A MIDSUMMER TCM JOURNEY
Speakers Biographies
Dr. John McDonald PhD (Australia)
Dr. John McDonald has dedicated his career to advancing acupuncture through clinical practice, teaching, and scientific research. He holds a PhD from Griffith University, where his groundbreaking research focused on the effects of acupuncture on mucosal immunity in the upper respiratory tract.
His contributions to acupuncture education have been immense, including his work as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Griffith University and as Vice President for Research at the Acupuncture Now Foundation.
Beyond academia, Dr. McDonald has co-authored influential books such as Zang Fu Syndromes: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment and Acupuncture Point Dynamics, and he continues to shape the field through his ongoing research and publications.
Dr. James Flowers PhD (South Korea)
Dr. James Flowers is a distinguished historian of medicine in East Asia and a Chinese medicine practitioner. He is a Research Fellow in the "Brain Pool Program" at Kyung Hee University of Korean Medicine in South Korea, focusing on the history of traditional medicine, particularly in Korea. He earned his PhD in the History of Medicine from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and has an extensive background in international studies and Chinese medicine.
His research explores the development of traditional Korean medicine, its role in East Asian history, and its continued relevance today. Dr. Flowers has published widely in academic journals such as Asian Medicine: Tradition and Modernity, Social History of Medicine, and Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Previously, he served as the President of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (2000–2009) and taught Chinese medicine at the University of Western Sydney and the Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. With years of both academic and clinical experience, Dr. Flowers brings invaluable insights into the historical and contemporary landscape of traditional East Asian medicine.
Dr. Volker Scheid PhD (UK/Germany/Spain)
Dr. Volker Scheid is a leading scholar, clinician, and educator in East Asian medicine with nearly 40 years of experience. Raised in rural Germany in a family of medicinal herb cultivators, he trained in phytotherapy and Chinese medicine in England before completing postgraduate studies at Beijing and Shanghai Universities of Chinese Medicine. He later pursued academic research at Cambridge, SOAS, and the University of Westminster, where he was Professor of East Asian Medicines and Director of EAST medicine.
Dr. Scheid has published over 30 peer-reviewed papers and authored influential books, including Chinese Medicine in Contemporary China and Currents of Tradition in Chinese Medicine, 1624-2000. He also co-authored Formulas & Strategies, 2nd edition. His work bridges history, anthropology, and clinical practice, with a focus on integrating diverse medical traditions. Committed to both research and practice, he teaches a "meta-practice" approach, helping students develop adaptable, well-rounded skills. Through his work, Dr. Scheid continues to shape the understanding and application of East Asian medicine in the modern world.
Dr. David Hartmann (acupuncture) (Australia)
Dr. David Hartmann began his studies in Chinese medicine straight out of secondary school, earning a Diploma in Applied Science (Chinese Medicine) from the Australian College of Natural Medicine in Brisbane in 1997 at just 23 years old. He established his own acupuncture clinic and has been treating patients ever since, with a strong focus on mental and emotional health. His dedication to this field has led him to extensive research and a commitment to prioritizing mental health in his clinical practice.
Dr. Hartmann’s journey has also involved exploring archetype systems, philosophical perspectives, and unconventional Chinese medicine concepts. These discoveries have shaped his unique approach, which he now shares with the international Chinese medicine community through online workshops, live seminars, and conference presentations.
Giulia Boschi (Italy)
Sinologist, WFAS-licensed acupuncturist, and physiotherapist. Giulia Boschi brings a rich interdisciplinary background to the field of Chinese medicine, combining expertise in sinology, acupuncture, and physiotherapy. She has served as Adjunct Professor of Chinese Medical Terminology and Chinese Culture at UNINT – Rome’s University for International Studies, and previously at the Master’s Program in Chinese Medicine at the Institute for Advanced Holistic Medicine, University of Urbino (1993–2003).
