Despite unforgiving weather, with torrential rainsand a flood warning in Malibu and surround-ing areas, Yo San University’s staff and volun-

teers plowed forth on March 25th to put on anothermemorable Robert Graham Visionary AwardCelebration. Held at the stunning, dramatic beach-front home of philanthropist Lilly Tartikoff, theinclement weather did not dampen the excitementand festivities of all those awaiting the arrival ofthis year’s special honoree—famed actor RobertDowney, Jr. Known mostly for bringing TonyStark/Iron-Man and Sherlock Holmes to life,Robert boasts a mile long list of credits includingOscar-nominated roles in Tropic Thunder andChaplin and an Emmy-nominated role in AllyMcBeal. His amazing talent and commitment toall his characters has landed him on hundreds ofmagazine covers and entertainment news shows.Yet few know about Robert Downey, Jr.’s personalcommitment to Asian medicine and wellness.

Robert’s passion for Eastern philosophy andmedicine manifests in his daily practice of martialarts and meditation. Having worked with Dr. Maofor several years, Robert credits Traditional ChineseMedicine (TCM) for his wife’s and his overallhealth and wellness. Through the Robert GrahamVisionary Award, Robert Downey Jr. made aspectacular effort to raise awareness among hiscolleagues about the benefits of TCM, with hopesto help bring unprecedented support for Yo SanUniversity’s free and low-cost community outreachprograms. Upon arrival, in very Tony Stark fashion,Robert immediately hammed it up for all of Yo SanUniversity’s major supporters, graciously takingphotos and conversing with fans. As he workedhis way through the crowd of almost 200 YSUsupporters, guests could be found joyfully chatting,tasting the many delicacies presenting fresh fromthe kitchen and drinking near the Ultimat Vodkasponsored bar. Lilly Tartikoff ’s home provided the

SUMMER 2012 VOL. 22

We use the Chinese character yi (“ee”), which refers to “the healing arts,”

in our school logo.

Y O S A N U N I V E R S I T Y

LEARNING PO INTAN C I E N T W I S D O M • F A M I L Y L E G A C Y • M O D E R N M E D I C I N EYO SAN

UNIVERSITY

OF TRADITIONAL

C H I N E S EMEDIC INE

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13315 WEST WASHINGTON BLVD.

LOS ANGELES CA 90066

310.577.3000 | WWW.YOSAN.EDU

GRAPHIC DESIGN: JUSTINA KRAKOWSKI DESIGN

Please Help Us Be Green.We would like to send this newsletter

via email. Please send your email address to: sywang@yosan.edu.

Thunder! Lightning! Lights! Camera! Action!

Thank You to Our Fabulous Donors

Graduation 2012: A Landmark Event for the Yo San Community

Facilities Improvements Herald the Start of 2012’sSummer Trimester

YSU to Launch Externship at WISE & Healthy Aging in Santa Monica

Ohm DAOM Student Emergency Fund Established

Thunder! Lightning! Lights! Camera! Action!

continued on page 2

[top left]: Dr. Daoshing Ni, Hostess Lilly Tartikoff, Robert Downey Jr., Dr. Mao Shing Ni [top right]: Robert Downey Jr. accepting the Robert Graham Visionary Award [bottom left]: Donor Edith Dume and Robert Downey Jr. [bottom center]: Dr. Mao Shing Ni, Mistress of CeremoniesBrenda Strong and Dr. Daoshing Ni [bottom right]: Yo San University President Dr. Larry Ryan presents the Robert Graham Visionary Award

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Thank You to all our fabulous donors who made our event a smashing success!

ultimate relaxed and inviting environmentfor everyone to meet, to make new friendsand most important, to honor the specialman of the hour.

YSU President, Dr. Larry Ryan, began theevening’s program by introducing the emcee,actress Brenda Strong. Brenda has been a powerful supporter of YSU for several years.Having emceed the last two annual events, she was a pro at hosting and bringing humorand excitement at just the right moments.Dr. Daoshing Ni spoke first, thanking allthose who came and contributed to theevening. Dr. Mao Shing Ni then steppedup to introduce the awardee. Knowing the star power of Robert, Dr. Mao jokingly spedthrough the actor’s filmography and focusedon his philanthropic efforts instead, whichincluded working with such organizations as Clothes Off Our Back, Orca Network, and Midnight Mission, before presenting the award.

Robert graciously accepted the award, jokingthat no one was more Chinese, visionary ordeserving of such an award as he. Before concluding, he asked everyone to give as generously as they could to YSU. With

that endorsement, Brenda Strong prepped theaudience for YSU’s most exciting auction todate. Thanks to the amazing contributions ofWarner Bros., the event’s premiere sponsor,and Marvel, YSU was able to obtain an origi-nal Tony Stark racing suit and helmet worn by Robert in Iron Man 2, and the SherlockHolmes pipe and auction paddle used in the recent Sherlock Holmes sequel Game ofShadows. Other auction items included a pre-cious sculpture titled “L’Enfant” by DanielleAnjou, an exquisite Bell and Ross timepiecedonated by Westime, and two tickets to thepremiere of Brenda Strong’s new television

series Dallas, including a private lunch withthe actress herself.

