholders understanding the regulatory and legal environment of education, clinical practice, and the roles of products and services as commercial entities. These discussions include the requirements for licensure, insurance, regulation, and sale of medicines. Often people ambitiously demand that ayurveda should be legal in America without understanding process and procedure.
Ayurveda is a clinical profession. Most who become certified are interested in active practice and interaction. They want to counsel and teach patients, even patients who enter as students. We must recognize that members of the community who are unlicensed health professionals do not often know how to navigate accurate discussions on the regulation of ayurveda using facts. Several legal repercussions have already occurred in the Ayurvedic community since 1997, either due to lawsuits against practitioners for failing to recognize disease; calling oneself doctor when the legal environment of the state does not allow the use of the title doctor or physician; educational reprimanding for giving credentials that are misleading; or improper medical claims on products or services. Most recently, the Ayurvedic Doctor designation created a legal response from government education authorities. The Health Freedom Acts in 11 states have mitigated some of these issues, but ayurvedic practitioners must be keenly aware of regulations and guidelines in their own state.
Competence in the practice of ayurvedic medicine is essential, both for the safety of the patients who entrust ayurvedic professionals, and for the reputation of ayurveda as a true science. Counselors acting as physicians jeopardizes the understanding of authentic ayurveda by the American community.
A strategic workplan with roadmap needs to be proposed, discussed in a timely fashion, and implemented. Ayurvedic community leaders in the USA must not defer to any foreign authority that is unaware of USA regulations and guidelines. Using the SMART goals template, we must chart a course that has clear, attainable, and meaningful objectives, with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely goals, and uses articulate, precise and accurate points for the best positioning of ayurveda in the USA. We must do it by consensus, not the usual lack of transparency among a few players, and we must have everyone's participation. ... We agree that a 2024 White Paper on Ayurveda in the USA would be a research-based and fact-based document, produced by US-based Ayurveda community for all readers. Several attempts in recent years have been made and should serve as excellent resources.
June 17, 2024
- Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya, MPH, MD (Family Medicine), PhD (Ayurveda-BHU), wrote -
Clinical Asst Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY & Chief Science & Research Officer, VedaFarms
2003-2008 - Education Standards Committee, Elections Committee, Studentt Committee, NAMA
2008-2011 - Board of Directors, NAMA 2006-2013 - Board of Advisors, AAPNA
2009-2010 - AUSAC (Ayurveda-USA Advisory Council), Sci & Tech Wing, Embassy of India to USA
2011-2016 - Founder & Director, Council for Ayurveda Credentialing 2013-2014 - Indo-US Fulbright Scholar in Ayurveda
2015-2017 - member, NCAE 2018-2022 - Board of Directors, AAAP
2022-2023 - Lead Founder, ICAA (International Council for Accreditation of Ayurveda)
2023 - Program Committee chair, NCAM 2024 - present - Board of Directors, NCAM
We completed the sunrise application towards getting Ayurveda licensed in Colorado in 2018. Here are links to articles
https://www.coloradoayurveda.org/post/professional-scope-of-practice-health-freedom
June 18, 2024
Sujatha Reddy LPC, BC-TAM, PAPT, Colorama, Vice-President, NCCBAM - https://nccbam.org/
Professional Counselor & Ayurvedic Medicine Vaidya,
NAMA’s Founding: “The history of NAMA's founding includes a lawsuit to support an unlicensed ayurvedic doctor. Its leadership must include humility and awareness of history as it moves forward.” The challenges Dr. Lad faced was not a formal part of NAMA’s founding but may have motivated the Ayurvedic Institute, represented by Wynn Werner, to participate in the founding of NAMA. However, the lawsuit was not why NAMA was founded. The other 3 founders, including myself, formed NAMA to unify the profession and develop a roadmap for the future. Realizing that every profession required a State and National Association, I worked to help build both CAAM and NAMA to provide some infrastructure going forward.
Schools in the US that have state approval to provide certifications also provide legal credentials.
Those who feel harmed by NAMA will need to be willing to put aside their hurt, forgive, and be ready to move forward.
May all groups find a place of peace and begin their work from this place.
That NAMA provides an Ayurvedic Doctor certificate is misleading as is Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Ayurvedic Practitioner. However, I think they’ve made strides to clarify that this is only an “internal membership designation” and has no authority outside of the organization. Any private organization can create the names for the membership levels.
Regarding CCA’s Ayurvedic Doctor Program: This credential was approved in 2015 and was sustained until 2022 when the State of California changed policy and now denies all Ayurvedic Doctor certifications that are not issued by “degree granting institutions” and that “federally accredited”. These State oversight committee notified all California Schools in 2022 who were offering State-Approved Ayurvedic Doctor programs (CCA and Kerala) to discontinue their program immediately and change their program name. CCA kept the curriculum and changed the program name to Medical Ayurvedic Specialist. Prior graduates can continue to use the Ayurvedic doctor title in their bios and in writing. It is unclear if they can use it in practice. The California State Medical Association has made it clear that they do not want Ayurvedic Doctors using the title “Doctor” in California in clinical settings.
Faith based- religious institutions are capable of seeking State-Approval for their programs. The State is fine with that. It means that the religious institution seeks to uphold the standards expected of schools and provides either degrees or career training (certifications). State approval provides students with the assurance that their school is operating professionally. ...If it is a career-based certification, the State will quickly see through it.
Board Certifications: Any board can be created by anyone and can administer an exam. Those who pass it can say they are “Board Certified by XYZ organization”. However, that does not afford any additional practice rights or benefits.
June 17, June 18, Jun 19, 2024
Dr. Marc Halpern wrote
President: California College of Ayurveda
Co-Founder: National Ayurvedic Medical Association
Co-Founder: California Assoication of Ayurvedic Medicine
Co-Founder: National Council on Ayurvedic Education (inactive)
Co-Founder: National Assocation of Ayurvedc Schools and Colleges (inactive)
I would like to thank you and the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) for your generous support of the Ayurvedic profession over the years. Your commitment is vital to the growth and recognition of Ayurveda in the United States. It is clear that everyone connected to Ayurveda is concerned about the divisions within the Ayurvedic community in the US. Such fragmentation only serves to dilute the potential impact Ayurveda can have on the healthcare system in this country. I appreciate you pointing out these divisions and suggesting some solutions.
...it is important to understand the pathway to legal implementation within the US. To do this, we need to distinguish between Professional Membership Organizations, Accrediting Organizations, and Certifying Bodies and to understand their separate roles in legalizing and formalizing the practice of Ayurveda in the US. There are three key organizations necessary to create a legally recognized profession in the United States:
Accreditation in the US is only effective if the accrediting body follows US Department of Education guidelines. This is the “acupuncture playbook” the AAC is working from. The main obstacles to the acceptance of Ayurveda into the US healthcare delivery system are accreditation and certification.
- Jim Ventresca, DOM (NM), L.Ac. (MA) Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM), June 24, 2024
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC)
You and ABC have rightly prioritized the concern that if the Ayurveda community in the US remains divided, then it will be difficult to achieve progress in Ayurveda education, credentialing, accreditation, licensing, and products to deliver high-quality Ayurveda healthcare for America and prosperity for Ayurveda businesses. We are familiar with the history of divisions in the American Acupuncture community that have caused significant hurdles in their licensing and prosperity.
NCAM's mission is to function as a consortium of aligned Ayurveda organizations supporting each other in promoting authentic Ayurveda, emphasizing competence-based education, accreditation, and credentialing to maximize public awareness, well-being and safety.
Authentic, constructive dialogue should include every stakeholder: ABC, NAMA, NAMACB, AAC, NCAM, AAAP, GCAR, NCCBAM, ICAA, AAPNA, etc, and the state organizations. We all need to acknowledge varying opinions and perspectives to resolve our differences.
The “Ayurveda Doctor” credential was/is offered without proper clinical training and assessment of clinical skills and competence. There are risks of medical complications, death, legal action, product recall, or ban. .... BAMS, MD-Ayurved, and PhD-Ayurved have usually completed more than 8000 hours of training, which includes clinical skills training in hospitals and clinics.
Conflicts of interest were created by Ayurveda school executives influencing the credentialing board through their leverage on the professional organization, which in turn funds and controls the credentialing board.
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag, ND, MD-Ayurveda, BAMS, CYEd. California Licensed Naturopathic Doctor, June 27, 2024
President, National Consortium of Ayurveda Medicine (NCAM)
Since the incorporation on July 3, 2000 as a 501(c)(6) Professional Membership-based association with over 1,700 members, NAMA has been continuously working to advance the Ayurvedic profession in the United States. NAMA currently has 10 membership types, including a recently created Vaidya membership.
NAMA currently has a 10-seat Board of Directors, 14 Standing Committees and the NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB), which oversees board certification and continuing education for professionals who wish to practice in the US. .... NAMA has a staff of 5, plus 70 volunteers, and over 1,700 members, and the NAMA Board of Directors is voted in by the membership.
We have always had BAMS graduates involved in leading NAMA’s efforts, and during this time, a majority of the NAMA Board members were BAMS-trained individuals. The current NAMA Board was hopeful that such transitions would provide an opportunity for those individuals who had differences with NAMA through the years to step forward to re-engage with us and deepen their involvement, but surprisingly the divergence magnified.
While disagreements are inevitable when we are working on something as vital and complex as establishing a profession in a country, NAMA is committed to prioritizing democratic decision-making... Unfortunately, the entities listed above had stopped engaging with NAMA.
Jayarajan Kodikannath- President, NAMA Board of Directors, July 2, 2024
When CAAM started in 1998, it was the only Ayurvedic professional association and mostly represented the graduates from the only state-approved school that existed in the country at that time. Since then there has been increased interest in and growing needs for this growing profession, which led to the establishment of many schools and today there are multiple professional associations on the state and national levels, and business organizations support the development of the profession in the United States.
CAAM recognizes 6 areas that we see as crucial for the unified future of Ayurveda in the US:
- Manju Kolli -- President, CAAM Board of Directors, Jul 3, 2024
Apologies if anyone has been oversighted or any error in copy-pasting has occurred.
AAPNA Team wrote on July 6, 2024
Dear Ayurveda Stakeholders:
The founding of AAPNA (Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America) began as a discussion amongst Ayurvedic professionals on January 18, 2002. Please view the milestones of AAPNA at https://www.aapna.org/milestones.html.
We wanted to create a community of Ayurvedic professionals with the common goal of growing the presence of Ayurveda in integrative health care. AAPNA was incorporated in December of 2007 as a non-profit 501(c)(6) corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA; it has since grown to unite Ayurvedic and integrative medicine health professionals, students, academic institutes, and corporations throughout North America and internationally.
AAPNA represents 218,286 members from 134 Countries. We are informing all our Board Committee - https://www.aapna.org/board-committee.html and Advisory Committee - https://www.aapna.org/advisory-committee.html and Global Supporting Members - https://www.aapna.org/free-global-supporting-membership.html about "United Ayurveda."
AAPNA has conducted and hosted 63 international conferences on Ayurveda and integrative health. Please visit https://www.globalayurvedaconferences.com/ for conference details.
Thank you for sharing your views on "United Ayurveda" via several emails from various stakeholders. Several of Ayurveda's essential stakeholders are not included in our email thread. Hence, we have posted all our communication emails on our website: https://www.aapna.org/united-ayurveda.html. We openly and democratically request all Ayurveda stakeholders to submit their individual, unbiased, constructive feedback on the provided form on our website.
Once we receive constructive feedback from AAPNA stakeholders, we will post their comments on our website link - https://www.aapna.org/united-ayurveda.html
We look forward to working with you all in a productive and long-lasting relationship for the global growth and development of Ayurveda.
Thank you very much,
AAPNA Team
Manju Kolli wrote on July 8, 2024
Dear Stakeholders of Ayurveda in the US,
First, we want to express our gratitude for the ongoing conversations and thank all those who have provided feedback.
Critical issues are being discussed, and many more still need to be addressed. This is a starting point.
We have concerns about what is not being addressed and the assumption that certain ideas must be immediately implemented. We suggest taking at least a year or two to resolve these matters in a way that aligns all parties without any one group imposing set ideas or ultimatums. A solution that only benefits a few and disregards others will create further disunity.
Ayurveda in the USA operates under different circumstances than in India. Initially, it was brought over by individuals like Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. David Frawley, and Dr. John Douillard, who studied in India and taught Ayurveda for individual lifestyle, not for practitioners. Dr. Marc Halpern then opened a state-approved school, allowing Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle practices to become a profession in the US. This inspired others nationwide to open educational institutions, leading to the development of both vocational schools and universities teaching Ayurveda. As the profession has grown, BAMS graduates have also come to America, taught in these programs, and started their own practices. With state approval and the passing of the SB577 Health Freedom Act, Ayurveda became a legal profession in California, provided practitioners disclose they are not MDs and do not treat disease.
In 1998, recognizing the need for guidance and representation for graduating professionals, we founded CAAM in California. Our first conference in 2001 brought together students, practitioners, herbalists, and vendors from across the country at UC Berkeley. Following a legal defense of Dr. Lad, who was charged with practicing medicine without a license, a national group, NAMA, was formed.
Today, there are many organizations, both national and state, each with its mission and goals. This has led to varying standards of education and practice. As Ayurveda grows, there is a need for re-evaluation and setting more consistent standards.
India and the USA differ significantly in their approach to Ayurveda. In India, much literature was lost, and Ayurveda was banned before a revival began under a Western paradigm. Practitioners who interned with Vaidyas preserved the depths of Ayurveda. Like yoga, Ayurveda has come to the West and will return to India, enriching both traditions. We are at a pivotal moment.
In this new era, we must engage in meaningful dialogue, listening to each other even when we disagree. We cannot grow Ayurveda like any other profession or business; we must cultivate it from within, guided by Sattva, and avoid competition and ego-driven power plays. We must embody the principles we advocate, conduct ourselves with dignity, and respect the contributions of all groups.
We are presenting some issues that affect all and invite others to contribute. Please present questions neutrally.
Ayurveda became active in the US in the 90s, and it has become complex. Let us set common goals for the next ten years and create plans to address challenges and build solutions without implying the dissolution of any group. Recognize the need for creativity moving forward.
QUESTIONS THAT AFFECT ALL:
Thank you for reading this letter.
Best Regards,
CAAM Board
Manju Kolli-- President
Mary Thompson-- Secretary
Hema Natarajan-- Treasurer
Jessica Scharer-- Board Director
Anu Kizhakkeveettil--Board Director
Geetanjali Chakraborty
Mamta Landerman-- Chairperson
Aparna Bapat wrote on July 10, 2024
Namaste Hasmukh Parekh Ji
First of all, I would like to thank you for your email sent in early June 2024 to Ayurveda community leaders of various organizations. This gave all of us an opportunity to discuss some issues you mentioned among our boards. Some of the recipients have directly communicated with you or sent replies to others who are addressed in the email or have replied to yours.
I am writing this to you as the President of ICAA (International Council for Ayurveda Accreditation)
and AAF (Ayurveda Association of Florida). I also hold a board position on NCAM (National Consortium of Ayurveda medicine) and IACDSC (International Accreditation Council for Dharma schools and Colleges). Along with my Ayurveda practice, I hold faculty positions in a few Ayurveda teaching Institutions.
I have been on the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) board for 10 yrs during its early years.
ICAA- mission and vision
The foundation of Ayurveda has to be strong with its authenticity, uniformity of education and examination levels, established with gold standards of education and practice and clearly defined scope of practice for each level. The BAMS degree equivalent level of education in the US needs to be set as a competency base level to get qualified as Ayurveda doctor and get a licensure as a medical professional in the US, this is basic necessity.
Our accreditation board is exactly working on this along with NCCBAM (National certification and credentialing board for Ayurveda Medicine) and establishing gold standard curriculum (theory, practical and clinicals) for BAMS level outside India.
The ICAA would set the benchmark for students and medical educational institutions to ensure that graduates are well trained and evaluated by strict quality standards to work in clinics and healthcare systems at various provider levels and scopes of practice.
As an independent accreditation body, ICAA is working to establish with the US education department, AYUSH ministry of India, and International Ayurveda teaching institutions to set a global standard for highest levels of Ayurveda education outside India. ICAA with the directive of AYUSH and CHEA would be capable of negotiating with the US Government in different states for the recognition of Ayurveda as an alternative health care system in the country.
The Ayurveda Business Community that were the generous sponsors and vendors of the NCAM 2023 conference in Orlando are aware of our efforts and passion to make this happen in the shortest possible time.
thank you
IACDSC.org (ICAA website is a subsite on this currently)
NCCBAM.org
Hasmukh Parikh Wrote on July 11, 2024
Hello Everyone,
Pursuant to the first scheduled meeting between the members of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) yesterday following resolutions were passed by the members:
1. ABC members have committed to stay united in their efforts to bring cohesion within the fragmented Ayurvedic Professional Community (APC).
2. ABC members will support only one unified Ayurvedic Community after complete unification of the splintered groups and will refrain from backing or financially supporting any fragmented group.
3. ABC members agree to call on all splintered groups in the APC to submit reasons for their split and their conditions for reunification in a timely manner. An anonymous questionnaire will be circulated among the Ayurvedic Community to gather these responses, which will then be evaluated.
4. ABC members have agreed to a follow-up meeting within a few weeks to assess the unity efforts and determine the feasibility of unification.
5. If unification efforts are unsuccessful for whatever reason/s within four to six weeks from the date of this meeting, ABC members will explore the possibility of forming a new Ayurvedic thinktank or group to help unite the community afresh.
6. If decided, this new base will likely include members from the Ayurvedic Business Community, Ayurvedic Professional Community, individual practitioners, and a united or independent Ayurvedic Accreditation Body with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and accountability with no conflicts of interest, using relevant committees to ensure effective collaboration.
7. To move things forward in a timely way, an ABC Working Group has been selected by the attendees at today's meeting, composed of the representatives from the following companies, to work on these unity efforts and report the outcomes in a timely manner:
o Garry N Sun USA
o Komal Herbals, Inc.
o LYBL
o Nature's Formulary
o Veda Farms
o Bhaswati Bhattacharya MD AD PhD (Ayu) will assist as an Advisor to this Working Group.
o Hasmukh Parekh will assess and report the work products of the Working Group and call for ABC member meetings thereafter to evaluate the findings and decide on further course of action/s.
Following the ABC meeting and the passage of the resolutions, a questionnaire is being prepared by the designated working committee. This questionnaire will be shared with all members of the Ayurvedic Community, who are committed to uniting the various splintered groups. We encourage everyone to fill it out and respond candidly to help us gather crucial information and evaluate the core reasons for these divisions, as well as explore ways to bring everyone together.
This update is to keep you informed about our ongoing efforts to achieve our goals.
Thank you.
July 12, 2024
Hasmukh Parikh wrote
Hello Everyone,
Following my earlier communication regarding the resolutions made during the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) meeting, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the following members of the business community for their participation and valuable suggestions during this meeting:
Best regards
August 21, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Decisive and Strong Conclusion with Clear Directive Based on the Responses from the Ayurvedic Community to the Ayurvedic Business Community Questionnaire
Based on the responses to the questionnaire, it is evident that the Ayurvedic community is deeply fragmented, with varying opinions on unification efforts and the role of different organizations. Here is a decisive and strong conclusion with clear directives:
Consensus on the Need for Unification:
There is a clear recognition among the majority that unification of the Ayurvedic community is crucial for its growth and effectiveness. Despite the differences in opinion about how to achieve this, the overarching goal is to create a more cohesive and impactful community.
Role of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC):
The ABC is widely seen as a potential facilitator of unification. Respondents believe that the ABC's influence, resources, and ability to mediate can play a significant role in bridging gaps between various factions. However, it is also recognized that the ABC must maintain neutrality and avoid conflicts of interest to be effective.
Concerns About New Organizations:
There is significant apprehension regarding the formation of a new Ayurvedic Community Organization. Many respondents worry that introducing another organization could exacerbate fragmentation within the community rather than achieve unification. Instead, there is a strong preference to concentrate on reinforcing and consolidating existing organizations under a unified leadership, rather than creating additional entities.
Challenges and Recommendations:
Address Existing Divisions: It is critical to address the historical and ongoing divisions within the community. This includes resolving conflicts, acknowledging and respecting the contributions of existing organizations, and ensuring that new efforts do not undermine past achievements.
Support Accreditation and Licensure:
Respondents emphasize the importance of supporting a unified accreditation body and working towards formal licensure of Ayurveda in the US. This should be a primary focus to enhance the credibility and standardization of Ayurvedic practices.
Foster Open Dialogue: Open, ongoing dialogue among all stakeholders—including Ayurvedic schools, practitioners, businesses, and accreditation bodies—is essential. Creating forums or committees that include representatives from various groups can help facilitate constructive discussions and collaborative efforts.
Action Steps:
Strengthen Existing Frameworks: Rather than forming new organizations, focus on unifying and reinforcing existing structures. This includes integrating efforts from organizations like NAMA, AAPNA, AAAP, NCAM, AAC, ICAA, NCCBAM and such others to create a more cohesive approach.
Create a Neutral Mediation Platform:
Establish a neutral mediation platform led by respected figures within the community to facilitate dialogue and negotiations among disparate groups. This platform should aim to build consensus and address key issues collaboratively.
Promote Transparency and Accountability:
Ensure transparency in all unification efforts and hold all parties accountable to a shared vision and goals. This will help build trust and align efforts towards common objectives.
In summary, the Ayurvedic community should prioritize unifying existing organizations and leveraging the ABC's resources to mediate and facilitate this process. The focus should be on overcoming existing divisions, supporting accreditation and licensure efforts, and fostering open dialogue among all stakeholders. This approach will help to build a stronger, more unified Ayurvedic community capable of advancing the profession and enhancing its impact in the US.
August 26, 2024
Vivek Shanbhag Wrote -
Dear Mr Hasmukh Parekh,
NCAM fully supports ABCs efforts towards unifying the American Ayurvedic community but firmly believes that forming additional organizational structures (like ASA) at this time is premature and potentially counter-productive.
It is NCAM’s opinion that the next step in the unification process should be an ABC-mediated meeting of the Ayurvedic community stakeholders where the issues preventing unification can be discussed, and consensus on a path forward can be formed.
Best regards,
NCAM Executive Board
President: Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
Vice-President: Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman
Co-Secretaries: Vaidya Meenakshi Gupta & Vaidya Deepa Bhatt
Co-Treasurers: Jeff Mitchell & Kiffie Hester
NCAM Board of Directors
Dr. Amit Gumman
Dr. Aparna Bapat
Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya
Karla A. Cain,CAP
Vd. Pratibha Shah
Dr.Renee Mehrra
August 28, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Hello Vivek,
We appreciate your feedback on our proposal to unify the various splintered groups under one umbrella, as outlined in our recent communication. In our view, this is the only viable option for achieving true unity within the Ayurvedic Community. The responses we received from the Questionnaire clearly support this approach, and as alternative methods have proven unsuccessful over the years.
If NCAM or any other group believes there is a different solution, we urge them to take the initiative and take necessary steps to pursue it and work towards our shared goals. The ABC remains committed to fostering a unified community and will continue to support only those efforts that align with this objective. We are prepared to mediate and assist in keeping everyone united, but our support will be contingent only on a cohesive and unified community moving forward.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards
August 28, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Hello Vivek,We appreciate your feedback on our proposal to unify the various splintered groups under one umbrella, as outlined in our recent communication. In our view, this is the only viable option for achieving true unity within the Ayurvedic Community. The responses we received from the Questionnaire clearly support this approach, and as alternative methods have proven unsuccessful over the years.
If NCAM or any other group believes there is a different solution, we urge them to take the initiative and take necessary steps to pursue it and work towards our shared goals. The ABC remains committed to fostering a unified community and will continue to support only those efforts that align with this objective. We are prepared to mediate and assist in keeping everyone united, but our support will be contingent only on a cohesive and unified community moving forward.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards
August 28, 2024
Vivek Shanbhag Wrote -
Dear Hasmukh bhai,
Your email mentions "The responses we received from the Questionnaire clearly support this approach". Actually the responses are suggesting:
introducing another organization(like ASA) could exacerbate fragmentation (ABC's) ability to mediate can play a significant role in bridging gaps (ABC should) concentrate on reinforcing and consolidating existing organizations under a unified leadership, rather than creating additional entities (like ASA)
Please review the below underlined portions of “Summary of Responses” document which you emailed recently:
2. Role of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC): The ABC is widely seen as a potential facilitator of unification. Respondents believe that the ABC's influence, resources, and ability to mediate can play a significant role in bridging gaps between various factions. However, it is also recognized that the ABC must maintain neutrality and avoid conflicts of interest to be effective.
3. Concerns About New Organizations: There is significant apprehension regarding the formation of a new Ayurvedic Community Organization. Many respondents worry that introducing another organization(like ASA) could exacerbate fragmentation within the community rather than achieve unification. Instead, there is a strong preference to concentrate on reinforcing and consolidating existing organizations under a unified leadership, rather than creating additional entities
Last Paragraph mentions “In summary, the Ayurvedic community should prioritize unifying existing organizations and leveraging the ABC's resources to mediate and facilitate this process…”
My earlier email did not suggest anything radically different. It is suggesting ABC to help unification by:
1. Organizing and mediating a meeting of Ayurvedic stakeholders (without creating ASA)
2. During the meeting, let the stakeholders discuss their differences
3. Let the stakeholders build consensus on a path (and the process) forward.
Best regards,
August 29, 2024
Shekhar Annambhotla Wrote -
Dear Hasmukh ji,
Thank you very much for coordinating and unifying the various ayurveda organizations, stakeholders.
On behalf of AAPNA - Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America, Inc. (established in Jan 18, 2022), I, myself represent - Shekhar Annambhotla, BAMS, MD (Ayu), Pennsylvania.
If you need additional members from our organization I recommend the following representatives -
Jaya Daptardar, BAMS, Connecticut
Andhrika Kondeti, BAMS, Virginia
Anjum Nadaf, BAMS, New Jersey
Thank you very much,
Best Regards
August 30, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear Vivek bhai,
We, the ABC group. appreciate your engagement on this matter. As noted in your following communication, the decisive conclusions and directives previously conveyed by ABC to the Ayurvedic Community were based on the feedback received from the distributed Questionnaire.
The attached document reflects significant concerns from the majority of respondents regarding the formation of a new Ayurvedic Community Organization. As you pointed out, many respondents fear that adding another organization could further fragment the community rather than achieve the desired unification. There is a clear preference among the respondents to strengthen and consolidate existing organizations under unified leadership, rather than creating new entities.
It is important to emphasize that these conclusions outlined in the document attached here are mostly representative of the Ayurvedic Professional Community (APC) and not from other forum or group/s. Historically, the APC has struggled to maintain unity and has not succeeded in reuniting splintered groups despite attempts in past.
In recent past, as we understand, NCAM attempted a similar process to unify all factions under its banner, but this effort did not succeed. It is essential for each faction to introspect and try to understand the reasons for this failure. It is important to note and as we believe that this initiative was spearheaded and led by fragmented internal professional group/s without a clear strategy and support from a neutral, impartial party, which likely contributed to its lack of success.
It is true that neither NCAM, AAPNA, AAAP, or other fragmented members of NAMA are inclined to reunite with NAMA, nor will NAMA consider dissolution and integration with any of the other group/s. In light of this, we must consider effective strategies for promoting unity among these organizations and understand the implications of any form of unity for the members of each group.
Discussions with key community members over the past two months reveal that existing groups have struggled to resolve their differences and align with a unified agenda, largely due to the absence of a clear path to unification. Past meetings between factions have frequently been unproductive, as personal and ego-related issues have disrupted progress.
The pressing question is whether, even if temporary agreements are reached between the factions to address current qnd existing differences, will the groups remain cohesive at times of minor disagreements in future if they do not fully merge and abandon their separate identities.
After due consideration and deep introspection, the evolved structure proposed by ABC aims to establish a unified entity under the name "American Society of Ayurveda" (ASA), not as a separate group but as a means to bring all factions under a single banner. This is a step towards consolidating the community with ABC as a strong and integrated but a neutral core of the community that can work out to be a backbone of united front, rather than further fragmenting it.
We must now focus on prioritizing the means for greater and overarching goal of consolidating and establishing a unified Ayurvedic Community so as to get recognized as a legal entity. It is essential for us to set aside individual concerns and differences and come together to unite under a single banner. It is crucial that all stakeholders commit to this unification process and refrain from actions that could hinder our collective efforts.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
On behalf of Ayurvedic Business Community,
September 1, 2024
Bhaswati Bhattacharya Wrote -
Dear Dr. Hasmukh ji,
Thank you for collating the 22 responses from the recent ABC questionnaire. I appreciate your initiative to unify the ayurveda organizations, schools, and stakeholders in the USA.
