Contemporary Oriental Medicine Foundation
Ancient Medicine, Modern World
Medicine that truly heals people and changes lives
Ancient Healthcare, Refined and Evolved for a Modern World
The Foundation exists to support and further the art and science of Contemporary Oriental Medicine (COM). Through the life work and teachings of Dr. Leon Hammer, M.D., COM has developed into one of the world’s most comprehensive systems of healing as we move further into the 21st century.
COM is an evolving, dynamic system of diagnosis and treatment that draws upon Dr. Hammer’s more than sixty years of experience in both allopathic Western medicine and East Asian medicine. His knowledge, together with the wisdom of his mentor, Dr. John H. F. Shen, is an invaluable resource to practitioners and students alike wishing to deepen their understanding of the true nature of health and healing.
Through the COM Foundation and its community of teachers, practitioners, and students, this knowledge is now available to healthcare professionals and members of the public.
Here on our website, you will find an extensive library of publications, articles, essays, and excerpts from Dr. Hammer’s published and unpublished works. We also feature a current blog containing quick reads and postings from some of COM’s certified instructors and current students, as well as a listing of community events and classes related to COM.
Are you interested in studying COM or looking to experience this powerful healing system? Check out our referral lists to find both certified COM instructors and practitioners in your area.
Are you ready to begin exploring COM? Dr. Hammer has produced two series of twelve “Lessons“, gradually teaching some of the concepts, knowledge and skills that have helped him transform the lives of many patients. The Foundation offers the first set of these unique insights freely.
Explore COM
Choose a section below to more deeply explore the history of COM and ways in which these concepts are taught and delivered to our patients.
Dr. Leon Hammer, MD
Born in 1924 in New York City, Dr. Leon Hammer, M.D. has had a remarkable life and career. Dr. Hammer celebrated his 95th birthday by publishing his seventh book and still continues to write more! Read about the incredible events that have shaped the life of this brilliant scholar and inspired him to dedicate his life’s work to this amazing medicine.
Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis
A pillar of the diagnostic system that sets COM apart from other traditions of Chinese Medicine, the Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD) offers a comprehensive look into a patient’s past and present health history and indicates to the practitioner a potential future trajectory of those health conditions. CCPD-trained practitioners spend years cultivating their skills of pulse reading through hands-on instruction and training offered by Dr. Hammer’s certified instructors.
Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine
Located in Gainesville, Florida, Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine (DRCOM) was founded in 2001, and acquired by the Foundation in 2014.
From its inception, the College was committed to teaching a new, updated form of Chinese medicine. It is this medicine that has come to be known as Contemporary Oriental Medicine (COM). Dr. Hammer developed the curriculum, which he taught, alongside his most-committed students, until his retirement.
DRCOM is the only college in the world that teaches COM in its entirety, including 165 hours of pulse diagnosis.
Read more about our wonderful College
Quotable Quotes…
Upcoming Events and Classes
Below you can find events and classes hosted by the Foundation, DRCOM, and our certified COM teachers.
The Mystical Aspect of Taoism with REPOSEE Qi Gong and the 13 Ghost Points
October 30 2021, livestream, COM Foundation, FREE
Demystify the 13 Ghost Points as related to the concept of a ‘Ghost’ and bring awareness to the healing aspect of rituals that connect us to our ancestors through the practice of Reposee, a traditional medical Qi Gong. By analyzing the concept of the 13 Ghost Points, practitioners will have a better understanding of the relationship between body, mind and spirit when treating their patients.
This course is presented through the lens of Drs. Shen and Hammer, and includes guided meditations, to reconnect with yourself as practitioner and as individual in order to develop a stronger relationship between body, mind, and spirit to be at service for our patients and humanity.
This course is being presented via livestream to be recorded for future Distance Learning PDAs. Attendees who register and attend the livestream on October 30th may attend for free but registration is required.
Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Practicum and Lecture Series
September – December 2021, livestream and/or Maryland, Tracy Soltesz and ryan diener, $$
Join Certified Shen-Hammer Instructors to develop your pulse diagnostic skills with a series of virtual lectures and hands-on in-person practice sessions.
