Spring | Summer 2009                                                             View/download Bastyr Magazine in its entirety (2MB)

Senator Proves the Power of Perseverance

Bastyr University Trustee Senator Paull Shin's (D-Edmonds) amazing life story is one that speaks to the ability of an individual to persevere and triumph. Shin grew up alone on the streets in his native Korea after his mother died and his father left the family. Eventually, he was adopted by an American G.I. during the Korean War and moved to the United States.

Senator Shin began his accomplished education with a GED. He went on to earn a Master of Public and International Affairs, a Master of Arts and finally a PhD from the University of Washington. Senator Shin taught history at Shoreline Community College for more than three decades before turning to a career in public service. In the early 1990s, he was elected to Washington state's House of Representatives, and in 1999, he began his first term as a state senator. For this 2009-10 legislative session, Senator Shin is the Senate's Vice President Pro Tempore.

Senator Shin's personal commitment to both education and natural medicine is as apparent as his ability to persevere. In the 1990s, as a state representative, Shin helped sponsor and pass legislation legalizing acupuncture in Washington state. Recently, he sponsored legislation during the 2009-10 legislative session to create the Washington State Acupuncture Quality Assurance Commission.

He serves on the Legislative Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development as well as the Governor's Council on Higher Education.

Senator Shin was elected to Bastyr University's Board of Trustees in 2007. His addition to the Board seemed meant to be. After all, the University's mission and Senator Shin's own interests are closely aligned.

"Bastyr University is a link between Eastern and Western medicine with the goal of bettering health for everyone," he says. "It's important to have a university like Bastyr to inform and educate."

Senator Shin points to the increasing interest in acupuncture in the U.S. as an example in what education and advocacy can do. Since the legislation he helped sponsor took effect, he's seen a definite impact. A long-time acupuncture patient, Senator Shin says he sees people of all cultural backgrounds and ethnicities in the waiting room when he goes for treatment – evidence of acupuncture's increased acceptance.

He sees the same potential for other types of Eastern and natural medicine. As a Bastyr University trustee, he plans to seize the opportunity to do his part to increase awareness.

Because natural medicine is a relatively new concept in the United States, there is still much to be done to increase its application in the American medical system, he notes. Educating students in natural medicine is a powerful way to do that.

He notes that not only is Bastyr a beacon for students who may, due to their families' cultures, have a long-time association with natural medicine, it also attracts mainstream American students. Senator Shin sees Bastyr as a university at the forefront of a growing movement to educate health practitioners in natural medicine and Eastern medicine. That education will be what helps these forms of medicine gain credibility and acceptance in mainstream America, he says.

After all, Senator Shin notes, not only does natural medicine have a positive impact on health, it is cost effective as well.

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