Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by the Asia Pacific American Public Affairs Association – Pacific Coast Chapter (APAPA-PCC).
July 12, 2025, marked the 50th anniversary of the day then-Governor Jerry Brown signed S.B. 86 in 1975, allowing the legal practice of acupuncture in California. Over the past 50 years, more than 20,000 acupuncture licenses have been issued in California and millions of people have benefited from acupuncture.
To commemorate this historic day, the Asia Pacific American Public Affairs Association – Pacific Coast Chapter (APAPA-PCC) and the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine (CEWM) co-hosted a grand gala, supported by various acupuncture associations, schools and business sponsors, at the Five Star Seafood Restaurant in San Gabriel, with 350 well-wishers joining in the celebration.
California’s “Father of Acupuncture,” former Gov. Brown, sent a congratulatory video, stating that the acupuncture profession has thrived, from being prosecuted to now being considered as “mainstream American medicine.”
APAPA-PCC President Dr. YongPing Chen expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests, including lawmakers and the acupuncture community, for their tireless efforts and remarkable contributions over the past 50 years to advance legislation and academic development. She noted that the road in the next 50 years will not be easy, as the goals will be higher. Only through unity can acupuncturists overcome obstacles and make new achievements.
Director of UCLA’s CEWM, Professor Ka-kit Hui, described CEWM’s fellowship program training Western physicians in acupuncture, and advocated for a new “whole-person care” model to make healthcare more efficient, affordable and accessible.
Also in attendance: Congresswoman Judy Chu, known as the “Mother of Acupuncture” for her 25 years of legislative work to improve California’s acupuncture educational standards, secure workers’ compensation coverage for acupuncture, and ongoing work in Congress advocating for H.R. 1667 to provide acupuncturist services for seniors under Medicare.
Congressman George Whitesides referred to himself humorously as the “Grandson of Acupuncture” and expressed his intent to co-sponsor H.R. 1667. California Treasurer Fiona Ma, a longtime supporter of the acupuncture community, called herself the “Aunt of Acupuncture.”
California Senator Maria Elena Durazo expressed interest in creating more opportunities for the Latino community to enjoy the benefits of acupuncture. Newly elected Assemblymember Jessica Colazo said she would like to be a “Sister of Acupuncture.”
Senator Adam Schiff’s field representative, Patricia Horton; Assemblymember Mike Fong’s district director, Jennifer Tang; San Gabriel Mayor Denise Menchaca; Monterey Park Mayor Vinh T. Ngo; former Assemblymember Mike Eng; and California Acupuncture Board executive officer Ben Bodea all spoke briefly. Congressman Ted Lieu also sent certificates of recognition.
VA Greater Los Angeles Chief of Medical Services, Dr. ZhaoPing Li, brought good news regarding the VA’s emphasis on whole-person care, noting the 2026 budget increase for the region’s 93,000 veterans by 2.5%; and that contracted VA Community Care acupuncturists will get referral from the VA’s primary care doctors directly instead of through VA’s referral portal.
Dr. Amy Matecki, director of the International Center for Integrative Medicine (ICIM), spoke of her pioneering work establishing an acupuncture residency training program in the hospital over the past 18 years. Its graduates are now working in major U.S. hospitals as acupuncture experts with hospital privileges.
The celebration also included two world-renowned masters of modern acupuncture: neurosurgeon Dr. Jiao Shunfa, who invented scalp acupuncture, and Professor Fu Zhonghua, who invented subcutaneous needling.
CAOMA President Michelle Lau described advocacy efforts for H.R. 1667 in Washington, D.C. Yo San University President Dr. Robert Hoffman and Alhambra Medical University Dean, Dr. Lilian Li, also expressed congratulatory greetings.
Standing at the 50th-year milestone, California is a leader in acupuncture, hosting half of the nation’s licensed acupuncturists, including the vast majority of acupuncturists with doctoral degrees. Over the next 50 years, perseverance, unity, and increasing cooperation between Eastern and Western medicine will be the strength in promoting a more effective, cost-efficient healthcare model to benefit California and the U.S.
