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CONTACT The Morris Spinal Stenosis and Disc Center 1243 7th Street #B Santa Monica, CA 90401(310) 451-5851 (310) 458-0051 fax Send Us 
E-mail
© Copyright 2004 Dr. Rick Morris All Rights Reserved |
| Our Staff |
Meet The Doctors, Therapists and Office Personnel That Work Together To Eliminate Your Pain
Dr. Rick Morris
Director, Low Back Pain Specialist
Dr. Morris graduated Cleveland Chiropractic College, class Salutatorian, in 1977. Soon he became nationally known treating back and extremity injuries and was put on the U.S. Olympic Medical Team. He also worked as a team doctor for many leading sports teams including:
• U.C.L.A.
• L.A. Track Club
• Cal State University at Northridge, and the
• L.A. Clippers
His expertise in the spine led to an Associate Professorship at Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, national lecturing in the field of joint disorders and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
However, his greatest education was not from school or books. In 1990, Dr. Morris severely injured his own back forcing him to experience the field of orthopedics as a doctor and, more importantly, as a patient. “Since my injury and my experience with many doctors, my practice will never be the same. I understand how pain can devastate your life and the importance of a doctor that takes the time and has the knowledge to free you from its terrible burden.”
He has postgraduate certification in Sports Medicine, Disability Evaluation, Accident Reconstruction and Anti-Aging Medicine.
Ajay Masih, M.D..
Pain Management and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist
Dr. Masih graduated from Loyola University School Of Medicine and is the director of the Center for Spine and Sport Rehabilitative Medicine located in Century City, California. His use of pain management during the treatment phase is unmatched by any doctors we've worked with before.
Edison de Mello, M.D., Ph.D., Internal Medicine
Dr. de Mello graduated from the University of North Texas in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and went on to earn an MA degree in Psychology and a doctoral degree in Health and Human Services - Psychology. For his masters degree thesis Dr. de Mello was the co-author of a Head Start program funded by the National Institute of Mental Health entitled "Strengthening Head Start Families through Mental Health Intervention." Dr. de Mello entered Ross University School of Medicine in 1991.
Dr. de Mello's is the director of the Akasha Center, an exceptional medical center that emphasizes integrative medicine located in Santa Monica. Dr. de Mello is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. He is an attending physician at the Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center and at Saint John's Medical Healthcare Center in Santa Monica. In addition, Dr. de mello is a voting member of the Family Medicine Department Comittee at Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center.
Lisa Feldman, MA, MFT
Lisa Feldman, MA, MFT, is Director of Integrative Psychology at the Akasha Center. She is a dynamic psychotherapist, who believes in an integrative approach to therapy. She blends her knowledge of East/West philosophies with Psychodynamic, Family Systems, Object Relations and Transpersonal modalities, integrating Mind/Body techniques, such as meditation, yoga, breath work, mindfulness, stress management, guided imagery and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing).
Lisa's areas of expertise include:
* Trauma Recovery and Empowerment
* Relationship Conflicts
* Development of Spiritual Practice
* Living with Terminal Illness
* Family Conflict Resolution
* Addictions and Recovery
* Life-Stage Transitions
* Business Mediation
Brendan Armm, LAc, Dipl OM
Brendan is a board-certified Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicinal Herbalist both in the state of California and nationally. He is currently pursuing a clinical Doctorate in Orthopedics, one of the first in American medical history, Pain Management and Integrative Medicine. He teaches Oriental Medicine and Meditation at Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine in Santa Monica. Mr. Armm pracitces at the Akasha Center in Santa Monica.
Eugene Iwasa, LAc
Eugene is a California licensed acupuncturist and nationally certified herbalist who began his training in traditional Chinese medicine as an herbalist apprentice in Japan in 1991. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley as well as the most prestigious acupuncture school in the nation, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco, California.
