About Our Faculty

Leanne Apfelbeck has been involved in education for over 25 years covering topics in biology, massage therapy, sports medicine, and chiropractic medicine. Dr. Apfelbeck began her Chiropractic career after graduating from the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Ill, in 1988. During that time, she maintained a private practice, taught in the Lincoln Post Graduate Department of Chiropractic, and was also on the faculty at the National University of Health Sciences. Recently, Dr. Apfelbeck earned a Master’s degree in Athletic Training from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, UT, where she published a paper in The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. Currently, Dr. Apfelbeck has a private practice in Asheville, NC, and is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Biology at the UNC Asheville. MAOM/DACM

Paul Alexander earned his BA with a double major in East Asian Studies & Psychology from New York University in 2001 and received his Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2009. Paul’s martial arts journey began with Muay Thai at the age of eight, and went on to study various disciplines such as Go Ju Ryu, Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, Xing Yi & Ba Gua. Paul has over 30 years experience teaching martial arts, Qigong, and meditation. In 2017, Paul began studying with Master Jeffrey Yuen and continues to draw inspiration from the profound depth, essence and sophistication of Chinese Medicine and Daoism as conveyed by Master Yuen. Paul maintains a clinical practice, PK Alexander Acupuncture & Wellness in both NYC & Westchester and enjoys seeing a diverse client population from all over the world, with a focus on holistic health, wellness, and personal growth & development. MAOM/DACM

Simon Becker graduated in 1997 with a Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Florida Institute of TCM and completed his MSc in Chinese Herbal Medicine at the University of Westminster, UK, in 2012. He is the author of various articles and books on Chinese medicine, including Chinese Medical Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases and a translation of the late classic Yi lin gai cuo (Correcting the Errors in the Forest of Medicine). He served as the president for the Swiss Professional Association of TCM from 2003 until 2009. Simon is the director of the Chiway Academy in Winterthur, Switzerland and deputy head of the Chinese Medicine Policlinic at the Hospital in Horgen, Switzerland. He specializes in the treatment of children and supportive treatment of cancer patients.MAOM/DACM

Dr. Borzotta Dr. Borzotta is an allopathic general surgeon graduate of Georgetown University (BS 1973) and Medical School (MD 1978), who trained at the University of Louisville, completing a surgical residency in 1983, after which he took a fellowship at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, in England. He has worked in the Veterans Administration and Case Western Reserve University (1985-1988) and was the associate trauma and ICU director at a Level I trauma center in Portland, OR from 1985 to 2000. He set up a Level III trauma center in Cincinnati’s Bethesda North Hospital, 2000 to 2012, where he was also responsible for a Paramedic Training Program. He also instituted and developed a medical simulation training center which eventually filled over 4000 square feet of space and instructed several hundred people annually. After completing a stint in the US Army Medical Corps 2006-2011 with two tours to Iraq, he worked as a trauma and acute care surgeon in Gastonia, NC before moving to Asheville full time in 2016. MAOM/DACM

Dr. Frank Butler began his study and practice of Chinese medicine in 1990, completing a seven-year traditional apprenticeship with the internationally renowned Ken Ark Fun Gong (Kenny Gong).  Frank has studied internal medicine and medical massage with some of the most famous TCM masters of the 20th century. Dr. Butler  attended Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and earned his Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine in 1996 and his Doctor of Acupuncture in Chinese Medicine in 2015. Dr. Butler maintains a clinical practice, Evolve Heath & Wellness, in Manhattan where he sees a broad patient base that includes orthopedic conditions as well as chronic, complex internal medicine cases. His clinical practice is informed by his mastery of several martial arts systems and meditation practice.DACM

Michelle is a 2012 graduate of Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medicine and practices at her clinic, Appalachian Acupuncture in Johnson City, TN. Being particularly drawn to herbal medicine, she created HERBalachia school, which offers year-long Appalachian herbal studies programs, continuing education for medical professionals, and an annual Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival in Erwin, TN. Michelle additionally holds a BFA in sculpture from Tennessee Technological University, which led her to study ceramics and tea ceremony in Japan for two years. MAOM

