President’s Message : A New Look

As students and faculty members returned to the campus for the beginning of the fall 2013 trimester they were greeted by a new look in several of the busiest areas of the Yo San University (YSU) Building. The lead story in this edition of Communi Qi recounts the significant expansion of the YSU Community Clinic, the relocation of the University’s Administrative suite to a remodeled space on the third floor and the installation of new carpeting in the lobby and corridor areas of both the second and third floors. While these completed projects are obvious and concrete reminders of change and renewal, we all need to keep in mind that in a dynamic university environment, such as exists at Yo San, there is more subtle change that is taking place in the form of the never ending refinement of curricula, courses, syllabi, teaching methods, facilities, equipment and administrative procedures. Yo San University is committed to a process of continuous quality improvement on all levels. Refinements in content, process and facilities result only from a comprehensive and cyclical system of assessment where all aspects of University function—academic, social, spiritual, physical, financial, administrative and more —are engaged in a feedback loop of evaluation, data analysis, and improvement. At Yo San we refer to the process succinctly as “Assessment and Action.” That brief phrase affirms that not only are content and process examined and evaluated, but also subsequent changes are proposed, approved and implemented. The assessment loop must be continuous and complete. You are the most important part of the assessment loop. Yo San University faculty, administrators, student government leaders and others depend on your honest and candid feedback so that they can authentically actualize their roles consistent with the University’s commitment to continuous quality improvement. The next time you are asked to participate in a course evaluation, a survey, a focus group, or other assessment process, know that the data and/or narrative feedback that you supply will be a valued part of the University’s commitment to improvement every year, every trimester and every day at every level of our operation. At Yo San University there is a” new look” every day!

- Larry Ryan

You are invited to TOW Open House

Tao of Wellness Open House 

Friday November 1, 2013 at 3-5 pm.

Dr. Daoshing Ni, Dr. Mao Shing Ni and Associates invite Yo San University students and alumni to visit our new Santa Monica office. Dr. Dao and Associates will be discussing our Fellowship Program, Internship Program and other opportunities available at Tao of Wellness.

 Call 310 917 2200 to RSVP

Five New Bills You Need To Know

AAAOM Details Push For Five New Bills To Help Acupuncturists 

 Throughout the last year, AAAOM (American Association of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine) has been busy working on drafting a series of five new federal acupuncture bills. These five bills will have a direct impact on acupuncturists around the country as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act rolls in. AAAOM leaders answered a few pressing questions about the bills for Acupuncture Today and detailed how you can get involved.

Read More at Acupuncturetoday.com Click Here

Cooking with Shuilan : A Special YSUSA Event

On Thursday September 26, 2013 the Yo San University Student Association (YSUSA) sponsored a special event, “Cooking with Shuilan.”   How did the student group know that our University Bursar of nearly 24 years is also an expert cook with a specialty of utilizing fresh ingredients—especially  raw herbs in her recipes?  The sure answer is “word gets around,” or better yet, the aroma of quality cuisine always draws a crowd.  The aroma factor is especially on target since for years, Shuilan May has used the cooking facilities of the second floor student lounge to prepare her lunches.   The “Cooking with Shuilan” event, organized by YSUSA president Emily King, was a decided hit!  More than 25 students were captivated by the menu of the day all prepared quickly and easily before their eyes, and with samples of all dishes for the discerning student palates.  The menu began with the preparation of a black fungus and cucumber salad—a sure heart healthy meal starter, and proceeded with the secrets of chicken Danggui soup, a favorite that is especially conducive to women’s health.   Within that quick hour of demonstrations  (Hey, this woman could easily be the next Martha Stewart), Shuilan also shared the multiple ingredients of red bean porridge—with is unmistakable lotus seed and tangerine peel flavoring.  For dessert the group was awed by the Eight Treasure Ba Bao Fan dish, flavored with “eight jewel toppings” including (among others ingredients) walnuts, ginko, lotus seeds, longan and red bean paste.   Now that is healthy eating!

DAOM Program Earns Full Accreditation

Yo San University is very pleased to announce that effective September 16, 2013 its Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) Program has been awarded full accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). The announcement of accreditation by ACAOM followed more than ten years of development of the program and four years of its implementation. The accreditation process included significant examination of the program at the stages of “Substantive Change” achieved in 2009, and “Candidacy” achieved in 2011, and culminated in the March 2013 site visit by four distinguished doctoral level peer site visitors, who again scrutinized all aspects of the program. Their observations resulted in the generation of a report that designated “compliance” regarding each of the fourteen rigorous program standards specified by ACAOM.
The Yo San University DAOM Program, which has already graduated two cohorts, has two specialty areas: Reproductive Medicine/Women’s Health and Healthy Aging/Longevity. Besides advanced training in the specialty areas, the program provides intensive didactic and clinical work in integrative medicine as well as a carefully supported component that facilitates the on-time completion of a quality original research project by each candidate. For nearly a decade and a half the Yo San University Board of Trustees has provided the vision for the planning and implementation of the program. In addition to the institutional support, all DAOM students, alumni, faculty and staff members, and especially DAOM Program Director, Dr. Andrea Murchison, deserve hearty congratulations for making this milestone achievement a reality.

