about

Bio:
(short version): I’ve been in private practice for 15 years, since 2002; I've also practiced in two different hospitals: Lutheran Medical Center, for about 2 years, and the Manhattan VA, for a little over 5 years. In addition, I have taught Chinese medicine and supervised student clinicians since 2004, first at Touro College, and currently at Pacific College. I came to this field after a lifelong interest in Chinese arts and culture, which I pursued with a degree in Chinese studies from NYU in 1996. I previously worked as a musician, and I also have a background in martial arts, strength training, calligraphy, qigong, and meditation.

Long version, or, how I got here:
My interest in Chinese culture began at a very young age. My mom encouraged this, getting me books on Chinese language and culture, and with frequent trips to Manhattan’s Chinatown. As time went by, in addition to reading, I started exploring Chinese culture through classes at the China Institute, where I studied calligraphy, taijiquan (aka “t’ai chi”), qigong, and a bit of Chinese language. Many of these classes served as experiential exercises in some of the concepts that are employed diagnostically and therapeutically in Chinese medicine. I also started practicing martial arts at a young age, and eventually joined a lion dance team that performed at Chinese New Year and other events; I was part of this team for about 10 years. During this time I got more exposure to some of the adjunctive modalities of Chinese medicine that I would later learn more about, including use of external application of herbal liniments, tui na massage techniques, and various exercises for treatment of injuries and restoration of physical function. Several years ago, I also started studying classical Chinese music and playing the guqin, the oldest Chinese musical instrument (and one of the oldest in the world), and one which has a long tradition of use as a vehicle for meditation, self-cultivation, and healing.

I went to NYU for undergrad, and was a double-major, one of which was East Asian Studies, where I focused on classical Chinese language and literature, graduating in 1996. I didn’t feel called to the typical academic and career path that my majors would indicate, so I began working various jobs, eventually making my living as a musician. Around that time, a taijiquan teacher I was taking lessons with mentioned to me that his wife had just completed schooling to become an acupuncturist, and suggested I think about doing so, as he thought I’d be suited for the work. More or less at the same time, I got to see first-hand a friend who was extremely sick be treated very successfully Chinese herbal medicine and moxibustion, to the point where she was able to gradually go off all medication and for the first time lead a full, healthy, happy life. Based on those experiences, I decided to return to school to study Chinese medicine specifically, and become a licensed practitioner. I earned my Master’s in Science from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine New York in 2002 (at the time, this was the highest degree available in the field; I later returned to Pacific and earned by Doctorate in Chinese medicine in 2016. While earning my master’s degree, I was kept busy working as a tutor and teaching assistant in various subjects.

In 2004, in addition to my private practice, I began teaching Chinese medicine, in Touro College’s then-extant graduate program in oriental medicine. I taught needle technique and other modalities, herbs, formulas, fundamental theory, history and philosophy of Chinese medicine, and medical Chinese language. I also supervised and instructed interns in the student clinic, managed the herbal dispensary, and was chair of the department of herbal medicine. Since 2008, I’ve been teaching at Pacific College, where I graduated from, teaching fundamental theory, diagnosis, herbs, formulas, and doing clinic supervision.

Along the way, in addition to the above, I’ve worked at two hospitals. One was Lutheran Medical Center in Bayridge, Brooklyn. I was there for about 2 years, and worked primarily in an in-patient setting, seeing a very wide variety of cases, but working especially in the areas of oncology, supporting patients undergoing chemo and radiation therapy, and stroke rehabilitation. Later I worked at the Manhattan VA, in the neurology department, in an out-patient setting, treating a wide variety of patients with various types of pain, musculoskeletal, and neurological disorders. I worked there a little over 5 years.

Nowadays, I’m celebrating 15 years in practice as a licensed acupuncturist, getting to put into practice things that have been lifelong interests, and doing work that is meaningful to me, by helping people. I still keep up many of those original interests that got me into this in the first place, e.g. I practice qigong on a daily basis, train in Brazilian jiujitsu at Clockwork Jiujitsu, which is on the 2nd floor of the building I practice in, and study the Chinese classics (I have a particular love for the Confucian classics and their commentaries, especially the works of Mencius, the Daodejing, and the Yijing). And I still keep a hand in music, playing various instruments, and doing some gigging around town, both solo and with a couple of different bands I’m in.