About

When I was in college, I had a side interest in alternative healthcare although I didn't actively study it at the time.  My formal undergrad studies were in French and I studied a year abroad in France prior to obtaining my Bachelor of Arts.  Informally though, I spent hours looking up every health condition any of my family or friends had, trying to find new ideas that could help them.

After undergrad, I was working in Chicago in a high-pressure position where I developed a stress-related digestive disorder.   Frustrated and not feeling like I was getting anywhere with all of the medical tests and trial medications, a friend referred me to her acupuncturist.  Already having a passion for alternative healthcare, I willingly went, although a little nervous.

I walked out feeling wonderful.  I couldn't believe the calm and relaxation that a few tiny needles could create. 

After a series of treatments, my symptoms calmed and I moved on to my next life adventure teaching English in Japan.  During my two years there, I was invited to dinner with a Japanese family so their child could practice speaking English with me.  I learned the father was an acupuncturist, and the seed was planted that practicing acupuncture is really something I can and want to do, though I didn't start right away.

After five years working in corporate IT departments, I finally decided to jump feet first into my calling and entered the graduate program at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.  It was an intensive four-year full-time program covering all aspects of traditional Chinese medicine as well as biomedical sciences.  In addition to the rigorous academics, my program included over a thousand hours of clinical internship treating patients and mastering acupuncture techniques and herbal formulas.

My studies didn't end there.  One of my favorite aspects of maintaining my licensure is the requirement for continuing education seminars.  I have the privilege of studying under renowned mentors in the field of acupuncture and herbal medicine. Currently I practice in my hometown of Morris, IL.

The field of acupuncture and herbal medicine blends so well with my philosophies on health:

• despite all that goes wrong with symptoms, there is so much that is going right in the body and we need to encourage that;
• all the little things matter - our daily habits, the positive or negative thoughts we think and rethink all day long;
• restoring proper function has a better long term impact on health than simply suppressing symptoms; and
• people have more influence on their own health than they often think they do.

Well, that's a glimpse into my journey so far.  Interested in more?