Born and raised in the Bay Area, Elyse Eng graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. Following graduation, she pursued a career as a modern dancer performing with local dance companies. After retiring from dance, she worked for several years in administration and human resources for a direct marketing/retail corporation.

She became interested in integrative medicine while searching for treatments for her daughter’s allergies, epilepsy and related health issues. In 1995, Elyse was treated for breast cancer at California Pacific Medical Center and began her association with the Institute for Health & Healing in an arts/expressive movement class.

In addition to serving as chair of the Program Committee for the Advisory Council of the Institute for Health & Healing, she is a trustee of the California Pacific Medical Center Foundation and on the board of the Museum of Performance and Design in San Francisco.