Eugene has also undergone extensive advanced clinical training overseas, first in the Acupuncture Department at People's University Hospital in Beijing, China under the tutelage of acupuncturist Dr. Wang Ju Yi. He then trained in the Acupuncture, Pulmonary, and Endocrinology Departments at Dongzhimen Hospital in Beijing, China, and also interned under Dr. Hao Wan Shan, a professor at Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine University. Eugene has also studied Japanese acupuncture with Dr. Koji Ichihashi, a former professor at American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and practices at the Akasha Center in Santa Monica.
Jiling Hu, LAc, OMD
Ms. Hu a native of Hu Bei province in China, received her medical degree at Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Central China. She completed her residency at Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated Hospital where she focused her training in Gynecology and Internal Medicine. Soon after finishing her residency, Ms. Hu entered graduate school at the prestigious Bejing University of TCM and the world-renowned Dong Zhi Men Hospital. She received a masters degree in endocrinology and immunological disorders which integrated TCM and western medicine. After completing her graduate studies, she was soon promoted to attending TCM physician at the distinguished China Japan Friendship Hospital in Bejing. During her tenure there Ms. Hu treated a large number of patients, taught medical students, and wrote a number of medical papers on diabetes, thyroid disorders, menopause, and arthritis. Ms. Hu has traveled extensively around the world to teach acupuncture and is currently a practitioner and professor at the Yo San University in Los Angeles, California. She joined the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine in December of 2002.
...This forever changed my purpose in life and the way I treat patients. Our staff will treat patients with the skill and understanding that was often missing in the care I received.
That's our job and I personally guarantee that you will not only be very satisfied, but overjoyed and deeply relieved after your very first visit"
-Dr. Rick Morris, Director
Dr. Tang graduated from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1999 following his undergraduate work at UC Riverside with a Biology and Psychology degree. Dr. Tang published research in the field of child development before focusing his attention on physical medicine. Following his doctorate degree, he worked teaching graduate students physical medicine and palpation. He was a treating doctor for the California AIDS ride and local sporting events.
Following a meeting with Dr. Morris at a post graduate conference, he was invited to bring his physical and sports medicine background to the office. His area of rehabilitation is especially helpful to patients with chronic lower back dysfunction.
The patients love him.
Dr. Payne is an internationally respected yoga teacher and back specialist. The L.A. Times named Dr. Payne "One of America's most respected Yoga teachers." He is co-author of “Yoga Therapy Rx”, “Yoga for Dummies” and “The Business of Teaching Yoga”. Dr. Payne is founding president of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
Dr. Payne is co-founder of the yoga curriculum at The UCLA School of Medicine, and the founding director of the new Yoga therapy certification program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Larry works closely with our spinal stenosis and disc herniation programs.
Massage Therapist
Marcus graduated Bryman College and has taken courses in anatomy and kinesiology at West L.A. and Valley College and several courses in various techniques and modalities. He alsoo received a business degree from UCLA.
"Taking care of my elderly grandfather and seeing the effects of disability on so many peoples lives made me want to do my part."
Office Manager
Mario was born and raised in Los Angeles with lots of brothers and sisters…8! He graduated Bell Garden’s High in ’93 and worked for the next 8 years in medical billing. “I loved being around the kids and watching them grow up.” Being from such a large and close family made that important, even in his daily job.
Presently in his third year of college and planning to be a CPA, he’s always loved numbers. One day he hopes to meet the right person and have two kids of his own. Why just two? “It takes a lot of time to raise kids now, more than it used to in my parents day. I want to devote enough time to each one.”
He’s most surprised and impressed seeing patients get well without medication. He never new it was possible when he worked at the medical clinic. We’ve been here 27 years and have never had someone so caring and responsible running our office.
Jimmy graduated Viginia State University in Health and Physical Education and then received his massage license at IPSB in Santa Monica.
Jimmy started out as a physical trainer and decided to add massage as a way to add a more complete level of competence.
"I've enhanced my education at this center more than I could by school alone. I naturally like to put people at ease and help them relax."