Julie Burke has served the Asheville community as a well-respected healer for the past fifteen years. She began her path with a degree in Anthropology in 1996 from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, focusing on ethnobotany. She studied massage therapy at the North Carolina School of Natural Healing in 2000. Two years later, Dr. Burke took her practice deeper by studying Reiki and Energy healing with Daisy Marquis. In 2008, she graduated from Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts and opened her practice, Deep Alchemy Acupuncture. In 2012, she became a Reiki Master and is now certified to teach others. In 2019 she received her doctorate from Daoist Traditions. Dr. Burke enjoys sharing her clinical and life experiences as she guides and encourages students in their intuitive development. MAOM/DACM

Mary has been studying Chinese medicine for 11 years and attended Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts in Asheville, North Carolina from 2008-2012, where she earned her Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree. Mary is certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and licensed to practice Chinese medicine in North Carolina. Her interest in Chinese medicine grew out of a passion for gardening. Before studying Chinese medicine Mary worked for Joe Hollis of Mountain Gardens to learn to grow Chinese medicinal herbs. Her interest in botany and herbal preparation continued after completing her studies at Daoist Traditions. She was involved with a farmer’s cooperative focused on growing Chinese medicine herbs in Western North Carolina. Currently, she is involved with community gardens. Her private practice, Longevity Acupuncture & Apothecary is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. The mountains’ strength and wisdom provide a beautiful home for her practice, which promotes and nourished a full life so that the body and spirit may feel light and free. Her longevity philosophy of Chinese medicine is also symbolized by 9 mountaintops, each peak representing major themes we move through in our lifetime: health, wealth, abundance, relationship, creativity, travel, career, wisdom, and finally reaching a sense of peace and completion. Her specialties are mental and emotional well being and neurology.
Mary has studied qi gong, tai chi and sword forms in the US with Gregory Casey, Master Bing and Master Chen from the Wudang tradition. She has also completed numerous lectures by Jeffrey Yuen on favorite topics including the roots of Chinese herbal medicine, tree spirit medicine, and numerous other topics on healing since 2008. These studies have enriched a personal exploration of understanding Daoism in a modern era and longevity practices. MAOM/DACM, CCHM
Medicinal herb growers cooperative

Megan Burns is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild and received her 4-year Master’s Degree in Classical Chinese Medicine from Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts in Asheville, North Carolina in 2010. She is nationally certified in Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensed to practice in the state of Washington and North Carolina. Megan maintained a busy practice in Asheville North Carolina for 3.5 years specializing in pregnancy, women’s health, anxiety, depression and digestive disorders. Her family relocated for 1.5 years to Washington state where she started and maintained a busy practice within Vancouver Wellness Studio. Currently Megan is again in practice in Asheville, North Carolina and is happy to be back in the beautiful mountains with her family. Megan has continued her studies after graduation with Jeffrey Yuen and takes many online continuing education classes with Deborah Betts, who specializes in pregnancy and birth.MAOM

Greg Casey, is an 89th generation Daoist Priest of the Yu Qing Huang Lao Pai (Jade Purity School, Yellow Emperor/ Lao Tzu Sect), and 27th generation of the Quan Zhen Long Men Pai (Complete Reality School, Dragon Gate Sect), ordained in both lineages under Jeffrey Yuen. He graduated from Daoist Traditions in 2014, and since then has fulfilled various roles at the college such as a didactic and community qigong teacher, herbal garden supervisor, clinical internship supervisor, and teacher of various didactic classes within the curriculum. He’s studied meditation, qigong, and internal martial arts for more than 15 years, and taught them for more than 10 years. He’s studied numerous styles and systems of meditation, qigong, and martial arts from numerous masters, including various Daoist Priests, and he’s taught in various capacities including private lessons, weekly classes, weekend workshops, and in college curriculums. His interest and pursuit of higher education in Chinese medicine grew out of his earlier interest in self-cultivation, martial arts, and Daoism. Since graduating from Daoist Traditions he’s practiced Chinese medicine clinically in various settings including private treatments, at home visits, and community clinics in North Carolina and his home state of Rhode Island. Whether in the clinic or classroom, Greg brings all his experience and insights together to foster the processes of transformation, self-empowerment, growth, and healing that he believes are innate to all of us. MAOM

