I came to acupuncture later in life—while raising four kids, three still at home—after years of seeking out holistic healing for myself. In my early 30s, I faced a daunting diagnosis: Hodgkin’s disease and systemic lupus. Rather than accept the year of chemo and radiation I was offered, I found my way to healing through a mix of western herbs, homeopathy, nutrition, and Eastern medicine practices—all without the internet’s help. That journey gave me a deep, personal understanding of how many paths to healing exist, and how critical it is to find the right one for each person.

Today, I bring that same curiosity and persistence to my clinical work, combining acupuncture with functional medicine and gut testing to help people unravel chronic, complex health patterns. Acupuncture provides an incredible boost to systemic and digestive balance, but it often needs support from other tools—especially when people can’t come three times a week. During the COVID shutdown, I deepened my training in functional approaches to bridge that gap, and I continue to research and vet herbs, supplements, and lab testing innovations to offer my patients high-quality, affordable solutions.

I am also the owner and director of Elk Haven Wellness Center, home to about 15 compassionate practitioners with a wide range of backgrounds and modalities. When I feel stumped, or sense that someone else might offer a better fit for a patient’s needs, I often refer within this trusted circle. Most of the people I work with are managing pain, fatigue, or hormone imbalances that have been dismissed or over-medicated elsewhere. Many are retirees on fixed incomes, young families under financial strain, or longtime locals used to stretching every dollar. I want to offer them more than just symptom relief—I aim to be a trusted partner in their broader healing journey. Whether it’s a young woman navigating period problems or a senior trying to avoid surgery, my role is to listen, investigate, and help create sustainable change—without breaking the bank.