With the amazing talent of Brenda, the liveauction generated exciting bids. At one point,Robert Downey Jr. was competing with one of our major donors, Edith Dume for theL’Enfant sculpture. At $12,000, Ms. Dumewon the auction—only to magnanimously gift it to Robert! It was the most unexpectedand heartfelt moment of the evening.

Before the official program concluded and desserts were enjoyed, two luckydonors received a special gift for their

additional donations into the “opportunitydrawing,” courtesy of YAS Fitness,Bloomingdales, Rock Sugar, and MatthewWilliamson Designs. As the sun slowly set in the Pacific Ocean, our guests began todepart. Everyone said their goodbyes with a smile, sharing endless compliments for a fantastic event. This brilliant event would not have been possible without support from our wonderful student volunteers: Adam Cappuccino, Ellen Davis, Chloe Hadji Elias, Ally Glickman, Steve Han,Emily King, Cinthia Martell, VeneszaLenibeck, Tobe Stacey, and Phillip Ward �

JING SPONSORWarner Bros. Entertainment

MU SPONSORMary and Jay FlahertyMay HsuWai Fong Ng

SHUI SPONSOR John AvildsenRhea Perlman and Danny DeVitoMichael Park – Bank of AmericaSum-Yee Wang and Daoshing NiEmm Wang and Mao Shing NiLarry and Sharon RyanLilly TartikoffChuck and Anita Theisen

HUO SPONSORSteve and Catherine BardwilPam and Alan BergmanMichele HixonGeorge Lamoureux – Jing HerbsJeff Arnst and Karen Lamberton – ISU Insurance Services

Ruth-Flinkman and Ben MarandyJudith MarlaneIrit McMahon – Pacific Western BankEJ and Gregory MilkenChristine Maalouf and David PeskinKimberly Fowler and Sherri Rosen – YAS FitnessAleda Siccardi and Jesse RussellScott and Jennifer SchoenbergerDessa Schroeder – California Professional ServicesLaurie Dolphin and Stuart Shapiro – Ask Dr. MaoLauren and Michael Wong

TU SPONSORMargie AmbrosanioTony CongdonDavid Cornell and Mea ArgentieriDaniele BeasleyTony BestGina BettersMeribeth Brand Bita Yadidi and Cameron BrockDeneke BurfordDebra and Jeffrey ChertowGabrielle and Christophe ChooPhillip and Marcia ChristmanJanie CoolidgeKambiz Agahnia and Terri DarafshianNatalie DiLalloKim and Andres DrobnyEdith DumeGayla GabrielDavid HeiligJulie JimenezCynthia KeenerPatricia KellyPhyllis Koenig and Reuben AaronsonAndy KubitzSusan LahreDiantha LebenzonMichele and Larry LynchJennifer MagnaboscoNeil and Karen MalleyLibra MaxLisette OrnelasMary PlattDavid and Anne RaddenRosemary RojasTim and Jacqueline Sanders

Laura and Tim SchneiderJoyce SchroderCathy SchwartzChris and Parisa SheltonBaylen SloteJames SteinCordelia TappinKim TaylorKerrin Adrian and Ernest ThompsonTrina White

PROGRAM ADCalifornia Bank and TrustCreative Artists Agency

LIVE AUCTIONEdith DumeDaoshing NiScott SchoenbergerStuart ShapiroAleda Siccardi

DONATIONSDebbie AllenAustin and Virginia BeutnerSteven CarterGina DibonaLaura DonnelleyJack and Michelle GiarraputoSteven Kiralla and Lorena GondaEvelyn KremsEd MervinePatty PappasSteven and Susan PetermanPeter and Jody StegeRoni and Mark Ross

Pam TarlowLisi and Steve TellerSela WardJim and Gail Wilburn

OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO:Warner Bros. EntertainmentMarvel StudiosWestimeDanielle AnjouBrenda StrongFor donating live auction items

We also want to acknowledge theDONATIONS of DOOR PRIZES,OPPORTUNITY DRAWINGand GIFT BAG ITEMS from:Sally Hershberger Salons, (Stylists: Marko Tomassetti and Michael St. Germain)

Hint Water, Inc.Case Creation/Serena & LilyYAS Fitness (Sherri Rosen and Kimberly Fowler)

Alejandro Ingelmo ShoesMatthew Williamson DesignsOliver Peoples SunglassesNobu RestaurantC-3* for StressChocolaTao RemediesStorksakRock Sugar Pan Asian KitchenBloomingdalesSeven Star Communications

Student volunteers: (Front row, left to right) Tobe Stacey, Emily King, Ally Glickman. (Back row, left to right) Venesza Lenibeck, Cinthia Martell, Phillip Ward, Chloe Hadji Elias, Adam Cappuccino, Ellen Davis, Steve Han.

