EAST-WEST MEDICINEWinter 2010

These words have inspired me through-

out my career in medicine. Yet, health-

care as provided today seems to have lost

sight of its focus: the patient.

Despite ground-breaking medical research

findings and the development of life-saving

surgical procedures and pharmaceuticals,

our healthcare system has been shown to

have many shortcomings. Not only have

the accelerating costs been under scrutiny,

questions are also being raised about the

paradigm that leans heavily upon high-tech

and invasive crisis intervention. Decades

of debates have finally reached the his-

torical juncture when major reforms to

our healthcare system are now urgently

needed.

“The study of medicine begins with the patient, continues with the patient, and ends with the patient.” – Sir William Osler

Letter from the Director

Over the last forty years at UCLA, I have come into

contact with many patients who suffer from health

problems that have eluded solutions. In my effort

to solve problems for my patients, I have become

convinced that we need to rebalance our healthcare

system to focus on patient-oriented care, preven-

tion, early disease recognition, and health promotion.

Medical traditions other than the western bio-

medical model should also be recognized for their

potential to heal both the current system and the

human population.

This conviction is what inspired me to establish

the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine sixteen

years ago. Since then we have helped thousands

of patients by blending the best of both modern

western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine.

Our programs in education, research, and resource

development continue to nurture innovative ideas

and effect change.

The successful outcomes of our approach tell us

that we are in a unique position to transform health-

care toward a positive direction. I invite you to join

us in our effort to make healthcare safe, effective,

affordable, and accessible to everyone.

Ka-Kit Hui, M.D., F.A.C.PWallis Annenberg Professor in Integrative East-West MedicineFounder and Director, UCLA Center for East-West Medicine

Our Approach to

Patient Care

Our team of UCLA-trained,

board-certified physicians

has a strong background in

traditional Chinese medicine.

They work in unison with

a team of Chinese medi-

cine experts at all stages of

patient care and manage-

ment. During the initial office

visit the physician will per-

form an exam that combines

western and Chinese medi-

cine diagnostic techniques.

The physician will then design

an individualized treatment

plan which integrates western

strategies with Chinese med-

icine techniques. We place

strong emphasis on self-help

to empower patients to

achieve wellness and

prevent illnesses.

www.cewm.med.ucla.edu UCLA Center for East-West Medicine p.2

Benefits of the

Integrative East-West

Approach:

• Improved qualify of life

• Fewer medications

• Lower risk of side-effects

and other complications

• Lower cost

“ UCLA’s Center for East-West Medicine saved my life.”

Several years ago my body began to betray

me. Bizarre irregularities appeared one by

one over the course of a year: constant

heart palpitations; lightheadedness; burn-

ing and irritated lips/palate/gums/tongue;

worsening of my hypoglycemia; constant,

severe gastrointestinal pain; abdominal

bloating; sinus problems; pain in my salivary

glands; severe pain in hands and feet; con-

stant neck pain; nausea; flashes of anxiety;

reappearance of menopausal hot flashes;

and sensitivities to chemicals and drugs I

previously tolerated.

Not surprisingly, I deteriorated mentally.

I spent my day crying and despairing. An

analyst by trade, I believed that, if I could

organize the symptoms, surely one alert

physician could diagnose me.

But that never happened. Over the course

of more than a year, I saw two dozen

specialists, including eleven days of testing

at The Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Months went

by, but my symptoms failed to improve and

new ones appeared.

Six months later, I walked into the East-West Center.

My “Western” doctor at the Center explained that

they saw patients like me all the time and could

help me. Improvements came quickly with weekly

acupuncture and acupressure treatments by my

“Eastern” doctor of Chinese Medicine and with

moderate dietary adjustments. Occasionally, tiny

lidocaine shots were used to train my screaming

muscles to calm. Aside from that, I was given no

drugs, not even any herbs.

Soon my body was no longer my enemy. Three years

later I’m on a maintenance schedule of one treat-

ment every three weeks, my body has regained its

equilibrium and I know how to keep it on track.

