Fundraising Dinner Supports Leadership Awards for ACTCM Graduates

On Saturday, September 12th, a lively crowd of 80 ACTCM alumni, members of the Board of Directors, donors, staff, faculty, students and their friends gathered for an evening of community and celebration. The dinner, held at Hong Kong East Ocean Restaurant in Emeryville, offered members of the ACTCM community, new and old, the opportunity to connect, while supporting a worthy cause – leadership awards for new ACTCM graduates and the college’s ongoing clinical services.

The event grossed over $14,500 in tickets sales, contributions and in-kind donations, making the event the most successful single fundraising event in ACTCM history. Proceeds will be allocated to the Wally Walker Memorial Fund as well as ACTCM’s Community clinics, which bring health and well-being to over 20,000 people each year.

The event’s inspiring keynote speakers were Efrem Korngold, OMD, LAc and Harriet Beinfield, LAc, authors of Between Heaven and Earth. Dr. Korngold discussed the global future of Chinese medicine, emphasizing its enormous potential to improve the health and well-being of diverse populations, particularly those that have limited access to or resources to pay for modern Western medicine. He urged practitioners to spread their knowledge and skills beyond the borders of the United States, to parts of the world where the practice of and professional training in Chinese Medicine is still in its infancy.

Specifically, he identified the need to train practitioners in Latin America, prompting two student attendees to remark after his talk, “We’re already planning our trip to Mexico!”

ACTCM also welcomed esteemed TCM scholar, Giovanni Maciocia, CAc to speak at the dinner. ACTCM Vice President of Academic Affairs, Elizabeth Goldblatt, PhD, introduced Maciocia where she shared anecdotes from Mr. Maciocia’s training in Nanjing. Mr. Maciocia offered a few words about his current studies in Daoist philosophy and graciously accepted a Chinese calligraphy scroll as a token of ACTCM’s respect and appreciation for his contribution to the field of Chinese medicine.

This year’s silent auction tempted guests with unique items ranging from a weekend in Palm Desert to acupuncture treatments with ACTCM faculty to fine art photos and more. Some healthy bidding competition ensued over many of the items, and guests were happy to walk away with both their hands and bellies full when the evening was through.

The event was strongly supported by a number of corporate sponsors including: Bank of the Orient, RINA Accountancy Corporation, Union Bank and Traditional Medicinals. Additionally, ACTCM’s Board of Directors played a major role in hosting and sponsoring the dinner. We extend a sincere thank you to all of the corporate sponsors, Board members, as well as the individual faculty, staff and alumni who attended the dinner and made the evening such a success.

For more information about this or future fundraising events, please contact Bria Larson, Development Officer.


Click here to view upcoming ACTCM events.


About American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) has provided affordable, quality health care to the public and trained professionals in acupuncture, massage and Chinese medicine since 1980. In addition to its graduate curriculum, ACTCM offers continuing education, public education, community outreach and clinical services in acupuncture and herbal medicine. ACTCM has been the recipient of many awards for its curriculum, faculty and clinic, and has been voted “Best of the Bay” by both the San Francisco Weekly and the San Francisco Bay Guardian. ACTCM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.