Carla Kuon

Biography and Expertise of Carla Kuon

Dr. Carla Kuon is a distinguished clinician and academic at the forefront of integrative medicine in the United States. As an Associate Professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), she has cultivated a unique career path that merges the rigors of internal medicine and hospitalist care with the holistic principles of integrative oncology and microbiome science. This dual expertise allows her to manage complex medical cases with a comprehensive toolkit that includes both conventional treatments and evidence-based complementary therapies.

Her work is deeply aligned with the 3rd WCTCIM’s thematic axis, “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based).” Dr. Kuon’s leadership of the OPTIMAL Long COVID Clinic exemplifies this, as she addresses one of the most significant public health challenges of our time through an integrative lens. Consequently, she utilizes holistic methods, including diet and nutraceuticals, to manage a condition that often eludes conventional treatment paradigms. This approach embodies the congress motto of promoting “Knowledge Diversity” for “Well-being Societies.”

Furthermore, the work of Dr. Carla Kuon in functional immunology and the management of functional gut disorders demonstrates a commitment to understanding the root causes of chronic illness. Her research and clinical practice are guided by the principles of the Gujarat Declaration, emphasizing science and evidence to validate and scale integrative health solutions. Her pioneering efforts provide a powerful model for the “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems,” showcasing how specialized clinics can collaborate with mainstream departments like pulmonary medicine to deliver superior patient outcomes.

Professional Career

Dr. Carla Kuon‘s career reflects a progression from a dedicated hospitalist to a leader in academic integrative medicine. She began in internal medicine, honing her skills in acute patient care. For over a decade, she served as a hospitalist, gaining experience with complex cases, including as an oncologic hospitalist on the UCSF bone marrow transplant service.

This clinical experience was the bedrock for her innovations. A pivotal moment was creating the inpatient hematology massage service at UCSF, a program she conceived, funded, and directs. This initiative shows her commitment to integrating patient-centered therapies to alleviate pain and anxiety. It was a step toward building institutional infrastructure for integrative care. Her career shows an evolution toward leadership roles shaping medicine’s future.

• 2023 – Present: Director, OPTIMAL-IH Long COVID Clinic, UCSF, leading a nationally recognized clinic for post-viral care.
• 2017 – Present: HS Associate Professor, Integrative Medicine, OSHER center, UCSF, where she teaches and provides clinical care.
• 2017 – Present: Director, BMT Adult Massage Services, UCSF, overseeing a unique service for oncology patients.
• 2013 – 2017: HS Assistant Professor, Hospitalist, Medicine, UCSF, contributing to academic hospital medicine.
• 2010 – 2013: HS Clinical Instructor, Hospitalist, Medicine, UCSF, beginning her academic career at UCSF.
• 2005 – 2013: Served as a Hospitalist in Internal Medicine at various institutions, including St. Helena Medical Center, TEAMHEALTH, and Galen Physicians, building a strong foundation in clinical practice.

Academic Qualifications

The academic foundation of Dr. Carla Kuon is distinguished by its interdisciplinary nature, combining a strong background in the humanities with rigorous medical and scientific training. This unique blend provides her with a multifaceted perspective on patient care, communication, and health systems. Her education began with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Portuguese Linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), an experience that cultivated deep cultural and communicative competencies.

Following her undergraduate studies, she pursued her medical degree, residency, and a specialized fellowship that solidified her expertise in both conventional and integrative medicine. This comprehensive training pathway equipped her to not only practice medicine effectively but also to question existing paradigms and innovate new models of care. Consequently, her academic journey reflects a deliberate effort to build a skill set capable of addressing the complex, multifactorial nature of modern chronic diseases.

• 2018: Fellowship in Integrative Medicine, UCSF Osher Center, where she specialized in holistic and evidence-based complementary practices.
• 2004: Residency in Medicine, TUFTS Medical Center, Boston, completing her postgraduate clinical training in internal medicine.
• 2002: Internship in Medicine, TUFTS-Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston, marking her initial year of postgraduate training.
• 2001: Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), University of Texas, San Antonio, where she earned her medical degree.
• 1995: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Spanish and Portuguese Linguistics, University of California, Los Angeles, graduating with Dean’s Honors.