Based on the proposed organizational chart of the Steering Committee, and my continued involvement in several organizations, I would like to participate on the Steering Committee.
As you have instructed, I therefore nominate myself. Please consider my candidacy either as a member of the APD, as a registered school (DINacharya, LLC), or as a member of the ABC.
The other organizations to which I belong (lifetime NAMA member and former BOD, AAPNA Board of Advisors, NCAM BOD) will want to nominate their officer members.
Please let me know next steps.
Warmly, Bhaswati
September 3, 2024
Vivek Shanbhag Wrote
Dear Hasmukh bhai,
Please refer to our email from NCAM dated August 28th. Considering the points shared by us and considering the seriousness of the issue under discussion, it might be better for us to do a zoom call for a proper conversation.
Many BOD members of NCAM, AAAP, GCAR, NCCBAM & ICAA met on 08/29/24 and discussed the recent emails. We feel that emails are often not able to convey fully what is intended. We feel that there is considerable misunderstanding about history and facts of the issue under discussion, which needs to be clarified fully before we proceed. Plus our concerns about the composition of the steering committee have also not been addressed yet.
We request you to kindly provide us a time when members of ABC and members of NCAM & collaborators can do a zoom call for clarity and consensus, so that we can all move forward in strength.
Thanks and regards,
Working Group of NCAM, AAAP, GCAR, NCCBAM & ICAA
September 4, 2024
Hasmukh Parikh Wrote -
Dear Everyone,
Following the ABC's call on August 26, 2024, for nominations to the proposed Steering Committee for the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA), we are forwarding the structured forms required for each community group to submit their nominations and relevant information.
In response to requests from several community members, the number of representatives for Accreditation and Credentialing bodies has been increased to seven per group.
To ensure a professional and legal process of unification, it is crucial that we work with recognized legal entities within the Ayurvedic community. Therefore, we request that all entities provide the following essential information and valid documentation to be considered for representation on the proposed Steering Committee:
We have already received a few nominations and kindly request that these be submitted using the attached format, including the required information as outlined above.
It is important to understand that the ASA is a proposed entity designed to unify various groups within the Ayurvedic community. The proposed Steering Committee will decide on the future registration of ASA based on its continued relevance and benefit to the community.
Once the Steering Committee is established, ABC will provide a detailed agenda and outline a planned approach for the unification process. We request the full cooperation of all members to help advance this important cause in a legal and legitimate manner.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
Sincerely,
September 4, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote
Dear Vivek Bhai,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. We appreciate your input and want to assure you that all the issues you raised will be addressed once the Steering Committee is formed. The composition and size of the committee have been carefully determined by ABC, based on historical and current data, and have already been adjusted twice in response to this information.
The committee's membership includes all major groups, with a sufficient number of representatives. We believe it is important for the ABC to conduct a joint meeting of the Steering Committee members to maintain neutrality and impartiality, rather than engaging with specific groups, which could undermine these principles.
We kindly request that you and the members of the groups you represent assist us in moving forward as planned. This will enable us to begin our collective effort toward unifying our community without any further divisions. We are confident that together we can work towards our common goal effectively and harmoniously.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
On behalf of the ABC members,
September 5, 2024
Manju Kolli Wrote -
Hello All:
These are some ideas CAAM wanted to share
I know the email that was sent suggested only national organizations to be on the steering committee for ASA. However, with CAAM being a large and oldest state organization, we wanted to share our views on this approach.
Each organization is registered independently in its state and owes loyalty to its members. As we had suggested in our email earlier it is crucial to hold meetings with all the existing organizations to exchange ideas and address common issues on hand.
Discussions conducted with respect and common interests will allow for unity of goals, and freedom to implement them according to the Mission, goals and functions of each organization. As far as we know there is no group in either the USA or India that has the function and authority over all areas of a profession.
Forming another Ayurvedic organization with pre-supposing authority with the motto of unifying the profession might not be an answer.
CAAM strongly supports a neutral body (which could definitely be ABC) facilitating a meeting with all existing organizations instead of creating yet another organization which could lead to further fragmentation of the profession.
May we all be guided towards unity to reach the true essence of Ayurveda
On behalf of the CAAM Board of Directors
Manju Kolli
408-375-5789
President, California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine
https://www.ayurveda-caam.org/
September 6, 2024
Jim Ventresca wrote -
Dear Friends and Colleagues in the Ayurvedic Community,
The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) is supporting and joining the ABC’s proposed ASA coalition to foster greater unity within our profession. The Commission is committed to any sincere effort to sow harmony within the professional community.
The Commission’s Board of Directors values collaboration, and at the same time, wants to assure all schools and individuals that its participation will not compromise AAC’s independence. The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission remains fully committed to maintaining its autonomy, as required by applicable standards and best practices for accrediting bodies. The Board hopes the Commission’s involvement in this coalition will benefit the profession as a whole and contribute to goodwill within the U.S. Ayurvedic community.
The following comments reflect my personal views, not necessarily those of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission or its Board of Directors.
Over the past weeks and months, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with many prominent members of the Ayurvedic community. As someone relatively new to this community, I truly appreciate these candid conversations, which have given me valuable insight into both the history and the challenges we face today. A few key issues have emerged from these discussions. Before we gather in various groups to begin our intramural discussions within this newly forming coalition, I would like to address a couple of "elephants in the room" that I’ve gleaned from these conversations.
In my recent conversations, I’ve heard one question, and two significant issues that seem to be contributing to disunity within our profession and casting doubt on the role of AAC.
Before diving into the two important topics, let me address the most common question I’ve been asked:
"Who is this guy, Jim Ventresca, and what is he doing as president of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission?”
Having been invited to serve as a Public Member, I’ve had the privilege of leading the AAC as its president for nearly six years, with my tenure continuing until July 2025. My goal is to ensure that the Commission remains strong and secure, allowing it to continue supporting our schools and community. My efforts, centered on promoting unity within the profession, are directed at advancing the Commission’s mission: to "support the growth and development of the profession, enhance public trust, and safeguard the traditional wisdom and modern application of Ayurveda."
Since joining the Commission, I’ve heard concerns about my qualifications to serve as President. I welcome such questions. In fact, I would gladly pass this role to someone better suited to further the Commission’s vision and mission. The Board currently has open positions, and we actively encourage diversity and inclusion. All qualified and interested individuals are invited to apply for a seat on our Board of Directors via our website, or you can reach out to me directly—I’d love to discuss it with you.
As a Public Member of the AAC’s Board of Directors, I have no financial interest in this endeavor. I came into this role primarily due to my background as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, a field I have been studying, practicing, and teaching since 1982. Much of my career has been spent as a teacher and administrator in acupuncture schools. I served for six years as an Accreditation Site Visit Team Chair for the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine and held a national role as the academic dean of an acupuncture college. So I had the opportunity to see what the path to legalization of a medical system in the US looks like. This experience likely led to my invitation to join the AAC when it was still a committee under NAMA. About three years ago, the AAC became an independent 501(c)(3) organization, fully separate from NAMA.
It’s important to note that professional self-regulatory bodies like the AAC are required to include public members like myself on their boards. When a board is composed solely of practitioners, teachers, or individuals who directly benefit from the organization’s success, it risks not being seen as credible by regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).
For transparency’s sake, my wife, Dr. Claudia Welch DOM (Doctor of Oriental Medicine —the license she works under), has been deeply involved in Ayurveda. However, neither of us intends to offer accredited education or pursue a license in Ayurveda. In other words, we have no financial or professional stake in this endeavor.
I hope that answers that question. Now to the more important issues that arise:
1. Respect and Recognition: BAMS practitioners have not received the respect they deserve for their extensive training, especially compared to those trained in the West. Their training is significant and the understanding of their scope of knowledge in the general public in the US may well be quite limited. We must acknowledge those with advanced degrees in Ayurveda and educate the public on what a BAMS truly represents.
I’ve observed parallels with the acupuncture community in the 1980s and ’90s, when Chinese-educated doctors and American-trained practitioners faced similar challenges. Chinese-trained doctors struggled to secure acupuncture licenses in the U.S., while American-trained practitioners were criticized for not practicing "real acupuncture." The reality was that U.S.-trained practitioners had fewer didactic and clinical hours. However, we were trained well enough to help most patients, avoid harm, and refer more complicated cases to more qualified practitioners. Over time, the acupuncture community developed certification bodies and accredited programs, eventually leading to licensure and the recognition of both Master’s and Doctoral degrees by the USDOE. Those practitioners with more advanced training were then finally recognized.
In the same way, in Ayurveda, a Master’s-level education is the first step toward licensure in the U.S. It’s not the final goal, but it is the first real step. A Doctor of Ayurveda is the end game.
Given the current state of Ayurvedic education in the U.S., I believe we can expect the USDOE to recognize a First Professional Master’s Degree in Ayurveda within the next few years. While it is not the same as a BAMS program, it is a necessary stepping stone to licensure and eventually a doctoral-level education closer to BAMS. When that is achieved, the BAMS-level education will finally be recognized.
Let’s come together on this. The world moves faster than it did 40 years ago when acupuncture was gaining its footing. If we work together, we can achieve licensure for Ayurveda in record time. This brings us to the second point:
2. Licensure in the U.S.: Many people on all sides are unclear about the steps needed to achieve licensure in the U.S. today. To help make this clear, I submit the following estimated timeline graph and its explanation below about which steps need to happen for Ayurveda to be licensed in the US, according to US government:
The first step is getting a "Master’s of Ayurveda" First Professional Degree recognized by the USDOE, which will lead to licensure. We can then work toward a doctoral-level education that may be closer to BAMS.
AAC has taken substantial steps towards in this direction as follows:
Timeline:
Now: AAC has created and is administering complete accreditation programs in accordance with USDOE guidelines. We are not relying on political pressure to change standard policies and procedures, nor are we suggesting that Ayurvedic providers operate under another license like Acupuncture, Naturopathy, or Chiropractic. We are moving ahead with real accreditation work, with 14 schools and 26 candidate programs currently in candidacy. These schools trust AAC’s process, investing time and money to complete self-studies and site visits.
Estimated Timeline:
By 2026: AAC, now self-sustaining, is able to apply to the USDOE for recognition.
By 2027: USDOE begins review process
By 2028: USDOE grants AAC recognition.
Ideally, during this whole process, there would be a council of schools and colleges to advise the AAC.
Note to our schools: I encourage you to work together to form an independent council that can advise your accreditation and credentialing bodies. The ASA may provide a good starting point for forming such a council.
In addition to the issues I address above, I would like to mention that there are a few ideas for accrediting Ayurveda in the U.S. that are being discussed in various places that I believe are either unattainable or detrimental distractions to the goal of licensure:
1. Accreditation solely for BAMS graduates: This approach has faced significant resistance within the community, and is unlikely to gain enough traction to lead to licensure in the U.S.
2. Accreditation by international bodies like AYUSH: This is not practically achievable under USDOE rules and regulations, and because any practice of medicine in this country, must be taught and certified in adherence to US regulatory oversight.
3. Incorporating Ayurveda into other established disciplines: Integrating Ayurveda into Naturopathy or Chiropractic invites these professions to absorb Ayurveda’s diagnostic codes and billable techniques, similar to how acupuncture’s "dry needling" technique has been co-opted by other professions. We should avoid this kind of takeover, and certainly not be inviting it.
A final point I feel may not serve to unify us behind a successful path: The recent email communications from the “Working Group of NCAM, AAAP, GCAR, NCCBAM, and ICAA,” requesting that the ABC meet with them alone, exclude a significant portion of the community—notably, the Commission, NAMA, and NAMACB. This approach, in my view, reinforces the "us vs. them" mentality that the ABC’s coalition seeks to eliminate. Why not give this a try? What’s to lose? We are all brothers and sisters in this together. Perhaps some honest, open communication between groups can help to clear up whatever, "considerable misunderstanding about history and facts" may exist.
In summary, if the community pulls together and supports the above timeline, we can achieve licensure in the U.S. by 2028-30. If we continue to disagree on the path forward, it will set this licensing timeline back by years.
We are building a healthcare profession for the 21st century. Let’s let bygones be bygones, allow for mistakes, corrections, and apologies, and come together to advance Ayurveda and legitimize responsible, accredited Ayurvedic education in the U.S., and support Ayurvedic licensing efforts.
You may find me too direct. If so, I apologize and thank you for your patience.
And… if I am wrong, please do let me know. I’m here for the truth and am happy to learn and adjust my thinking.
Thank you for your patience in reading this letter. I welcome all criticisms, opinions, comments, support, and donations of skills and money to the Ayurveda Accreditation Commission, which is the current priority in the timeline and is in need of significant financial and administrative support. I hope to connect with more of you in the coming months as we engage in cooperative discussions under the aegis of the ASA’s coalition.
With best wishes and respect,
Jim
Jim Ventresca
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission
[email protected]
September 6, 2024
Somesh Kaushik Wrote -
Namaste Hasmukh ji,
Thanks for your efforts to unify the Ayurvedic community in the United States. I would like to nominate following members from NCCBAM for the steering committee.
Somesh N Kaushik, BAMS, ND, MPH, MPA, EYT500. President
Sujata Reddy, BAMS,LPC, PAPT. Vice President, Certification Chair
Renee Mehrra, DrPH. Secretary and Media Chair
I am also requesting Hematata Unavekar BAMS, Treasurer and Auditor as an additional member to be included in this team.
Looking forward to support in any effort to promote Ayurveda.
Regards!
Somesh Kaushik
September 6, 2024
Somesh Kaushik Wrote -
Namaste Hasmukh ji and the Ayurvedic Community,
Ayurvedic community has come a long way in this country and have made a place for itself in the community where general public is seeing for well trained Ayurvedic practitioners for their immediate and long term healthcare needs. Many of us have been practicing for decades in this country and have so many success stories and achievements as healthcare providers. At the same time our profession is lacking cohesiveness, unity and a unified direction which is must to provide the best to our patients/consumers and create a path to licensing for the Ayurvedic medical graduates.
I really admire and appreciate the efforts of ABC specially Hasmukh ji for starting the unity campaign. We, the National Certification and Credentialing Board for Ayurvedic Medicine (NCCBAM) are committed to work with everyone to support in every possible way we can.
There are many concerns and issues mentioned by many of our friends so there is no need to repeat them.
NCCBAM is the only independent organization offering certification and credentialing in the United States.
Our mission is to certify and accredit Ayurveda practitioners in the USA to maintain the highest standards of Ayurvedic practice through advocacy, education, research, and outreach. Our vision is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the consumer by creating national standards of competency and clinical practice of Ayurvedic medicine. NCCBAM Board consists of well-known, experienced, and highly trained Ayurveda Professionals. The board will oversee and enforce the highest standards to fulfill its mission and vision. We aspire to collaborate and achieve excellence with the highest integrity and professionalism for consumer protection. NCCBAM recognizes the extensive training of BAMS and higher graduates from India and other countries where the licensed practice of Ayurveda requires training at an accredited institution. Having a national board certification in any or all of the practice areas is the hallmark of excellence in Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine.
NCCBAM Team:
Somesh N Kaushik, BAMS, ND, MPH, MPA, EYT500. President
Sujata Reddy, BAMS,LPC, PAPT. Vice President, Certification Chair
Renee Mehrra, DrPH. Secretary and Media Chair
Hematata Unavekar BAMS Treasurer and Auditor
Rupali Biradar BAMS,MD Ayurveda: Board Exam Committee
Sonali Kalbhor: Fundraising Chair
Raquel Chacon: Communications and Social media
Mukta Marathe BAMS, MD Ayurveda: Board Exam Committee
Name of the organization:: National Certification and Credentialing Board For Ayurvedic Medicine Inc (NCCBAM)
State: registered in the State of New York
Date of registration: May 26, 2022 ( files 05/19/2022)
EIN: 30-1317746
I am sending you copies of these two documents, additional documents can be sent after my return from india.
Regards!
Somesh Kaushik, President NCCBAM
September 9, 2024
Lucia Gutierrez wrote -
Dear Mr. Parekh,
Thank you for your email and request to provide additional information on all entities. NAMA will be providing the information under a separate email today to be considered for representation on the proposed committee.
Respectfully,
Lucia Gutierrez
NAMA
September 8, 2024
Amit Gumman Wrote -
Dear Mr. Parekh and ABC Committee,
Vaidya Meenakshi Gupta and I, Amit Gumman will be representing AAAP on the Steering Committee.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Harmoniously,
Amit Gumman
September 14, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Hello Everyone,
We have been delighted with the strong response to our call for nominations for the steering committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA). You can find the list of nominations received so far attached to this email.
To accommodate requests from various sectors of the Ayurvedic community and include nominations from State Ayurvedic Organizations (SAOs), the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) has extended the nomination deadline to September 20, 2024. Please refer to the attached format for submitting SAO nominations. Nominations from state organizations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Best regards,
On behalf of Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC)
September 15, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear all,
I am thrilled to announce that we have received nominations from a diverse array of segments within our Ayurvedic community. This overwhelming response is a testament to the collective desire for a unified and robust community that will lay a strong foundation not only for our current practitioners but for future generations as well.
However, we recognize the concerns surrounding the challenges of uniting our community, particularly given the differences in education standards, accreditation, and organizational management. In the past, personal differences and egos have hindered timely resolutions to critical issues, leading to delays or inaction. Despite these obstacles, the current enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by all of you are truly encouraging.
As we embark on this historic journey toward unity, it is essential for each nominated member to make a sincere pledge. This pledge represents our collective commitment to set aside differences, rise above personal egos, address challenges, and collaborate in the true spirit of Ayurveda.
By taking this pledge, we reaffirm our dedication to overcoming any obstacles and emerging as a united front for the advancement of Ayurveda. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter and more cohesive future.
Attached is the pledge document. We kindly ask each nominated member to review, sign, and return the pledge to confirm your commitment to the unification process. Please note that your participation in the steering committee will be finalized once we receive your signed pledge.
Thank you for your commitment and dedication.
Warm regards,
On behalf of Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC)
Hasmukh Parekh
The Ayurvedic Community
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AYURVEDA (ASA) (Proposed)
The Nominated Members of the Steering Committee,
Ref: The Pledge for the Future of Ayurveda
In reverence to the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda and with unwavering commitment to its enduring legacy, we, the members of the Ayurvedic Community, nominated to the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA), acknowledge the profound
wisdom this ancient science holds for our well-being. Despite the challenges we have faced individually, we have persevered in our dedication to Ayurveda, driven by a shared vision of its
flourishing and its potential to guide and nurture current and future generations.
IN THIS PIVOTAL MOMENT OF UNITY, WE SOLEMNLY PLEDGE TO UPHOLD THE CORE PRINCIPLES, WISDOM, AND TEACHINGS OF AYURVEDA, SETTING ASIDE PAST DIFFERENCES, ADDRESSING ANY SHORTCOMINGS, AND COMMITTING TO A SHARED MISSION OF ADVANCING THE ANCIENT PRACTICE.
Let this be a testament to the unity and strength of our community as we work together to ensure Ayurveda continues to illuminate the path toward health and harmony for all.
By signing this pledge, we affirm our unwavering commitment to this historic journey. Our unity is not just a goal; it is a necessity for the prosperity and enduring impact of Ayurveda.
Professed by ABC, the Ayurvedic Business Committee, in unwavering commitment to the advancement and unity of Ayurveda.
Signature --------
Name ------------
Date --------------
Composition of Steering Committee Members:
38 Members until now...
Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) Group Members -
Garry Garewal - Garry & Sun USA
Harpinder Kaur - Komal Herbals
Yash Prakash - LYBL
Parag More - SKVL Organic World Inc.
P K Dave - Natures Formulary
Sandeep Agarwal - Pure Indian Foods
Meenakshi Gupta - Ciamor
Virender Sodhi - Ayush Herbs
Ayurvedic Professional Community (APC) Group Members -
National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) -
Rucha Kelkar
Maddison Madden
Manas Kshirsagar
National Consortium of Ayurvedic Medicine (NCAM) -
Vivek Shanbhag
Mahadevan Seetharaman
Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA) -
Shekhar Annambhotla
American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals (AAAP) -
Amitabh Gumman
Ayurvedic Research Group (ARG) Group Members -
The National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR)
Ikhlas A Khan
Global Council of Ayurvedic Research (GCAR)
Pratibha Shah
Ayurvedic Schools and Educational Institutions (ASEI) Group Members -
DINacharya Institute (DIN)
Bhaswati Bhattacharya
Kerala Ayurveda Academy (KAA)
Jayarajan Kodikannath
Maharishi International University (MIU)
Manohar Palakurthi
Ayurveda Sadhana
Bharat Vaidya
Global Ayurveda Academy (GAA)
Andhrika Kondeti
California College of Ayurveda / Hindu University of America
Kalyan ji to nominate
Ayurvedic Accreditation Body (AAB) - Group Members
Ayurvedic Accreditation Council (AAC)
Anupama Kizhakkeveettil
Pratima Kumar Musburger
Lisa Cavallaro
Jim Ventresca
International Council of Ayurvedic Accreditation (ICAA)
Aparna Bapat
Sanjeev Kalra
Yashwant Pathak
Ayurvedic Examination and Credentialing (AEC) - Group Members
National Ayurvedic Medical Association Credentialing Board (NAMACB)
Siva Rama Prasad Vinjamury
Hillary Garivaltis
Ashlesha Raut
Bharathi Venkatachalapathy
National Certification and Credentialing Board for Ayurvedic Medicine (NCCBAM)
Somesh Kaushik
Sujata Reddy
Renee Mehraa
State Ayurveda Organizations (SAO) - Members
California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM)
Manju Kolli
Sep 18, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Hello Everyone,
As we finalize the nomination process for the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA), we are now awaiting the return of the Unity Pledge by September 27, 2024, which will officially confirm the committee’s formation. With this critical step nearly complete, it’s time to launch the next phase of our action plan, aimed at achieving unification across all levels of the Ayurvedic community.
Attached, you will find the Comprehensive Unity Plan developed by the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC). This plan outlines clear, actionable strategies at every stage of the unification process. We are not just aiming for collaboration—we are committed to a complete unification that will transform, strengthen and legalize the Ayurvedic profession in the U.S.
Your input is vital. We urge all members of the Ayurvedic Community, especially the nominated Steering Committee members of ASA, to review this plan carefully and provide your suggestions for consideration. This is a decisive moment, and your involvement is key to ensuring the success of this initiative.
We already have and we will continue to execute our Action Plans in line with this conflict resolution and strategic frameworks established by the ABC, accelerating our progress toward a unified Ayurvedic community.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment and support as we move forward together.
Best regards,
The Ayurvedic Community
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AYURVEDA (ASA)
(Proposed)
A Comprehensive Unity Plan with Strategic Approach
To address the unification of the divided Ayurvedic community effectively, here's a strategic approach grounded in conflict resolution principles created by Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC):
1. Conduct a Comprehensive Assessment
• Review Feedback: Analyze all feedback, including questionnaire responses and previous discussions, to understand the core concerns, common themes, and divergent views.
• Identify Key Issues: Determine the primary barriers to unification, such as personal conflicts, historical grievances, and structural issues within the community.
2. Establish a Neutral Facilitation Body
• Form a Mediation Committee: Assemble a neutral, respected group of individuals or third-party mediator with no vested interests in any particular faction. This body will oversee the unification process and ensure impartiality.
• Set Clear Objectives: Define the goals of the mediation process, such as achieving a unified organization and addressing the concerns of all stakeholders.
3. Engage Stakeholders in Dialogue
• Organize Structured Meetings: Facilitate a series of structured dialogue sessions where representatives from each faction can voice their concerns, share their perspectives, and discuss potential solutions.
• Focus on Common Goals: Emphasize shared goals and interests to build a foundation for collaboration. Highlight the benefits of unification for the entire community.
4. Develop a Unified Vision
• Create a Joint Task Force: Form a task force comprising representatives from all factions to draft a vision statement and outline the objectives for the unified entity.
• Draft a Strategic Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan for unification that includes governance structures, roles, responsibilities, and a timeline for implementation.
5. Address and Resolve Conflicts
• Identify Core Conflicts: Pinpoint specific areas of disagreement and work through them systematically. Use techniques such as interest-based negotiation to find mutually acceptable solutions.
• Build Consensus: Work towards building consensus on key issues by ensuring that all parties feel heard and that their concerns are addressed in the proposed solutions.
6. Communicate Transparently
• Share Progress Regularly: Keep all stakeholders informed about the progress of the unification process through regular updates and transparent communication.
• Address Misconceptions: Clarify any misunderstandings or misconceptions that arise during the process to prevent further conflict.
7. Implement and Monitor
• Execute the Plan: Once consensus is reached, implement the strategic plan for unification. Ensure that the transition is smooth and that all stakeholders are actively involved in the implementation process.
• Monitor and Evaluate: Establish mechanisms for monitoring the effectiveness of the unification process and evaluating the success of the new unified entity. Be prepared to make adjustments as necessary.
8. Foster Long-Term Collaboration
• Build Trust: Continuously work on building trust among the factions by promoting collaboration, celebrating successes, and addressing any emerging issues promptly.
• Encourage Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement and open communication to sustain unity and adapt to future challenges.
By following these steps, we will address the complex dynamics within the Ayurvedic community and work towards a successful and sustainable unification.
September 21, 2024
Hasmukh Pariekh Wrote -
Dear All,
Please find attached the list of nominated members for the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA), as of September 21, 2024, representing various segments of the Ayurvedic community. We are pleased to report an overwhelmingly positive response from those eager to participate in our unified effort to advance Ayurveda.
It is increasingly evident that all participants in this initiative are committed to ensuring that our ancient wisdom receives the recognition it deserves as a legal healthcare profession. The return of signed pledges from the majority of nominated members—along with a few still pending—places a heightened responsibility on the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) to meet the expectations and deliver results. The attached Master Plan, shared earlier, marks the initial step in this journey toward unification, which we anticipate will gain momentum in the coming weeks.
Please mark your calendars for the following tentative meeting dates to begin this important work:
Additionally, an ASA 11-Member Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC) is being established to oversee all negotiations, decision-making, and dispute resolution between the various bodies involved, ensuring smooth and efficient progress throughout the unification process under the established Action Plans.
If you have any questions or require further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for your commitment, support, and participation in this vital initiative.
Best regards,
On behalf of Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC)
September 27, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh wrote -
Dear All,Following our previous communication regarding the 1st meeting of the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA), scheduled for 09/29/2024 at 11:30 AM EST, and upon receipt of the PLEDGE document from almost all nominated members,agenda we are pleased to provide, as attached, following documents for your review.
1. The 1st ASA Meeting Protocols
2. ASA Steering Committee Meeting Agenda
3. List of Participants of Steering Committee to Speak
4. Proposed Structure of the American Society of Ayurveda (ASA)
5. Nominated Steering Committee Members as of 9/27/2024
6. Unification Master Plan for Ayurvedic Community
7. Action Plans for AAB (Accreditation) & AEC (Credentialing)
8. Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC) MembersWe kindly invite all nominated members to attend this crucial meeting and offer your strong support for our unification efforts.
In line with the Meeting Protocol, please submit any concerns or suggestions at least 3 hours before the meeting. This will allow us to address them effectively during the session.
We look forward to your valuable participation in this important gathering.
Thank you for your continued commitment.
Best regards,
Please review the documents - (Click on the document link)
Document 1 - Meeting Protocol
Document 2 - Agenda for Sep 29, 2024 Meeting
Document 3 - List of Participants to Speak
Document 4 - Proposed structure under ASA
Document 5 - Nominated ASA steering committee members
Document 6 - Unification Master Plan
Document 7 - Action for AAB & AEC
Document 8 - MMC Members
September 27, 2024
Shekhar Annambhotla Wrote -
Dear Hasmukh ji and all supporting members:
Namaste. Thank you very much for putting together wonderful documents.
AAPNA - Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America, Inc. is able to put all the series of conversations and documents till date posted on our website as a "United Ayurveda" - as a Developing Story....
Please review the link - https://www.aapna.org/united-ayurveda.html
If we are missing anything please let us know.
Thank you very much
AAPNA Team
Sep 28, 2024
Amitabh Gumman Wrote -
Dear Proposed ASA Committee,
I am appalled to see that this Unification process is conveniently ignoring the existence of the National Professional Organizations like AAAP, GCAR and AAPNA.
Pioneering State Organizations like Florida Association are also ignored.
Lack of Cross section representation and biases will defeat this whole unification purpose.
Harmoniously,
Dr. Amit Gumman
President, American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals
Sep 28, 2024
Sujata Reddy Wrote -
Hasmukh ji, thank you for all that you are doing to unify organizations in ayurveda. I am very much looking forward to participating tomorrow. I just want to bring to your attention that from the inception of this effort to unify the criteria seems to have changed and blurred leading to confusion that can skew the arguments and result in polarity.
In your email attachment where you listed the participants and have a column for organizations there seems to be independent individuals with private businesses listed and other national organizations like GCAR, AAPNA and AAAP omitted. The mentioned list also have voting rights and is not represented fully by stake holders. It is only fair to be all inclusive and have fair representation.
Thankyou,
Sincerely,
Vd. Sujatha Reddy LPC, MSEd, BAMS
Professional Counselor and Ayurvedic Medicine Vaidya
September 28, 2024
Vivek Shanbhag Wrote -
Dear Hasmukhbhai & ABC,
I appreciate and sincerely support your efforts for unification of the Ayurveda community in the US.
For TRUE unification of the community, the emailed list of “Participants to Speak during the Steering Committee meeting on 9/29/2024" needs to include ALL established state organizations like Arizona, Florida, etc and national organizations like AAAP, GCAR, AAPNA, etc.
Also, if private businesses are to be included then, ALL private businesses need to be included to be fair. Such fair inclusion of all stake-holders from the very beginning will make the unification process smooth & successful.
I am offering the above constructive comments/suggestions since your Meeting Protocols document mentioned “suggestions are required to be submitted via email”
Best regards,
September 28, 2024
Shekhar Annambhotla wrote -
When we are planning to organize "Unification of Ayurveda", it is mandatory to include all the existing legally operating organizations including AAPNA (https://www.aapna.org/), AAAP (https://aaapusa.com/), GCAR (https://ayurvedaresearchusa.org/), COLORAMA (https://www.facebook.com/coloradoayurveda/), TAPAS (https://texasayurveda.org/). Florida (https://flayurveda.com/), Arizona (https://www.facebook.com/AzAyurveda/), PAMA (https://www.pennsylvaniaayurveda.org/) and important other state organizations should be in the "steering committee" members. By ignoring the above these active organizations will defeat the purpose of "Unification of Ayurveda". Please include these organizations in the steering committee.
September 28, 2024
Harpinder Kaur Wrote -
Hello All,Please find below the Zoom Meeting link for the meeting tomorrow at 11.30 am EST (USA).
Looking forward to seeing you all .
Best Regards
Harpinder Kaur
Harpinder Kaur is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: 1st Steering Committee Meeting on 09/29/2024 for Unification of Ayurveda in USA
Time: Sep 29, 2024 11:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81451817608?pwd=G5kDHuGMtFJZoiDAYdEls4vqC7SZGj.1
Meeting ID: 814 5181 7608
Passcode: 815795
September 28, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh wrote
Dear All,
We have received feedback from some of the nominated members of the Steering Committee expressing concerns that certain national organizations, including GCAR, AAPNA, and AAAP, were not recognized in the nomination process or included in the speaker list (attachment #3).
Please be assured that all national organizations have already been clearly recognized in attachment #5, which I am attaching again for your reference. Additionally, the State Organization, Ayurveda Association of Florida, has also been included in the attached Excel folder, despite not having provided their credentials/documents. Kindly review these entries in the spreadsheets provided. All other Schools and State Associations that have submitted their credentials are also listed in the attached document #5.
Regarding the speaker list, ABC has worked to ensure balanced representation, given the time constraints. Extending the speaker list would have resulted in a meeting lasting over three hours. Time permitting, we will invite the nominees of these organizations to speak. We deeply value the contributions of all organizations—whether national, state, research institutions, or schools—and appreciate their continued efforts in supporting the cause of Ayurveda.
As for the voting rights issue raised by one of the members, please refer to the Meeting Protocol in document #1 for a description of how approval of agenda items is handled. There are no voting on for any agenda item.
There will be many more opportunities in the near future for everyone to actively participate.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Warm regards,
Hasmukh Parekh
September 30, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear ASA Steering Committee Members,
We extend our sincere thanks to all the nominated members who participated in the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA) yesterday.
We are pleased to confirm that the following agenda items were reviewed, adopted, and approved during the meeting:
We greatly appreciate the progress made and thank you all for your continued support in uniting the Ayurvedic community.
Warm regards,
Hasmukh Parekh
September 30, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear ASA Steering Committee Members,
I would like to kindly clarify that the Zoom links for the upcoming panel discussions, as mentioned in my previous email, will be sent exclusively to the members of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Panel, the Ayurvedic Examination & Credentialing Panel, and the Mediation & Monitoring Committee members (as amended from time to time).
For now, these meetings will be limited to these specific bodies until final outcomes are reached. The Steering Committee will be kept informed of the progress periodically.
To ensure that these discussions proceed smoothly without external interference, I ask that all participants of the aforementioned bodies, as well as any special invitees, keep the Zoom link confidential and refrain from sharing it with others.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Warm regards,
September 30, 2024
Marc Halpern Wrote -
Namaste Everyone,
Congratulations on your accomplishment! Should this effort prove successful, this meeting will have been a landmark moment in our history as a profession.
I am in South Korea for an International Ayurvedic Conference, and I will be speaking on the Ayurvedic Ecosystem in the United States and where our opportunities lie for growth and development. The Ayurvedic Society of America will be a highlight mentioned to the community as it offers the hope of unity – the most essential ingredient needed to move our professional forward.
Once again, great job and congratulations!
October 3, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear All,
As resolved during the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA) held on 09/29/2024, we will be convening the meetings of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Board (AAB) on 10/6/2024 and the Ayurvedic Examination and Credentialing Board (AEC) on 10/13/2024, both in the presence of the Mediating and Monitoring Committee (MMC).
Attached, you will find the guidelines for all participating members regarding the conduct of these meetings, aimed at promoting unity within the Ayurvedic community.
It is crucial that each member of the AAB, AEC, and MMC thoroughly review these guidelines to ensure that the meetings are conducted in a respectful and collaborative manner to achieve our collective goals.
If you have any questions or require clarification, please contact the convener at least two days prior to each meeting.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment.
Warm regards,
Hasmukh Parekh
Convener
American Society of Ayurveda (ASA) (Proposed)
Guidelines for a Structured Approach to the 10/6/2024 and 10/13/2024 Meetings to Promote Unity within the Ayurvedic Accreditation and Credentialing Bodies
To conduct the meetings on 10/6/2024 and 10/13/2024 between the 7-member panel of each of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Body (AAB) and Ayurvedic Examination & Credentialing Body (AEC)
respectively, it’s crucial that all members follow a well-structured approach. This will ensure productive discussions and resolution of long-standing disputes. Below is a step-by-step process
with clear instructions for all participants:
1. Preparation Phase (Before the meeting)
• Distribute Agenda and Guidelines (At least 3 days prior to the meeting):
o The Action Plans for both meetings were presented to all participants during the 1st meeting of the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA) on 09/29/2024, including the 7-member panel of each body and the 11- member Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC).
o The meeting objectives for each panel with guidelines of engagement, and conflict
resolution principles were provided to ensure everyone is aligned.
Review Key Issues:
o It is essential that each group within the panels identifies their primary
concerns and proposals for unification. A brief outlining these points must be submitted by each group to the convener at least three days prior to each of the scheduled meeting.
o It is also essential that all participants should come prepared to participate in the meeting with a collaborative mindset, focusing on common goals.
o These meetings will be held as closed-door sessions, with each meeting being recorded for reference. Only the group members nominated to the panel of each body, along with the members of the Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC), are permitted to participate. To maintain focus and prevent unnecessary confusion or distractions within the Ayurvedic Community, all members attending the Ayurvedic Accreditation Board (AAB) and Ayurvedic Education and Credentialing Board (AEC) meetings, as well as any future sessions or such meetings, are strictly prohibited from sharing Zoom links with anyone else until a resolution is reached.
o Furthermore, groups represented on the panels have the option to nominate a substitute member if a replacement is needed for an existing member.
o The Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC) members may also be replaced by the convener, in consultation with the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC), to ensure the balance and neutrality of the MMC is maintained. This measure is intended to uphold the committee's objective and ensure it continues to function in
alignment with the purpose for which it was established.
o The convener, in consultation with the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC), may also invite other Ayurvedic Community member/s, renowned individual/s, or legal professionals from a law firm to assist in the mediation process. This ensures that the Guidelines for a Structured Approach to the 10/6/2024 and 10/13/2024 Meetings to Promote Unity within the Ayurvedic Accreditation and Credentialing Bodies mediation efforts benefit from a broader range of expertise and perspectives, further supporting a fair and balanced resolution.
• Assigned Roles of Mediation & Monitoring Committee (MMC):
o Meeting Facilitator: Neutral facilitator/s from MMC (2 members) to guide the meeting and keep discussions focused will be assigned at the beginning of the meeting by the convener of the meeting.
o Timekeeper: The host or sub-host will be assigned to manage time limits for each agenda item.
o Notetaker: The host or sub-host of the meeting will be responsible for recording all discussion points, decisions, and next steps.
2. Meeting Process (90 Minutes)
A. Welcome and Introduction (5-7 minutes)
• Convener / Facilitator's Opening Remarks:
o Welcome participants and introduce the purpose of the meeting: resolving conflicts and uniting the Ayurvedic community.
o Acknowledge both groups in each meeting for their commitment to finding a solution.
o Emphasize the principles of collaboration and respect for differing perspectives.
o Introduce the existing or reconstituted 11-member mediation and monitoring committee, as the case may be, emphasizing their role as neutral parties ensuring fairness and transparency.
B. Setting Ground Rules (5 minutes)
• Convener / host to state the following ground rules:
o Respectful Communication: No interrupting while others are speaking.
o Time Management: Stick to time limits to ensure all topics are covered.
o Focus on Solutions: Avoid rehashing personal & past conflicts and focus on finding common ground.
o Equal Participation: All voices, whether from one or the other group, are equally valued.
C. Recap of Disputes and Context (5-10 minutes)
• Convener or facilitator/s Role:
o Will provide a brief, neutral recap of the long-standing disputes, ensuring all participants have a clear understanding of the issues.
o Will frame the disputes in terms of the overall objective: to unite under one Ayurvedic Community.
D. Structured Dialogue (30-45 minutes)
This section is the core of each meeting, where member/s of each group presents their perspectives
and negotiates solutions.
Step 1: Group Presentations (10-13 minutes total)
• 1st Group (4 members): (6 minutes)
o Present their concerns, perspectives, and suggested solutions.
o Focus on how their proposals align with the broader goals of unity.
• 2nd Group (3 members): (6 minutes)
o Present their concerns, perspectives, and their own suggestions for resolving disputes.
o Emphasize challenges they have faced and what they need for a successful resolution.
• Convener or facilitator/s Role (1 minute):
o Provide a brief, neutral summary of the key points presented by both groups.
Step 2: Open Discussion (15-20 minutes)
• Facilitated Discussion:
o Encourage both groups of the panel to respond to each other’s presentations.
o The facilitator should keep the dialogue constructive, helping the groups explore areas of agreement and disagreement.
o Allow mediation committee members to ask clarifying questions or offer neutral input to move the discussion forward. Any MMC member willing to participate with his/her suggestion will have 1 minute to present when called for presentation.
• Time Management: Ensure that both groups have equal time to speak and respond.
Step 3: Problem-Solving Session (10-15 minutes)
• Facilitator’s Role:
o Direct the conversation towards actionable solutions based on the key areas of consensus.
o Encourage both groups to propose compromises or adjustments to their initial positions.
o Seek agreement on at least one or two actionable steps that both groups within the panel can commit to moving forward.
E. Agreement on Next Steps (5-10 minutes)
• Facilitator/s to Formalize Outcomes:
o Facilitator/s to Summarize the agreed-upon solutions or next steps that emerged during the problem-solving session.
o Establish clear commitments from both groups, with timelines and responsibilities.
o Document any areas where further discussion is needed and schedule follow-up sessions as necessary.
• Monitoring and Accountability:
o Outline the role of the 11-member mediation and monitoring committee in overseeing the implementation of the agreed outcomes. Establish how progress will be reported and how any further disputes will be addressed. Members of the MMC committee will provide their individual observation & suggestions to the convener after the meeting
thru a direct mail.
3. Closing Remarks (5 minutes)
• Facilitator’s Conclusion:
o Acknowledge the collaborative spirit of the meeting and the progress made.
o Reaffirm the shared goal of unity and emphasize the importance of follow-through on agreed commitments.
o Remind participants of the next scheduled meeting (if applicable) or future checkpoints for the unification process.
• Meeting Adjournment:
o Convener to officially close the meeting and thank all participants for their time and contributions.
Post-Meeting Action Steps
1. Meeting Minutes:
o The notetaker sends out minutes within a reasonable time, detailing key points, decisions, and agreed next steps.
2. Follow-Up:
o The mediation and monitoring committee members may be convened by the convener to follows up to ensure progress on the commitments made during the meeting.
3. Evaluation:
o After two weeks, conduct a brief review (via email or a short meeting) to assess progress and prepare for the next phase of discussions, if necessary.
By following this systematic approach, the meeting will foster constructive dialogue, encourage collaboration, and create a framework for resolving disputes and unifying the Ayurvedic community.
October 4, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear Dr. Vivek,
To facilitate the upcoming Ayurvedic Accreditation Body (AAB) meeting on 10/6/2024, an 11-member Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC) has been formed from the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA). This committee, constituted by the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC), will help guide the meeting to ensure a systematic approach in resolving disputes and fostering unity within the Ayurvedic Community.
The guidelines for this meeting were sent yesterday, and I’ve reattached them here for your reference. You have been selected as a member of the MMC, and we value your involvement in this important process.
Please confirm your availability to participate and witness the meeting on this date. I would appreciate your response by the end of the day today.
Warm regards
October 6, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear Everyone,
I am happy to share that Sri Sri Tattva North America has officially joined our efforts for unity within the Ayurvedic community. They have agreed to become part of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) to help accelerate the unification process.
Shri Mohit Kumar, CEO of Sri Sri Tattva North America, has recorded a short video addressing this initiative. Unfortunately, he couldn’t attend today’s scheduled AAB meeting due to travel to a remote location with no communication access. However, he sends his best wishes for today’s meeting.
Here is the link to his message:
https://vimeo.com/1016574708?share=copy
Developing Story.....
Hasmukh Pariekh Wrote on June 11, 2024
Hello Dr. Jayarajan,
I hope this message finds you well. I am addressing the following matter of concern to you as the current President of NAMA, your Board Members, and key members of other relevant Ayurvedic organizations for consideration.
I understand that the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) was founded in 2000 by a group of professionals with the vision of establishing a robust framework to support Ayurvedic practitioners and the classical education and practice of Ayurveda in the United States.
NAMA's mission, then, was clear and unwavering: to preserve, protect, promote, and advance the ancient, classical wisdom, knowledge, science, and practice of Ayurveda for the benefit of all beings. Over the past 24 years, NAMA has strived to be the voice of the Ayurvedic profession, empowering individuals, communities, and humanity to enhance health, well-being, and self-awareness through Ayurveda.
Despite its growth being gradual, NAMA has garnered recognition and support from Ayurvedic professionals and the related business community, steadily expanding Ayurveda's presence and, to a limited extent, recognition from certain health forums in the country.
However, it is important to acknowledge that in recent years, at a critical juncture in NAMA's journey, a significant rift has emerged within the association's leadership and membership. A notable sector of Ayurvedic professionals, predominantly BAMS graduates from India, have expressed serious disagreements with NAMA's current direction and practices. Consequently, they have chosen to part ways and establish a parallel forum, the National Consortium of Ayurvedic Medicines (NCAM). Similar disagreements in the past have also led to the formation of other such associations.
While NAMA has made significant strides in achieving its mission, this uncalled-for division represents a pivotal moment in the growth of Ayurveda in the United States. It poses a potential threat to the overarching goal of gaining federal recognition for Ayurveda as an alternative health care system in the country.
I represent a group of dedicated and vibrant Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) members, some of whom are listed below, who have serious concerns about this division among Ayurvedic professionals and its impact on the community. We, the ABC members, remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the common core values and mission of promoting and spreading the wisdom of Ayurveda. However, we are keen to continue working exclusively and ONLY with a united and vibrant forum, currently embodied by NAMA, to ensure a bright and prosperous future for Ayurveda in this country.
The Ayurvedic professionals and the ABC are interdependent in our efforts to promote and grow Ayurveda in the country. Therefore, we, the business community, strongly advocate for a promising and constructive structure under a single organization to achieve formal recognition of Ayurveda, which currently seems unattainable in the near future. We believe that NAMA, with a strict and timely approach, can address the following important issues to construct this unified structure:
1. The NAMA management should make concerted efforts to bring together all divided professional groups, such as NCAM, AAAP, AAPNA, etc., under the NAMA banner. This process should involve respectful dialogue and serious efforts to resolve differences between concerned group members through meaningful and amicable understanding and agreement.
2. At the same time, NAMA and the supporting Ayurvedic forums must align their policies, education systems, and accreditation criteria with the established rules and regulations for Ayurveda education, teaching curricula, institutional credentials and certifications, and Ayurvedic practices as recognized and directed by AYUSH.
3. NAMA must seek formal recognition from AYUSH, the Indian governmental body overseeing Ayurveda, as the sole authority in the United States under which an accreditation body can be established to monitor Ayurvedic education and practices. All self-proclaimed education systems, Ayurvedic teachings and practices should be brought under this unified accreditation body.
4. The current self-recognized accreditation bodies should not be endorsed by the Ayurvedic community. Instead, a formal independent accreditation body, formed under the directive of AYUSH, should be established. This body would be capable of negotiating with the US Government for the recognition of Ayurveda as an alternative health care system in the country.
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) serves as an exemplary model of a robust national organization for us to compare. It addresses and implements comprehensive rules and regulations while validating competency at every level in the practice of acupuncture and herbal medicine through professional certification. You must be aware of this organization and their services.
Implementing these criteria through a recognized overseeing authority will facilitate federal approval and establish Ayurveda as a well-defined healthcare system in the United States. This alignment ALONE will also bolster confidence within the members of ABC and overall Ayurvedic community, affirming our collective efforts to promote and spread this ancient science as a promising tool for health and well-being.
The fragmentation of professional forums, with limited markets, impose significant costs on the Ayurvedic Business Community, as supporting each such group separately becomes expensive and inefficient. Moreover, none of these divided organizations have provided the confidence that they can deliver tangible returns on the support provided by the business community.
It is unjustifiable for the business community to continuously support multiple divided professional organizations, especially when their events, aimed at promoting Ayurveda, do not guarantee a return on investment. These events often have limited attendance due to the fragmented professional community and lack public engagement, being not open to public, making it challenging for contributing businesses to recover their mounting expenses.
Given the reasons outlined above, ABC members strongly believe that the establishment of a single, unified national professional Ayurvedic association is crucial. Such an organization would effectively justify the business community contributions to enhancing health, well-being, and self-awareness through Ayurveda, ensuring a prosperous and cohesive future for the Ayurvedic community in the United States.
We, the ABC members, sincerely request NAMA to initiate genuine dialogue with each of the separated professional groups and work towards reunifying the divided forums under NAMA. Once Ayurvedic professionals are united to create a cohesive front to achieve our goals, we, the business community, will review and reconsider our support and contributions to future events and the Accreditation body, ensuring mutual benefit for all parties involved.
I have copied all concerned parties on this email and sincerely urge everyone to unite under one umbrella. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you require any further assistance in addressing this matter.
Thank you all for your consideration,
Jayarajan Kodikannath wrote on June 12, 2024
Dear Hasmukhji,
Thank you for your mail bringing such an important point for our collective attention and action. We appreciate the Ayurvedic Business Community for their continued support to NAMA in taking the Ayurvedic profession forward with a mission to make it a legalized profession in this country which will help the entire Ayurvedic ecosystem to grow and thrive. NAMA is an organization led by democratically elected members from the community, and, as you rightly mentioned, NAMA has been representing the Ayurvedic community for the last two decades. It has created the necessary infrastructure for the profession to move toward its mission. NAMA, with the support of various stakeholders from the community, collectively spent an enormous amount of time and money to get where we are today. We need to stay together as a unified community. I will share your email with the NAMA Board and will come back to you with a detailed response in the next few days.
Best regards,
Hasmukh Pariekh Wrote on June 14, 2024
Dear Dr. Jayarajan,
I appreciate your prompt and encouraging response to the serious concerns raised in my earlier communication. Thank you for bringing these issues to your next Board meeting and emphasizing the necessity of uniting every cadre of the community under one roof. Your recognition of the importance of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) in supporting NAMA and other forums in their efforts to grow and spread the wisdom of Ayurveda is greatly appreciated.
I urge other groups to address this matter internally and determine how they can contribute to unifying under one banner to achieve our shared goal: obtaining formal approval and recognition from the US Government for Ayurveda as an alternative healthcare system that can be freely practiced in the country.
We all understand that reconciling the significantly different views among various groups may be challenging, and opening a dialogue with the other group may be an uphill task for some members. However, it is imperative that we rise above personal feelings and ambitions and selflessly work to resolve our differences for the greater cause of uniting everyone to secure the required recognition so that Ayurveda can be practiced legally in this country without fear or frustration.
We must also recognize that obtaining US Federal Government recognition is not possible without a strong, unified representation. This requires a sound and comprehensive Ayurveda education policy, teaching curricula, institutional credentials, accreditation criteria, and regulating certifications, supported by a white paper endorsed, recognized, and directed by AYUSH. It is crucial that we collectively re-engage AYUSH by submitting our apologies for past shortcomings that led to the loss of their moral and financial support. We must request them to recognize this collective group as the competent authority to move forward toward achieving our goals.
We must recognize the urgent and critical situation we are facing. The current disorganized systems guiding Ayurvedic practices in the country are leading us towards serious legal challenges, which could explode any minute and cause irreparable damage to the future of Ayurveda. The current situation that we are in should serve as a warning to all responsible forums. Without proper legalization and oversight by a competent authority, we risk creating a situation that could become unmanageable. It feels like we are all sitting on a time bomb that may explode at any minute.
Therefore, collectively, we, the ABC members, have decided to address these serious concerns through you and the NAMA Board members first, as all the other splinter groups originally stemmed from NAMA. We want NAMA to make a comprehensive effort to bring them back into the fold. We understand that NAMA has a significant responsibility in this matter and should initiate a serious but constructive dialogue to diligently resolve all differing issues through proper discussions.
Should NAMA, despite earnest and meaningful dialogue, not succeed in reuniting the other groups under its fold, it could result in a significant setback for the entire Ayurvedic community, casting a shadow over the future of Ayurveda in the country for years to come. Please note that this failure would not impact the Ayurvedic Business Community directly, but it would continue to severely affect professionals who cannot practice Ayurveda legally in this country and must rely on other certifications. Therefore, ABC members are making this effort to genuinely seek recognition for our ancient, invaluable, and highly effective science that promotes a healthy way of living.
In the event that unification efforts fail, we, the ABC members, would be reluctantly compelled to collectively decide to indefinitely withdraw our support from all professional groups, including NAMA and any other associations or consortia that continue to exist thereafter, until a unified front emerges.
Simultaneously, if the current efforts to unify fail for any reason, we, the ABC members, are responsibly calling for constructive suggestions for the unification of all groups from anyone interested in preserving and promoting Ayurvedic wisdom.
I earnestly request all responsible groups to set aside past grievances and work together to reunite under a single entity that is acceptable to all involved.
Thank you,
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 17, 2024
Dear colleagues,
Namaste to all. As a stakeholder and established community leader of ayurveda in the USA and in India, please consider the following points for the ongoing discussion about a unified ayurvedic professional group.
1. The future of any health profession is the USA depends on its stakeholders understanding the regulatory and legal environment of education, clinical practice, and the roles of products and services as commercial entities.
We must recognize that members of the community who are unlicensed health professionals – not receiving regular bulletins from government offices of health professions or not trained in understanding the medical education, licensing, clinical-practice and regulatory guidelines – do not often know how to navigate accurate discussions on the regulation of ayurveda using facts.
These discussions include the requirements for licensure, insurance, regulation, and sale of medicines. Often people ambitiously demand that ayurveda should be legal in America without understanding process and procedure.
2. Several legal repercussions have already occurred in the Ayurvedic community since 1997, either due to lawsuits against practitioners for failing to recognize disease; calling oneself doctor when the legal environment of the state does not allow the use of the title doctor or physician; educational reprimanding for giving credentials that are misleading; or improper medical claims on products or services.
Most recently, the Ayurvedic Doctor designation created a legal response from government education authorities.
3. The Health Freedom Acts in 11 states have mitigated some of these issues, but ayurvedic practitioners must be keenly aware of regulations and guidelines in their own state, and it is the responsibility of professional associations to clearly and accurately inform their members.
Without fulfillment of that responsibility, a group must not assume leadership over the community of professionals.
4. The injudicious use of the Ayurvedic Doctor credential has occurred multiple times in the community without the concomitant competency in ayurvedic medical science, clinical decision making, communication skills with patients in America. Practitioners using such credentials must give assurance that they avoid the current scope of all licensed medical professions while adhering to state laws and regulations relevant for Ayurvedic practitioners.
5. Organizations that support credentials with some registration but no assessment of competence create an atmosphere of potential risk to patients.
6. In the letter from the ABC to the NAMA President, authority and responsibility was given for leadership in uniting the community.
Responsible leadership should not always be granted to the elder. Assumptions that seniority begets skills and management are dangerous. Several associations and organizations have attempted to exercise leadership and bluntly failed at organizing the needs of the community.
7. NAMA is not the oldest organization of ayurveda in the USA. CAAM holds that distinction. The history of NAMA's founding includes a lawsuit to support an unlicensed ayurvedic doctor. Its leadership must include humility and awareness of history as it moves forward.
8. Competence in the practice of ayurvedic medicine is essential, both for the safety of the patients who entrust ayurvedic professionals, and for the reputation of ayurveda as a true science. Counselors acting as physicians jeopardizes the understanding of authentic ayurveda by the American community.
The responsibility of removing ignorance about Ayurveda and mitigating its reputation as a pseudoscience lay in the hands of NAMA for years, and it was met with poor skills of articulation, failed strategic involvement in the CAM community, and lack of proper engagement with key groups in the medical regulation authority.
Part of this was due to lack of professional education and practice skills within the leadership. Part of this was due to lack of timely communication and inability to respond to sensitive timelines or requirement for involvement in national initiatives.
9. It is essential to remember that key board members of NAMA left the organization over years repeatedly to form other groups, not because of ideologic differences, or personal conflicts, but because members of the perpetual executive committee of NAMA had vested interests that systemically propagated unethical agendas.
10. For years, members of the NAMA executive committee utilized the BAMS vaidya community for information, teaching and access, without granting true voice and rights to leadership. They rotated ownership and lack of transparency among themselves, repeatedly demonstrating unbalanced preference for their own schools and discrimination against members who requested more professional standards for the whole community in line with the accurate practice of ayurveda. The NAMA leadership refused to have CME or educational or professional organizing for BAMS graduates seeking to practice in the USA, even though many BAMS board members were teachers in NAMA-approved schools.
11. After exasperation and repeated humiliation, Ayurvedic professionals chose to distance themselves from unethical operators and disrespect of the only legal ayurvedic credential worldwide, which is the BAMS/MD (Ayu).
Specifically, ayurvedic professionals were disturbed at the opportunistic nature of NAMA around collecting membership fees and promising licensure to ignorant newbies and reaping the benefits of tuition monies paid by eager prospective students seeking valid ayurveda credentials in order to practice ayurveda legally. Those monies were never transparently reported, and were often used for paid benefits to specific volunteer BOD members.
12. The continued failure of assumed leaders continues today, with the recent failure of the 2024 NAMA conference to engage more than 50 members of the 10000+ stakeholders in the US-based ayurveda community - which spurned the letter of June 11, 2024 by Hasmukh ji.
In addition, there have been continued failures in repeated attempts by leaders to communicate with NAMA authorities over the past 2 years. Hostile and pompous nonprofessional behavior has occurred repeatedly during mediated discussions of community stakeholders, with invitations to engage, and in community concerns about thwarting dangerous program decisions, such as the Ayurvedic Doctor designation.
13. No organization in the USA including CAAM, AAPNA, NCAM, NAMA or NCAE has ever proven an ability to gather the ayurvedic community, to create strategic roadmaps for ayurveda in the USA, to educate systematically and accurately about issues of licensure, competency-based credentialing, capacity-building, legal regulation, registration, health insurance, lobbying, competency-based ciinical practice, or business strategy for graduates of ayurvedic programs.