Clinic Expansion Heralds a New Model for Clinical Supervision Interactions

Both new and returning students arrived on campus on September 3, 2013 to a greatly transformed Yo San University environment.   Steady enrollment growth in the past several years necessitated the expansion of the Yo San University Community Clinic on the second floor of the building so it will more comfortably accommodate the rising number of MATCM and DAOM candidates who gain supervised experience as interns at the on-campus facility.   The clinic expansion was accomplished through the relocation of the YSU Administrative offices to the space formerly occupied by the Playa Physical Therapy offices on the third floor.   The expanded clinic provides five new treatment rooms, two generous storage spaces, plus a large “work room” specifically designed to facilitate enriched interactions between interns and supervisors.   The expanded space adjoins the existing clinic corridor near the east end of the clinic facility.   One of the most obvious changes in the expanded arrangement is that no longer will interns and supervisors have separate work and “hanging out” spaces.   With the start of the Fall 2013 trimester, while on duty in the YSU Community Clinic, both interns and clinical faculty members will engage in clinical supervision interactions in a single large common space.  The new supervisor/intern work room will greatly enhance the quality of clinical supervision interactions. While increasing opportunities for collaborative learning between students and clinical faculty members, our interns will experience increased instances of professional role modeling, a factor that is essential for successful entry and advancement in the profession.  The expanded spaces are fully data cabled, an important upgrade in preparation for the fast approaching 2015 requirement for the Community Clinic to engage Electronic Medical records.  The original clinic spaces will also benefit from data cabling in the near future.   All of the new clinic spaces have been decorated with fresh soothing colors and equipped with brand new furnishings, heat lamps, storage cupboards and other amenities.  The expanded Community Clinic Space highlights Yo San University’s commitment to quality education and community service by providing state of the art facilities.
 Because of the need for second floor clinic space, the hard working members of the Yo San University administration moved to a completely remodeled space on the third floor.  The new administrative office space boasts a open look with extensive glass panels along the third floor corridor as well as inside the new suite.  The central area of the administrative suite is furnished with attractive cubicles finished in sound absorbing materials providing a quiet dignified presentation to students and visitors.   Two reception counters provide easy access for inquiries and the engagement of routine academic transactions.   The central area is surrounded by the relocated Bursar’s Office, the President’s Office and offices for the Financial Aid Coordinator, Academic Deans and Director of Enrollment Management.   The overall result is a bright and airy environment that provides necessary privacy for student advisement and financial counseling while providing easy communication and staff interactions.   The relocation of the Bursar’s office from its former remote second floor location to the new third floor suite offered the opportunity to create the doctoral program center in the suite formerly occupied by the Bursar at the end of the second floor corridor.
In addition to the major build out and remodeling of the clinic and administrative spaces, both the second and third floor corridors and the clinic corridors have been re-carpeted in a cool and sophisticated charcoal/blue  tone.   The expanded clinic, the relocated administrative suite and the new corridor floor coverings greatly enhance the overall presentation and comfort of our campus.

"A Day on the Queen Elizabeth" with Dan Danforth, Class of 2012

It is nine AM and the Queen Elizabeth has just cleared immigration and customs.  A seeming formality for small islands like this...clearing bigger ports is much more bureaucratic.  Five of us from the spa are in the crew-line to get off ship, waiting for guest tours to finish disembarking.  It was nice to sleep in a couple hours extra...I really don't like waking up to alarms.  A few of the spa folk decided to sleep in all morning and get off in the afternoon, but after two thirteen hour work days at sea, I want some tropical beach time, and away from the metal box.  Sea days are long.  Fortunately, yesterday, the receptionist recognized my omission in scheduling lunch and dinner and did it for me.  The day before I wound up working through lunch and had half a dinner...my own fault really, since I control my own schedule.  Perhaps if the food in the staff mess was consistently palatable, I would be less inclined to overlook eating.  Food quality in the passenger areas is much better, but the red tape of getting permission to eat there, and then dressing up in the attire of the evening sometimes just isn't worth it.  Some friends here say other ships aren't nearly as political and rigid about such matters...yet others don't allow staff to eat in guest areas at all.  In actuality, the fare is not always bad, but lets face it I am a food snob...and organic?...forget about it.  This is another reason we are in line early to get off...real food is calling us from the outside world!

Crew and staff start disembarking in short order, and our small group is keen on finding a nice breakfast cafe...with wifi ofcourse.  The nicest cafe, if without wifi, will not be well patroned by ship's company.  It is ethereal gold to us.  Every once in a while I see one of my patients walking around, not uncommon with a passenger manifest of two-thousand and relatively small geography onshore.  Sometimes they don't recognize me in casual clothes, especially when I zip by on my longboard wearing a bandana and sunglasses.  On this cruise, like most, the majority of my patients are of the back pain category, with a handful of arthritic knees.  Surprisingly, I have one patient who is coming for maintenance and well-being, and not-too-surprisingly, one for weight loss.  Most of my patients are British, with a couple Australians and one American.  Brits are, by and large, much more skeptical than most.  Helping them understand how this medicine will benefit their health is a big task.  I have customized my seminar presentations to be efficient in bridging the gaps of understanding and practitioner trust.  Tough nuts to crack, but once they open up, are some of the most genuinely caring people I've met.  Most of my business on board comes from two seminars, about ninety percent actually: 'Introduction to Acupuncture' and 'Back Pain/Arthritis Solutions'.  Although I teach three or four a week, it is really the success and attendance of the first two of the cruise that set the tone for how busy I will be. 

After overly enjoying local food and wifi, we catch one of the ubiquitous van-taxis to the local beach.  The driver is a master at his craft, asking the right questions to keep a lively conversation going with laughter all around...a sure way to get well-tipped.  We filled up the eight passenger van with a couple more crew members we found wifi'ing at the cafe.  The beach is packed, understandably, given the turqoise waters, beach shack restaurants blaring Bob Marley, and a perfect, lightly breezing eighty degree day.  Moments like this, assisted by perpetual rose-colored lenses, wordlessly validate why I love this lifestyle.  It doesn't take long to realize half of the ship's company are at the beach with us.  Fresh coconuts, periodic swims, beach naps, rum-punch, gorgeous scenery...an amazing day, which after several hours we are remiss to leave.  But alas, one drawback of this life is you never quite seem to have enough time at any port, unless it's an overnight call...which are very few.