Dr. Janette Engelbrecht, LA.c. is proud to offer Chinese Medicine services with an integrative approach. Her focus is on helping others to embody a healthy lifestyle in an effort to keep dis-ease and imbalance at bay. The treatments she offers range from a symptomatic style for things like pain or allergies, to a systemic/holistic style for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of internal diseases. Janette graduated from Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts in May 2019 with dual Masters and Doctorate degrees. Dr. Engelbrecht has a strong background in Western cancer care and specializes in oncology. In addition to oncology and pain, Janette focuses on digestion, nutrition, stress, sleep, women’s health & fertility, palliative care, and hospice care. Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medicine 2015-2019. DACM

Lori Fendell earned her BS at the SUNY Stony Brook as a Physician Assistant, and spent thirteen years as a P.A. in primary care, gynecology, emergency medicine, health education, AIDS research, and nutritional education. Ms. Fendell also worked at a large Cambodian refugee camp for one year doing medical training and supervising the clinic. This dramatically shifted her perspective on wellness and healing especially after exposure to traditional healing and herbalism. Ms. Fendell was inspired to return to study for her Master’s in Public Health (International Health) at the University of Hawaii in 1984. As a result of her introduction to acupuncture, she attended and graduated from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, MD, and has been in full‐time private practice since 1991 in Durham, NC. Ms. Fendell is a guest lecturer at Duke University Medical Center, UNC-Chapel Hill, and other university medical centers. MAOM/DACM

Josh Fox is an experienced guide to our local abundance of plant food and medicine incorporating his knowledge of Chinese medicine with nine years of Western herbal studies. He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and an MAOM from Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts. Mr. Fox apprenticed with CoreyPine Shane and Joe Hollis and completed programs at the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine in Asheville and the American School of Herbalism in California. He also spent many summers working in herbal first‐aid clinics, receiving extensive training over the years from Sevensong and Frank Cook. Mr. Fox is a core faculty member of the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine and a regular plant guide for No Taste Like Home, wild food tours. He frequently offers plant walks, workshops, and weekend retreats while maintaining his private practice, Fox Herbs & Acupuncture, in downtown Asheville. MAOM/DACM, CCHM

Mindy Gates received her BS in Nursing Science in 1997 from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing. Since that time, Ms. Gates has worked as a registered nurse specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Her love for acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine began in 2001 while working as an assistant at the Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic in Asheville. She earned her MAOM from Daoist Traditions in 2007. She continues her study of classical Chinese medicine with Jeffrey Yuen and the spirit of the medicine from a Five Element perspective with Lorie DeChar. Ms. Gates has been an advocate for bringing Chinese medicine to a wider audience by working with governments and institutions to establish professional licensing and credentials for acupuncturists. In addition to her work as an RN at Park Ridge Health, she is also the acupuncturist for that facility. She also maintains a private practice in downtown Asheville.CL

Diane Gioioso Diane Gioioso is an acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, and intuitive healer. Her work emphasizes healing as a developmental process. Her clinical concentrations are Gynecology, Cardiology, Neurology and emotional health . Her initial training was grounded in Five Element acupuncture with J.R. Worsley, graduating in 2001 from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Florida. She has been a student of Master Jeffrey Yuen for two decades. She formerly served as Chinese herbal and doctoral faculty at Maryland University of Integrative Health. Diane is the founder of Nine Stars Botanicals, which produces innovative Chinese herbal remedies. She is an active feng shui consultant. Diane maintains a family clinic and herbal pharmacy in Baltimore and Washington, DC. DACM

