Meet Our Presenters! 

Aram A. Akopyan, M.D. L.Ac. MATCM, MSCS, Diplomate OM. (NCCAOM) 

With a dynamic career bridging Medicine, Technology, and Business, Dr. Akopyan boasts over 34 years of combined expertise in technology, business entrepreneurship and medicine. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Computer Science (1986) and earned a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the esteemed Yo San University of Los Angeles (2006). Dr. Akopyan is an NCCAOM Diplomate of Oriental Medicine and a Licensed Acupuncturist (CA). He completed his clinical residency at the Sichuan Academy of TCM in Chengdu, China.

In 2012, Dr. Akopyan achieved the qualifications for Medical Doctor (MD - 2012) with a specialization in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). He operates private practices in Europe and the United States, while also serving as an educator at several TCM and allopathic medical universities. Furthermore, Dr. Akopyan serves as the field Clinical Director for a Swiss NGO, Nepal Pain Relief, providing Acupuncture and TCM services to regions affected by earthquakes and floods.

Notably, he is the elected head of Communications for the European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ETCMA) with over 13,000 practicing acupuncturists in Europe. Dr. Akopyan has a rich publication history, with research papers in Pharma journals and a textbook on the Biomedical and TCM applications of Elemental Nutrition (ISBN 979-8727972175).

Dr. Akopyan has demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by successfully launching two internet startups, his own line of Herbal Chocolates (healingbeans). His innovation in the practice of TCM and Acupuncture has yielded the MTrejuv ™ an integrative aesthetic rehabilitation protocol, perioSTIM ™ an innovative rehabilitation protocol for bone remodeling, and plaSTIM ™ Neuroplasticity game therapy for Stroke rehabilitation. He contributed to the global launch of an EMG based medical robotic rehabilitation device, a wearable exoskeleton, a mobile tongue app, and an integrated ICD11 Coding app specifically designed for TCM practitioners. 

Sara Allen, Dipl. OM. FABORM, and DAOM Candidate

Sara Allen, Dipl. OM, FABORM, and DAOM candidate, is an acupuncturist based in South Florida with practice specialties in reproductive medicine, allergy elimination, and pediatric therapies. As a trained educator with over 25 years’ experience, she currently teaches internal and external medicine at the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine as well as faculty development seminars. Whether in the classroom or the treatment room, she tailors her instruction to the learners’ individual needs and learning styles. She believes that every instructor can have fun, creative, and engaging classes that help turn acupuncture students into competent, successful acupuncturists.

Samuel Collins

Samuel Collins is an internationally recognized expert on coding for acupuncture. He is currently a member of the World Health Organization ICD11 Traditional Medicine Reference Group and Functional Disability Reference Group. Sam is also a part of the Optum Health Coding and Reimbursement Committee. He is referred to as “the billing expert” for acupuncture and authors articles on coding and billing for Acupuncture Today. As the in-house expert at the American Acupuncture Council Insurance Information Network, he creates and teaches over 60 continuing education seminars relating to acupuncture, physical medicine, and chiropractic. Sam is also the contact for multiple state boards and the VA for his expertise in coding and billing for acupuncture.

Thomas Kouo, DAOM

Michael Schroeder

Michael J. Schroeder, Chairman of the Board, Allied Professionals Insurance Company – Mr. Schroeder founded APIC and has extensive background in alternative healthcare. Mr. Schroeder is the incoming Chairman of the National Risk Retention Association, the trade association for insurance companies like APIC. He has represented the American Chiropractic Association, the California Chiropractic Association, the California State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the American Podiatric Medical Association, the California Podiatric Medical Association, the California Acupuncture Association, and the California Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association and has formed and been a member of numerous boards and foundations serving the allied and alternative health professions. He founded the National Chiropractic Council, the American Acupuncture Council, and the American Massage Council, all of which are insurance buying groups. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Juris Doctrate from the University of Southern California. Mr. Schroeder is also a member of the USC Law Board of Counselors. He also sits on the Board of Directors of the USA Volleyball Foundation. Mr. Schroeder received the highest ratings A-V for ethics and legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Schroeder is admitted to the bar in California and Hawaii and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Dr. Jenny Uretz, APN, DAOM

Dr. Jenny Uretz, APN, DAOM brings years of experience in complementary healthcare as a Nurse Practitioner along with her passion for TCM. She has been the lead Bioscience Professor at the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Illinois for 8 years. There, she has also served as a Telemedicine Clinic Facilitator and Co-presenter of a VBLOG of case studies integrating TCM and Bioscience. She has been a featured speaker at the Wiregrass Nurse Practitioner Association Conference presenting “The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Women’s Health”. She has taught the CEU courses “Ethical Dilemmas and Information Technology in Healthcare” and “Ethics and Safety in TCM” approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation for acupuncturists. Her teaching style is as unique as she is! Creative, interactive, innovative, and technology-embracing.