The Chicago College of Oriental Medicine was founded by Dr. Yong Gao Wang. This college was his response to the limited exposure in the Midwest to the centuries old practice of Oriental Medicine and its contemporary applications. Both the East and West coasts have experienced an increased trust and demand for this alternative medicine approach to support holistic health & promote healing. Both areas of the country have responded with the growth of several Eastern Medicine Colleges while Chicago currently has only two. As CCOM’s Chancellor and Founder, Dr. Wang has experienced the positive effect of Eastern medicine, first hand. He was both a student and a physician in China. Dr. Wang is currently a practicing acupuncturist in Chicago. He felt compelled to expand Eastern Medicine as an alternative practice option to support wellness as a compliment to western health care delivery. The vehicle needed was trained practitioners. Dr. Wang and his friends incorporated the Chicago College of Oriental Medicine (CCOM). Dr. Wang began assembling subject matter faculty and developing the appropriate partnerships needed for both acupuncture and oriental medicine degree granting programs. He has been about the business of constructing a solid educational organization that will promote wellness through the practice of clinical diagnosis, acupuncture and other forms of alternative therapy.