Yo San University Chinese Medicine Medical Externships

Clinical Externship Programs

In addition to the on-site clinical training at the Community Clinic, Yo San operates two externship training programs, at Being Alive in West Hollywood, and at the Venice Family Clinic in Venice. All Practice Interns are required to sign-up for at least one block (64 hours) but not more than two blocks (128 hours) of training at either of the off-site programs during the entire course of their practice internship training.

Being Alive, West Hollywood, California
Being Alive, Los Angeles is a non-profit membership organization comprised of Los Angeles residents who are HIV positive and are medically stable. The program provides Being Alive members access to a variety of complementary therapies. Our objective is to provide high quality integrative care using the modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine in a community-based outpatient setting. The focus of the program is to maintain HIV patients' general wellness, while treating the various symptoms associated with HIV infection. Through this commitment, we provide our interns with the experience of treating a variety of clinical conditions and exposure to a diverse patient population.

Practice Interns involved in this program are supervised directly by a Clinic Faculty member, appointed by the Dean of Academic & Clinical Education. Clinical training is delivered in essentially the same manner as occurs in our University Community Clinic, with minor modifications appropriate to the physical setting of the off-site venue. The Practice Interns are assessed using the same criteria as at YSU's Community Clinic, with the same level of proficiency expected. The Dean of Academic & Clinical Education oversees the entire training program and insures that the educational objectives of the clinical training program of the University are being met.

Venice Family Clinic, Venice, California
The Venice Family Clinic (VFC) is a non-profit, collaborative, multi-disciplinary medical clinic serving low-income residents in the Venice and West Los Angeles areas. It is the largest free clinic in the country. VFC provides a variety of conventional and complementary medical therapies to clients at no cost. As with the Being Alive program, Yo San's objective is to provide quality integrative medical care using the various modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in a community-based outpatient setting, while providing our interns with experience and exposure to a variety of clinical conditions in a diverse medical setting.

Practice Intern supervision, educational assessment, and administrative control at VFC is the same as that described for the Being Alive program.

Clinic Patient Testimonials

One day after receiving her first acupuncture treatment, a patient with chronic neck pain called to report:

"I actually have gotten relief! I am so thrilled; I have not felt this good in 3 years! I was laying in bed this morning and I said to my husband, okay, if I sit up and I can turn my head, we've got something here. And I did and I turned my head farther than I have ever been able to turn from left to right in 3 years! I am so grateful. Thank you SO much."

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At the time of this writing I am 67 years old and retired. Last October I was struck with sudden hearing loss. I had flu like symptoms and experienced total deafness in my left ear, and loss of balance. I was checked for stroke and brain tumor and undertook the traditional allopathic treatment protocol for the disorder. I did not have either stroke or a brain tumor, and unfortunately the treatment protocol did not work for me. I remained deaf and dizzy. It was then I embarked on a self help treatment of long walks and rest. My situation improved. Also internet research indicated that acupuncture and the practice of yoga might improve my balance. My regular walks routinely took me by Yo San University wherein I learned of their Community Clinic and subsequently met Ms. Lisa Nelson, clinic intern.

I have been undergoing routine acupuncture treatment with Ms. Nelson for the past two months. I am also continuing my walking and the practice of yoga. I am still deaf in my left ear and somewhat dizzy but my balance has markedly improved. I am most impressed with Ms. Lisa Nelson’s warm and compassionate treatment style as well as her intellectual involvement with my disorder.

While undergoing acupuncture treatment I feel a distinct 'pulling', a kind of 'suction' on my left ear, the deaf ear, and over time I am aware that the ‘mushy’ sensation inside the left side of my skull has grown smaller in volume and now seems localized to being just behind the left ear.

I recognize that these types of descriptions lack scientific rigor, but it is Ms. Nelson's willingness to try and understand what I am saying and her caring for my well being that make her special to me in her practice of acupuncture. I can only hope that with the passage of time and continued treatment that my hearing will return. Regardless, I feel quite certain that my balance will improve.

By this letter and based on my personal experience I can give my whole hearted recommendation to Ms. Lisa Nelson as an acupuncture practitioner and I wish her the very best in her future practice and studies.

Regards,

A.L.

Yo San University is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, ID#93-0999148 info@yosan.edu
13315 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90066
For more information call 310.577.3000 or TOLL FREE 1.877.YOSAN4U