Summer 2007

As the Tao of Wellness continues to grow and evolve as an organization, we continue to emphasize the importance of team-work to meet the growing needs of our patients. As we see patient’s health care becoming increasingly complicated, it requires a team approach to provide the most comprehensive level of care. We have created a diverse team of doctors offering unique clinical and life experiences to work together and help patients achieve their health and wellness goals. Experience along with patient feedback confirms our belief that group collaboration gives patients the best care. We continue to foster a professional environment that promotes continuous learning and professional development by providing monthly in-house medical seminars. From our receptionists to herbalists and doctors, everyone at Tao of Wellness continues to work closely as a team to serve our patients.

Tao of Wellness Fellowship

Over the last two years, we created a coveted postgraduate fellowship position in advanced research and clinical medicine. Dr. Dao and I created this position to train our future doctors in the ways of Chinese Medicine while still imparting the subtleties of this ancient tradition as we were taught by our father. At the Tao of Wellness, the focus is on training Fellows to become exceptional healers while maintaining a deep connection to the virtues that are at the heart of this healing tradition.

Each year we invite the top Yo San University graduates and licensed-acupuncturists to apply for the fellowship position. We subject applicants to a tough and thorough interview process, and because of our reputation we are able to choose the best to fill the fellowship position.

Welcome Andrea Thorpe L.Ac. Our Newest Fellow

Congratulations to Andrea Thorpe, who has just been awarded the latest Tao of Wellness Fellowship position and will join us on September 4th. Andrea comes with extensive experience in acupuncture having completed her undergraduate degree at King’s College in London, and subsequent study of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at London School of Acupuncture and TCM in 1995.

Shortly after graduating, she traveled to China to complete internships in Nanjing and Hangzhou hospitals. Returning to Europe, Andrea’s work focused on orthopedic, pediatric medicine and substance abuse. She also participated in the development of an acupuncture program as part of the National Health Service at the South Western Hospital in London. In 2003, she decided to pursue graduate studies at Yo San University, and subsequently graduated with a Master’s degree with top honors in 2007.

Fluent in Spanish and basic German, Andrea brings with her a rich cultural and professional background to patient care at Tao of Wellness. She will be working closely with both Drs. Dao and Mao to treat patients with various conditions to add to her experience in orthopedic and pediatric medicine.

Current Fellows

Jessica Chen was the first to receive the award in 2005, and was followed by James Evans in 2006. They have both worked hard to achieve their success today.

Jessica, certified in Chinese Medical Nutrition, has become our resident nutritionist. She has helped a number of patients improve their diet and health, and lose weight successfully. Jessica is developing a good reputation for her work with Dr. Dao on woman’s health and infertility. She is combining her love of nutrition with her experience in woman’s health to write a book on postpartum care and nutrition.

James has headed up our cleansing and detoxification program. He has successfully organized and conducted two cleansing and detox retreats. He is certified in Clinical Detoxification Protocols. James has received accolades for his work with cancer and infertility patients. James also enjoys sharing his experience by teaching at Yo San University. He is also the editor of our newsletter.

Jessica’s Experiences

When I first started at Tao of Wellness, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Well, maybe a little. I knew from the nerve racking interviews that if I were to get the fellowship position, it was not going to be a breeze. I expected a whole lot of hard work and commitment on my part, and I was right. Although I felt the pressure to perform, in my heart I knew this would be the perfect place for me to grow and evolve as a student, a person and a healer.

I feel truly blessed to be able to work under the direction of reputable doctors like Drs. Dao and Mao. Not only have they been my mentors, I have also developed a close friendship and a trusted partnership with both of them over the past 18 months. This relationship has been a key component to successfully treating our patients together. Treating some patients in tandem has allowed me the opportunity to bring fresh ideas to the case and strengthen the overall treatment strategy. I appreciate the environment in which Tao of Wellness supports my professional opinions and creative input. Here, every opinion matters and is taken into consideration. Patient care is the most important aspect of our practice.

The community and support at Tao of Wellness is something I know I would not get anywhere else. Being in the Fellowship program has more than improved my clinical skills, it has taught me how to be a true healer. I am most grateful to all my patients who have been my biggest motivators and teachers.

James’ Experiences

Almost one year into my Fellowship, I feel honored and excited to be a member of the Tao of Wellness healing team. By becoming a Fellow brought together many of my professional, personal, and spiritual goals. One of my goals is to deepen my understanding of Chinese Medicine in order to bring about significant improvement to people’s health and constructive change to their lives.

Being a doctor at Tao of Wellness is a true privilege, of which I am grateful. A doctor’s role is the heart of Tao of Wellness as we treat patients and assist them to improve their lives. In Chinese Medicine, the heart is considered the fire element and as a doctor I believe it is our role to draw the patient’s attention to their own inner light, which is at the heart of the their healing process. It is this that I am learning during my time observing both Drs. Dao and Mao at work. Dr. Dao has taught me much with his gentle but direct touch. His comments, much like his needling accuracy, often seem painless yet charged with love and compassion to facilitate deep and subtle changes within. Dr. Mao has shown me how to respond with agility. He is quick on his feet both with treatments and formula construction. He is able to respond creatively in a changing environment, and assists patients suffering from a wide variety of symptoms and ailments with pinpoint accuracy.

I feel a deep connection to the Tao of Wellness team as we are all committed to being exceptional healers who truly care about their patient’s health and wellness.

In May, Dr. James Evans led a team of several Tao of Wellness doctors, qualified therapists and a natural food chef in presenting a cleansing and detoxification retreat. The three-day weekend retreat was very well-received, and for some participants it was life-changing, (for one individual’s experience, see below). Our next retreat will be in September, but be sure to sign up early as space is limited.

Recently one of our patients returning from her 40th college reunion shared with us how happy she was after being given many glowing compliments on her youthful looks. She was gracious in accepting the compliments but did not divulge her secret—weekly acupuncture for facial toning! Since our front page spread in the Health section of the Los Angeles Times in 2000 on acupuncture face lifts, it is still re-affirming to know that our work still turns heads!

At Tao of Wellness, we have had the benefit of having some of this city’s finest doctors as our neighbors. They are located just downstairs from us! Shortly after we moved to our current location on Wilshire, UCLA Medical Center moved in on the first floor. Over the years, we have established a wonderful collaborative relationship with several UCLA physicians. They have been an excellent resource for many of our patients. There were a number of situations when we required our patients to obtain additional and immediate testing by an internist, and each time the UCLA Medical Center met the demand and provided excellent service despite the short notice. We are pleased with our professional relationship with our neighbors and many other fine doctors.

Tao of Wellness has built a reputation of excellence in the field of Chinese medicine and integrative healthcare by working closely with M.D.s and healthcare professionals in many specialties. In future newsletters, we will highlight more physicians from our Professional Referral Network. For further information on our UCLA neighbors and other physicians please refer to our web site. www.taoofwellness.com 

Dr. Dao’s long awaited book, The Tao of Fertility, A Chinese Medicine Program for Healing the Mind, Body, and Spirit to Create New Life, will be published by Collins/ Harper in early 2008. Co-authored with Dana Herko, The Tao of Fertility brings forth Dr. Dao’s clinical experiences through the eyes of many of his patients sharing their experiences on how to prepare for the journey of pregnancy.

Dr. Mao’s newest book, Secrets of Self Healing, will be published by Avery/Penguin Books in January 2008. It will be packed with healing remedies including diet, herbal, supplement, acupressure and exercise therapies to treat many common conditions. His last book, Secrets of Longevity, was a top selling book reaching #20 on Amazon.com.  

Both books are available for pre-publication orders through www.amazon.com. 

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