Learn COM
Deepening Skills to Treat and Heal
Embark on a Journey to Deepen your Knowledge
A rewarding study into the depth of true healing artistry
Whether you are just starting your journey into the beauty and depths of Chinese medicine, or you are a seasoned practitioner wishing to deepen you knowledge and understanding of Contemporary Oriental Medicine’s unique concepts, the Foundation can help you to connect to a program, class, or teacher to suit your learning.
As past of the Foundation’s mission is to facilitate the teaching of COM to practitioners worldwide, we work with instructors to produce online learning content. We also work with instructors to create and promote live trainings and workshops.
Below you will find more information about:
- Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine, the premier graduate school which prepares students for initial licensure in the acupuncture profession through a COM focused acupuncture and herbal medicine Master degree program;
- COMFoundation Sponsored Continuing Education Coursework, for licensed practitioners wishing to deepen their knowledge of COM concepts and pulse training, these class are hosted by the Foundation and approved for NCCAOM PDA credits;
- Certified COM Instructors, this referral list will help you to connect with Dr. Hammer’s approved senior teachers and certified lineage holders.
Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine
Located in Gainesville, Florida, Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine provides the ideal environment and resources for acupuncture students. Co-founded in 2001 by Dr. Leon Hammer, DRCOM aims to disseminate and propagate his extensive clinical experience and decades of study.
Unique among acupuncture schools, Dragon Rises College offers its students a complete and far-reaching education, enabling them to become competent, confident and successful acupuncturists.
The curriculum is demanding and comprehensive, crafted from the knowledge and wisdom of some of Chinese Medicine’s most eminent scholars. For students wishing to learn acupuncture in a dynamic and inspirational way, DRCOM is an excellent choice.
Experienced practitioners from around the World regularly travel to study at Dragon Rises College, as some of the skills taught at the school are offered nowhere else.
“I trained at what is considered one of the best and oldest schools of Chinese medicine outside of China. I have since travelled to Gainesville many times over the years for post-graduate courses, to learn what you have the chance to learn from day one of your training. I am not alone in making this journey. If you want to work in healthcare and you have a choice between several colleges, or even several professions, save yourself the time and expense later on. Start out by learning the material you need to be a great practitioner. I am already licensed, but if I could be a Masters student at Dragon Rises College, I would.” – Oliver Nash L.Ac, MBAcC, United Kingdom
To study acupuncture and Chinese medicine at an exceptional college, and to become an acupuncturist of exquisite skill and awareness, contact Dragon Rises and begin your journey.
Foundation Sponsored Continuing Education
The Foundation offers both live and online classes, workshops, trainings and apprenticeships.
As an approved NCCAOM PDA Provider, many of our classes qualify for the continuing education credits needed towards your Diplomate and/or state licensure renewal.
Livestream Virtual Classes
Foundations of Pulse Diagnosis Friday Lecture Series – Fall 2021
Join Certified Shen-Hammer Pulse Instructors Tracy Soltesz and Ryan Diener in developing your pulse diagnostic skills with a series of virtual lectures and hands-on practice sessions.
Our four Friday virtual lectures (via zoom) will introduce new students to the foundational concepts of pulse diagnosis and showcase the Shen-Hammer pulse lineage. These are also great refresher classes for continuing pulse students to deepen their understanding of the intricacies and the subtleties of pulse terminology.
Can’t log in live on a Friday? No problem! Each Friday class will be recorded and the recording shared for one year with registered class members.
Each class will review foundational concepts and will touch on more specific topics. Sign up for all four if you are new to Shen-Hammer pulse, or only the ones that touch on the topics in which you need a refresher.
- Friday, September 24th, 9am -1pm EST– Focus Area: Whole Pulse, Large Segments, and Stability of Pulse
- Friday, October 8th, 9am -1pm EST – Focus Area: The Five Categories of Qualities
- Friday, November 19th, 9am -1pm EST – Focus Area: Small Segments and Individual Pulse Positions
- Friday, December 10th, 9am -1pm EST – Focus Area: Interpretations of Findings and Treatment Planning
Register now, pay later: $175 per session, or $600 for all 4 ($100 discount). 4 NCCAOM PDAs per class, pending
Live In-Person Training
Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD) requires hands-on live instruction to truly master. While pulse reading concepts can be learned in a book or through lecture, this knowledge will always remain theoretical without real time training and feedback.
Fall 2021 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 Tracy Soltesz and Ryan Diener. Choose which days and locations work for your schedule. We know that each practitioner comes to our class with a different level of experience with Shen-Hammer diagnosis skills. Class size is limited to 16 participants to allow us to work with each individual to meet them at their skills level. 6.5 NCCAOM PDAs per class, pending. *At least one Friday livestream lecture is a required prerequisite if you have no experience with the Shen-Hammer pulse system.