Joe Hollis received his BA degree from the UNC Chapel Hill in 1965. In 1972, he founded Mountain Gardens as a botanical garden of economic plants, specializing in Eastern North American and East Asian medicinals. Mountain Gardens cultivates several hundred Chinese herbs and incorporates a seed business, retail nursery, and herb shop/pharmacy, filling prescriptions and preparing tinctures and salves from Chinese and native herbs. Since 1980, Mr. Hollis has lectured, consulted, and taught workshops in herb cultivation and processing at Mountain Gardens, community colleges, and conferences. Mountain Gardens continues to pioneer Chinese herb cultivation in America, trialing several hundred species per year of seeds obtained from botanical gardens and research institutions in China and Japan. MAOM/DACM

Lissa Juedemann received her Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from Daoist Traditions College in 2014 and is on track to complete her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine through Daoist Traditions in May 2019. Prior to studying Chinese medicine, she earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, Asheville in Anthropology and Documentary Photography. Since completing her MAOM degree, Lissa has focused her continuing education on the teachings of Jeffrey Yuen with special focus on the medicinal use of essential oils, including over two years further study of essential oils and their applications in Chinese medicine. Lissa is a practitioner/owner at Mountain Light Chinese Medicine in Asheville NC where she uses essential oils daily in her clinical practice. She was drawn to Chinese medicine via herbs and maintains a vibrant Chinese herb pharmacy. Lissa believes strongly in integrative healthcare and enjoys working with practitioners from all health care systems to provide patients with the most complete care possible. MAOM/DACM, CCHM

Christopher Kazepis received his Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Daoist Traditions in 2014. Prior to his formal education in Chinese Medicine, he earned a B.S. in Biochemistry at George Mason University in 2009. Christopher has over 15 years of experience studying and teaching qigong, meditation and Daoist internal alchemy (Nei Dan) methods. He believes internal alchemy to be the most sophisticated spiritual embodiment technology available on the planet. Since 2014, he has been a Certified Healing Tao Instructor and serves as a current Board Member and Vice President of the Healing Tao Instructor Association (HTIA). Christopher is the owner of Wandering Daoists, an internal alchemy retreat and international travel organization. MAOM

She spent her formative years in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation from high school she attended Illinois Wesleyan University graduating with a BA in Biology in 1983. Subsequently matriculating from The University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine in 1987. With the desire to pursue primary care she completed Family Medicine residency in 1990, practicing family medicine initially with a HMO. Finding her niche in education she joined the faculty at Akron General Family Medicine residency; during her tenure she held a faculty position at NEOUCOM,VCOM, and served as Interim Director of the Family Medicine Residency. She obtained her MS Ed from University of Southern California in 2000. After working in medical education for ten years, she relocated to North Carolina where she worked in public health until retiring in 2019. MAOM

After her basic medical school curriculum Dr. Randine Lewis received her MSOM at the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 1998, interned in China, and received her PhD in alternative medicine from the Indian Board of Alternative Medicine in India. Dr. Lewis has been a governing board member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, as well as a medical expert for numerous online resources. She is the author of The Infertility Cure and The Way of the Fertile Soul, conducts intensive fertility retreats, and teaches workshops for practitioners internationally. Dr. Lewis is the founder of Eastern Harmony clinic in Houston, Texas, The Fertile Soul Retreat process, and the Continuing Excellence in Fertility Professionals Program. She has kept up a regular qi gong and meditative practice and uses elemental self-inquiry and body wisdom meditative and movement processes in her work. MAOM/DACM, CL

Karen Litton has practiced Chinese medicine at the Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic since 2008 following her graduation from Daoist Traditions. Prior to studying acupuncture, she worked as a massage therapist for twenty years, specializing in sports injuries. Ms. Litton also holds a degree in social work from Hunter College in New York, where she worked with mentally handicapped adults and their families. As a graduate of Daoist Traditions, Ms. Litton has a deep understanding of the program as a whole and is excited to be able to guide students through their coursework. She actively continues her studies in Chinese medicine with Jeffrey Yuen. MAOM/DACM

