The National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine (NIAM) is recognized as the largest and most authentic resource of information on Ayurveda in the United States. It was established in 1982 by Scott Gerson, M.D., Ph.D. (Ayurveda) who is the nation's only medical doctor to hold degrees in both Ayurveda and conventional allopathic medicine.

Dr. Gerson works principally as a physician specializing in diagnostically difficult cases. He currently is an associate professor in the Faculty of Ayurveda, University of Pune. He has earned his Fellowship and Master's degrees in Ayurvedic Medicine from the prestigious Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya and is a Ph.D. (Ayu), the highest level of recognition in the field, from University of Pune, where he is active in teaching and research. He holds the academic position of Clinical Assistant Professor at New York Medical College in the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine.

Dr. Gerson's medical practice has combined authentic Ayurveda and state-of-the-art conventional medicine for nearly twenty years. He is widely regarded as this nation's most experienced Ayurvedic physician and researcher. His Ph.D. dissertation in Ayurveda at the prestigious University of Pune is on Panchakarma and its Effects on Human Immunity. He recently published part of his work on the antifungal activities of certain Ayurvedic plants (Gerson, S, Green, LH, Preliminary Evaluation Of Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts of Morinda citrifolia Linn., Abstr. Am. Soc. Microbiol. A-66:13 May 2002). He also submitted another study for publication in 2008: Efficacy Of Selected Essential Oils In Modifying Anxiety Neurosis As Assessed By EEG Analysis.

In addition, Dr. Gerson continues to teach the diagnostic and therapeutic principles of Ayurvedic medicine at selected venues, universities, medical schools, and ashrams throughout the world. His work and research are well-known throughout India including The Central Council for Ayurveda and Siddha Medicine (CCRAS), The Vivekanananda Yoga Kendra, The Central Drug Research Institute (Lucknow), and The Institute Of Indian Medicine. He was the recipient of the 2003 P.K. Phadnis Award for Excellence in Ayurvedic Research.