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Category: News

Published: July 31, 2017

The 2017 Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR) conference, co-sponsored by the Department of Anesthesia at Stanford University, held its international conference in San Francisco on April 27-29, 2017. This year’s topic, “Advancing the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) through Acupuncture Research,” focused on the benefits of research in acupuncture and traditional East Asian medicine within the emerging field of PMI to explore the variability and responders/non-responders in acupuncture studies. The biennial conference included multiple plenary lectures from leading international researchers highlighting the role of precision medicine in acupuncture research. In addition to original research presentations, pre-conference workshops explored a variety of engaging topics discussing the future of acupuncture research.  

A few highlights from the 2017 SAR conference:

1. A preconference workshop, “Successes and Challenges of International Collaborations in Acupuncture Research,” presented by Elisabeth Stener-Victorin, PhD, Claudia Witt, MD MPH and Lixing Lao, PhD discussed their personal experiences in the cooperative partnership of conducting an international acupuncture research study in China and Germany.  The challenges such as language and social barriers became an opportunity to offer different, yet insightful, perspectives while designing a study.  
2. Jiang-Ti Kong, MD, Helene Langevin, MD LAc, Jennifer A.M. Stone, MSOM LAc, Ming-Chih Kao MD, PhD presented “High-tech/Low-tech: Instruments for Objective and Subjective Research Applications for Acupuncture,” discussing a range of objective and subjective measurements for acupuncture research including heart rate variability, connective tissue, and an electronic data collection program designed at Stanford University.
3. A symposia panel by Sheila A. Boudreau, PhD, Florian Beissner, PhD and Younbyyoung Chae, KMD PhD presented “Electronic Symptom Drawings: A New Tool for Mapping and Quantitative Assessments of Bodily Complaints,” which supported personalized medicine by mathematically quantifying patient illustrations of their pain symptoms and more accurately assess treatment progress.  
4. Sean Mackey, MD PhD, Ben Kligler, MD, MPH and Hugh MacPherson, Phd LAc discussed the importance of research in “Clinical/Policy Research on the Role of Acupuncture in Mainstream Medicine” to further expand the role of acupuncture in integrative medicine and health care policy.
5. “The Power of Research in Healthcare Policy: Lessons from Oregon and Vermont” presented by Robert Davis, MS LAc and Laura Ocker, MAcOM, LAc (an OCOM alum and past president of the Oregon Association of AOM) presented their experiences in utilizing acupuncture research to support health care policy changes and extend acupuncture insurance coverage in both states.  

Three original research projects were presented by OCOM affiliates at this year’s conference:  Interim director of OCOM’s Research Department, Ben Marx, MAcOM, LAc, presented his research on seven years of patient outcomes data from the OCOM intern clinic. Lee Hullender Rubin, DAOM, LAc, an adjunct faculty member, presented her research on acupuncture augmentation of lidocaine for provoked, localized vulvodynia, and Tamsin Lee, MAcOM, LAc, an OCOM research assistant and DAOM candidate, presented a retrospective case series on the effectiveness of acupuncture on Herpes Zoster.

OCOM master’s students, Sara Snyder, Whitney Tuxbury, Dusty Bodeen and doctorate students, Amy Chang, and Tamsin Lee, received scholarships from SAR to attend this year’s conference. “It was wonderful,” said Tuxbury, “to see acupuncture at work in our health care systems outside of the classroom setting, and a great chance to meet other students and professionals from around the U.S. and world.” Also supporting OCOM’s presence was DAOM student, Jessica Dahlton, and OCOM professor, Dr. Chico Livingston.  

Central to the practice of acupuncture and Chinese medicine is individualized treatment, and this conference highlighted the important contributions the field provides to the emerging Precision Medicine Initiative in biomedicine. For more information, visit www.acupunctureresearch.org, and save the date for the 2019 SAR conference on the East coast.

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Category: News

Published: April 24, 2017

On April 8, more than 160 supporters filled Oregon College of Oriental Medicine’s KPC Community Room for the college’s annual Cherry Blossom Gala. The event raised an all-time high of $112,280 to promote OCOM’s top-ranked academic programs and to expand access to integrative health care.

As the evening began, President and Chief Executive Officer, Deborah Howe, PhD, FAICP, expressed her admiration for OCOM’s students, noting they “come to OCOM because they know that Chinese medicine is effective and they want to become healers… they are willing to work extraordinarily hard for their education and — more importantly — their future patients and the medicine.”

