Letter From the Administrator

Thank you for taking the time to read our catalog.

The Oklahoma Healing Arts Institute is a ollege with a rich heritage. Following in the footsteps of the late Clark Manning, The Oklahoma Healing Arts Institute is similar to the Midwestern School of Inner Wisdom started by Clark and Dr. Amit Gumman years ago: our goal is to revive and preserve the storied tradition of the barefoot doctor. This tradition seeks ordinary citizens who possess a desire to help others who then study under master acupuncturists and herbalists. Students achieve a level of proficiency sufficient to help others with basic Chinese healing arts services, and are also trained to triage, to refer to other practitioners when needed to ensure the best level of care available.  As in the Barefoot Doctor tradition, students at The Oklahoma Healing Arts Institute are encouraged to continue to study under master healers to continually add to their proficiency.

The Chinese Healing Arts were practiced in Oklahoma before statehood. In those earlier years, the first Chinese doctors came to Oklahoma with those who built the railroads and became an integral part of the Chinese culture which thrived in the underground tunnels built under Oklahoma City.  These tunnels were respectfully known as the "Underground Chinese City".  The  Asian community has continued to practice and use their ancient healing arts.  We are proud to be a part of that heritage.

Oklahoman Clark Manning became one of the first students of Chinese Medicine at the New England School of Acupuncture, under teacher Ted J. Kaptchuk, OMD, who was one of the first Americans trained in China to practice this ancient healing art.  Clark's view of healing encompassed more than Chinese healing arts. As co-author of the now classic book, "Bioenergetic Medicines East and West - Acupuncture and Homeopathy", he saw how ancient and modern healing arts traditions from many cultures fit together. In this regard, he influenced several generations of practitioners across America who now practice a variety of healing arts including homeopathy and Chinese Medicine.  This year, we are honoring Clark's multi-disciplinary tradition by offering Barefoot Doctor courses in Bach Flower Essences and  Homeopathy, as well as Aromatherapy and Herbal Medicine.

In the years to come, we hope to expand upon this multi-disciplinary approach to teaching as well as expand our offerings in traditional Chinese healing arts to meet the needs of our fellow Oklahomans. We are proud to become a school offering low-cost natural health care instruction in a State which has supported natural healing arts for over a century, and has become a model for free enterprise in health care choice. 

-Michael Richards, Administrator of The Oklahoma Healing Arts Institute