POCA Tech opening in Cully!

POCA Tech is a groundbreaking acupuncture school founded by POCA, an International Acupuncture Cooperative. The goal of the school is to train the next generation of Community Acupuncture Practitioners through an affordable, entry-level training program.  The School is scheduled to open in Cully on Sept.1st in the former school building of St. Charles Church at 4317 NE Emerson, Portland OR 97218. 

POCA Tech’s three-year curriculum culminates in a Master’s Certificate in Acupuncture. Classes run in four-day weekend modules ten months out of the year, with a third year clinical component designed to be manageable for working students. After completing their Master’s, POCA Tech’s goal is for graduates to become licensed to work in, or open, POCA clinics with the organization’s support. POCA Tech is licensed by HECC in Oregon and is pursuing accreditation with ACAOM.

“We are very excited to open the doors of POCA Tech this Fall. After so much hard work, we believe our goal of training the next generation of
community acupuncturists is about to come to life,” said Lisa Rohleder, a POCA co-founder. “Building and supporting this new wave of practitioners
is vital to the growth of the community acupuncture movement. We treat a diverse range of patients and we look forward to training a new and
diverse range of practitioners to serve our communities.”

About POCA:
Nearly a decade ago, POCA’s founders (Portland locals) Lisa Rohleder and Skip Van Meter (of Working Class Acupuncture) created a low cost, high volume community acupuncture model based on business and treatment styles as practiced in Asia. As they set up their first community acupuncture clinic, the founders asked two big questions.  First, “What are the barriers to more people getting acupuncture?” Secondly, ” How can acupuncturists earn a sustainable income by providing treatments to more people?” The result was the community acupuncture model, whose foundation includes a re-imagining of what acupuncture is and proven systems that help community clinics run smoothly. Community acupuncture is rooted in the values of health, social justice, and affordable access to healthcare for all.