Mary Cissy Majebé began her educational pursuits with a BA in Sociology from the University of New Orleans in 1975. She continued her education at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1980 where she received an MA in Exercise Physiology. She pursued her Ph.D. at the University of Virginia before deciding to attend the American College of Chinese Medicine, completing her studies in 1985 with a Master’s in Chinese Medicine. In 1990, she received her O.M.D. degree from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine.
Since that time Dr. Majebé has undertaken numerous internships in both Korea and China. Her areas of focus in these post-graduate studies have focused on Internal Medicine. Dr. Majebé has a deep fondness for working in the fields of pediatrics and oncology.
Dr. Majebé began studying with Master Jeffrey Yuen, an 88 th generation Daoist priest, from the Jade Purity Traditions in 1998. His influence planted the seeds fort Dr. Majebé and a group of like-minded individuals to establish Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts in 2003. Daoist Traditions has been one of the leaders in Chinese Medicine education in the U.S. She has served as president since inception.
In 1985, Dr. Majebé founded the Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic in Asheville, NC. She was the first chair of the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board (NCALB) and was instrumental in helping to write the laws governing the practice of acupuncture in North Carolina. Currently, Dr. Majebé is once again serving as chair of the NCALB. MAOM/DACM

Jem Minor began practicing tai chi and studying Daoism and herbal medicine in 1996, as an adolescent at a small Socratic seminar school in Alaska. She traveled the world solo at 17, spent a year in London, and got her BA in English and Psychology at Mount Holyoke College. After a back injury on the crew team, she experienced miraculous healing with one of Jeffrey Yuen’s students, and was inspired to pursue Chinese medicine at Daoist Traditions, where she finished her MAOM in 2012. She skipped graduation to go on a qigong trip to China, and since then has continued to deepen her studies of Daoist internal alchemy, qigong, Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage, meditation, womb healing, sacred sexuality, dance, somatic therapy, stone medicine, functional nutrition, embodied trauma healing, and the full spectrum of women’s health — becoming a Healing Tao Instructor, Feminine Power Facilitator, and Master Alchemy Practitioner along the way. She weaves all of these modalities together in her private practice at Nourishing Alchemy Healing Arts, guiding clients in their healing and self-cultivation (both in person and online), so they can live authentic, thriving, regenerative lives aligned with their true Essence. Jem is currently happily teaching and practicing in Asheville NC, while also homeschooling and enjoying adventures in the mountains with her beloved partner and two kids. Nourishing Alchemy Healing Arts. MAOM

Marc Mullinaxhas taught East Asian religious traditions since 2001 at Mars Hill University nearby, and at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea. He graduated from Mars Hill College, University of Tennessee, and Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. Fortress Press recently published his translation of the Dao de Jing text: Tao Te Ching: Power for the Peaceful. He is a frequent guest speaker at various spiritual communities in the WNC area.MAOM/DACM

Jeremy Noble received his Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from Daoist Traditions College in 2015. Prior to studying Chinese Medicine, Jeremy had served in the US Navy as an Emergency Medical Technician and later as a battlefield medic alongside the US Marines, focusing on trauma medicine and primary care. He later worked as a Critical Care Registered Nurse in an Open Heart Surgery ICU, focused on recovering heart surgeries and heart transplants. Since completing his MAOM degree, Jeremy has focused his continuing education on sound therapies, stone medicine and herbal medicine, while continuing to gain insight from teachers such as Jeffery Yuen, Heiner Freuhauf, Fabien Maman and Kiko Matsumoto. Jeremy is owner/practitioner of Noble Natural Wellness in Asheville, NC, where he treats a wide variety of conditions, both internal and external, acute and chronic. He has continually been surprised by the effectiveness of Chinese Medicine in treating a variety of conditions using acupuncture, herbs, tuning forks, essential oils and dietary methods. Jeremy gets to share these experiences with Student Interns at the Daoist Traditions College Clinic as a supervisor, while learning a great deal from the talented and passionate students and colleagues that are drawn to study this medicine. CL

