in 1986, the california acupuncture college (cac) in san diego closed, leaving many acupuncture students adrift, as it was the only acupuncture school in the city. joseph lazzaro, richard gold, ana de vedia, and alex tiberi, all former administrators or faculty of the cac, founded pacific college to ensure that the stranded cac students could complete their studies and take the california licensing exam. in 1988, jack miller, a graduate of the last 1986 class of the california acupuncture college, was hired and made a full partner to aid in the college’s drive towards accreditation.