About Me

I’m a Physician-Educator-Storyteller.

In the split between art and science in high school, I gravitated to science. I loved the logic and certainty of the scientific method. My undergraduate degree took me to Computer Science, but then I took a hairpin turn and arrived in medical school. Something inside of me hoped for a meaningful career that interacted with people. When I left the safety of the classroom and multiple choice tests, I discovered that interacting with people did not follow the rules of certainty. More than once, I have realized something about my personality: I do things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.

It was a slow transformation from science geek to alternative doctor. Finding the Tai Chi community moved me in the direction of holistic medicine as a bridge between traditional and alternative medicine. Thinking beyond the Western framework of medicine brought me greater understanding of the connection between body, mind, emotions, and spirit. When I met the osteopath Dr. John Upledger, he introduced me to the hands-on-healing modality of Craniosacral therapy. That moment opened me to a new meaning of healing. Transformation is painful at times, but there are also moments of gratitude that I am one of the few given the gift to practice both the art and science of medicine.

As I have shifted from the hospital to my office-based practice in Naples, Florida, I also shifted into a holistic approach, I began to see my role as an educator and adopted the model of counseling and health coaching. Applying my knowledge and experience, I map out a road to wellness for my patients. I teach people about the link between physical health, emotional well-being, mental clarity, and spiritual direction. Today, I bridge traditional and alternative modalities for healing.

In 2015, I began the journey as a storytelling performer. I discovered a new way to connect and touch an audience. This has also shifted my medical practice. Stories connect us, and a great part of healing comes from connection. Understanding my patients in the context of their story, I offer them a new story that leads to health and healing. In this age of information, it is not the facts and figures that inspire, but rather it is the power of story to create emotion and move us into action.

Mission:

Physician: Bridging traditional and alternative medicine with a holistic approach. Changing stories, changing lives.

Educator: Learning and teaching through the art of storytelling and story-listening.

Storyteller: Sharing my passion for storytelling to connect, inspire, and touch others.

Medical Experience:

Office-based Holistic and Integrative Medicine, Naples, FL (2007 - Present)

Hospitalist Medicine, Naples, Florida (2007 - 2012)

Office and Hospitalist Medicine, Naples, Florida (2006 - 2007)

Traveling Physician in Idaho, Nevada, & Washington State (2004 - 2005)

Integrative Medicine, Aventura, Florida (2003 - 2004)

Education:

Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami

Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Combined Residency Program

Miami, Florida (1999 - 2003)

University of Michigan Medical School (M.D.)

Ann Arbor, Michigan (1995 - 1999)

Harvard University (B.A.)

Cambridge, Massachusetts (1991 - 1995)

Continuing Education:

Craniosacral Therapy, Practitioner

Upledger Institute, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (2005 - Present)

Healing From The Core Curriculum

Certified Presenter (2007 - Present)

Medical Acupuncture for Physicians

The Helms Institute: UCLA sponsored CME course (2006 - 2007)

Tai Chi Chuan Instructor, Chen-Style

Yoga Teacher Training, Love Yoga Center (2012)

Certification/Licensure:

Florida Licensed Physician

Board-Certified Internal Medicine

More questions?

Email to joel.ying@joyhealthwellness.com