Education & Seminars

Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Submits Self-Study for Re-accreditation

DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE

After more than a year of preparation, the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MCAOM) at Northwestern Health Sciences University submitted its self-study in April 2009. "The process started in October 2007," stated Mark McKenzie, dean of MCAOM. "It was kicked off in February 2008. The self-study takes about 16 months to complete."

According to McKenzie, a self-study is submitted 18 months before accreditation is up. "Last time was a four-year accreditation. We're hoping for a seven-year accreditation this time."

Within the self-study there are 14 standards. MCAOM was compliance with all 14. Some were considered strengths such as governance, administration, library, facilities, learning resources and finance. McKenzie added, "Specific areas need further development, such as assessment and evaluation. We're always trying to improve."

The department is making changes based on the outcomes of the self-study. Some of these include language in the mission and significant changes in the assessment mechanism.

print pdf
Trending
Acupuncture & Acupressure
Open the Orifices: Point Combinations for Allergy Presentations
Open the Orifices: Point Combinations for Allergy Presentations

Acupuncture can be highly effective in cases of nasal congestion so common in allergy presentations; so much so that I often treat such issues using acupuncture protocols alone. In cases of seasonal allergies with highly predictable causes such as obvious elevations of environmental allergens, I use a skeleton acupuncture prescription that can easily be fleshed out to target potential underlying patterns and effectively customized to the patient.

Craig Williams, LAc, AHG
Lasers & Tens
The Laser Learning Curve for Light-Based Fertility Treatments
The Laser Learning Curve for Light-Based Fertility Treatments

Low-level laser therapy is having a moment in acupuncture circles for good reason. With a growing body of research supporting its role in reducing inflammation, enhancing circulation and stimulating mitochondrial activity, more practitioners are exploring its application in fertility care. But in the nearly 20 years I’ve used laser therapy in clinical practice, I’ve seen a wide range of outcomes. It’s not because laser therapy doesn’t work. It’s because many of us don’t realize how much the details matter.

Marcy White, LAc, Dipl. Ac., MAc, CFMP
Evidence / Research / Science
TEAM Dietary and Herbal Therapies for Cancer Patients
TEAM Dietary and Herbal Therapies for Cancer Patients

“Integrating Traditional East Asian Medicine Dietary and Herbal Therapies for Supporting Cancer Treatment and Survivorship in the West,”published in Perspectives on Integrative Medicine (2025), provides a detailed exploration of how traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) can support cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. This article summarizes findings from the two case reports included in the study.

John Chen, PhD, PharmD, OMD, LAc