RONGYUAN ZHAO, MSTCM, L.Ac.
VICE PRESIDENT OF ACCHS
Educational Background: Graduated from Western medicine, Jiaozuo Health and Medical School, PRC 1983; B.M. Western Medicine, Xinxiang Medical College, PRC 1999; MSTCM at ACCHS 2006
He has been teaching at ACCHS since 2012 and has practiced acupuncture in Fremont and Redwood City since 2006.
Previous Positions: Physician in Jiaozuo Colliery Central Hospital in1980-1995; Physician in Shanghai Xinhua Hospital, PRC 1995-1996; Deputy Chief Physician in Jiaozuo Colliery Hospital from 1999.
KARIN PARRAMORE, MSOM, CH, L.Ac.
Karin was drawn to the study of herbal medicine from an early age and purchased her first book on herbal medicine at the age of 7. After a life of studying, she realized she could actually be an herbalist and obtained Chartered Herbalist status from Dominion Herbal College in 2001. This lead to more focused training in Classical Greek Herbalism, which focuses on the energetics of herbs, a subject she still teaches whenever she gets the chance.
While pursuing a degree in Naturopathic Medicine at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) Karin discovered Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) which espouses a similar foundational basis when treating with herbs. She graduated with her degree in Chinese Medicine in 2012. While at NUNM Karin worked closely with Dr. Heiner Fruehauf, the founder of the CCM program at NUNM, gaining a deep understanding of Chinese Cosmology which forms the basis of her clinical approach.
In addition, Karin has been a practicing Aromatherapist since 2002. She is currently authoring her third book on the subject, Facial Acupressure with Aromatherapy. While her knowledge of Aromatherapy started in a more conventional manner Karin is now focused on applying Chinese Medicine herbal theory to the application of essential oils.
Dr. PHIL SETTELS DAOM, L.Ac., MSTCM
Dean of ACCHS DAOM program
Chinese Medicine is not just my job, it’s my passion. In order to learn from the best teachers available, I’ve traveled throughout the US and China, and will soon complete two doctorate degrees (a 4-yr PhD in China and a 2-yr DAOM in the US). I will always keep learning so that I can get better at improving the lives of my patients.
The areas where I’ve concentrated the most include treating pain and musculoskeletal conditions, as well as complex and chronic internal medicine conditions (such as autoimmune disorders, digestive problems, neurological conditions, endocrine disorders, etc.)
After several years in private practice, I returned to the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences to teach. I am now the Dean of Academics as well as a faculty member in both the Master’s and Doctorate programs.
During the course of his career, I have trained with several of the top Chinese Medical physicians in the US and China, obtaining certificates in:
- Advanced Herbal Studies from the Institute of Canonical East Asian Medicine with Dr. Arnaud Versluys (250 hours, 2011)
- Advanced Herbal Studies with Dr. Feng Shi Lun of the Hu Xi Shu Institute, Beijing, China (80 hours, 2014)
- Acupuncture Sports Medicine Apprenticeship Program with Whitfield Reaves (75 hours, 2015)
- Integrative Acupuncture and Physical Medicine with Anthony Von der Muhll (200+ hours, 2017-2018)
- Currently pursuing a PhD in Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Huang Huang at Nanjing University, China (expected graduation 2021)
- Currently pursuing a Clinical Doctorate of Chinese Medicine at ACCHS, in Oakland, CA.(expected graduation 2021).
YEN WEI CHOONG, L.Ac.
Professor Choong’s far ancestor, Zhi Lu (子路) Choong, was one of Confucius’ most famous disciples, so he has the highest inheritance of Chinese Taoist Culture in his blood. Born in Mainland China in 1948, he started studying Taoist philosophy & Chi-Gong in 1965 (at age of 17); he graduated with a B.S. degree from the College of Chinese Culture in 1973 in Taiwan. In the 1970s, Professor Choong was enthusiastic about studying the Indian Ananda Marga Yoga and doing spiritual retreats with Indian Yogis. He also studied authentic Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine with old masters in Taiwan. Then in 1980, Professor Choong dedicated himself to the mastery of acupuncture and herbal therapies in Taiwan.
He moved to the US and started practicing in 1982. In the 1990’s, Professor Choong served as the traveling acupuncturist for Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, looking after their health. Currently, Yen Wei Choong serves as a well-respected chairman of the board of directors and professor at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland. As the Director of the Yellow Emperor, he is known internationally for his powerful needles, generous heart and potent herbs.
HENRIETTE (JET) LENSSEN DAOM, L.Ac.
Henriette Lenssen received her Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley. She also holds a Master of Science in Biology from the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands. At present she’s pursuing a Doctorate degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland.
Henriette treats many different syndromes and illnesses within the broader scope of family practice but she has a special interest in women’s health and the support of patients undergoing cancer treatment. In addition to her private practice at Fourth Street, Berkeley, Henriette has treated hundreds of patients with acupuncture and herbs in Bay Area Clinics: the AIMC Berkeley Community Acupuncture Clinic, Berkeley Primary Care, Charlotte Maxwell Clinic for women with cancer. She teaches meditation and “Energy and Movement” classes, using her extensive experience with Tai Qi and Medical Qigong.