The Jacka Foundation Chair of Integrative Medicine and Research, National Institute of Complementary Medicine

At the July 2015 Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA) conference, the Jacka Foundation Chair of Integrative Medicine and Research was announced. The Jacka Foundation of Natural Therapies (JFNT) which is a registered charity has already provided a large yearly donation to the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) for research, and a new signing involving the newly appointed Chair took place at the conference. NICM is situated within the structure of the University of Western Sydney and has already undertaken most valuable research in the area of complementary and integrative medicine. The university and the Jacka Foundation are now looking for a suitable person to fill this professorial position.

The Jacka Foundation was established 5 years ago following the sale of the Southern School of Natural Therapies (SSNT), and its five board members are all graduates of the school. The Foundation has evolved from over 50 years of educational experience conducted at SSNT. Our aim at the school was always to create a synthesis of both naturopathic and medical sciences. The aim of the Jacka Foundation is to promote research into complementary medicine to further its acceptance by both the general public and the government. We are hoping that this new university based initiative will provide a further contribution towards integrative and evidenced based medicine.

It was heartening to hear from many speakers at the conference about the number of instances where medical practitioners and naturopaths are working alongside each other in Europe and USA. Here in Australia, research programmes at NICM are providing evidenced based medicine particularly in the area of herbal medicine and acupuncture. This research must surely improve our case for statutory registration of well-trained natural therapists in Australia. The Jacka Foundation is delighted to share this exciting news with ANTA members and readers.

Judy Jacka
Vice-Chairperson