Back on the ship, we all plan to meet up for sail-away on deck four.  That gives us time to shower and relax a bit.  Some people opt for a nap, especially the ones who got sunburned or over-indulged on rum punch.  A daily ritual I seem to have adopted is putting my hands together and looking up to thank the unknown entity who negotiated our contract on the ships, entitling us acupuncturists to have our own cabins.  I do so now as I get ready for the evening.  A knock on my door eventually brings me back to reality “doctor Dan, you ready?”  A designation which still makes me uncomfortable, but futile in trying to extinguish.  I helped out some colleagues with their seasickness, migraines, stress and tendonitis...now the entire team calls me 'doc'.  I've gotten used to it.  The respect shown me for what I do here was a big shock at first, especially being my first job out of school; it is humbling to hold so many people's trust in store, consequently making me want to learn more and become a better practitioner.  Joining my colleague, we grab a quick bite, then head to the front of the ship, right about the time the engines start up, sending a quick, pulsing vibration all the way to the bow.  Slowly, we pull out of the natural harbor and back out to sea.  The island gets smaller and smaller and we scan through pictures on cameras and phones people took that day, alternately laughing and squinching.  I don't know what the date is or what day of the week it is...those concepts have little meaning here: it is either a sea day or port day.  The breeze gets stronger as the ship picks up speed on the open water.  The sunset is typically breathtaking.  I look around, sipping my ridiculously inexpensive drink from the crew bar, and try not to think about the thirteen hour work day at sea tomorrow.  Fortunately we have two more port days after, so I'll get more playtime.  Glancing to get one last glimpse of the island, I then turn attention to my very culturally diverse group of ship friends, deciding what to do this evening...it's just another day on the Queen Elizabeth.

News from J.P. O'Hara, YSU Freshly Greaduate, Class of 2013

I am a volunteer and the official team acupuncturist for Santa Monica College football team. My brother coaches the quarterbacks on the team and coincidentally I was coached by the head coach and the defensive coordinator 15 years ago at Whittier college. I really want to get into sports acupuncture so I asked my brother if I could come and do his team. I came once and the kids ate it up! It was a no-brainer from that point on. I'm getting valid experience and they're getting free treatments. I treat there Tuesday and Thursday for two and a half hours at a time and treat about 15 kids a week. I am treating things I've never treated before like 'turf toe', shin splints, 'stingers' (this is what the players call it when they hit someone and neuralgia occurs down the arm).
The team trainers and doctor have been surprisingly welcoming. They tell kids that are injured to come see me all the time. I'm having a blast and seeing a lot of results.

News from a Yo San Alum : Claire Williams Class of 2011

Hello Fellow Yo Sanners!!

Thinking about running away to a tropical island after you graduate to escape the chaos of LA?! Or maybe I was the only one..
Well, if not, here is the guide to Tropical Island Acupuncture Practices..
1. Make sure you translate all of your paperwork into the language before you move.. otherwise, 4 months later, your tan is in great shape, but your intake form is still in English..

2. Make sure you have internet at your office.. for that moment when someone tells you their homoplats hurt... only you have no clue what or where a homoplat is..(it's your shoulderblade.)

3. Make sure you meet a fellow acupuncturist as soon as you arrive, for when you run out of needles and have no where to purchase them and shipment from the US takes 2 months.. you might need them to front you some..

4. Make sure when you choose a tropical island, you ensure that it is in fact TROPICAL.. not sub tropical... sub tropical has a winter rainy season that lasts for 5 months and reminds you of Rainy LA...

5. Be prepared to make some hefty language mistakes... like telling your patients to put on their chicken when it is cold outside so they don't get sick, reminding them it is normal to want to hide in their cucumber... or even encouraging them to embrace their inner dildo... yeah.. whoops!!

Ok, Ok, enough of the list, but in reality, it has been one helluva adventure!! I arrived last August, after 3 frustrating yet enlightening months in China/Hong Kong, and got a job as a tour guide.. Slowly but surely, I bought a massage table and sharps container, found an office space and made a business card..et voila; Invoke Wellness was born! (Like my page on FB!)

Now, legally, things are tricky here, but as long as I stay under the radar, no one should bother me. There is a loophole, and that is how non MD acupuncturists are allowed to practice. As long as they don't take away too much business from the MD's! I didn't run any ads, but being in a city of 150,000, you don't need to run ads, word of mouth works wonders! And so, bit by bit, patients are coming through the door.. at 9 months of official operation I am seeing 15 patients a week.. Hey, it could be worse! I do a decent amount of trade (right now about 20% trade, but in the beginning I was doing 60%!) My idea is, the more people that know about me, the faster the word gets round! And it has worked. I trade with a few different Osteopaths, a few massage therapists, yoga teachers, and I even trade for my haircuts, nails, and jewelry! No, I don't need my nails done every month, but I work next door to a beauty salon, and I get quite a few patients from them. I give the gals ear seeds, and their clients inquire and BAM, Presto, New Patient for me!!
As far as treatments go, I get a lot of pain issues, Lv/Kd yin xu, Lv Qi stag, a few odd cases including generalized feet neuropathy (that western medecine has found absolutely no explanation for), Meige's Dystonia, and of course, our favorite friend, damp and sp qi xu..
People here think a breakfast consists of bread with butter and jam. And don't forget the pound of sugar with that coffee. Water? You mean that clear stuff to which you add Flavored Sugar Syrup? Not to mention the fact that fresh veggies here include potatoes.. cabbage...carrots.. and more potatoes and giant yams, (not the good sweet potato kind,) Non-Nutritional Texas sized yams. Yams that could kill a man. If you want real veggies you go frozen or broke.. broke because everything is imported and a small box of fresh spinach, if you can find it, will cost you $10, and you want a tomato? That will cost you $7 a kilo. Persimmons you say?! Only $15 a kilo! and no, they don't have Kale here, and their beets have no greens... and their avocados have seeds throughout that taste like cardboard! And the other day, at the supermarket, they didn't have any ONIONS!! WHO RUNS OUT OF ONIONS!!! oh yeah.. we do.. But at least the fish is good here! And not too expensive... unless of course you eat fish from the lagoon that happens to have high levels of Ciguatera toxin, which means that you can't eat fish for at least 6 months.. or nuts, or chocolate, or too much meat, and no alcohol either. And did I mention that this toxin causes your hands and feet to feel like they are burning hot after touching anything cold?! And you itch... all over.. and the slightest gust of wind is like frozen ice cubes being chucked at your naked body. Fake tabacco tree leaves apparently help detox the body from the toxin..I found it tastes almost as bad as any chinese herb, and only helps diminish the symptoms. And yes, Huang Liang Jie Du Tang is the correct formula to treat this. Ok, Enough of the food rant! 

