Angela Lee Chen has the credentials. But she also has life experience, and a passionate pursuit of continuing education.
My early background is an international upbringing, attending the International School of Kenya, with regular travel to China as a child. After 15 years in Kenya, I left to attend Yale University, graduating with a BS in Biology (ES93). After a couple of years of cell biology research, I was strongly drawn to Chinese medicine and have not looked back ever since.
I started my post-graduate studies at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (Manhattan campus), graduating in 1998 with a Master of Traditional Oriental Medicine (MTOM) degree. Training included complete grounding in acupuncture, herbology, nutrition, Oriental Medical theory, diagnosis and evaluation, as well as basics in Western medicine (physical exam, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology). All told, the degree represents 3,428 hours of training, of which over 950 hours are clinical hours, directly working with patients under supervision. In addition to this degree, I am nationally certified in herbology and acupuncture (Dipl.Ac&CH), and NY state licensed in acupuncture (L.Ac.).
In addition to academics, I have studied taichi for 18 years and aikido for 4. I have taken continuing education courses, including a rigorous course of study in tuina.
A note about licensure
Herbology is not licensed in the state of NY. Be careful to ascertain prior training before taking an herbalist’s advice.
Acupuncture is state licensed, but NY only requires 6 semesters of training - only half of what my school required of us. In addition, an MD can become a certified acupuncturist (C.A.) by receiving only 300 hours of training in Oriental medicine. With less training, a person cannot be as well-versed in the truly alternative perspective that Chinese medicine offers.