Western medicine has some excellent methods of

diagnostics and treatments. But it compartmental-

izes the body into specialties and is incapable of

treating it as a whole. But much of what we consult

Western medicine for can be accomplished far bet-

ter by Chinese medicine, more gently, less invasively,

less expensively, and it can even succeed where

Western medicine fails.

So, yes, the Center for East-West Medicine saved

my life!

– Karen

Dr. Jun Liang Yu recently retired after

working with Dr. Hui for twenty-four

years. Their partnership commenced

in 1985 when he trained under

Dr. Hui in clinical pharmacology at

UCLA. In 1993, Dr. Yu joined Dr. Hui

to establish the UCLA Center for

East-West Medicine. Dr. Yu played a

vital role in developing an integra-

tive medicine model and has trained

many medical students, rotating resi-

dents, fellows and clinicians, including

clinicians currently practicing at the

Center’s clinic.

Dr. Jun Liang Yu (right) with Dr. Ka-Kit Hui.

www.cewm.med.ucla.edu UCLA Center for East-West Medicine p.3

Dr. Malcolm Taw was introduced to the

Center for East-West Medicine when he

enrolled in the course offered to fourth-

year medical students in 2000.

“What drew me to the field of integrative

East-West medicine was seeing the benefit

to the patient. During the fourth-year

course, there was a patient with Meniere’s

Disease, who had severe vertigo. He had

sought Western medical care, but nothing

worked. At the Center, he was treated with

acupuncture, Chinese therapeutic massage,

and trigger point injections. Not only did he

get better, he was able to swing dance!”

Dr. Taw is now Assistant Clinic Professor at

the Center. He is an Internist certified by

the American Board of Internal Medicine

and has undergone training in a Masters

Degree program in Oriental Medicine. He

is developing a special clinic focusing on

Head and Neck Disorders to treat patients

with migraines, tension headaches, dizzi-

ness, vertigo, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and

temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).

Dr. H. Eric Schockman, one of Dr. Taw’s patients,

travels a great deal in the course of his work. But his

ability to do his work was impaired when he began

to experience hearing loss, vertigo, hallucinations at

night, insomnia, and a constant noise in his ears, all

of which worsened when he flew. Dr. Schockman

was seen by an Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon and

had numerous tests. Months passed but there was

no diagnosis. “I reached the end of the Western

medicine route when my doctor said, ‘We can’t do

anything more. You’ll just have to live with it’.”

“Someone referred me to Dr. Malcolm Taw. He

treated me with acupuncture and trigger point injec-

tions and also taught me self-acupressure. After six

months, the condition cleared. I have none of the

symptoms, even when I fly. Dr. Taw is an excellent

healer, sensitive to the patient, and he understands

how East-West medicine can make a person whole.”

One of Dr. Taw’s current research projects on

refractory sinusitis is carried out in collaboration

with Head and Neck Surgeon, Dr. Marilene Wang.

The study is to objectively measure the improve-

ment in sinus and global health symptoms after

treatment at the Center.

In addition, Dr. Taw traveled to Sacramento and

Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators’ health-

care advisors to discuss how integrative medicine

can help with healthcare reform.

“I have sent many patients

with refractory sinusitis to

the Center, where they bene-

fit from the holistic approach

to treatment. We presented

our treatment philosophy

and preliminary data from

our study [on refrac-

tory chronic sinusitis] at a

recent national otolaryngol-

ogy meeting, where there

was great interest in our

approach.”

– Marilene Wang, M.D.,

F.A.C.S.; Professor, UCLA,

Division of Head and Neck

Surgery; Chief, Head and Neck

Surgery, VA Greater Los Angeles

Healthcare System

“I am a big believer in East-

West medicine. [It] could

save patients and the health-

care system a lot of money.”