14. The Work requires accurate and objective evaluation of proposed professional performance and competence guidelines from AYUSH or any other organization. This has never been done by any ayurvedic group or combined professional effort in the USA.
15. A strategic workplan with roadmap needs to be proposed, discussed in a timely fashion, and implemented. Ayurvedic community leaders in the USA must not defer to any foreign authority that is unaware of USA regulations and guidelines. Using the SMART goals template, we must chart a course that has clear, attainable, and meaningful objectives, with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely goals, and uses articulate, precise and accurate points for the best positioning of ayurveda in the USA.
We must do it by consensus, not the usual lack of transparency among a few players, and we must have everyone's participation. This will require evolving all stakeholders in the community to focus on the common goal of forwarding ayurveda in America and using all resources together to promote awareness and participation.
16. Certainly the authentic practice of ayurveda relies on a strong financial network and appropriate sales of products and services, but self-regulation must include a vision and roadmap for taking the entire ayurvedic community forward, not only those activities that provide commercial advantage for a select few.
In summary, it is evident that many of us who have led initiatives in the USA ayurvedic community would like to work with a unified ayurvedic community, and some of us have pondered strategies on how to create it. We must create a team with the skills to manifest this worthy goal.
Please feel open to share your thoughts with me directly or with the group.
Please also share this conversation string within the leadership of your associations so that everyone is aware of our discussion.
Thank you for reading.
Marc Halpern wrote on June 17, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
Thank you for your note. Just a few corrections for the record.
- NAMA’s Founding: “The history of NAMA's founding includes a lawsuit to support an unlicensed ayurvedic doctor. Its leadership must include humility and awareness of history as it moves forward.” The challenges Dr. Lad faced was not a formal part of NAMA’s founding but may have motivated the Ayurvedic Institute, represented by Wynn Werner, to participate in the founding of NAMA. However, the lawsuit was not why NAMA was founded. The other 3 founders, including myself, formed NAMA to unify the profession and develop a roadmap for the future. Realizing that every profession required a State and National Association, I worked to help build both CAAM and NAMA to provide some infrastructure going forward. Wynn and I were able to unify our visions – though perhaps for different reasons.
- Your statement, “ …… the only legal ayurvedic credential worldwide, which is the BAMS/MD (Ayu).” is misleading. Schools in the US that have state approval to provide certifications also provide legal credentials.
May all groups find a place of peace and begin their work from this place. May all groups seek to get out of their own way and be like a Krisha’s flute, a vessel of the divine prana shakti. And together, may the fruit of our work create beauty and harmony in the world.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya Wrote on June 18, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
Please educate all on this email about Schools in the US that have state approval to provide certifications also provide legal credentials. I have heard about this vaguely, and would like to know how you achieved this excellence. It will also clarify for the naysayers who say that legal credentials in ayurveda are not possible. Thank you in advance.
Your statements supporting unity, forgiveness, and harmony were wonderful to read. Indeed, most of us in the Ayurveda community have such visions. Human frailties and insecurities as well as limited skill sets stop many who are very well-meaning. But together I think we could do it. We need to get up, and get going, and get there!
Looking forward to learning more history from your perspective.
Warmly, Bhaswati
Marc Halpern Wrote on June 18, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
The issue that requires clarification when discussing this topic is what is meant by “legal credentials”. Only schools can provide educational credentials to students. Schools that have State Approval to operate provide legal credentials (diplomas, certificates) to their graduates. Associations typically provide continuing education credits that may or may not be accepted by a 3rd party private or government organization. I do not know of any associations that provide primary educational certifications. That NAMA provides an Ayurvedic Doctor certificate is misleading as is Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Ayurvedic Practitioner. However, I think they’ve made strides to clarify that this is only an “internal membership designation” and has no authority outside of the organization. Any private organization can create the names for their membership levels. Again, these are “internal” only, with no benefits outside of the organization. However, these designations are often misused by the members creating problems for the entire profession.
Note that BAMS / MD (Ayu) is another credential issued by a school. However, these are, as you know, from schools outside of the United States and have no legal weight in the US.
No educational credentials currently have any greater or lesser weight in terms of right to practice in the US. Right to practice is based solely on State law and these laws vary state to state. Eventually, State licensing will address these issues – one State at a time.
Regarding CCA’s Ayurvedic Doctor Program: This credential was approved in 2015 and was sustained until 2022 when the State of California changed policy and now denies all Ayurvedic Doctor certifications that are not issued by “degree granting institutions” that are “federally accredited”. The State oversight committee notified all California Schools in 2022 who were offering State-Approved Ayurvedic Doctor programs (CCA and Kerala) to discontinue their program immediately and change their program name. CCA kept the curriculum and changed the program name to Medical Ayurvedic Specialist. Prior graduates can continue to use the Ayurvedic doctor title in their bios and in writing. It is unclear if they can use it in practice. The California State Medical Association has made it clear that they do not want Ayurvedic Doctors using the title “Doctor” in California in clinical settings. There is no case law to back up their position, however, they work closely with the Attorney General and “could” prosecute someone for doing so. That does not mean it would hold up in court.
Future court issues are why the profession needs unification as these battles are costly and time consuming. Without unification, these battles can not be won. Unified professions have won (beaten the medical community) every time in court including Chiropractors, Naturopathic Doctors and most recently Doctors of Physical Therapy.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 18, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
It is so educational. Thank you for taking the time to share.
What are your thoughts on teachers, gurus, and coaches giving certifications not in a state-approved school? what about state-exempted programs such as faith-based programs?
As I know there are several associations that grant credentials such as board-certifications in different fields. Are they legal, and do they hold authority?
Marc Halpern, wrote on June 19, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
If I were to answer many of your questions, it would just be my opinion. They are questions for the profession to explore and unify around a position. I can share with you once again that only a legally operating institution can provide a legal certification. Any other certification would be frowned upon in the future by any State board and put the program and its students at risk.
Faith based- religious institutions are capable of seeking State-Approval for their programs. The State is fine with that. It means that the religious institution seeks to uphold the standards expected of schools and provides either degrees or career training (certifications). State approval provides students with the assurance that their school is operating professionally. It is true that some faith-based institutions operate outside of State-Approval. This is mainly to avoid State oversight and the need to operate to professional standards. If challenged, most states will push back on this unless the credential being given is as a minister of the religious organization. If it is a career-based certification, the State will quickly see through it. It only takes one complaint to cause that organization a giant headache. The question for the profession is whether they want the profession to be a religious profession and practitioners to be “ministers of ayurveda”.
We live in a highly entrepreneurial and unregulated society leading many to just do whatever they want until challenged. Fortunately, most of those organizations don’t grow very large and have a major impact. If they do grow large then they will be under greater scrutiny and will need to play by the rules or risk being shut down. Professional organizations and eventual State-licensing puts an end to the unregulated approach to education and is essential for the profession to reach its potential.
Board Certifications: Any board can be created by anyone and can administer an exam. Those who pass it can say they are “Board Certified by XYZ organization”. However, that does not afford any additional practice rights or benefits. By itself it is meaningless except to show off another certificate on the wall.
It should be noted that as the profession advances we will operate as a profession in a more organized manner. Often, in health care professions there are National Board Exams and State Board Exams. National Board Exams are typically administered to qualify to take State Board Exams. State Board Exams are licensing exams. State licensing is the highest form of recognition and the only credential that really matters once this is in place. For instance, you can graduate medical school but if you don’t pass the State Board, you can’t practice. State Boards are formed through legislative action.
Organizations that administer National Board Exams typically operate independent from all other organizations.
and focus only on the administration of their exam. Typically, qualifying schools administer the exam. Whether any of that matters depends upon two main factors.
1. Do they have the support of the schools
2. Do they have the support of the States (State Boards) once they are formed.
An example if you want to look at it more closely would be the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners which failed in its first two attempts to gather support but eventually, after about 40 years, was successful gaining support and became the standard for National Board Exams.
Please note that I am copying Manju Koli, the new President of CAAM as this thread of discussion may be beneficial for her and their organization as well.
I hope the profession can truly come together in an environment of mutual respect and a clear vision that everyone can support.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 19, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
This was very helpful to learn about nuances of credentialing and accreditation.
From reading your expert knowledge, I have this idea to gather people who have worked on credentialing for their own schools to work together on a document that would tell the history and state-of-the-art of ayurveda credentialing and then produce a white paper for publication.
I am happy to guide the effort with a master outline and serve as an editor on a team.
It would be an amazing document.
Thoughts from you Marc, or from anyone in the group?
Warmly, Bhaswati
Marc Halpern wrote on June 20, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
My understanding of a “white paper” is that it is not only an informative research-based document but also injects the author’s or group’s opinion on related topics. I would suggest that this is not helpful. Separating information from opinion goes a long way toward cultivating unity. Opinions separate stakeholders in the process. Given both how fragile and opinionated our community can be, I would suggest omitting your opinion, or the opinion of the group that participates, and sticking to factual parts of the process and how other professions have navigated these waters. This would be much more useful and better accepted by those who do not participate in the writing of the paper and create a much needed road map that can guide the future.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 20, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
We agree that a 2024 White Paper on Ayurveda in the USA would be a research-based and fact-based document, produced by US-based Ayurveda community for all readers. Several attempts in recent years have been made and should serve as excellent resources.
Yes, of course the group's evaluation is important, with inclusion of minority perspectives, as well as the dominant ones whose decisions created actions that have led us to today.
History repeatedly struggles to tell the story of what happened from the perspective of the weakest who lost the battles but who provide rich history on the struggles and tribulations toward the end goal. An example is the struggle of the less vocal, less articulate or junior Indian vaidya who struggled to be heard at ayurveda community gatherings. Another example is the struggle of students of ayurveda, or classically-educated ayurvedic practitioners to ask basic questions and to feel included when asking 'why' questions.
Opinions are relevant when backed with replicable data, accessible sourcing and backup through fact-based documents. For credentialing, this should be easy, if we access policy documents. But many things are not found online or easily, and much knowledge is trade secret, kept only to a few. For the struggles in the community and our collective failure thusfar to get Ayurveda established in the USA, and why things happened as they did, some opinions might enrich the understanding. The source then in the references would be, conversation with XYZ, June 19, 2024.
The lesson to learn is our own bias. Which information do we consider as injecting of the author’s opinion as vile or as relevant, and which do we omit? Published references have their own bias. The process of doing it ethically to include all issues relevant to the credentialing path of ayurveda will hopefully help us decide which path to take. Some truths will need to be stated, even with the fragile opinionated members in the community listening.
In reality, many historical facts may not be on paper and are part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ayurveda, subjecting it to the opinion category. As a group, we will have to decide which items to keep in the paper and why. Of utmost importance is the writers' voices and ability to write well (in English).
The White Paper needs to discuss state-of-the-art of Ayurveda Credentialing in America. I agree that comparisons of other health professions make provide some insight on road maps. But expert opinions may also be insightful for the reader to know the history of why we ayurveda-bandhus is struggling to manifest credentialing and licensure.
How to create the much-needed roadmap is the issue at hand. I am happy to get off the armchair and well-positioned to lead the implementation of a White Paper, and it would be an honor to do so, with a great team of contributors.
Warmly, Bhaswati
Marc Halpern wrote on June 20, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
I would be happy to support simple factual and historical paper based on the process in the US. I cannot support the paper as you outlined it below for the following reasons.
1. Papers that use facts to back up opinions are by their very nature biased and typically written to stake out a position to influence or control the process. This results in pushback and division.
2. I do not believe that the process will benefit from expressing any opinions, either majority or minority, Indian or Western, student or graduate. This will simply muddy the waters of a paper whose goal is to articulate the legal and historical process of how professions in the US develop the infrastructure to support licensing. If more than one path is discovered (and there is more than one) than each can be articulated from a factual and legal perspective. Writing from a perspective of detachment is essential to acting in the best interests of the profession.
There is certainly a place for opinion and debate. This will be best served in meetings and not in publication – in my opinion . Good luck to you!!
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 20, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
Very glad to know you would be happy to support a simple factual and historical White Paper on Ayurveda based on the process of credentialing in the USA
We seek to articulate the legal and historical process that professions in the US used to develop the infrastructure to support licensing and apply that to building a roadmap for Ayurveda, trying for such a process decades later.
As my sister is a judge in the courts of the USA, we discuss the gray zone of interpretation of laws, statutes and regulations when working with new situations. We use factual and legal perspectives and tarka in our vaada of discussions about healthcare.
I hope factual perspectives in discussion will help us to produce a document that you and all will enjoy reading.
Warmly, Bhaswati
Marc Halpern wrote on June 20, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
You seem committed to the “white” paper rather than a simple research paper. This tells me that you are committed to finding the facts that support your position while possibly omitting those that do not. While still useful, it is not one that I have much interest in investing my own personal time. Still, I wish you success and hope that your contributions brings value to the profession.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 20, 2024
Dear Marc,
Thank you for your email.
Your sentences repeatedly make assumptions of my intentions, and I am not sure why that is.
My idea of 'white paper' may be different from yours.
My idea of 'simple research paper' may be different from yours.
What your assumptions tell you may be different from my actual position.
Why assume I will omit those facts that do not support my position?
Please have more respect for my education, training and experience in writing white papers and research papers. I would not be volunteering for herculean tasks unless I thought I could contribute to it
I pray for your open-minded positivity and hope for meaningful contributions and compilation by each person who seeks to be part of this authoritative, research-based document that presents information, expert analysis and the ayurvedic community's insights into the topic of ayurvedic credentialing and solutions to the problems.
If anyone on this string of cc's would like to contribute to the conversation, please do. It will be wonderful to gather ideas toward a roadmap for writing such a document.
Warmly, Bhaswati
Marc Halpern wrote on June 20, 2024
Namaste Bhaswati,
I am truly sorry if my statements offended you. You seem insistent on a white paper and my understanding is that a white paper implies taking a position and inserting opinion. If that is not your intention, please refer to it only as a research paper. If there is no section on opinion or insertion of opinion, I’ll most certainly support it.
As you know, before beginning any research project, it is helpful to clearly define the project and its scope as well as to define the methodology or approach to the project. It’s toward that I was responding to you.
Good luck!
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on June 20, 2024
Namashkaar Marc,
Hope you are enjoying the first evening of summer
and the almost beginning of Jyestha Purnima (10:01pm ET, June 20)
Thank you for your response. I was not offended but paused to understand what your definition of white paper implies for you. So thank you for the clarification.
In my ocean, a white paper implies experts writing an analysis, those who are familiar with the topic and able to give authoritative, research-based information, expert analysis, and insight, with proposed solutions from a place of familiarity, neither bias nor ignorance. For example, armchair theorists discussing vata vs. human clinicians seeing it in patients, or clinicians who understand the spine writing about low back pain, rather than laboratory rat researchers. Of course, objectivity and factual approaches are part of keeping it useful.
Several persons have commented to me 1:1 about this thread, and I thank you for educating all who cared to read this important exchange. We have the beginnings of a project outline, scope and research steps.
Shubho Purnima and to everyone on this conversation.
If you would like to get involved with research and/or writing on ayurveda credentialing in the USA, please contact me.
Warmly, Bhaswati
Jim Ventresca Wrote – June 24, 2024
Open Letter From the President of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission
Dear Mr. Hasmukh Parkh and the Ayurvedic Community,
First of all, I would like to thank you and the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) for your generous support of the Ayurvedic profession over the years. Your commitment is vital to the growth and recognition of Ayurveda in the United States.
It is clear that everyone connected to Ayurveda is concerned about the divisions within the Ayurvedic community in the US. Such fragmentation only serves to dilute the potential impact Ayurveda can have on the healthcare system in this country. I appreciate you pointing out these divisions and suggesting some solutions.
I am writing to you as the president of the the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (ACC), but also as a veteran of the Oriental medicine movement to gain its current position as a legally recognized profession in the US. I have been involved with the accreditation of acupuncture and Oriental medicine schools for over 30 years. I took the first certifying exam offered by the NCCAOM in 1985 and have been NCCAOM certified ever since. I served as a site visit team leader for the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) for over six years when acupuncture accreditation was in its infancy in the US. I served as an item writer for the national acupuncture board exam offered by the NCCAOM and spent a dozen years working as the academic dean at an acupuncture college. I am very well-versed in accreditation of specialty first-professional degrees in the US and know first-hand what is required to bring a medical system into legal use in the US. I am confident that by following the “acupuncture model” we could see Ayurvedic licensure in the US before too long.
My experience with the early stages of acupuncture’s establishment in the US has informed my perspective on Ayurveda’s journey on a similar path. Despite the divisions within the acupuncture community, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) and NCCAOM have persisted because accreditation and certification are central to the profession
As AAC president, I have strived to follow the acupuncture model, which the World Health Organization (WHO) is also using to fast-track Ayurveda’s acceptance globally. We all must understand that following this model requires (1) understanding the pathway to legal implementation of Ayurveda as a profession in the US, (2) cooperation within the profession and, (3) funding. The main reason it took acupuncture decades to accomplish licensure is a lack of cooperation between Asian providers and American-trained providers, which created a rift between practitioner organizations. Ayurveda can benefit from the lessons learned from the acupuncture approach and need not fall into this same trap.
However, it is important to understand the pathway to legal implementation within the US. To do this, we need to distinguish between Professional Membership Organizations, Accrediting Organizations, and Certifying Bodies and to understand their separate roles in legalizing and formalizing the practice of Ayurveda in the US. There are three key organizations necessary to create a legally recognized profession in the United States:
- Professional Organization: Helps steer the profession and provides support.
- Certifying Body: Assures the US government and the public that providers have adequate training.
- Accrediting Body: Ensures the US government and the public that schools are providing adequate education.
Professional organizations:
Professional organizations have a high profile, but their role in the process of legalizing a profession is minimal. Their role is of maximum importance in creating a cohesive community of practitioners. To this end, it would indeed be ideal if NAMA could gather all the various factions of providers under one umbrella organization. NAMA, as the foremost Professional Membership Organization, is well-positioned to spearhead this effort.
When it comes to legalizing a profession, while NAMA, CAAM, or other professional organizations may be the most visible or seem the most important Ayurvedic organizations to an outside observer, accreditation and certification bodies are absolutely vital for establishing the profession in the US. Without independent accreditation and certification, schools will not be recognized by the US Department of Education (USDOE), and licensure will remain unattainable, regardless of unity within the profession.
Certification Body:
An independent certifying body is crucial to ensure that graduates of accredited programs have acquired the knowledge necessary to practice Ayurveda safely and effectively. In the US, certifying bodies, like accrediting bodies, must operate independently from all other organizations. This independence is essential to comply with US educational standards and customary practices. It ensures that credentialing and accrediting organizations can fulfill their missions without any external influence that could compromise their integrity or objectives.
Unfortunately, there has been little direct funding for certification, as well as for accreditation. The National Ayurvedic Medicine Association Certification Board’s (NAMACB) financial constraints currently require it to remain under the direction of NAMA. This means they are not independent. Ideally, increased funding would allow NAMACB to break free of NAMA, as the AAC did some years ago, with the support of NAMA though that transition.
Despite these challenges, NAMACB is setting the standard for certifying individual providers of Ayurveda in the US. They are doing excellent work and are aligned with usual and customary practices in the US. This positions NAMACB well to carry out the critical task of credentialing individuals.
Accrediting body:
When it comes to legalizing a profession in the US, the accrediting body is essential.
Without accredited schooling there is no pathway to legal licensure in the US.
I would like to clear up some misunderstandings around the relationship between AAC and the other organizations, and how an accrediting organization must function in the context of the US.
The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) plays a pivotal role in establishing Ayurveda’s credibility within the US. While your letter was addressed specifically to NAMA, I, as AAC's president, will address some of your concerns from the perspective of an independent accrediting organization.
Your reference to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) as a model is spot on. This is the model we have been following at the AAC for the last six years.
However, the suggestion of an accrediting body working under AYUSH's direction is not feasible in the US. We must work within US laws and regulations. No matter how much we wish BAMS providers to be recognized and licensed, it will not happen without US-based independent accreditation and certification that meets US guidelines; not those of India.
Regarding your specific points about education and accreditation:
- Neither NAMA, nor any other professional organization, play a part in the accreditation of schools.
- NAMA and the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission are —and have to be —wholly independent organizations.
- Accrediting bodies in the US must be independent and cannot take direction from NAMA, AYUSH, or any other outside organization.
Accreditation in the US is only effective if the accrediting body follows US Department of Education guidelines. This is the “acupuncture playbook” the AAC is working from.
The main obstacles to the acceptance of Ayurveda into the US healthcare delivery system are accreditation and certification.
And the main obstacle the Accreditation Commission and the Certifying Board are facing now is funding.
With sufficient funding, the Accreditation Commission can apply to the USDOE for recognition, and the Certification Board could become independent of NAMA, as it must.
Ayurveda is at a critical juncture in the United States. Funding is essential to continue our progress. The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) is the only accrediting body in the US dedicated to accrediting Ayurvedic schools according to US Department of Education (USDOE) guidelines. This is the only pathway to Ayurveda becoming a legal profession and medical system in the US. Most Ayurvedic schools and programs in the US are seeking accreditation through our Commission.
Do not be misled by other websites claiming to accredit Ayurvedic schools, as they often turn out to be mere profit-driven entities designed to confuse the public. These organizations, known as accreditation mills, offer accreditation that is worthless.
The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) is the only accrediting body in the US aligned with US Department of Education (USDOE) guidelines and committed to the genuine work of accreditation. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we are transparent and open to inspection. Our board of directors includes representatives from various aspects of the Ayurvedic community, and we welcome comments and criticisms from the community.
Financial Support:
To see this profession thrive, now is not the time to withdraw financial support.
The Commission is close to being self-sustaining through accreditation fees, potentially within the next year. However, we currently face significant financial challenges. The work the AAC has accomplished over the past five years is not only commendable but has exceeded expectations and is at risk, due to lack of funding.
I humbly ask that you and the rest of the kind folks who have supported this profession continue to do so, with the knowledge that supporting accreditation and certification within the United States, following US rules, regulations, and guidelines, is both the most pressing and promising way to ensure the future of this profession in the West.
We all need to recognize that the path forward is clear and has been traveled before. Ayurveda has the potential to expand greatly in the US, but this requires unification of the profession, with concessions from all parties involved.
Thank you again for your continued support and dedication to Ayurveda. We look forward to working together to achieve our common goals.
Sincerely,
Jim Ventresca, DOM (NM), L.Ac. (MA) Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM)
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC)
Bhaswati Bhattacharya Wrote on June 24, 2024
Dear Dr. Jim ji,
Thank you for your email. There is so much useful education in your lengthy email. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to write it!
Ayurveda is a clinical profession. Most who become certified are interested in active practice and interaction. They want to counsel and teach patients, even patients who enter as students.
For many of us who are licensed health professionals, any accreditation commission that ensures that schools are providing adequate education should have actively-practicing competent clinicians and qualified clinician-educators in that professional subject as the evaluators.
Of the 8 persons listed in the AAC BOD roster (https://www.ayurvedicaccreditation.org/board-of-directors), all are highly accomplished but how many are actively-practicing ayurvedic physicians trained in ayurvedic medicine? Could they be certified by a group of clinicians assessing their competence to practice ayurvedic medicine? Of course, most US-based ayurveda schools use BAMS vaidyas as teachers because they have been licensed to practice ayurveda after active clinical experience. This information should be included in the bio of AAC BOD. At least half of the BOD do not appear to have experience that I would send a patient to them for ayurvedic medical care.
Your assessment too that professional organizations have the 'role to create a cohesive community of practitioners' is astute. The discussion of why so many former BOD members of NAMA and so many graduates of NAMA-approved schools are not even members should be addressed. The fact that dozens have gone out and painstakingly started other organizations to create community is a red flag that is not addressed in your letter. CAAM tried to mediate-host a discussion with NAMA and thee community – which logically should have been hosted by NAMA if it were a leader in organizing the community. Even in this exchange of emails, where is the leadership by NAMA BOD?
For this reason and others, we need to create a steering committee that will unify and actively l-e-a-d, with a transparent roadmap, no financial conflict of interest, and a plan that is S.M.A.R.T. and involves everyone who wants to be part of the community.
I look forward to meeting you and learning more from your vast experience.
We have over 30 cc on this exchange. Please, all stakeholders, contribute your thoughts.
Warm regards,
Bhaswati
Sanjiv Kalra Wrote on June 25, 2024
Dear Dr. Jim,
Good evening. Hope that you are doing well.
I was going through your email response to the concerns Ayurveda Professionals here in the United States have raised for various reasons,
I am writing to express my grave concerns on behalf of the Ayurveda Fraternity of the USA about the malfunctioning and accreditation of programs under the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and the Accreditation Commission for Colleges of Ayurveda (ACC) Ayurveda Boards. As a stakeholder in the field of Ayurveda, I have observed several alarming issues that need immediate attention and resolution.
Although there may be some confusion due to historical factors and the similarity in the names of certain organizations, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) is a fully independent organization with no connections to NAMA, ACC or other Organization.
This is in keeping with US Department of Education Guidelines.
As an independent accrediting agency, we take no position on actions taken by other organizations to which you refer.
First and foremost, there have been reports of uncertified programs running under the umbrella of NAMA and ACC Ayurveda Boards. This not only puts the credibility of these organizations at stake but also compromises the quality of education being provided to students. It is imperative that strict measures are put in place to ensure that only accredited programs are allowed to operate under these boards.
Furthermore, there have been instances of programs being accredited without meeting the necessary standards and requirements. This not only undermines the integrity of the accreditation process but also poses a risk to the students who are enrolled in these programs. It is crucial that the accreditation process is transparent and rigorous to maintain the quality and standards of Ayurvedic education.
We urge you to take immediate action to dilute these boards to ensure that only certified (AYUSH) programs are allowed to operate under one unified body. Additionally, we recommend conducting a thorough review of the accreditation process to prevent any further lapses in the future and, Like you, many people have suggested that AYUSH should oversee or accredit Ayurvedic education in the United States.
No matter how many people feel this way, it is not an option. It is a pipe-dream.
Accreditation within the US must come from US-based accrediting agencies to be considered valid and credible. There is no other option.
AYUSH is a Ministry of the Indian Government. The United States Department of Education does not approve foreign government miniseries as US accrediting bodies.
The Chinese government can not oversee Acupuncture education in the United States, and by the same token, AYUSH cannot oversee Ayurvedic education in the United States.
Accreditation of educational institutions in the US is typically conducted by recognized accrediting agencies that are approved by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
If you want to see Ayurveda licensed in the United States, we have to play by United States' rules.
To the best of my knowledge, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission is the only accrediting body in the United States actively performing accreditation work in line with US Department of Education guidelines.
as a Chinese Herbal Medicine Doctor, you seem to be a misfit for this position and assume the responsibility for Ayurveda and Programs.
Thank you for sharing your opinion on my fitness for this position.
Sincerely,
Jim Ventresca, DOM.
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC)
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to seeing prompt and effective measures taken to rectify these issues and uphold the integrity of Ayurvedic education under the guidance of AYUSH ministry and US Higher Education Department.
Sincerely,
Prof Vaidya Sanjeev Kalra
MD (Ayurveda-Neuro-Psychiatry),
Executive Healthcare Leadership and Management (Johns Hopkins University)
MDBA (Hospital Management and Finance)
MHA-CB (University of Phoenix)
A.P-Department of Physiology and Health,
Clinical Training Director of the BA in AyurVeda Wellness and Integrative Health
Lisa Cavallaro wrote on June 26, 2024
Dear Colleagues,
Included below in this email, you will find communication from AAC’s Board President submitting our Proposed Position on Uniform Ayurvedic Educational Program Titles.
We ask that you read through this important information and provide us with your feedback. We also ask that you disseminate this communication freely to your colleagues and students. All comments will be reviewed at the end of the period.
Thank you for your careful consideration.
Lisa Cavallaro, Psy.D.
Executive Director
Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission
Request for Feedback on Proposed Ayurvedic Medical Education Titles
Dear Stakeholders in the Ayurvedic Community,
To maintain clarity and consistency in the realm of Ayurvedic medical services and education, and to align with US Department of Education regulations and guidelines, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (the Commission) (AAC) is advocating for standardized nomenclature across all accredited Ayurvedic medical education programs and the titles bestowed upon their graduates.
Standardized terminology for various levels of schooling and training is essential for the advancement and growth of any profession in the US. This policy aligns with customary accreditation practices and aims to provide consumers of Ayurvedic medicine and education with clear information to evaluate practitioners and schools accurately.
