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32nd Annual Meeting Amazing Gathering Result of Tremendous Effort
By Becky Knapp, CFCE
What an incredible Annual Meeting! If you were able to attend, you can reminisce, and if you were not able to make it this year, purchasing the CDs is highly recommended. Site Hosts, Dr. Rob Chasuk, CFCMC and Shannon Eaton, CFCP and their remarkable committee, and the Board of Directors of the AAFCP attended to every detail at the beautiful historic Hotel Monteleone in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. Over two hundred attended the meeting, with an additional group of medical students who were sponsored to attend special sessions on Saturday. This made for one of the most wel -attended meetings to date. There was truly something for everyone and everyone could get something from each talk.
Before the Annual Meeting began, members of the International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine (IIRRM) (www.reproductiveinstitute.com) met throughout the day on Wednesday. The IIRRM is the leading voice in uniting providers and researchers who share a common belief that patients deserve scientifical y-based and wel researched reproductive health care services that cooperate with and restore reproductive function. Researchers from around the world shared their latest findings. The AAFCP Annual Meeting official y opened Wednesday evening with Chris Baglow, PhD, who led us on The Pilgrim’s Guide to the Galaxy: Learning Levels of Being and the Paths of Knowing in Faith and Science. He showed us the harmony between the Christian faith and modern science and the proper integration of scientific and theological explanations. Friendships were renewed with plenty of opportunity to come together in between talks. Everyone had an opportunity to enjoy King Cake at the Opening Reception, it is unknown who got the king (and would have the opportunity to bring a King Cake to the UK.) Thursday was packed with one great talk after another. The day started off with Dr. Phil Boyle demonstrating how Naltrexone works to treat infertility and its benefits through Naltrexone in NaProTechnology: Applications and Review of the Evidence. Brian Butler gave a brief review of methods and outreach options to impart the message of the Theology of the Body through Theology of the Body for Teens. Dr. Jean Golden-Tevald gave one of the first sessions devoted to menopause. Change of Life? How NaProTechnology Can Ease the Transition to Menopause was enlightening for al . FertilityCare Educators were updated on best practices for electronic supervision at a luncheon. Then in the afternoon, Dr. Hilgers presented Updates in NaProTechnology, highlighting the applications in the clinical setting. Steve Phil ippi inspired the group with his presentation on Motivational Interviewing. Members learned approaches for change and engagement with clients.
The Business Meeting saw one of the largest numbers of active members of the Academy gathered at one time. President Dorice Mil ar led the Board of Directors in welcoming al as she continued to lead the Academy in a time of significant growth as we move into the digital age and address issues of national and international significance.
Many came to New Orleans (“new OR-linz”) early or stayed later to site see and explore. The weather was warm, but the air conditioning worked wel . Countless sites were within easy walking distance, like daily Mass at the beautiful Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France, which is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States. Many joined in a church tour on Thursday night that culminated in a private visit at the Cathedral. The tour was enjoyed in air conditioned buses, while viewing the incredibly beautiful churches so rich in the history of our nation. The electric car was a relaxing way to site see and to also get to locations that were too far to walk.
On Friday morning, after indulging in famous homemade beignets, attendees listened as Dr. Dixon presented Polycystic Ovarian Disease: NaProTechnology Approach to Identification and Treatment. Dr. Dixon helped us to understand the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS with NaProTechnology. He was also kind enough to share with us the caloric value of beignets. Kel y Morrow shared the interventions we can employ to help clients struggling with infertility, as she led us through Psychological Aspects of Infertility: Implications for Couples and Helping Professionals. Dr. George Delgado gave amazing information about Reversal of Chemical Abortions, and the ability to intervene to save lives of unborn children. Fr. Richard formed us at lunch with Applied Ethics of NaProTechnology. On Friday afternoon, the break-out sessions were with Angelique Ruhi-Lopez and Carmen Santamaria on The Infertile Couple Discerning Adoption and Dr. Peter Danis, Teaching Fertility Awareness to Medical Students. On Friday night many boarded the Steamboat Natchez for an evening dinner cruise on the Mighty Mississippi River.
Saturday the Culture of Life in Medical Practice one day seminar was offered for those in prolife medical practice. These sessions afforded the chance for physicians, medical students, residents, and other al ied health professionals to hear from Dr. Tom Hilgers, John Brehany, PhD , Dr. Joe Stanford, Michael O’Dea, Dr. Phil Boyle, Dr. Kim Hardy and Dr. George Delgado . We also heard an update from Kyle Duncan on The Status of Conscience Protection in the US and Current Topics in Bioethics, Diane Daly, in her Insurance Reimbursement and Coding for Creighton Model Services encouraged us to see the AAFCP website to access a generic insurance reimbursement form. Clients may be able to use this form to turn into their insurance company for reimbursement. She did emphasize that unless the Practitioner is in a practice that files insurance, the individual cannot “bil ” an insurance company.
The closing Mass was at St. Louis Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Michael Aymond, Bishop of New Orleans and concelebrated by our own Fr. Jaroslaw Szymczak (Fr. Jay from Poland) and Fr. Jeff Maassen (from the Diocese of St. Louis). The closing banquet found family and friends together to celebrate one last time. Awards were presented by Theresa Schortgen, CFCP, a video of encouragement was presented from the National Gianna Center for Women’s Health and Fertility, and everyone was invited to attend the 33rd Annual Meeting in the UK. If you haven’t been able to attend an Annual Meeting, put it on your calendar - you wil be glad you did! Au revoir in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK July 9-12, 2014.

Source: http://www.aafcp.org/newsletter/Summer2013/32ndAnnualMeetingAmazingGatheringResultofTremendous%20Effort.pdf