Research and Publications of Carla Kuon

Dr. Carla Kuon is not only a master clinician but also a dedicated scholar and author who contributes actively to the scientific literature. Her research is centered on improving patient care through integrative methods, with a significant focus on Long COVID and microbiome health. Her most prominent research involvement is as a collaborating investigator on a major grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). This five-year project aims to expand the UCSF Long COVID OPTIMAL clinic program, focusing on enhancing access and equity for underserved and minority populations.

This NIH-funded work is crucial because it uses an implementation science framework to scale up a successful integrative care model. It seeks to identify and overcome barriers to ensure the sustainability of comprehensive Long COVID care, directly aligning with the WHO’s strategy of embedding traditional and complementary medicine into public health infrastructure. Beyond this grant, Dr. Carla Kuon has published articles on managing C. Difficile in oncology patients, showcasing her expertise in gut health within complex medical settings.

Furthermore, she translated her clinical expertise into a practical guide for the public by authoring the book, “The Long COVID Solution,” which outlines a holistic approach to recovery. This publication extends her impact beyond the clinic, empowering patients with knowledge and self-care strategies. Her scholarly activities demonstrate a clear commitment to building and disseminating an evidence base for integrative medicine.

Awards and Recognitions

The clinical excellence and innovative contributions of Dr. Carla Kuon have been formally recognized through numerous awards and honors throughout her academic and professional career. These accolades highlight her dedication to patient care, her leadership in developing new clinical programs, and her standing as a respected expert within one of the world’s leading medical institutions. These recognitions underscore the impact of her work in advancing integrative medicine.

Her most recent honors, including a Master Clinician nomination and the UCSF Interprofessional Collaboration Award for the OPTIMAL Clinic, are particularly significant. They acknowledge not only her individual skill but also her success in fostering collaborative, team-based care models, which are essential for the successful integration of TCIM into complex healthcare systems. Consequently, these awards validate her approach and serve as an inspiration for the broader medical community.

• 2024: UCSF Interprofessional Collaboration Award, OPTIMAL Clinic, recognizing the clinic’s successful multidisciplinary approach.
• 2024: Master Clinician Nomination, acknowledging her exceptional clinical skills and patient care.
• 2001: John Primono Humanitarian Award, University of Texas, San Antonio, highlighting her compassionate approach to medicine early in her career.
• 1997: National Hispanic Scholarship Award, from the National Hispanic Scholarship Association.
• 1995: Deans Honors, UCLA, for outstanding academic achievement.
• 1993: Del Amo Scholarship and Alumni Scholarship, UCLA, recognizing her academic promise.

Board and Committee Activities

Dr. Carla Kuon demonstrates her commitment to advancing medicine through active participation in several leading professional organizations. Her memberships reflect her dual expertise, spanning conventional, preventative, and integrative medicine. This involvement ensures she remains at the cutting edge of developments in her fields and contributes her unique perspective to the broader medical community.

Her engagement with these societies is vital for fostering professional networks, shaping clinical standards, and advocating for patient-centered care. For instance, her membership in the Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine places her within an elite group of researchers exploring one of the most exciting frontiers in science. Therefore, these activities are integral to her role as a leader and innovator.

• 2022 – Present: Member, Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine
• 2018 – Present: Member, American Board of Preventative Medicine
• 2016 – Present: Member, Society of Hospital Medicine
• 2008 – Present: Member, American Board of Internal Medicine
• 2001 – Present: Member, American College of Physicians
• 2001 – 2010: Member, Peruvian American Medical Society

Connect with Dr. Kuon

To further explore the work of Dr. Carla Kuon, including her clinical practice at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health and her academic contributions, please visit her official university profiles. These resources provide detailed information on her expertise, research, and publications.

Official Profile at UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health: View Professional Profile

Academic Profile at UCSF Profiles: View Academic and Research Profile