the memory bank
Where we interview scholars, physicians, and activists
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CREATED BY
Lan Li
Katherine Wu
Danica Pietrzak
Taylor Phillips
Sabariah Mohamed Hussin
Bilal Rehman
Haoting Huo
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ASSISTED BY
Jesus Cisneros Estrada
Pearl Zhang
Aysel Rizvi
Jason Lee
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oral interview
ABOUT
In this research cluster, we provide transcripts of interviews with practitioners, activists, and scholars of topics related to the Medicine Race Democracy Lab, such as the founding of the Jivaka Project on Buddhist Medicine, the accreditation of acupuncturists in the United States, and the formation of community clinics to support LGBTQ+ individuals in Houston. Transcriptions are edited for clarity of reading.
MEMORIES
Image 1: Signing of bill to formalize acupuncture practitioners in Pennsylvania, circa 1985
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"I was still in acupuncture school, and was more a witness than a participant in the process [of licensing acupuncturists]. In the picture below, Lynn is seated to the right of then PA Governor Dick Thornburgh. Behind Lynn in the light-colored suit is my late wife Janice MacKenzie. To the right of Lynn, in a dark suit w/dark hair, is Nancy Post. These three were the prime movers. (I'm in the shadows, a couple rows behind Gov. Thornburgh.)"
- Rolly Brown
Shen Ping Liang
Dr. Liang (L.AC.) is the founder of the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Houston, TX. He has practiced acupuncture in Taipei, Taiwan and worked as an acupuncturist in São Paulo, Brazil and played an integral role in licensing acupuncturists in Texas and the United States.
Lynn Mitchell
Dr. Mitchell, RN (PA), LAc (PA), CA (NJ), Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM), is Professor Emerita of the College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (UK). She received her PhD at the California Institute of Integral Studies in Philosophy and Religion (CIIS), and holds a BSN from the University of Delaware. She has been integral in licensing acupuncturists in Pennsylvania and the United States.
John Paul Liang
Dr. John Paul Liang is the former President of the Texas Association of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine and currently the President of the American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine. He is also the former Chair of the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.