After completing my BA, I looked at MS programs in Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Oriental Medicine all over the country. I was young, without ties to a community, and was open to moving anywhere. I chose to attend Five Branches University because out of all of my prospective schools, that one was strongest in Women’s Health, because of Sharon Feng. I came to Santa Cruz knowing I wanted to focus on gynecology, long before it was commonplace for acupuncturists to claim a specialty. I came here to study with Dr. Feng.

My first clinical class was with Sharon. It was my first day, and she scared the hell out of me. This tiny 5’3″ woman who was twice my age and 1/2 my weight was terrifying. Her directness, no “B.S.” attitude and inability to tolerate anything less than perfection from her students was legendary. Over the years, I attended the first gynecology-only class she offered at Five Branches, took one-on-one clinic supervision hours with her and chose her as my acupuncturist. Years later, in my Doctoral Program, she taught a wonderful fertility module that deeply influenced the way I treat infertility.

While attaining my Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine, I studied with many teachers. Another practitioner who deeply moved me was Martha Benedict, LAC, OMD. I spent many hours with Martha at her home, in her garden, making herbal salves, oils and tinctures. She grew both Western and Chinese herbs and I would come over weekly for harvest. We made Mullen Ear Oil, Passion Flower tincture and started the Benedictine herbal line in her kitchen. When Martha passed away, I planted a passion flower vine. Now I am teaching my teen how to make Passion Flower tincture.

I am greatly indebted to Dr. Sharon Feng and Dr. Martha Benedict. It is with sadness and great appreciation that I write of them.

Over a year after Dr. Feng’s  passing, her patients continue to come through my door seeking treatment. They present with a wide variety of issues: painful/irregular periods, infertility, menopause, past due date/breech, cyclic acne and PMS….but they all have a deep reverence for Sharon in common.

Sharon was a Medical Doctor in China and a strict Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. Martha studied with the legendary Mariam Lee and effectively utilized her style of acupuncture in addition to prescribing Western, Chinese and nutritional medicine. I wrap TCM, Classical Chinese medicine, Japanese acupuncture, Mariam Lee’s style and other holistic approaches into my treatment of gynecological disorders, so my practice differs from Sharon’s and Martha’s style. However, these great teachers shaped my perspective on treating Women’s Health and gave me practical, hands-on knowledge of herbal medicine. I will forever be grateful to them.