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Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) recently hosted a grand event celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and China. This historic gathering emphasized the progress and integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) within American healthcare. It highlighted SCU’s ongoing dedication to advancing integrative, whole-person health through education, research, and cultural exchange.
After President Nixon’s landmark 1972 visit to China, TCM began to take root in the United States, becoming a vital component of community health nationwide. This event, co-organized by SCU and the Chinese American Foundation, brought together leaders from government, healthcare, and academia to celebrate the impact of TCM in the U.S. and the promise of continued collaboration between the two countries.
Held on October 18, 2024, at SCU’s Whittier campus, the celebration attracted a broad spectrum of government, healthcare, and community organizations attendees. SCU’s President, John Scaringe, opened the event by sharing his appreciation for TCM’s role in the American medical system, emphasizing how integrative care enriches healthcare options and supports holistic health solutions for patients. Congresswoman Judy Chu, a dedicated advocate for TCM in American healthcare, also spoke at the event. She highlighted her ongoing efforts to include acupuncture in federal health benefits, such as Medicare, ensuring that more Americans can access this time-honored practice.
Guo Zhiqiang, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles, also addressed the attendees. In his speech, he expressed optimism for the future of TCM in the United States, stating, “We firmly believe that with the joint efforts of the two great countries of China and the United States, the future of TCM in the US will continue to brighten.”
SCU is also at the forefront of TCM research and development. The SCU Clinical and Health Research Department recently received a $1.7 million R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate the impact of acupuncture on chronic low back pain. This three-year study, conducted in collaboration with Dartmouth College, will explore the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for Medicare patients. SCU’s commitment to evidence-based research underscores its mission to advance integrative healthcare and demonstrates its leadership in bridging TCM with Western medical practices.
The event provided a platform for SCU to deepen its role as a bridge between the U.S. and China in healthcare, cultural understanding, and diplomacy. Jenny Yu, Dean of the Eastern Medicine Department at SCU, emphasized the university’s accomplishments and vision, noting SCU’s pioneering efforts in establishing the first entry-level doctorate degree in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine accredited in the U.S. These achievements represent a major milestone in the U.S. education system, supporting the growth and standardization of TCM nationwide.
In her closing remarks, Sher Li, Chairwoman of the Board of the Chinese American Foundation, acknowledged SCU’s role in changing the landscape for Chinese medicine practitioners in the U.S. She highlighted how TCM serves as a cultural bridge, fostering goodwill between the U.S. and China while promoting the health and wellness of communities across both nations.
Chinese news outlets captured the event and have already reached an international audience through online videos, reflecting the global interest in TCM’s progress in America. Attendees engaged with SCU faculty, explored the University Health Center’s herbal pharmacy and treatment facilities, and celebrated the spirit of cross-cultural collaboration.
SCU remains committed to its mission of nurturing integrative health leaders. By preparing students to serve diverse communities through whole-person care, SCU envisions a future where TCM and integrative health approaches are foundational elements of American healthcare, contributing to a healthier, more connected world. To learn more about the Doctorate and Master’s degrees in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, visit scuhs.edu for more information.
Founded in 1911, SCU has been challenging convention and pushing healthcare forward since the very beginning. Today, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of both conventional and complementary disciplines. Known as “The Integrative Whole Health University,” SCU teaches students to blend the best of conventional and complementary healthcare approaches and to treat the entire mind, body, and spirit—for true, lasting wellness.
SCU was the first university in the United States to offer an entry-level doctorate degree in TCM, and the first to be awarded both regional and programmatic accreditations, as well as California State Board approval. The school’s unique and forward-thinking program blends the best of traditional practices with the best of Western biomedicine—empowering students with well-rounded skills for today’s healthcare industry.