Who is this person with the needles?
I am an NCCAOM certified Acupuncturist licensed in Michigan and Hawai’i.
I grew up outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended Michigan Technological University, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in geological engineering before relocating to Honolulu, Hawaii to work for a consulting firm. After three years on the job I left engineering to attend a 4-year Master’s program in acupuncture and Chinese medicine at the World Medicine Institute, studying under 64th generation Daoist Master Chang Yi Xiang (Lillian Chang, PhD). I graduated and started my practice in 2010. After 10 years in the tropics I was ready for some snow so I returned to the Copper Country in the late fall of 2013 to join Keweenaw Holistic Family Medicine with Dr. Jill Kalcich, MD and Marcie Gemignani, R. Ac. When KHFM closed in 2016, I opened my solo practice.
I love being a perpetual student and I enjoy continuing to study all aspects of acupuncture and Classical Chinese Medicine. The depth of content and history I connect with practicing this medicine is something that keeps me engaged, motivated, and passionate. I’ve explored many techniques over the years including: Master Tung style acupuncture for pain, constitutional facial renewal acupuncture, and the use of acupuncture for many different health conditions. These conditions include women’s health and infertility, anxiety and stress management, digestion complaints, herbal medicine. I took almost 50 classes during 2020 taking full advantage of the shut down and other covid restrictions, covering Classical 5 Channel theory, Chinese nutritional theory, and medical Qigong.
From September 2019 to November 2022, I was a member of Ann Chat, an Advanced Acupuncture deep dive led by Ann Cecil-Sterman. Through this program I learned about the Complementary Channels/Five Channel system of acupuncture through a Classical Chinese Medicine lens in the lineage of 88th Generation Daoist Master Jeffrey Yuen. As I learn more about these channel systems, the range of ailments I’m able to effectively treat has broadening significantly. I am excited to continue studying these channels and deepening the connections I have to them. I continue to take continuing education classes with Jeffrey and his senior students, loving all I can absorb from them.
In my spare time I enjoy cooking (and eating), refereeing for Keweenaw Roller Derby, listening to music, books and podcasts; cross-country skiing, knitting, hunting for agates, gardening, the occasional hike/kayak/canoe/SUP, taking the photos on this website, and spending time with friends and family.
“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
— Lao Zi