The Commission is on the brink of adopting a uniform program title for what currently stands as the highest level of training in Ayurvedic Medical Education within the United States.
To ensure inclusivity and transparency, the Commission is actively seeking feedback from all stakeholders in the Ayurvedic community before finalizing this change in nomenclature.
We recognize the importance of hearing from as many interested parties as possible yet acknowledge the limitations of our outreach efforts. Therefore, we kindly ask for your assistance in disseminating this information and encouraging all stakeholders to share their valuable feedback.
If you wish to contribute your perspective to this process, please respond in writing to [email protected] by July 31, 2024.
Thank you for your continued collaboration and support.
Sincerely,
Jim Ventresca, DOM
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission
------------------------------------------
AAC’s Proposed Position on Uniform Ayurvedic Educational Program Titles
The Commission requires that schools offering accredited programs utilize only Approved Program Titles in all aspects of their operations, including naming, marketing, promotion, degrees, diplomas, certificates, and graduate titles.
Schools holding any Commission accreditation may not offer non-accredited programs under the same title as any accredited programs, nor may the schools confer degrees, diplomas, certificates, or graduate titles for non-accredited programs bearing the same titles as accredited ones.
Traditionally, some institutions in the US have conferred "Doctor of Ayurveda" diplomas and certificates to graduates who completed their highest levels of training. However, it is deemed inconsistent with accepted educational standards to grant doctoral degrees/titles to graduates of what are currently certificate programs.
In alignment with US Department of Education guidelines and regulations, the Commission will accredit master’s and doctoral programs only when offered by institutions that meet the established standards and regulations for awarding master's degree and doctoral degrees in the United States, typically necessitating regional accreditation.
The Commission acknowledges the existence of programs designated as "doctor" programs offered by institutions that have yet to attain regional accreditation. The Commission expects these programs to undergo peer review for accreditation under the proposed title of "Advanced Clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner."
The Commission acknowledges that many individuals have received ancestral doctoral degrees or certificates and are currently using the title of doctor. The title a practitioner uses to represent themself to the public is not within the scope of the Commission, but rather within the scope of state and local government. The Commission takes no position on this practice.
Presently, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission is open to considering accreditation for five levels of Ayurvedic training programs:
Approved Program Titles:
The titles of “Ayurvedic Health Counselor” and “Ayurvedic Practitioner” are established and are approved for all AAC candidates and accredited schools.
The Commission is requesting feedback only on the “Advanced Clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner“ title. (formerly known as Ayurvedic Doctor)
Reserved Program Titles:
Master of Ayurveda and Doctor of Ayurveda: These titles are currently limited to regionally accredited degree-granting institutions.
The Commission appreciates your feedback on this important matter.
Vivek Shanbhag Wrote on June 27, 2024
Dear Hasmukh Bhai,
Thank you for your emails discussing the crucial issues regarding Ayurveda in the US. Heartfelt gratitude to you and the Ayurveda Business Community (ABC) for everything you have done for years to promote Ayurveda in the US. Your emails demonstrate your sincere efforts to unite the Ayurveda community and achieve our shared goal of Licensed Ayurveda Practice in the US.
I am writing to you as the president of the National Consortium of Ayurveda Medicine (NCAM). NCAM's mission is to function as a consortium of aligned Ayurveda organizations supporting each other in promoting authentic Ayurveda, emphasizing competence-based education, accreditation, and credentialing to maximize public awareness, well-being and safety.
The national and global organizations collaborating in this consortium are: the American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals (AAAP), the Global Council for Ayurveda Research (GCAR), the International Council for Ayurveda Accreditation (ICAA) and the National Certification & Credentialing Board for Ayurvedic Medicine (NCCBAM). NCAM has collaborated with Ayurveda organizations from Florida, Arizona, Ohio, Colorado, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Texas, Minnesota, Union of Midwest States, and the following international organizations: the Canadian Ayurvedic Professionals Association, the International Academy of Ayurveda, the Siddha Vetha Multiversity, Healing Our Earth, the Global Indian Scientists & Technocrats Forum, the Canada India Foundation, the Global Ayurveda Festival and the World Health Congress. For more details about NCAM, please visit https://ncamusa.org/
All of us at NCAM appreciate the support provided by members of ABC to NCAM’s 2023 Mega-Conference, where 310 attendees enjoyed learning and networking for three days with 70+ speakers. This well-appreciated conference was a collaborative event by all of the above organizations with support from Ministry of AYUSH.
Your emails along with other responses were discussed by the Directors of NCAM and the collaborating organizations -after which this response was drafted. NCAM and its collaborators stand for constructive dialogue and collaborative work. We will support such efforts by ABC and others.
You and ABC have rightly prioritized the concern that if the Ayurveda community in the US remains divided, then it will be difficult to achieve progress in Ayurveda education, credentialing, accreditation, licensing, and products to deliver high-quality Ayurveda healthcare for America and prosperity for Ayurveda businesses. We are familiar with the history of divisions in the American Acupuncture community that have caused significant hurdles in their licensing and prosperity.
As a solution, you have suggested bringing all stakeholders together for a constructive dialogue to resolve differences through discussions. NCAM has attempted this, without success, several times in the recent past. We agree with Dr. Marc Halpern’s statement, that “…unity is important. It will be important to come to the table with humility and inclusiveness, providing no single interest group with any greater position of power.”
Authentic, constructive dialogue should include every stakeholder: ABC, NAMA, NAMACB, AAC, NCAM, AAAP, GCAR, NCCBAM, ICAA, AAPNA, etc, and the state organizations. We all need to acknowledge varying opinions and perspectives to resolve our differences. Following are some of the issues dividing the US Ayurveda community:
- The “Ayurveda Doctor” credential was/is offered without proper clinical training and assessment of clinical skills and competence. There are risks of medical complications, death, legal action, product recall, or ban. There is potential harm to consumers, Ayurveda practitioners, Ayurveda licensing, and the reputation of Ayurveda. For example, the State of California prohibits all Ayurvedic Doctor certifications that are not issued by “degree-granting institutions” and are “federally accredited.” Many in the NCAM community received an email in February 2024 with names and photos of about 35 people recently given “Ayurveda Doctor” credentials, which can be misleading to the consumer. On the contrary, Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Ayurvedic Practitioner credentials are not misleading and did not divide the US Ayurveda community.
- Conflicts of interest were created by Ayurveda school executives influencing the credentialing board through their leverage on the professional organization, which in turn funds and controls the credentialing board. In his email of 6/24/24, Dr. Jim Ventresca stated “An independent certifying body is crucial to ensure that graduates of accredited programs have acquired the knowledge necessary to practice Ayurveda safely and effectively.” In the US, certifying bodies, like accrediting bodies, must operate independently from all other organizations. This independence is essential to comply with US educational standards and customary practices. It ensures that credentialing and accrediting organizations can fulfill their missions without any external influence that could compromise their integrity or objectives. (underlining is done to highlight the issues). In the same email, Dr. Ventresca also mentions: “The National Ayurvedic Medicine Association Certification Board’s (NAMACB) financial constraints currently require it to remain under the direction of NAMA. This means they are not independent.” Above statements suggest that NAMACB is not complying with US educational standards and may not be able to fulfill its mission due to the external influence of NAMA. Above statements also suggest that NAMACB’s dependence on NAMA for finance could have so far compromised its integrity or objectives. It also indicates that lack of funds is NOT the problem, the REAL problems occur if and when one organization misuses its funds to inappropriately influence another organization which should be allowed to operate independently. NCAM proposes that it is important to have a unified plan and strategy before funding is done. NCAM is happy to be a part of this discussion.
- BAMS, MD-Ayurved, and PhD-Ayurved have usually completed more than 8000 hours of training, which includes clinical skills training in hospitals and clinics. Most of them are licensed as primary healthcare providers in India. Many are interested in practicing in the US by properly following US regulations and guidelines. Offering them “Ayurveda Doctor” credentials and unfairly portraying them as equivalent to those with significantly less training and competence is wrong, inaccurate, unethical, and misleading.
- Organize a Zoom meeting that includes all stakeholders, without deference to any group, with an independent moderator to conduct a constructive dialogue for building consensus to resolve the differences
- Create a new unified organization and/or consortium structured to operate democratically to work on the pathways for Licensed Ayurveda Practice in various states of the US. Some possible pathways are:
- An independent accreditation council formulates competencies/skills needed to be acquired by the Licensed Ayurveda Practitioner. This accreditation council accredits educational institutes offering training as per their guidelines.
- Accredited educational institutes create educational curricula and train the students per the accreditation council guidelines.
- After the students successfully complete the accredited curriculum, an independent examination and certification board will examine them for their competencies/skills and then will certify them.
- The government ensures that the accreditation council and the certification board function independently without external influence and accredit only those schools that offer the proper curriculum and administer exams to the graduates as per the appropriate guidelines.
- Ayurveda organizations in individual states (with the support of the national organizations) start the legislation process in their respective states to establish Licensed Ayurveda Practices and offer licenses to certified professionals.
Best regards,
NCAM Executive Board
President: Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
Vice-President: Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman
Co-Secretaries: Vaidya Meenakshi Gupta & Vaidya Deepa Bhatt
Co-Treasurers: Jeff Mitchell & Kiffie Hester
NCAM Board of Directors
Dr. Amit Gumman
Dr. Aparna Bapat
Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya
Karla A. Cain,CAP
Vd. Pratibha Shah
Renee Mehrra
Hasmukh Parikh Wrote – June 28, 2024
Hello Everyone,
On behalf of the ABC members, I extend my sincere thanks to all of you, including Vivek Shanbhag, Lisa Cavallaro, Sanjeev Kalra, Jim Ventresca, Marc Helpern, and Bhaswati Bhattacharya, for their candid views and suggestions regarding our effort to unite all forums of Ayurveda. These communications have highlighted several issues and revealed various approaches to bring the Ayurvedic Community together.
However, we are still awaiting crucial input from Dr. Jayrajan and the Board of Directors of NAMA, whose perspectives are essential. The ABC members earnestly seek their insights on this critical issue of unity, especially since almost every existing group has splintered from NAMA. Understanding NAMA's viewpoint and the reasons behind these separations, which may have led to the divergent paths taken by these groups, and how to resolve these issues, is vital for our efforts.
We earnestly appeal to NAMA for their response on this matter as soon as possible, ideally by the first week of July, to help guide our next steps in unifying the community as the need of the hour is urgent.
Thank you,
Jim Ventresca wrote on June 28, 2024
Dear Dr. Bhaswati ji,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this important topic.
We all need to engage in more pathways of communication that encourage more cooperation within the community.
I am grateful to Hasmukh ji for getting this conversation started, and to all those who have contributed so far.
Please see my comments entered below within the context of your email.
Sincerely,
Jim
Jim Ventresca, DOM
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission.
Vaidya Jayarajan Wrote – June 29, 2024
Dear Hasmukhji,
Thank you for initiating this important conversation. It is very interesting to see the perspectives and this will help all of us to understand the gaps and where we need to improve as a community. NAMA takes this matter very seriously and our Board is diligently working to address each concern. We will send our response to you by next week.
Thank you for your patience.
CC: NAMA BOD
Namaste~
Dr. Jim and Vaidya Sanjeev Kalra Conversation –
Dear Dr. Jim,
Good evening. Hope that you are doing well.
I was going through your email response to the concerns Ayurveda Professionals here in the United States have raised for various reasons,
I am writing to express my grave concerns on behalf of the Ayurveda Fraternity of the USA about the malfunctioning and accreditation of programs under the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and the Accreditation Commission for Colleges of Ayurveda (ACC) Ayurveda Boards. As a stakeholder in the field of Ayurveda, I have observed several alarming issues that need immediate attention and resolution.
Although there may be some confusion due to historical factors and the similarity in the names of certain organizations, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) is a fully independent organization with no connections to NAMA, ACC or other Organization.
This is in keeping with US Department of Education Guidelines.
As an independent accrediting agency, we take no position on actions taken by other organizations to which you refer.
First and foremost, there have been reports of uncertified programs running under the umbrella of NAMA and ACC Ayurveda Boards. This not only puts the credibility of these organizations at stake but also compromises the quality of education being provided to students. It is imperative that strict measures are put in place to ensure that only accredited programs are allowed to operate under these boards.
Furthermore, there have been instances of programs being accredited without meeting the necessary standards and requirements. This not only undermines the integrity of the accreditation process but also poses a risk to the students who are enrolled in these programs. It is crucial that the accreditation process is transparent and rigorous to maintain the quality and standards of Ayurvedic education.
We urge you to take immediate action to dilute these boards to ensure that only certified (AYUSH) programs are allowed to operate under one unified body. Additionally, we recommend conducting a thorough review of the accreditation process to prevent any further lapses in the future and,
Like you, many people have suggested that AYUSH should oversee or accredit Ayurvedic education in the United States.
No matter how many people feel this way, it is not an option. It is a pipe-dream.
Accreditation within the US must come from US-based accrediting agencies to be considered valid and credible. There is no other option.
AYUSH is a Ministry of the Indian Government. The United States Department of Education does not approve foreign government miniseries as US accrediting bodies.
The Chinese government can not oversee Acupuncture education in the United States, and by the same token, AYUSH cannot oversee Ayurvedic education in the United States.
Accreditation of educational institutions in the US is typically conducted by recognized accrediting agencies that are approved by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
If you want to see Ayurveda licensed in the United States, we have to play by United Sstates' rules.
To the best of my knowledge, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission is the only accrediting body in the United States actively performing accreditation work in line with US Department of Education guidelines. as a Chinese Herbal Medicine Doctor, you seem to be a misfit for this position and assume the responsibility for Ayurveda and Programs.
Thank you for sharing your opinion on my fitness for this position.
Sincerely,
Jim Ventresca, DOM.
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC)
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to seeing prompt and effective measures taken to rectify these issues and uphold the integrity of Ayurvedic education under the guidance of AYUSH ministry and US Higher Education Department.
Sincerely,
Prof Vaidya Sanjeev Kalra
MD (Ayurveda-Neuro-Psychiatry),
Executive Healthcare Leadership and Management (Johns Hopkins University)
MDBA (Hospital Management and Finance)
MHA-CB (University of Phoenix)
A.P-Department of Physiology and Health,
Clinical Training Director of the BA in AyurVeda Wellness and Integrative Health
Marc Halpern Wrote on June 29, 2024
Namaste everyone,
I’m excited for the possibility that all stakeholders in the Ayurvedic community may come together and hoping that NAMA will participate. I would like to suggest that should such a meeting to unify the profession take place, that it not be hosted by a “specific existing organization” but simply by a “facilitator” of the meeting. Hence, no “organization” can either take credit for the meeting, or overly influence the meeting. If no facilitator is available, the same benefit can come from an ad hoc organization formed only for this purpose, ie. “The Coalition for Ayurvedic Unity” which dissolves when the work of unity is completed.
I would also suggest that the first meeting be about “process” and not content. If process is not agreed upon, the content becomes irrelevant. In my experience, an unfair process leads to more division than differences in perspective, policy, or opinion. If the group first agrees to a fair process, and it is followed, everyone can move forward with the decisions that are made. This requires a willingness for everyone to accept outcomes that are not in a specific groups favor.
To often, meetings, hosted by a singular group, become “listening sessions”. Meetings like this give power to the organizing party who agrees to “listen” but not “act” upon any of the information heard. In other words, the organization in power appears to listen but then acts in any manner they feel is best. Naturally, this continues to provoke conflict.
There are only two basic approaches.
1. Democracy – Votes among the stake holders take place. This requires a willingness to accept the outcome of votes that go against a group’s interests. It also requires a wiliness to change course in the future or at any time based on the voting majority.
2. Autocracy – The most powerful dictates the path forward. Every autocrat believes their way is the right way and is best for everyone, even if others can’t see it. Naturally those who do not feel include eventually revolt against the autocrat. While most autocrats are individuals, you can also have autocratic groups, in this case, organizations that reject any path forward other than the one they envision.
Should a first meeting take place, I strongly urge it to begin with an exploration of the process that will be followed. If we can’t agree to a process, how will we agree to an outcome. This can certainly take place over Zoom. I would then consider the benefit of an in-person weekend summit to explore the complexities of policy.
One final note: When discussing stakeholders, I urge you to include and consider the roles of the schools. They are separate from the organizations. Unfortunately, schools have not been able to successfully organize and have no unifying representative organization to speak for them. While organizations formed, large schools other than CCA would not participate as their work with NAMA created a conflict of interest. Without the support all major schools, no effort can succeed. It is important to separate some people’s roles as a “school representative” from an “organizational representative”. A good example is NAMA whose President is also a School Director responsible for the success of one school”. It should be clear that NAMA does not represent schools – even if some schools have chosen to be members and advertise through the organization.
Many blessings.
Be well, Be kind, Be love!
Dr. Marc Halpern
President: California College of Ayurveda
Vice President: The HeartWay; Embracing Life, Honoring Death
Co-Founder: California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine
Co-Founder: National Ayurvedic Medical Association
Sanjiv Kalra Wrote – June 30, 2024
Dear Dr. Mark and Respectable Ayurveda Fraternity Members,
Thank you for putting forward the first step towards the common goals and mission of Ayurveda, Education, and the Practice.
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request a meeting to discuss some important agendas that require our attention.
It is crucial that we come together to address these matters as they have a significant impact on our overall performance and success. By collaborating and sharing our ideas, we can find effective solutions and make informed decisions.
I propose that we schedule a meeting at a time that is convenient for everyone so that we can have a fruitful discussion and move forward with a clear plan of action.
Your participation and input are invaluable, and I am confident that together we can achieve great results. Please let me know your availability for the zoom meeting so that we can finalize the details.
Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to our productive discussion.
Best Regards and Blessings,
Parag More wrote on June 30, 2024
Dear All,
I could not agree more with all of you!! Coming together, so that it will be a common strength to move forward on Ayurveda.
We love it and we are promoting it in our CSR.
Do not hesitate to drop an email personally if anything is needed from our side.
Look forward to meeting you all.
Have a great evening.
Thanks and best regards,
Parag More
SKVL Organic World Pvt Ltd
SKVL Organic World Inc.
Jayarajan Kodikannath wrote on July 1, 2024
Dear Hasmukhji,
The NAMA Board of Directors thanks you for your sincere message and intention to unify our community. We recognize that it has taken some time for us to respond - we wanted to be sure that we did so in a way that considers the diverse perspectives on this matter.
NAMA remains deeply committed to providing collaborative leadership within the Ayurvedic profession and to promote a positive vision for Ayurveda and its holistic approach to health and wellness. It is difficult to capture the extent of our commitment and actions in an email. We hope to have more conversations with you and others in the Ayurvedic Business Community about how we can serve you better, and in the process, how we can collectively serve the Ayurvedic community and the general public in the United States (US).
When we imagine ten years from now, we are excited by the impact that Ayurvedic professionals and Ayurvedic businesses can make in the healthcare system in the US. NAMA is eager to continue to provide a pathway to a unified practice through our strategic plan and our partnerships with other allied organizations. Our members and the general public need us to succeed. The levels of chronic disease, mental health challenges, fertility issues, and the silver tsunami of our aging population tell us how much we are needed. We must come together.
There are many topics to address from your original letter, and the responses to it. We hope to address many of them here, but know that the depth and complexities of each of these deserve much more than a letter.
For context, it seems important to overview the infrastructure that NAMA has contributed to the Ayurvedic profession in the US over the past 24 years, led largely by a lineage of volunteers - many of whom are part of this thread. NAMA is so much more than a page on a website. Here’s a quick (not exhaustive) summary:
Since the incorporation on July 3, 2000 as a 501(c)(6) Professional Membership-based association with over 1,700 members, NAMA has been continuously working to advance the Ayurvedic profession in the United States. NAMA currently has 10 membership types, including a recently created Vaidya membership. NAMA currently has a 10-seat Board of Directors, 14 Standing Committees and the NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB), which oversees board certification and continuing education for professionals who wish to practice in the US.
Together, our pioneering spirit and the support of so many, has achieved highlights such as (just a few):
Established the Professional Community with 2 levels of Ayurvedic Education (2003-2010).
Created 3 levels of Ayurvedic Professional Education with competency guidelines and scope of practice (2011-2014).
Established Professional Ayurvedic Continuing Education (2016).
Established NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB) in 2017 and developed Board Certification Exams. NAMA engaged a professional testing company with a track record of creating and executing examinations for many other professions, created legally justifiable Board exams for Ayurveda professionals, and implemented the board exams for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
Created an Accreditation Council (NAMAAC) based on the guidelines of the Department of Education in 2019; the council became independent with its own Board and staff in 2021 and was renamed as the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC). AAC initiated receiving candidacy applications for accreditation from the Ayurvedic schools in 2023, and there are 21 programs from 11 schools currently in candidacy and going through the accreditation program.
Achieved a marketing reach of many millions through our events, partnered professionals and businesses, schools, teachers, authors, yoga teachers, and other passionate people who influence health and wellness markets in the US and around the world.
All the above systematic steps and achievements were accomplished by hundreds of volunteers, including BAMS doctors, graduates from various schools in the US, schools, students, Ayurvedic enthusiasts, businesses, and various other stakeholders, including MDs, NDs, yoga therapists and acupuncturists who have great respect for Ayurveda. As a testament to the hard work of these individuals, professional Ayurvedic associations in other countries routinely seek NAMA’s advice in setting up their organizations, and view NAMA as the model they could follow outside of India because we have been able to establish so much.
NAMA has been in a big transition over the last few years - transitioning board members, staff, bringing on a new Executive Director, spinning off the organization that is now the independent Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission, and working to address the divisions in our community, which we take very seriously. We have always had BAMS graduates involved in leading NAMA’s efforts, and during this time, a majority of the NAMA Board members were BAMS-trained individuals. The current NAMA Board was hopeful that such transitions would provide an opportunity for those individuals who had differences with NAMA through the years to step forward to re-engage with us and deepen their involvement, but surprisingly the divergence magnified.
While this transition has been challenging in many ways, the NAMA Board has worked on an ambitious strategic plan, and we hope that the conversations around this plan can serve to align everyone who wants to work in a unified direction - moving Ayurveda towards a licensed profession in the United States. We look forward to communicating our strategic plan, hearing feedback, and consequently working in collaboration with all the stakeholders.
We see AYUSH as an important allied stakeholder. Establishing legal credibility for Ayurveda in the US requires us to first build our own essential infrastructure for the profession based on the legal framework of our country. Jim Ventresca, the President of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission, has already described the types of organizations necessary to create a legally recognized Ayurveda profession in the United States in his open letter. We need a National Professional Organization (such as NAMA and State Associations), Certifying Body (NAMACB), and Accrediting Body (AAC). NAMA welcomes and cherishes a partnership with AYUSH, as we highly respect their leadership and impact on the field of Ayurveda. We believe it will play a key role in advancing the practice of Ayurveda in the US, strengthening the evidence base for it and supporting diplomatic interventions.
NAMA also values the partnership of the National Institute of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) in the US. The co-chair of NAMA’s Research Committee, Julia Arnold, and NAMA Board member, Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, were instrumental in setting up a national study with the NCCIH on Ayurveda and Cancer, which was disseminated through many Ayurvedic groups in the US. Many people in our NAMA and broader community have also been involved in the global effort to standardize Ayurveda terminology and medical billing codes through the World Health Organization. The generous time dedicated by these people benefits our members, as well as the Ayurveda community beyond NAMA’s members, as we move towards licensing. We must recognize that key players in the US may be different than those in India and we must work together to cast a net that is unique to the context we are creating in.
While disagreements are inevitable when we are working on something as vital and complex as establishing a profession in a country, NAMA is committed to prioritizing democratic decision-making. NAMA has a staff of 5, plus 70 volunteers, and over 1,700 members, and the NAMA Board of Directors is voted in by the membership. NAMA works through collaboration and consensus, and strives to make data-driven decisions that take into account the diversity of members and stakeholders that make up our community. We see ALL as valuable contributors to the progression of Ayurveda.
Any dissolution of the current infrastructure, as suggested by NCAM, would erase decades of hard work and investment in this profession that was touched with love by so many here in this conversation, and would be a betrayal to thousands of students, professionals, schools and product-makers who have invested their life into Ayurveda through efforts created collaboratively between the BAMS pioneers, who courageously brought Ayurveda to the USA, and their devoted students and supporters.
In the past several years, NAMA leaders have had conversations with different stakeholders, including groups allied with NCAM (NCCBAM, AAAP, etc.), on expectations, and to discuss potential revisions to the educational standards or competency guidelines. NAMA’s educational standards and competency guidelines have been designed with a focus on integrating with the landscape in the US, without jeopardizing the level of integrity in the practice of Ayurveda. Unfortunately, the entities listed above had stopped engaging with NAMA.
NAMA is aware that some stakeholders are intentional in their effort to not include NAMA in their discussions and actively sew division in the field. This course of action is neither constructive, nor serves the profession or community as a whole, and perhaps it’s becoming evident how these efforts have impacted our Ayurvedic businesses, too. NAMA is eager to continue conversations, and follow systematic processes to ensure that our competency guidelines continue to serve the American public well.
We are glad to hear that many organizations would like to come together and bring unity to our profession again. We welcome those who want to engage with us. However, the NAMA Board does not support divisive or accusatory language that insults and excludes a large portion of our professional community, whom we should be holding with reverence. The infrastructure that we have collectively built is intended to serve both American and Indian-trained practitioners, and also the American public. There is no need to start from scratch and create new national entities for credentialing, accreditation or professional organization, as these entities are already in place. We are open to discussion and considering recommended refinements to better serve Ayurvedic professionals and businesses so we can make a difference in the health of the American public.
NAMA continues to stay open for feedback and constructive criticism, and are committed to taking the necessary steps to course correct, if needed, based on such feedback. We have demonstrated a continued ability to listen and respond. Recently, NAMA revised the Ayurvedic Doctor terminology due to legalities in the use of the word ‘doctor’ in the US; timely, NAMA received additional requests to do so from the Ayurvedic community. As we serve and partner with many constituents at NAMA, and in the spirit of inclusivity and diversity, NAMA has been revamping its membership categories, such as the addition of a Vaidya membership category. This latter action was in response to a call specifically from the BAMS community to give an independent membership category for BAMS, MD-Ayu professionals rather than including them in the AD membership category. The NAMA Board actively and quickly considered these requests, voted to change the Ayurvedic Doctor (AD) designation moving forward, and created a ‘Vaidya’ membership category for professionals with BAMS, MD-Ayu and equivalent credentials so they may have their unique presence in the community. NAMA will continue to assess our member constituents to grow a strong profession in the US. And we will keep investing NAMA’s time, energy and resources where we believe our membership community, board-certified professionals, supporters and partners want us to.
While it is difficult to restore trust in the presence of deeply seated conflicts and grievances (personal, professional, and cultural), it is our duty. We wholeheartedly would like to restore trust and unity through constructive and integrous communication and collaboration, with those who are interested in the same. We hope that individuals who have felt differences with NAMA in the past hear our sincerity, and can come together to meet the common goals and the challenges our profession faces. Our hope is that all organizations find themselves a place in the industry that is useful to fill important community needs.
As mentioned earlier, we are finalizing the 2024 NAMA strategic plan, which we feel will show a path towards some of our common goals. We have been in many conversations with our professional members about the struggles they face in practice in the US without being part of a licensed profession, and our commitment to licensure has never been stronger. We also know that public awareness of Ayurveda in the US, while it has grown tremendously in the last 20 years, must grow more rapidly.
We all need and value the support and commitment of the Ayurvedic Business Community to make the Ayurveda profession and Ayurveda field a reality in the US. NAMA is committed to engage in a continuous process of improvement - and through upcoming conversations about our strategic plan, we believe in what we can collectively achieve.
We are interested in continuing this conversation with all relevant stakeholders, and we will invite you to a discussion forum in August/September where we’d like to discuss some important elements of NAMA’s strategic plan. The date is to be determined. Please be on the lookout for further contact from the NAMA Board and also feel free to reach out individually to us.
We all understand how unity is necessary for the Ayurveda field in the US if we want to make progress. NAMA values the collaboration of all of our members, sponsors, supporters, partners and government entities have historically been able to achieve. We hope to regain the trust in NAMA and also continue to help businesses thrive in the US – because the Ayurvedic profession, and the American public, need us to look ahead and work together to expand Ayurveda in the US.