An accomplished author and translator, her works include Blossoming Roots – A Cultural Journey into Chinese Medicine(Noi Ed., 2020) and the multi-volume Corso di terminologia ragionata della medicina cinese classica e moderna(StreetLib, 2023–ongoing). She is also the Italian translator of Applied Channel Theory in Chinese Medicine by Wang Ju-Yi and Jason Robertson, and Metodo di autoelevazione con il Qigong Tradizionale Cinese by Li Xiao Ming. Giulia’s work continues to bridge classical Chinese medical knowledge with contemporary clinical and cultural perspectives.
Ricardo Teixeira (Portugal)
TCM Specialist, Clinical Physiologist, Vice-President of ETCMA. With nearly two decades of experience, Ricardo Teixeira is a dedicated expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and clinical physiology. He currently serves as an ACSS Specialist in Non-Conventional Therapeutics and runs a thriving TCM practice across Portugal, offering integrated care rooted in both traditional wisdom and biomedical insight.
Holding dual licenses in cardiopneumology and neurophysiology, Ricardo brings advanced expertise in the functional and pathological study of key body systems. As Vice-President of the Executive Committee for the European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ETCMA), he plays a key role in advocating for TCM across 30 European associations representing over 11,000 practitioners.
A passionate educator and international speaker, Ricardo has taught at institutions such as the Jean Piaget University of Cape Verde and the Red Cross North School of Health. He regularly leads specialized training on topics including energetic medicine, aging, sexuality, sleep, and advanced acupuncture techniques. Through his work, Ricardo continues to promote integrative, patient-centered approaches to health and inspire a new generation of TCM professionals.
Dr. Zhang Hui PhD (Denmark)
TCM Practitioner, Educator, Researcher. Dr. Zhang Hui is a highly respected Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, educator, and researcher with over a decade of academic and clinical training at Chengdu University of TCM, where he studied under renowned professors and masters. Prior to relocating to Denmark in 2017, he worked as a TCM doctor, lecturer, and researcher at the university.
Currently, Dr. Zhang is the President of the European University of Chinese Medicine (EUCM) and runs a thriving clinical practice in Denmark. He teaches extensively across Europe—including in Denmark, Germany, and beyond—sharing his deep knowledge of both classical and modern Chinese medicine.
He has authored over 50 articles and books and continues to research the clinical application of classical TCM thought in contemporary settings. His practice incorporates a wide range of methods, including TCM Acupuncture, Arm Acupressure Points (AAP), Master Tung’s Acupuncture, Military Pingheng Acupuncture, Taoist Pestle Needles, Moxibustion, Guasha, Cupping, Electro-Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Chinese Medicine Psychology. Dr. Zhang is also committed to evidence-based approaches within TCM, bridging tradition with modern integrative care.
Prof. Dr. Reginaldo de Carvalho Silva Filho PhD (Brazil)
Prof. Dr. Reginaldo de Carvalho Silva Filho, PhD
President, Faculdade EBRAMEC (Brazilian College of Chinese Medicine)
PhD in Acupuncture, Shandong University of Chinese Medicine
Associate Professor, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS)
Visiting Professor, Shandong, Chengdu, and Zhejiang Universities of Chinese Medicine
Prof. Dr. Reginaldo Filho is the founder and president of Faculdade EBRAMEC, the leading institution for Chinese Medicine in Brazil, dedicated to education, clinical care, and research. A trained physiotherapist with postgraduate degrees in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, he also holds a Brazilian master’s in health sciences and is the first Brazilian national to earn a PhD in Acupuncture and Moxibustion in China, from Shandong University of Chinese Medicine.
He is the originator of the Kan Li Method, a unique approach to Chinese Medicine that integrates Classical foundations with modern clinical application. This method reflects his ongoing mission to expand and promote Chinese Medicine through practice, teaching, and scholarship. A prolific contributor to the field, Dr. Reginaldo has edited and published over 25 books, including translations of classical texts into Portuguese, making foundational knowledge accessible to the Lusophone world. His work has had international impact through lectures, courses, and collaborations in various countries. He currently serves as an executive member of the Presidium of both the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) and the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS), and is a visiting professor at several prestigious Chinese medicine universities in China.