Junie Norfleet holds a Master’s degree in Chinese Medicine from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine, in Santa Fe, NM. Prior to attending the International Institute of Chinese Medicine, she completed a one‐year tutorial in 1996 with Dr. Mary C. Majebé. She has practiced acupuncture at the Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic in Asheville, NC, since 1999. Before studying acupuncture, she served for ten years as an office manager at the Asheville clinic. Ms. Norfleet also holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from the UNC Greensboro and an MEd from Western Carolina University. She taught in the North Carolina public schools for ten years, as well as at Asheville Country Day School and Asheville‐Buncombe Community Technical College. Ms. Norfleet has taught Qi Gong since 2000 and is continuing her studies in classical Chinese medicine with Jeffrey Yuen. MAOM/DACM

Charles Pannell earned a BFA in drawing and painting from University of Georgia in 1998 and worked as an Exhibition Preparator at the Georgia Museum of Art, while also exhibiting original watercolor paintings of native plants and landscapes around the Southeast. During this time, he became increasingly interested in body movement arts, eventually focusing on the Chinese Internal Arts and training closely with R. Allen Pittman in martial arts and bodywork. He earned his MAOM from Daoist Traditions in 2011. Mr. Pannell practices classical Chinese medicine at Black Mountain Integrative Care in Black Mountain, NC, with a focus on preventive medicine and teaches community classes in Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and herbal medicine. He continues to cultivate the integration of nature, art, philosophy, and medicine as a discipline. MAOM/DACM, CL, CCHM

Tracy Peck studied acupuncture, bodywork, Taijiquan & Qigong at the Bio-Balance Institute from 1981-1986. He then attended and graduated from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, Maryland in 1990. Tracy co-founded East Gate Healing Arts in Greensboro in 1990 and has had a fulltime acupuncture & Chinese medicine practice there since. He has had a life-long interest in Daoist philosophy, mysticism, and Internal Alchemy, all of which sparked his initial interest in Chinese Medicine. Tracy is a certified teacher and healer in several Wudang Pai Qigong forms and in the Emei Linji tradition as well. He is a 26th generation Daoist Initiate in the Longmen Pai (Dragon Gate School) and a 15^th generation Initiate in the SanFeng Pai tradition, from Wudang Mountain, under Master Yun Xiang Tseng. He has also been a senior student and Qigong teaching assistant of Master Yong Zhou since 1995 and continues his education in Classical Chinese Medicine with Daoist Priest Jeffrey Yuen. MAOM/DACM

Dr. Evan Rabinowitz is the founder of Yao Shan Center for Chinese Medicine in Washington, DC. where he maintains his clinical practice. Currently, he is a professor at Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts, Asheville. He is the former Director of Chinese Herbal Medicine at the Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) where during his seven-year tenure he helped create the University’s Masters and Doctorate programs in Oriental Medicine. Evan has been studying extensively with Jeffrey Yuen for the last fifteen years. MAOM/DACM

Kathy Robinson graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine in 1989. She did her residency in family medicine at Duke University. She worked in private practices in Cary, NC and Durham, NC, and then went on to teach in the family medicine residency program at Duke. In 1998 she moved back to her hometown of Asheville. Since then she has worked in public health, first at the Buncombe County Health Department and presently at WNC Community Health Services. Dr. Robinson teaches healthcare at local prisons, serves on the Ethics Committee of Mission Hospital and volunteers at Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry medical clinic. She is a past president of Asheville Toastmasters and loves to read and garden. MAOM/DACM

