I am a licensed practitioner (NY & CT) of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. I am a board-certified diplomate in acupuncture through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and a specialist in Sports Medicine Acupuncture. My areas of expertise include orthopedics, women’s health and fertility, integrative cancer care, and mind-body healing.
When people ask me how I became interested in Chinese Medicine, I tell them it was my destiny.
Born and raised in Toronto Ontario, my extended family grew farm-cultivated ginseng back in the 1970s. When I was young, I was scared of needles and disliked the taste of Chinese herbs. I played play piano for many years which later helped develop a dexterous and sensitive touch. My childhood experiences have shaped my approach to tailoring treatments to each individual’s tolerance.
I received a B.A. with a double major in Religion and Sociology from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Afterwards, I graduated from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine with an advanced degree in Acupuncture, and studied abroad at the University of Guangzhou, China. I completed postgraduate studies in Chinese Herbal Studies at Tri-State College of Acupuncture and I am currently a doctoral candidate at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.
I have continually enhanced my studies since I started my practice in 2000. I received national certification in Sports Medicine Acupuncture through Matt Callison’s program. My current interest in classical Chinese herbal studies have led me to study the Shang Han Lun with Sharon Weizenbaum. I have also been certified as a qigong healer through Robert Peng and a reiki master by Roland Comtois.
From 2000-2003, I worked for Dr. Ming Jin in a busy Chinese Medicine clinic in New York City where I treated more than 30 patients a day. During this time, I specialized in women’s health and integrative cancer care, and gained extensive experience treating difficult and challenging cases using both acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
In 2001, I established the acupuncture program for Greenwich Hospital, in Greenwich, CT. I worked in an integrative healthcare setting as a hospital-based acupuncturist for 11 years. I saw both in-patients and out-patients. As an acupuncturist for Greenwich Hospital, I had several opportunities to speak on panels with top medical
doctors at breast cancer and infertility symposiums as well as teach Yale medical students about acupuncture. Unfortunately, due to fiscal difficulties at Greenwich Hospital, the Integrative Medicine Center closed its doors in 2012. I was invited to speak to doctors and staff at Brown University’s Student Health Services about acupuncture in 2016.
Currently, I am in private practice with two offices in Irvington, NY and Old Greenwich, CT. I work collaboratively with health care professionals and refer patients to nutritionists, physical therapists, doctors, and psychotherapists. From my experience working in a hospital-based setting, I have learned that concurrent therapy enhances and accelerates a patient’s healing when practitioners can work together in their specialties.
I have been a long-time practitioner of meditation (including zen, vippasana, and kundalini) and energy work (i.e., reiki and qigong). I have a special interested in spirituality and healing. During my twenties, I earned a second-degree black belt in Aikido. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, running, reading, traveling, and spending time with my daughter. As part of my own self-development and healing, I constantly strive to learn, explore, and enhance my life experiences.