– Dr. Schockman,

Vice-chairman of Postsecondary

Education Commission for the

State of California

Extending the Reach of East-West Medicine

Malcolm Taw, M.D.

www.cewm.med.ucla.edu UCLA Center for East-West Medicine p.4

Lawrence Taw, M.D.

“My patients suffering from

osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia,

and connective tissue

diseases like rheumatoid

arthritis and lupus have had

excellent results from the

Center for East-West

Medicine at UCLA. Through

my collaboration with the

physicians and healthcare

providers at the Center,

my patients receive an indi-

vidualized treatment plan

tailored for their condition.

Learning more about health

and disease from the

Traditional Chinese medicine

perspective has allowed me

to appreciate the benefits of

this approach for health

maintenance, wellness and

disease prevention.”

– Mihaela Taylor, M.D.,

Rheumatologist,

UCLA Medical Center

Dr. Lawrence Taw offers the following dietary tips to

decrease inflammation:

• Increase intake of Omega-3 fatty acids, including

fish, such as salmon and mackerel, and flaxseed.

• Increase intake of fiber. Examples include organic fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

• For cooking, use extra virgin olive oil.

• Avoid high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners.

Ellistine Davis-Alfred suffered from episodic

left-sided numbness and weakness, tran-

sient right-sided visual loss, dry and burning

eyes, headaches, and fatigue caused by

Multiple Sclerosis. Her physicians pre-

scribed a number of potent medications,

which Ms. Davis-Alfred could not tolerate.

Symptoms were so severe that she was

hospitalized for three days.

“The case manager in the hospital referred

me to the UCLA Center for East-West

Medicine. I did go to the Center and have

been treated by Dr. Lawrence Taw. I am

so much better. My symptoms are gone. I

am no longer on any M.S. drugs. I am not

limping. My pain has decreased. I no longer

have migraines. Dr. Taw taught me how to

manage my symptoms by myself.”

Dr. Lawrence Taw also was introduced

to the Center in our fourth-year medical

student class and was deeply impressed

with the therapeutic potential of integrative

medicine.

He returned on rotation as a resident, then, as a

Fellow. Now he is a Board certified Internist and

assistant clinic professor at the Center. He is trained

in a Masters Degree program in Oriental Medicine.

Dr. Taw has developed a clinical and educational

program that focuses on patients with inflammatory

diseases. The Inflammation Program targets patients

with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other

autoimmune conditions such as lupus, multiple

sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The goal

is to improve the patients’ health by partnering with

and empowering them to make healthier lifestyle

choices. Dr. Taw’s individualized treatments and

patient education have helped decrease or control

inflammation and reduce medications.

“Without East-West medicine, I would not be where I am today.”

Lawrence Taw, MD with students from UCLA School of Medicine.

www.cewm.med.ucla.edu UCLA Center for East-West Medicine p.5

Educational Programs

Education and training permeates every

aspect of the Center’s activities.

Our education programs include:

• Courses for medical students

• Resident rotations

• Fellowships for physicians and nurse practitioners

Special focus on primary care, preventive care,

geriatrics and palliative care

• Summer Course: Introduction to integrative

medicine

Open to non-medical students

REFLECTIONS BY

STUDENTS AND

RESIDENTS

“I like the idea of thinking

about medicine as a more

holistic, whole-body, systems-

based treatment rather than

a reductionist, machine-like

approach of Western medi-

cine. I look forward to learn-

ing, exploring, and practicing

some of these Eastern medi-

cine teachings.”

– Fourth-year medical student

“Throughout my few weeks

of learning here, I have been

transformed from an initial

skeptic, to a firm supporter

of the Center’s approach to

healthcare…I believe that

this combined framework

is the model of the future,

and will revolutionize the

care of chronic disease, as

well as quality of life, disease

prevention, and rehabilita-

tion. My hope is that one-day,

this healthcare model will

be nationally integrated into

our current Western medical

education. Its ramifications

extend beyond pushing the

limits of disease treatment,

but also encompass cost-

effectiveness and patient

empowerment.”