Connie Ross completed her undergraduate work in Chemistry at Furman University in 1981 and received her MD degree at the University of South Carolina in 1985. She completed her residency in 1998 in Family Medicine in the Greenville, SC hospital system. She began a private family medicine practice in 1988. From 1989 to 1998, Dr. Ross worked in emergency medicine. During this time, Dr. Ross coordinated training programs for medical personnel in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Pediatric Life Support. She also taught resident physicians in training for Family Practice. In 2000 she co-founded Integrative Medical Associates in Tryon, North Carolina. Dr. Ross continues to pursue education by taking courses in nutritional and integrative medical support for health care issues.MAOM/DACM

Dr. Joe Rothstein graduated from both the Master’s and Doctorate programs at Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts, in Asheville, NC. He has continued to study with Jeffrey Yuen, 88th generation Daoist Priest of the Jade Purity Tradition. He completed a certificate program with PsychoEnergetics Training lead by Irene Tobler and Psychologist Michael Mervosh. He has also apprenticed in group wilderness therapy with Mr Mervosh and the Hero’s Journey Foundation. Joe actively practiced Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for over 10 years. Joe owned and operated a very busy practice at Acupuncture Associates of Marysville for 8 years, until closing the practice in the fall of 2021. Since then, Joe and his family have gone traveling, currently residing in beautiful Umbria, Italy. He is currently teaching Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine both online and at various locations around the world. He and his family can be found walking through Ancient Roman cities, or working in their garden and vineyard. Ambrosia Healing Arts MAOM/DACM

Peter Shea earned his BA in Secondary Education in 1992. He graduated from the American Institute of Massage Therapy in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in 1996. He received his MS in Oriental Medicine in 2003 from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine in Santa Fe, NM. Mr. Shea ran his own practice in Western NY, specializing in orthopedic conditions, from 2003‐2008 before selling his practice and moving to the Blue Ridge Mountains. He has pursued extra training in Qi Gong, Tui Na, Daoist philosophy and Northern Wu Tai Chi and actively explores the relationship between movement arts and spirituality. He continues his studies with Jeffrey Yuen. MAOM/DACM, CCHM, CL

Dov Shoneman began his Chinese medicine studies in 2000 with a three and a half year apprenticeship with Lesley Tierra, Lic. Ac., which led to becoming licensed to practice acupuncture in California since 2005. He also completed an apprenticeship with Christopher Hobb’s, Ph.D., in Western herbal medicine, giving him a unique background in both Western and Eastern herbs and treatment. Returning to school, he completed an internship at Zhejiang TCM University in Hangzhou, China, and earned a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, CA. Mr. Shoneman has taught at Five Branches University, the American School of Herbalism, the national American Herbalist Guild conference, Lesley and Michael Tierra’s East-West correspondence courses, and the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism. He has a private practice in West Asheville and continues his training in Chinese medicine and Western herbal traditions. MAOM/DACM, CL

Annie Spindler (she/her) is a Nationally Board Certified and North Carolina State Licensed Acupuncturist and Professional Birth Doula.
She has practiced Worsley style Five Element Acupuncture since 2013 and studied at Wu Hsing Tao School in Seattle, WA. Annie owned and managed a multidisciplinary holistic clinic in Chicago before moving to the Blue Ridge Mountains. She sees patients at Asheville Community Acupuncture in West Asheville. MAOM/DACM, CL

Taught his first college course in 1990 while completing a MS degree looking the changes in cell wall composition in peas that were exposed to low temperatures. After earning a MS degree from Virginia Tech in 1992 he continued his studies in horticultural sciences, genetics, botany, physiology, and cellular and molecular biology and earned a Ph.D. in 1997 from the University of Florida. Since that time he taught over 35 unique courses ranging from dendrology to general biology to human anatomy and physiology. Over the last 22 years he has served students at the University of Florida, University of Vermont, Haywood Community College, A-B Tech, and Technical College of the Low Country. Credentials/Dates: BS (Virginia Tech, 1990), MS (Virginia Tech, 1992), PhD (University of Florida, 1997)MAOM

Robert Vanderwall is currently a DAOM Candidate at AOMA Graduate School or Integrative Medicine in Austin, TX. Mr. Vanderwall is working through a program with areas of focus in research, leadership, teaching, and learning while focusing on a clinical specialty in pain management. Mr. Vanderwall received his MAOM from Daoist Traditions and previously had received an AAS from FLCC in Canandaigua, NY. Mr. Vanderwall is a graduate of the Mississippi School of Therapeutic Massage, was certified by the NCBTMB and practiced massage in North Carolina.

