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William D. Skelton, D.Ac.

Bill Skelton

Acupuncturist in Columbia, SC

Bill Skelton's journey into the world of acupuncture began in the early 1970s when he attended a lecture on the traditional Chinese medical system that changed the course of his life. The system emphasized the significance of preventative care and offered profound insights into what we now recognize as the biopsychosocial model of health – a holistic understanding of how various factors interact to impact one's well-being and that of the surrounding community.

However, there was a challenge: there were no acupuncture colleges in the United States at that time. Undeterred by this obstacle, Bill was accepted at the Chinese Medical Institute in the Republic of China (Taiwan), where he devoted himself to his lifelong study of the art of acupuncture. Upon returning to the United States, Bill, with other early practitioners of acupuncture, worked to facilite acupuncture’s integration into the Western medical system. That mission was not without its challenges. Acupuncture needed to establish itself as a legitimate healthcare profession, navigate state-by-state legislation to permit practice, create competency boards, develop educational institutions granting degrees, secure hospital privileges, and garner funding for research to demonstrate its effectiveness. Bill has been dedicated to shaping the future of acupuncture and exploring its efficacy and potential to enhance the well-being of individuals and communities. He has always found the greatest reward in helping patients rediscover their path to better health and well-being.

Professional Summary

As you review my professional summary, I hope my commitment to my patients and the profession of acupuncture will be evident.

See full CV here

Professional Experience

Emory Winship Cancer Institute
Integrative Oncology
Atlanta, Georgia
Practitioner – 2021 to Present 

Athens Regional Medical Center
The Mind Body Institute
Athens, Georgia
Practitioner – 2002 to 2016

The Mind-Body Research Group
University of South Carolina Columbia
South Carolina
Founding Member – 1999 to 2003

Center for Pain Management
Palmetto Baptist Medical Center
Columbia, South Carolina
Practitioner – 1991 to 2009

The Acupuncture Clinic
Columbia, South Carolina
Practitioner – 12/79 to Present

Private Practice
Los Angeles, California
Practitioner – 1/79 to 12/79

The Paul Isaacson Arthritis Clinic
Tucson, Arizona
Practitioner – 4/78 to 7/78

The Bai Hui Clinic
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology Internship – 12/75 to 12/77

Acupuncture Education

Acupuncture for the Cancer Patient, Level 1
IMS/Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York – 9/14

Tri-State College of Acupuncture Post-Graduate Institute
Advanced Credit Bearing Certificate Program
Reflective Practice, Critical Inquiry and Professional Expectations
New York, New York – 6/05 to 11/06

Tri-State College of Acupuncture Post-Graduate Institute
Advanced Credit Bearing Certificate Program
Acupuncture in Orthopedic and Physiatric Conditions
New York, New York – 6/05 to 11/06

Master of Science in Acupuncture
Tri-State College of Acupuncture
New York, New York – 9/98 to 8/00

Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Advanced contemporary Chinese acupuncture techniques
Shanghai, China. Administered in San Francisco, California – 1983

Dr. Nico Daum, M.D., O.M.D.
Sreenwyk, Netherlands
The European model of integrating allopathic with traditional Chinese medicine
Administered in Taiwan, Republic of China – 12/76 to 4/77

Dr. Jason Choi, M.D., O.M.D,
Acupuncture and herbal formulas used in hospital settings in China
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China – 3/77 to 7/77

Clinical Internship
The Chinese Acupuncture Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China – 12/75 to 12/77

The Chinese Medical Institute
D.Ac. Program
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China 8/75 to 12/77
Post-graduate externship program, S.E. Asia – 1/78 to 4/78

Hospital Affiliated Privileges

Emory University Hospital
Emory Clinic & Satellites
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
Active 2021 to Present

Athens Regional Medical System
The Mind Body Institute
Athens, Georgia
Active 2002 to 2016

Palmetto Baptist Medical Center
The Center for Pain Management
Columbia, South Carolina
Active 1991 to 2009

Faculty Positions

Tri-State College of Acupuncture
New York, New York – 1989 to 2015

Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine
St. Petersburg, Florida – 1987 to 1989

California Acupuncture College
Los Angeles, California – 1979 

Professional Service

Professional Boards

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Washington, DC
Executive Committee Member, Treasurer – 1987 to 1996

