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 24^th, 9am -1pm EST– Focus Area: Whole Pulse, Large Segments, and Stability of Pulse
• Friday, October 8^th, 9am -1pm EST – Focus Area: The Five Categories of Qualities
• Friday, November 19^th, 9am -1pm EST – Focus Area: Small Segments and Individual Pulse Positions
• Friday, December 10^th, 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 25^th; and/or Saturday, December 11^th
• Baltimore, Maryland: Sunday, October 10^th; and/or Saturday, November 20^th

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.

Additional Info

Certified Instructor:

• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Contemporary Oriental Medicine
• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Contemporary Oriental Medicine
• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)

Certified Instructor:

• Shen-Hammer Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CCPD)