"Eastern vs. Western Medicine"

Following his graduation from High School, Doc moved to the Pacific Northwest for his undergraduate study where he began his interest and study of native plants. A lengthy sojourn in Latin America introduced him to indigenous herbal medicine and upon returning to the Bay area, he began studying ethobotany and pharmacognosy with renowned 4th generational botanist and herbalist Christopher Hobbs PhD. This study led to being introduced to the herbal medicine tradition of China and the practice of Traditional Chinese medicine in the West. At that time, Chinese doctors who were refugees from Mao’s cultural revolution were just recently organizing medical schools of Traditional Chinese in the United States. Doc enrolled and was one of the earliest Americans to study this ancient medicine in the west.

When his college was formed as a not for profit institution, Doc was asked by his teachers to serve as a member of the board of directors and soon rose to Chairman of the board. It was during this time as board chair that the college received Federal accreditation that included substantial academic and student population growth.

Doc’s passion for both medicine and study led to his being asked to join the faculty at Five Branches University (http://www.fivebranches.edu) in 1995 where he continues to serve as professor and associate faculty chair teaching both History and Philosophy and medical case studies, the integration of Traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine.

After 17 years of busy clinical practice Doc, returned to academia for further education, receiving one of the first accredited professional Doctorate degrees in Traditional Chinese Medicine offered in the west. During this return to the classroom as a student, he had the opportunity and honor to studying under the tutelage of well-seasoned and famous“old doctors” from Mainland China and professors from Stanford’s medical school.

Doc has practiced traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Los Gatos, California since 1989. While many of his patients come for orthopedic issues, many more have sought him out for the treatment of both difficult “knotted” diseases and fertility issues. His long-standing clinical practice and academic experience have given him unique insights in the treatment of many diseases and conditions. These activities, combined with his rigorous pursuit of academic excellence in teaching, have informed his skills both as a clinician and educator. As a seasoned educator, his knowledge of the medical classics and modern research inform his clinical practice and as a seasoned clinician, his experience informs his teaching of both patients and graduate students. Doc brings this integration of both the best of this ancient medicine and modern medicine to his serene clinic nestled in the woods by the creek in Los Gatos.