Robert grew up learning traditional Native American herbalism as well as physical treatment methods, which were passed down to him by his grandparents. These forms of traditional Native American medicine have helped him understand that there is much more to health than what conventional wisdom provides. On the other side of his youth, Robert grew up with western medicine as a primary structure in his upbringing, which required learning human anatomy and physiology in a manner to be groomed as a future doctor. Once Robert was old enough to go to college, he became a student of clinical nursing which allowed him to work in various clinics with many phenomenal physicians of various specialties for over twenty years. Although Robert had studied western medicine in a conservative manner, he realized that his skills and abilities would be more useful in alternative health. While a student of acupuncture, Robert has taught full-time for several nursing schools in San Diego, with a concentration in anatomy and physiology classes. He is currently Adjunct Medical Assistant Instructor at
Southwestern College and is a Medical Assistant Instructor at San Diego College. He previously taught at Newbridge College of San Diego,
Intercoast College of El Cajon, and
Kaplan College of Chula Vista. As of 2014, he is licensed as an acupuncturist in California and recently opened an integrative medical clinic: Hozho Health and Wellness in Sorrento Valley. Robert is delighted to be joining the TCM Review Seminars team, where he hopes to help fellow future acupuncturists acquire the knowledge needed to understand western terminology, anatomy and physiology.