Daoist Traditions College President Cissy Majebe (on the left) and Vice President Rachel Nowakowski, along with two other women, founded the school that has become one of the premiere colleges for Classical Chinese Medicine in the country. Photo submitted.

“I’m so proud of our work to bring Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine to more people and to promote healing through the Daoist philosophy,” said Dr Mary Cissy Majebe, Daoist Traditions president and co-founder. “Our goal has been to alleviate pain and suffering and thanks to our dedicated faculty and staff, and many great partners, I believe we’ve made a positive impact not only here in Asheville but in communities across the country and beyond where our graduates are providing healthcare.”

Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts is a center of educational excellence and known for its academically rigorous and transformative curriculum, its service to the community, and its exemplary leadership in Chinese medicine education. The school is the only acupuncture college in North Carolina to be licensed by the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina. Its masters degree in Oriental medicine (MAOM), doctoral program (DACM), and certificate in Chinese herbal medicine program (CCHM) are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.

The college has grown and flourished since it was opened in 2003 with 10 students and just one classroom. Today, the college has approximately 120 students among its three programs. Daoist Traditions co-founders President Majebe (pronounced ma-JEB-ay) and Vice President Rachel Nowakowski are veteran Chinese medicine practitioners who continue to guide the operations and administration of the successful college.

“Daoist Traditions offers a thoughtful balance between the academic and cultivational domains important in the development of a healer,” said Master Jeffrey Yuen, who teaches classes at the college and has helped shape Daoist Traditions’ curriculum. “The college is a special place guided by individuals active in offering leadership in Chinese medicine nationally and striving collaboratively with western medical clinicians to provide an integrative healing paradigm for the public.”

Master Yuen is an 88th Generation Daoist Priest and one of the most sought-after teachers of Chinese medicine throughout the world. He is recognized internationally as a Master of acupuncture, Classical Chinese Medicine, Daoism, Chinese herbology, Tai Chi Chuan, and Qi Gong.

Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts campus is located in the historic Montford district of Asheville. Classes and workshops are also held at the college’s Heaven’s Cloud conference center, located a 15-minute drive from campus. Since 2005, Daoist Traditions has operated its teaching clinic in Asheville where clinical interns in the final phase of a rigorous four-year program treat patients under the direct supervision of clinical faculty who are NC licensed acupuncturists. The clinic features an herbal dispensary that is stocked with an extensive selection of quality herbal products. The clinic allows interns to gain valuable experience, while providing patients with quality health care at a reduced cost.