The hardest parts of sub-tropical island life have been the lack of fresh vegetables, the language barriers, not having my colleagues around.. and the lack of TCM herbs. We have access to some western herbs, but no TCM, and so I feel like I am only doing half my job.. The last two reasons are why I will probably be headed back to the states next year. But until then, I will continue learning my lessons which include:

1. I can create a quick rapport with anyone, even in a different language.

2. Pain is a great way to get people in the door and get the word out on the street.

3. A budget is a must!

4. I know enough from school to make a difference in people's lives.

5. People love one on one attention! Spending too much time asking them questions during their first intake is maybe a “waste” of time for you, but it helps make them feel comfortable and separates you from the old Vietnamese acupuncturist down the street.

6. The Vietnemese acupuncturist down the street is your best friend because he makes you look AWESOME! He gives the needles to his patients when done, so they bring them back for the next tx. He doesn't explain a thing to anyone about what he is doing, or how they can make changes in their daily life. He treats 35 people at once (or so that's what they tell me) and he has told at least one person that 2-3 treatments and their problems are resolved otherwise they have no hope......

7. Acupuncture, even without herbs, can still work wonders.

8. I Love TCM.. and I Love Yo San.. and I miss all my teachers and colleagues.

9. and Frozen Spinach is better than no spinach.


All kidding aside, I do love it here.. and the bad is not soo bad. It's more for comic relief. Life is tranquil, we are coming into summer, the sun is shinning, the water is almost warm enough to swim in, people are easy going and no one honks their car horns. Organic here may be pricey and very difficult to find, but life is organic here
And if you have any questions or would like any more random details about my life here, feel free to drop an email, skype, FB, Viber, Snapchat, or hell, even a smoke signal! I miss speaking English too!!!

Dr. Ming Dong Li and his new book!

"It is my pleasure to announce that the English textbook "Chinese Internal Medicine" will be coming soon. As an author, I am very excited. Our team spent for four years, worked very hard and we did it finally! The book covers the theory and practice of Chinese Internal Medicine in greater depth than any English language textbook available today.

Best wishes,  

Ming-Dong Li, Ph.D., D.Ac."

President’s Message: First Professional Doctorate Degree Will Upgrade the TCM Profession

It was just about two months ago that our accrediting agency, the Accrediting Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), released its guidelines for programs seeking accreditation for the first professional doctorate (FPD) degree.   At least some of the motivation for the initiation of transition of TCM education to the FPD is to facilitate an overall upgrade of the TCM profession, a move that will open the door for acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine to achieve enhanced parity with other healthcare professions whose practitioners’ degrees and titles are at the doctoral level.  Among those practitioners for which parity is sought includ allopathic & osteopathic physicians (MDs and DOs), homeopathic practitioners, chiropractors, physical therapists and clinical psychologists. The upgrade is also likely aimed at expanding participation in third party payment for health care services rendered by TCM practitioners including possibility of the participation of the TCM profession in the national healthcare plan.   Shortly after ACAOM made its announcement regarding the FPD guidelines, the Yo San University administration appointed a study group to explore the feasibility of offering the FPD program at Yo San University.  That study group headed by MATCM Dean Dr. Lawrence Lau has engaged the task diligently, exploring all possible formats and implications of Yo San University offering the First Professional Doctorate Program.

Here is what we know:

·         There are some differences between the current ACAOM standards and the new FPD standards.   However, because of the thoroughness, rigor and length (a minimum of four academic years) of our current YSU MATCM Program, we will require only minor additions in content and clinical hours to upgrade to a PFD Program.

·         Because of the likely complexities of regulatory approval, the transition to the First Professional Doctorate as the required entry level degree for the TCM Profession is likely to take a number of years (at least three to five years).

·         As per ACAOM’s current guidelines, practitioners who have earned MATCM degrees and who want to upgrade to a FPD degree will likely have to be enrolled in an approved FPD program for at least two years.

·         The FPD program will ultimately raise the cost of an education in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

·         The DAOM will continue to be an advanced specialized degree program.

Here is what we do not know:

·         Will the State of California be ready for the change to the First Professional  Doctorate?  The California Acupuncture Board will have to change or amend its laws to allow for individuals to enter the profession with the FPD.

·         Current state regulations make it difficult to obtain approval for doctoral level programs, and thereby could inhibit the eligibility of students in such program to participate in Federal financial aid programs to fund their education in FPD programs.

What should you do?

·         Keep moving and complete the MATCM program in which you are currently enrolled – you are on a positive and productive path, and you are in a program that provides you with the knowledge and skills that you will need to qualify for licensure and thereby enter the TCM profession as a competent practitioner.

·         If and when a FPD is fully authorized by the state of California as the entry level requirement for the TCM profession, you will likely be finished with your MATCM Program, licensed and well into your practice.   There will be options for you to either ’upgrade’ your degree qualification, or to undertake a DAOM program that will include significant advanced and specialized training, practice and research.

Larry Ryan, President

Dance to Wellness: A Star Studded and Spectacular Evening!

