Alumni Profiles





What year did you graduate from OCOM? 1999
 
Where (city, state, country) do you currently reside and/or practice? Vancouver, WA
 
If you are currently practicing, do you practice full time or part time? Full time
 
What inspired you to become a practitioner of TCM?
My inspiration came from a personal healing experience.
 
Briefly describe your practice/business model.
I work in a small clinic with 2 treatment rooms.  The space also has a small personal office, a reception area, and a small waiting room.  There are three other staff members in the office - two part-time office assistants and one part time acupuncturist.  It is a cozy friendly office, with a very relaxed environment.
 
What do you consider to be your winning business/marketing strategies?
I have one advertisement in the phone book, but otherwise, my patients are mostly referred from other doctors or medical centers or word of mouth. Also, approximately 40% of them come from insurance plans.
 
What are your business/practice goals?
My goal is to expand to a bigger building with the possibility of working with other types of practitioners, such as a chiropractor, a massage therapist, and a naturopath.
 
What keeps you motivated in your practice?
I keep motivated by watching the healing and progress of my patients.
 
What do you find to be the most interesting aspects of practicing acupuncture and Oriental medicine?
What is most interesting to me is that this is a medicine without side effects and a medicine that promotes natural healing, not only on a physical level, but on a mind and spirit level as well.  It gives a sense of wholeness to the person.
 
What is/has been your most useful resource?
Books, seminars, internet, doctoral program study - studying most of the time to learn the deeper levels of understanding of what TCM is all about.
 
Is there anything else you’d like to share (i.e. professional involvements, family, travel, etc)?
Yes!   I will graduate from the OCOM doctoral program by Aug 2007, and as a doctoral fellow I would like to say that I am very happy to study TCM and be exposed to other styles and schools of acupuncture in this program.  It has helped me not only in my professional development, but also in my self growth and evolution of my inner being.
 
What's next for you? Where do you want to put your energies?
I want to teach and expand my practice in order to help more people.