I came to East Asian Medicine after my back was broken in a bicycling accident at the age of 23. As I recovered from this experience I received treatments from practitioners trained in Europe and also from lineage (familial) traditions. I later studied with them and began to practice alternative ways of healing including meditation, yoga, massage, Reiki, Bioenergy, Qi-Gong, CranioSacral, and reflexology work.

After living in Hawaii and studying massage, healing modalities and La’au Lapa’au with traditional elders, I earned my Master of Science of Oriental Medicine in 2002 from one of the first Traditional Chinese Medicine schools credentialed in the United States – the International Institute of Chinese Medicine (Santa Fe, NM).  I am extremely proud to say that 95% of my professors were trained in China and held degrees as both Western and Oriental Medical Doctors, many with additional training as PhDs. Sadly, the school closed its doors in 2003.

After graduating from IICM, I was hired by the Indian Health Service to assess the medical care and facility needs of 21 Native American tribes in the Southwest. It was sobering work, but also rich in experiences and exposure to the values, beliefs, and traditional practices of the many Pueblos, as well as Apache, Navajo and Hopi people.  During this time, I was invited by traditional tribal leaders to share Asian medicine and herbs in homes and small gatherings. This work, guided by tribal elders, opened my practice into the deeper spiritual connections to health and well-being.

I graduated from the Oriental Medicine Doctorate program at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM), gaining advanced skills in research, geriatrics, Ob-Gyn, cardiology, and orthopedic care. 

As a faculty member, I have taught theory, practice, and modalities used in Tradional Chinese Medicine  (one arm of East Asian Medicine) at large and small colleges in the United States, and led students through clinical supervision in community and hospital settings (both inpatient and out-patient clinics).

In March, 2019 I was awarded a Fulbright Specialist grant to Ukraine (my maternal grandparents’ home). Together with my hosts, I created an auricular acupuncture certification program at the Uzhhorod National University School of Medicine. During my time in Uzhhorod I lectured over 350 professionals and students, and trained 32 western medical providers in use of auricular acupuncture for relief of symptoms related to Post Traumatic Stress and other traumas.

I am working with the University of Arizona – Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine in Tucson to update the East Asian medicine curriculum for Western Medical professionals. In October 2019 I began presenting this material to the Fellows gathered during UA-CIM Residencies. 

In my practice, I combine a variety of approaches including needles, e-stimulation, cupping, heat, moxibustion, and Tui Na. I carry and prescribe herbal formulas and supplements, and work with western medical providers to navigate the complicated terrain of intra-professional and collaborative medical practices.

• Fulbright Specialist. Uzhhorod National University (UzhNU) School of Medicine.  March 2019- April 2019

The first U.S. Fulbright awarded to an American acupuncturist to teach auricular acupuncture for PTSD and pain happened in March-April in Ukraine. Hosted by Uzhhorod National University (UzhNU) School of Medicine, presentations were made to over 350 doctors, therapists, social workers, medical students and residents regarding the science and evidence of auricular acupuncture. 32 individuals were certified by UzhNU in the 6-needle acupuncture used in USA for PTSD and trauma, and worldwide for disaster relief.

• Chair of Clinical Education. Northwestern Health Sciences University. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Academic Dean. Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts. Asheville, NC.

• Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM). Portland, Oregon. Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine – DAOM. Class of 2013 (Diploma 2015).
• International Institute of Chinese Medicine (IICM). Santa Fe, New Mexico. Master of Oriental Medicine – MSOM. 2001.
• University of Pittsburgh. Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs. 

• Licensed Acupuncturist Arizona Acupuncture Board of Examiners LAc#001133
• National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM): 2002. Diplomat in Acupuncture #R070410A19
• National Acu Detox Association (NADA) Certification, January 2011. Certificate # 10009

• China & Korea – April – May 2017. Studies at Henan TCM University in ZhengZhou, China. Reviewed current acupuncture research at Kyung Hee University, Seoul South Korea.
• Kinesiology – Preceptorship & Study with Dr. Constance Gehring, DOM, LAc in Albuquerque New Mexico (OCOM). 2015.
• Hyperlipidemia & Obesity, Yi Lin Medical Center. 2002
• Usui-Shiki Ryoho Reiki – Level 1 – 1991 from John Harvey Grey. Level II — 2001. Master-Teacher Trainer April 2003.
• CranioSacral Therapy The Upledger Institute – Level I. October 2001.
• Massage & Tui Na
  • Tui Na Training – 1 year study curriculum embedded within MSOM program of International Institute of Chinese Medicine. 2001.
  • Hot stone massage – New Mexico. 2002.
  • Lomi Lomi Massage – Auntie Margaret Machado. Capt. Cook, Hawaii. 1995.
  • Deep Tissue Massage – Institute for Integrated Therapies, Bethesda, MD. Margaret D’Urso -1988.
• Bioenergy –Mietek and Margaret Wirkus, Bethesda, MD. Basic and Advanced.1989.
• Advanced Training – OCOM Doctoral Studies 2011 – 2015
  • Master Tung’s Acupuncture (OCOM)
  • Women’s Health / OB-GYN (OCOM)
  • Geriatrics and Aging (OCOM)
  • Pain and Osteopathy (OCOM)
• AcuTonics Level 1. Institute of Sound Healing, New Mexico. 2010
• Eight Extraordinary Vessels, Miki Shima, 2010
• Kiiko-Style Acupuncture 101. 2008
• Substance Abuse Studies – Biological Aspects of Substance Abuse (Univ New Mexico – 16 CEUs, 2008)
• Making Sense of Blood Chemistry Results – Balancing Body Chemistry with Nutrition – Biotics. 2006.
• Lonny Garrett Chinese Medicine and Evolution of Consciousness. 2006.
• Principles of Osteopathy I & II – Oriental Medicine Association of New Mexico. April 2005.
• Principles of Osteopathy I & II – Oriental Medicine Association of New Mexico. April 2005.
• Acute Pain Management Yi Lin Medical Center, Albuquerque NM. (12 CEUs) 2002
• Jeffrey Yuen CEUs 2005 -2016
  • Endocrinology
  • Spirit of the Practitioner
  • Exploring Primary Meridians – Pericardium
  • The Art of Needling
  • Aspects of 8 Extraordinary Meridians: The First Ancestry
  • Aspects of the Luo – The Attachments & Desires of Humanity
  • Wen Bing Tradition & Epidemics
  • Navigating the Pulses & Classical Roots of Herbal Medicine
  • Classical Roots of Herbal Medicine
  • Chinese Medicine & Psycho Neurology

• Integrative Healthcare Policy Consortium (IHPC)
  • Federal Policy Subcommittee Member -current
• U.S. Department of Higher Education ~ Accreditation Site Visitor
  • Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (2018 – present) MA and Doctoral programs in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
  • Accreditation Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (2016 – present) Master and Doctoral programs in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 
• University of Alberta, Edmonton (2008)
  • Kule Center Fellowship Awarded for study in Indigenous, Native American, and Eastern European traditional health approaches.
• Korean Journal of Medical History. 
  • English Editor for Article abstracts. 2017 – 2018. https://www.medhist.or.kr/about
• Board of Directors and Trainer
  • Acupuncturists Without Borders 2012 – 2017
• Board of Directors
  • Slavic and Eastern European Folklore Association, Treasurer / Secretary 2014-2015