Very sincerely,
NAMA Board of Directors
Jayarajan Kodikannath- President
Heather Grzych- Secretary
Manas Kshirsagar- Treasurer
Anupama Kizhakkeveettil
Cristina Dos Santos
Madison Madden
Rucha Kelkar
Sushma Jakkula
July 3, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote-
Hello Everyone,
Following our experience at the NAMA Conference in Vail, Colorado last month, we were left with mixed feelings regarding the impact of our ongoing support and sponsorship. Our sincere contributions to NAMA, year after year, have aimed to raise awareness of Ayurveda in the country. However, given the repeated fragmentation within the Ayurvedic community and the assembly of professionals at these events, we must evaluate whether our investments are yielding sufficient returns.
It is a matter of grave concern for the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC), as well as the broader Ayurvedic community, that NAMA has experienced multiple disintegrations due to serious internal differences and its inability to address why leading Ayurveda professionals have left NAMA. This raises questions about whether NAMA or these splintered groups are effectively working towards the recognition of Ayurveda as a legitimate healthcare system in our country, ensuring it can be practiced legally and without fear in the near future.
As ABC members and sponsors of these groups, it is time to critically assess whether we are truly advancing the cause for which these organizations were established. We need to determine if the events organized by these groups are producing tangible results. While the return on investment (ROI) for ABC members remains a primary concern which has been minimal at best in the past few years, we must also consider whether our long-term contributions and support are moving us closer to achieving legal recognition for Ayurveda in the country.
To ensure that our contributions effectively serve the cause of Ayurveda, we must consolidate our efforts to unify the splintered groups. By doing so, ABC members can sponsor a cohesive, unified assembly of the community rather than supporting each group separately. This united front will strengthen our collective impact. Additionally, by leveraging our management, accountability, and team-building skills used in our businesses, we can provide valuable support to advance the community.
Given the communications exchanged with several stakeholders since the unity efforts began, it is now time for ABC members to come together and consult on our future course of support for creating a united community. Our goal is to provide strong financial backing to firmly root the unified group, enabling us to achieve the objective of legalizing Ayurveda in the country. This will allow everyone to accept and practice it without fear.
I request all ABC members to join a Zoom meeting on July 10, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time to discuss this matter. Please share this information with other members who may be interested in our cause.
The agenda for this meeting will be sent early next week.
Thank you for your support.
Manju Kolli wrote on July 3, 2024
Dear Hasmukhji and all :
I sincerely thank you for supporting the Ayurveda profession in this country. It is heartening to see messages from various organizations intending to unify the Ayurveda profession, which is much needed now.
When CAAM started in 1998, it was the only Ayurvedic professional association and mostly represented the graduates from the only state-approved school that existed in the country at that time. Since then there has been increased interest in and growing needs for this growing profession, which led to the establishment of many schools and today there are multiple professional associations on the state and national levels, and business organizations support the development of the profession in the United States. These organizations and associations have been formed independently and registered independently in their own states with their own mission statements.
It is now clearly time for all of us to come together to agree upon standards in order to raise the quality of the Ayurveda profession. CAAM recognizes 6 areas that we see as crucial for the unified future of Ayurveda in the US:
- Education standards
- Standards of Clinical Practice
- Research studies support
- Business support
- Public awareness and education about Ayurveda
- Herb quality standards
Whether you are a school, business, state or national organization it is important to come together as a round table to gain clarity about the challenges and brainstorm the solutions. In our opinion this does not require dissolving any organization. Unity is not forming one group but it is bringing groups with multiple agendas together for one goal of developing Ayurveda.
CAAM, foreseeing this need, called for a round table meeting in 2022, however, many of us went off the agenda and could not achieve the desired goal. We would encourage a round table yet again with a neutral moderator.
Let us all march towards promoting Ayurveda in public and helping our graduates get jobs. A round table can bring everyone together to outline the challenges that are COMMON TO ALL and brainstorm the solutions. This way each group stays true to fulfilling the mission of their own group while meeting the broader needs of Ayurveda in the US. We look forward to being an active contributor to work together and achieve our common goal.
Best Regards,
CAAM Board of Directors
Manju Kolli-- President
Mary Thompson-- Secretary
Hema Natarajan-- Treasurer
Jessica Scharer-- Board Director
Anu Kizhakkeveettil--Board Director
Mamta Landerman-- Chairperson
Hasmukh Pariekh wrote on July 4, 2024
Hello Everyone,
Please refer to the email sent yesterday, which was intended to acknowledge the responses from various quarters of the Ayurvedic community expressing a desire to unify under one roof. We also aimed to inform everyone that ABC members will discuss, consult, and plan our future course of action based on these encouraging responses.
As mentioned in the previous email, the meeting scheduled for July 10th is specifically for ABC members to address this purpose.
We intend to call a meeting for all stakeholders at a later date, once the ABC members have outlined our support strategy in our effort to unite everyone. We appreciate your patience in the meantime.
Thank you,
Parag More wrote on July 4, 2024
Thanks Hasmukh ji !!
We will be available for this call, please send the meeting invite.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks and best regards,
Parag More
SKVL Organic World Pvt Ltd
SKVL Organic World Inc.
Bhaswati Bhattacharya wrote on July 5, 2024
Dear Ayurveda community member,
The following is a digest of the 50+ emails circulated since June 11, 2024, to 100+ USA-Ayurveda stakeholders.
The conversation was originated by a group of ayurveda sponsors seeking unification and having concerns about the pace and direction of professional ayurveda activities.
This digest attempts to summarize and to brief everyone so that each of us as valuable supporters of ayurveda in the USA may stay aware and get more involved in the upcoming phase of a unification project.
The next major event is a semi-closed planning meeting July 10 of the original ABC (Ayurvedic Business Community) to achieve the common goal of unity with accelerated movement.
The intention thereafter is to call a meeting for all USA stakeholder individuals, businesses, schools, and associations, once ABC members have outlined a support strategy.
PLEASE send this digest out to your Ayurveda colleagues, groups, students, and association members
The following are direct copy-paste from emails sent by the noted individual
Following our experience at the NAMA Conference in Vail, Colorado last month, we were left with mixed feelings regarding the impact of our ongoing support and sponsorship. Our sincere contributions to NAMA, year after year, have aimed to raise awareness of Ayurveda in the country. However, given the repeated fragmentation within the Ayurvedic community and the assembly of professionals at these events, we must evaluate whether our investments are yielding sufficient returns.
It is a matter of grave concern for the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC), as well as the broader Ayurvedic community, that NAMA has experienced multiple disintegrations due to serious internal differences and its inability to address why leading Ayurveda professionals have left NAMA. This raises questions about whether NAMA or these splintered groups are effectively working towards the recognition of Ayurveda as a legitimate healthcare system in our country, ensuring it can be practiced legally and without fear in the near future.
July 3, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh, Founder, Komal Herbal
I represent a group of dedicated and vibrant Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) members, some of whom are listed below, who have serious concerns about this division among Ayurvedic professionals and its impact on the community. We, the ABC members, remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the common core values and mission of promoting and spreading the wisdom of Ayurveda. However, we are keen to continue working exclusively and ONLY with a united and vibrant forum, currently embodied by NAMA, to ensure a bright and prosperous future for Ayurveda in this country.
The fragmentation of professional forums, with limited markets, impose significant costs on the Ayurvedic Business Community, as supporting each such group separately becomes expensive and inefficient. Moreover, none of these divided organizations have provided the confidence that they can deliver tangible returns on the support provided by the business community.
It is unjustifiable for the business community to continuously support multiple divided professional organizations, especially when their events, aimed at promoting Ayurveda, do not guarantee a return on investment.
Once Ayurvedic professionals are united to create a cohesive front to achieve our goals, we, the business community, will review and reconsider our support and contributions to future events and the Accreditation body, ensuring mutual benefit for all parties involved.
-Hasmukh Parekh, Tuesday, June 11, 2024
CC; Ayurvedic Business Community:
1. Yash Prakash, LYBL
2. Dr. Virender Sodhi, Ayush Herbs
3. Garry Grewal, Garry n Sun
4. Sandeep Agarwal, Pure Indian Foods
5. Parag More, SKVL Organic World
...recognition of the importance of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) in supporting NAMA and other forums in their efforts to grow and spread the wisdom of Ayurveda is greatly appreciated.
I urge other groups to address this matter internally and determine how they can contribute to unifying under one banner to achieve our shared goal: obtaining formal approval and recognition from the US Government for Ayurveda as an alternative healthcare system that can be freely practiced in the country.
We all understand that reconciling the significantly different views among various groups may be challenging, and opening a dialogue with the other group may be an uphill task for some members. However, it is imperative that we rise above personal feelings and ambitions and selflessly work to resolve our differences for the greater cause of uniting everyone to secure the required recognition so that Ayurveda can be practiced legally in this country without fear or frustration.
We must also recognize that obtaining US Federal Government recognition is not possible without a strong, unified representation. This requires a sound and comprehensive Ayurveda education policy, teaching curricula, institutional credentials, accreditation criteria, and regulating certifications, supported by a white paper endorsed,
June 14, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote
The future of any health profession is the USA depends on its stakeholders understanding the regulatory and legal environment of education, clinical practice, and the roles of products and services as commercial entities. These discussions include the requirements for licensure, insurance, regulation, and sale of medicines. Often people ambitiously demand that ayurveda should be legal in America without understanding process and procedure.
Ayurveda is a clinical profession. Most who become certified are interested in active practice and interaction. They want to counsel and teach patients, even patients who enter as students. We must recognize that members of the community who are unlicensed health professionals do not often know how to navigate accurate discussions on the regulation of ayurveda using facts. Several legal repercussions have already occurred in the Ayurvedic community since 1997, either due to lawsuits against practitioners for failing to recognize disease; calling oneself doctor when the legal environment of the state does not allow the use of the title doctor or physician; educational reprimanding for giving credentials that are misleading; or improper medical claims on products or services. Most recently, the Ayurvedic Doctor designation created a legal response from government education authorities. The Health Freedom Acts in 11 states have mitigated some of these issues, but ayurvedic practitioners must be keenly aware of regulations and guidelines in their own state.
Competence in the practice of ayurvedic medicine is essential, both for the safety of the patients who entrust ayurvedic professionals, and for the reputation of ayurveda as a true science. Counselors acting as physicians jeopardizes the understanding of authentic ayurveda by the American community.
A strategic workplan with roadmap needs to be proposed, discussed in a timely fashion, and implemented. Ayurvedic community leaders in the USA must not defer to any foreign authority that is unaware of USA regulations and guidelines. Using the SMART goals template, we must chart a course that has clear, attainable, and meaningful objectives, with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely goals, and uses articulate, precise and accurate points for the best positioning of ayurveda in the USA. We must do it by consensus, not the usual lack of transparency among a few players, and we must have everyone's participation. ... We agree that a 2024 White Paper on Ayurveda in the USA would be a research-based and fact-based document, produced by US-based Ayurveda community for all readers. Several attempts in recent years have been made and should serve as excellent resources.
June 17, 2024
- Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya, MPH, MD (Family Medicine), PhD (Ayurveda-BHU), wrote -
Clinical Asst Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY & Chief Science & Research Officer, VedaFarms
2003-2008 - Education Standards Committee, Elections Committee, Studentt Committee, NAMA
2008-2011 - Board of Directors, NAMA 2006-2013 - Board of Advisors, AAPNA
2009-2010 - AUSAC (Ayurveda-USA Advisory Council), Sci & Tech Wing, Embassy of India to USA
2011-2016 - Founder & Director, Council for Ayurveda Credentialing 2013-2014 - Indo-US Fulbright Scholar in Ayurveda
2015-2017 - member, NCAE 2018-2022 - Board of Directors, AAAP
2022-2023 - Lead Founder, ICAA (International Council for Accreditation of Ayurveda)
2023 - Program Committee chair, NCAM 2024 - present - Board of Directors, NCAM
We completed the sunrise application towards getting Ayurveda licensed in Colorado in 2018. Here are links to articles
https://www.coloradoayurveda.org/post/professional-scope-of-practice-health-freedom
June 18, 2024
Sujatha Reddy LPC, BC-TAM, PAPT, Colorama, Vice-President, NCCBAM - https://nccbam.org/
Professional Counselor & Ayurvedic Medicine Vaidya,
NAMA’s Founding: “The history of NAMA's founding includes a lawsuit to support an unlicensed ayurvedic doctor. Its leadership must include humility and awareness of history as it moves forward.” The challenges Dr. Lad faced was not a formal part of NAMA’s founding but may have motivated the Ayurvedic Institute, represented by Wynn Werner, to participate in the founding of NAMA. However, the lawsuit was not why NAMA was founded. The other 3 founders, including myself, formed NAMA to unify the profession and develop a roadmap for the future. Realizing that every profession required a State and National Association, I worked to help build both CAAM and NAMA to provide some infrastructure going forward.
Schools in the US that have state approval to provide certifications also provide legal credentials.
Those who feel harmed by NAMA will need to be willing to put aside their hurt, forgive, and be ready to move forward.
May all groups find a place of peace and begin their work from this place.
That NAMA provides an Ayurvedic Doctor certificate is misleading as is Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Ayurvedic Practitioner. However, I think they’ve made strides to clarify that this is only an “internal membership designation” and has no authority outside of the organization. Any private organization can create the names for the membership levels.
Regarding CCA’s Ayurvedic Doctor Program: This credential was approved in 2015 and was sustained until 2022 when the State of California changed policy and now denies all Ayurvedic Doctor certifications that are not issued by “degree granting institutions” and that “federally accredited”. These State oversight committee notified all California Schools in 2022 who were offering State-Approved Ayurvedic Doctor programs (CCA and Kerala) to discontinue their program immediately and change their program name. CCA kept the curriculum and changed the program name to Medical Ayurvedic Specialist. Prior graduates can continue to use the Ayurvedic doctor title in their bios and in writing. It is unclear if they can use it in practice. The California State Medical Association has made it clear that they do not want Ayurvedic Doctors using the title “Doctor” in California in clinical settings.
Faith based- religious institutions are capable of seeking State-Approval for their programs. The State is fine with that. It means that the religious institution seeks to uphold the standards expected of schools and provides either degrees or career training (certifications). State approval provides students with the assurance that their school is operating professionally. ...If it is a career-based certification, the State will quickly see through it.
Board Certifications: Any board can be created by anyone and can administer an exam. Those who pass it can say they are “Board Certified by XYZ organization”. However, that does not afford any additional practice rights or benefits.
June 17, June 18, Jun 19, 2024
Dr. Marc Halpern wrote
President: California College of Ayurveda
Co-Founder: National Ayurvedic Medical Association
Co-Founder: California Assoication of Ayurvedic Medicine
Co-Founder: National Council on Ayurvedic Education (inactive)
Co-Founder: National Assocation of Ayurvedc Schools and Colleges (inactive)
I would like to thank you and the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) for your generous support of the Ayurvedic profession over the years. Your commitment is vital to the growth and recognition of Ayurveda in the United States. It is clear that everyone connected to Ayurveda is concerned about the divisions within the Ayurvedic community in the US. Such fragmentation only serves to dilute the potential impact Ayurveda can have on the healthcare system in this country. I appreciate you pointing out these divisions and suggesting some solutions.
...it is important to understand the pathway to legal implementation within the US. To do this, we need to distinguish between Professional Membership Organizations, Accrediting Organizations, and Certifying Bodies and to understand their separate roles in legalizing and formalizing the practice of Ayurveda in the US. There are three key organizations necessary to create a legally recognized profession in the United States:
- Professional Organization: Helps steer the profession and provides support.
- Certifying Body: Assures the US government and the public that providers have adequate training.
- Accrediting Body: Ensures the US government and the public that schools are providing adequate education.
- Neither NAMA, nor any other professional organization, play a part in the accreditation of schools.
- NAMA and the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission are —and have to be —wholly independent organizations.
- Accrediting bodies in the US must be independent and cannot take direction from NAMA, AYUSH, or any other outside organization.
Accreditation in the US is only effective if the accrediting body follows US Department of Education guidelines. This is the “acupuncture playbook” the AAC is working from. The main obstacles to the acceptance of Ayurveda into the US healthcare delivery system are accreditation and certification.
- Jim Ventresca, DOM (NM), L.Ac. (MA) Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM), June 24, 2024
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC)
You and ABC have rightly prioritized the concern that if the Ayurveda community in the US remains divided, then it will be difficult to achieve progress in Ayurveda education, credentialing, accreditation, licensing, and products to deliver high-quality Ayurveda healthcare for America and prosperity for Ayurveda businesses. We are familiar with the history of divisions in the American Acupuncture community that have caused significant hurdles in their licensing and prosperity.
NCAM's mission is to function as a consortium of aligned Ayurveda organizations supporting each other in promoting authentic Ayurveda, emphasizing competence-based education, accreditation, and credentialing to maximize public awareness, well-being and safety.
Authentic, constructive dialogue should include every stakeholder: ABC, NAMA, NAMACB, AAC, NCAM, AAAP, GCAR, NCCBAM, ICAA, AAPNA, etc, and the state organizations. We all need to acknowledge varying opinions and perspectives to resolve our differences.
The “Ayurveda Doctor” credential was/is offered without proper clinical training and assessment of clinical skills and competence. There are risks of medical complications, death, legal action, product recall, or ban. .... BAMS, MD-Ayurved, and PhD-Ayurved have usually completed more than 8000 hours of training, which includes clinical skills training in hospitals and clinics.
Conflicts of interest were created by Ayurveda school executives influencing the credentialing board through their leverage on the professional organization, which in turn funds and controls the credentialing board.
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag, ND, MD-Ayurveda, BAMS, CYEd. California Licensed Naturopathic Doctor, June 27, 2024
President, National Consortium of Ayurveda Medicine (NCAM)
Since the incorporation on July 3, 2000 as a 501(c)(6) Professional Membership-based association with over 1,700 members, NAMA has been continuously working to advance the Ayurvedic profession in the United States. NAMA currently has 10 membership types, including a recently created Vaidya membership.
NAMA currently has a 10-seat Board of Directors, 14 Standing Committees and the NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB), which oversees board certification and continuing education for professionals who wish to practice in the US. .... NAMA has a staff of 5, plus 70 volunteers, and over 1,700 members, and the NAMA Board of Directors is voted in by the membership.
We have always had BAMS graduates involved in leading NAMA’s efforts, and during this time, a majority of the NAMA Board members were BAMS-trained individuals. The current NAMA Board was hopeful that such transitions would provide an opportunity for those individuals who had differences with NAMA through the years to step forward to re-engage with us and deepen their involvement, but surprisingly the divergence magnified.
While disagreements are inevitable when we are working on something as vital and complex as establishing a profession in a country, NAMA is committed to prioritizing democratic decision-making... Unfortunately, the entities listed above had stopped engaging with NAMA.
Jayarajan Kodikannath- President, NAMA Board of Directors, July 2, 2024
When CAAM started in 1998, it was the only Ayurvedic professional association and mostly represented the graduates from the only state-approved school that existed in the country at that time. Since then there has been increased interest in and growing needs for this growing profession, which led to the establishment of many schools and today there are multiple professional associations on the state and national levels, and business organizations support the development of the profession in the United States.
CAAM recognizes 6 areas that we see as crucial for the unified future of Ayurveda in the US:
- Education standards
- Standards of Clinical Practice
- Research studies support
- Business support
- Public awareness and education about Ayurveda
- Herb quality standards
- Manju Kolli -- President, CAAM Board of Directors, Jul 3, 2024
Apologies if anyone has been oversighted or any error in copy-pasting has occurred.
AAPNA Team wrote on July 6, 2024
Dear Ayurveda Stakeholders:
The founding of AAPNA (Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America) began as a discussion amongst Ayurvedic professionals on January 18, 2002. Please view the milestones of AAPNA at https://www.aapna.org/milestones.html.
We wanted to create a community of Ayurvedic professionals with the common goal of growing the presence of Ayurveda in integrative health care. AAPNA was incorporated in December of 2007 as a non-profit 501(c)(6) corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA; it has since grown to unite Ayurvedic and integrative medicine health professionals, students, academic institutes, and corporations throughout North America and internationally.
AAPNA represents 218,286 members from 134 Countries. We are informing all our Board Committee - https://www.aapna.org/board-committee.html and Advisory Committee - https://www.aapna.org/advisory-committee.html and Global Supporting Members - https://www.aapna.org/free-global-supporting-membership.html about "United Ayurveda."
AAPNA has conducted and hosted 63 international conferences on Ayurveda and integrative health. Please visit https://www.globalayurvedaconferences.com/ for conference details.
Thank you for sharing your views on "United Ayurveda" via several emails from various stakeholders. Several of Ayurveda's essential stakeholders are not included in our email thread. Hence, we have posted all our communication emails on our website: https://www.aapna.org/united-ayurveda.html. We openly and democratically request all Ayurveda stakeholders to submit their individual, unbiased, constructive feedback on the provided form on our website.
Once we receive constructive feedback from AAPNA stakeholders, we will post their comments on our website link - https://www.aapna.org/united-ayurveda.html
We look forward to working with you all in a productive and long-lasting relationship for the global growth and development of Ayurveda.
Thank you very much,
AAPNA Team
Manju Kolli wrote on July 8, 2024
Dear Stakeholders of Ayurveda in the US,
First, we want to express our gratitude for the ongoing conversations and thank all those who have provided feedback.
Critical issues are being discussed, and many more still need to be addressed. This is a starting point.
We have concerns about what is not being addressed and the assumption that certain ideas must be immediately implemented. We suggest taking at least a year or two to resolve these matters in a way that aligns all parties without any one group imposing set ideas or ultimatums. A solution that only benefits a few and disregards others will create further disunity.
Ayurveda in the USA operates under different circumstances than in India. Initially, it was brought over by individuals like Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. David Frawley, and Dr. John Douillard, who studied in India and taught Ayurveda for individual lifestyle, not for practitioners. Dr. Marc Halpern then opened a state-approved school, allowing Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle practices to become a profession in the US. This inspired others nationwide to open educational institutions, leading to the development of both vocational schools and universities teaching Ayurveda. As the profession has grown, BAMS graduates have also come to America, taught in these programs, and started their own practices. With state approval and the passing of the SB577 Health Freedom Act, Ayurveda became a legal profession in California, provided practitioners disclose they are not MDs and do not treat disease.
In 1998, recognizing the need for guidance and representation for graduating professionals, we founded CAAM in California. Our first conference in 2001 brought together students, practitioners, herbalists, and vendors from across the country at UC Berkeley. Following a legal defense of Dr. Lad, who was charged with practicing medicine without a license, a national group, NAMA, was formed.
Today, there are many organizations, both national and state, each with its mission and goals. This has led to varying standards of education and practice. As Ayurveda grows, there is a need for re-evaluation and setting more consistent standards.
India and the USA differ significantly in their approach to Ayurveda. In India, much literature was lost, and Ayurveda was banned before a revival began under a Western paradigm. Practitioners who interned with Vaidyas preserved the depths of Ayurveda. Like yoga, Ayurveda has come to the West and will return to India, enriching both traditions. We are at a pivotal moment.
In this new era, we must engage in meaningful dialogue, listening to each other even when we disagree. We cannot grow Ayurveda like any other profession or business; we must cultivate it from within, guided by Sattva, and avoid competition and ego-driven power plays. We must embody the principles we advocate, conduct ourselves with dignity, and respect the contributions of all groups.
- Identify existing problems and discuss them without blame, recognizing common issues facing Ayurveda in the US.
- After identifying problems, discuss the pros and cons of different solutions, recognizing that one group's solution may not suit another. Imposing a one-sided solution will only create further rifts.
- Each institution, whether a school, professional group, or sponsor, should stick to its mission and goals. Implementing a solution for one group onto another creates challenges. If members disagree with a group, they should provide feedback and, if necessary, join another group more aligned with their views.
- Define what unification means. It is unrealistic to expect one unified group; instead, allow for multiple groups to coexist.
- No Ayurveda group is likely to dissolve for another. Realistically, each group would only dissolve if another meets its standards, which is driven by egos.
- Suggestion: Let all stakeholders meet to discuss common problems and brainstorm solutions without blaming other groups. Allow a year for dialogue, meeting every two or three months to resolve challenges.
- Sponsors could adjust their contributions based on results at any particular conferences or events.
- Each group should remain true to its purpose, offering suggestions rather than dictating actions. Educational institutions and organizations have different missions, and sponsors should not control them with funding. Ayurveda should not become like the AMA, prioritizing financial interests over well-being.
We are presenting some issues that affect all and invite others to contribute. Please present questions neutrally.
Ayurveda became active in the US in the 90s, and it has become complex. Let us set common goals for the next ten years and create plans to address challenges and build solutions without implying the dissolution of any group. Recognize the need for creativity moving forward.
QUESTIONS THAT AFFECT ALL:
- Educational standards and scope of practice for AHC, AP, and doctor-level programs. How should their scope of practice differ, given that neither, including BAMS graduates from India, are authorized to treat disease in the US? How can we standardize continuing education over the next ten years?
- Continuing Education units for all States and National requirements can be created or adopted by different Organizations. This will allow those states that do not have enough members right now to offer their members benefits without creating their own programs, untill they have enough members to create their own programs. This will help them grow.
- Research studies support. We need to create evidence-based data especially research studies exploring how Ayurveda can integrate into hospital programs. This may help in providing more job opportunities for our graduates
- Business support: How can Ayurveda businesses support the profession's growth? Encourage states and national organizations to host conferences for both professionals and the public, similar to other medical and health professions.
- Herbal companies could create public conferences to educate about Ayurvedic herbs, driving public interest in professional services.
- Public education on Ayurveda. How can we support one another in creating public events, both online and live?
- Herb quality standards. Address the issue of herbs containing harmful substances. Professionals and the Indian government must collaborate to ensure high standards. How can we educate the public about this issue?
Thank you for reading this letter.
Best Regards,
CAAM Board
Manju Kolli-- President
Mary Thompson-- Secretary
Hema Natarajan-- Treasurer
Jessica Scharer-- Board Director
Anu Kizhakkeveettil--Board Director
Geetanjali Chakraborty
Mamta Landerman-- Chairperson
Aparna Bapat wrote on July 10, 2024
Namaste Hasmukh Parekh Ji
First of all, I would like to thank you for your email sent in early June 2024 to Ayurveda community leaders of various organizations. This gave all of us an opportunity to discuss some issues you mentioned among our boards. Some of the recipients have directly communicated with you or sent replies to others who are addressed in the email or have replied to yours.
I am writing this to you as the President of ICAA (International Council for Ayurveda Accreditation)
and AAF (Ayurveda Association of Florida). I also hold a board position on NCAM (National Consortium of Ayurveda medicine) and IACDSC (International Accreditation Council for Dharma schools and Colleges). Along with my Ayurveda practice, I hold faculty positions in a few Ayurveda teaching Institutions.
I have been on the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) board for 10 yrs during its early years.
ICAA- mission and vision
The foundation of Ayurveda has to be strong with its authenticity, uniformity of education and examination levels, established with gold standards of education and practice and clearly defined scope of practice for each level. The BAMS degree equivalent level of education in the US needs to be set as a competency base level to get qualified as Ayurveda doctor and get a licensure as a medical professional in the US, this is basic necessity.
Our accreditation board is exactly working on this along with NCCBAM (National certification and credentialing board for Ayurveda Medicine) and establishing gold standard curriculum (theory, practical and clinicals) for BAMS level outside India.
The ICAA would set the benchmark for students and medical educational institutions to ensure that graduates are well trained and evaluated by strict quality standards to work in clinics and healthcare systems at various provider levels and scopes of practice.
As an independent accreditation body, ICAA is working to establish with the US education department, AYUSH ministry of India, and International Ayurveda teaching institutions to set a global standard for highest levels of Ayurveda education outside India. ICAA with the directive of AYUSH and CHEA would be capable of negotiating with the US Government in different states for the recognition of Ayurveda as an alternative health care system in the country.
The Ayurveda Business Community that were the generous sponsors and vendors of the NCAM 2023 conference in Orlando are aware of our efforts and passion to make this happen in the shortest possible time.
thank you
IACDSC.org (ICAA website is a subsite on this currently)
NCCBAM.org
Hasmukh Parikh Wrote on July 11, 2024
Hello Everyone,
Pursuant to the first scheduled meeting between the members of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) yesterday following resolutions were passed by the members:
1. ABC members have committed to stay united in their efforts to bring cohesion within the fragmented Ayurvedic Professional Community (APC).
2. ABC members will support only one unified Ayurvedic Community after complete unification of the splintered groups and will refrain from backing or financially supporting any fragmented group.
3. ABC members agree to call on all splintered groups in the APC to submit reasons for their split and their conditions for reunification in a timely manner. An anonymous questionnaire will be circulated among the Ayurvedic Community to gather these responses, which will then be evaluated.
