SCU Now - Episode 8

Host Anthony Sarinana shares updates from Southern California University of Health Sciences, including SCU’s Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program, celebrating Match Day 2026 as 12 students matched to join the incoming cohort, bringing diverse academic and clinical backgrounds. SCU occupational therapy faculty returned from the 19th World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress in Bangkok after presenting on student wellbeing, sensory modulation, virtual/hybrid learning, and emerging practice areas, with takeaways on lifestyle medicine, AI as a supportive tool, and telehealth for rural access. Eastern Medicine students in the Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine program participated in two learning experiences in China—an April 2026 exchange in Shanghai and Sichuan, and a November 2025 program at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine—deepening understanding of clinical practice and culture. The episode also highlights Dr. Jenny Yu’s article on the mainstream growth of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, driven by patient demand, team-based care, research, and reimbursement efforts.

00:00 Welcome to SCU Now

00:22 Genetic Counseling Match Day

02:20 OT Faculty at Global Congress

04:32 Eastern Medicine Study Abroad

06:57 State of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in 2026

09:25 Wrap Up

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:05

Hi everyone, and welcome to SCU Now, your quick update on what's happening at Southern California University of Health Sciences and where healthcare is headed next. I'm your host, Anthony Sarranana. Let's get started. SCU's Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program celebrated Match Day 2026, a major milestone for students entering one of healthcare's growing professions. Every spring, aspiring genetic counselors across the country take part in a nationwide matching process that pairs applicants with accredited graduate programs. For students, Match Day represents the culmination of years of preparation, interviews, volunteer work, and personal reflection. For SCU, this year's match day was both a celebration and a sign of continued momentum. Twelve students matched with SCU and will join the incoming Master of Science and Genetic Counseling Cohort. They will join twelve students already in the program's current cohort. Stephanie Gandami, program director for SCU's Master of Science and Genetic Counseling program, says match day reflects more than enrollment numbers. It represents the students who will eventually serve patients and families navigating complex and deeply personal health information. This year's incoming students come from a range of academic backgrounds, including biology, psychology, public health, and education. Many also bring experience in pediatric clinics, cancer centers, reproductive health settings, genetics research, advocacy, and community health. For SCU, the milestone reflects the program's commitment to preparing genetic counselors who can work at the intersection of science, communication, compassion, and whole person health care. As genetic testing and genomic medicine continue to expand, genetic counselors will play an important role in helping patients understand what that information means for their health, their families, and their future. SCU Occupational Therapy Faculty recently returned with Global Insights after representing SCU at the 19th World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. The Congress is one of the profession's leading international gatherings for occupational therapy education, research, practice, and collaboration. SCU is represented by Doctor of Occupational Therapy faculty members Heather Thomas, Program Director of SCU's OTD program, Karen Kepner, Capstone Coordinator, and Brett Buford, Assistant Professor. Together, they presented work focused on student well-being, sensory modulation, virtual and hybrid learning, and emerging areas of occupational therapy practice. For Dr. Thomas, one of the strongest takeaways from the Congress was the growing global emphasis on lifestyle medicine and whole person approaches to care. That focus aligns closely with SCU's identity as an integrative whole health university and with the OTD program's curriculum. Dr. Thomas says occupational therapy has long centered on what matters most to each person, including the daily activities, routines, roles, and goals that give life meaning. The conference also highlighted emerging areas shaping the future of occupational therapy. Artificial intelligence was discussed not as a replacement for occupational therapists, but as a tool that may support practice, education, and access to information. Telehealth was another important theme, especially for expanding access in rural communities where patients may have limited access to hospitals, clinics, or outpatient services. For SCU students, the value of faculty participation goes beyond the conference itself. By engaging with occupational therapists from around the world, SCU faculty can bring global perspectives back into the classroom and help prepare students for where the profession is headed next. SCU Eastern Medicine students recently deepened their global perspective through two exclusive international learning experiences in China. Students from SCU's Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Program participated in opportunities that connected their education to the culture, academic, and clinical roots of Eastern medicine. The first experience was the SCU Exchange Program in China, which took students to Shanghai and Seshuan Province in April 2026. That trip was designed as a cultural exchange and international learning opportunity, giving students the chance to experience Chinese culture, hospitality, food, natural landscapes, and traditional practices in daily life. The second experience took place in November 2025 at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where students participated in classroom learning and hospital observation. Together, the experiences gave students a broader understanding of how Eastern medicine is practiced, taught, and understood in China. Dr. Jenny Yu, Dean of SCU's Eastern Medicine Department, says the purpose of studying abroad is to help students broaden their vision and understand the medicine, the culture, and the doctor-patient relationship in a deeper way. Students describe the experiences as meaningful both personally and professionally. During the April exchange, students saw how concepts they study at SCU show up in daily life, especially through food, herbs, relationships, and community. During the Tianjin experience, students observed how acupuncture, herbal medicine, rehabilitation, diagnostic imaging, and other healthcare services may be integrated within hospital-based care. For many students, seeing Eastern medicine practiced in that environment helped turn classroom learning into something more tangible. For FCU, these experiences reflect the university's commitment to global learning, cultural understanding, and preparing future practitioners who can connect traditional knowledge with modern healthcare environments. And finally, acupuncture and Chinese medicine continue to move further into mainstream healthcare as patients, providers, and health systems looked for prevention-focused and non-pharmacologic approaches to care. In a recent article, The State of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in 2026, Dr. Jenny Yu, Dean of SCU's Eastern Medicine Department, says the field is experiencing meaningful growth and maturation. According to Dr. Yu, acupuncture and Chinese medicine is no longer viewed solely as an alternative therapy. Instead, it is gaining recognition within the broader healthcare ecosystem as patients and providers increasingly seek evidence-informed approaches to support pain management, stress-related conditions, women's health, digestive disorders, and overall well-being. Dr. U identifies four forces driving that momentum. The first is growing patient demand for non-pharmacologic care, especially for chronic or recurring health concerns. The second is the increased adoption of team-based care models as healthcare organizations embrace a more interprofessional approach. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine is being incorporated into hospitals, community clinics, veterans' affairs systems, and multidisciplinary pain programs. The third is a stronger research base. A growing body of evidence is helping clinicians better understand how to use acupuncture and Chinese medicine in areas like chronic pain, neurological recovery, mental health, oncology support, and beyond. The fourth is the expanding conversation around reimbursement and access. While coverage limitations remain, ongoing efforts to expand reimbursement are expected to make acupuncture and Chinese medicine more accessible to patients in the years ahead. As the field grows, doctor use as education and training remain essential to quality care and patient safety. Today's practitioners must be grounded in traditional theory and techniques, while also understanding anatomy, safety, evidence-informed practice, interprofessional collaboration, and patient-centered communication. For SCU, the future of acupuncture in Chinese medicine connects directly to the university's mission as an integrative whole health institution. Through its Eastern Medicine programs, SCU is helping prepare practitioners who can bridge tradition and innovation while contributing to the future of collaborative, patient-centered health care. That wraps up this edition of SCU Now. Thanks so much for listening. To read more about these stories, visit the SCU blog at suhs.edu. And be sure to follow SCU on social media to stay connected with the students, faculty, and alumni helping shape the future of whole health. Until next time, take care and keep moving healthcare forward.