Located in Culver City, California, Emperor’s College is one of the oldest and most prominent acupuncture schools in the United States, specializing in a broad approach to the art and science of traditional Asian medicine. Founded in 1983, Emperor’s College has led the way in integrating traditional Asian medicine into modern healthcare systems. Alumni of Emperor’s College, which offers master’s and doctoral degree programs, are pioneering leaders in academics, clinical practice, advocacy, and research in the field.
The Beginning: A Mission to Spread Traditional Asian Medicine Across the United States
Despite a 2,500-year history of effective medical care throughout Asia, it wasn’t until the 1970s that Americans were introduced to acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine. On July 12, 1975, acupuncture became a legal medical practice in California in response to growing demand from patients who benefited from acupuncture. Dr. Bondal Kim, who was educated and practiced in South Korea, was among the first generation of American acupuncturists who worked to regulate the practice of Asian medicine and secure its future in California and elsewhere. is.
Dr. Kim founded Emperor’s College in 1983 with a mission to spread Asian medicine throughout the United States. His purpose was to educate the next generation of acupuncturists who will positively impact the health and well-being of others. A visionary, he recognized that Americans needed to embrace the natural principles of life to achieve optimal health.
When the company was founded, Dr. Kim could not have imagined the growth that would occur over the next 40 years. Today, in 2024, acupuncture has been adopted by major medical institutions such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, UCLA, Providence St. John, and City of Hope.
Approaches to integrative medicine: past and present
Since 1983, Emperor’s College has worked to shape the future of medicine through efforts to integrate the best of Eastern and Western approaches. In 1997, Emperor’s College became the first East Asian medical school in the United States to offer acupuncture on-site at Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, California. In 2000, we began offering acupuncture services at the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the first university campus to offer acupuncture services in the United States.
This spirit of integration continues to thrive today. In 2023, Emperors College will enter into an academic partnership agreement with the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS), one of the largest VA facilities in the United States serving more than 80,000 veterans. It became the first acupuncture university in Japan. At West LA VA Medical Center, a doctoral student provides acupuncture to veterans in her PTSD clinic. “As a model of how interdisciplinary, integrated medicine can improve patient care, this program builds on the incredible work VA and local VAGLAHS leaders have done to improve the overall health of veterans. Another manifestation of this is that we are not only able to provide professional and specialized care.” In collaboration with Emperor’s College professionals and students, we are not only able to provide treatment for veterans with PTSD, but also to provide future We can also support the training of doctoral-level acupuncturists,” said Dr. Kirsten Tillish, director of integrative medicine at West LA VA Medical. center.
In addition to the VA, our clinical trainees currently treat oncology patients at the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence St. John Medical Center in Burbank, California. Since 2004, Emperor’s College has provided acupuncture services at Venice Family Clinic, the largest free clinic in the United States.
A bright future: the next 40 years and beyond
Looking ahead to the next 40 years, the future of the Asian medical field is bright. The recent success of a petition to the White House to include acupuncture under Medicare is a sign that a national movement to recognize licensed acupuncturists for what they really are: effective and legitimate health care providers. This is evidence that the situation is increasing. Emperor’s College is committed to the continued development of Asian medicine. We are forging new and innovative partnerships to provide master’s and doctoral students with clinical training opportunities in Western medical settings. We will continue to be a driving force in promoting integrative medicine and support the creation of acupuncture staff positions at hospitals. We will collaborate on research comparing the effectiveness of acupuncture and other medical modalities. We will continue to train healthcare workers in Asia to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care to patients.
Over the past 40 years, Dr. Kim’s founding vision has inspired more than 2,000 graduates to become outstanding practitioners who strive to prioritize disease prevention. The next 40 years and beyond promise to be transformative, as we continue to champion integrative medicine for the benefit of patients, healthcare professionals, and society.
For more information about Emperors College, visit emperors.edu.
