What: The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a component of the National Institutes of Health, will host a Strategic Planning Stakeholder Forum seeking public input for its second 5-year strategic plan. The Center is interested in hearing from a variety of stakeholders about their views of the opportunities, challenges, and areas of emphasis in research concerning complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

When: Monday, April 19, 2004, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Where: Westin Seattle, 1900 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA.

Why: NCCAM's mission is to explore complementary and alternative medicine in the context of rigorous science, train researchers, and disseminate information. To date, our work has been guided by the Center's first strategic plan, Expanding Horizons of Healthcare. Now as NCCAM marks its 5th anniversary, it is time to build on the research foundation it has established and plan for the next 5 years. NCCAM seeks guidance from the public, health care professionals, researchers, scientists, advocacy groups, and others with an interest in CAM research in identifying areas in which NCCAM investments can have the greatest impact.

To learn more about NCCAM's strategic planning and register to attend the forum, visit nccam.nih.gov/about/plans/2005/.

NCCAM is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, training CAM researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals. For additional information, call NCCAM's Clearinghouse toll free at 1-888-644-6226 or visit NCCAM's Web site at nccam.nih.gov.