Sérgio Franceschini Filho (Brazil)
Dr. Zhang Hui PhD (Denmark)
TCM Practitioner, Educator, Researcher. Dr. Zhang Hui is a highly respected Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, educator, and researcher with over a decade of academic and clinical training at Chengdu University of TCM, where he studied under renowned professors and masters. Prior to relocating to Denmark in 2017, he worked as a TCM doctor, lecturer, and researcher at the university.
Currently, Dr. Zhang is the President of the European University of Chinese Medicine (EUCM) and runs a thriving clinical practice in Denmark. He teaches extensively across Europe—including in Denmark, Germany, and beyond—sharing his deep knowledge of both classical and modern Chinese medicine.
He has authored over 50 articles and books and continues to research the clinical application of classical TCM thought in contemporary settings. His practice incorporates a wide range of methods, including TCM Acupuncture, Arm Acupressure Points (AAP), Master Tung’s Acupuncture, Military Pingheng Acupuncture, Taoist Pestle Needles, Moxibustion, Guasha, Cupping, Electro-Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Chinese Medicine Psychology. Dr. Zhang is also committed to evidence-based approaches within TCM, bridging tradition with modern integrative care.
Sérgio Franceschini Filho is a biomedical professional, acupuncturist, and phytotherapy expert with over 35 years of experience in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine and integrative health. He holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture with a specialization in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Shandong University of Chinese Medicine (China), and has dedicated his career to bridging Chinese and Brazilian medical traditions.
Graduating in Biomedicine from the Faculdade de Santo Amaro (OSEC) in 1985 and specializing in clinical analysis in 1986, Sérgio began his journey in therapeutic plant research in both laboratory and field settings. He completed his acupuncture training at CEATA in 1988, becoming one of the first practitioners officially licensed to practice acupuncture in Brazil. In 1988, he founded Casa da Terra Acupuncture & Phytotherapy, which has since become a renowned center for clinical practice and continuing education in complementary medicine. He is also the founder of ABRAPHYTO – The Brazilian Association of Phytotherapy (1996) and the creator of the innovative Fitoacupuncture technique, first presented at a national congress in 1998.
A passionate educator, Sérgio has coordinated postgraduate programs in acupuncture and phytotherapy and has organized and taught Brazilian phytotherapy courses at CEATA since 1989. Through Casa da Terra Cursos e Educação Continuada, he continues to lead training programs in integrative medicine across Brazil.
He is the author of several influential works, including: Plantas Terapêuticas (2003) and Fitoacupuntura (2013)
Sérgio’s dedication to clinical practice, education, and research has made him a respected figure in the integration of Brazilian botanical knowledge with Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Oran Kivity (UK, Taiwan)
Oran Kivity is a British acupuncturist, teacher and coach, trained in Europe, China, and Japan.
He ran a busy London practice from 1987 and was a founding member of Toyohari UK, the British Branch of the Toyohari Association of Japan.
He was trained in modern teaching methods at the University of Westminster in London, where he also taught acupuncture from 1994. Since moving to East Asia in 2004, he has taught Manaka System Acupuncture and The Ontake Method internationally. His workshops are lively, clear and hands-on.
Oran is the author of Moxa in Motion with the Ontake Method and Hirata Zone Therapy with the Ontake Method. He now practises, writes and teaches from Taiwan, where he lives happily in Kaohsiung, by a river, near a lake and close to the sea.