– Rotating resident from

Harvard Medical School

The interconnected programs at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine

A Comprehensive Center for Integrative Medicine

Grant Chu, MD is our first East-West Primary Care Fellow.

Suzie Lee, NP, LAc Nurse Practitioner Fellow

International Collaboration

InformationResources

ClinicalCare

InternationalCollaboration

EducationalPrograms

Research

www.cewm.med.ucla.edu UCLA Center for East-West Medicine p.6

with the Institute of Information of the

China Academy of Chinese Medical

Sciences and the UCLA Library System.

This project aims to provide comprehen-

sive and interdisciplinary information access

and services to medical professionals and

researchers in integrative medicine.

Explore IM Web Portal was launched in the

summer of 2009. It serves as a gateway

for the public, practitioners and educators

to explore multiple perspectives on the

Information Resources

integrative medicine movement. The video clips

were collected through the Visual History Project

and are linked to related writings, profiles of

prominent figures, podcasts, as well as upcoming

events and new research findings.

www.exploreim.ucla.edu

The Center plays an active role in international conferences, organizes seminars, and hosts

International Collaboration

The UCLA Information Center for Integrative Medicine is being developed by the Center for East-West Medicine in partnership

presentations by distinguished scientists and clinicians

from across the world.

Our research and resource development efforts

often involve international collaboration.

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block greeted Professor Han Jisheng (right), a neuroscien-tist from China known for his acupuncture research.

Dr. Lin Yi (front center) of Guangdong TCM Hospital gave a talk about breast health to CEWM supporters from the Chinese community.

• Medical Student Attitudes Toward Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Medicine

• East-West Approaches to Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors

• Refractory Chronic Sinusitis Pilot Study

• Whole Systems Research of the Clinical Care Model at the Center for East-West Medicine

• Case Studies on Chronic Cough, Chronic Fatigue, Neck Pain, and Inflammation

www.cewm.med.ucla.edu UCLA Center for East-West Medicine p.7

Our team of clinicians (left to right) Edward Hui, Suzie Lee, Jie-jia Li, Ka-Kit Hui, Mingdong Li, Malcolm Taw, Grant Chu and Lawrence Taw.

Research

Most of the articles published by our clinicians and researchers can be accessed from the Center’s website: www.cewm.med.ucla.edu

Some of our ongoing and recently completed projects include:

OUR MULTIDISCIPLINARY

RESEARCH AGENDA

We have expanded our

research focus in integrative

medicine to reach beyond

medicine to involve scholars

in health systems research,

cost assessment studies,

policy analysis, as well as

sociological and cultural

implications of medical care.

It is of special value for our Center to receive unrestricted funds, which can be used for the most pressing expenses or program opportunities. Or you may wish to earmark your donation for a particular project that is dear to your heart. We will work with you to direct your gift to the area of your greatest concern and interest.

The Center could not have achieved our success without the generous gifts of our supporters. Your gift will ensure that we maintain quality care and sustain progress in our ongoing effort to improve healthcare.

All gifts to the Center are tax deductible as pro-vided by law. There are many ways to give. These include gifts of appreciated securities; matching gifts; pledges; real estate; bequests; charitable gift annuities; and qualified retirement plans.

Please make your check payable to the UCLA Foundation Fund #6695 and mail to:

You may wish to give to the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine to support its greatest needs.

UCLA Center for East-West Medicine 1033 Gayley Avenue, Suite 111 Los Angeles, California 90024

UCLA Center for East-West Medicine

email: cewm@mednet.ucla.edu

Clinic - Santa Monica 2428 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 208

Santa Monica, CA 90404 Tel: (310) 998-9118 Fax: (310) 829-9318

Education and Research - Westwood 1033 Gayley Avenue, Suite 111 Los Angeles, California 90024

Tel: (310) 794-0712 Fax: (310) 794-3310

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Oppenheimer with Dr. and Mrs. Hui.

Visit our website:www.cewm.med.ucla.edu