Master’s program student and clinic intern, Travis Kern, shared an inspiring story about his life-changing work with a patient who receives regular acupuncture treatments to help overcome the physical and emotional impact of limited mobility after suffering from a severe stroke. “She relies on our clinics, our knowledgeable interns, and our accessible services to stay in control and to remain connected to her health and healing journey. Chinese medicine is an essential component in helping people live more satisfying lives, an essential component to adding good health into all of our mantras.”

Attendees included OCOM co-founder, Eric Stevens, DAOM, LAc, and three of the 34-year-old college’s first supervisors: Robert Kaneko, DAOM, LAc; Joseph Colleto, ND, LAc; and Janet LaRosa, DOM, LAc. Metro Councilor Carlotta Collette was also an honored guest.

Also attending were several of OCOM’s renowned faculty leaders, staff, alumni, students, and community supporters. The evening’s program was led by emcee and Chief Development Officer, Dave Eshbaugh, and auctioneer, Heidi Hill, who encouraged donors to give at personally significant levels.

OCOM’s trustees, Dea-Anne D’Amico, MA; Lea Anne Doolittle, MBA; Charles R. Elder, MD, MPH, FACP; Michell M. Hay; Gene G. Hong, MD; Dustin R. Klinger, JD; Brad J. Malsin, MD; Juliet T. Moran; Karen M. Williams, JD; and Leah R. Yamaguchi, LAc celebrate the success of the gala and thank all who contributed.
Photos from the event are available for viewing on OCOM’s official Facebook page: /OCOMPDX.

For more information, contact: Vice President of Communications, Beth Howlett, MAcOM, LAc, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 503-253-3443 x196

Download the press release (PDF)

 Michell Hay, Board Treasurer; Steve Sebers; and Dawn-Starr Crowther

Sarah Hammer; Leah Yamaguchi, Board Member and Gala Chair; and Courtney Prince

Karen Williams, Board Chair; Audrey DeMott

Kathy Calgano; Kenny Roders; Penny Stephenson; and Liz Malsin

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Category: News

Published: February 9, 2017

On January 28, 2017, Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods Integrative Medicine Scholarship finalist and Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) student, Diego Garcia, took home the top prize among all the student representatives. The panel, composed of other finalists from OHSU, University of Western States, National University of Natural Medicine, and Pacific University, engaged in a discussion of topics in holistic nutrition, themed “Food as Medicine.” The panel and scholarship contest are part of the annual Student Alliance for Integrative Medicine (SAIM) event celebrating Integrative Medicine Day. The conference at the OHSU Collaborative Life Sciences building also featured expert panel discussions on integrative approaches to physical performance and managing chronic illness in pediatric patients.

In reflecting on the process of selecting a finalist, OCOM’s SAIM representative Mallory Harman remembers: “We were so impressed with Diego’s story, his passion for the medicine, his ability to articulate his ideas, and his firm and confident ability to speak on the spot.” Garcia said of his winning video and panel performance, “I’m really excited to represent OCOM and to do my best to keep our school at the forefront of natural medicine.” Congratulations to Diego and all the contest finalists!

Diego Garcia - Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
Derich Hartfeil - National University of Natural Medicine
Arthur Knepper - Oregon Health and Science University
Natasha Smith - University of Western States
Jeff Szabo - Pacific University

Watch OCOM’s contest entries streaming online:

2017 winner Diego Garcia’s video on whole grain pancake and waffle mix:
https://youtu.be/7mqSzRkEu0I

All the OCOM 2017 contest submissions:
https://youtu.be/cXajeiPeXTI by Leah Friend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLit0umjzfI&edit=vd by Beth Randles

https://youtu.be/EesNaOKKkAs by Elizabeth Marr

https://youtu.be/bJ-bhguVJHg by Dixie Small

2015 and 2016 winner Travis Kern’s videos on kamut and teff:
http://youtu.be/aRfEUqDY8Gg
https://youtu.be/G9keKHn0mjE

2012 winner Eliot Sitt’s video on spelt:
http://youtu.be/YlcpLMWLRzA

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Category: News

Published: January 9, 2017

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) received a $5,000 grant award from the Juan Young Trust supporting access to acupuncture and Chinese medicine for children and young adults.

Thanks to the Trust's support, OCOM is able to provide qualifying community members aged 21 years and younger with up to 10 free treatments. Enrollment in this special youth-focused program begins January 3, 2017 and is designed to reduce barriers to receiving an optimal course of treatment. OCOM’s affordable sliding scale fees of $25-$35 continue to apply for all patients of any age in need of access to care.

“This generous grant provides OCOM with an excellent opportunity to provide care for children and young adults and gives our students exposure and experience with pediatric care and young adult care,” says Brooke Alsaker, OCOM Director of Clinical Operations. Analysis of OCOM clinic data revealed that only two percent of current intern patients are under 21, while our alumni report serving 5-20 percent in their professional practices. This award from Juan Young Trust will provide youth with access to care while also increasing meaningful clinical training opportunities for OCOM students.

