As a very sick child, I grew up with frequent encounters with doctors and treatments from both conventional western medicine, as well as the traditional Chinese Medicine. It was the Chinese Medicine that helped me the most on the path to becoming a healthy adult. I, therefore, have focused on taking the best from both disciplines and combine them in my medical training in both China and the U.S.

Over the past 15 years of medical practice and teaching, my interest has grown in the area of treating many chronic illnesses with the combination of both conventional and alternative medicine. I became more interested in women's health care, especially in the area of menopause and breast cancer. The more I work with women, the more I appreciate the advantages of being able to combine the Western and Eastern Medicine approach in managing their symptoms. Indeed, the choice of using an effective alternative medicine approach often becomes even more important for women who have breast cancer, or who have a higher risk of breast cancer because the conventional hormone replacement therapy is not suitable for them.

Here at the Breast Care and the Oncology Centers, I work closely with our surgeons, oncologists, plastic surgeon and our medical social worker. In every consultation, I assess patients from the view of traditional western medicine and the traditional Chinese approach. I am then able to formulate a treatment plan suitable to the needs of the individual. My work with these women has been focused on relieving their symptoms by the approach that produces the least side effects, whether they are from hormone changes, from chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or from post operative pain. I emphasize improving the quality of their life and obtaining their optimal state of health.

I have been rewarded with great satisfaction in helping women in their fight with breast cancer and in their transition through menopause.

In addition, I work with my husband Po Chen, OMD, in Irvine, where we combine Eastern Medicine and Western Medicine in pain management and family medicine.

Nothing can describe my satisfaction of being a mom for my six year old son, Young. Taking him to school and to music, art and sports events has been the most relaxing and joyful time for me. He has made my work so much more meaningful everyday. I also enjoy cooking, I only wish I had time to do more of it!

Charles Drew, University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA