Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Orthopedics Expert Witness

PROFILE:

Licensed Acupuncturist, specialist in physical examination and report-writing for orthopedic and chronic pain conditions, and experienced expert witness regarding acupuncture-related litigation.

Professional Skills

• Acupuncture expert witness/consultant regarding litigation, insurance audits and regulatory board investigations.
• Doctorate-level and continuing education instructor regarding topics including safety training, professional ethics and risk management, and medical documentation.
• Acupuncture/electro-acupuncture and dry/trigger-point needling, specializing in orthopedics, sports and chronic pain.
• Manual therapies: muscle energy technique, orthopedic massage, suction cupping and gua sha (aka IASTM).

Professional Distinctions & Experience

• Served as subject matter expert for California Acupuncture Board.
• Represented both plaintiffs and defendants as expert witness in malpractice litigation.
  16 years’ continuous patient care experience in physician-lead clinics, and on referral basis with diverse medical professionals, providing acupuncture.
• First licensed acupuncturist contracted with Palo Alto Medical Clinic and Kaiser Permanente, Santa Cruz.
• Orthopedic physical exam, functional capacity evaluation and report-writing for Workers Compensation (PR-2s).

Medical Professional History

• Private Practice, Lic. Acupuncturist, Santa Cruz Acupuncture Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic, 2003-present.
• L.Ac., SpineMed Associates and PRIME Pain Medicine Institute, Santa Cruz.
• Clinical Supervisor, Associate Professor and Clinic Orientation and Safety Instructor, MTCM/FPD Program, Five Branches University of Traditional
• Chinese Medicine, 2005-present

Medical Education, License & Certifications

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Branches University, Santa Cruz, 2002
Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) #9132, California Acupuncture Board, 2003
Acupuncture Speciality Certifications
Diplomate, National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics, 2006
Certificate in Integrative Sports Medicine, Five Branches University, 2004

Medical Professional History

• Expert Witness, California Acupuncture Board and civil malpractice litigation, 2009-2010.
• Approved Continuing Education Provider #1225, California Acupuncture Board, 2014-present
• Instructor, Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Program, Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, 2017-present.
• Head Instructor, Integrative Acupuncture Orthopedics Board Certification Program, 2015-present
• Physical Therapy Aide and Athletic Training Assistant, Palo Alto Medical Foundation/Santa Cruz, 2000-2005

Medical Education, License & Certifications

• Integrative Medicine
  Fellow, Academy of Integrative Pain Management, 2014
• Dry Needling Training and Certification
  Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist, Myopain Seminars, 2017
• Manual Therapy Certifications
  Acupressure Diploma, Acupressure Institute, 1998
  Certificate in Sports & Deep Tissue Massage, McKinnon Institute, 1998
  Certified Massage Therapist, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, 1997
• Exercise Instruction
  Personal Trainer, American College of Sports Medicine, 2006

MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

• Professional Member, California State Oriental Medical Association, California Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine Association
• Credentialed Fellow, Academy of Integrative Pain Management