OCOM is a 33-year-old nonprofit graduate institution that operates two Portland-area teaching clinics: one in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood and another in the Hollywood neighborhood of northeast Portland. OCOM’s Chinese medicine teaching clinics serve approximately 3,000 patients each year. As a member of the Coalition of Community Health Clinics, the college is committed to supplying a safety net of health care access for the underserved.

To enroll in the program, call OCOM’s Patient Services Team at 503-445-0950.

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Category: News

Published: January 1, 2017

OCOM's 6th Annual Cherry Blossom Gala

@ The House of Good Fortune (Castaway Portland)
1900 NW 18th Street, Portland, OR 97209

Saturday, April 7, 2018

6:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Please join us for our lively annual celebration of OCOM’s contribution to the transformation of integrated health care, when we honor the exceptional Joe Coletto, ND, LAc for his 33 years of teaching and inspiring students.

Activities include cocktail reception, live Chinese music, Sparkle Lounge, Dim Sum cart, Silent Auction, Chinese Calligraphy, and Laughing Buddha Photo Booth. Take a chance at the Lucky Wheel, Money Tree, Wine Wall, and Golden Ticket Raffle before celebrating the good fortune of our medicine during a delicious Chinese-inspired Dinner Program and Live Auction. 

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Category: News

Published: December 13, 2016

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) received a $15,000 grant award from Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Program supporting access to acupuncture care for low-income patients in the Portland metro area.

Thanks to Kaiser’s support, OCOM will provide low-income community members $15 acupuncture and Oriental medicine treatments for qualifying individuals. Enrollment in the program, Expanding Health Care Access to Low-Income Patients, begins now, with appointments starting January 3, 2017. Qualifying individuals will be eligible to enroll for five $15 visits between January and October 2017. OCOM’s affordable sliding scale fees of $25-$35 continue to apply for all patients in need of access to care.

OCOM is a 33-year-old nonprofit graduate institution that operates two Portland-area teaching clinics: one in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood and another in the Hollywood neighborhood of northeast Portland. OCOM’s Chinese medicine teaching clinics serve approximately 3,000 patients each year. As a member of the Coalition of Community Health Clinics, the college is committed to supplying a safety net of health care access for the underserved.

Analysis of patient survey data from 2015 grantees shows that those who receive at least five treatments at our clinics get better. Among low-income patients who received a course of five treatments, 84 percent reported having chronic conditions, with 98 percent then reporting that their conditions improved. Seventy-eight percent of grant recipients have some health insurance; among those, 84 percent are on OHP or Medicaid/Medicare. One hundred percent of patients reported they were “extremely” or “very” satisfied with their treatments. Thirty-two percent reported they did not use the emergency room due to access to health care at OCOM funded by this grant.

“The grant provides a great opportunity for Kaiser Permanente and OCOM to partner together,” says OCOM Trustee Charles Elder, MD, “The grant allows us to expand health care access to low-income members of our community by funding and providing high quality, evidence based integrative care.”

For additional information about the program is available by calling OCOM’s Patient Services Team: OCOM Clinic at 503-445-0950, or OCOM Hollywood Clinic at 503-281-1917. To apply for this program, download and complete the program's enrollment form.

OCOM’s mission is to transform health care by educating highly skilled and compassionate practitioners, providing exemplary patient care, and engaging in innovative research within a community of service and healing. Over 1,400 graduates practice, teach, and research Chinese medicine in 50 states and across the globe, and have provided an estimated 10 million treatments over the past 33 years. Additional information about our programs is available on our website: ocom.edu

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 10 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia, including more than 540,000 medical and 250,000 dental members in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, dentists, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical and dental teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/share.

About Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit
Community Benefit connects Kaiser Permanente with the communities we serve, expanding our influence beyond our clinics and hospitals to create new and equal opportunities for everyone to live a long, healthy life. In 2015, we contributed more than $141 million toward healthier communities in the Northwest.

About Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM)
Founded in 1983, OCOM is a single-purpose nonprofit graduate school that offers two specialized degree programs: Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAcOM) and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM). OCOM’s mission is to transform health care by educating highly skilled and compassionate practitioners, providing exemplary patient care, and engaging in innovative research within a community of service and healing. Our 1,402 graduates practice, teach and research Chinese medicine in 50 states and across the globe, and have provided an estimated 10 million treatments during the past 33 years. In 2012, OCOM relocated its campus and clinic to a LEED Gold certified academic, clinic and research facility in Old Town Chinatown.