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Committee on Health appoints five members to new Board of Integrative Health Care
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Summary
The Committee on Health approved five appointments — doctors and a consumer member — to the newly created Board of Integrative Health Care; the board will begin meeting once a majority of seats are filled or by July 2025.
The Committee on Health approved five appointments to the newly created Board of Integrative Health Care on March 25, voting to move the nominations en bloc and recording the measures as passed unanimously.
At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, chair of the Committee on Health, said the board was created by the Health Occupations Revision General Amendment Act of 2024 to increase representation and collaboration among professions under its purview, including acupuncturists, chiropractors and naturopathic physicians. Henderson said the committee amended the board’s name in response to provider feedback and that a name change would be before the Council on second reading next week.
The Committee approved the following nominations (as stated on the record): - Dr. Kita Vanderpool, nominated for appointment as a doctor of chiropractic for a three-year term. Henderson said Dr. Vanderpool has more than 25 years of chiropractic practice experience in Atlanta, Maryland and the District and has owned a private practice in the District for 25 years; she holds a doctorate from Life University and is a Ward 8 resident (PR 26-110 on the transcript, listed as PR 20 6 dash 01/10). - Dr. Nancy Abaluma, nominated for appointment as a naturopathic physician for a three-year term. Henderson said Dr. Abaluma provides patient care in a group practice, serves as a partner physician at the George Washington University Center for Integrative Medicine, and holds a Doctor in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport; she is a Ward 3 resident (PR 26-111 on the transcript). - Dr. Stephanie Johnson, nominated for appointment as a doctor of chiropractic; Henderson said Johnson owns a private practice specializing in chiropractic care for expecting mothers and is an active member of the American Chiropractic Association (PR 26-112 on the transcript). - Dr. Gavin Elliott, nominated for appointment as a licensed acupuncturist for a one-year term. Henderson said Dr. Elliott is a board-certified medical acupuncturist, a fellow of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, a board-certified anesthesiologist, and has participated in global health initiatives; he is a Ward 4 resident (PR 26-113 on the transcript). - Terrence Hunter, nominated for appointment as a consumer member for a two-year term. Henderson said Hunter is a licensed real estate agent who volunteers at local shelters and previously served as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in Ward 7 (PR 26-114 on the transcript).
Henderson said the board will begin meeting once a majority of seats are filled or by July 2025, whichever comes first. The Committee moved the nominations en bloc and recorded unanimous approval with leave for staff to make technical changes.
Henderson closed with a public-service announcement thanking volunteers who serve on mayoral boards and commissions and encouraged interested residents to consult the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments for openings. The Committee adjourned at about 2:16 p.m.
