Rowan discovered Chinese medicine shortly after moving to Portland to complete his undergraduate studies. He began his journey as a patient, but after several years of being an increasingly curious patient he found himself drawn into the formal study of this medicine. In East Asian medicine, he found tools that helped him to transform himself, and which he has seen lead to dramatic positive shifts in patients. As a long-time community activist, he found himself wanting to help people on a more personal level, and in a way that would lead to lasting changes in people’s lives.
He has been blessed to study with fantastic teachers, both at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM/formerly NCNM) and abroad. His closest teachers, Roger Batchelor and Brandt Stickley, are both dedicated community health workers who focus on patient-centered care. Their acupuncture and herbal strategies have helped Rowan to deeply listen to a patient’s experience and provide effective and affirming treatment for a wide range of injuries and ailments.
