Jake Paul Fratkin, OMD, LAc
Fratkin has lectured on Japanese acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and medical Qigong for the last 25 years. His training includes a seven-year apprenticeship in Japanese acupuncture by the Korean teacher Dr. Ineon Moon, one year advanced herbal training in Beijing, China, and earned his oriental medicine doctoral from Southwest Acupuncture College. He is the author of Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines, The Clinical Desk Reference, and was awarded Acupuncturist of the Year in 1999 by the American Association of Oriental Medicine and 2006 Teacher of the Year by the American Association of Teachers of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

John Chen, PhD, PharmD, OMD, LAc
Dr. Chen actively participates in education, research and the frontiers of contemporary application of herbal medicine. In addition to developing professional continuing education seminars and serving as a senior lecturer through the widely-respected Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dr. Chen speaks at seminars and conferences for universities and local, state, national and international educational and professional organizations.

A professor at Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Los Angeles, Calf.), Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine (Santa Monica, Calf.), and the University of Southern California (USC) School of Pharmacy (Los Angeles, Calf.), Dr. Chen is also a member of the Herbal Medicine Committee for the American Association of Oriental Medicine and an herbal consultant for the California State Oriental Medicine Association. A recognized authority on Chinese herbal medicine and western (allopathic) pharmacology, Dr. Chen has written extensively on Oriental medicine and alternative complementary/integrative medicine for professional publications, journals and texts, drawing on his wealth of specialty post-graduate training and experience in mainland China in herbology as applied in internal medicine, and on his doctoral degrees from USC School of Pharmacy and South Baylo University of Oriental Medicine (Anaheim, Calf.).

An editorial board member for the peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture,  Dr. Chen was also a board member of the 1999 Los Angeles Times Festival Honorary Committee and speaker on herbal medicine for the City of Los Angeles’ First Annual Festival of Health. Appearing in the Discovery Channel 1999 six-hour documentary on alternative and complementary medicine, Dr. Chen served as the expert resource on Traditional Chinese Medicine. He also was guest speaker on herb-drug interactions in 1998 for the annual USC Bergen Brunswig Convention, during which he addressed over 400 pharmacists and medical doctors. Dr. Chen maintains his consulting practice in southern California.

Master Chunyi Lin
Master Lin is a certified international Qigong Master with a master’s degree in holistic healing. He is the coauthor of the number one Amazon.com bestseller, Born a Healer. In addition, Master Lin has created a series of home learning materials for students, including videos, guided audio meditations and reference manuals. He has taught his techniques to more than 100,000 people through classes or home-learning courses. Master Lin is founder and chairman of the Spring Forest Center (Eden Prairie, Minn.), where he provides direct healing assistance and education to more than 7,000 people from all over the world each year. He is coauthor with Dr. Nisha Manek, Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.), of a chapter on Qigong in a textbook for medical schools called The Textbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Second Edition. Master Lin is also a member of the Transformational Leadership Council founded by Jack Canfield.

Wei Liu, LAc, TCMD
Liu is a professor in Oriental Medicine at the Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) and founder of East Wind Acupuncture and Tui Na Healing Center, Inc. He is a third generation Chinese medical practitioner and was an orthopedic surgeon at Tianjin's First Central Hospital (Tianjin City, China). Prior to his arrival to Minnesota in 1997, Liu studied with many acupuncture and Tui Na Masters.

Currently, Liu is a professor of NWHSU and a guest instructor for the doctoral program of Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (Portland, Oreg.). He is the author of Advanced Needling Technique, a DVD which has been scored 10 out of 10 by Acupuncture Today. Liu's unique expertise in traditional Chinese medicine has made him a highly esteemed practitioner in the Twin Cities area and a coveted teacher and speaker on Chinese medicine from coast to coast.

Michael C. Gaeta, MS, LAc
Gaeta holds licenses in acupuncture, nutrition and massage therapy, and diplomates in acupuncture and Asian bodywork therapy. A certified Amma therapist, he holds an associate’s degree in massage therapy, bachelor’s degrees in Asian bodywork therapy and health science, and a master’s degree in acupuncture.

A graduate of the New York College of Health Professions (Long Island, NY), Gaeta was a faculty member there for 10 years. He has also served as adjunct professor or lecturer at Tri-State College of Acupuncture (New York, NY), New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Long Island, NY), and Eastern School of Acupuncture (Montclair, NJ). Gaeta is an engaging and inspiring teacher who uses group participation, humor and multimedia aids to create a positive, enjoyable and effective learning experience.

Gaeta is past president of the Acupuncture Society of New York (ASNY); he served on its board of directors from 1998–2004. While president, ASNY earned the State Association of the Year award in 2003; Michael received the State Association President of the Year award in 2002. He is a certified instructor of and state representative for the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia, earning its Outstanding Service award in 1999 for his work as editor of its member newsletter.

Lillian Pearl Bridges, LAc
Bridges is an internationally renowned author and lecturer whose fresh approach to integrated conscious living has helped thousands of clients unleash their spiritual potential and transform their lives. At the core of Bridges’ teachings is the belief that each of us can rediscover who we really are through face reading; that you can find your soul’s purpose through the Golden Path workshops; and you can align your life and your surroundings through 5 Element Feng Shui to support your future self. Her latest work involves a reinterpretation of ancient Taoist alchemy that gives insight into rejuvenation and longevity. For the past 25 years, her insights, warmth and humor have captivated audiences worldwide as she has championed for personal and corporate well being using a practical how-to methodology.

 A Professor of Oriental Philosophy and Medicine, Bridges learned her skills from a long line of Chinese practitioners in her family. She received her formal education at University of California – Los Angeles, where she earned her degree in psychology. Bridges trains students from around the world and consults with major corporations and has been featured on numerous television and radio stations including NBC, ABC and Lifetime, and in national publications such as Newsweek, Natural Health Magazine, LA Times and Irish Times. A contributor to several books on Chinese medicine, her own book, Face Reading in Chinese Medicine was published by Churchill Livingstone in 2003 and has been translated into German and Italian.