Dr. Philip Garrison, L.Ac., Dipl. OM, DAOM
Distance Education Director
Chinese Herbal Medicine Department, Departments, Distance Education Department, Foundation Department
Dr. Philip “Phil” Garrison, L.Ac., Dipl. OM, DAOM, joined the Colorado Chinese Medicine University® faculty in Spring 2024 as Director of the Distance Education department – the CCMU’s newest programming resource expanding accessibility to TCM education. His academic specialties include Han dynasty classics literature, specifically the Nei Jing; Herbal Medicine; and the Theory, Medical History, and Philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
As an educator and published researcher, Dr. Garrison has spent more than a decade advancing the field of acupuncture through innovative distance learning tools and instruction. Previous faculty posts include Five Branches University, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine [previous name of Pacific College of Health Sciences], Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (Seneca Falls, NY), and AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine (Austin, TX).
Professional experience in the private sector has included herbal consultation for the Kan Herb Company, and as Chief Science Officer with Immortality Alchemy, LLC.
Dr. Garrison earned his BA in Psychology at Pomona College (Claremont, CA) in 2001 and found a passion for acupuncture working with 18-22 year old students with substantial learning differences. This desire to help life-long learners led Dr. Garrison to earn his Master’s of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University – Santa Cruz in 2009, and a Doctorate of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Health Sciences – San Diego in 2014.
A musician from a young age, Dr. Garrison enjoys leisure time spent hiking and skateboarding.
One of his most notable experiences as an acupuncturist was between 2010 – 2011 as the staff acupuncture practitioner for the O’Neill Coldwater Classic surf competition: treating the world’s top surfing athletes.
