President’s Message
by Dr. Stuart H. Garber, (New President of California Homeopathic Medical Society)
It gives me great pleasure to address the California homeopathic community for the first time as President of the California Homeopathic Medical Society.
By way of introduction to those of you who don’t know me, I have been practicing holistic medicine in Los Angeles (West LA and Santa Monica) since 1981. In the mid-1980s I founded and directed the Westside Health Institute, a multidisciplinary holistic health center which combined chiropractic, homeopathic and allopathic medicines, acupuncture, psychotherapy, biological dentistry and other complimentary practices. I have lectured to medical, dental, chiropractic and acupuncture groups in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean on different holistic healing modalities and continue to educate practitioners as well as the general public. In 1997 I became the first person in the United States to receive a Ph.D. degree in homeopathy. I am the developer of Dr. Garber’s Natural Solutions, a line of condition specific biotherapy formulas and maintain a practice in Santa Monica, CA where I also conducts research in homeopathic medicine and natural supplements. You may view my full curriculum vitae by clicking on this link: https://drgarbers.com/about-us/9-uncategorised/87-dr-garber-s-biography.html
I am excited at this opportunity to take the CHMS to even greater heights although I realize that I have some pretty big shoes to fill. My predecessors have been some of the most illustrious figures in homeopathy’s history, from Drs. G. M. Dixon and J. M. Selfridge in the early days, right on to my immediate predecessor Dr. Richard Hiltner (who I plan to rely heavily on for guidance and advice). With the help of a newly invigorated, committed and engaged Board of Directors, we will support the membership by strengthening homeopathy’s place in California’s health care delivery system.
Founded in 1877, The California Homeopathic Medical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the highest standards for homeopathy, the encouragement of homeopathic practice, maintaining the principles of ethics in homeopathic practice and fellowship and personal growth of its members. [CHMS mission statement] The California State Medical Society of Homeopathic Practitioners was organized in San Francisco, March 24, 1871, and was incorporated April 10, 1872. For a time it was a progressive body but later on, discordant elements impaired its efficiency, led to dissensions and resulted in virtual dissolution. However, a reorganization was effected as the result of a conference, and on August 8, 1874, the Pacific Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of California was brought into existence. In 1877 the two societies were united and formed the California State Homeopathic Medical Society. [From the HISTORY OF HOMŒOPATHY AND ITS INSTITUTIONS IN AMERICA by William Harvey King, M.D., LL. D.]
My main goal as CHMS President, first and foremost, will be to increase membership in the Society, as there is a certain strength that can only be found in numbers. The profession as a whole has become somewhat disunited and a strong state organization can unify all of the different types of practitioners, regardless of license type or practice style, under one umbrella. Inclusion rather than exclusion will be our modus operandi.
Additionally, I feel all professional organizations must have a political agenda in order to serve its membership more fully. This is something the CHMS has not, at least in recent years, been identified with. We can use the power of the group to effect changes at the state level that will positively impact both the profession and the public. To this end I would like to see the implementation of a new position on the Board of Directors, that of Government Liaison.
I look forward to having you, the California homeopathic community, join me and the rest of the Board and Officers of the California Homeopathic Medical Society. Together we can help the practice of homeopathic medicine re-take its rightful place as the safest and most effective form of health care available - in California and the world.
Sincerely,
Stuart H. Garber, D.C., Ph.D.
