Short Bio: Cynthia Li, MD, is a physician who went from public health to integrative medicine and intuitive healing. She has practiced in diverse settings like Kaiser Permanente's HIV/AIDS group, San Francisco General Hospital, St. Anthony Clinic for refugees and those experiencing homelessness, and Doctors Without Border in rural China. When she developed a disabling autoimmune illness, she began studying with integrative and functional medicine doctors, environmental health scientists, holistic healers, and qigong masters. Her journey was featured in Dr. Kelly Turner's Radical Remission documentary. She has also served as faculty for Rachel Remen’s Healer’s Art program at UC San Francisco School of Medicine. Since 2014, she has deepened her study of qigong, an ancient Chinese mind-body practice, and become certified as a teacher and healer. She is the author of a bestselling memoir, Brave New Medicine, and a new book, The Medicine of Flow (May 2026). 

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Dr. Li knows firsthand the importance of lifestyle and root-cause medicine. After developing a disabling autoimmune illness herself, she embarked on a healing journey that transformed her understanding of health from the inside out. In addition to drastically changing her diet, treating hidden infections, healing her gut, and getting better sleep, she also learned how to move her body in a way that didn’t worsen the fatigue and malaise.

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One particular area she has studied and practiced extensively since 2014 is qigong (chee-gong), a mind-body practice rooted in ancient China that can help activate flow/coherence in the body, therefore potentially enhancing any conventional, integrative, or functional medicine treatments. 

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All of her lived experience, together with her work with patients, has converged into a unique offering that bridges cutting-edge science with ancient healing wisdom and embodied practices. She has written a bestselling memoir, Brave New Medicine, a free e-booklet, How to Strengthen Your Inner Shield, and has edited a book of contemplative qigong, Mingjue Awakening. In May 2026, she has a forthcoming book, The Medicine of Flow: Harmonizing Your Inner State for Effortless Healing.

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Dr. Li is a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine, the Institute for Functional Medicine, and Integrative Medicine for the Underserved. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Thrive Global, and Psychology Today.

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In her spare time, she likes to host conversations and workshops on Awakin Calls, a podcast reaching millions through the ServiceSpace community. You can also find her tending a backyard garden, playing piano or ukulele, taking a hike in the woods, cooking, or hanging out with her family—her husband, two daughters, a dog, two cats, and 50,000+ honeybees.