National Acupuncture Foundation
Washington, DC
Vice-Chairman – 1990 to 1997

National Council of Acupuncture Schools and Colleges
Baltimore, MD
Trainer of National Clean Needle Technique Course Examiners – 1990

State Profession Board Service

South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners
Acupuncture Advisory Committee
Columbia, South Carolina – 4/05 to 4/07

Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners
Georgia Acupuncture Advisory Board
Atlanta, Georgia – 7/00 to 7/09

Lexington County Solicitor’s Drug Court Advisory Board
Advisory Board Member
Lexington, South Carolina – 1996

Professional Institutional Positions

Tri-State College of Acupuncture
Board of Directors, Member, Chairman
New York, New York – 1989 to 2015

American Academy of Pain Management
Advisory Board Member
Sonora, California – 1998 to 2004

University of Miami School of Medicine
Complementary/Alternative Medicine Advisory Committee Member
Miami, Florida – 2000 to 2004

American Academy of Pain Management
Examination Committee Member
Sonora, California – 1994 to 1998

National Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Founding Fellow
Brookline, Massachusetts – 1993

National and State Acupuncture Boards Development and Administration

National acupuncture and herbal boards development and administration
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine – Executive role – 1987 to 1996

Florida state acupuncture boards administrator
Florida Department of Professional Regulation
Private Contract – 1985-1987

Florida state acupuncture boards administrator – National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Contract

New Mexico state acupuncture boards administrator – National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Contract

Massachusetts state acupuncture boards administrator – National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Contract

North Carolina state acupuncture boards administrator – National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Contract

Washington state acupuncture boards administrator – National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Contract

Republic of Korea administrator of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine acupuncture boards

Republic of China administrator of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine acupuncture boards

Research Interests

“Effects of Acupuncture on Peripheral Neuropathy on Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy and Radiation”
South Carolina Cancer Coalition
Colleges of Physical Medicine and Nursing
University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina – 2006

“Effects of Acupuncture on Peripheral Neuropathy in HIV Disease”
Colleges of Physical Medicine and Nursing
University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina – 2005

“Effects of Acupuncture on Oral Cortisol, Oral Lesions, Stress and Quality of Life”
Colleges of Physical Medicine and Nursing
University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina – 2003

“Effects of Acupuncture on Oral Cortisol, Oral Lesions, Stress and Quality of Life”
Colleges of Physical Medicine and Nursing
University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina – 2002

“Effects of Individualized Acupuncture on Insomnia and Neuropathy in HIV Disease”
College of Nursing
University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina – 1999

Publications

Book Chapters and Contributions

Skelton, W.D. (2016). Contributor: Acupuncture Medicine, Bodymind Integration for Bodily Distress and Mental Pain – Implementing Acupuncture into Private, Mainstream, and Integrative Behavioral Health and Physical Medicine Practices Nationwide. Appendix 3 & Back Cover Introduction.
Blue Poppy Press, Boulder, Colorado

Skelton, W.D. (2012). Contributor: Acupuncture Practice Guidelines, Tri-State College of Acupuncture/Department of Clinical Services
New York City, New York

Skelton, W.D. (2002). Contributor: Pain Management: A Practical Guide for Clinicians, 6th Edition: Six Diverse Acupuncture Techniques Useful in Pain Management. Chapter 48.
CRC Press, LLC, Boca Raton, Florida

Skelton, W.D. (1995). Contributor: Clean Needle Technique Manual for Acupuncturists – Guidelines and Standards for the Clean and Safe Clinical Practice of Acupuncture, 4th Edition.
National Acupuncture Foundation, Washington, DC

Skelton, W.D. (1976). Contributor: Recent Developments in Auricular Therapy, Hundred Talents Press, China Acupuncture and Moxibustion Supply Co., Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan

Skelton, W.D. (1976). Editor: Points 2001 – A Comprehensive Acupuncture Textbook/Manual of the 20th Century, Hundred Talents Press, China Acupuncture and Moxibustion Supply Co., Ltd. Taipei, Taiwan

Peer Reviewed Publications

Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., & Hand, G.A. (2004). Effect of acupuncture, administered in a group setting, on pain and subjective peripheral neuropathy in persons with human immuno-deficiency virus disease. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10(3), 449-455

