Resume

Education and Internships

• Certified Wilderness First Responder, 2021. Through SOLO Southeast at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, NC. A course focused on the assessment and treatment of common injuries and medical emergencies in the wilderness, as well as CPR, and rescue and evacuation.
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Acupuncture Specialist, 2021. Through the National Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Acupuncturists. One of only seven acupuncturists in North Carolina with this special certification.
• Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, 2018. Asheville's first Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Graduated in December 2018 with a 4.0 from the Pacific College of Health and Science, the largest school in the country in the field.
• Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, 2007. A member of the first class of Asheville's esteemed acupuncture school, Daoist Traditions College of the Chinese Medical Arts. Graduated with honors from their comprehensive four-year Master's degree program.
• Certified Herbalist, 2000. Completed the "Art and Science of Herbalism" course through Sage Mountain, Rosemary Gladstar's school in Vermont.
• Internship, United Plant Savers' Botanical Sanctuary, 2000.  An internship at Rosemary Gladstar's sanctuary focusing on the rehabilitation of 3,000 acres of former coal strip-mine land in the Appalachian Mountains. Conserving, propagating, and reintroducing native endangered medicinal plants like ginseng and black cohosh.   
• Internship, National Center for the Preservation of Medicinal Herbs, 2000. An internship focused on developing formal cultivation techniques for native endangered medicinal plants to protect wild populations from over-harvesting.
• Masters of Philosophy, 1993-1995. Graduate philosophy studies at New York University.
• Bachelor of Philosophy, 1991. Graduated with honors from the State University of New York at Albany. 

Licenses and Professional Affiliations

• CarePartners Solace Hospice, 2022 to 2023. Volunteer at this 27-bed hospice located near Biltmore Village in Asheville.
• North Carolina Society of Acupuncture and Asian Medicine, 2018 to present. Professional member of this state organization since 2018 and board member in 2019. 
• American Society of Acupuncturists, 2018 to present. Professional member of this national organization since 2018.
• Western Carolina Medical Society's Project Access, 2008 to 2020. Volunteer with this local non-profit that helps low-income, uninsured patients gain access to comprehensive healthcare.
• West Asheville Business Association, 2008 to present. Business member since 2008 and board member 2017-2020 of this historic association founded in the 1950s.
• Diplomate of Acupuncture NCCAOM, 2007 to present. Through the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the organization that oversees the profession's board exams.
• American Acupuncture Council, 2007 to present. Professional member of this national organization since 2007.
• North Carolina License Acupuncturist #445, 2007 to present. Formally licensed to practice acupuncture and Chinese medicine through the North Carolina Acupuncture and Licensing Board since 2007. To keep this license current, I am required to complete 40 CEUs every two years.
• United Plant Savers, 2000 to present. Former intern and current supporting member of this native medicinal plant sanctuary focused on the rehabilitation of 3,000 acres of former Appalachian coal strip-mine land.

Work History

• West Asheville Acupuncture, 2016 to present. Founder and staff acupuncturist, specializing in private, integrative acupuncture treatments. Recipient of 4 “Best Acupuncturist of Western North Carolina” awards in the Mountain Xpress' write-in readers' poll. 
• Center for Holistic Medicine, 2007 to 2016. Founder, director, and staff acupuncturist of this multi-disciplinary alternative medicine group practice. Recipient of 7 “Best Alternative Healing Center of Western North Carolina” awards in the Mountain Xpress' write-in readers' poll. 
• West Asheville Urban Plant Walk, 2009 to 2014. Founder and host of these walks, focusing on the edible and medicinal plants in the gardens and wild spaces of downtown West Asheville. There were a total of ten walks and over 100 different plants were cataloged.
• Adjunct Instructor, 2009. Mountain Area Health Education Center and the Appalachian School of Holistic Herbalism.  Courses taught included the four-month series “When Pharmacology, Herbalism, and Nursing Come Together,” and “The Medicinal Properties of Traditional Incense.”
• Whole Foods, Atlanta, 2000 to 2003. Buyer and staff herbalist conducting health consultations, managing inventory and special orders for over thirty companies, in charge of the departmental organization, displays, and product management.  Received awards for sales records and employee of the year.
• Health Food Industry 1989 to 2000. Worked in various independent health food stores as a buyer and herbalist, from Honest Weight Co-op in Albany, New York, to Return to Eden and Sevananda Co-op in Atlanta, Georgia.