Biography

Kaisa has over ten years experience in the health care industry. Kaisa's journey began at UCLA where she was a pre-med student and studied biology, nutrition, and anthropology. After conducting an independent research project for a medical anthropologist studying complimentary alternative medical therapies, her interest spiked in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Kaisa took a position at UCLA's Venice Family Clinic as a nutrition specialist and focused on education to patients and families regarding pediatric nutrition, diabetes, and weight management. It was at UCLA where she designed and implemented a weight loss and management program. She then began her studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Emperor's College in Santa Monica, California while continuing her clinical work at UCLA. Kaisa graduated with a Master's degree in Chinese Medicine from South Baylo University in Anaheim, California after accepting a job relocation with the health education department of Kaiser Permanente Orange County. Kaisa decided to further her studies in Chinese medicine and completed her doctoral degree with a focus on the endocrine system and the role of diet and Chinese medicine in the treatment of Diabetes. Kaisa currently works for Kaiser Permanente teaching Diabetes Nutrition, Diabetes Basics, and weight management classes, while maintaining a private practice of acupuncture and nutrition in Lake Forest and Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

In addition to educating and treating patients, Kaisa has been involved with research at South Baylo University studying the effects of Acupuncture on Diabetes Retinopathy and Fibromyalgia. She also completed an internship at the University of New Mexico's Medical Residency Program where she focused her studies on Gasteroenterology and ObGyn/Labor and Delivery departments. She is also responsible for designing a prenatal nutrition class for the March of Dimes and created the current accepted Spanish Diabetes and Asthma curriculum for Kaiser Orange County. She lectures frequently at Integrated clinics and Kaiser Permanente's Women's Symposium.

Kaisa truly believes the human body is capable of healing itself and that all medical professionals are merely a tool for the patient to achieve their goals. This is why education is at the heart of her medicine to empower her patients to not only get better, but also have the knowledge to stay healthy. As Thomas Edison stated, the "doctor of the future will not only treat the disease, but prevent it."

Kaisa is a member of the American Association of Oriental Medicine, the California State Oriental Medical Association, American Diabetes Association, and the American College of Nutrition. She is also fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

Guest lecturer for: Irvine Public Schools, Montage Hotel (Laguna Beach), Burke Williams Spa, medical/herbal consultant for Bamboo Tea Co.