1. REPLY TO STUDENT’S COMENT BELOW

My name is Connie Taylor, I am from Marietta, GA.  I am currently employed with Lockheed Martin, working as an RN in the onsite Wellness Center.  I am currently in the process of earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration.  I plan, in the future, to be promoted to practice manager in the clinic which I am currently employed.

Complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard medical care.  CAM may include treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal remedies, dietary supplements, meditation, and relaxation, amongst many others. 

I currently practice as a registered nurse.  I work with other health care professionals, including NPs, MAs, MDs. Medical professionals tend to be very facts driven and results oriented in patient treatment.  I would agree that I lean more toward a standard medical care approach.  My concerns with the CAM approach to medicine, is that some practitioners make exaggerated claims about curing various diseases and encourage patients to fore go conventional treatment.  I do believe this may lead to delays in care and can effect patient safety. Some supplements may have potentially serious interactions with prescription medications.  I do, however, believe that an integrative medicine approach can be very beneficial to patients.  Integrative medicine combines standard medical care with CAM practices to heal the mind, body and spirit. 

2. REPLY TO STUDENT‘S COMMENT BELOW

I’m Stacey Clayton, 40 yrs young. I am a big sports cheerleader-my daughter plays softball and my son plays soccer. I am working on my BA in HR and I live in SLC, UT. I’m a pisces, I like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. My favorite quote is “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex. Its takes a touch of genius-and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction”-E. F. Schumacher

Part 2: Although Columbus was Spain’s most famous explorer,  I feel that the most interesting explorer to come from Europe was Cortez. Cortez did not give up when he was ran out of the Aztec Empire, but in 1521 formed a civil war against Moctezume. However, it was not the natives he united to fight that took down the empire, but the disease Cortez introduced to the Aztecs. Small pox was the demise of Tlaxcalan. Cortez, motivated by Gold, God and Glory, was then able to use the native people to shape the Americas. 

The Native Americans were different from Europe in religion, values and land ownership. The natives believed that the land belonged to no one, but was to be used by any who needed it. Europeans look at land ownership as power. The Europeans felt that their religion is the only religion and they mission was to bring the natives to Christianity.