Debbie Allen Moves Audience With More Than Dance, and Legendary Singers, James Ingram and Freda Payne, Serenade Their Long-time Friend

Daoshing Ni, Larry Ryan, Freda Payne, Debbie Allen, James Ingram and Mao Shing Ni

The theme of the evening was “Dance to Wellness,” and that theme was carried through with considerable panache, as the energetic ensemble of 19 dancers from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy took to the floor and impressed an enthusiastic audience of 125 Yo San University supporters at the Pacific Design Center (PDC) on Saturday May 18, 2013. With their flowing, gymnastic and emotionally metaphoric rendition of the “Earth Dance” the youthful troupe set the stage for the conferral of the Yo San University 2013 Robert Graham Visionary Award. The dancers epitomized the positive energy and healthy spirit cultivated by choreographer, producer and director, Debbie Allen. These young people represented the thousands of others who have been the benefactors of instruction at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, an institution which has facilitated the health and wellness of young Southern Californians for the past twelve years It was precisely that work in founding and developing the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and her dedicated advocacy to Traditional Chinese Medicine that motivated the Yo San University Board of Trustees to name Debbie Allen as the recipient of the 2013 Robert Graham Visionary Award.

"Earth Dance" by Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) dancers

The gala evening opened with cocktails and hors’ dourves in Wolfgang Puck’s Spectra Room on the third level of the impressive PDC Blue Building, the original structure in a complex of five architecturally significant buildings that include a branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art, and which constitute the largest collection of interior design and art studios and showrooms in the country. As the Yo San University guests gathered, the iconic YSU logo provided the backdrop for “red carpet” photo ops with the variety of celebrities who came out to honor Debbie at the evening’s festivities.

Debbie Allen, Daoshing Ni and Brenda Strong

After a delicious buffet dinner, Yo San University President, Dr. Larry Ryan, opened the program by welcoming and thanking all in attendance for their support of Yo San University and its mission to educate exceptional TCM healers/practitioners and for the enormous difference that the University makes with its Community Clinic and outreach services that provide more than 21,000 treatments each year. Ryan introduced the evening’s mistress of ceremonies, television star, Brenda Strong (Desperate Housewives, Dallas) whose warmth, personality and humor extended further welcome to all. Yo San University Founder Dr. Daoshing Ni highlighted the history of the Robert Graham Visionary Award, which is named for the late artist and sculptor, Board Member and University supporter, who was also the late spouse of actress Anjelica Huston. Prior award winners have included, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Sela Ward, and Robert Downey, Jr.

Debbie Allen urged the members of audience to "follow your passions."

Just before conferring the 2013 Robert Graham Visionary Award, University Co-Founder Dr. Mao Shing Ni recounted the numerous accomplishments of Debbie Allen ‘s impressive professional and philanthropic careers. Allen has risen to the top in the arts and performing, producing and directing communities, and has simultaneously given back generously to the greater community to promote the health and wellness of others. As Dr. Mao stated in his conferral of the award, “Debbie Allen is the epitome of what the Robert Graham Visionary Award is about.” In her acceptance address, Debbie Allen was gracious, eloquent and impassioned. She humorously recalled her first encounters with Traditional Chinese Medicine during an episode of sciatica, which left the famous dancer completely immobilized. When she experienced quick relief from the insertion of the shinny steel acupuncture needles, Allen remembered that she stated “I’ll gladly wear those as jewelry!” Allen gratefully reflected on her husband, former Laker and Clippers hoopster, Norm Nixon, her own children and her extended family of the thousands of dancers for who she has served as an instructor and role model. As she expressed appreciation for the award, Debbie Allen urged the members of audience to "follow your passions." A well deserved standing ovation honored the star, the TCM advocate and the person—Debbie Allen. Immediately after the conferral of the award, legendary singer James Ingram serenaded Debbie with an the smooth tones of his hit song, Find One Hundred Ways. The awed audience again rose to their feet in honor of both Allen and Ingram.

James Ingrams sure knows more than One Hundred Ways to dance!

As the program progressed, Emcee, Brenda Strong appealed to the audience to support the Yo San University cause by bidding on the four unique auction items, which included a Goodyear Blimp adventure, a private basketball lesson with veteran NBA start Norm Nixon, a directorial shadowing experience with Debbie Allen and a unique bronze “Freedom” sculpture by Danielle Anjou. The audience was most generous, and each item sold quickly to discerning bidders. At the end of the basketball lesson auction, Norm Nixon rose to his feet and whispered in the ear of auctioneer Brenda Strong. Brenda revealed that Nixon would provide four private lessons for each of the bidding parties thus increasing the funds generated to support the outreach services of Yo San University.

Norm Nixon rose to his feet and whispered in the ear of auctioneer Brenda Strong...

The energy and professionalism that Freda Payne invests in the art of singing proved to be infectious.

With the auction completed and dessert being served, the sensational Freda Payne took the stage and performed a set of songs. Among the numbers rendered by Freda were the powerful and deeply emotional Here’s to Life as well as her spirited and feisty two million record seller, Band of Gold. Freda’s numbers were punctuated by stories she told of the first time that she saw Debbie Allen perform as a chorus line dancer in a New York Broadway production many years ago. Freda shared that she knew that this young women who so eloquently manifested the language of dance in her performance would surely be a success. How right Freda Payne was! The energy and professionalism that Freda Payne invests in the art of singing proved to be infectious. By the time Payne finished her set, the entire room was swaying and clapping to the familiar melodies that emanated from deep in the performer’s soul. Without a doubt the 2013 Yo San University Robert Graham Visionary Award gala was a most entertaining and inspiring event.

“Freedom” sculpture by Danielle Anjou

Special Thanks to Yo San University Student Volunteers

Swiss Interns 2013

Yo San University (YSU) hosted three graduate TCM students from Tao Chi Schulungszentrum Zürich during the Spring 2013 trimester. The Swiss interns spent 4 weeks in YSU attending a variety of classes in acupuncture, TCM internal medicine, Chinese medical herbology, TCM nutrition as well as courses in YSU’s unique Qi-cultivation program. They also spent time observing YSU interns and clinicians in the YSU Clinic, the YSU herbal dispensary and at several of our clinical externship programs.

The Swiss visitors were very impressed with our academic programs here at YSU and unanimously found their 4-week experience at YSU ‘meaningful and enriching’. ‘I wish I could spend more time at Yo San and learn the medicine deeper ’ was the common sentiment shared by these Swiss interns. ’ I would certainly recommend the YSU internship program to other students in Zurich’, they added.

