American Society of Acupuncturists
2025 Live In-Person Pre & Post-Conference
Webinar Series Schedule
Saturday & Sunday: April 26-27, 2025
Free BONUS Pre-conference On-Demand Webinar Series
for all Conference Registrants Only starting April 9, 2025 (with 2-week access)
All courses must be completed for 16 NCCAOM PDAs/CAB CEUs
No partial credits available for Pre-conference
& Free BONUS Post-conference Live Stream Webinar on Wednesdays (May 7th, May 14th, and May 21st) at 5pm PT/7pm CT/8pm ET (for 80 minutes each)
Pre-Conference Webinar Series
The American Society of Acupuncturists’ Pre-conference webinar series is designed to prepare your live-in-person conference experience in Arlington, VA and Washington DC. You will learn about specific topics of interest acupuncture and herbal medicine such as integrative oncology, immunology, artificial intelligence in acupuncture and other topics. In addition, you will hear from our ASA committees as our volunteers work to promote the acupuncture profession in the US.
Webinars will be available on demand from April 9 – April 27th (For CEU earning only). Videos will be available until May 31, 2025 for your viewing purpose without CEUs.
Please note that ALL courses must be completed to receive credit. Partial credits are NOT given for this Bonus webinar series. You must complete this full series by April 27, 2025 (11:59 PM PT) to receive 16 NCCAOM PDAs/CAB CEUs, along with the completion of a Worksheet and submission of the Quiz.
If you wish, you may also complete an Evaulation Form for the ASA Pre-Conference Webinar Series
This Webinar Series was brought to you by our Platinum, Gold, & Silver Sponsors:

Pre-Conference Webinar Courses
01 – Cultivating Conversations for Practitioners
Afua Bromley, MSOM, LAc, Dipl Ac (NCCAOM) &
LiMing Tseng, MAcOM, LAc, Dipl OM (NCCAOM)
In today’s diverse world, effective communication is crucial for building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, and creating inclusive environments, even when conversations are difficult. This course is designed for practitioners who seek to enhance their communication skills and develop the nuances of dialogue that promote understanding and respect focusing on patient safety and equitable outcomes.
02 – Clinical Guidance on Herbal Safety (CN & EN) -Need to watch only 1 to qualify
Dr. Ping Li, MD, PhD
(Sponsored by Treasure of the East)
With increased usage in recent years, concern about the safety of herbal medicine has grown due to reported adverse reactions, including liver and kidney damage. This course will provide safety guidelines for using TCM safely in practice, aiming to educate on the herbs that most commonly cause adverse reactions. Dr. Li will teach practitioners how to combine Chinese herbs, prevent adverse reactions, minimize potential toxic effects, and ensure safe clinical application.
Participants will learn about adverse and toxic reactions of Chinese herbal medicines and learn to analyze and objectively evaluate the incidence of adverse reactions to Chinese herbal medicine. We will also identify the Chinese herbal medicines that most commonly cause adverse and toxic reactions & how to avoid these reactions.
03 – Incorporating AI into Acupuncture Research: From Information to Insight
Ye-Seul Lee, MD(KMD) MPH PhD
This course explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into acupuncture research, focusing on how AI can transform traditional data into actionable insights. Participants will learn how AI-driven methodologies can be applied to analyze and interpret the unique complexities of acupuncture-related data, ultimately enhancing research quality and clinical applications.
Key Takeaways:
- Gain insights into AI’s ability to analyze acupuncture data, such as identifying patterns in acupoint usage, predicting patient outcomes, and enhancing diagnostic precision.
- Learn how explainable machine learning methods (e.g., SHAP) can improve transparency in clinical decision-making for conditions like lumbar disc herniation.
- Recognize the importance of standardizing data collection and reporting practices to enable collaborative, high-quality research in acupuncture.
- Consider the broader implications of AI in acupuncture, including its role in bridging traditional practices with modern digital health strategies.
04 – Burnout Prevention for Acupuncturists: Practical Tools for Balance and Resilience
Jess Reynolds, Dr. Ac, TCMD
(Sponsored by Jane)
Burnout isn’t just about working too hard or neglecting self-care—it’s often the result of underlying factors that build up over time. From the physical and emotional demands of patient care to the pressures of running a practice, burnout can affect even the most dedicated practitioners. This course is designed to help you understand and address the root causes of burnout, with solutions tailored specifically to acupuncturists and TCM practitioners.