Foundations of Pulse Diagnosis Lecture Series
Our four Friday virtual lectures (via zoom) from Sept – Dec will introduce new students to the foundational concepts of pulse diagnosis and showcase the Shen-Hammer pulse lineage.
Hands-On Skills Development Sessions
These one-day classes held from 9am to 5pm are offered on Saturdays or Sundays, and will be fully hands-on practice in small group settings to maximize safety and to assure individualized skills development and direct attention from your instructors. More Info
Deepening Perspectives on Chinese Medicine 2021: Live and Streaming
Oct 2021 – March 2022, Livestream, Lonny Jarrett, $$
In this 12 session course participants are guided through Jarrett’s new text, Deepening Perspectives on Chinese Medicine. We will examine Chinese medicine as an art and science of catalyzing human emergence. Each of the 12 sessions will consist of readings drawn from Deepening Perspectives, a 1 to 1.5 hour video presentation of me discussing the material to be watched at your leisure and a 1.5 hour live Q & A session with Lonny on the material. Learn More
A Comprehensive Introduction to Shen-Hammer Pulse Diagnosis
Nov – DEC 2021, Portland OR, brandt stickley, $$
One of the greatest of Dr. Hammer’s staggering contributions was the development of a pedagogy for teaching the intricacies of pulse diagnosis beyond the master-disciple form of learning: truly a democratization: liberating pulse diagnosis as a vehicle for our collective liberation.
In this introductory course, one of our Certified Instructors teaches the complete fundamentals of the Shen-Hammer Pulse system. Both hands-on and lecture formats are interspersed throughout the seminar, and students learn essential pulse diagnosis skills they’ll be able to apply in clinic the following week.
This course is for students who have not yet taken an introductory seminar or for those who’d like to hone their Shen-Hammer Pulse Diagnosis skills. Learn More
Salon Style Mentorship Program with Brandt Stickley
Livestream, brandt stickley, $$
This ongoing online forum includes intimate discussions every other week through a dedicated zoom call as well as access to a large learning community via Discord. Each session includes a discussion of a line from the Shang Han Lun to explore everything that it can teach us. Brandt’s mentorship program seeks to establish classical Chinese medicine as a robust ally to mental wellness, somatic health, equity, justice, freedom, and the intensification of consciousness. Join in a learning community that can generate a sea change of healing. This work goes beyond a seminar model and returns to the old-fashioned kitchen table learning of the past. Learn More
Happy Birthday, Dr. Hammer – Interview with Lorne Brown
Youtube, Healthy Seminars, Free
On the occasion of Dr. Hammer’s 95th birthday, Lorne Brown sat down with Dr Hammer for an interview and they had a great time! To celebrate his 95th birthday, this interview is now available in full for you all to learn from the pearls of wisdom he has to share with us all. Watch Now
Heart Shock: Diagnosing and Treating with Shen-Hammer and Classical Chinese Medicine
Distance Learning, Ross Rosen, $$
The impact of shock and trauma has been on the rise over recent years, with little to no understanding of the complexity of its underlying mechanisms or treatment strategies and treatments with which to address it. Using theories of Chinese medicine, Daoism, and Pulse Diagnosis, Heart Shock can be understood in its fullest complexity Learn More
Publications
Books by Dr. Leon Hammer – Click to Purchase!
COMING SOON! Contemporary Oriental Medicine: Lifestyle
Dr. Leon I. Hammer
Contemporary Oriental Medicine: Methodology
Dr. Leon I. Hammer
Contemporary Oriental Medicine: Concepts
Dr. Leon I. Hammer
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Dr. Leon I. Hammer
The Patient-Practitioner Relationship in Acupuncture
Dr. Leon I. Hammer
Handbook of Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis
Dr. Leon I. Hammer
Chinese Pulse Diagnosis, A Contemporary Approach
Dr. Leon I. Hammer
Dragon Rises, Red Bird Flies
Dr. Leon I. Hammer
Get Started with COM
If you would like to embark upon a rewarding journey into the fascinating world of COM, please subscribe to Dr. Hammer’s series of twelve Lessons. They are completely free of charge and are a compelling and informative education on the wonders of this healing system.
Address
The Contemporary Oriental
Medicine Foundation
1000 NE 16th Ave., Building F
Gainesville, Florida
32601, USA
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