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Faculty

Faculty180 – Vita and Individual Profile Data Sheet

Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, PhD, BAMS, MAOM, L.Ac, FAIHM, C-IAYT

Fall 1980 - Fall 2120

Professor II

Ayurveda Medicine Department

Anu@scuhs.edu

Current Position

Position: Program Director, Ayurveda Medicine Department

Biography

Vaidya Anupama Kizhakkeveettil (Anu) is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, licensed acupuncturist, Professor, and Program Director of Ayurvedic Medicine at Southern California University of Health Sciences.  She received her BAMS degree from SDM Ayurveda college,  Mangalore University, her Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Southern California University of Health Science, Ph.D. from Walden University and a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine from the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. She also completed yoga teacher training at the Bihar school of Yoga. Her contributions to the field of complementary and alternative medicine include extensive travel to propagate Ayurveda worldwide, numerous research presentations at national and international conferences, publications in various peer-reviewed research journals, and regular participation as a peer reviewer at conferences and journal articles.She currently serves on the Research Working Group of the Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health, served as principal investigator for several research studies and she recently completed an NIH-funded research study. Many of her research papers have earned special recognition at the conferences where they were presented, and she has received a number of awards for her work on Ayurveda and complementary and alternative medicine. In 2020, she received Sheikh Zayed International Award for Ayurveda. She was also invited to attend WHO’s International Expert consulting meeting in 2019 and 2020. Recently, she served as an expert for developing benchmarks for Ayurveda practice being created by WHO. As an advocate for the Ayurvedic profession and the advancement of its goals, Vaidya Anu serves on the board of directors of the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine, a nonprofit devoted to furthering Ayurvedic education, research, and practice in California, National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), an organization that represents the Ayurvedic profession in the United States and strives to promote the practice of Ayurveda nationwide and National Ayurvedic Accreditation Council. Previously, she completed six years of service as a member of the Action Board of the American Public Health Association (APHA), helping to coordinate grassroots and grasstops advocacy activities. 

Degrees

2021

Fellowship in integrative Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine, La Jolla, California, United States

2016

Certified Yoga Therapiest, Yoga, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, California, United States

PhD, Public Health , Walden University, Minneapolis, United States

2006

Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture and oriental Medicine, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, California, India

1998

Bachelors in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, Ayurvedic Medicine, SDM college of Ayurvedic Medicine, Mangalore University, Udupi, Karnataka, India

Professional Licensures (Healthcare)

LAc, California, United States, Active, 2007, 2022-05-31

Scholarly Contributions and Creative Productions

Journal Article

Completed/Published

Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Rose, K. A.; Kadar, G. E.; Hurwitz, E. L. An Exploratory Analysis of Gender as a Potential Modifier of Treatment Effect Among Patients in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Integrative Acupuncture and Spinal Manipulation for Low Back Pain. 2019, 42, 177–186.
Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Rose, K. A.; Kadar, G. E.; Hurwitz, E. L. Integrative Acupuncture and Spinal Manipulative Therapy Versus Either Alone for Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial Feasibility Study. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics 2017, 40, 201–213.
Whedon, J. M.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Toler, A. W.; Bezdjian, S.; Rossi, D.; Uptmor, S.; MacKenzie, T. A.; Lurie, J. D.; Hurwitz, E. L.; Coulter, I.; Haldeman, S. Initial Choice of Spinal Manipulation Reduces Escalation of Care for Chronic Low Back Pain Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries. 2022, 47, E142–E148.
Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Bezdjian, S.; Hurwitz, E. L.; Toler, A. W. J.; Rossi, D.; Uptmor, S.; Sagester, K.; Bangash, M.; MacKenzie, T. A.; Lurie, J. D.; Coulter, I.; Haldeman, S.; Whedon, J. M. Spinal Manipulation vs Prescription Drug Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain: Beliefs, Satisfaction With Care, and Qualify of Life Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries. 2021, 44, 663–673.
Whedon, J. M.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Toler, A. W.; MacKenzie, T. A.; Lurie, J. D.; Hurwitz, E. L.; Bezdjian, S.; Bangash, M.; Uptmor, S.; Rossi, D.; Haldeman, S. Initial Choice of Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain Leads to Reduced Long-Term Risk of Adverse Drug Events Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries. 2021, 46, 1714–1720.
Whedon, J. M.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Toler, A.; MacKenzie, T. A.; Lurie, J. D.; Bezdjian, S.; Haldeman, S.; Hurwitz, E.; Coulter, I. Long-Term Medicare Costs Associated With Opioid Analgesic Therapy vs Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain in a Cohort of Older Adults. 2021, 44, 519–526.
Sikorski, D. M.; Wanlass, P. W.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Tobias, G. S. A Survey of Chiropractic Students’ Perceived Business Preparedness at Graduation. 2021, 35, 59–64.
Payyappallimana, U.; Patwardhan, K.; Mangalath, P.; Kessler, C. S.; Jayasundar, R.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Morandi, A.; Puthiyedath, R. The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Relevance of Ayurveda’s Whole Systems Approach to Health and Disease Management. 2020, 26, 1089–1092.
Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Whedon, J.; Schmalzl, L.; Hurwitz, E. L. Yoga for Quality of Life in Individuals With Chronic Disease: A Systematic Review. 2019, 25, 36–43.
Wanlass, P. W.; Sikorski, D. M.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Tobias, G. S. The Association between Students Taking Elective Courses in Chiropractic Technique and Their Anticipated Chiropractic Technique Choices in Future Practice. 2018, 32, 126–130.
Kizhakkeveettil, A. [Attachment]The Association between Students Taking Elective Courses in Chiropractic Technique and Their Anticipated Chiropractic Technique Choices in Future Practice. Journal of Chiropractic Education 2018, 32, 126–130.
Whedon, J. M.; KizhakkeVeettil, A.; Rugo, N. A.; Kieffer, K. A. Bioidentical Estrogen for Menopausal Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 2017, 26, 18–28.
Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Vosko, A. M.; Brash, M.; Ph, D.; Philips, M. A. Perceived Stress and Fatigue among Students in a Doctor of Chiropractic Training Program. 2017, 31, 8–13.
Whedon, J.; Tosteson, T. D.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Kimura, M. N. Insurance Reimbursement for Complementary Healthcare Services. 2017, 23, 264–267.
Rose, K. A.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Kadar, G. E.; Losack, M. Combining Spinal Manipulation With Standard Counseling for Tobacco Cessation: Results of a Feasibility Randomized Clinical Trial. 2017, 16, 41–48.
Ewald, S. C.; Hurwitz, E. L.; Kizhakkeveettil, A. The Effect of Obesity on Treatment Outcomes for Low Back Pain. 2016, 24, 48.
Sikorski, D. M.; KizhakkeVeettil, A.; Tobias, G. S. The Influence of Curricular and Extracurricular Learning Activities on Students’ Choice of Chiropractic Technique. 2016, 30, 30–36.
Gliedt, J. A.; Hawk, C.; Anderson, M.; Ahmad, K.; Bunn, D.; Cambron, J.; Gleberzon, B.; Hart, J.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Perle, S. M.; Ramcharan, M.; Sullivan, S.; Zhang, L. Chiropractic Identity, Role and Future: A Survey of North American Chiropractic Students. 2015, 23, 4.
Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Sikorski, D.; Tobias, G.; Korgan, C. Prevalence of Adverse Effects among Students Taking Technique Classes: A Retrospective Study. 2014, 28, 139–145.
Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Rose, K.; Kadar, G. E. Integrative Therapies for Low Back Pain That Include Complementary and Alternative Medicine Care: A Systematic Review. 2014, 3, 49–64.
Johnson, C.; Killinger, L. Z.; Christensen, M. G.; Hyland, J. K.; Mrozek, J. P.; Zuker, R. F.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Perle, S. M.; Oyelowo, T. Multiple Views to Address Diversity Issues: An Initial Dialog to Advance the Chiropractic Profession. 2012, 19, 1–11.
Khorsan, R.; Hawk, C.; Lisi, A. J.; Kizhakkeveettil, A. Manipulative Therapy for Pregnancy and Related Conditions: A Systematic Review. 2009, 64, 416–427.
Singh, B. B. B.; Khorsan, R.; Vinjamury, S. P.; Der-Martirosian, C.; Kizhakkeveettil, A.; Anderson, T. M. Herbal Treatments of Asthma: A Systematic Review. 2007, 44, 685–698.