For most of his adult life, Mr. Vanderwall has worked in the field of technology consulting. The majority of that time was spent working on mainframe, midrange, enterprise systems, and network infrastructure. His clients and employers have included Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Mr. Vanderwall hopes to use his technical expertise in an interdisciplinary effort to improve the standing and quality of Chinese Medicine in the future.

Mr. Vanderwall has been a student and practitioner of Taijiquan and Qigong for over 25 years. His studies have extended to include the other internal martial arts of Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and Liuhebafa during that time. He currently teaches these arts to a handful of private students, as well as continuing his own personal study with several senior teachers. MAOM/DACM

Ann Wolman earned her BS in History at the University of Colorado. In 1987, she earned a professional teaching certificate and taught secondary school for five years. She graduated from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1996 and began practicing in Denver and Boulder, CO. She maintained a private practice specializing in Women’s Health Fu Ke (Chinese Medicine OB/GYN) and Tieh Tah (martial arts injury treatment and prevention). After completing an extensive internship with Amelia Greacan in Japanese Acupuncture, she integrated this approach into her practice. She has studied and taught martial arts for 25 years. MAOM/DACM, CCHM, CL

Jeffrey Yuen, is an 88th generation Daoist Priest of the Yu Qing Huang Lao Pai (Jade Purity School, Yellow Emperor/ Lao Tzu Sect), ordained by Master Yu Wen, and 26th generation of the Quan Zhen Long Men Pai (Complete Reality School, Dragon Gate Sect), ordained by Master Lu Xin‐Xu. Mr. Yuen is recognized internationally to be a Master of classical Chinese medicine, Daoism, Tai Ji Chuan, and Qi Gong. Mr. Yuen trained under his adoptive grandfather, the late Daoist Master Yu Wen (1872‐1981) of the Yu Qing Huang Lao Pai, a sect from the Shang Qing tradition of Daoism. Having a strong resonance with Daoist teachings, Mr. Yuen studied extensively under Master Yu Wen and was allowed to openly practice and serve the community when he was 16 years old. Mr. Yuen also studied Chinese herbal medicine with Master Gong Song‐Liu, a eunuch for the last two emperors of the Qing Dynasty who apprenticed with the Imperial Medical Academy physicians. In the martial arts arena, Mr. Yuen trained under many eminent masters. Among these masters are Leung Shum (Northern Eagle Claw), Lo Ching‐Sum (Vietnamese Jing Wu Association), Chan Hai‐Fu (White Crane’s Eagle‐In‐Cotton), Chan Tai Shan (Tibetan Lama Style), Yao Mei‐Hua (Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan), Wang Qing Shan (Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan), and Cui Yan (Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan). Mr. Yuen believes that he can contribute to the practice of Chinese medicine by spreading the traditions of classical Chinese medicine. In that regard, he continues to teach extensively throughout the United States and abroad. He has been a member of the faculty of Daoist Traditions since 2003. MAOM/DACM

Weixing Zhao graduated in 1983 from Hubei College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Wuhan City, China, after five years of study. He then became a teacher and Chinese Medical Doctor, working in the schools and teaching hospital for ten years. In 1991, he moved to Tel Aviv, Israel, where for the next six years he was a faculty member and clinic supervisor at the Israeli College of Complementary Medicine. In 2000, he moved to Minnesota where he opened his own private practice. Prior to his arrival at Daoist Traditions, he was a faculty member and Clinical Director at the Atlantic University of Chinese Medicine in Mars Hill, NC, for four years. He joined the faculty of Daoist Traditions in 2006 and maintains a private practice in Asheville. MAOM/DACM, CCHM