In this course, you will:
- Identify the Root Causes of Burnout: Explore the unique challenges faced in our profession and learn to recognize early warning signs.
- Gain Clarity on Your Practice: Assess your daily tasks and priorities to uncover areas of misalignment or inefficiency.
- Implement Practical Strategies: Learn actionable tools to manage stress, maintain balance, and sustain your energy over the long term.
By the end of this course, you’ll have a toolkit to prevent burnout, enhance your resilience, and create a thriving practice that supports both your patients and your own well-being.
05 – Advancing Integrative Oncology: The Role of Herbal Medicine in Cancer Care
Yen Nien (Jason) Hou, Pharm.D., Dipl. O.M., L.Ac.
(Sponsored by KPC Herbs)
As the role of herbal medicine in oncology care continues to evolve, it is essential to bridge evidence-based research with clinical practice. This course explores the integration of herbal and dietary supplements in oncology settings, emphasizing practical applications, implementation strategies, and epidemiological insights. Drawing from the works of Hou et al. (PMID: 31567464, 36680628, 39361077), participants will examine the benefits and challenges of incorporating herbal medicine into a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York City.
Course Goals:
06 – Tuina for Headaches
Paul Olko, ND, Dipl. CH, MST
(Sponsored by Blue Poppy)
Experienced practitioner Paul Olko walks participants through a straight forward, targeted, and easy to follow protocols for treating each condition with Tui Na. Headache is a symptom that occurs in a myriad of modern medical considerations. With over 150 documented types of headache, this course focuses on the treatment of the most common forms including migraine, neurovascular, hypertension, stress, neurasthenia, and headaches caused by common cold and cervical disorders.
This course is one part of a six-part series with Paul, detailing Tui Na treatment protocols for various conditions. The full series can be found at http://bluepoppyceu.com.
07 – Expanding TCM Research Beyond the Biomedical Model: Embracing Interdisciplinary Studies for a Thriving Future
Dongcheng Li, EdD, DOM, AP, Dipl OM (NCCAOM)
This course explores innovative pathways to expand Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) research beyond the traditional biomedical model. The goal of the course is to empower TCM practitioners, researchers, and educators to incorporate interdisciplinary approaches from the fields of social and health sciences. By integrating these new methods, participants can build a more comprehensive understanding of TCM’s effects and applications in contemporary society and healthcare. The course introduces participants to “Social & Health Studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SHSTCM)”. Through real-world case studies and practical strategies, participants will discover how embracing interdisciplinary research can contribute to the modernization and internationalization of TCM, while also addressing public health challenges and improving patient outcomes.
By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and strategies to expand their research capabilities beyond conventional frameworks. They will be inspired to contribute to a thriving future for TCM by integrating traditional wisdom with modern scientific inquiry, ultimately enhancing the credibility and recognition of TCM practices worldwide.
08- Practical Tips for More Professional Medical Records
Amy Sear, BS, AP, Dipl. O.M (NCCAOM)
Something that is holding our profession back is low quality medical records. In order for our profession to be taken seriously we need to utilize aspects and attributes of medical records that all other medical professionals use. A few key tips, along with practical ways to implement them and more, can help us all, now and in the future. Attendees will learn simple key attributes to accomplish this, with straight forward step by step approach, with some easy to understand resources to help. As well, the main parts of a poor quality record will be provided. With ways to easily improve and correct them.
09 – What is the role of the ASA in the Acupuncture Profession?
Olivia Hsu Friedman DACM, LAc., Dipl. OM (NCCAOM)
ASA Chair
Have you heard of the ASA? Do you know what they do? Or why it’s valuable to be a member? This course will help you understand why the ASA was formulated, what role it plays in the acupuncture profession and the value provides to each LAc. in the United States.
In this course, we will discuss why was ASA formulated, the role it plays in the acu profession, and the value of association membership is to the average US licensed acupuncturist.
10 – Cultivating Leadership: The Role of the Nominations Committee
Alexandria Russell, D.Ac., L.Ac.
ASA Nominating Committee Chair
This course explores the pivotal role of the Nominations Committee in advancing the acupuncture profession. Participants will learn about leadership cultivation, candidate assessment, and the strategic alignment of applicants with the mission and vision of the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA). The session emphasizes leadership skills necessary for professional growth and organizational success.