By Lawrence Lau

Virginia House Externship brings Yo San Clinical Services to the Valley

For the first time in the nearly 25 year history of Yo San University the services of the Yo San University Clinic are being offered in the Los Angeles suburban area of the San Fernando Valley.  Starting in February 2013, acupuncture, acupressure and nutritional advisement services have been offered one shift per week to residents of Virginia House, a care facility in Tarzana. The facility is designed for seniors who need assistance with the activities of daily living.  Virginia House provides spacious and beautiful homelike accommodations set among lush gardens.  The facility has as its objective the enhancement of the physical and psychological well being of each resident. The program at Virginia House is oriented toward bringing individuals who have encountered mobility limitations and other age related illnesses to a higher level of wellness and fullness of life.  According to Virginia House Manager, Jonathan Dela Paz, the Traditional Chinese Medicine services offered by  Yo San University DAOM candidate, Rochan Olson, have already made a significant contribution to the wellness and health of the residents.  The externship experience of Ms. Olson, who is a licensed acupuncturist and a 23011 graduate of Yo San University, is framed so that specialized learning will be engaged regarding the services, regulations and functions pertaining to the operation of care facilities.

Practice Development Series

 Practice Development Series,  Tuesday afternoons from 5-6pm.

 

The strongest comment from Alumni has always been, “I wish I would have know more about running my clinical practice.”  Yo San University has developed a Practice Development Series to address this deficiency.  Having speakers from varying areas of expertise, we want the student of the series to come away with information that will take away the “what do I do now?” bug.  Herbal companies, TCM supply distributors and marketing professionals are just a few of the specialists that will come to speak at Yo San.  This is open to all students and Alumni looking to propel themselves to greater success as a TCM professional.  Check your email for upcoming classes. 

By Albert Vaca, L.Ac.

Graduation 2013

By Lawrence Lau

Thirty-three joyful and jubilant graduates gathered in the Skirball Cultural Center – Magnin Auditorium on April 21, 2013 to participate in the 2013 Yo San University Commencement Ceremony. Witnessed by family, friends, YSU faculty and staff, the graduates received their diplomas from YSU founders Drs Daoshing Ni and Mao Shing Ni, and were proudly declared ‘Graduates of Yo San University, 2013’. The group comprises 26 graduates from the MATCM program and 7 graduates from the DAOM program.

Keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Myles Spar, MD, MPH, director of the Integrative Chronic Pain program at Venice Family Clinic's Simms/Mann Health and Wellness Center. In his address to the graduates, Dr. Spar noted that traditional Chinese medicine is unique in its holistic approach to health and healing, and urged the graduates to continue reaching out to and collaborate with other healthcare practitioners so that more may benefit from the healing powers of traditional Chinese medicine.

Other speakers at the ceremony included elected faculty speakers Professor David Cohen, L.Ac (MATCM program) and Dr. Nurit Winkler, MD (DAOM program), and elected student speakers Ms. Anh Hoang Tran (MATCM program) Dr. Vilas Joseph Keith, DAOM (DAOM program). Ms Tran and Dr. Keith also led the graduates in the recitation of the ‘Healer’s Oath’, a tradition that dates back to the early days of Yo San University 23 years ago.

Several prizes were awarded at the Ceremony. An honorary Doctor of Science degree was conferred on Professor James Skoien from Tao Chi Schulungszentrum Zürich; Professor Skoien was honored for his contributions to his advancement of traditional Chinese medicine in Europe.

Also honored at the ceremony were Adam Cappuccino, recipient of the 2013 Board of Trustees Meritorious Award (MATCM), and Dr. Kumiko Yamamoto, recipient of the 2013 DAOM Distinction Award.

The commencement ceremony was followed by light refreshments served in the beautifully adorned Skirball Center courtyard, with fine balmy weather and glorious sunshine befitting of a very special day.

Stener-Victorin Event Draws National Participation

TCM practitioners from all over the country participated in the April 14, 2013 continuing education event conducted at Yo San University by distinguished fertility researcher Elisabet Stener- Victorin, Ph.D. Thirty five eager acupuncturists from both Northern and Southern California, and from points well beyond including Chicago gathered in the Yo San University Qi studio for the Event. Dr. Stener-Victorin, is credited with conducting ground breaking research that provided the basis for the TCM fertility treatment protocols in use today. Her research publications are credited with providing the necessary evidence that led many reproductive endocrinologists to collaborate with acupuncturists to assist patients through the processes involved with assisted reproductive technology (ART). In addition to the face-to-face participants gathered on the Yo San campus for the event, at least another 80 individuals from all over the United States and beyond were registered and benefited from Dr. Stener-Victorin’s presentation via a live-cast webinar facilitated by ProD seminars. The eight hour session explored topics well beyond fertility issues and covered a range of women’s health factors including overall endocrine regulation, menopause, overactive bladder, and many pain-related conditions.

Dr. Stener-Victorin is a professor at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Goteborg University in Sweden. Since 1987 she has collaborated with both TCM and Western Medicine acupuncture practitioners in a number of research projects with primary focus on the use of electro-acupuncture and its effect on the sympathetic nervous system, the endocrine system and immune functioning. The April 2013 featuring Dr. Stener-Victorin event served as a “kick-off” for the initiation of Yo San University’s fourth doctoral program cohort. That cohort has its specialty focus in Reproductive Medicine.

Ask Julie : How can Chinese medicine help with mononucleosis?

Question: How can Chinese medicine help with mononucleosis?

Answer:

Chinese medicine can be really effective! Here’s a case study from my practice:

The patient was a 21-year old male who had been to a Halloween party two nights before, where he partook in pipe-sharing with about 20 other people. He arrived at my office with a severe sore throat, fever, and visibly swollen cervical lymph nodes. His throat was so painfully swollen that he could barely eat. He also had extreme malaise and fatigue. When his mother took him to the family physician, the doctor diagnosed “mononucleosis” on the spot, based on the patient’s age and history. He said for that age group and the severity of the throat symptoms, it could hardly be anything but mononucleosis. He prescribed a 5-day course of Prednisone for the swelling, and advised bed rest and limited sports activity, due to the possibility of an enlarged spleen.

