About Us

• Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA), College & Clinic, is Arizona's Largest, Accredited School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Students can earn a Master of Science in Acupuncture or a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine. Both Student Interns and Licensed Acupuncturists treat patients Monday through Saturday at PIHMA's community clinic. Oriental medicine encompasses: Acupuncture Herbal Therapy Tui Na/Acupressure Gwa Sha Nutrition Cupping Moxibustion Meditation QiGong Established in 1996, Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA), College and Clinic, was founded by a group of highly motivated teachers, students and administrators who sought to bring the ancient practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine to Arizona through the creation of Arizona's first educational program designed to meet nationally recognized standards in these fields. PIHMA is built on two major themes: quality and professional excellence. PIHMA's faculty reflect these themes by bringing their expertise to teaching and demonstrating the highest professionalism. PIHMA's innovative curriculum and the high caliber of students that PIHMA attracts are also representative of these themes. President and Founder of PIHMA, Catherine Niemiec is a Certified Practitioner of Chinese Herbology, co-authored Arizona's acupuncture law which was enacted in 1998, and served as President of the Arizona Consortium of Complementary Healing Organizations, Chair of Arizona's Acupuncture Board of Examiners Subcommittee on Preceptorships, and Founder & President of the Arizona Society of Acupuncture and Arizona Society of Oriental Medicine & Acupuncture. She has served as Vice-President of the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) and as a representative to the National Education Dialogue and the Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Healthcare (ACCHAC). She serves as Commissioner for the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) and is Interim President of AZSOMA. She also serves as an advisory board member for the Wellcare Foundation, Paradise Valley and Phoenix community colleges, and Acupuncturists Without Borders.