From the Publisher by Deverick Martin One of the opportunities that I have in my role at The New Times is to bring greater credibility and acceptance of healing modalities that have not been part of the traditional allopathic approach to medicine. Whether that be a reading that is the basis for a breakthrough, a new exercise regime that brings new vitality, or the use of alternative medicine, The New Times is committed to providing cutting-edge articles, experiences, tools, and services for our readers. While I believe that there will always be a significant spiritual component that weaves through all of our work — and in fact is the very heart of our work — we are renewing our energy for providing a strong emphasis on wellness for the body, mind, and spirit. We at The New Times join with Bastyr University and KOMO TV to be cosponsors of the Health Expo at the end of April. The Health Expo — along with the International Conference on Integrative Medicine that will run simultaneously with the Health Expo — is the creative idea of Seattleite Bruce Takata. Jane Lister Reis of our staff met with Bruce to find out what could motivate a person to take on such a huge project. What she found out after talking with him is that, like others who are successful at fully developing a creative idea, it was a matter of professional training, having a personal life-changing experience, flat-out persistence, and heartfelt passion coming together at the same moment. "Basically I got involved in and interested in alternative medicine," Bruce said, "through my own personal experiences as a patient. I had some very bad experiences with professional medicine as I dealt with some chronic health problems of my own. Eventually I was referred to an acupuncturist, who became my first contact with alternative medicine in any form." This first encounter with a completely different philosophy of healing caused Bruce to begin a six-month research in the background, history, and philosophy of this healing science. What he learned amazed him. When he asked himself how he could help bridge these two healing sciences, the answer seemed obvious: Create an interactive Expo open to the public, offering first-rate speakers, products, and experiences for people looking for greater understanding of their own bodies and health, and design an international conference on integrative medicine, attracting doctors and healers from around the country to create a forum for discussion and learning. It is exciting to be part of this insurgence of energy and information about health and well-being that will make it easier for all of us to care better for our bodies, minds, and spirits. Health and wellness issues affect all of us. Bruce put it another way: "We’re all patients, just not at the same time." The Health Expo is a big deal. Beginning April 30 and continuing for three days, the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in downtown Seattle will be transformed into an interactive health fair. This Expo is geared toward people who want to be proactive in their health care, and will provide the latest information about health products, procedures, and practices. I suspect that most New Times readers are, like me, interested in greater self-empowerment in the areas of health and wellness. Last fall, a national study conducted by The Hartman Group in conjunction with Bastyr University released a study documenting the changing paradigm in U.S. health care. On page C1, Chris Butterfield offers more detail on the significance — and some early results — of this. Stay tuned to The New Times, especially if your path is one of greater personal responsibility and better choices.