Course Goals:
- Understand the Nominations Committee’s role in fostering leadership within the ASA.
- Develop skills to evaluate and recommend candidates based on qualifications and alignment with organizational values.
- Inspire participants to actively engage in leadership roles that impact the future of acupuncture.
11 – Basics of Association Governance
David Bock C.Ac, Dipl.OM (NCCAOM), FABORM,
ASA Governance Committee Chair
This course will cover some of the basics of Association Governance and where to get more help if needed. We will explain the fundamentals of how associations are structured and demystify Governance as a way encourage more people to step up and help run their association. Finally, we will provide encouragement and suggestions to Association board members as to how to make their bylaws and governance documents work better.
12 – Overview of How Strategic Planning Fits In and Benefits All Areas of Your Life Work
Candace Sarges, MAc, LAc, Dipl OM (NCCAOM)
ASA Strategic Planning Committee Chair
This class will provide an overview of how strategic planning fits in and benefits all areas of your life work. We will illustrate how the average person already uses strategic planning, give examples how to use strategic planning in more areas of life, and discuss the benefits of strategic planning.
13 – The CPT-RUC Process- How do “they” Determine how Acupuncture Codes are Priced
Mori West, ASA Insurance Committee Chair
This course will explain the process for determining allowed amounts for CPT Codes. We will discuss why the “ASA” can’t get carriers to PAY more for acupuncture. We will understand how the AMA who owns the CPT codes works with CMS who prices the CPT Codes and why being able to enroll in Medicare helps Acupuncturists become part of the pricing process.
14 – New Research at ASA and Beyond
Lisa Ann Conboy, ScD, MS, MAASA
Research Committee Chair
This webinar will review what is currently meant by the term “high quality research”, and show you how to find it. We will discuss a few types of study designs to think a little more deeply about the myriad of ways acupuncture can be explored, and study results delivered.
In this class, we will become familiar analyzing and evaluating recent high quality research in support of acupuncture and discover new projects and papers from the ASA Research Committee. Finally, we will discuss how to select “high quality research.”
15 – Advocacy 101- How to be an Effective Advocate
Amy E. Mager, DACM, Lic. Ac., Dipl. OM (NCCAOM), FABORM
ASA Federal Advocacy Chair
Dan Delaney
In this course, we will learn where to go to identify your legislators and how to contact them. We will learn how to create an elevator speech and finally we will learn “what a tickle file” is and how to use it to be an effective legislative advocate.
16 – Developing Professionalism as Integrative Healthcare Providers
Angela Serabian, MSA, LMT, CPT
ASA Student Committee Chair
The purpose of this course is to help Practitioners and Students Develop Confidence in their Ethical and Professional Practices as Healthcare Providers. To help Acupuncturists maintain self-awareness and practices which will help provide patients with exceptional care.
This course will help participants to increase awareness of ethical practices for acupuncturists, establish and maintain professional conduct, and learn to perform Best Practices to ensure patient safety, wellness and confidence.
Post-Conference Webinar Series
Participants can watch live on Wednesday, May 7, 14 & 21st.
Webinars will be available on demand from after the live events. Videos will be available until May 31, 2025, for your viewing. You will receive credit for all classes attended live. If you are unable to attend the live webinars, you can still receive PDAs by watching the webinars on this page by May 31, 2025.
Please note that ALL courses must be completed to receive credit. Partial credits are NOT given for this Bonus Post Conference webinar series. You must complete this full series by May 31st (11:59 PM PT) to receive 4 NCCAOM PDAs/CAB CEUs, along with the completion of the submission of the Quiz. You must score a passing grade of 80% to obtain the 4 PDA/CEU credits for this webinar series.
Wed, May 7, 14, & 21st 2025
at 5pm PT/6pm MT/7pm CT/8pm ET
(for 80 minutes each)
4 PDAs total for attending all 3 classes
Post-Conference Webinar Courses
May 7, 2025
CLEAR Conversations
Afua Bromley, MSOM, LAc, Dipl Ac (NCCAOM) &
LiMing Tseng, MAcOM, LAc, Dipl OM (NCCAOM)
Building on the CLEAR conversation techniques described in our pre-conference webinar, this session will focus more directly on the real world scenarios in acupuncture practice. This interactive class allows practitioners who desire communication skills and develop the nuances of dialogue that promote understanding, respect and promote patient safety and equitable outcomes.
