James Berg, MD
PO Box 371
Hawi, HI 96719
808-889-1822
www.JimBergMD.com
Barefootmd@aol.com
Medical Consultation to Help People Achieve their Wisdom Path of Healing
Offices in Hawi, Kona, Hilo, Ocean View on the Big Island of Hawai’i
Curriculum Vitae
1977
Graduate, Mt. Lebanon High School, Pittsburgh, Pa.
President of Student Body, Senior Year
1981
Graduate, Boston University, B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology
1986
Graduate, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine--M.D.
Founded “Society for the Exploration of Wholistic, Naturalistic and Preventive Medicine", and a wholistic
library at medical school
1987-1993
Licensed Medical Doctor in Pennsylvania
1989
Completed a 3 year residency in Family Practice at Forbes Regional Health System
Awarded “Resident Teacher of the Year” by faculty
Board Certified in Family Practice
Began public speaking engagements and teaching courses on natural medicine and wellness
1982-present
Barefoot doctoring at Rainbow Gatherings
Aided in coordination of setting up medical units
Facilitated evacuation and emergency procedures for over 30 national gatherings of 15,000-40,000 people
Every summer consecutively for more than 30 years!
1984-1989
Private tutorship studying Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture with Stuart Watts, O.M.D.,
Many hundreds of hours of training in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, endorsed and paid for by
residency
Was on visiting Faculty of Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin
1989
Began Private Practice of Family Medicine and Acupuncture and Natural Medicine.
Clinical Director, Life-Work Group, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Part time with Health America as a Family Practitioner
1991-2002
Moved Private Practice to Madisonville, LA
Licensed Medical Doctor in Louisiana
1991-present
co-Founded Barefoot Doctors Academy, School of Natural Medicine and School of Midwifery;
Current Co-director with wife, Dee Anne Domnick L.M.
Developed programs and taught courses on: (see classes taught in appendix)
Herbal Medicine
Oriental Medicine
Barefoot Doctoring
Midwifery
1993
Consolidated relationship with Birth Rite Education Center (BREC), now called Barefoot Doctors’ Academy
Medical Director, BREC’s School of Midwifery
Board of Directors (Vice President) BREC
Co-owner of 'The Birthing Center' in Madisonville, LA
1993
Sat on Louisiana State Board of Medicine, Midwifery Advisory Council
1994-96
Wellness Consultant with the Neill Corporation
Wrote, directed, and performed in video entitled, “Enhancing Vitality”
Faculty of Neill Quality College, and Wellness Director
Designed and taught the Wellness Program for employees of Neill Corporation
1996
Developed Team Injury Prevention, a sports injury prevention consultation practice
1997 -2000
Private Medical Practice re-located to Covington and Metairie, LA
1997-present
Awarded Clinical Assistant Professor, Tulane University, School of Medicine
Preceptor for two to three medical students per month in my private family practice
1998-2000
Taught series of courses on Acupuncture for MD’s and Oriental Medicine for Healthcare Practitioners
a series of six month programs for medical doctors and professional healers in New Orleans
2000-July, 2002
Medical Director for Global Medical Center, Slidell, LA, a holistic health Clinic
July, 2002
Certified in Wilderness Advanced Life Support AWLS by the Wilderness Medical Associates
July, 2002-August, 2003 Sabbatical, move to Hawaii, travel, and continue book called Letter to My Grandchildren
Begin Sharing the Healing Wisdom Program, North Kohala, HI
Consultant to Kohala Natural Healing Arts, Hawi, HI
Consultant for EDUEN, Gresham, Oregon
September, 2003-present
Private medical practice in Hawi, HI
December, 2004-2012
Community Faculty, University of Minnesota, Center for Spirituality and Healing
January, 2005-present
Moderator and Coordinator of Integrative Healing Forum, North Hawaii Community Hospital,
a series of four forums joining Healers of all professions to discuss clinical challenges.
September, 2004 through May, 2005 Presenter of the Barefoot Doctors Training Program in Hawi,
a series of eighteen classes on common clinical challenges for the general public.
Feb, 2006 through 2012
Co-direct one month program for medical students from University of Minnesota, School of
Medicine on Integrative Medicine for Medical Students
2006 through present
Developer and Director the Barefoot Doctors’ Academy’s Disaster and Emergency Responder Team
Training Program
September 2009
Further Trained and Re-certified in AWLS -- Advanced Wilderness Life Support by the Wilderness
Medical Society
May 2011
Trained and Certified in ATLS -- Advanced Trauma Life Support by the American College of
Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma
June 2012
Trained and Certified in PALS
June 2012
Trained and Certified in ACLS -- Advanced Cardiac Life Support by AHA
-- Pediatric Advanced Life Support by AHA
July 2012
August 2012
Trained and Certified as an Advanced Provider in Remote Medicine by the Remote Medical Institute
Trained and Certified as a Diving Medicine Physician DMAC/EDTCmed level IIA, through UHMS,
NOAA’s Physician Training In Diving Medicine program
September 2012 Completed Fellowship Training (Over 4 years) and made a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine,
part of the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS)
2010 and ongoing
Developer and teacher of the Barefoot Responder Training Program through the Barefoot Doctors’
Academy (BFDA)
Authored Books:
Visions of Heaven and Earth, a book of poetic insights
Way of Barefoot Doctoring, a book on careful healing
Yoga and the Topology of Experience, a book on the yogic implications of modern neurocognition
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali , a unique translation of each sutra from Sanskrit in five different ways
Letter to My Grandchildren, a novel about barefoot doctoring, yoga, and the rainbow way
Consciousness Sutras, a book on the mastery of being aware
Currently working on the Way of Barefoot Responding
Lectures, Talks, Seminars and Classes taught by Jim Berg, MD
Pittsburgh Center for Massage Therapy, 1989, 1990
Pathology for Massage Therapists Course
Life-Work Group, Pittsburgh, PA
Therapeutic Movements, 1990-1991
Wellness Course. 1990
Fourwinds Foundations, Madisonville, LA
Therapeutic Movements for Healthcare Practitioners, 1992, 93, 94
Introduction to Chinese Medicine Series, 1993-94
Techniques of Wellness Weekend, 1993
Living Foods, Baton Rouge, LA 1992
Therapeutic Movement Course
Series on “Bringing Wellness into your Life”
Anita Hill Show, Television New Orleans talk show
Wholistic Medicine, 1993
Acupuncture, 1994
Aikido for Kids Series, 1993
Austin Academy of Oriental Medicine, 1994,
The Practice of Acupuncture from a Medical Doctor’s Perspective
Rotary Club, Covington, LA, 1995
What Acupuncture Can Do for You
The Well Being Symposium New Orleans 1995
Well-Being
Convention on Herbal Medicine, Belize City, Belize 1995
Natural Medicines
National Talk Show, Belize 1995
Using Herbs
The Well Being Symposium, Dallas, TX 1996
Bringing Wellness into your Life
Neill Quality College, 1995, 1996
The Great Game of Wellness:
Therapeutic Movements
Strategies of Wellness
Foods for Wellness
Herbs and Supplements
Massage for Wellness
Environmental Wellness
Wellness in the Salon
Birth Rite Education Center, College of Midwifery
Herbs in Gynecology
Embryology for Midwives
Acupuncture for the Midwife
Barefoot Doctors’ Academy 1994-5, repeated 1995-96
Basic Sciences Course
Anatomy and Physiology
Esoteric Anatomy and Physiology
Pathophysiology
Clinical Skills
Wholistic Strategies of Healing Course
Comparing Healing Modalities
The Art of Barefoot Doctoring
Diagnostics Course
History and Interviewing Skills
Physical Exam Skills
Using the Laboratory Wisely
Eight Principles and Fundamental Substances
The Internal Organs
Tongue, Pulse and Abdominal Exam Skills
Constitutional Analysis
Natural Therapeutics Course
Herbal Medicine: The Use of Natural Substances in Healing
Botany and the Pharmacology of Natural Substances
Properties of Common Herbs
Patent Formulas
Stocking a Home Apothecary
Practical Applications of Herbal Substances
Wound Healing and Charcoal Therapies
BodyWork: The Use of the Hands for Direct Healing
Theories Behinds Direct Healing Techniques
Bodywork Techniques
Application of Natural Therapeutics
Dietary Therapy
Vitality Enhancement Techniques
Eradicating Headaches
Dealing Effectively with Common Men’s Challenges
Dealing Effectively with Common Female Challenges
Arthritis and Tending to Our Joints
Caring for Our Back and Neck
Natural Strategies for Common Childhood Problems
Enhancing Our Immunity
Wilderness Medicine
Wholistic Strategies for Healthcare Practitioners Course, 1995
Acupuncture, Herbs and Bodywork for Healthcare Practitioners
Therapeutic Movements for Healthcare Practitioners
Suturing Workshop
Louisiana State University, School of Medicine
Natural Medicine for Medical Doctors
HerbFest, Biloxi, Mississippi 3/97
Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine
Migrant Farmworkers Convention, Keynote speaker, Indianapolis, IN 10/97
Overview of Alternative Medicine
Herbs Application Migrant Healthcare Workers
The Art of Barefoot Doctoring
Team Injury Prevention, Covington High School
Preventing Injuries in Football
Martial Applications in Football
Jazz Fest Convention on Alternative Medicine 4/97
Alternative Medicine
Introduction to Acupuncture
Tulane University, School of Medicine Introduction to Patient Care Course,
Complementary, Alternative and Natural Medicine
Tulane University Medical Student’s Interest Group on Complementary Medicine, 1996, 97, 98
