About Dr. Hobbs

Who would ever have imagined that at this stage of my career I would be following this path? Yet here I am.

My educational background includes BS and MS degrees in Physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology, an MD degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Emory University School of Medicine and specialty training in family medicine at the Maine-Dartmouth Family Practice Residency.

After ten years of solo practice in family medicine I became a full-time faculty member in a family medicine residency program and subsequently enjoyed eighteen years living the life of teacher/clinician.

From a very young age, I have been aware of the importance of spiritual elements in my life and have had a profound curiosity about how best to reconcile scientific objectivity with the deep mysteries of faith.

Taking into account this dichotomy in my world view, it is perhaps no surprise that I subscribe to a holistic approach in healthcare. By way of explanation, my belief is that in order to become healers, rather than just technicians, our role in medicine is to take into consideration the whole person - mind, body and spirit. And we should undertake this role with love and humility, realizing that ultimately healing comes from a resonance between the individual and a power much greater than ours, whether it be called the Tao, God or simply the Universe.

In 2004, I met Dr. Steven Aung for the first time. Steven is a family physician in Edmonton, Alberta. Though trained in western medicine, Steven's practice is primarily tradtional Chinese medicine. Steven comes from a very long line of TCM physicians and was encouraged to train in western medicine by his grandfather in order that he might bring the best of both worlds to his patients. As we were becoming more acquainted, Steven told me about his practice and about how when he performs acupuncture, for example, he inserts every needle with a blessing...with loving kindness. This was so in keeping with what I believed, that love is the key, I knew Steven and I were somehow meant to meet on that day. He opened my eyes to new possibilities. In 1991 Steven was invited to offer a year-long course in medical acupuncture at the University of Alberta. The course was so successful that it has been offered every year since. In 2005, I became a member of the 15th class.

Upon completion of my training at the University of Alberta, I began integrating TCM, particularly acupuncture, into my western medicine practice. In the fall of 2006, I spent three months in China receiving advanced training. At every step along the way, as I have pursued this new direction in my life, I have felt propelled. Things just keep falling into place. And I feel the same about Plum Blossom. It is meant to be!

With Metta (loving kindness) and Karuna (the wish that all will be free of suffering),

Rick Hobbs, MD