Student Life
AOMA offers a wide variety of opportunities for learning beyond classroom and clinic. Students participate in the governance system of the school through the AOMA Student Association and student groups and organizations add to a rich campus experience. Social events like Chinese New Year, Master Li Movie Night, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake help students find balance in their challenging academic pursuits. Students also take part in brown bag discussions on a wide range of topics that reflect the current campus environment, informal classes, extra-curricular seminars, and AOMA’s annual Southwest Symposium.
In order to support the health and well-being of students, AOMA offers health and counseling services to students. Students can also take advantage of various (family, medical, veterinary, day care, spiritual) resources offered within the Austin-area.
Commencement
Commencement 2009
Saturday September 12, 2-5pm
Hyatt Regency on Lady Bird Lake
Graduates need to arrive at the Hyatt at 12 noon for a walk-through and group photo. Please contact Sarah Bentley if you have any questions prior to the event at 512-492-3034.
Commencement 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
The Academy of Oriental Medicine celebrated its fifteenth anniversary with the commencement of forty-one outstanding students. The largest graduating class in the history of the institution took the healer’s oath on Saturday, September 20th, 2008 in the Hyatt Regency on the shores of Lady Bird Lake in Austin, TX. The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Veronica Conners, Provost.
Graduates were welcomed by AOMA’s President, William Morris who expressed his confidence in their abilities to make a 
difference in the lives of their patients, their communities and their profession. Keynote speaker, Dee Ann Newbold, a long time member of the Texas Acupuncture Board and one of Austin’s pioneering acupuncturists, reminded graduates, above all, to listen to their patients. “Caring and empathy,” she said, “are very important to build a practice.”
Graduates recognized many of their favorite faculty members including, Dr. Jamie Wu who promised graduates that learning doesn’t stop after graduation. Dr. Dongxin Ma, Dean of Herbal Studies, expressed his faith in the ability of these graduates to write herbal formulas and reminded them to be confident. “Move from untruth to truth. Move from darkness to light,” was the advice of Dr. Raja Mandyam, Dean of Biomedical Sciences at AOMA.
Marshall Smith, a third year student at AOMA, was chosen by the graduating class to receive the Michael Garcia Prendes Award for Herbal Excellence. In the spirit of Michael Garcia, Marshall thanked those graduates who had worked as herbal tutors and teaching assistants for their help.
To complete the ceremony, the Healer’s Oath, adapted from the Hippocratic Oath by AOMA students was administered by Dean of Students Robert Laguna.
Graduates celebrated their tremendous accomplishment with a reception immediately following the ceremony and a party in downtown Austin later that evening.
The Healer's Oath
I stand before family and colleagues, solemnly dedicating my life to the art of healing. In this commitment, I will do no harm. I honor my patients and face them with compassion, honesty and integrity. I honor the source of this medicine. I honor my own health. I will practice this medicine with humility, conscience and dignity. I will pursue life long study.