Board of Directors
Five Branches University is governed by a Board of Directors who guide the University in its mission as a leader in Traditional Chinese Medicine education and healthcare in the U.S. and internationally. Student and faculty liaisons participate on the Board and contribute substantially to the development of the University.
Board members have broad experience and expertise in:
- The practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- National accreditation standards for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
- Traditional Chinese Medicine program development
- National and California examination standards
- Legal issues related to corporate organization, policy, risk management and finance
- Management
- Education and pedagogy
- Strategic and financial planning and control
- International relations
In the past 15 years, the Board has guided the University in the opening of a new campus in Silicon Valley, establishing a leading postgraduate Doctoral program in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, developing a joint Doctoral/Ph.D. program with four leading universities in China, the introduction of the dual-degree Doctor and Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine on both campuses, and offering these programs in both English and Chinese.
Looking forward, the Board envisages Five Branches University, building on its core competencies of excellence in Traditional Chinese Medicine education and healthcare, to play an ever-increasing role in integrative medicine, TCM research, and continuing to offer the highest levels of expertise in TCM education and healthcare in the West.
Board Members
Board Chair ~ Angela Tu, L.Ac | President, National Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Organizations, USA Vice Chair, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies Ex-commissioner of Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine California Acupuncture Board; National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine |
Treasurer ~ Lar Short | Director, Grace Essence Mandala, Taos, New Mexico |
Secretary ~ Ron Zaidman, M.B.A., M.T.C.M., Doctoral Fellow | President & CEO, Co-founder of Five Branches University |
Joanna Zhao, L.Ac., Doctoral Fellow | Vice-President Academic & Clinic Affairs, Co-founder of Five Branches University |
Steven Vaccaro | Entrepreneur, Toronto, Canada |
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