Dr. Atsuki Maeda DOAM L.Ac Dipl.O.M. (USA, Japan)
Dr. Atsuki Maeda is a doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine, licensed in both Japan and the United States. With nearly four decades of clinical experience and over 20 years of teaching, he has made significant contributions to the field. Dr. Maeda has taught at prestigious colleges and universities in their master's and doctoral programs in acupuncture and oriental medicine. He is also a continuing education unit provider in California and a Professional Development Activity (PDA) provider for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
His expertise lies in the gentle techniques of Japanese acupuncture, including non-insertive methods such as Tei Shin, Da Shin, and Shoni Shin, and Palpation not only limited to pulse diagnosis but Fuku Shin (Abdominal Palpation), Haiko Shin (Back Palpation), Sekkei (Meridian Palpation) and Sekketsu (Acupuncture Point Palpation). In addition, he organizes and leads a Japanese Acupuncture Study Abroad Tour in Kyoto and teaches internationally.
Rita Luta (Portugal)
Rita Luta is a deeply committed and experienced practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with over 20 years of clinical practice dedicated to women’s reproductive health and pediatric care. Based in Tomar, Portugal, she is known for her integrative, heart-centered approach that brings together ancestral healing wisdom with modern clinical expertise.
Rita holds a Higher Education Degree in Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (APA-DA/UMC) and a Diploma in Pediatrics (DipPaed) from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine (CICM), UK. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Postgraduate degree in Psychosocial Rehabilitation, reflecting her holistic understanding of both physical and emotional health.
Rita has studied in China at both Shandong University of TCM (2016 and 2019) and Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (2017 and 2019), and pursued specialized study through Faculdade Ebramec in Brazil, with a focus on Chinese Herbal Medicine, Diet Therapy, Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Pediatrics.
Rita’s professional work extends far beyond the clinic. She offers TCM consultations and treatments in multiple healthcare settings across Portugal and actively participates in national and international conferences and professional development events. She is also a mentor and trainer for healthcare professionals, sharing her deep knowledge of TCM with the next generation of practitioners.
In the academic field, Rita serves as a Guest Lecturer at Escola Superior de Saúde Norte da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa, Portugal, and is a Faculty Member at Faculdade Ebramec, Brazil. Her teaching style is rooted in clarity, compassion, and real-world application, making complex subjects accessible to students and practitioners alike.
An advocate for the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine into pediatric and women’s healthcare, Rita champions gentle, effective, and individualized approaches to healing. Whether working with children, women, or families, her practice reflects a profound respect for the body’s innate wisdom and a commitment to nurturing long-term wellbeing.
Rachel Cheng (Slovenia)
Rachel Cheng is a Hong Kong-registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in clinical practice and education. She holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biomedical Science and Chinese Medicine with a specialization in acupuncture, earned between 2004 and 2011.
After obtaining her license in Hong Kong in 2009, Rachel deepened her practice through a three-year apprenticeship (2012–2015), focusing on the I Ching and its applications in Chinese herbology. This formative period laid the foundation for her unique integration of classical wisdom and modern clinical methods.
Since relocating to Slovenia in 2015, Rachel has played a key role in developing the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) community in her new home. In 2019, she co-founded the Slovenian Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association (SZKMA), helping to promote high standards and public awareness of TCM across the country.
In 2023, Rachel joined the Education Task Force of the European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ETCMA), where she contributes to shaping the future of TCM education across Europe. Rachel is also an enthusiastic educator and workshop leader, known for her engaging and insight-rich lectures.
Whether in the clinic or classroom, Rachel brings clarity, depth, and a cross-cultural perspective to her work, making her a valued practitioner and educator in the global TCM community.
Taina Akulppi (Finland)
Taina Alakulppi is a respected practitioner and educator in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), based in Helsinki, Finland. She is the co-founder of the Academy of Chinese Medicine in Helsinki, where she served as one of the main teachers until 2024. Her current focus is on delivering high-level specialization training for acupuncturists, particularly in the areas of women's health and cosmetic acupuncture, both of which she also integrates into her clinical practice.
Taina’s background includes extensive study and clinical training in China, where she studied at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine after completing her TCM degree in Finland. She also holds a postgraduate diploma from the joint program of Middlesex University and the Northern College of Acupuncture in the UK, and is a qualified massage therapist with a health services license.
