Oriental Medicine

 

“What I have learned at MUIH goes way beyond just the treatment room. It has allowed me to develop practices in my own life to strengthen relationships with my own being, loved ones, and nature that I can share with my patients.”

What drew you to MUIH?

Upon visiting MUIH, I immediately knew it was somewhere I belonged. There is a healing energy right when you walk through the doors, and to me it is synonymous to a breath of fresh air. The people share the same energy, and the sense of community is different from any other graduate school that I had I visited. The location within the Chesapeake watershed is welcoming to me because of my love of the estuary, and the intimate connection I have made with it throughout my lifelong experiences on the Chesapeake Bay.

What excites you about your academic field of study?

I am very excited about being an Oriental medicine practitioner because I have seen the growth I have made personally within this field as well as the impact that it has had on my family, friends, and patients. What I have learned at MUIH goes way beyond just the treatment room. It has allowed me to develop practices in my own life to strengthen relationships with my own being, loved ones, and nature that I can share with my patients.

Has there been a course you’ve particularly enjoyed?

I really enjoyed the diagnostic interactions classes that allowed us to explore the energetics within ourselves and our classmates.

Can you speak about the faculty here?

The faculty here has been a really great support system for me both personally and academically. Many of them are very understanding that life shows up differently for all of us, and are willing to work around your needs to better your learning experience. They treat their students with respect as future professional colleagues in the field and really ensure that we have all the necessary tools in order to flourish as future practitioners. I feel fortunate to be able to leave this program with mentors that I can call friends.

What is your best MUIH memory?

I have so many wonderful memories at MUIH. The journey that I have taken since the start of the program has definitely been a wild one. I do not just call my classmates friends, but I call them family. One of my favorite memories is from our pre-clinic retreat where we went to Sevenoaks Retreat Center outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. It was a really great experience connecting with nature while in the company of my peers. It was definitely a powerful experience that I will always hold close to my heart.

How do you plan to use what you’ve learned here?

I enjoy the idea of spreading these valuable teachings to as many people as possible, so my hope is to be able to use what I have learned here in the form of community outreach and education.

What would you say about MUIH to a prospective student who is interested in attending?

Coming into the program I was not prepared to grow so much on a personal level. Looking back at the last three years, I can see the amazing strides I have made in order to be my happiest, healthiest self. I felt some resistance at first to focus on my own wellbeing, as I am so practiced at tending to others. Through this program I have gained greater self awareness in order to be the most effective practitioner for the sake of my patients. So come in with open hearts and open minds!

What is the one word that comes to mind when you think of MUIH?

Family

Danielle Bellezza is a student in MUIH’s Doctor of Oriental Medicine program.