Hi my name is Shad Reinstein and I have just joined you r group. I am an
acupuncturist who lives in the Pacific northwest of the US. I have been
practicing acupuncture and Chinese herbs for over 15 years and western herbs for
25
years. I teach at Bastyr University part time. I also teach in Cuba where
Natural medicine is part of the MD program. I am copying at the end of this
email
an invitation to a group trip I am leading there, as a way for you to know
more about me and Cuba. If you are interested int he trip please let me know.
Shad Reinstein L Ac, MAc


VISIT CUBA
AND LEARN ABOUT THE NATURAL AND TRADITIONAL MEDICAL SYSTEM IN CUBA

If you have EVER wanted to explore Cuba, then this is the time! Come explore
Cuba with Global Exchange! View first hand how the Cuban health care system
integrates alternative medicine into the Allopathic Medical System. Learn and
explore how Cuba provides a doctor for every 1500 persons, and maintains one of
the lowest infant mortality rates in the world.

While in Cuba, we will be attending the 5th International Congress on Natural
and Traditional Medicine and Bioenergetics being held in Holguin, Cuba, as
well as exploring the Cuban medical system. The delegation will be July 3-9,
2004 departing from Miami and will cost $2225. This package includes hotel stay,
3 meals per day, transportation, translation, site visits and all conference
fees. To qualify for the US Treasury Dept. general professional license, you
need to be working in a health related (allopathic or CAM) field.

In Cuba, acupuncture, acupressure, homeopathy and Bach flower remedies are
all integrated in to the medical system. Dr. Leononico Padron, the Vice-Minister
of Natural and Traditional Medicine (NTM) in Cuba, has described the medical
system as a "multi-layer cake". Each layer is a different type of medicine
(Allopathic, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Bach Flower Remedies, etc). In most
places of the world, you study one layer only. In Cuba you study a slice of the
cake, some of each layer.

Cuban herbal medicine is studied throughout their medical training. Every
medical student studies Natural and Traditional Medicine for one quarter and
they
have the option of doing a one or four year "residency" in NTM. NTM is
practiced in special clinics in each province (which we will have the chance to
visit), as well as in conventional hospitals, polyclinics and family doctor
clinics. "Continuing Education" classes in NTM are offered to all medical
professionals.

Cuba's health care system has long been extolled as a model for the
developing world by the World Health Organization, particularly in the area of
primary
and preventive care. Cuba has the longest healthy (as well as overall) life
expectancy in Latin America. Yet Cuba is spending no more than other countries
in the region, which have a poorer health care delivery system, a lower life
expectancy and infant mortality rate (source: CUBANALYSIS based on the World
Health Organization: World Health Report 2002)

I am excited to be one of the people leading this trip to one of my favorite
places in the world. I hope you will be able to join me so I can introduce you
to some of my Cuban colleagues and friends. At the end of this letter is the
formal invitation and information about the trip. For more information,
please contact me at shadjody@....
I hope to see you in July!

Sincerely,
Shad Reinstein, L.Ac., M.Ac.
Seattle, Wa.
Faculty, Bastyr University