About Gwen LoVetere LAc MAcOM
My love of ancient Chinese medicine began when I was at University of Vermont, studying to be a physical anthropologist with an interest in Native American medicine. With forensic medicine the only real career choice for a physical anthropologist, I had started to move towards a career in Western medicine when a Rastafarian in my summer chemistry class introduced the notion of Oriental medicine and acupuncture as an alternate route. My affinity for the healing traditions of the Native Americans made a natural sidestep to those of China. These ancient traditions always felt more familiar to me, more accessible than the tenets of Western culture and medicine. I started both Asian and Naturopathic medical studies in 1989, but left Naturopathy after three years; it had become unavoidably obvious that all of my passion--even a simple sense of ease, of homecoming—was tied to this medicine of meridians and Qi flow.
I graduated from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) in 1994, and started a private practice which has grown steadily and filled out over the years. In addition to its clinic-based aspect, my practice has included extensive work in public health as well as in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and hospice care settings. I have also worked as an acupuncturist at a hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and in a number of AIDS clinics in South Africa.
In 2004, I began a course of study in Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis with Brian La Forgia, L.Ac.; this led me, during the following year, to further train under Leon Hammer, M.D. I continue to work at the Advanced Level with both of these amazing teachers as frequently as I am able.
I am currently a faculty member and clinical supervisor at OCOM, where I teach Point Actions and Indication II.