Speak with an admissions advisor. 562-475-4604

Speak with an admissions advisor. 602-887-5780

Speak with an admissions advisor. 562-580-0525

Faculty

Faculty180 – Vita and Individual Profile Data Sheet

Raheleh Khorsan, PhD.MA, BA

Fall 1980 - Fall 2120

Professor I

Master of Science in Medical Science Program

RahelehKhorsan@scuhs.edu

Current Position

Position: Program Director, Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS)

Biography

Raheleh Khorsan, Ph.D., is Program Director, Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS) and Professor, Department of Interprofessional Education at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. Her recent research has examined factors that influence the success of integrative healthcare research and clinical programs. Additional areas of Dr. Khorsans' research include the evaluation of healing applications within healthcare. She also appraises the applicability of collected data and analyzes validity of findings on several extensive systematic reviews for example she evaluates the program models of integrative medicine including Military and Veteran Health Services, assesses patient-based outcomes, and evaluates the effectiveness of supplements on health and healing. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of California, Irvine in the School of Social Ecology and earned her Ph.D. in Planning, Policy and Design with an emphasis in health promotion in 2018. She earned his M.A from the University of California, Irvine in Demographics and Social Sciences in 2002 and her B.A. in 2000. Dr. Khorsan teaches graduate seminars on Public Health, Medical Terminology, and Medical Ethics, including Introduction to Medical Ethics and Medical Ethics in Healthcare. She has also co/authored a number of reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed articles in a variety of areas. Her co-investigators include Drs. Ian D. Coulter PhD, RAND Corp/Samueli Chair for Integrative Medicine and Senior Health Policy Analyst, RAND Corporation; Professor, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles; Cheryl Hawk DC, PhD, Vice President of Research and Scholarship, Cleveland Chiropractic College; and An-Fu Hsiao MD, PhD, Director of VA Long Beach Integrative Medicine/ Acupuncture Clinic; Professor, Center for Health Policy Research, University of California Irvine.

Degrees

2018

Ph.D., Planning, Policy, & Design, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United StatesDissertation: A Program Evaluation of an Academic Integrative Healthcare Center: Barriers to, and Facilitators in, Applying Integrative Medicine to Primary Care

2002

M.A., Social Science (Concentration on Demographics and Social Analysis (DASA)), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United StatesDissertation: Iranians in Los Angeles: Perspective on Residential Mobility (1970, 1980, & 1990 IPUMS (US Census DATA) Analysis).

2000

B.A., Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States

B.A., Criminology, Law, and Society , University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States

