About Me
Academic Training
Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
San Diego, CA
Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Arts — cum laude
Double Major: Cognitive & Linguistic Sciences, Chinese Language & Literature
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA
Certificate in Asian & Asian American Studies — Highest Honors
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Other qualifications:
- Clean Needle Technique Certified (CNT) by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine
- Current member of the Illinois Society of Acupuncturists & American Society of Acupuncturists
- Over twenty-three years' experience in personal yoga practice; over eight years practicing Tai Chi and Qi Gong
- Extensive training in disability access, inclusion, and technical assistance (focus on health and medical science institutions)
What Are All of Those Letters After Your Name?
DACM — Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
First professional doctorate for individuals who have training in both acupuncture and herbal medicine.
MSTOM — Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine
Master's degree that allows a student to sit for national board certification and state licensing exams in both acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Dipl. O.M. — Diplomate of Oriental Medicine
National board certification designated by NCCAOM®. A Diplomate of Oriental Medicine has passed board examinations in both acupuncture and herbal medicine.
NCCAOM® — National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
“Established in 1982, NCCAOM is the only national organization that validates entry-level competency in the practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) through professional certification.” (From About NCCAOM)
L.Ac. — Licensed Acupuncturist
Designation for individuals who have met State licensing requirements for the practice of acupuncture. The scope of practice for a Licensed Acupuncturist varies from state to state. Not all Licensed Acupuncturists are trained in herbal medicine.
Note: The term “Oriental” has a long history of pejorative use in the United States of America. Professional organizations and degree titles have been slow to change in part due to lack of consensus on an appropriate substitute.
I embrace the term “traditional medicine” because it recognizes the contribution of many countries, cultures, and individuals to the canon of teachings; it emphasizes diagnostic framework, not individual treatment modalities (e.g., acupuncture, herbology, gua sha, moxibustion, etc.); and it acknowledges that many traditional medicines are complete systems serving as a primary source of care for individuals around the world and are not to be minimized as merely complementary or alternative.
How Do You Pronounce Your Last Name?
Croteau-Chonka
Sounds like: crow + toe + rhymes with Tonka (of Tonka® Truck notoriety)
+
+ (rhymes with)
Image credits:
- Crow by Travis (Mr. Yunis) from NounProject.com
- Toe by WEBTECHOPS LLP from NounProject.com
- Mining Truck by Jaime M. Laurel from NounProject.com