Opportunities in Natural Medicine for the Medical Student
Mind-Body Center, Metairie, LA, 1997
Introduction to Acupuncture
Touch of Health, Mandeville, LA, 1997
Herbal Treatment of Menopause
Natural Treatments for Cold and Flu’s
American Medical Student Convention, ‘98
The Clinical Application of Acupuncture
Louisiana Midwives Association, 1998
The Ethics of Healthcare Regulation
Grand Rounds, Touro Hospital
Complementary Medicine in the Hospital
Phoenix Physicians, New York, NY 12/98
Bringing the Internal Organs into Excellence
East Jefferson Hospital Family Practice Residency 1/97
Medical Acupuncture
Neuropsychiatric Aspects of Primary Care Conference, Tulane University, School of Medicine, Dept of Psychiatry. 2/99
Herbs in Primary Care
Acupuncture in Primary Care
Acupuncture for MD’s 1/99-6/99
Six-Month Course for Medical Doctors 150 hours (See List of Classes below)
Cardiac Issues and Advancement, New Orleans, LA, through Contemporary Forums, Sept 15, 1999
Alternative Medicine for Cardiology
Oncology Nursing, San Antonio, TX, through Contemporary Forums, Sept 22, 23, 1999
Alternative Therapies in Oncology I: Complementing Cancer Treatments with Natural Therapies
Alternative Therapies in Oncology II: Complementing Cancer Treatments with Chinese Medicine
Tulane University, School of Medicine, monthly seminars on community medicine for Medical Students, 1999.
Natural Approaches to Diabetes, Conference for Diabetes Educators, New Orleans, April, 2000
Natural Approaches to Women’s Healthcare, Amite, Louisiana, May, 2000
Annual Conference for Sharp Healthcare, San Diego, California September, 2000
Using Herbs Wisely in Modern Medicine
Introduction to Complementary Medicine
Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin, Oct, 2000 Weekend Seminar
East meets West--Hypertension
East Meets West--Rheumatology
East Meets West--Herbs and Their Consequences
Physiology of Acupuncture
Fundamental Causes of Disease
Dealing with Headaches Wholistically
American Oriental Bodywork Therapy Association, weekend Seminar November, 2000
Using Movements Therapeutically
Towards a Mastery of Qi
Using Qi in Bodywork
Introduction to Oriental Medicine for Bodyworkers
Migrant Farmworkers Convention, Albequerque, NM, Oct, 2000
Herbs and Drug Interactions, for the Migrant Farmworker Healthcare Provider
Programs taught through the Barefoot Doctors’ Academy in the year 2000:
Herbal Medicine Certification Program: Introduction and Intermediate levels (9 month program)
Definitions of Terms Used in Herbal Medicine
Pharmacognosy and the Chemistry of Natural Substances
Wholistic Approaches to Therapeutics
Properties of Herbs I: Diaphoretics, parts One and Two
Properties of Herbs II: Diuretics and Laxatives
Properties of Herbs III: Expectorants and Mucostatics,
Properties of Herbs IV:
Restorative Herbs: Qi Tonics and Blood Builders
Wound Healing
The Basic Oriental Herbal Pharmacopoeia
Thinking about Herbs in Oriental Medicine
Herbs and Formulas for the Heart
Herbs and Formulas for the Liver
Herbs and Formulas for the Kidneys
Herbs and Formulas for Digestion
Herbs and Formulas for the Lungs
Getting Medical Students to Think like Oriental Doctors
Case Study: Approaching Menopause
Natural Medicine and Diabetes
Common Herbs and their Clinical Application
Common Herbs for the College Infirmary Staff
Herbs and Drug Interactions
Herbs for Women’s Health
Helping Digestion
Natural Strategies for Common Childhood Challenges
Enhancing our Immunity and Fighting Infection
Vitality Enhancement Therapies
Medicinal Plants From Around the World
Caring for our Joints
Wilderness Medicine
Herbal Strategies for Psychological Conditions
Stocking a Home Apothecary
Chinese Medicine for Healthcare Practitioners (5 month program)
Acupuncture for MD’s (5 month program)
Physiology of Acupuncture
The Place of Acupuncture in Modern Medicine
Eight Principles as a Diagnostic Compass
Modern Applications of the Fundamental Substances
Internal Organs from Traditional Chinese Medicine and their Relevance to Clinical Practice
Wholistic Diagnostics
Clinical Applications of Tongue Diagnosis
Appreciating the Pulse
Using Constitutional Analyses Through Out History
Ayurvedic Constitutional Analysis
Understanding the Five Elements
Acupuncture for Low Back Pain
Acupuncture for Neck Pain
Acupuncture for Headaches
Acupuncture for the Knee
Acupuncture for the Shoulder
Acupuncture for Respiratory Invasions
Acupuncture Strategies for Common General Practice
Acupuncture in Midwifery, Gynecology and Obstetrics
Bodywork Techniques in Clinical Practice
Practicing the Basic Bodywork Strokes
Therapeutic Movements for the Neck and Shoulders
Therapeutic Movements for the Back, Pelvis and Hips
Therapeutic Movements for the Internal Organs
Locating Points on the Heart Meridian
Locating Points on the Pericardium Meridian
Locating Points on the Lung Meridian
Locating Points on the Large Intestine Meridian
Locating Points on the Small Intestine Meridian
Locating Points on the Triple Warmer Meridian
Locating Points on the Spleen Meridian
Locating Points on the Liver Meridian
Locating Points on the Kidney Meridian
Locating Points on the Stomach Meridian
Locating Points on the Gallbladder Meridian
Locating Points on the Bladder Meridian
Clinical Significance and Location of the Five Star Points
Anatomy of the Abdomen and Pelvis for Midwives, April 2000
Semptember 2000-present
Wellness series: Talks at local establishments and companies as part of Global Medical Center on
a variety of wellness issues related to Menopause, Fibromyalgia, Carpel Tunnel.