May 14th, 2025
State Advocacy – Three Pathways for Impacting Healthcare Policies in Your State
Jennifer Broadwell, ASA State Advocacy Committee Chair
Joe Pandolfo, ASA State Advocacy Member, ASA Medicaid Committee Member
Join us to learn how your advocacy can impact the healthcare policies of your state. We will discuss advocacy strategies that you can implement today to engage with state legislators and regulatory agencies to affect meaningful changes in your state’s healthcare.
May 21, 2025
Leveraging Power: Organizing for Union Representation
Panelists:
Joseph Adams, LAc
Jorge Intal, PhD, DAOM
Diana Kobland, LAc
Moderator: Grace S. Ouchida, DACM, Dipl. OM (NCCAOM), LAc
This course presents a case study of the four-year journey of 58 Kaiser Permanente employees who made history as the largest group of acupuncture providers to unionize after a landslide/ supermajority victory on November 18th, 2024, to win union representation with UNAC/UHCP, one of the foremost unions representing over 40,000 health care professionals.
Integral to this course, the panel will address:
What it means to join a union; how unions shift the balance of power to empower providers with a collective voice, visibility, and volition in how they practice; and why it is imperative for acupuncturists to unite in securing the future of the profession.
The course will examine the pursuit to leverage the power of collective bargaining to: demand safe and effective care by increasing staffing levels; advocate for the well-being of union members; and negotiate industry-leading pay increases, benefits packages, and other terms and conditions of employment. Other learning objectives may include (but not be limited to): overcoming obstacles to executing successful organizing campaigns for union representation; and building community within the profession and greater medical community.
Biosketch of PreConference & PostConference Speakers
David Bock C.Ac., Dipl.OM. FABORM., is the chair of the ASA Governance Committee. He has been treating patients in a family practice style of medicine since 1999. He is Wisconsin State Certified Acupuncturist, Nationally board certified (NCCAOM) in Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal medicine and Asian Bodywork Therapies. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine. He is a Former president of Wisconsin Society of Certified Acupuncturists (WISCA) and has held various positions in the ASA. Shihan David Bock is Godan level (5th degree black belt) instructor of Wadokai Aikido and has 30+ years of study in various martial arts, and meditative breathing and movement traditions.
Jennifer Broadwell, MSOM, AP, Dipl OM (NCCAOM) is the State Advocacy Chair of the ASA and previous ASA Advocacy Chair and a member of the ASA NCCAOM Medicare Task Force. She served on the Florida State Oriental Medicine Association Board of Directors as vice president, secretary, and board director from 2012 to 2018. She has her Master’s from the Acupuncture and Massage College. Jennifer is currently the acupuncturist at the Integrative Health Department of the University of Tennessee Cancer Institute. Previous to moving to Tennessee, she was the Lead Acupuncture Physician at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, working with both in- and out-patients within Oncology, Neurology, and the Lynn Women’s Center.
Afua Bromley, DACM, LAc, Dipl.Ac (NCCAOM), is the Past Chair (2017-2020) & Board member (2014-2022) of the NCCAOM and Co-Chair of the NCCAOM & ASA Acupuncture Medicine Cultural Competency Task Force. In addition to her private practice in St Louis, Missouri, she is also an adjunct faculty at the New England School of Acupuncture at the MCPHS. She is the founder and executive director of Universal Holistic Healthcare Services, a 501c3 nonprofit that works towards increasing access to integrative medicine for underserved and under-resourced communities domestically and globally.
Lisa Ann Conboy, MA, MS, ScD has 30 years of experience in health research and is published in the areas of women’s health, complementary and alternative medicine, qualitative research methodologies, and complexity science. She has taught research methodology to integrative health students for over 25 years. Lisa is a social epidemiologist and a sociologist with an interest in the associations between social factors and health. She is published in the areas of women’s health, complementary and alternative medicine, qualitative research methodology, placebo and health, and complexity science. She is an Instructor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, and the Director of Academic Research at Maryland University of Integrative Health. Dr. Conboy is the chair of the Research Committee of the American Society of Acupuncturists and has been a member of the Society for Acupuncture Research for over 20 years.