Hear from the Students Who’ve Been in Your Shoes

Our Value: Integrative Health, Inclusivity

I chose SCU when looking for a PA program because of their Integrative Medicine approach. I am from Michigan, and not many programs focus on this Integrative, Holistic approach when it comes to patient care in the Midwest, and I felt that was very important for me to learn as a future provider. My transition to semi-virtual learning has been very smooth and quite enjoyable. My favorite part about attending SCU is how tight-knit and diverse the community is. Coming from a large undergrad university and moving so far, it was very important for me to have a PA program that made me feel valued and invested in my success. At SCU, they do a great job of making you feel that.

 

Brianna Hadley

MSPA Class of 2022

Our Value: Integrative Health

One of the great things about SCU is we do have a campus layout, so all your classes aren't in a single room. We have our cadaver lab. We have different specialty rooms for physical assessment classes vs. acupuncture classes. All our acupuncture-specific classes have all the herbs in the room. You can pull out the herbs and look at them, whether in class or in between classes to get that extra studying in.

My favorite part of SCU is the collaboration from our beginning terms. We were working alongside chiropractor students, PA students, and ayurvedic students. It's a unique community where we get to learn about these different fields and sit in classrooms with them and work with them in the clinic. It allows you to get an understanding of all the different fields and how they can work together, and what is unique about your field. I think that is a wonderful aspect that I didn't think was going to be as prominent as it is here; even now, in my upper term classes and I am not in class with chiropractic students, I can still reach out to them about a certain aspect I may not understand or if I am working on a case. I want another perspective I know I have them to reach out to, so that has been a great networking community to have resources for.

Dr. Jamie Kuljis

Graduate, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Our Value: Integrative Health, Inclusivity

"There are a lot of things that I love about the program at SCU. The first one is that the faculty come from a long line of Ayurvedic knowledge deeply rooted in ancient classical text. They studied Ayurveda, but they also lived it. When you learn from people who embody this wisdom, it's much easier to grasp this knowledge. The second thing I love is the camaraderie within the cohort. The combination of the training, supportive faculty, and the support of my peers and classmates has given me the confidence I need to start my own practice."

Portia Harris

Student, Ayurveda Program

Our Value: Evidence-Based Practice

Some of my favorite courses at SCU have to be the chiropractic procedure classes; those are the classes you get to hone in on your chiro skills, your palpation skills and ultimately work on the adjustments that make you a chiropractor. Those are the classes I feel enhance my knowledge the most and are some of the reasons I chose to become a chiropractor here are SCU.

On top of chiropractic procedures classes, my favorite is the cadaver lab experience. The cadaver classes opened up my perception of what the human body is made up of. It allowed me to get an in-person perspective of how the body works and looks on the inside. I am genuinely thankful for those experiences because they opened and broadened my horizons to the human body and anatomy in general.

Jordan Vega

Student, Doctor of Chiropractic

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