Scholarly Contributions and Creative Productions

Journal Article

Completed/Published

Findlay, B.; Smith, K.; Crawford, C. C. C.; Coulter, I.; Khorsan, R.; Jonas, W. B. Methodological Complexities Associated with Systematic Review of Healing Relationships. 16, 40–46.
Coulter, I. D.; Khorsan, R.; Crawford, C.; Hsiao, A.-F. Integrative Health Care under Review: An Emerging Field. 33, 690–710.
Khorsan, R.; Hawk, C. Pregnancy and Labor Alternative Therapy Research. Alternative therapies in health and medicine 15, 14; author reply 14.
Khorsan, R.; Smith, M.; Hawk, C.; Haas, M. A Public Health Immunization Resource Web Site for Chiropractors: Discussion of Current Issues and Future Challenges for Evidence-Based Initiatives for the Chiropractic Profession. 32, 500–504.
Singh, B. B. B.; Khorsan, R.; Vinjamury, S. P. Influence of Comorbidities on Improvement of Fibromyalgia Symptoms When Treated with Acupuncture: A Short Report. Alternative therapies in health and medicine 14, 24–25.
Singh, B. B. B.; Wu, W.-S.; Hwang, S. H.; Khorsan, R.; Der-Martirosian, C.; Vinjamury, S. P.; Wang, C.-N.; Lin, S. Y. Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia. Alternative therapies in health and medicine 12, 34–41.
Singh, B.; Liu, X.-D.; Der-Martirosian, C.; Hardy, M.; Singh, V. J.; Shepard, N.; Khorsan, R. Menopausal Issues: A National Probability Sample of US Women. 13, 24–29.
Coulter, I. D.; Khorsan, R. Is Health Services Research the Holy Grail of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research? 14, 40–45.
Vinjamury, S. P.; Singh, B. B. B.; Khorsan, R.; Comberiati, R.; Meier, M.; Holm, S. Chiropractic Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders. Alternative therapies in health and medicine 14, 60–63.
Coulter, I. D.; Crawford, C.; Vernon, H.; Hurwitz, E. L.; Khorsan, R.; Booth, M. S.; Herman, P. M. Manipulation and Mobilization for Treating Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for an Appropriateness Panel. 2019, 22, E55–E70.
Coulter, I. D.; Crawford, C.; Hurwitz, E. L.; Vernon, H.; Khorsan, R.; Booth, M. S.; Herman, P. M. Response to Letter to the Editor Entitled “Thrust Manipulation May Not Decrease the Intensity of Chronic Low Back Pain” Concerning “Manipulation and Mobilization for Treating Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” by Coulter et Al. TSJ; Doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2018.01.013. The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society 2018, 18, 1964.
Coulter, I. D.; Crawford, C.; Hurwitz, E. L.; Vernon, H.; Khorsan, R.; Suttorp Booth, M.; Herman, P. M. Manipulation and Mobilization for Treating Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 2018, 18, 866–879.
Hawk, C.; Minkalis, A. L.; Khorsan, R.; Daniels, C. J.; Homack, D.; Gliedt, J. A.; Hartman, J. A.; Bhalerao, S. Systematic Review of Nondrug, Nonsurgical Treatment of Shoulder Conditions. 2017, 40, 293–319.
Crawford, C.; Boyd, C.; Jain, S.; Khorsan, R.; Jonas, W. Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Literature (REAL(©)): Streamlining the Systematic Review Process and Creating Utility for Evidence-Based Health Care. 2015, 8, 631.
Jain, S.; Boyd, C.; Fiorentino, L.; Khorsan, R.; Crawford, C. Are There Efficacious Treatments for Treating the Fatigue-Sleep Disturbance-Depression Symptom Cluster in Breast Cancer Patients? A Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Literature (REAL(©)). 2015, 7, 267–291.
Attipoe, S.; Zeno, S. A.; Lee, C.; Crawford, C.; Khorsan, R.; Walter, A. R.; Deuster, P. A. Tyrosine for Mitigating Stress and Enhancing Performance in Healthy Adult Humans, a Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Literature. 2015, 180, 754–765.
Lisi, A. J.; Khorsan, R.; Smith, M. M. M.; Mittman, B. S. Variations in the Implementation and Characteristics of Chiropractic Services in VA. Medical care 2014, 52, S97–S104.
Coulter, I. D.; Lewith, G.; Khorsan, R.; Kirk, R.; Mittman, B. Research Methodology: Choices, Logistics, and Challenges. 2014, 2014, 780520.
Khorsan, R.; Crawford, C. How to Assess the External Validity and Model Validity of Therapeutic Trials: A Conceptual Approach to Systematic Review Methodology. 2014, 2014, 694804.
Khorsan, R.; Crawford, C.; Ives, J. A.; Walter, A. R.; Jonas, W. B. The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Biomarkers of Inflammation: A Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Literature. 2014, 179, 2–60.
Crawford, C.; Wallerstedt, D. B.; Khorsan, R.; Clausen, S. S. S.; Jonas, W. B.; Walter, J. A. A Systematic Review of Biopsychosocial Training Programs for the Self-Management of Emotional Stress: Potential Applications for the Military. 2013, 2013, 747694.
Coulter, I. D.; Khorsan, R.; Crawford, C.; Hsiao, A.-F. Challenges of Systematic Reviewing Integrative Health Care. 2013, 8, 19–28.
Khorsan, R.; Cohen, A. B.; Lisi, A. J.; Smith, M. M. M.; Delevan, D.; Armstrong, C.; Mittman, B. S. Mixed-Methods Research in a Complex Multisite VA Health Services Study: Variations in the Implementation and Characteristics of Chiropractic Services in VA. 2013, 2013, 701280.
Khorsan, R.; Coulter, I. D.; Crawford, C.; Hsiao, A.-F. Systematic Review of Integrative Health Care Research: Randomized Control Trials, Clinical Controlled Trials, and Meta-Analysis. 2011, 2011.
Khorsan, R.; York, A.; Coulter, I. D.; Wurzman, R.; Walter, J. A.; Coeytaux, R. R. R. Patient-Based Outcome Assessment Instruments in Acupuncture Research. 2010, 16, 27–35.
Khorsan, R.; Hawk, C.; Lisi, A. J.; Kizhakkeveettil, A. Manipulative Therapy for Pregnancy and Related Conditions: A Systematic Review. 2009, 64, 416–427.
Coulter, I. D.; Khorsan, R. Through the Rear View Mirror: A Content Evaluation of the Journal of Chiropractic & Osteopathy for the Years 2005-2008. 2008, 16, 14.
Khorsan, R.; Coulter, I. D.; Hawk, C.; Choate, C. G. Measures in Chiropractic Research: Choosing Patient-Based Outcome Assessments. 2008, 31, 355–375.
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.
Hawk, C.; Khorsan, R.; Lisi, A. J.; Ferrance, R. J.; Evans, M. W. Chiropractic Care for Nonmusculoskeletal Conditions: A Systematic Review with Implications for Whole Systems Research. 2007, 13, 491–512.
Singh, B.; Liu, X.-D.; Der-Martirosian, C.; Hardy, M.; Singh, V.; Shepard, N.; Gandhi, S.; Khorsan, R. A National Probability Survey of American Medical Association Gynecologists and Primary Care Physicians Concerning Menopause. 2005, 193, 693–700.
Singh, B. B. B.; Udani, J.; Vinjamury, S. P.; Der-Martirosian, C.; Gandhi, S.; Khorsan, R.; Nanjegowda, D.; Singh, V. Safety and Effectiveness of an L-Lysine, Zinc, and Herbal-Based Product on the Treatment of Facial and Circumoral Herpes. 2005, 10, 123–127.