Olivia Hsu Friedman DACM, LAc., Dipl. OM (NCCAOM) is the Chair of the American Society of Acupuncturists. Before serving on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Acupuncturists, she was one of two ASA Illinois delegates and served on the Illinois Society of Acupuncturists as Vice President. She earned a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, a diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology from Avicenna UK, and an MSOM from National University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Friedman serves on the Advisory Board of LearnSkin, the faculty of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Support Group sponsored by the National Eczema Association and the NUHS Presidential Alumni Advisory Board. She is the owner of Amethyst Holistic Skin Solutions and practices TCM Dermatology utilizing only herbal medicine in Chicago, Illinois.
Yen Nien (Jason) Hou, PharmD, RPh, LAc, DiplOM (NCCAOM) is a pharmacist, traditional Chinese medicine herbalist, and coordinator of the herb information center at the Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from The State University of New York (SUNY), School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and completed a Postgraduate Year 1 community pharmacy residency, both in Buffalo, New York. He received Master of Science degree from the New York College of Chinese Medicine, and a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, board-certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Jason is a registered pharmacist and licensed acupuncturist in New York State. His expertise is in the use of dietary supplements and botanical products. Because many cancer patients use herbal supplements, there is an urgent need for reliable information on herb-drug interactions. Jason applies his experience in the areas of pharmacy and botanicals to consult and to educate patients and other healthcare professionals about the proper use of herbs and supplements.
Ye-Seul Lee, MD(KMD) MPH PhD pioneered the ACURATE guidelines for reporting sham needles in acupuncture trials, an initiative that has set new standards for transparency and reproducibility in clinical research. Recently, she developed an innovative explanatory prediction model for lumbar disc herniation patients who utilize integrative medicine, utilizing real-world data (RWD). This model helps in understanding and predicting patient outcomes, facilitating more personalized treatment approaches. In her neurophysiological research, Dr. Lee has employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the mechanisms of pain and placebo perception under varied incentive settings, enhancing the understanding of how psychological and economic factors influence therapeutic outcomes. She is the co-chair of the Society of Acupuncture Research’s Artificial Intelligence Committee.
Dr. Ping Li, MD, PhD is a distinguished Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor with over 40 years of experience in clinical practice and research. A recipient of numerous awards, including the National Science and Technology Progress Award, Dr. Li has led 33 national, provincial, and ministerial-level research projects, notably including the National 973 Project. Her research focuses on integrating TCM and Western medicine, particularly in treating kidney disease. She has authored over 300 publications, including more than 100 SCI-indexed papers. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Li frequently lectures on TCM safety. Her expertise extends to the safe and effective application of TCM, including herbal medicine. Dr. Li provides crucial guidance on minimizing adverse reactions and potential toxic effects of TCM therapies. She emphasizes safe clinical practice through careful herb combination and preventative strategies. Her contributions have significantly advanced the field of TCM, particularly in research and ensuring patient safety.
Amy E. Mager, DACM., Lic. Ac., Dipl. OM (NCCAOM), FABORM, serves as the Chair of the Medicaid Committee for the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) in addition to serving on the Herbal Medicine, Insurance, and Research Committees. Her professional education includes her DACM from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, a Master of Science from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Master Herbalist Dr. Yat-Ki Lai and studies at the Post-Graduate Institute of Oriental Medicine in Hong Kong. She was also privileged to study with Dr. Miriam Lee, a highly respected acupuncturist and author.
Amy currently serves on the Board of Directors of Acupuncturists Without Borders, and is the Legislative co-chair and Dry Needling co-chair for the Acupuncture Society of Massachusetts. She also is a guest member of the NCCAOM exam development question writing committee for the Foundations of Oriental Medicine exam. Amy lives in Northampton, MA with her husband and her youngest of six children.
Paul Olko, ND, Dipl CH, MST, is a Naturopath and Herbalist with over 50 years of experience in natural healing. He began his studies in 1971 with Yoga and herbalism, and has since studied extensively with renowned teachers in various modalities, including macrobiotics, Ayurveda, Chinese Herbology, and Taoist medicine. He holds certifications in Naturopathy, Herbalism, Massage Therapy, and Chinese Herbology. Paul has taught herbalism and nutrition at numerous institutions and has authored 6 courses on Tui Na massage. He continues to study Tai Chi and Taoist philosophy, and teaches at Yogaville’s Taoist Retreat.Paul’s approach to healing is holistic, integrating various modalities to address the root causes of imbalances and promote optimal health and well-being.
