Northwestern’s College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine names teacher of the year

June 22, 2011 — A personal interest in health and wellness led Patricia Casello-Maddox, DC, MBA, to her profession. She graduated from Northwestern Health Sciences University’s College of Chiropractic, then returned to Northwestern to teach in 2005.

“I had worked at my own practice, but I missed teaching and the collegial support,” she says.

Prior to her Northwestern years, Casello-Maddox had acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration. She was recently certified as a spiritual director. Valuing a comprehensive view of health care, she says her practice involves three different areas: physical health, emotional well-being and spiritual mindfulness.

What does Casello-Maddox enjoy most about teaching at Northwestern? “The diversity of students. Our students are so varied by nature of the industry,” she says. “There is so much learning going on at all levels. Some students are very tech-savvy and good immediate problem solvers, while other students are skilled in critical analysis,” says Dr. Casello Maddox. Her students vary greatly in age; they also differ in backgrounds. “We have students that are dancers, artists, medical people; people looking to enrich their education and lives. The diversity creates a much richer environment.”

Casello-Maddox is interested in combining teaching and practicing acupuncture in the future. Having treated patients at the Pillsbury House Integrated Health Clinic, The Courage Center and Abbot Northwestern Hospital, she has provided acute care for countless members of the community. “I am interested in acupuncture on so many different levels. I’d like to focus on integration — defining what will work and how we can best deliver care to our patients.”

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University, www.nwhealth.edu/nwtoday/index.html