In addition to her clinical and teaching work, Taina is a dedicated advocate for the advancement of Chinese medicine in Europe. She has held numerous elected positions, including chairwoman and board member of FinnAcu Ry (The Finnish Traditional Chinese Medicine Society of Acupuncture and Herbs), board member of Skill Ry (Finnish Traditional Chinese Medicine Union), and secretary of the European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ETCMA).
Pedro Serra de Matos (Portugal)
Pedro Serra de Matos, a distinguished and passionate practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), serves as a respected professor at the esteemed Lisbon School of TCM (ESMTC) and a board member of APAMTC. His unwavering dedication to the field is exemplified by his specialization in internal medicine, where he skillfully employs the time-honored techniques of acupuncture and herbal medicine to restore balance and harmony to the body's intricate systems.where he adeptly utilizes traditional acupuncture and herbal medicine to rebalance the body's complex systems.
Professor Serra de Matos's healing approach is grounded in his understanding of TCM philosophy, which views internal imbalances as the root cause of many health issues. By identifying and addressing these disharmonies, he strives to restore balance and promote optimal health and well-being.
Through his unwavering commitment to the principles and practices of TCM, Professor Serra de Matos has earned a reputation as a skilled and compassionate practitioner, dedicated to helping his patients achieve optimal health and vitality. His contributions to the field of TCM, both as a practitioner and as an educator, are invaluable, and his work continues to inspire and inform future generations of TCM practitioners.
Dr. Junghwan Lee KMD (South Korea)
Dr. Junghwan Lee is the developer of Mind Acupuncture. His groundbreaking method has gained recognition in Korea, China, Japan, Europe, and the United States, where clinicians and researchers alike are astonished by its immediate and fundamental effectiveness. With nearly 30 years of clinical practice and research in SaAm Acupuncture and 20 years of study in Oriental psychiatry and meridian-based psychotherapy, Dr. Lee has dedicated his career to integrating traditional acupuncture with both Eastern and Western psychological principles.
He is a Korean Medicine Doctor (KMD) and runs his own clinic in Seoul, South Korea. Dr. Lee holds a Doctoral Degree in Oriental Neuropsychiatry, and his major fields of expertise include SaAm Acupuncture and Meridian-Based Psychotherapy. He is currently serving as the President of the Society of SaAm Acupuncture and the Association of Mind Acupuncture in Korea. He is passionate about introducing SaAm Acupuncture and Mind Acupuncture to more practitioners worldwide.
Felix de Haas (The Netherlands)
Felix de Haas is a senior practitioner and educator in East Asian Medicine with over 40 years of clinical and academic experience. A leading teacher of the Engaging Vitality approach, developed by Dan Bensky and Charles Chace. He integrates Traditional East Asian Medicine with osteopathic principles and internal alchemy.
Felix has extensively studied Japanese acupuncture styles such as Manaka and Toyohari, and has practiced Chinese herbal medicine for over 35 years. His work is rooted in classical East Asian texts and informed by a deep engagement with their philosophical and historical context. He teaches widely on palpation-based methods, meta-practice, and the foundations of East Asian Medicine, drawing from his studies with esteemed teachers such as François Ramakers, Bob Flaws, Stephen Birch, and Volker Scheid. In addition to co-authoring a forthcoming book on Engaging Vitality, he is compiling a personal collection of essays on medicine and internal cultivation.
A lifelong student of Neidan, Buddhism, and Daoism, Felix brings a rich internal cultivation background to his clinical and teaching practice. He is co-founder of Zhong, the Dutch professional association for TCM, and runs two clinics in the Netherlands, The Hague and Haarlem, the latter in collaboration with biomedical doctors.
Cinzia Scorzon MSc, MBAcC (Spain)
Cinzia has been working in private practice in the UK for over forty years and teaching both in the UK and abroad for more than twenty years. She was a senior lecturer and clinical supervisor at the University of Westminster and one of the founders of EIOM (European Institute of Oriental Medicine) in Munich.