Grace S. Ouchida, DACM, Dipl. OM (NCCAOM), LAc is the current Chair of ASA’s Membership/Benefits Committee. Prior to becoming a licensed acupuncturist, she held management positions at an import-export company in the aviation industry and a membership non-profit organization for documentary filmmakers. Grace graduated Summa cum laude with her Master’s degree from Emperor’s College in 2009, and earned her doctorate from Pacific College of Health and Science in 2020. She maintained a private practice in Healdsburg, CA for 13 years and currently works as the lead acupuncturist at Kaiser Permanente’s Pain Medicine Dept. in Santa Rosa, CA.
Joe Pandolfo is a highly accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in regulatory affairs, government relations, and community leadership. Joe began his career at Cigna HealthCare, where he served as Contracts, Regulatory Affairs, and Compliance Manager for nearly three decades. In this role, he ensured compliance for multiple company entities, managed multi-state portfolios, and led front-line analysis and implementation of legislative and regulatory actions. In addition to his corporate experience, Joe is a tai chi instructor. He has been actively involved in government and community organizations. He has served as a Government Liaison and Public Policy Advisor for the Connecticut Society of Acupuncturists. He was on the ASA Advocacy Committee, and currently serves on the ASA State Advocacy Committee.
Jess Reynolds, Dr. Ac, TCMD is a highly accomplished and versatile healthcare professional with a diverse background in clinical practice, teaching, and conference presentations. His clinical experience includes private practice specializing in musculoskeletal pain, orthopedic dysfunction, and autoimmune conditions, with a strong focus on nutrition and lifestyle. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Reynolds has served as a TCMD, Acupuncturist, and Health Coach at Douglas Square Chiro and Elite Sports Health. He is the Lead Instructor and Owner of AIM Online Education. Dr. Reynolds has also been a Conference Presenter for FMSOMA and CMMOTA, sharing his expertise on a range of topics. Prior to these roles, he held Lead Instructor positions at CCTCMA and Makami College, teaching Advanced Therapeutic Acupuncture, Tuina (Chinese Massage), Functional Medicine, and more. Earlier in his career, he served as a Guest Lecturer at Mount Royal University, focusing on neuroplasticity.
Alexandria Russell, DAc, LicAc, is a dedicated acupuncturist, advocate, and leader in the field of acupuncture and integrative medicine. She currently serves as the Chair of the ASA Nominations Committee (2024–Present), where she plays a key role in vetting and reviewing applicants for the ASA Board and state association representatives. Previously, she was a member of the Nominations Committee (2022–2024) and served as the ASA Student Committee Chair (2019–2021), amplifying student voices at the national level and strengthening engagement between students and professional organizations. In addition to her work with the ASA, Dr. Russell is the President of the Tennessee Acupuncture Council, where she actively supports acupuncturists at both the state and national levels. She is also a social media educator through her platform @alextheacu, where she shares insights on acupuncture, herbal medicine, and advocacy.
Candace Sarges, MAc, LAc, Dipl OM (NCCAOM) is licensed to practice acupuncture and East Asian (Chinese) medicine in NJ and MA, and is nationally board certified in Oriental Medicine. She earned her Master’s degree in acupuncture and a graduate certificate in Chinese herbal medicine at the New England School of Acupuncture at MCPHS. Prior to her professional training, Candace finished a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Connecticut and then did pre-medical training at Harvard University. In addition to her formal education, she completed an advanced Chinese herbal clinical internship with Dr. Tao Xie of Boston at Pathways to Wellness (formerly the Boston AIDS Care Project). Ms. Sarges is the past-president of the New Jersey Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NJAAOM) and works extensively on national issues related to the practice of acupuncture.
Amy Sear, A.P., Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM) is an experienced speaker and is valued for her organized, practical, and information filled presentations. She has served on many committees and organizations within the Oriental Medicine community, including President of FSOMA from 2004 to 2010, and currently serves on the Florida Board of Acupuncture, as well as the NCCAOM Panel for recertification and professional development activities. She has taught practical and clinical continuing education since 2000, and is considered an expert in laws, safety, ethics, and documentation. She has over seventeen years experience in Integrative practice, including employee status at Memorial Healthcare Systems in Broward County, FL. She brings her years of respected teaching experience to these topics in order to help others.
