Here is the text of FSOMA Exeutive Director’s speech at the 4/19/25 Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine graduatoin.
Welcoming You to the Profession — and the FSOMA Family
Good morning everyone, It is such an honor to be here with you today, as you step into the next chapter of your journey — not just as graduates, but as acupuncture physicians and stewards of this powerful medicine.
Take a moment and really let that sink in: you are now part of a lineage of healers who see the person, not just the symptom. Who listen deeply, treat gently, and work with the body’s innate wisdom to bring balance and restoration. That is no small thing — especially in today’s world.
Right now, the world needs what you have to offer more than ever. People are searching for meaning, for connection, for healing that doesn’t just mask symptoms but gets to the heart of the matter. As acupuncture physicians, you have the tools to help them find that healing — with your hands, your minds, and your hearts.
In many ways, our work is both ancient at the same time it is very modern. It is the oldest continuously practiced system of medicine in existence. We draw from centuries of wisdom, while also responding to 21st-century challenges — from autoimmune diseases and anxiety to trauma and tech-related burnout. We hold space for patients in a fast-paced, often impersonal healthcare system, and we offer something rare: presence, intention, and individualized care that treats the whole and not a part.
While your education at Dragon Rises has given you a deep and nuanced understanding of East Asian medicine, stepping into practice can still feel… well, a little overwhelming. You might have questions about licensing, starting a business, finding mentorship, or job, handling difficult cases, or just figuring out where you belong in the larger healthcare landscape.
That’s where FSOMA comes in.
The Florida State Oriental Medical Association — or FSOMA — is here to walk with you through every stage of your professional journey. We are your professional home, your community, and your support system.
We advocate for you at the state level to protect your scope of practice and ensure that acupuncture continues to be recognized, respected, and integrated. We offer continuing education — not just to meet requirements, but to inspire your growth as a clinician. And we create opportunities to connect — with other practitioners, with mentors, and with a community that gets what it’s like to do this work.
One example I want to tell you about was a member who was building out a practice. The city was telling him he had to install very expensive electrical circuits because he was a “medical office”. He called us and one of our board members was able to talk to the city inspector explaining that we have high powered equipment in our offices and they got the requirements waived.
There are several areas we are working legislatively. Currently if you try and bill insurance they do not cover evaluation and management codes, they don’t reimburse for the exam. A thorough intake to understand the patterns of disharmony are vital and in fact required by the Board of Acupuncture, but because it is not in our statute insurance won’t pay for that service. FSOMA has a bill to define our practice and give us the authority to include evaluation and management services. Additionally because Acupuncture Injection Therapy is only mentioned in rule we have had difficulty ordering materials. FSOMA is adding it to our statute to ensure we are clearly able to inject and order the supplies we need.
Nationally, Medicare has included acupuncture as a covered service. They even listed our training in the rule. Unfortunately, because we are not in the Social Security statute as providers we cannot bill for our services. We still have to work under an MD license and have them bill for our services as “incident to care”. Medicare Advantage plans offer acupuncture benefits but reimburse poorly, because they are benefits, not true insurance coverage.
FSOMA supports our national professional organization – the American Society of Acupuncturists in their efforts to have us included as providers. Some APs object to inclusion in Medicare for various reasons. To answer one objection, no provider has ever been required to take Medicare. If you don’t want to work in that system you don’t have to. Second, people want the world to remain the same. It won’t. If we don’t get included in Medicare as providers, others will take our place providing acupuncture or their form of acupuncture. People know that acupuncture works and can provide relief. PTs nation-wide, unfortunately including Florida, can now practice dry needling, a form of acupuncture. Chiropractors have been able to practice acupuncture with minimal training in Florida for over 25 years. They will be happy to step in. Hospitals are hiring us but don’t know how to bill for our services, being able to bill Medicare directly would really increase the possibility of hospital/medical center jobs for acupuncture physicians.
Personally I believe we need to be promoting our whole medicine, not just acupuncture. For a while the Cleveland Clinic had an herbal program, legislation was passed without anyone noticing in time that caused them to stop the program.
There is a lot we do. Maybe most importantly, FSOMA is here to remind you: you’re not alone.
Whether you open a private practice, join a clinic, work in a hospital, or explore a totally unique path — FSOMA is here to help you find your way. We’re here when you need business advice, advocacy updates, clinical inspiration, or just someone to talk to who understands the highs and lows of this profession.
So as you cross this threshold today, I want you to know that this is a beginning, not an end. Your education was the foundation. Your real journey as a healer starts now — and you don’t have to do it alone.
We at FSOMA are so proud to welcome you into this incredible profession — and we are here to support you, cheer you on, and stand beside you every step of the way.
Congratulations, graduates. The world is waiting for your healing.
Thank you.
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