I was extended an offer from The East West College of Natural Medicine (EWCNM) to enroll in their Masters of Science and Herbal Medicine Program. I accepted this offer and began this journey on Monday, January 6, 2025. EWCNM was originally established in 1994 as the Academy of Chinese Healing Arts to provide training in the art of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The East West College of Natural Medicine strives to provide an educational environment for people with similar goals to facilitate a paradigm shift in healthcare in this country. The EWCNM curriculum covered four main areas of knowledge required to pass the national board exams and become a Acupuncture-Primary Care Physician. Within this integrative program, I learned the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture with point location, Biomedicine, the holistic healing properties of Herbal Medicine, and SO much more.
Over the last 2 years I have been taking advanced pre-medical courses at Florida Southwestern State College that consisted of Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 with labs plus Microbiology with lab and an intensive writing Humanities course, and some others. This knowledge certainly enhances my functional medicine background and western medicine knowledge. At EWCNM, I completed General Biology, Oriental Medical Etiology and Pathology, AcuAnatomy: Channel Theory and Pathology 1, Oriental Medical Physiology, History and Philosophy of Oriental Medicine, Biomedical Terminology, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Prevention, Universal Precision and Clean Needle Technique. I also completed my second semester at EWCNM and one of my classes was AcuAnatomy 3: Channel Theory and Pathology with Dr. Hailin Wu MD, PhD, DAOM. So far I have learned the Pericardium Channel, The Gallbladder Channel, The San Jiao Channel, The Liver Channel, and The Kidney Channel.
Dr. Wu at East West College of Natural Medicine, MD, PhD, DAOM
Dr. Wu was incredibly focused on the success of all students and is committed to intellectual excellence and social responsibility. She brought a wealth of knowledge and experience with her and is an absolute expert in Herbal Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Dr. David Park at East West College of Natural Medicine
When I first started at EWCNM, I had the pleasure of learning from Dr. David Park who is a Korean Acupuncturist with herbal knowledge from South Korea. He has had many positive experiences throughout his career with utilizing Korean methods, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tungs, and Saam Acupuncture. In the United States, he expanded his X-ray, MRI and Ultrasound experience. He has a LAc in California and NCCAOM Certification and Florida Acupuncture Physician License. I had the pleasure of receiving Acupuncture from him and he was one of the Acupuncturists that left a motivating impression on me to pursue this enhancement to my career. I am currently enjoying observing Dr. Park in clinic and learning his global tricks to help others heal from the inside out.
Dr. Wilfredo Morges at East West College of Natural Medicine
I also enjoyed learning from Dr. Wilfredo Morges who is an accomplished medical professional with expertise in both medicine and nursing. He obtained his medical degree from St. Matthew’s University, School of Medicine, and further expanded his knowledge and skills by earning a Master’s in Nursing. With a passion for education, Dr. Morges has been serving as a respected biomedical sciences professor in schools of Acupuncture since 2010. He is dedicated to imparting his vast knowledge and experience to aspiring healthcare professionals, shaping the next generation of experts in the field. In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Morges actively contributes to the mental health and psychiatry field. He serves as a specialist, catering to the needs of the outpatient population, providing compassionate and comprehensive care to individuals dealing with various mental health conditions. Furthermore, Dr. Morges extends his expertise to nursing homes, where he delivers exceptional psychiatric care, ensuring the well-being of elderly residents. Dr. Wilfredo Morges’s commitment to his patients and students is evident through his unwavering dedication and the positive impact he creates in the medical community. His deep understanding of biomedical sciences, coupled with his extensive clinical experience, allows him to provide exceptional healthcare and contribute significantly to the field of mental health. I am truly honored to have him as a Professor. Last semester I took general biology and biomedical terminology with him and now I am taking Anatomy and Physiology 3 and Medical Biochemistry with Dr. Morges.
Dr. Sonia Shang LiWong at East West College of Natural Medicine
Additionally. Dr. Sonia Shang H LiWong who graduated from Sun- yat Sen University, in Guang Zhou, China was another wonderful professor. She was the Director of Internship in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Her specialty is in Foundational Chinese Medicine and Herbal Medicine using classical formulas from Shan Han lun-six stages of disease treatments. Last semester I took Oriental Medical Etiology and Pathology, Oriental Medical Physiology, History and Philosophy or Oriental Medicine, and Oriental Medical Terminology with her. Also took Herb Theory with her DOS: Qi, Blood, and Fluids, DOS: Pathogenic Factors and 8 Principles of Diagnosis.
Professor Jason, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Reiki Practitioner at East West College of Natural Medicine
Professor Jason was an expert in a variety of advanced massage techniques. With this training I fine tuned my Cranial Sacral, Tuina, Abdominal massage, Chinese Medical Massage, Oriental Fire Cupping, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Reiki, Energy Healing, and Sound Healing.
Dr. Feleke at East West College of Natural Medicine
Lastly, but not least Dr. Feleke brought his unique background to EWCNM. I enjoyed his teaching style last semester and all of his stories from around the globe! He is from Ethiopia and got a scholarship to a University in China where he studies Western Medicine and learned Chinese. Additionally, he progressed through his education and added Traditional Chinese Medicine to his dynamic and impressive background. He has been instrumental in helping thousands of people with healing from the inside out as well as helping students learn how to be the best Acupuncture Physicians they can be. I also gained additional clinical education with Dr. Feleke’s mentorship.
I completed my first year at EWCNM. As I progress through my Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine education requirements I will have at least 3,000 hours of clinical experience. Once I graduate and pass the 4 board exams I will be able to help patients with yet another specialty. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine is incredibly powerful and is a safe and effective way for the prevention of disease, and the optimization of health; thereby, improving the quality of healthcare in America.
January 2027 Anticipated Graduation
When I first started over 17 years ago I primarily focused on skincare and and my education and expertise have evolved. I have continuously up leveled the experience that we provide. I am a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University where I studied Psychology. I also graduated from the American Academy of Functional Health and I am a Certified Functional and Nutritional Medicine Practitioner. I also graduated from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and I am a Certified Integrative Nutritional Health Coach. I also completed my National Phlebotomy certification and Intravenous Therapy Training. I have also training from the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Personal Trainer. Lastly, I have exceeded the required coursed for my Continuing Education in Massage Therapy and Skincare.
Currently, I am enrolled at Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine which is also a wonderful school. I will share more details about this experience soon! In the meantime, you can trust that you will be in great hands with me for your skin, massage, functional health, performance enhancement, and longevity. I do offer a complimentary 15-minute session virtually or in person, by appointment only. These sessions may be coordinated online or by calling us. If you have any questions for me, the Spa Concierge can coordinate your virtual or in person session with me at (239) 331-8266.
