b'IAOMT. The organization sprang from a need to have solid science backing Dr. Huggins claims, and its founding meet-ing took place in Banff, Alberta in 1984.Therelationshipdynamicsbetween Drs. Huggins and Vimy resulted in a rift that at first left Huggins out of IAOMT. But, our intrepid peacemaking dentist Rich Fischer was able to help heal that rift and brought Dr. Huggins to finally join forces with IAOMT before his untimely death.Recognizing his considerable talents, theIAOMTBoardofDirectorsvery quickly asked Rich to be on the Board. His first task was to promote credentialling for dentists, which he did wholeheartedly. He himself was later awarded IAOMTs Mastership Honors, its highest level of achievement.From 1994 to 1996, Rich was the Pres-ident of IAOMT, and still serves as a board member and chairman of its Pro-grams Committee, which selects scientific and clinical presenters for the organiza-tions twice-yearly in-person meetings. The latest IAOMT three-day event heldRich Fischer Awarding in Orlando, Florida in early SeptemberZiff Award to Peter Duesberg2023 with numerous speakers and attend-ees, along with two other holistic dentist organizations, was the 69th such event that Rich organized for IAOMT.The National Academy of Science The National Health Finally,Richalsoservesonthe The U.S. Department of State FederationIAOMTScientificAdvisoryCouncilAs if that were not enough, Rich isIn January 2022, the NHF membership (https://iaomt.org/about-iaomt/scien- also a member of numerous professionalelected Rich to the Federations Board of tific-advisory-council/). This Council isassociations and societies, including butGovernors. And in February 2023, the composed of many of the best scientificnot limited to the Academy of GeneralBoard elected him as Vice President of minds and Rich is the liaison between itDentistry (AGD) and the American Den- the organization. Throughout this time, and the Board of Directors. tal Association (ADA) of which he is anhe has been an active and valued member Dr. Fischer is recognized as the firstEmeritus member. As a well-respectedof the NHF Board.dentistinvitedtoserveasanexpertand recognized member of the nationalAnd, yet, long before that, Rich was witness before Congress in2002,2004,and international dental community, Richhelping the NHF in many ways, espe-and2008, where he testified on potentialhas been awarded fellowship degrees by:cially by promoting NHF through my health and environmental risks associ- The Academy of General Dentistry(1983);speakingslotsatnumerousIAOMT ated with the use of mercury in dentalThe Academy of Stress and Chronic Dis- events starting in March 2016. NHF and fillings. Aside from testifying before Con- ease (1992); The International Academyitsprinciplesofhealthfreedomhave gress on multiple occasions, Rich has alsoof Oral Medicine & Toxicology(1992);beenadvancedtodentistsallacross been called to testify for numerous otherThe American Academy of Ozonotherapythe country thanks to Dr. Fischer. The governmental organizations, including: (2013); and the International Academy ofNHFcountsitselffortunatetohave The National Institutes of Health Biological Dentistry and Medicine(Char- someone as considerably talented andThe Food and Drug Administration ter member). He was also awarded Dip- experienced as Dr. Richard Fischer on lomate status by the American Board ofits Board of Governors and an integral The Environmental Protection Agency Dental Sleep Medicine. part of the organization.H EALTHF REEDOMN EWS /F ALL2023 17'