A Special Evening in Washington DC / November 4, 2009

Nearly 300 guests joined The Bravewell Collaborative and representatives from the Institute of Medicine and the Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health for a special event in Washington DC to celebrate the official release of the Summary of the Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public.

The black-tie dinner event was held on November 4, 2009 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington DC.  Award-winning cardiac surgeon, author, and health and wellness expert Mehmet Oz, MD served as the Master of Ceremonies.  At the start of the evening, IOM President Harvey Fineberg, MD, PhD, presented the official Summary of the Summit to Bravewell President Christy Mack, stating that, "Bravewell is the force for integrative medicine."   Dr. Fineberg thanked IOM Executive Officer Judy Salerno, MD; IOM Senior Scholar Mike McGinnis, MD; and Chair of the IOM Planning Committee Ralph Synderman, MD, for their hard work in convening the Summit.  

In attendance were representatives from government, health care, education, advocacy groups, philanthropy and major corporations as well as private citizens.  "This is the way it should be," commented Dr. Oz.  "It's going to take all of us working together to transform health care and create a culture of health and wellbeing in America." 

The audience also enjoyed a special video-taped speech by HRH the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles.  "I am quite sorry that I cannot be with you in person, but let me say that it is my distinct pleasure to have the opportunity to address this gathering tonight and offer my wholehearted admiration and support for the work that is being undertaken by The Bravewell Collaborative, the Institute of Medicine and many others to help transform American health care," he said.

The Summary of the Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public can be downloaded from the IOM website at www.iom.edu/Activities/Quality/IntegrativeMed.aspx.