4. ABC members have agreed to a follow-up meeting within a few weeks to assess the unity efforts and determine the feasibility of unification.
5. If unification efforts are unsuccessful for whatever reason/s within four to six weeks from the date of this meeting, ABC members will explore the possibility of forming a new Ayurvedic thinktank or group to help unite the community afresh.
6. If decided, this new base will likely include members from the Ayurvedic Business Community, Ayurvedic Professional Community, individual practitioners, and a united or independent Ayurvedic Accreditation Body with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and accountability with no conflicts of interest, using relevant committees to ensure effective collaboration.
7. To move things forward in a timely way, an ABC Working Group has been selected by the attendees at today's meeting, composed of the representatives from the following companies, to work on these unity efforts and report the outcomes in a timely manner:
o Garry N Sun USA
o Komal Herbals, Inc.
o LYBL
o Nature's Formulary
o Veda Farms
o Bhaswati Bhattacharya MD AD PhD (Ayu) will assist as an Advisor to this Working Group.
o Hasmukh Parekh will assess and report the work products of the Working Group and call for ABC member meetings thereafter to evaluate the findings and decide on further course of action/s.
Following the ABC meeting and the passage of the resolutions, a questionnaire is being prepared by the designated working committee. This questionnaire will be shared with all members of the Ayurvedic Community, who are committed to uniting the various splintered groups. We encourage everyone to fill it out and respond candidly to help us gather crucial information and evaluate the core reasons for these divisions, as well as explore ways to bring everyone together.
This update is to keep you informed about our ongoing efforts to achieve our goals.
Thank you.
July 12, 2024
Hasmukh Parikh wrote
Hello Everyone,
Following my earlier communication regarding the resolutions made during the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) meeting, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the following members of the business community for their participation and valuable suggestions during this meeting:
- Gary Grewal of Gary & Sun USA
- Stephan Moulton of Himalayan Institute
- Hasmukh Parekh of Komal Herbals (as Host)
- Harpinder Kaur of Komal Herbals
- Yash Prakash of LYBL
- Abhishek Lulla of LYBL
- Parag More of More A2
- P K Dave of Natures Formulary
- Sandeep Agarwal of Pure Indian Foods
- Smrita Choubey of Veda Farms
- Bhaswati Bhattacharya as an advisor
Best regards
August 21, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Decisive and Strong Conclusion with Clear Directive Based on the Responses from the Ayurvedic Community to the Ayurvedic Business Community Questionnaire
Based on the responses to the questionnaire, it is evident that the Ayurvedic community is deeply fragmented, with varying opinions on unification efforts and the role of different organizations. Here is a decisive and strong conclusion with clear directives:
Consensus on the Need for Unification:
There is a clear recognition among the majority that unification of the Ayurvedic community is crucial for its growth and effectiveness. Despite the differences in opinion about how to achieve this, the overarching goal is to create a more cohesive and impactful community.
Role of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC):
The ABC is widely seen as a potential facilitator of unification. Respondents believe that the ABC's influence, resources, and ability to mediate can play a significant role in bridging gaps between various factions. However, it is also recognized that the ABC must maintain neutrality and avoid conflicts of interest to be effective.
Concerns About New Organizations:
There is significant apprehension regarding the formation of a new Ayurvedic Community Organization. Many respondents worry that introducing another organization could exacerbate fragmentation within the community rather than achieve unification. Instead, there is a strong preference to concentrate on reinforcing and consolidating existing organizations under a unified leadership, rather than creating additional entities.
Challenges and Recommendations:
Address Existing Divisions: It is critical to address the historical and ongoing divisions within the community. This includes resolving conflicts, acknowledging and respecting the contributions of existing organizations, and ensuring that new efforts do not undermine past achievements.
Support Accreditation and Licensure:
Respondents emphasize the importance of supporting a unified accreditation body and working towards formal licensure of Ayurveda in the US. This should be a primary focus to enhance the credibility and standardization of Ayurvedic practices.
Foster Open Dialogue: Open, ongoing dialogue among all stakeholders—including Ayurvedic schools, practitioners, businesses, and accreditation bodies—is essential. Creating forums or committees that include representatives from various groups can help facilitate constructive discussions and collaborative efforts.
Action Steps:
Strengthen Existing Frameworks: Rather than forming new organizations, focus on unifying and reinforcing existing structures. This includes integrating efforts from organizations like NAMA, AAPNA, AAAP, NCAM, AAC, ICAA, NCCBAM and such others to create a more cohesive approach.
Create a Neutral Mediation Platform:
Establish a neutral mediation platform led by respected figures within the community to facilitate dialogue and negotiations among disparate groups. This platform should aim to build consensus and address key issues collaboratively.
Promote Transparency and Accountability:
Ensure transparency in all unification efforts and hold all parties accountable to a shared vision and goals. This will help build trust and align efforts towards common objectives.
In summary, the Ayurvedic community should prioritize unifying existing organizations and leveraging the ABC's resources to mediate and facilitate this process. The focus should be on overcoming existing divisions, supporting accreditation and licensure efforts, and fostering open dialogue among all stakeholders. This approach will help to build a stronger, more unified Ayurvedic community capable of advancing the profession and enhancing its impact in the US.
August 26, 2024
Vivek Shanbhag Wrote -
Dear Mr Hasmukh Parekh,
NCAM fully supports ABCs efforts towards unifying the American Ayurvedic community but firmly believes that forming additional organizational structures (like ASA) at this time is premature and potentially counter-productive.
It is NCAM’s opinion that the next step in the unification process should be an ABC-mediated meeting of the Ayurvedic community stakeholders where the issues preventing unification can be discussed, and consensus on a path forward can be formed.
Best regards,
NCAM Executive Board
President: Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
Vice-President: Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman
Co-Secretaries: Vaidya Meenakshi Gupta & Vaidya Deepa Bhatt
Co-Treasurers: Jeff Mitchell & Kiffie Hester
NCAM Board of Directors
Dr. Amit Gumman
Dr. Aparna Bapat
Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya
Karla A. Cain,CAP
Vd. Pratibha Shah
Dr.Renee Mehrra
August 28, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Hello Vivek,
We appreciate your feedback on our proposal to unify the various splintered groups under one umbrella, as outlined in our recent communication. In our view, this is the only viable option for achieving true unity within the Ayurvedic Community. The responses we received from the Questionnaire clearly support this approach, and as alternative methods have proven unsuccessful over the years.
If NCAM or any other group believes there is a different solution, we urge them to take the initiative and take necessary steps to pursue it and work towards our shared goals. The ABC remains committed to fostering a unified community and will continue to support only those efforts that align with this objective. We are prepared to mediate and assist in keeping everyone united, but our support will be contingent only on a cohesive and unified community moving forward.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards
August 28, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Hello Vivek,We appreciate your feedback on our proposal to unify the various splintered groups under one umbrella, as outlined in our recent communication. In our view, this is the only viable option for achieving true unity within the Ayurvedic Community. The responses we received from the Questionnaire clearly support this approach, and as alternative methods have proven unsuccessful over the years.
If NCAM or any other group believes there is a different solution, we urge them to take the initiative and take necessary steps to pursue it and work towards our shared goals. The ABC remains committed to fostering a unified community and will continue to support only those efforts that align with this objective. We are prepared to mediate and assist in keeping everyone united, but our support will be contingent only on a cohesive and unified community moving forward.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards
August 28, 2024
Vivek Shanbhag Wrote -
Dear Hasmukh bhai,
Your email mentions "The responses we received from the Questionnaire clearly support this approach". Actually the responses are suggesting:
introducing another organization(like ASA) could exacerbate fragmentation (ABC's) ability to mediate can play a significant role in bridging gaps (ABC should) concentrate on reinforcing and consolidating existing organizations under a unified leadership, rather than creating additional entities (like ASA)
Please review the below underlined portions of “Summary of Responses” document which you emailed recently:
2. Role of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC): The ABC is widely seen as a potential facilitator of unification. Respondents believe that the ABC's influence, resources, and ability to mediate can play a significant role in bridging gaps between various factions. However, it is also recognized that the ABC must maintain neutrality and avoid conflicts of interest to be effective.
3. Concerns About New Organizations: There is significant apprehension regarding the formation of a new Ayurvedic Community Organization. Many respondents worry that introducing another organization(like ASA) could exacerbate fragmentation within the community rather than achieve unification. Instead, there is a strong preference to concentrate on reinforcing and consolidating existing organizations under a unified leadership, rather than creating additional entities
Last Paragraph mentions “In summary, the Ayurvedic community should prioritize unifying existing organizations and leveraging the ABC's resources to mediate and facilitate this process…”
My earlier email did not suggest anything radically different. It is suggesting ABC to help unification by:
1. Organizing and mediating a meeting of Ayurvedic stakeholders (without creating ASA)
2. During the meeting, let the stakeholders discuss their differences
3. Let the stakeholders build consensus on a path (and the process) forward.
Best regards,
August 29, 2024
Shekhar Annambhotla Wrote -
Dear Hasmukh ji,
Thank you very much for coordinating and unifying the various ayurveda organizations, stakeholders.
On behalf of AAPNA - Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America, Inc. (established in Jan 18, 2022), I, myself represent - Shekhar Annambhotla, BAMS, MD (Ayu), Pennsylvania.
If you need additional members from our organization I recommend the following representatives -
Jaya Daptardar, BAMS, Connecticut
Andhrika Kondeti, BAMS, Virginia
Anjum Nadaf, BAMS, New Jersey
Thank you very much,
Best Regards
August 30, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear Vivek bhai,
We, the ABC group. appreciate your engagement on this matter. As noted in your following communication, the decisive conclusions and directives previously conveyed by ABC to the Ayurvedic Community were based on the feedback received from the distributed Questionnaire.
The attached document reflects significant concerns from the majority of respondents regarding the formation of a new Ayurvedic Community Organization. As you pointed out, many respondents fear that adding another organization could further fragment the community rather than achieve the desired unification. There is a clear preference among the respondents to strengthen and consolidate existing organizations under unified leadership, rather than creating new entities.
It is important to emphasize that these conclusions outlined in the document attached here are mostly representative of the Ayurvedic Professional Community (APC) and not from other forum or group/s. Historically, the APC has struggled to maintain unity and has not succeeded in reuniting splintered groups despite attempts in past.
In recent past, as we understand, NCAM attempted a similar process to unify all factions under its banner, but this effort did not succeed. It is essential for each faction to introspect and try to understand the reasons for this failure. It is important to note and as we believe that this initiative was spearheaded and led by fragmented internal professional group/s without a clear strategy and support from a neutral, impartial party, which likely contributed to its lack of success.
It is true that neither NCAM, AAPNA, AAAP, or other fragmented members of NAMA are inclined to reunite with NAMA, nor will NAMA consider dissolution and integration with any of the other group/s. In light of this, we must consider effective strategies for promoting unity among these organizations and understand the implications of any form of unity for the members of each group.
Discussions with key community members over the past two months reveal that existing groups have struggled to resolve their differences and align with a unified agenda, largely due to the absence of a clear path to unification. Past meetings between factions have frequently been unproductive, as personal and ego-related issues have disrupted progress.
The pressing question is whether, even if temporary agreements are reached between the factions to address current qnd existing differences, will the groups remain cohesive at times of minor disagreements in future if they do not fully merge and abandon their separate identities.
After due consideration and deep introspection, the evolved structure proposed by ABC aims to establish a unified entity under the name "American Society of Ayurveda" (ASA), not as a separate group but as a means to bring all factions under a single banner. This is a step towards consolidating the community with ABC as a strong and integrated but a neutral core of the community that can work out to be a backbone of united front, rather than further fragmenting it.
We must now focus on prioritizing the means for greater and overarching goal of consolidating and establishing a unified Ayurvedic Community so as to get recognized as a legal entity. It is essential for us to set aside individual concerns and differences and come together to unite under a single banner. It is crucial that all stakeholders commit to this unification process and refrain from actions that could hinder our collective efforts.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
On behalf of Ayurvedic Business Community,
September 1, 2024
Bhaswati Bhattacharya Wrote -
Dear Dr. Hasmukh ji,
Thank you for collating the 22 responses from the recent ABC questionnaire. I appreciate your initiative to unify the ayurveda organizations, schools, and stakeholders in the USA.
Based on the proposed organizational chart of the Steering Committee, and my continued involvement in several organizations, I would like to participate on the Steering Committee.
As you have instructed, I therefore nominate myself. Please consider my candidacy either as a member of the APD, as a registered school (DINacharya, LLC), or as a member of the ABC.
The other organizations to which I belong (lifetime NAMA member and former BOD, AAPNA Board of Advisors, NCAM BOD) will want to nominate their officer members.
Please let me know next steps.
Warmly, Bhaswati
September 3, 2024
Vivek Shanbhag Wrote
Dear Hasmukh bhai,
Please refer to our email from NCAM dated August 28th. Considering the points shared by us and considering the seriousness of the issue under discussion, it might be better for us to do a zoom call for a proper conversation.
Many BOD members of NCAM, AAAP, GCAR, NCCBAM & ICAA met on 08/29/24 and discussed the recent emails. We feel that emails are often not able to convey fully what is intended. We feel that there is considerable misunderstanding about history and facts of the issue under discussion, which needs to be clarified fully before we proceed. Plus our concerns about the composition of the steering committee have also not been addressed yet.
We request you to kindly provide us a time when members of ABC and members of NCAM & collaborators can do a zoom call for clarity and consensus, so that we can all move forward in strength.
Thanks and regards,
Working Group of NCAM, AAAP, GCAR, NCCBAM & ICAA
September 4, 2024
Hasmukh Parikh Wrote -
Dear Everyone,
Following the ABC's call on August 26, 2024, for nominations to the proposed Steering Committee for the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA), we are forwarding the structured forms required for each community group to submit their nominations and relevant information.
In response to requests from several community members, the number of representatives for Accreditation and Credentialing bodies has been increased to seven per group.
To ensure a professional and legal process of unification, it is crucial that we work with recognized legal entities within the Ayurvedic community. Therefore, we request that all entities provide the following essential information and valid documentation to be considered for representation on the proposed Steering Committee:
- Name of the Association/Organization/Entity:
- Date of Constitution:
- Current Officers: President, Secretary, and Treasurer
- Legal Status: 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6)
- State of Registration: State in which the entity is registered as a non-profit (please attach a copy of the registration document)
- Approved IRS Number: IRS number as a non-profit organization (please attach a copy of the document)
- Nature of Organization: Membership organization or Other
- Number of Registered Members: Where applicable
We have already received a few nominations and kindly request that these be submitted using the attached format, including the required information as outlined above.
It is important to understand that the ASA is a proposed entity designed to unify various groups within the Ayurvedic community. The proposed Steering Committee will decide on the future registration of ASA based on its continued relevance and benefit to the community.
Once the Steering Committee is established, ABC will provide a detailed agenda and outline a planned approach for the unification process. We request the full cooperation of all members to help advance this important cause in a legal and legitimate manner.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
Sincerely,
September 4, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote
Dear Vivek Bhai,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. We appreciate your input and want to assure you that all the issues you raised will be addressed once the Steering Committee is formed. The composition and size of the committee have been carefully determined by ABC, based on historical and current data, and have already been adjusted twice in response to this information.
The committee's membership includes all major groups, with a sufficient number of representatives. We believe it is important for the ABC to conduct a joint meeting of the Steering Committee members to maintain neutrality and impartiality, rather than engaging with specific groups, which could undermine these principles.
We kindly request that you and the members of the groups you represent assist us in moving forward as planned. This will enable us to begin our collective effort toward unifying our community without any further divisions. We are confident that together we can work towards our common goal effectively and harmoniously.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
On behalf of the ABC members,
September 5, 2024
Manju Kolli Wrote -
Hello All:
These are some ideas CAAM wanted to share
I know the email that was sent suggested only national organizations to be on the steering committee for ASA. However, with CAAM being a large and oldest state organization, we wanted to share our views on this approach.
Each organization is registered independently in its state and owes loyalty to its members. As we had suggested in our email earlier it is crucial to hold meetings with all the existing organizations to exchange ideas and address common issues on hand.
Discussions conducted with respect and common interests will allow for unity of goals, and freedom to implement them according to the Mission, goals and functions of each organization. As far as we know there is no group in either the USA or India that has the function and authority over all areas of a profession.
Forming another Ayurvedic organization with pre-supposing authority with the motto of unifying the profession might not be an answer.
CAAM strongly supports a neutral body (which could definitely be ABC) facilitating a meeting with all existing organizations instead of creating yet another organization which could lead to further fragmentation of the profession.
May we all be guided towards unity to reach the true essence of Ayurveda
On behalf of the CAAM Board of Directors
Manju Kolli
408-375-5789
President, California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine
https://www.ayurveda-caam.org/
September 6, 2024
Jim Ventresca wrote -
Dear Friends and Colleagues in the Ayurvedic Community,
The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) is supporting and joining the ABC’s proposed ASA coalition to foster greater unity within our profession. The Commission is committed to any sincere effort to sow harmony within the professional community.
The Commission’s Board of Directors values collaboration, and at the same time, wants to assure all schools and individuals that its participation will not compromise AAC’s independence. The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission remains fully committed to maintaining its autonomy, as required by applicable standards and best practices for accrediting bodies. The Board hopes the Commission’s involvement in this coalition will benefit the profession as a whole and contribute to goodwill within the U.S. Ayurvedic community.
The following comments reflect my personal views, not necessarily those of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission or its Board of Directors.
Over the past weeks and months, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with many prominent members of the Ayurvedic community. As someone relatively new to this community, I truly appreciate these candid conversations, which have given me valuable insight into both the history and the challenges we face today. A few key issues have emerged from these discussions. Before we gather in various groups to begin our intramural discussions within this newly forming coalition, I would like to address a couple of "elephants in the room" that I’ve gleaned from these conversations.
In my recent conversations, I’ve heard one question, and two significant issues that seem to be contributing to disunity within our profession and casting doubt on the role of AAC.
Before diving into the two important topics, let me address the most common question I’ve been asked:
"Who is this guy, Jim Ventresca, and what is he doing as president of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission?”
Having been invited to serve as a Public Member, I’ve had the privilege of leading the AAC as its president for nearly six years, with my tenure continuing until July 2025. My goal is to ensure that the Commission remains strong and secure, allowing it to continue supporting our schools and community. My efforts, centered on promoting unity within the profession, are directed at advancing the Commission’s mission: to "support the growth and development of the profession, enhance public trust, and safeguard the traditional wisdom and modern application of Ayurveda."
Since joining the Commission, I’ve heard concerns about my qualifications to serve as President. I welcome such questions. In fact, I would gladly pass this role to someone better suited to further the Commission’s vision and mission. The Board currently has open positions, and we actively encourage diversity and inclusion. All qualified and interested individuals are invited to apply for a seat on our Board of Directors via our website, or you can reach out to me directly—I’d love to discuss it with you.
As a Public Member of the AAC’s Board of Directors, I have no financial interest in this endeavor. I came into this role primarily due to my background as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, a field I have been studying, practicing, and teaching since 1982. Much of my career has been spent as a teacher and administrator in acupuncture schools. I served for six years as an Accreditation Site Visit Team Chair for the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine and held a national role as the academic dean of an acupuncture college. So I had the opportunity to see what the path to legalization of a medical system in the US looks like. This experience likely led to my invitation to join the AAC when it was still a committee under NAMA. About three years ago, the AAC became an independent 501(c)(3) organization, fully separate from NAMA.
It’s important to note that professional self-regulatory bodies like the AAC are required to include public members like myself on their boards. When a board is composed solely of practitioners, teachers, or individuals who directly benefit from the organization’s success, it risks not being seen as credible by regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).
For transparency’s sake, my wife, Dr. Claudia Welch DOM (Doctor of Oriental Medicine —the license she works under), has been deeply involved in Ayurveda. However, neither of us intends to offer accredited education or pursue a license in Ayurveda. In other words, we have no financial or professional stake in this endeavor.
I hope that answers that question. Now to the more important issues that arise:
1. Respect and Recognition: BAMS practitioners have not received the respect they deserve for their extensive training, especially compared to those trained in the West. Their training is significant and the understanding of their scope of knowledge in the general public in the US may well be quite limited. We must acknowledge those with advanced degrees in Ayurveda and educate the public on what a BAMS truly represents.
I’ve observed parallels with the acupuncture community in the 1980s and ’90s, when Chinese-educated doctors and American-trained practitioners faced similar challenges. Chinese-trained doctors struggled to secure acupuncture licenses in the U.S., while American-trained practitioners were criticized for not practicing "real acupuncture." The reality was that U.S.-trained practitioners had fewer didactic and clinical hours. However, we were trained well enough to help most patients, avoid harm, and refer more complicated cases to more qualified practitioners. Over time, the acupuncture community developed certification bodies and accredited programs, eventually leading to licensure and the recognition of both Master’s and Doctoral degrees by the USDOE. Those practitioners with more advanced training were then finally recognized.
In the same way, in Ayurveda, a Master’s-level education is the first step toward licensure in the U.S. It’s not the final goal, but it is the first real step. A Doctor of Ayurveda is the end game.
Given the current state of Ayurvedic education in the U.S., I believe we can expect the USDOE to recognize a First Professional Master’s Degree in Ayurveda within the next few years. While it is not the same as a BAMS program, it is a necessary stepping stone to licensure and eventually a doctoral-level education closer to BAMS. When that is achieved, the BAMS-level education will finally be recognized.
Let’s come together on this. The world moves faster than it did 40 years ago when acupuncture was gaining its footing. If we work together, we can achieve licensure for Ayurveda in record time. This brings us to the second point:
2. Licensure in the U.S.: Many people on all sides are unclear about the steps needed to achieve licensure in the U.S. today. To help make this clear, I submit the following estimated timeline graph and its explanation below about which steps need to happen for Ayurveda to be licensed in the US, according to US government:
- Accreditation (now through 2028):
The first step is getting a "Master’s of Ayurveda" First Professional Degree recognized by the USDOE, which will lead to licensure. We can then work toward a doctoral-level education that may be closer to BAMS.
AAC has taken substantial steps towards in this direction as follows:
Timeline:
Now: AAC has created and is administering complete accreditation programs in accordance with USDOE guidelines. We are not relying on political pressure to change standard policies and procedures, nor are we suggesting that Ayurvedic providers operate under another license like Acupuncture, Naturopathy, or Chiropractic. We are moving ahead with real accreditation work, with 14 schools and 26 candidate programs currently in candidacy. These schools trust AAC’s process, investing time and money to complete self-studies and site visits.
Estimated Timeline:
By 2026: AAC, now self-sustaining, is able to apply to the USDOE for recognition.
By 2027: USDOE begins review process
By 2028: USDOE grants AAC recognition.
Ideally, during this whole process, there would be a council of schools and colleges to advise the AAC.
Note to our schools: I encourage you to work together to form an independent council that can advise your accreditation and credentialing bodies. The ASA may provide a good starting point for forming such a council.
- 2028 - 2030 & Beyond: Push for licensure at the state level. This is where our professional associations must enter, equipped with the prerequisite of accredited schools and certified graduates, to begin and continue to lobby states to license the practice of Ayurveda.
In addition to the issues I address above, I would like to mention that there are a few ideas for accrediting Ayurveda in the U.S. that are being discussed in various places that I believe are either unattainable or detrimental distractions to the goal of licensure:
1. Accreditation solely for BAMS graduates: This approach has faced significant resistance within the community, and is unlikely to gain enough traction to lead to licensure in the U.S.
2. Accreditation by international bodies like AYUSH: This is not practically achievable under USDOE rules and regulations, and because any practice of medicine in this country, must be taught and certified in adherence to US regulatory oversight.
3. Incorporating Ayurveda into other established disciplines: Integrating Ayurveda into Naturopathy or Chiropractic invites these professions to absorb Ayurveda’s diagnostic codes and billable techniques, similar to how acupuncture’s "dry needling" technique has been co-opted by other professions. We should avoid this kind of takeover, and certainly not be inviting it.
A final point I feel may not serve to unify us behind a successful path: The recent email communications from the “Working Group of NCAM, AAAP, GCAR, NCCBAM, and ICAA,” requesting that the ABC meet with them alone, exclude a significant portion of the community—notably, the Commission, NAMA, and NAMACB. This approach, in my view, reinforces the "us vs. them" mentality that the ABC’s coalition seeks to eliminate. Why not give this a try? What’s to lose? We are all brothers and sisters in this together. Perhaps some honest, open communication between groups can help to clear up whatever, "considerable misunderstanding about history and facts" may exist.
In summary, if the community pulls together and supports the above timeline, we can achieve licensure in the U.S. by 2028-30. If we continue to disagree on the path forward, it will set this licensing timeline back by years.
We are building a healthcare profession for the 21st century. Let’s let bygones be bygones, allow for mistakes, corrections, and apologies, and come together to advance Ayurveda and legitimize responsible, accredited Ayurvedic education in the U.S., and support Ayurvedic licensing efforts.
You may find me too direct. If so, I apologize and thank you for your patience.
And… if I am wrong, please do let me know. I’m here for the truth and am happy to learn and adjust my thinking.
Thank you for your patience in reading this letter. I welcome all criticisms, opinions, comments, support, and donations of skills and money to the Ayurveda Accreditation Commission, which is the current priority in the timeline and is in need of significant financial and administrative support. I hope to connect with more of you in the coming months as we engage in cooperative discussions under the aegis of the ASA’s coalition.
With best wishes and respect,
Jim
Jim Ventresca
President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission
[email protected]
September 6, 2024
Somesh Kaushik Wrote -
Namaste Hasmukh ji,
Thanks for your efforts to unify the Ayurvedic community in the United States. I would like to nominate following members from NCCBAM for the steering committee.
Somesh N Kaushik, BAMS, ND, MPH, MPA, EYT500. President
Sujata Reddy, BAMS,LPC, PAPT. Vice President, Certification Chair
Renee Mehrra, DrPH. Secretary and Media Chair
I am also requesting Hematata Unavekar BAMS, Treasurer and Auditor as an additional member to be included in this team.
Looking forward to support in any effort to promote Ayurveda.
Regards!
Somesh Kaushik
September 6, 2024
Somesh Kaushik Wrote -
Namaste Hasmukh ji and the Ayurvedic Community,
Ayurvedic community has come a long way in this country and have made a place for itself in the community where general public is seeing for well trained Ayurvedic practitioners for their immediate and long term healthcare needs. Many of us have been practicing for decades in this country and have so many success stories and achievements as healthcare providers. At the same time our profession is lacking cohesiveness, unity and a unified direction which is must to provide the best to our patients/consumers and create a path to licensing for the Ayurvedic medical graduates.
I really admire and appreciate the efforts of ABC specially Hasmukh ji for starting the unity campaign. We, the National Certification and Credentialing Board for Ayurvedic Medicine (NCCBAM) are committed to work with everyone to support in every possible way we can.
There are many concerns and issues mentioned by many of our friends so there is no need to repeat them.
NCCBAM is the only independent organization offering certification and credentialing in the United States.
Our mission is to certify and accredit Ayurveda practitioners in the USA to maintain the highest standards of Ayurvedic practice through advocacy, education, research, and outreach. Our vision is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the consumer by creating national standards of competency and clinical practice of Ayurvedic medicine. NCCBAM Board consists of well-known, experienced, and highly trained Ayurveda Professionals. The board will oversee and enforce the highest standards to fulfill its mission and vision. We aspire to collaborate and achieve excellence with the highest integrity and professionalism for consumer protection. NCCBAM recognizes the extensive training of BAMS and higher graduates from India and other countries where the licensed practice of Ayurveda requires training at an accredited institution. Having a national board certification in any or all of the practice areas is the hallmark of excellence in Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine.
NCCBAM Team:
Somesh N Kaushik, BAMS, ND, MPH, MPA, EYT500. President
Sujata Reddy, BAMS,LPC, PAPT. Vice President, Certification Chair
Renee Mehrra, DrPH. Secretary and Media Chair
Hematata Unavekar BAMS Treasurer and Auditor
Rupali Biradar BAMS,MD Ayurveda: Board Exam Committee
Sonali Kalbhor: Fundraising Chair
Raquel Chacon: Communications and Social media
Mukta Marathe BAMS, MD Ayurveda: Board Exam Committee
Name of the organization:: National Certification and Credentialing Board For Ayurvedic Medicine Inc (NCCBAM)
State: registered in the State of New York
Date of registration: May 26, 2022 ( files 05/19/2022)
EIN: 30-1317746
I am sending you copies of these two documents, additional documents can be sent after my return from india.