Dates and Locations:
- Frederick, Maryland: Saturday, September 25th; and/or Saturday, December 11th
- Baltimore, Maryland: Sunday, October 10th; and/or Saturday, November 20th
Register now, pay later: $200 per one-day session, $350 – sign up for two, $450 – sign up for three, $600 – all four classes
*For yours and your classmates’ safety at this time, all class participants will be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Please pre-screen yourself for any contagious illness prior to attending class. Full refunds given in the case you must cancel due to illness.
Distance Learning (Online, Self-Paced)
Our virtual learning platform allows you to view slides and listen to recorded audio at your own pace.
Knowledge and Skills from the Menghe-Ding Lineage of Chinese Medicine (Series One):
In these 12 lessons you will learn the clinical wisdom and insight from the renowned Menghe-Ding lineage, and the life’s work of Dr. John H.F. Shen, O.M.D. and Dr. Leon Hammer, M.D. | taught by Dr. Leon Hammer, M.D | FREE
Treatment Methods from the Menghe-Ding Lineage of Chinese Medicine (Series Two):
A second series of twelve new Lessons covering more important material from the work of Dr. Hammer, Dr. Shen, and the Menghe-Ding Lineage. Series Two also includes the complete version of Dr. Hammer’s treatment of ‘long leg’ and how he assesses and corrects spinal misalignments using acupuncture. | taught by Dr. Leon Hammer, M.D | $199
Certified Instructors
The unique treatment concepts and pulse diagnostic skills (CCPD) of COM take years of dedicated study and apprenticeship to fully master.
The teachers in this database of certified instructors have demonstrated a deep and comprehensive knowledge of COM and/or CCPD, and have received official acknowledgement and approval from Dr. Hammer to provide students with mentorship and instruction.
Many of these lineage holders have decades of clinical practice experience implementing COM and CCPD into successful treatment strategies for hundreds of patients. In addition, they have been certified to teach this medicine to new generations of practitioners. Contact them directly for training or see our Upcoming Events listing for a selection of COM and Pulse related classes taught by these certified instructors.
Instructor Name & Contact Info
Additional Info
Allyson Lange-Sost
Address:
104 W 5th Ave
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Phone:
(850) 591-6190
Website:
http://www.accu-ally.com
Certified Instructor:
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Brandt Stickley
Great Sun Acupuncture Benevolent Association
Address:
3314 South Kelly Ave.
Portland, OR 97239
Phone:
(321) 243-9894
Website:
www.brandtstickley.com
Certified Instructor:
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Brian La Forgia
Address:
2000 Van Ness Ave. # 708
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone:
(415) 345-1005
Website:
Certified Instructor:
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Claus Sørensen
Address:
Dragon Rises Denmark
Centrumgaden 9, 1. tv.
2750 Ballerup
Denmark
Phone:
+45 29 65 13 24
Email:
claus@dragonrises.dk
Website:
https://www.dragonrises.dk
Certified Instructor:
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Jamin Nichols
Address:
414 North Miramar Ave.
Indialantic, FL 32903
Phone:
(321) 729-9495
Website:
Certified Instructor:
- Contemporary Oriental Medicine
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Jiang Zheng
Address:
5850 Oberlin Dr. Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92121
Phone:
(858) 546-1008
Email:
jiangzhengkk@gmail.com
Certified Instructor:
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Laisha Canner-Ward
Address:
Moxa Medicine Incorporated
Gainesville, FL
Phone:
(352) 405-6692
Website:
https://www.moxamedicine.com
Certified Instructor:
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Mary Jo Hayes
Address:
808 NW 23 Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32609
Phone:
(352) 281-8998
Website:
https://acugainesville.com
Certified Instructor:
- Contemporary Oriental Medicine
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Ross Rosen
Center for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Address:
166 Mountain Ave.
Westfield, NJ 07090
Phone:
(908) 654-4333
Website:
www.acupunctureandherbalmedicine.com
Certified Instructor:
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Stephen Higgins
Address:
Dragon Rises Center for Wholeness
4852 SW Scholls Ferry Road
Portland, Oregon 97225
Phone:
(503) 893-2139
Fax:
(503) 200-1067
Email:
shiggins@dragonrisesportland.com
Website:
https://www.dragonrisesportland.com
Certified Instructor:
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Ryan Diener
Holistic Health Associates
Address:
603-B West Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone:
(301) 329-6651
Website:
https://hhamd.com
Certified Instructor:
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
Tracy Soltesz
Kunlun Mountain Acupuncture
Address:
1730 West Street, Suite 107
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone:
(555) 867-5309
Website:
https://kunlunmtn.com
Certified Instructor:
- Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)
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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