Mononucleosis is an interesting disease for Chinese herbal students to examine, because it can pass through many phases of pathogenic heat disease. At the onset, you could diagnose it as a “wind heat invasion” since it was contracted externally and contagiously. But very soon, it reaches Qi-level heat, toxic heat, possibly damp heat, and then, if not treated effectively, it can sink into the ying, blood and yin-deficient levels of heat.

This particular patient was lucky enough to be treated every day with acupuncture and herbal medicine, and his illness lasted only about 7 days. He never did go into the ying, blood and yin deficient phases, and he avoided the chronic, lingering phase that so many sufferers experience. People have been known to go through many months of fatigue and low-level fevers.

His formula consisted of herbs from Clear Heat from the Qi Level, Clear Heat and Toxin, and Clear Heat and Cool the Blood. I used:

Jin Yin Hua, Lonicera Flos

Lian Qiao, Forsythia Fructus

Pu Gong Ying, Taraxacum Herba

Sheng Di Huang, Rehmannia Radix (raw)

Mu Dan Pi, Moutan Cortex

Xuan Shen, Scrofularia Radix

Ban Lan Gen, Isatis Radix

Niu Bang Zi, Arctium Fructus

Shen Qu, Massa Fermentata

Gan Cao, Glycyrrhiza Radix

The last two were to protect the spleen (the Chinese concept of spleen, not the anatomical one), as this is a very cold formula. The patient recovered within a week, and only suffered after that from not being able to play basketball for a month!

What's up, Doc? "Mononucleosis"

By Ed Shaheen, MD.

A 16-year-old, healthy male presents with a several-day history of fever, sore throat, and malaise. He appears very tired and has a temperature of 102f. A physical examination is remarkable for diffuse pharyngeal erythema (very red throat) with moderately enlarged tonsils covered with exudate (pus) and the presence of several enlarged, tender anterior and posterior cervical lymph nodes. What do you think that this is?

Exudative tonsillitis can be a sign of many entities, both common and less common. The range would include bacterial and viral causes. On the bacterial side, there are strep infection (most common bacterial agent) and less commonly, diphtheria, gonococcal pharyngitis. As for viral causes, there are adenovirus and infectious mononucleosis, primarily.

In the case of “mono”, the above history is fairly typical. Mono is often called “the kissing disease” because it can be transmitted by enthusiastic exchanges of saliva in the heat of passion. However, I have seen many cases that do not have such a history (at least, not admittedly). Also mono may have what is called “kissing tonsils”, which refers to tonsils that are so swollen that they touch each other. Romantic? Not really. These tonsils are usually the ugliest tonsils that you will ever see.



There are several important features about mono that should be remembered. The cause is usually blamed on the EB virus (short for Epstein-Barr) even though CMV (the cytomegalic virus) can also cause a similar picture. Clinically the spleen can be enlarged and very fragile and susceptible to rupture (which can be fatal). This is why we advise that these patients avoid contact sports for at least one month. There is usually an associated period of fatigue that can last from weeks to months before subsiding. In the past, some have suggested that the EB virus is the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. However, most authorities on the subject no longer believe this. By adulthood, 90% of individuals are positive for the EB virus and chronic EBV infections are rare.



Mono is not always a benign disease. Besides ruptured spleen, we also monitor for obstructive tonsillitis that can actually block the airway and require corticosteroids or possible intubation (placing a tube into the airway) to avoid suffocation. Patients are sometimes hospitalized for this reason and because of other less common side effects, such as hepatitis, myocarditis, kidney problems, rare neurological conditions and a few other unusual complications.



How did “mononucleosis” get its name?

An atypical lymphocyte is found on the peripheral smear of the blood of patients with infectious mononucleosis. The first discoverers of this disease thought that they were looking at monocytes instead of atypical lymphocytes. Thus the term "mononucleosis" was adopted, a case of mistaken identity.

Message from our President - "Change"

Change

I was fortunate recently to enjoy a few days in a warm weather seaside setting where there was nothing to do but to enjoy the sun, surf and long walks on seemingly endless pristine beaches.   Contemplating the uniqueness of each wave, the ever-varying presentation of hues of blue, and the endless shifting of billions of grains of sand, I was struck  by the ever-evolving nature of the ocean.   The ocean is a live body that is constantly changing.   At the same time it remains stable and consistent with its identity as an ocean.   Recently, Yo San University has experienced a number of personnel promotions, the introduction of several new personnel, and some minor organizational changes. It occurred to me that these shifts are like my experience of the ocean.   As a university Yo San is a dynamic living entity that is constantly evolving and changing.   At Yo San our evolution is consistently oriented around self assessment and continuous improvement.   Simultaneous with the inevitable presence of change, Yo San University consistently maintains its mission and identity.   In briefest terms, we are about quality Traditional Chinese Medicine education and the promotion of an integrative clinical service model and clinical services.  With the knowledge that change brings new opportunities for strengthening our mission and identity, and with sincere appreciation to all those individuals whose service to our organization has changed or ended, the University is delighted to announce the following personnel changes:

·         Andrea Murchison, DAOM, L.Ac.  (formerly Assistant Dean in the MATCM Program) has been promoted to Doctoral Program Director.

·         Tora Flint, M.A., former Office manager has been promoted to the position of Registrar/Office Manager.

·         Alison Doherty, MATCM, L.Ac. has been appointed to the position of half time Assistant Dean (MATCM Program).

·         Megan O’Connor, MATCM  has been appointed to the position of half-time Assistant Dean (MATCM Program).

·         Luriko Ozeki, MATCM, L.Ac., has been appointed to the position of lead Bookstore Co-Manager/Alumni and Career Services Coordinator.