Phillips, K.D., & Skelton, W.D. (2001). Effects of individual acupuncture on sleep quality in HIV disease. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 12(1), 27-39

Non-refereed Publications

Hand, G.A., Phillips, K.D., Dudgeon, W.D., & Skelton, W.D. (2005). Stress reduction as a means to enhance oral immunity in HIV-infected individuals. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 16(5), 58-63

Abstracts

Hand, G.A., Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., & Dudgeon, W.D. (2004). “Stress reduction, HIV-related oral disease, and acupuncture.” South Carolina HIV/STD Conference, Columbia, South Carolina, September 29-October 1, 2004, p.16. (Invited)

Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., Dudgeon, W.D., & Hand, G. A. (2003). “Effects of individualized acupuncture administered in a group setting in managing HIV-related peripheral neuropathy.” Sixteenth Annual Meeting of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, New York City, New York, November 20-23, 2003. (Contributed)

Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., Fulk, L.J., Bopp, C.M., & Hand, G.A. (2003). “Acupuncture and HIV symptom management: The association of stress reduction and the reduction of oral conditions.” Sixteenth Annual Meeting of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, New York City, New York, November 20-23, 2003. (Contributed)

Hand, G.A., Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., Fulk, L.J., & Bopp, C.M. (2002). “Reduction of stress-related oral disease by acupuncture performed in a group setting.” Fourteenth International AIDS Society Conference, Pathogenesis and Treatment, Barcelona, Spain, July 7-12, 2002. (Contributed)

Phillips, K.D., & Skelton, W.D. (2001). “Effects of individualized acupuncture on sleep activity, sleep quality, pain and peripheral neuropathy in HIV disease.” Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Symposium of the Society for Acupuncture Research, Advancing the Credibility and Uniqueness of Acupuncture Through Research, October 19-20, 2001, Hennepin County Medical Center, Pillsbury Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Contributed)

Phillips, K.D., & Skelton, W.D. (2000). “Effects of acupuncture on pain and peripheral neuropathy.” Proceedings of the 13th Annual Conference of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, San Juan, Puerto Rico, November 1-5, 2000. (Contributed)

Papers Presented

Hand, G.A., Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., & Dudgeon, W.D.. “Stress reduction, HIV-related oral disease, and acupuncture.” South Carolina HIV/STD Conference, Columbia, South Carolina, 2004

Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., Dudgeon, W.D, & Hand, G.A.. “Effects of individualized acupuncture administered in a group setting in managing HIV related peripheral neuropathy.” Sixteenth Annual Meeting of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, New York City, New York, November 2003

Phillips, K.D., & Skelton, W.D. (2001). “Effects of individualized acupuncture on sleep activity, sleep quality, pain and peripheral neuropathy in HIV disease.” Eighth Annual Symposium of the Society for Acupuncture Research, Advancing the Credibility and Uniqueness of Acupuncture through Research, Hennepin County Medical Center, Pillsbury Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 2001

Posters Presented

Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., Fulk, L.J., Bopp, C.M., & Hand, G.A. (2003). Acupuncture and HIV symptom management: The association of stress reduction and the reduction of oral conditions. Sixteenth Annual Meeting of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, New York City, New York, November 2003

Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., Dudgeon, W.D., & Hand, G.A. (2003). Effects of individualized acupuncture administered in a group setting in managing HIV-related peripheral neuropathy. Tenth Annual Symposium of the Society for Acupuncture Research, Boston, Massachusetts, November 2003

Hand, G.A., Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., Bopp, C.M., Fulk, L.J. (2003). Acupuncture as a treatment for stress-related oral disease in HIV-infected individuals. Tenth Annual Symposium of the Society for Acupuncture Research, Boston, Massachusetts, November 2003

Phillips, K.D. & Skelton, W.D. (2000). Effects of acupuncture on pain and peripheral neuropathy. Thirteenth Annual Conference of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, San Juan, Puerto Rico, November 2000

Funding and Grant Support

Office of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. “Acupuncture for HIV-related peripheral neuropathy.” Phillips, K.D. (Co-PI), Hand, G.A., & Skelton, W.D. 2006-2007, $582,000, not funded.

Office of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. “Acupuncture, HIV, and stress-induced oral disease.” Hand, G.A., Phillips, K.D. (Co-PI), & Skelton, W.D. 2005-2007, $359,200, 2 years, not funded.