She graduated from the College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture in Leamington Spa in 1984. In the years that followed, she continued her studies in the UK and abroad with renowned teachers such as Father Claude Larre, Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallée, and others. She later completed postgraduate training and earned an MSc in Acupuncture from the Northern College of Acupuncture in York (affiliated with the University of Wales), as well as an MSc in Chinese Herbal Medicine from the University of Westminster in London.
Cinzia also spent a year and a half in Shanghai, where she studied the Chinese language and apprenticed with several Chinese physicians. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to Japan and South Korea as well, where she trained with leading teachers and practitioners. She has integrated these diverse experiences into both her clinical work and her teaching, resulting in a unique and holistic approach to treatment.
Today, Cinzia continues to practise, teach CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses across Europe, present at international conferences, and run regular online case discussion sessions.
Dr. Henrique Edgar Sidi MD (Brazil)
A medical doctor and ophthalmologist by training, Dr. Sidi has dedicated the past two decades to the study and teaching of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He completed his acupuncture training at UNIFESP in Brazil and deepened his clinical expertise through advanced studies in Chinese herbal formulas under Master Lo Der Cheng.
Since 2009, Dr. Sidi has been a respected educator in TCM and acupuncture at leading institutions including UNIFESP, AMBA, and the Medical College of Goiás.
A direct disciple of Professor Tran Viet Dzung since 2017, he is one of the few practitioners authorized to teach the clinical acupuncture techniques of Professors Nguyen Van Nghi and Tran Viet Dzung.
Dr. Leonardo Gomes Braga Ferreira PhD (Brazil)
Pharmacist, University Professor, and Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) — the largest health research and development institution in Latin America. He has a solid scientific background, with indexed publications in international journals, acts as a peer reviewer for scientific periodicals, and is a collaborating researcher in projects at FIOCRUZ and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).
A promoter and advocate of Functional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Ferreira integrates classical Chinese philosophy with modern physiology, focusing on Tung’s Acupuncture, Chinese pharmacology, Chinese diet therapy, integrative herbal medicine, and functional nutraceuticals, always grounded in evidence-based clinical science. He coordinates the Postgraduate Program in Functional Chinese Medicine at IBEES (Brazilian Institute of Education and Higher Studies) and is the founder of Instituto Daoma, dedicated to the scientific and entrepreneurial training of healthcare professionals in Integrative and Complementary Practices.
Clinically, he focuses on complex health conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, chronic inflammation, chronic pain, insomnia, and fatigue, applying protocols that restore physiological biomarkers and enhance cellular function. He contributed to the creation of the Chinese Medicine Center in Duque de Caxias (Brazil) and was officially invited by the Chinese Consulate in Rio de Janeiro for a diplomatic-academic immersion in Traditional Chinese Medicine, strengthening international cooperation in the field. In recognition of his contribution to public health and humanized care, he received an Honorary Motion from the City Council of Rio de Janeiro in 2025.
Dr. Ferreira is a member of the World Tung’s Acupuncture Association (WTAA) and the Brazilian Association of Pharmacists in Integrative Practices (ABF-PICS), where he serves as Director of International Relations. He is also the author of “Pragmatic Acupuncture: A Practical Manual on Extraordinary Vessels and Chronoacupuncture.” His mission is to demystify Chinese Medicine, promoting a clinical model rooted in anatomy, physiology, and classical philosophy, free of mystical interpretations and committed to rigorous scientific standards.
Dr. Gabriela Rodrigues MD (Brazil)
Dr. Gabriela Rodrigues is a Brazilian medical doctor with a deep passion for integrative healthcare. With a strong foundation in Western medicine and diverse international experiences, she brings a unique perspective to acupuncture and complementary therapies.