Poster Presentation

Completed/Published

Singh, P.; Russell, R.; Beres, J.; Khorsan, R.; Melka, H. A.; Melissa, N. Development of an Integrative, Diagnosis-Based Spine Care Pathway at a Healthcare University and Its Academic Healthcare Centers. ACE 2024, 2024.
Melka, H. A.; Russell, R.; Khorsan, R.; Whedon, J. M.; Haldeman, S. [Attachment]The Literature on Treatment Approaches Utilized in the Management of Low Back Pain Inthe Continent of Africa: A Scoping Review. ACC RAC 2023, 2023.
Melka, H. A.; Russell, R.; Khorsan, R.; Whedon, J. M.; Haldeman, S. [Attachment]The Literature on Treatment Approaches Utilized in the Management of Low Back Pain Inthe Continent of Africa: A Scoping Review. ACC RAC 2023, 2023.

Professional Membership

Fall 2005 - Ongoing

American Public Health Association , July 2005, Ongoing

Spring 2021 - Ongoing

Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM), April 2021, Ongoing

Spring 2020 - Ongoing

Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC), May 2020, Ongoing

Hear from the Students Who’ve Been in Your Shoes

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. [su_accordion][su_spoiler title="Read More..." open="No"]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.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Brianna Hadley

MSPA Class of 2022

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.[su_accordion][su_spoiler title="Read More..." open="No"]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.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

 

Dr. Jamie Kuljis

Graduate, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

"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

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.[su_accordion][su_spoiler title="Read More..." open="No"]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.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

 

Jordan Vega

Student, Doctor of Chiropractic

Getting Started

View our application requirements above or fill out a request for information to start speaking with an enrollment advisor today.

testimonial-slider-image

Financing Your Education

Graduate students have a variety of ways to help fund their education. From graduate-dedicated federal loans to speciality grants and scholarships, paying for your education can be easy at SCU. In addition, our distinctive Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs provides students with confidence in planning for their educational investment.

Fixed Tuition Guarantee Benefits:

  • Your per term rate is guaranteed for the scheduled duration of your program*
  • No tuition price uncertainty
  • Plan your finances in advance
  • Learn more about tuition and financial aid.

Attend a Virtual Interactive Information Session

Learn more about SCU and get a feel for campus without ever leaving home by joining an interactive information session. Information sessions include a brief presentation and specific program break out groups so you will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions via chat. Join early and compete in our game to win SCU apparel! RSVP to our Virtual Information Session.

Virtually Tour Your Campus

Not able to attend a campus preview day in person? That’s okay. You can get to know your SCU campus with this virtual tour.

testimonial-slider-image
Link Text