In this episode, I talk with Kallie Guimond, L.Ac. president of Health Policy Advocacy Institute, policy advocate and government affairs specialist, to get an update on what's been going on in our profession for the past year.  Medicare inclusion, CMS/SSA deciding that acupuncture reimbursement rates should be lower, what we need to do to have a say in where our profession goes, issues with inaction in our field and how to address them, and we touch on nurses getting acupuncture in their scope in Washington State.

In this episode we follow up with Robert Yauckoes, L.Ac. to find out why he had to change his practice model that was already profitable, including how he downsized, specialized, and put systems in place to create a better practice and better work-life balance.

Many practitioners will be able to relate with Robert's story!  In Part 1 of this 2 part series, we talk with Robert Yaukoes, L.Ac. as he shares his story on what he had to overcome as a new graduate starting his practice, his attempts to grow, lessons he's learned, changing practice models, and much more.  This sets the stage for Part 2 when we find out what Robert had to change and how he developed a successful practice that works for him while also providing the best care for his patients.

In this episode, we talk with Kallie Guimond, L.Ac.  Find out what urgent matters this field faces, what threatens our scope and livelihood, and how we can address these issues now.

About Kallie:

Kallie Guimond has been a government affairs professional for the last 20 years. With a focus in integrative health policy, she has overseen numerous DC fly-ins, national conventions, Congressional briefings and management of legislation at both the federal and state level.

She is currently the President of Health Policy Advocacy Institute (HPAI), a 501(c)(3) educational organization with a mission to level the policy playing field by teaching organizations and their memberships the most effective grassroots and grasstops techniques. Prior to this, she worked as Vice President of Associations for National Policy Group from 1999-2013, where she served as Executive Director of numerous associations. She is familiar with all aspects of direct lobbying, presentation of testimony, bill drafting, grassroots mobilization, shepherding legislation and legislative tracking and is an expert in association governance, compliance, and event coordination.

Along with working on Capitol Hill, Ms. Guimond also works in the field of complementary and integrative health, holding a Doctorate in Oriental Medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health and was a Licensed Acupuncturist in both the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland, as well as a former board member of the American Society of Acupuncturists

Specialzing is becoming more common in Chinese Medicine, and is critical to maintaing the survival and expansion of Chinese Medicine in the West.  In this episode, Robert interviews Ayla Wolf, Neurology specialist in Chinese Medicine.  Dr. Wolf goes into what it takes to specialize within Chinese Medicine and her experiences and path that brought her to where she is now. 

About Ayla

Dr. Wolf (Formerly Dr. Moll) is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine specializing in neurological disorders, chronic pain, and concussion recovery. She is a faculty member of the Carrick Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation. She teaches courses for healthcare practitioners across the country on neurological exam techniques, functional neurology, dysautonomia, and concussion recovery, and has been a featured speaker in veterans groups on the topic of brain health.

While in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Wolf was the lead researcher on a randomized clinical trial on the effects of acupuncture on cerebral blood flow velocity in mixed martial arts fighters following concussion. She was the team acupuncturist for the professional MMA fighters at Fortis MMA in Dallas Texas, working with UFC and Legacy fighters. She is now back in private practice in Bend, Oregon providing a unique combination of acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and functional neurology for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Specializing in Neurology

In this episode, Robert interviews Sohial Farzam to discuss personal and professional barriers preventing success, as well as the psychology, habits, and actions necessary to get there.  Sohial also discusses his trials and tribulations in life and his journey to becoming a successful TCM practitioner, business owner, leadership mentor, and more.

In this episode, Robert talks with Ryan Diener, TCM practitioner in Maryland. Ryan has a multi-disciplinary clinic including acupuncture associates.  

Listen in to find out how Ryan got to where he is, and some of the lessons he learned along the way.  We're sure you will be able to relate to some of Ryan's experiences and pick up some good nuggets for your practice too!

In this episode, Robert interviews Abby Miller, DACM, founder of the AcuProfit system. Abby has a very successful, busy practice in DeMoines Iowa.  Rob and Abby discuss how she started, her current practice, specific practice and business ideas and concepts she utilizes that have resulted in her being so successful.

This is a well rounded, frank discussion covering a lot of common issues we face in owning and running our own practice. 

Abby now offers training for other practitioners so they can be successful in practicing acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.  She offers a no-nonsense, straight forward program with proven business skills that work.  

Visit acuprpofit.com for more information.

In this episode, Rob interviews Dimitri Boules, L.Ac. founder of the Oak Point Method.  Dimitri has a busy clinic in Queens, NY.

In this interview we learn how Dimitri got started, how he became interested in acupuncture, how he started his clinic, and how he built a successful multi-discplinary clinic.  Dimitri is an wonderful example of what happens when you have a focused plan and dedication to success, and how quickly you can build a busy practice even in an area surrounded by many acupuncturists.

In this episode, Robert interviews Eric Sherrell, DACM, who has a practice in Georgia.  This podcast is inspirational and relatedable, as many of us have struggled with being solo practitioners and starting our own practices.  Dr. Sherrell openly dicusses his trials and tribulations, including a bankruptcy, and how he found his path to success.