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Angela Seng graduated from ACHS with a Master of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine in 2018. Now, she does a variety of work that is focused on environmentally acquired illnesses.
Interest in holistic health
“It started when I went out to do my undergrad in Fairfield, Iowa. I went to learn sustainable living and ended up minoring in it. While I was there I started to realize the importance of personal health and the role of environmental health,” Angela says. She says that her own personal health was also a catalyst for her interest in holistic health.
Bridging traditional and modern medicine
Angela says that she has seen traditional and modern medicine come together in positive ways. “I’ve seen some beautiful marriages of traditional forms of medicine with modern medicine over the years. It seems like there’s this bridge that’s starting to occur. How do they work together, and how can we use that to help inspire people’s health,” Angela says.
She says that everyone has a different healing journey and that it’s about finding what works best for each individual. “For some people, modern medicine is what works for them, and for other people traditional medicine works. Others need a little bit of both. There’s something there for everybody. We’ve come from a long stretch of people, especially in the United States, who are so heavily focused on Western medicine so for some time that’s been a paradigm. But at the same time, it’s such a young science too. We’re starting to stretch outside of that now.”
Interest in environmentally acquired illnesses
Now, Angela works for a naturopathic physician in Tucson, Arizona, who focuses on biotoxin illness. Angela explains that biotoxin illness is “anything from Lymes disease to toxic mold exposure, various viral or bacterial infections, chemical exposure, or a combination of these things.”
Angela also works for a nonprofit that focuses on environmentally acquired illnesses: International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illnesses (ISEAI). ISEAI describes itself as a "professional medical society that aims to raise awareness of the environmental causes of inflammatory illnesses and to support the recovery of individuals affected by these illnesses through the integration of clinical practice, education, and research." "It’s a group of professionals who have come together to promote awareness. We’ve got a pretty large member base so far,” Angela says.
Pictured: ISEAI Conference that Angela attended May 2019 in Carefree, Arizona
Lastly, Angela is also in the beginning stages of research with the University of Arizona. She currently isn't able to discuss the details of the research, but she says is in the field of environmental illness.
Experience at ACHS
Angela says that she had a good experience with her courses at ACHS and she enjoyed the flexibility that they afforded. “I was really happy with the way that the courses were structured and how the online Canvas program was set up. It was extremely user-friendly,” she says.
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This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.
About American College of Healthcare Sciences
Founded in 1978, ACHS.edu is a Portland, Ore.-based, accredited college offering online, on-campus, and study abroad integrative health education. With undergraduate and graduate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and continuing education units in integrative health, ACHS makes holistic health and wellness education accessible to a diverse community, including healthcare professionals, military students, stay-at-home parents, and lifelong learners. Specializations include aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, and integrative health. ACHS is a Certified B Corporation® and was named two of 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon 2017 by Oregon Business magazine. ACHS is also accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In response to our commitment to service members, veterans and military spouses, ACHS has been designated as one of the top 16% of military-friendly institutions in the U.S. for nine years in a row. For more information visit achs.edu.