Candace Lopez
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Executive Director, Urban Salt Community Acupuncture
Chief Executive Officer, Needle and Leaf Acupuncture
B.A., Anthropology 2009, M.A., Anthropology, 2017
B.A., Anthropology 2009, M.A., Anthropology, 2017
Dr. Candace Lopez is a trailblazing healthcare leader, disabled combat veteran and community health advocate whose life has been defined by service, resilience and a commitment to making holistic healthcare accessible to all. A former semi-pro soccer player from New Jersey and U.S. Army veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom with 3ID, Candace brought that same focus and drive into her career in integrative medicine. Grounded by her studies in cultural medical anthropology and medical syncretism, she established The Needle and Leaf Acupuncture Co., Seal Beach, specializing in women's integrative health. Lopez is also founder and executive director of Urban Salt Community Acupuncture, Los Angeles County's only nonprofit community acupuncture clinic and health education center, in °µÍøÊÓƵ and Santa Ana. Through sliding scale fees, free clinics, and discounted alternative health education classes, Urban Salt provides patient-centered, evidence-informed care to underserved communities who would otherwise lack access to holistic healthcare.