Regards!
Somesh Kaushik, President NCCBAM
September 9, 2024
Lucia Gutierrez wrote -
Dear Mr. Parekh,
Thank you for your email and request to provide additional information on all entities. NAMA will be providing the information under a separate email today to be considered for representation on the proposed committee.
Respectfully,
Lucia Gutierrez
NAMA
September 8, 2024
Amit Gumman Wrote -
Dear Mr. Parekh and ABC Committee,
Vaidya Meenakshi Gupta and I, Amit Gumman will be representing AAAP on the Steering Committee.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Harmoniously,
Amit Gumman
September 14, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Hello Everyone,
We have been delighted with the strong response to our call for nominations for the steering committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA). You can find the list of nominations received so far attached to this email.
To accommodate requests from various sectors of the Ayurvedic community and include nominations from State Ayurvedic Organizations (SAOs), the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) has extended the nomination deadline to September 20, 2024. Please refer to the attached format for submitting SAO nominations. Nominations from state organizations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Best regards,
On behalf of Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC)
September 15, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear all,
I am thrilled to announce that we have received nominations from a diverse array of segments within our Ayurvedic community. This overwhelming response is a testament to the collective desire for a unified and robust community that will lay a strong foundation not only for our current practitioners but for future generations as well.
However, we recognize the concerns surrounding the challenges of uniting our community, particularly given the differences in education standards, accreditation, and organizational management. In the past, personal differences and egos have hindered timely resolutions to critical issues, leading to delays or inaction. Despite these obstacles, the current enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by all of you are truly encouraging.
As we embark on this historic journey toward unity, it is essential for each nominated member to make a sincere pledge. This pledge represents our collective commitment to set aside differences, rise above personal egos, address challenges, and collaborate in the true spirit of Ayurveda.
By taking this pledge, we reaffirm our dedication to overcoming any obstacles and emerging as a united front for the advancement of Ayurveda. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter and more cohesive future.
Attached is the pledge document. We kindly ask each nominated member to review, sign, and return the pledge to confirm your commitment to the unification process. Please note that your participation in the steering committee will be finalized once we receive your signed pledge.
Thank you for your commitment and dedication.
Warm regards,
On behalf of Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC)
Hasmukh Parekh
The Ayurvedic Community
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AYURVEDA (ASA) (Proposed)
The Nominated Members of the Steering Committee,
Ref: The Pledge for the Future of Ayurveda
In reverence to the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda and with unwavering commitment to its enduring legacy, we, the members of the Ayurvedic Community, nominated to the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA), acknowledge the profound
wisdom this ancient science holds for our well-being. Despite the challenges we have faced individually, we have persevered in our dedication to Ayurveda, driven by a shared vision of its
flourishing and its potential to guide and nurture current and future generations.
IN THIS PIVOTAL MOMENT OF UNITY, WE SOLEMNLY PLEDGE TO UPHOLD THE CORE PRINCIPLES, WISDOM, AND TEACHINGS OF AYURVEDA, SETTING ASIDE PAST DIFFERENCES, ADDRESSING ANY SHORTCOMINGS, AND COMMITTING TO A SHARED MISSION OF ADVANCING THE ANCIENT PRACTICE.
Let this be a testament to the unity and strength of our community as we work together to ensure Ayurveda continues to illuminate the path toward health and harmony for all.
By signing this pledge, we affirm our unwavering commitment to this historic journey. Our unity is not just a goal; it is a necessity for the prosperity and enduring impact of Ayurveda.
Professed by ABC, the Ayurvedic Business Committee, in unwavering commitment to the advancement and unity of Ayurveda.
Signature --------
Name ------------
Date --------------
Composition of Steering Committee Members:
38 Members until now...
Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) Group Members -
Garry Garewal - Garry & Sun USA
Harpinder Kaur - Komal Herbals
Yash Prakash - LYBL
Parag More - SKVL Organic World Inc.
P K Dave - Natures Formulary
Sandeep Agarwal - Pure Indian Foods
Meenakshi Gupta - Ciamor
Virender Sodhi - Ayush Herbs
Ayurvedic Professional Community (APC) Group Members -
National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) -
Rucha Kelkar
Maddison Madden
Manas Kshirsagar
National Consortium of Ayurvedic Medicine (NCAM) -
Vivek Shanbhag
Mahadevan Seetharaman
Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA) -
Shekhar Annambhotla
American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals (AAAP) -
Amitabh Gumman
Ayurvedic Research Group (ARG) Group Members -
The National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR)
Ikhlas A Khan
Global Council of Ayurvedic Research (GCAR)
Pratibha Shah
Ayurvedic Schools and Educational Institutions (ASEI) Group Members -
DINacharya Institute (DIN)
Bhaswati Bhattacharya
Kerala Ayurveda Academy (KAA)
Jayarajan Kodikannath
Maharishi International University (MIU)
Manohar Palakurthi
Ayurveda Sadhana
Bharat Vaidya
Global Ayurveda Academy (GAA)
Andhrika Kondeti
California College of Ayurveda / Hindu University of America
Kalyan ji to nominate
Ayurvedic Accreditation Body (AAB) - Group Members
Ayurvedic Accreditation Council (AAC)
Anupama Kizhakkeveettil
Pratima Kumar Musburger
Lisa Cavallaro
Jim Ventresca
International Council of Ayurvedic Accreditation (ICAA)
Aparna Bapat
Sanjeev Kalra
Yashwant Pathak
Ayurvedic Examination and Credentialing (AEC) - Group Members
National Ayurvedic Medical Association Credentialing Board (NAMACB)
Siva Rama Prasad Vinjamury
Hillary Garivaltis
Ashlesha Raut
Bharathi Venkatachalapathy
National Certification and Credentialing Board for Ayurvedic Medicine (NCCBAM)
Somesh Kaushik
Sujata Reddy
Renee Mehraa
State Ayurveda Organizations (SAO) - Members
California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM)
Manju Kolli
Sep 18, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Hello Everyone,
As we finalize the nomination process for the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA), we are now awaiting the return of the Unity Pledge by September 27, 2024, which will officially confirm the committee’s formation. With this critical step nearly complete, it’s time to launch the next phase of our action plan, aimed at achieving unification across all levels of the Ayurvedic community.
Attached, you will find the Comprehensive Unity Plan developed by the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC). This plan outlines clear, actionable strategies at every stage of the unification process. We are not just aiming for collaboration—we are committed to a complete unification that will transform, strengthen and legalize the Ayurvedic profession in the U.S.
Your input is vital. We urge all members of the Ayurvedic Community, especially the nominated Steering Committee members of ASA, to review this plan carefully and provide your suggestions for consideration. This is a decisive moment, and your involvement is key to ensuring the success of this initiative.
We already have and we will continue to execute our Action Plans in line with this conflict resolution and strategic frameworks established by the ABC, accelerating our progress toward a unified Ayurvedic community.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment and support as we move forward together.
Best regards,
The Ayurvedic Community
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AYURVEDA (ASA)
(Proposed)
A Comprehensive Unity Plan with Strategic Approach
To address the unification of the divided Ayurvedic community effectively, here's a strategic approach grounded in conflict resolution principles created by Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC):
1. Conduct a Comprehensive Assessment
• Review Feedback: Analyze all feedback, including questionnaire responses and previous discussions, to understand the core concerns, common themes, and divergent views.
• Identify Key Issues: Determine the primary barriers to unification, such as personal conflicts, historical grievances, and structural issues within the community.
2. Establish a Neutral Facilitation Body
• Form a Mediation Committee: Assemble a neutral, respected group of individuals or third-party mediator with no vested interests in any particular faction. This body will oversee the unification process and ensure impartiality.
• Set Clear Objectives: Define the goals of the mediation process, such as achieving a unified organization and addressing the concerns of all stakeholders.
3. Engage Stakeholders in Dialogue
• Organize Structured Meetings: Facilitate a series of structured dialogue sessions where representatives from each faction can voice their concerns, share their perspectives, and discuss potential solutions.
• Focus on Common Goals: Emphasize shared goals and interests to build a foundation for collaboration. Highlight the benefits of unification for the entire community.
4. Develop a Unified Vision
• Create a Joint Task Force: Form a task force comprising representatives from all factions to draft a vision statement and outline the objectives for the unified entity.
• Draft a Strategic Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan for unification that includes governance structures, roles, responsibilities, and a timeline for implementation.
5. Address and Resolve Conflicts
• Identify Core Conflicts: Pinpoint specific areas of disagreement and work through them systematically. Use techniques such as interest-based negotiation to find mutually acceptable solutions.
• Build Consensus: Work towards building consensus on key issues by ensuring that all parties feel heard and that their concerns are addressed in the proposed solutions.
6. Communicate Transparently
• Share Progress Regularly: Keep all stakeholders informed about the progress of the unification process through regular updates and transparent communication.
• Address Misconceptions: Clarify any misunderstandings or misconceptions that arise during the process to prevent further conflict.
7. Implement and Monitor
• Execute the Plan: Once consensus is reached, implement the strategic plan for unification. Ensure that the transition is smooth and that all stakeholders are actively involved in the implementation process.
• Monitor and Evaluate: Establish mechanisms for monitoring the effectiveness of the unification process and evaluating the success of the new unified entity. Be prepared to make adjustments as necessary.
8. Foster Long-Term Collaboration
• Build Trust: Continuously work on building trust among the factions by promoting collaboration, celebrating successes, and addressing any emerging issues promptly.
• Encourage Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement and open communication to sustain unity and adapt to future challenges.
By following these steps, we will address the complex dynamics within the Ayurvedic community and work towards a successful and sustainable unification.
September 21, 2024
Hasmukh Pariekh Wrote -
Dear All,
Please find attached the list of nominated members for the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA), as of September 21, 2024, representing various segments of the Ayurvedic community. We are pleased to report an overwhelmingly positive response from those eager to participate in our unified effort to advance Ayurveda.
It is increasingly evident that all participants in this initiative are committed to ensuring that our ancient wisdom receives the recognition it deserves as a legal healthcare profession. The return of signed pledges from the majority of nominated members—along with a few still pending—places a heightened responsibility on the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) to meet the expectations and deliver results. The attached Master Plan, shared earlier, marks the initial step in this journey toward unification, which we anticipate will gain momentum in the coming weeks.
Please mark your calendars for the following tentative meeting dates to begin this important work:
- 1st ASA Steering Committee Meeting – September 29, 2024, at 11:30 AM EST
- 1st Ayurvedic Accreditation Body (AAB) Meeting – October 6, 2024, at 11:30 AM EST
- 1st Ayurvedic Examination & Credentialing Body (AEC) Meeting – October 13, 2024, at 11:30 AM EST
Additionally, an ASA 11-Member Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC) is being established to oversee all negotiations, decision-making, and dispute resolution between the various bodies involved, ensuring smooth and efficient progress throughout the unification process under the established Action Plans.
If you have any questions or require further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for your commitment, support, and participation in this vital initiative.
Best regards,
On behalf of Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC)
September 27, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh wrote -
Dear All,Following our previous communication regarding the 1st meeting of the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA), scheduled for 09/29/2024 at 11:30 AM EST, and upon receipt of the PLEDGE document from almost all nominated members,agenda we are pleased to provide, as attached, following documents for your review.
1. The 1st ASA Meeting Protocols
2. ASA Steering Committee Meeting Agenda
3. List of Participants of Steering Committee to Speak
4. Proposed Structure of the American Society of Ayurveda (ASA)
5. Nominated Steering Committee Members as of 9/27/2024
6. Unification Master Plan for Ayurvedic Community
7. Action Plans for AAB (Accreditation) & AEC (Credentialing)
8. Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC) MembersWe kindly invite all nominated members to attend this crucial meeting and offer your strong support for our unification efforts.
In line with the Meeting Protocol, please submit any concerns or suggestions at least 3 hours before the meeting. This will allow us to address them effectively during the session.
We look forward to your valuable participation in this important gathering.
Thank you for your continued commitment.
Best regards,
Please review the documents - (Click on the document link)
Document 1 - Meeting Protocol
Document 2 - Agenda for Sep 29, 2024 Meeting
Document 3 - List of Participants to Speak
Document 4 - Proposed structure under ASA
Document 5 - Nominated ASA steering committee members
Document 6 - Unification Master Plan
Document 7 - Action for AAB & AEC
Document 8 - MMC Members
September 27, 2024
Shekhar Annambhotla Wrote -
Dear Hasmukh ji and all supporting members:
Namaste. Thank you very much for putting together wonderful documents.
AAPNA - Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America, Inc. is able to put all the series of conversations and documents till date posted on our website as a "United Ayurveda" - as a Developing Story....
Please review the link - https://www.aapna.org/united-ayurveda.html
If we are missing anything please let us know.
Thank you very much
AAPNA Team
Sep 28, 2024
Amitabh Gumman Wrote -
Dear Proposed ASA Committee,
I am appalled to see that this Unification process is conveniently ignoring the existence of the National Professional Organizations like AAAP, GCAR and AAPNA.
Pioneering State Organizations like Florida Association are also ignored.
Lack of Cross section representation and biases will defeat this whole unification purpose.
Harmoniously,
Dr. Amit Gumman
President, American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals
Sep 28, 2024
Sujata Reddy Wrote -
Hasmukh ji, thank you for all that you are doing to unify organizations in ayurveda. I am very much looking forward to participating tomorrow. I just want to bring to your attention that from the inception of this effort to unify the criteria seems to have changed and blurred leading to confusion that can skew the arguments and result in polarity.
In your email attachment where you listed the participants and have a column for organizations there seems to be independent individuals with private businesses listed and other national organizations like GCAR, AAPNA and AAAP omitted. The mentioned list also have voting rights and is not represented fully by stake holders. It is only fair to be all inclusive and have fair representation.
Thankyou,
Sincerely,
Vd. Sujatha Reddy LPC, MSEd, BAMS
Professional Counselor and Ayurvedic Medicine Vaidya
September 28, 2024
Vivek Shanbhag Wrote -
Dear Hasmukhbhai & ABC,
I appreciate and sincerely support your efforts for unification of the Ayurveda community in the US.
For TRUE unification of the community, the emailed list of “Participants to Speak during the Steering Committee meeting on 9/29/2024" needs to include ALL established state organizations like Arizona, Florida, etc and national organizations like AAAP, GCAR, AAPNA, etc.
Also, if private businesses are to be included then, ALL private businesses need to be included to be fair. Such fair inclusion of all stake-holders from the very beginning will make the unification process smooth & successful.
I am offering the above constructive comments/suggestions since your Meeting Protocols document mentioned “suggestions are required to be submitted via email”
Best regards,
September 28, 2024
Shekhar Annambhotla wrote -
When we are planning to organize "Unification of Ayurveda", it is mandatory to include all the existing legally operating organizations including AAPNA (https://www.aapna.org/), AAAP (https://aaapusa.com/), GCAR (https://ayurvedaresearchusa.org/), COLORAMA (https://www.facebook.com/coloradoayurveda/), TAPAS (https://texasayurveda.org/). Florida (https://flayurveda.com/), Arizona (https://www.facebook.com/AzAyurveda/), PAMA (https://www.pennsylvaniaayurveda.org/) and important other state organizations should be in the "steering committee" members. By ignoring the above these active organizations will defeat the purpose of "Unification of Ayurveda". Please include these organizations in the steering committee.
September 28, 2024
Harpinder Kaur Wrote -
Hello All,Please find below the Zoom Meeting link for the meeting tomorrow at 11.30 am EST (USA).
Looking forward to seeing you all .
Best Regards
Harpinder Kaur
Harpinder Kaur is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: 1st Steering Committee Meeting on 09/29/2024 for Unification of Ayurveda in USA
Time: Sep 29, 2024 11:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81451817608?pwd=G5kDHuGMtFJZoiDAYdEls4vqC7SZGj.1
Meeting ID: 814 5181 7608
Passcode: 815795
September 28, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh wrote
Dear All,
We have received feedback from some of the nominated members of the Steering Committee expressing concerns that certain national organizations, including GCAR, AAPNA, and AAAP, were not recognized in the nomination process or included in the speaker list (attachment #3).
Please be assured that all national organizations have already been clearly recognized in attachment #5, which I am attaching again for your reference. Additionally, the State Organization, Ayurveda Association of Florida, has also been included in the attached Excel folder, despite not having provided their credentials/documents. Kindly review these entries in the spreadsheets provided. All other Schools and State Associations that have submitted their credentials are also listed in the attached document #5.
Regarding the speaker list, ABC has worked to ensure balanced representation, given the time constraints. Extending the speaker list would have resulted in a meeting lasting over three hours. Time permitting, we will invite the nominees of these organizations to speak. We deeply value the contributions of all organizations—whether national, state, research institutions, or schools—and appreciate their continued efforts in supporting the cause of Ayurveda.
As for the voting rights issue raised by one of the members, please refer to the Meeting Protocol in document #1 for a description of how approval of agenda items is handled. There are no voting on for any agenda item.
There will be many more opportunities in the near future for everyone to actively participate.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Warm regards,
Hasmukh Parekh
September 30, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear ASA Steering Committee Members,
We extend our sincere thanks to all the nominated members who participated in the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA) yesterday.
We are pleased to confirm that the following agenda items were reviewed, adopted, and approved during the meeting:
- ASA Framework – The structure for the Unified Ayurvedic Community, as presented, was approved.
- Steering Committee Nominations – All nominations received with credentials by 9/27/2024 have been formally confirmed, and the respective individuals are now officially members of the ASA Steering Committee.
- Master Unity Plan – The strategic plan aimed at unifying the Ayurvedic community was adopted. This plan addresses key challenges and outlines a commitment from all members to ensure sustained progress moving forward.
- Action Plan for Ayurvedic Accreditation and Credentialing Bodies – The action plan, critical to standardizing education, certification, and professional recognition, was approved. It outlines next steps for the individual panels to address disparities in accreditation and credentialing standards, with immediate steps for implementation.
- Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC) – The ASA Mediation and Monitoring Committee, as constituted by the ABC and presented during the meeting, was formally adopted. The MMC will oversee negotiations, decision-making, and conflict resolution during panel discussions, ensuring accountability and sustained momentum throughout the unification process.
- Ayurvedic Accreditation Panel – October 6, 2024 at 11:30 AM EST
- Ayurvedic Examination & Credentialing Panel – October 13, 2024 at 11:30 AM EST
We greatly appreciate the progress made and thank you all for your continued support in uniting the Ayurvedic community.
Warm regards,
Hasmukh Parekh
September 30, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear ASA Steering Committee Members,
I would like to kindly clarify that the Zoom links for the upcoming panel discussions, as mentioned in my previous email, will be sent exclusively to the members of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Panel, the Ayurvedic Examination & Credentialing Panel, and the Mediation & Monitoring Committee members (as amended from time to time).
For now, these meetings will be limited to these specific bodies until final outcomes are reached. The Steering Committee will be kept informed of the progress periodically.
To ensure that these discussions proceed smoothly without external interference, I ask that all participants of the aforementioned bodies, as well as any special invitees, keep the Zoom link confidential and refrain from sharing it with others.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Warm regards,
September 30, 2024
Marc Halpern Wrote -
Namaste Everyone,
Congratulations on your accomplishment! Should this effort prove successful, this meeting will have been a landmark moment in our history as a profession.
I am in South Korea for an International Ayurvedic Conference, and I will be speaking on the Ayurvedic Ecosystem in the United States and where our opportunities lie for growth and development. The Ayurvedic Society of America will be a highlight mentioned to the community as it offers the hope of unity – the most essential ingredient needed to move our professional forward.
Once again, great job and congratulations!
October 3, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear All,
As resolved during the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA) held on 09/29/2024, we will be convening the meetings of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Board (AAB) on 10/6/2024 and the Ayurvedic Examination and Credentialing Board (AEC) on 10/13/2024, both in the presence of the Mediating and Monitoring Committee (MMC).
Attached, you will find the guidelines for all participating members regarding the conduct of these meetings, aimed at promoting unity within the Ayurvedic community.
It is crucial that each member of the AAB, AEC, and MMC thoroughly review these guidelines to ensure that the meetings are conducted in a respectful and collaborative manner to achieve our collective goals.
If you have any questions or require clarification, please contact the convener at least two days prior to each meeting.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment.
Warm regards,
Hasmukh Parekh
Convener
American Society of Ayurveda (ASA) (Proposed)
Guidelines for a Structured Approach to the 10/6/2024 and 10/13/2024 Meetings to Promote Unity within the Ayurvedic Accreditation and Credentialing Bodies
To conduct the meetings on 10/6/2024 and 10/13/2024 between the 7-member panel of each of the Ayurvedic Accreditation Body (AAB) and Ayurvedic Examination & Credentialing Body (AEC)
respectively, it’s crucial that all members follow a well-structured approach. This will ensure productive discussions and resolution of long-standing disputes. Below is a step-by-step process
with clear instructions for all participants:
1. Preparation Phase (Before the meeting)
• Distribute Agenda and Guidelines (At least 3 days prior to the meeting):
o The Action Plans for both meetings were presented to all participants during the 1st meeting of the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA) on 09/29/2024, including the 7-member panel of each body and the 11- member Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC).
o The meeting objectives for each panel with guidelines of engagement, and conflict
resolution principles were provided to ensure everyone is aligned.
Review Key Issues:
o It is essential that each group within the panels identifies their primary
concerns and proposals for unification. A brief outlining these points must be submitted by each group to the convener at least three days prior to each of the scheduled meeting.
o It is also essential that all participants should come prepared to participate in the meeting with a collaborative mindset, focusing on common goals.
o These meetings will be held as closed-door sessions, with each meeting being recorded for reference. Only the group members nominated to the panel of each body, along with the members of the Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC), are permitted to participate. To maintain focus and prevent unnecessary confusion or distractions within the Ayurvedic Community, all members attending the Ayurvedic Accreditation Board (AAB) and Ayurvedic Education and Credentialing Board (AEC) meetings, as well as any future sessions or such meetings, are strictly prohibited from sharing Zoom links with anyone else until a resolution is reached.
o Furthermore, groups represented on the panels have the option to nominate a substitute member if a replacement is needed for an existing member.
o The Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC) members may also be replaced by the convener, in consultation with the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC), to ensure the balance and neutrality of the MMC is maintained. This measure is intended to uphold the committee's objective and ensure it continues to function in
alignment with the purpose for which it was established.
o The convener, in consultation with the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC), may also invite other Ayurvedic Community member/s, renowned individual/s, or legal professionals from a law firm to assist in the mediation process. This ensures that the Guidelines for a Structured Approach to the 10/6/2024 and 10/13/2024 Meetings to Promote Unity within the Ayurvedic Accreditation and Credentialing Bodies mediation efforts benefit from a broader range of expertise and perspectives, further supporting a fair and balanced resolution.
• Assigned Roles of Mediation & Monitoring Committee (MMC):
o Meeting Facilitator: Neutral facilitator/s from MMC (2 members) to guide the meeting and keep discussions focused will be assigned at the beginning of the meeting by the convener of the meeting.
o Timekeeper: The host or sub-host will be assigned to manage time limits for each agenda item.
o Notetaker: The host or sub-host of the meeting will be responsible for recording all discussion points, decisions, and next steps.
2. Meeting Process (90 Minutes)
A. Welcome and Introduction (5-7 minutes)
• Convener / Facilitator's Opening Remarks:
o Welcome participants and introduce the purpose of the meeting: resolving conflicts and uniting the Ayurvedic community.
o Acknowledge both groups in each meeting for their commitment to finding a solution.
o Emphasize the principles of collaboration and respect for differing perspectives.
o Introduce the existing or reconstituted 11-member mediation and monitoring committee, as the case may be, emphasizing their role as neutral parties ensuring fairness and transparency.
B. Setting Ground Rules (5 minutes)
• Convener / host to state the following ground rules:
o Respectful Communication: No interrupting while others are speaking.
o Time Management: Stick to time limits to ensure all topics are covered.
o Focus on Solutions: Avoid rehashing personal & past conflicts and focus on finding common ground.
o Equal Participation: All voices, whether from one or the other group, are equally valued.
C. Recap of Disputes and Context (5-10 minutes)
• Convener or facilitator/s Role:
o Will provide a brief, neutral recap of the long-standing disputes, ensuring all participants have a clear understanding of the issues.
o Will frame the disputes in terms of the overall objective: to unite under one Ayurvedic Community.
D. Structured Dialogue (30-45 minutes)
This section is the core of each meeting, where member/s of each group presents their perspectives
and negotiates solutions.
Step 1: Group Presentations (10-13 minutes total)
• 1st Group (4 members): (6 minutes)
o Present their concerns, perspectives, and suggested solutions.
o Focus on how their proposals align with the broader goals of unity.
• 2nd Group (3 members): (6 minutes)
o Present their concerns, perspectives, and their own suggestions for resolving disputes.
o Emphasize challenges they have faced and what they need for a successful resolution.
• Convener or facilitator/s Role (1 minute):
o Provide a brief, neutral summary of the key points presented by both groups.
Step 2: Open Discussion (15-20 minutes)
• Facilitated Discussion:
o Encourage both groups of the panel to respond to each other’s presentations.
o The facilitator should keep the dialogue constructive, helping the groups explore areas of agreement and disagreement.
o Allow mediation committee members to ask clarifying questions or offer neutral input to move the discussion forward. Any MMC member willing to participate with his/her suggestion will have 1 minute to present when called for presentation.
• Time Management: Ensure that both groups have equal time to speak and respond.
Step 3: Problem-Solving Session (10-15 minutes)
• Facilitator’s Role:
o Direct the conversation towards actionable solutions based on the key areas of consensus.
o Encourage both groups to propose compromises or adjustments to their initial positions.
o Seek agreement on at least one or two actionable steps that both groups within the panel can commit to moving forward.
E. Agreement on Next Steps (5-10 minutes)
• Facilitator/s to Formalize Outcomes:
o Facilitator/s to Summarize the agreed-upon solutions or next steps that emerged during the problem-solving session.
o Establish clear commitments from both groups, with timelines and responsibilities.
o Document any areas where further discussion is needed and schedule follow-up sessions as necessary.
• Monitoring and Accountability:
o Outline the role of the 11-member mediation and monitoring committee in overseeing the implementation of the agreed outcomes. Establish how progress will be reported and how any further disputes will be addressed. Members of the MMC committee will provide their individual observation & suggestions to the convener after the meeting
thru a direct mail.
3. Closing Remarks (5 minutes)
• Facilitator’s Conclusion:
o Acknowledge the collaborative spirit of the meeting and the progress made.
o Reaffirm the shared goal of unity and emphasize the importance of follow-through on agreed commitments.
o Remind participants of the next scheduled meeting (if applicable) or future checkpoints for the unification process.
• Meeting Adjournment:
o Convener to officially close the meeting and thank all participants for their time and contributions.
Post-Meeting Action Steps
1. Meeting Minutes:
o The notetaker sends out minutes within a reasonable time, detailing key points, decisions, and agreed next steps.
2. Follow-Up:
o The mediation and monitoring committee members may be convened by the convener to follows up to ensure progress on the commitments made during the meeting.
3. Evaluation:
o After two weeks, conduct a brief review (via email or a short meeting) to assess progress and prepare for the next phase of discussions, if necessary.
By following this systematic approach, the meeting will foster constructive dialogue, encourage collaboration, and create a framework for resolving disputes and unifying the Ayurvedic community.
October 4, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear Dr. Vivek,
To facilitate the upcoming Ayurvedic Accreditation Body (AAB) meeting on 10/6/2024, an 11-member Mediation and Monitoring Committee (MMC) has been formed from the Steering Committee of the proposed American Society of Ayurveda (ASA). This committee, constituted by the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC), will help guide the meeting to ensure a systematic approach in resolving disputes and fostering unity within the Ayurvedic Community.
The guidelines for this meeting were sent yesterday, and I’ve reattached them here for your reference. You have been selected as a member of the MMC, and we value your involvement in this important process.
Please confirm your availability to participate and witness the meeting on this date. I would appreciate your response by the end of the day today.
Warm regards
October 6, 2024
Hasmukh Parekh Wrote -
Dear Everyone,
I am happy to share that Sri Sri Tattva North America has officially joined our efforts for unity within the Ayurvedic community. They have agreed to become part of the Ayurvedic Business Community (ABC) to help accelerate the unification process.
Shri Mohit Kumar, CEO of Sri Sri Tattva North America, has recorded a short video addressing this initiative. Unfortunately, he couldn’t attend today’s scheduled AAB meeting due to travel to a remote location with no communication access. However, he sends his best wishes for today’s meeting.
Here is the link to his message:
https://vimeo.com/1016574708?share=copy