South Carolina Cancer Center Interdisciplinary Research Grant. “Acupuncture as adjuvant therapy for distressful symptoms of cancer, cancer chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.” Phillips, K.D. (PI), Hand, G.A., Skelton, W.D., & Lambert-Falls, R. 2003-2004, $14,781, 1 year, funded.

National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, College of Nursing, Center for Health Promotion and Risk Reduction in Special Populations: “Effects of acupuncture and nursing back rub on stress induced oral manifestations of HIV infection.” Hand, G.A., Phillips, K.D. (Co-PI), Skelton, W.D., & Wells, J. 2001-2002, $10,000, 1 year, funded.

Sponsored Programs and Research, Columbia, South Carolina. “The effects of acupuncture on sleep quality in persons with HIV disease.” Phillips, K.D., (PI) & Skelton, W.D. 1999-2000, $7,500.00, 1 year, funded.

Appearances in Publications

“Needling as Translation: An Anthropologist Responds to TSCA’s Needling Colloquium” Mitra Emad, Ph.D. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (2004), 4, 164-168

“What Does It Mean to Practice an Energy Medicine?” Claire M. Cassidy, Ph.D., Dipl. Ac., L.Ac. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2004), (10(1), 79-81

“Getting to the Point: a forum for master practitioners, researchers and educators” Seem, W.G., Langevin, H.M., Lao, Lixing. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (2003), 4, 148-163

“After a Stoke Strikes: A long Night’s Spiritual Journey Into Day” Charles W. Kegley, Debra J. Kegley, (2016). Live Twice Press, Blythewood, South Carolina

Professional Presentations & Lectures

“Acupuncture: How it Can Help Your Patients”. Athens Regional Continuing Medical Education Program for Physicians. June 26, 2015. Athens, Georgia

“Acupuncture’s Role in the Worker’s Compensation Case”. 25th Annual Worker’s Compensation Medical Seminar. South Carolina Worker’s Compensation Association. March 13, 2004. Greenville, South Carolina

“Techniques for Identification and Location of Acupuncture Points”. The Second Acupuncture Research Colloquium. Center for Acupuncture Research and Education. November 14, 2003. Boston, Massachusetts

“Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Pain”. American Academy of Pain Management, 15th Annual Clinical Meeting. September 4, 2003. Denver, Colorado

“Needling Techniques for Researchers,” First Acupuncture Research Colloquium to Facilitate Communication Among Leaders in Acupuncture Practice, Research and Education in North America. Center for Acupuncture Research and Education. February 15, 2003. New York, New York

“Acupuncture Case Studies for Head, Neck and Arm Injuries”. American Academy of Pain Management, 12th Annual Clinical Meeting. September 22, 2001. Washington, DC

“Application of Oriental Medicine to Pain Management”. American Academy of Pain Management, 12th Annual Clinical Meeting. September 22, 2001. Washington, DC

“Acupuncture”. University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Physiology Teachers Conference, 2000. October 20, 2000. Columbia, South Carolina

“Acupuncture’s Role in Community Health”. American Academy of Pain Management, 11th Annual Clinical Meeting. September 22, 2000. Las Vegas, Nevada

“The Biopsychosocial Treatment Model of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine”. American Academy of Pain Management, 10th Annual Clinical Meeting. September 25,1999. Las Vegas, Nevada

“Acupuncture – The Consensus”. American Academy of Pain Management 9th Annual Clinical Meeting. September 20, 1998. Atlanta, Georgia

“Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine”. Emory Medical School Continuing Education, Emory University School of Medicine. February 1995. Atlanta, Georgia

“Acupuncture as Part of Complementary Medicine in America”. Complementary Medical Practices Class, Emory University School of Medicine. March 18, 1994. Atlanta, Georgia

Honors and Awards

Continuing Education Excellence Award. 2005
American Academy of Pain Management. Sonora, California

Outstanding Community Partners and Practitioners Award, 2004
Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina

Continuing Education Excellence Award, 2004
American Academy of Pain Management. Sonora, California

License and Certification

National Board Certification, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine – Active

South Carolina state acupuncture license – Active

Georgia state acupuncture license – Active

California state acupuncture license – Inactive

New York state acupuncture license – Active

Professional Associations

American Society of Acupuncturists