·         Wendy Gerrish, MATCM, has been appointed to the position of Bookstore Co-Manager/Alumni and Career Services Coordinator.

·         Marguerite Dunne has been appointed to the position of Receptionist/Administrative Assistant.

Larry Ryan

Lights—Sound—Action!!

On Tuesday January 15, 2013 an enthusiastic group of over 30 students, faculty, staff and other community members gathered in the Qi Studio to witness the demonstration of Fabian Maman, a sound and light therapy practitioner.  Fabien Maman is considered the founding father of Vibrational Sound Therapy.     Maman began his career as a professional musician.   It was an incident after a flight half way around the world when he landed in Japan with just two hours to rest up prior to performance time.    One of the event promoters generously provided a quick acupuncture treatment, which Maman describes as “a life changing  event.”  Not only was Maman able to perform at his peak, but he followed up enthusiastically regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine by training in his home country of France to become  an acupuncturist.   As a musician Fabian was acutely aware of the impact of sound and light on the human body.  For the past thirty years he has developed theories and techniques consistent with classical acupuncture practice that incorporates tuning fork induced vibrations applied at crucial acupuncture points to facilitate healing.  Maman currently operates the Tama-Do (“Way of the Soul” Academy in Malibu, California.  Tama-Do provides wellness services and training in the use of sound and light in the healing process.  Maman’s Yo San presentation included extensive analysis of cell activity in the presence of specific vibrations and light patterns.   In his nearly two hour presentation, Maman was assisted by Terres Unsoeld who is a senior instructor at his academy.    All of the presentation participants were given the opportunity to experience the impact of Maman’s treatment process, several experienced practitioners roamed the room and applied vibrations and light beams to acupuncture points of the event participants.  For more information check out:  www.tama-do.com.

Jennessee Acupuncture Project

Since she graduated from Yo San University in 2009, Nini Mai, L. Ac. has consistently taken the opportunity to donate hours of community service for the betterment of humanity.  Immediately after graduation, Nini, along with fellow Yo San alums, Henry Lee and Kimberly Reid, founded the Jennessee Acupuncture Project to provide free healthcare for survivors of domestic violence.  As a part of the Global Alternative Healthcare Project, Nini has traveled domestically and internationally to provide much needed health services to indigent people.  Her work has taken her from the Native American reservations in the Southwest to the Himalayas in Nepal.   While the needs in developing countries and marginalized communities are enormous, Nini has also recognized significant needs closer to home—in fact, in our own Venice/Mar Vista/Santa Monica community.  Her clinic, Three Mountain Eastern Medical Group, works with local not-for-profit organizations to host Community Health Days, during which they provide low-cost sliding scale acupuncture, tuina, nutritional counseling and qi gong aftercare instruction.   Most recently, on Sunday November 13, 2012, Three Mountain partnered with the YWCA of Santa Monica to host a Community Health Day.  One hundred percent of the revenue from the services rendered that day went to benefit the YWCA and its many programs.  Nini’s perspective is that her pro-social works have greatly enhanced her own practice on all levels.  Besides expanding her skills with a more diverse patient population, Nini has observed that energy, time and donated services invariably have a positive impact on her own practice in terms of community building and making the public more aware of potential that Chinese medicine has to offer.  Nini’s altruistic motivation, energy and actions are to be admired. Shortly after the YWCA service event, Nini was off to Vietnam for another stint of donated health care service, and as always a rich cultural and resource exchange experience.  Yo San University commends Nini Mai for her generous work for the global community!

"Year of the Snake" New Year Celebration

How does Chinese medicine deal with frequent urination due to prostate enlargement?

Ask Julie!


Question:

How does Chinese medicine deal with frequent urination due to prostate enlargement?


Answer:
A 62-year old male patient came to see me with a chief complaint of low back pain on a 7/10 level. He worked in building maintenance and did a lot of heavy lifting in his work. He also complained of cold feet at night and leg cramps, yet he said he was always hot. His pulses were wiry and slow, and his tongue was dusky. My diagnosis was primarily liver qi stagnation, but also kidney yang deficiency and yin deficiency. A combination of yang and yin deficiency is much more common than I ever thought it would be.

The second time I saw him, he reported that he needed help with his libido. But the case was complicated, because he was taking terazosin (Hytrin) for an enlarged prostate, and this medication was interfering with his libido. If he avoided the medication, his libido came back, but he would have to get up four times a night to urinate. If he took the medication, his night time urination was only once, but his sexual performance suffered. Impotence is a known side effect for terazosin. The good news was that his back pain was improved by 50% from the last treatment.



I decided to use as a base formula Liu Wei Di Huang Wan to nourish kidney yin, but modified to also boost the yang, and to astringe the kidney to reduce the frequent urination. The formula consisted of:



Sheng Di Huang

Shan Yao

Shan Zhu Yu

Mu Dan Pi

Ze Xie

NO Fu Ling (because I didn’t want to promote urination)

Yin Yang Huo & Wu Jia Pi for the back pain

Hu Lu Ba and Tu Si Zi for the kidney yang

Niu Xi to move blood and guide the formula to the kidneys

Fu Pen Zi to astringe the kidney



He took 6 bags of this formula, and one month later, he returned with more good news. The back pain was down to a 1/10 level, he had taken no terazosin since the last treatment, and his nighttime urination was down to zero to once per night. His libido was improved.



Over the next three months, he came in occasionally for a refill of the same formula, because he said it “had more of a positive effect to my quality of life than I had thought.” In cases of frequent urination due to an enlarged prostate, you want to astringe somewhat, but not so much that you inhibit urination, and you want to promote urination in the sense of making it more efficient and less hesitant, but not increase it too much. I believe this herbal strategy was a good balance of those two treatment principles. It is also possible that the astringent herbs in this formula actually worked to shrink the tissue of the prostate, but I can’t know for sure.



I have another patient, aged 85, who occasionally experiences actual blockage of urination due to a severely enlarged prostate, and I would not use such a formula for him. I would be afraid the astringents would be too constricting.