Louisiana’s Critical Care Nurses in Lafayette, Louisiana
Common Herbs, their Clinical Uses and Precautions, October 2000.
Dealing With Hypertension Naturally, October 2001
Navaho Regional Community Hospital , October, 2001
Keynote speaker for Doctors: The Mechanics and Clinical Utility of Acupuncture
Grand Rounds: How even a Hospital can Appreciate Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine
Four hour workshop for Sharp Reese Medical Group’s Medical Doctors, Palm Desert, California. Dec 2001
Looking at Disease from a variety of Perspectives
Hypertension as a prototype to understand the Clinical Importance of Integrative Medicine
Dealing With Phlegm Conditions Naturally
Guest Speaker at annual CME Conference for Sharp Reese Medical Group, Dec 2001:
The Neurophysiology and Clinical Application of Acupuncture .
Guest Lecturer, Delta College, School of Massage Therapy; Covington, LA., Nov 2002
Clinical Applications of Massage Therapy.
Lecturer, EDUEN, Gresham, Oregon,
The Healing Paradigm of Barefoot Doctoring
Lecturer, Navapache Regional Medical Center, June, 2003
Grand Rounds: Natural Approaches to Hypertension
Clinical Application of Natural Medicine
Causes of Disease from a Variety of Perspectives, Hawi HI May 2004
Using Herbs Wisely in Clinical Practice, North Hawaii Community Hospital, Waimea, Hi May, 2004
Barefoot Doctor Training in Hawi, September, 2004 through May, 2005
Introduction to Barefoot Doctoring
9-22 Understanding the Internal Organs from Many Perspectives
9-29 Introduction to Holistic Medical Diagnostics
10-06 Introduction to Holistic Medical Therapeutics
Barefoot Doctoring for Common Health Challenges
10-13 Respiratory Diseases and Invasions
10-20 Arthritis and Inflammatory Disorders
2-09
2-23
10-27 Heart Disease
11-03 Digestive Upset
11-10 Diabetes and Obesity
1-12 Fatigue and Vitality
1-26 Enhancing Immunity and Fighting Infection
Pediatric Problems I
Pediatric Problems II
3-09 Psychological Challenges
3-23 Women’s Health Issues
4-06 Men’s Health Issues
4-20 Longevity and Preventive Strategies
5-04 Stocking a Home Apothecary
5-11 Wilderness Medicine and First Aid
Integrative Healing Forum, North Hawaii Community Hospital, 2 and 1/2 hours presentations and discussions on
Reversing Respiratory Conditions October 19, 2005
Dealing Effectively with Arthritis and Inflammation November 16, 2005
Dealing Effectively with Diabetes February 1, 2005
Annually Feb, 2006 through 2012 Lectures for Medical Students from the University of Minnesota, School of Medicine
How to Approach the Clinical Art of Medicine Wisely
Fundamental Causes of Disease as Understood by Western Medicine, Oriental Medicine, and Ayurvedic Medicine
What does it Mean to be Really Healthy
History and Physical Exam that Includes Wellness
An Integrative Approach to Therapeutics
Designing a Wellness Plan for Patients
Designing Your Own Wellness Plan
4-2010 Disaster and Emergency Response Team Training Program:
The History of Disaster in Hawaii and North Kohala
State and Federal Agencies And Role in Disaster Response
The Role of the People in Disaster Response
3-2012 Embryology for Midwives, through the Barefoot Doctors’ Academy.
Ongoing programs through the Barefoot Doctors’ Academy:
Community Therapeutic Exercise
Emergency Preparedness and response Team Training
Barefoot Doctors’ Academy’s Internship Program
Remote and Rescue Training: Wilderness First Response