In 2012, I had the opportunity to retake my dermatology diploma training in London, England, with Mazin Al-Khafji. Even though the cost of flying several times throughout the year from Vancouver to London was quite expensive; and even though I had previously finished at the top of my class when I first took the program back in 2007; and even though I have attained much clinical confidence in the treatment of various dermatological conditions (for which I am fortunate to use in my current clinical practice); I was very excited to train once again with Mazin. One of the reasons I was so excited (besides getting to be in the great city of London again) was because I knew that Mazin had updated most of his teaching material, which is entirely based on his own clinical successes (Mazin is one of the few teachers that I have encountered who only teaches on subjects he himself has had success with, thus the training is very practical and useful to the practicing clinician). This meant that when I studied acne, or atopic eczema, or psoriasis, again, I would get to see hundreds of NEW before and after photographs of Mazin’s case studies. When learning the art of dermatology, seeing is believing, and Mazin’s eye for detail is amazing to behold.
Mazin’s work is so amazing to behold, in fact, that I was amazed to once again realize how wide reaching his reputation for clinical success is. In the class there were students from all over the world (like me) who had flown in for the training, so as to be inspired by a true clinical master. Even more inspiring to me was the fact that a high percentage of the students in the class were themselves accomplished western medical physicians, including a western dermatologist, who had all seen the limitations of what pharmaceutical bio-medicine had to offer (first hand in their own clinical practices) and were now practicing Chinese herbal medicine. As one doctor and friend, Dr. Tanh Huynh from Zurich, Switzerland, mentioned to me, ‘seeing is believing and Mazin shows that herbal medicines work for the treatment of complicated disease. This is what is most important to me’. Tanh, a western medicine internal medicine specialist, now works alongside Mazin at the busy Avicenna clinic in Brighton, England. Tanh also runs the Chinese medicine hospital department at Seespital Horgen, Switzerland, flying back and forth between Zurich and Brighton on a regular basis so as to keep his foot in both busy worlds. It was through Mazin’s work, using herbal medicine to treat stubborn disease, that doctors like Tanh were inspired to do the same.
One of the greatest things I enjoy in my days spent with Mazin is our conversations together. Mazin is a caring and kind teacher who has, over the past many years, become a good friend. I value this more than anything. One of the greatest attributes I have seen Mazin display is his sense of humility. Literally thousands of people have overcome a life-long struggle with serious disease through the masterful herbal prescriptions that he has written over the past 30 years, which is truly amazing considering all the many other treatment modalities many of them had tried beforehand. To me this is extra-ordinary, being on par with super human abilities! But to Mazin, who shared with me one night over dinner, these acts of healing, which seem extra-ordinary, should really just be normal affairs. Mazin believes that the option for people to receive high quality care through Chinese herbal medicine should be made available everywhere, to everyone. This is at the root of Mazin’s heart whenever he teaches. Through sharing his own hard work, showing the audience what is actually possible, showing that even the worst cases of stubborn psoriasis, or acne, or eczema or rosacea, or colitis, or asthma, or any other stubborn health issue, can in fact be helped with properly prescribed herbal medicines, others are empowered to follow suit, thus elevating the standard of Chinese medicine, or health care, to the highest level possible.
For so openly sharing your hard work, for your dedication to excellence, for your constant encouragement that others can do the same (including myself), I am truly grateful Mazin. You have shown me a path for which is truly inspiring and very rewarding to follow. I, and all my patients that I have now helped, and continue to help, are extremely grateful for your kindness and overflowing wisdom.
Sincerely,
Trevor Erikson
Copyright © 2019 Dr. Trevor Erikson