Dr. Catherine Aquino
Personal Story
Catherine’s passion for fertility began many years back and she was one of the first practitioners in the country to gain higher credentials in Chinese medicine to specialize in fertility and gynecology. However, it was her own fertility challenges and pregnancy losses that propelled her desire to help others to an entirely new level. Catherine believes her journey was an opportunity for unique healing and this experience ultimately made her a better practitioner (and mother). She remembers the pain and suffering she experienced during this time and has great compassion and empathy for individuals and couples going through fertility challenges. After four long years her journey ended with the birth of her daughter. She feels fortunate that this is how her story goes but also recognizes this is not always the case. She feels an important part of her service is to help her clients get to a place where they feel empowered and from that they’re able to make choices that are good for them that they might not otherwise be open to. Sometimes families look different than they were first imagined but if a person is ready, it can be even more than they ever dreamed.
In 2014 Catherine’s life took another turn. She found a lump in her breast just ONE month after a CLEAR mammogram. Catherine was diagnosed with aggressive Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and she learned she was a positive carrier of the BRCA1 mutation. With her amazing western medical team, the support of holistic medicine, her family and friends, she received the care and support she needed and fortunately currently she has no evidence of disease. However, once again this experience forever changed who she is as a person and as a practitioner. Out of this she has found a deeper commitment to helping individuals through cancer treatment as well as helping with the many physiological changes that occur because of allopathic treatment. She is committed to being a patient advocate and sounding board from the perspective of someone who has been through cancer and treatments and as someone in the healthcare profession.
Catherine has over 20 years of clinical experience in helping patients who are struggling with fertility, hormonal imbalances, enduring cancer treatment and suffering from various illness and pain syndromes. She also has many long-term patients who allow her to be a part of their healthy regime and she enjoys supporting them with their health and wellness goals.
Education
Soon after graduating from California State University, Northridge with a B.S. in Finance, Catherine’s life path took her in a different direction than she had initially anticipated. The loss of her father was a key turning point in her life – and this experience motivated her to quit her job as a corporate paralegal and put away her plans of going to law school. She developed a strong interest in the medical profession while caring for him. Soon after he passed away, she quit her job at the law firm and began researching programs in Chinese Medicine.
She discovered an intensive four-year program at the highly reputed Yo San University in Chinese Medicine. Yo San University was founded by Hua-Ching Ni, a well-known author/teacher and healer, and his sons Dr. Maoshing Ni and Dr. Daoshing Ni. These doctors are part of a lineage of Masters from China who date back to the Han Dynasty. Catherine has felt very fortunate to have them as teachers and clinical supervisors during her four years of academic studies and clinical internships.
The university places an equal emphasis on the practice of both Western and Eastern science. Although not widely known, acupuncturists in the State of California are considered primary care physicians. This means, there is a responsibility for acupuncturists to be well versed in both eastern and western medicine. Catherine also appreciated the school’s inherent Daoist philosophy, which agreed with her personal values. The caliber of teachers, supervisors and mentors at Yo San were extraordinary, including Mao and Daoshing Ni, Shaoting Jing and our very own Dr. Ming-dong Li.
Catherine graduated with honors with a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Yo San University in Los Angeles, California. She is a Diplomate in Chinese Herbal Medicine designated and certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is licensed by the California Acupuncture Board.
In 2020 Catherine earned her doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from the Pacific College of Health and Science.
CONTINUING EDUCATION AND ASSOCIATIONS
The State of California requires 50 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain your license in good standing. Catherine considers herself a student for life so this requirement is easily met.
Catherine is fortunate to have had advanced training in reproductive medicine and has studied and interned with Dr. Randine Lewis, fertility expert/author of “The Infertility Cure” and “The Fertile Soul”. Catherine is also a charter member of The Fertile Soul TM Clinical Excellence Professionals program and she feels she has gained invaluable experience from working with and observing Dr. Lewis’ mind-body-spirit approach to fertility. Catherine feels fortunate to call Dr. Lewis her colleague and friend.
Catherine also has advanced training in reproductive medicine with Dr. Daoshing Ni and Jane Lyttleton and other highly regarded practitioners in Chinese Reproductive Medicine. She has also worked with Niravi Payne, author of The Whole Person Fertility Program on both personal and professional levels and has found this work life changing.
She enjoys taking continuing education courses in woman’s health and gynecology, endocrinology, fertility, musculoskeletal pain syndromes and diet/nutrition.
Catherine is a certified Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (FABORM) since its inception in 2008.
CONTINUING EDUCATION AND ASSOCIATIONS
– Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine
– Professional Member of Resolve
– Charter member of Clinical Excellence Fertility Professionals Program
– Member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine