Ponton Accepted into Doctoral Program

GREENVILLE, S.C. (September 6, 2008) – Dr. Marina Ponton, acupuncture physician and owner of Greenville Natural Health Center, has been accepted into the Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) programat the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland. She is one of only 14 candidates nationwide chosen for the doctorate program, and will travel to Portland for five days each month to complete the two-year program.

A clinical research curriculum with a focus on women’s health and geriatrics, a DAOM is the highest level of academic achievement presently available to acupuncture practitioners in the United States. It will allow Dr. Ponton to work on government or privately funded research projects and to teach at the university level. Open to licensed acupuncture physicians only, the DAOM program is designed for those who advocate a more integrated system of medicine.

Dr. Ponton is an acupuncture physician who has worked and lectured in the United States, Sweden, and Holland. Her extensive studies include the American University of Paris, FAMU University in Prague, The University of Miami, and The Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine.

About Greenville Natural Health Center - Opened in 2007 by Dr. Marina Ponton, Greenville Natural Health Center specializes in health and wellness using natural health modalities, such as acupuncture, therapeutic massage and nutritional and herbal therapy. The center integrates biomedicine (Western medicine) with traditional Chinese medicine, using a holistic, mind-body approach to treat health issues such as chronic fatigue, chronic pain, menopause and infertility. Located on Laurens Road in Greenville, center hours are by appointment Monday through Friday. For more information, visit www.greenvillenaturalhealth.com.

Contributed by Kathy Vass