Thunder! Lightning! Lights! Camera! Action! Continued

Students, faculty and staff members returnedto the Yo San campus last month for thestart of the Summer 2012 Trimester. All

were greeted not only by their colleagues,but also by the presence of several facilitiesimprovements that add space and comfort tothe Yo San University experience. A brandnew third floor classroom is the highlight ofthis latest improvement project. The newclassroom looks out over both WashingtonBoulevard and Redwood Avenue. It is bathedwith natural light and provides a comfortableand roomy learning environment for up tothirty students. A special wood grain hardfloor surface was chosen for the new spaceto provide added safety, since, among otherpurposes, this new classroom will be used fortraining in acupuncture needling. The newfaculty/staff lounge is also located on the third

floor. This new lounge is about twice the sizeof the former space and provides an attractiveand inviting environment for Yo San Universityemployees to interact socially, to enjoy a mealbreak, and to catch a few minutes of welldeserved rest from the typically hectic pace ofthe YSU day. Most welcomed and needed bythe growing YSU student body is the expand-

ed and remodeled second floor StudentLounge. The size of the remodeled StudentLounge was greatly increased by incorporatingspace that was formerly occupied by theFaculty/Staff Lounge. The new StudentLounge includes an open, attractive andspacious casual seating area, two completekitchen units joined by a pass through, andample eating area. The entire space was alsopainted, and furniture and locker units wererearranged to comfortably accommodateour growing student body. All of the recentfacilities enhancements were accomplishedto once again advance the mission of Yo SanUniversity: “to educate students to becomeexceptional practitioners of TraditionalChinese Medicine.” We are proud of oursparkling and well equipped campus! �

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But something was different this year. For the first time in Yo San’s history, twelve ofthese graduates were wearing the distinguishedtriple-stripe graduation robe so well known asthe robe worn only by students receiving theirdoctoral degree. Yes, this year Yo San graduat-ed 29 Master’s Degree candidates alongside

the twelve members of the very first cohort ofthe YSU Doctoral Program. Such a special dayfor our university!

After a dignified ceremony, highlighted byspeeches by Dr. Mao Shing Ni, Dr. DaoshingNi, Dr. Benny Lin, and Dr. Paul Magarelli

(from our doctoral faculty), graduates andguests celebrated with friends and family, posing for photographs and enjoying specialgraduation cakes and many lovely desserts.Graduation day is always special, butGraduation 2012 will be remembered as amilestone in YSU’s growth and development. �

GRADUATION 2012: A Landmark Event for the Yo San Community

Facilities Improvements Herald the Start of 2012’s Summer Trimester

On Sunday, March 19th, 41 students from Yo San University donned their dignified graduation robes and prepared themselves to enter St. RobertsAuditorium on the campus of Loyola Marymount University for the start of Yo San’s 2012 Graduation Ceremony.

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YO SANUNIVERSITY

OF TRADITIONAL

C H I N E S EMEDIC INE

13315 WEST WASHINGTON BOULEVARD

LOS ANGELES � CALIFORNIA � 90066

YSU to LaunchExternship

at WISE & Healthy Aging in Santa Monica

A fter several months of negotiationsand visits, July 1, 2012 is the targetdate for the initiation of the Yo San

University collaboration with WISE &Healthy Aging in Santa Monica, whereacupuncture and other TCM serviceswill be offered by YSU interns. WISE& Healthy Aging is a non-profit socialservices organization which resultedfrom the 2007 merger of WISE SeniorServices and the Center for HealthyAging. Each agency had served theWestside and Santa Monica communi-ties for more than three decades. TheTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)services offered by Yo San Universityat WISE & Healthy Aging will comple-ment the other services currently offeredby the agency in the following areas:adult day care, nutrition, transporta-tion/mobility, elder abuse prevention,long term care advocacy, in-home caremanagement, mental health/peer coun-seling and education. With its extensiverange of services, WISE & HealthyAging is recognized as one of the mostcomprehensive and effective agenciesin the nation with focus on service tothe aging population. To initiate theTCM service, Yo San University willprovide half a day of service each weekstaffed by YSU master’s or doctoral levelinterns and a supervising clinical facultymember. We are confident that thecommunity and generations of YSUstudents will benefit from the uniqueopportunity provided by this valuableservice alliance. �

Ohm DAOM Student Emergency Fund Established

The purpose of the fund is to provide small grants to Yo San University DAOM students whoexperience emergency or catastrophic circumstances in their lives beyond their own control thatinclude unexpected financial obligations that have the potential to inhibit academic progress. The Dr. Elizabeth Ohm Student Emergency Fund will be administered by YSU Dean of StudentAffairs, Steven Carter, who will receive recommendations/requests from the DAOM ProgramDirector, Dr. Carola Gehrke, from DAOM faculty or directly from DAOM students. Knownas the “Queen” of fertility Practitioners, Elizabeth Ohm came to the DAOM program with over thirty years of practice experience and completed her doctoral studies in December of 2011. Elizabeth’s Capstone Research Project focused on the development and composition of a unique herbal formula that has shown efficacy in the treatment of endometriosis. �

Through the generous donations of a recent DAOM graduate, Yo San Universityhas established the “Dr. Elizabeth Ohm DAOM Student Emergency Fund.”