Angela Serabian, MSA, LMT, CPT serves as the Student Committee Chair of the ASA. Previously, Angela served as a member of Virginia University of Integrative Medcine’s Acupuncture Advocacy Panel and as Student Committee Chair through which she has had articles published about the benefits of cupping therapy and the efficacy of Acupuncture in the treatment of diabetes. She is currently the Vice President of Public Affairs of the Maryland Acupuncture Society. Prior to graduating with her Master’s from VUIM, she spent four years working at Non Profit Mental Health organizations after receiving her Bachelor’s in Psychology from University of Maryland Global Campus. She has worked for several years as a Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in Orthopedic, Structural and Injury Massage and currently teaches Massage Therapy at American Massage and Bodywork Institute.
LiMing Tseng, LicAc, DAc, Dipl OM (NCCAOM) is the Chair of the ASA Conference Committee, and a co-chair of the NCCAOM ASA Acupuncture Medicine Cultural Competency Task. She is a former Board member and secretary of the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) (2015-2021). She is a graduate of the Diversity & Inclusion certificate program from Cornell University, and she obtained both her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Master of Acupuncture of Oriental Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA). In addition to her private acupuncture practice in Stowe, VT, and her acupuncture volunteerism, she is an adjunct faculty at the NESA at MCPHS.
Mori West is the president of AcuClaims/ChiroClaims, a company she started that provides insurance billing services to acupuncturists and chiropractors since 2007. Today, her company handles billing for over 175 offices nationwide. Ms. West is an Advisory Board Member and Founding President of the Southern California Chapter of the American Medical Billing Association. She is the chair of the American Society of Acupuncturists’ Insurance Committee and was a former board member of the California Acupuncture Association, California State Oriental Medicine Association and the American Assoc of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine. Ms. West is a popular guest lecturer at Acupuncture Colleges and various Acupuncture State Associations where she lectures on medical billing and insurance issues.
Joseph Adams, LAc, received a master’s degree in Oriental Medicine, from Emperor’s College in Santa Monica and is also a second-generation acupuncturist, often calling upon needling techniques and Chinese medical protocols that were handed down to him. He presently serves as a resident acupuncturist for Kaiser Permanente’s chronic pain program in Marin County, CA and also served for many years as a clinical supervisor and instructor at the Acupuncture and Integrative College in Berkeley. Joseph specializes in the usage of Secondary Vessels for acute and chronic pain and is the lineage holder for several Neoclassical pulse-taking methods. He delights in researching classical Chinese literature with the goal of bringing ancient systems to life. This fascination has led to the publication of articles relating to health, pulse diagnosis and Chinese philosophy. Most recently, Joseph is proud to have been a part of UNAC/UHCP’s Kaiser organizing committee and helped to successfully gain representation for Nor-Cal Kaiser acupuncturists.
Diana Kobland, L.Ac, specializes in orthopedic acupuncture and chronic pain management. She has been with Kaiser Permanente for eleven years, and practicing pain management and community medicine since 2009 within the Bay Area in CA. Outside of clinical practice, she has a special interest in community organizing and working closely with her colleagues in unionizing and bargaining the first collective bargaining agreement for Northern California Kaiser Permanente acupuncturists. She holds a master’s degree in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Vassar College.
Jorge Intal, PhD, DAOM, dreamt of pursuing a career serving patients utilizing TCM internal medicine with a focus on oncology. Though this dream didn’t quite materialize in the way he had hoped, he joined The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG) in Northern California as an Acupuncture Provider in 2018, where he has collaborated in the care experience of patients within specialties of Integrative Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, as well as those receiving care within Oncology. As a TPMG Acupuncture Provider at the Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, Dr. Intal also trains resident physicians and physician interns. In 2020, Dr. Intal began speaking with his colleagues about organizing for union representation, and eventually served as an Organizer for a successful campaign through which the TPMG Acupuncture Providers of Northern California became the largest group of Acupuncture / East Asian Medicine Providers to win union representation in November 2024. In this journey, Dr. Intal is inspired to fight for our profession and bargain to improve compensation, benefits, and the terms and conditions of employment for his colleagues with the hope that this historic first Collective Bargaining Agreement may set a precedent for our profession. Dr. Intal is committed to building community and is grateful to have this platform that affords him and his colleagues the opportunity to engage in meaningful and purposeful work together.