After completing her medical degree at Universidade Católica de Brasília, she pursued a medical residency in Acupuncture at Hospital das Clínicas of University of São Paulo, followed by participation in the International Medical Training Program at Taipei City Hospital, where she immersed herself in Classical Chinese Medicine within its cultural context. Dr. Gabriela also completed a postgraduate program in Integrative Health at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and is currently pursuing a postgraduate specialization in Pain Medicine.
She is presently working in the oncology department at the University Hospital of Brasília, where she is leading the implementation of an acupuncture ambulatory as part of integrative oncology care. As the hospital’s first acupuncturist, she is establishing the ambulatory from the ground up, providing compassionate, evidence-based support to cancer patients.
Dr. Claudia Ximena Gómez Marmolejo MD (Colombia)
Dr. Claudia Ximena Gómez Marmolejo is a medical doctor and surgeon from the National University of Colombia, with over 28 years of professional experience. She holds two administrative specializations, one in Quality Management and Health Auditing, and another in Occupational Health and Safety Management.
Driven by a deep vocation for service, she expanded her medical practice by specializing in Alternative Therapies, allowing her to care for patients from a holistic perspective that addresses both physical and emotional well-being.
Deeply passionate about Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Gómez Marmolejo continues to study its principles and practices, with a strong interest in microsystems such as abdominal, umbilical, and facial acupuncture. Her ongoing professional development includes training in functional medicine, ozone therapy, IV therapy, orthomolecular medicine, biological decoding of disease, and nutrition.
Her extensive clinical and administrative background, combined with her dedication to continuous learning and integrative care, allows her to serve her patients with profound empathy, knowledge, and a strong sense of human connection.
Dr. Xie Dongming MD PhD (China)
Chief Physician, Specialist in Acupuncture and Tuina, Dr. Xie Dongming is a highly respected practitioner with years of clinical experience in Chinese Medicine.
A graduate of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dr. Xie is renowned for his expertise in Acupuncture and Tuina, with a strong focus on pain management and the treatment of chronic diseases. He is known for seamlessly integrating traditional Chinese Medicine with modern medical approaches to deliver comprehensive and effective patient care.
Prof. Dr. Taewoo Kim PhD (South Korea)
Dr. Taewoo Kim is an anthropologist whose research explores medicine within social, historical, and
onto-epistemological contexts. He has conducted anthropological fieldwork in the United States, South Korea,
Belize, and Kiribati.
He is the author of An Anthropology of Korean Medicine Clinics: The Thought and Practice Connecting the Body, Mind, and Nature (published in Korean, 2021; Japanese translation, 2024), and The Body is Climate:
An Ontological Anthropology’s Practice of Climate (in Korean, 2024).
His research articles include:
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“Experiences, Expressions, and Boundary-Crossings: East Asian Tactile Diagnostics in South Korea” (Medical Anthropology, 2023)
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“Ontology and Acupuncture: East Asian Analogism and an Emerging Acupuncture Method in South Korea” (East Asian Science, Technology and Society, 2025).
Dr. Kim is currently a professor at the College of Korean Medicine and director of the Institute of Climate-Body at Kyung Hee University in South Korea.
Ricardo Rodeia (Portugal)
Ricardo Rodeia brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). A dedicated healthcare educator and practitioner, he currently serves as Assistant Professor and Course Coordinator at the Northern Health School of the Portuguese Red Cross, where he leads academic programs in acupuncture, pain management, and integrative therapies.
With a professional journey that spans clinical nursing, TCM, and international education, Ricardo has been practicing acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Tui Na since 2003, while also teaching these disciplines across Europe. He holds postgraduate qualifications in TCM from institutions in Portugal, Germany, and China, and is currently completing his MSc in Clinical Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine through Jiangxi University of TCM.
A recognized contributor to Portuguese legislation regulating the acupuncture profession, Ricardo was nominated as an expert by the Portuguese Nursing Council. In 2024, he was appointed as an Expert in Non-Conventional Therapeutics by the Portuguese Ministry of Health.