FCIM held a campus-wide celebration on Oct 24th, National AOM Day for its 25th Anniversary! The celebration's commencement ceremony was kicked off with a traditional Japanese Taiko drum performance by the Matzuriza Taiko group, followed by a traditional Chinese ceremonial performance of Lion Dance by the Orlando Young Lion group. The event had over 30 vendors providing products and services relating to holistic health, arts and crafts, asian culture, veteran support, as well as a variety of local cuisines. Free Community Classes were held for the public by Dr. Jacqueline Cheng, Tai Chi class was instructed by our own Elisabeth Berrett, and Free CEU classes were held by our president, Dr. Larry Han. Our Free Community Clinic provided free auricular therapy as well as TCM consultations to over 100 members of our community!
The school was honored to present three Alumni Excellence Awards to FCIM alumnus and FL licensed Acupuncture Physicians: Pam Verlander, Mei Hagiwara, and Megan Phillips for their achievements and dedication to the field of AOM. The student body also voted for our Chair of Foundations of Oriental Medicine Department and faculty member Tara Reed to be the winner of the Outstanding Teacher's Award. The Life Time Achievement Award was present to our friend and colleague Robert Lynch for his support and dedication to FCIM.
The clinic was proud to support and donate 50 treatment gift certificates to our veterans and first responders at our event. The celebration was highlighted by the attendance of the honorable Congresswoman Corrine Brown, who gave a congratulatory speech to FCIM, praising the efficacy and benefits of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Other community leaders and representatives present were members including Orlando City Commissioner Samuel Ings, Orange County Sheriff's Office Lt. Mark Leubscher, Florida Board of Acupuncture board member and FCIM Alumni Steve Moreau, the president of FSOMA (Florida State Oriental Medicine Association), Ellen Teeter, Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Greater Orlando president Lisa Lynch, Chinese American Association of Central Florida president Susan Hoeh, Chinese School of CAACF president Tsue Ying, and Mr. Phillip Huang for the Tzu Chi Foundation.
We wish to thank you for your continuing support and being a part of our 25 year history. As leaders of the AOM community, we look forward to the next 25 years of excellence in fostering expert practitioners of Oriental Medicine and providing quality and holistic healthcare alternatives in Central Florida.
A special thanks to our sponsors: American Acupuncture Council, Manning & Associates, Sun Ten Laboratories, To the Point Billing Solutions, and to Tronix for their generous support and in helping us make this event a success!
