Leanne Apfelbeck, DC, MS, ATC, LMT (Illinois), 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, Illinois in 1988. During that time, she maintained a private practice, taught in the Lincoln Post Graduate Department of Chiropractic, and was also on staff 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, Utah where she published a paper in The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. Currently, Dr. Apfelbeck has a private practice in Asheville, North Carolina, and is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Biology at the University of North Carolina Asheville.

Eric Aufdencamp, Lic. Ac., DOM (New Mexico), began healing work in massage therapy through an apprenticeship in 1993. In 1995, he pursued formal training in massage therapy and became licensed. Mr. Aufdencamp began his study of Oriental Medicine at Southwest College of Oriental Medicine and received a Master’s of Science in Oriental Medicine in 1997. As a part of his Master’s program, Mr. Aufdencamp completed a clinical internship at the Beijing International Acupuncture Training Clinic which included studies in Tui Na, Tai Ji Chuan, and herbal medicine. He began his practice of Chinese Medicine at the Chinese Acupuncture & Herbology Clinic of Asheville in 2002. Dr. Aufdencamp has been teaching classes in Ivengar and Hatha Yoga for one year. He has continued his studies of Classical Chinese Medicine with Jeffrey Yuen.

Patricia Bernarding, M.Ed., A.A.S. in Business Administration., CMT, Associate Academic Dean, has been involved in the field of adult education for twenty-five years. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Education from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. Ms. Bernarding has been involved in the public school system and in proprietary colleges both as an educator and administrator. She has continued her graduate studies in English and Teaching English as a Second Language at Western Carolina University, North Carolina. In 2003, she received her Associate Degree in Business Administration from South College-Asheville. While in Tucson, she attended the Desert Institute of the Healing Arts and received certification as a Massage Therapist.

Stuart Bonner, M.D., completed his undergraduate work in Chemistry at Furman University in 1977. He continued his education and received his M.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1982. From 1983 to 1998, Dr. Bonner practiced emergency medicine in the Greenville, SC hospital system. In 1998 he began private practice in Integrative Medicine, co-founding Integrative Medical Associates in 2000. Dr. Bonner continues to pursue education by taking courses in nutritional and integrative medical support for health care issues.

Ed Entmacher, M.D., graduated from UNC medical school in 1978 and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill residency program in 1983. He is board eligible in both adult and child psychiatry. He has been in private practice in Asheville, NC since 1983. Dr. Entmacher sees a wide variety of clients in his private practice. He enjoys doing psychotherapy, especially in-depth therapy, which allows for deep and transformative changes. He consults with various agencies, ranging from community mental health clinics, to working with pregnant women with substance abuse issues, and troubled youth, as well as college students at university mental health clinics. Dr. Entmacher has also enjoyed teaching opportunities, such as supervision of colleagues, supervision and training of psychiatric and family practice residents.

Lori Fendell, M.Ac., L.Ac., P.A., M.P.H., earned her B.S. at the State University of N.Y. at 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, Maryland, and has been in full-time private practice since 1991 in Durham, North Carolina. She has also studied Chinese and Western herbs and has incorporated them into her practice for ten years. Ms. Fendell is a guest lecturer at Duke University Medical Center, UNC-Chapel Hill and other university medical centers.

Cat Finks, L.Ac., graduated from Warren Wilson College in 1990 and then began her formal studies in alternative medicine by attending the California School of Herbal Studies in 1994. She received certificates in Foundations and Therapeutics of Herbal Medicine. In 1995, she participated in a clinical internship at the New Mexico Institute of Herbal Studies and completed the program as a Certified Clinical Herbalist. Ms. Finks received her Master’s Degree in Chinese Medicine from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1999 following completion of an internship at the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in Chengdu, China. After 7 years of practicing acupuncture in Asheville, North Carolina, she pursued her dream of providing affordable care to her community and founded Asheville Community Acupuncture in 2006.

Joshua Herr, Lic. Ac., M.S., pursued undergraduate studies at Warren Wilson College with interests in agriculture and natural science. He received his Master’s of Science in Acupuncture and Certificate in Herbal Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, in 2000. While studying at Bastyr, he managed and expanded the university’s medicinal herb garden, introducing over 80 species of Chinese medicinal plants. Mr. Herr completed this phase of his studies by traveling to Seoul, Korea, to study at Kyung Hee University. From 2000-2004, he provided health services in an integrated healing center in Seattle, WA, working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals. He moved to Asheville, NC in 2004 and became a faculty member at the Atlantic University of Chinese Medicine. In 2006, Mr. Herr joined the Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic and became an instructor at Daoist Traditions. He continues his studies in Chinese Medicine with Jeffrey Yuen and Dr. Richard Tan.

Joe Hollis received his BA degree from the University of North Carolina at 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.

M. Cissy Majebé, Lic. Ac., DOM (New Mexico), Academic Dean, 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 where she received an MA in Exercise Physiology in 1980. 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. In 1985, Dr. Majebe founded the Chinese Acupuncture & Herbology Clinic in Asheville, NC. She was the first chair of the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board and was instrumental in helping to write the laws governing the practice of acupuncture in NC. Dr. Majebe has continued her study of Chinese Medicine in China and Korea and in Classical Chinese Medicine with Jeffrey Yuen.

Junie Norfleet, Lic. Ac., M. Ed., Financial Director, 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 Ms. Majebe. 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 office manager at the Asheville clinic. Ms. Norfleet also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master’s Degree in Education 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.

Rachel Nowakowski, Lic. Ac, Dipl. CH (NCCAOM), CMT, Administrative Director, earned her Master’s Degree in Chinese Medicine from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine in Santa Fe, NM, following a one-year tutorial with Ms. Majebe in 1996. She was awarded her Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1999 following the completion of an internship at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is nationally certified in Acupuncture and Herbology. Ms. Nowakowski has practiced acupuncture at the Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic in Asheville, N.C., since 2000. She also holds an Associate Arts Degree from Ocean County College (NJ) and earned her certification in massage therapy in 1993 from the Garden State Center for Holistic Health. She is continuing her studies in Classical Chinese Medicine with Jeffrey Yuen.

Liliane Papin, Ph. D. Dipl. Ac.(NCCAOM), Dipl. Ac. CH (NCCAOM), received her Master’s Degree in Chinese Medicine from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine in Santa Fe, NM. Ms. Papin’s entree to Oriental Medicine coincided with seven years of study of macrobiotics under Michio Kushi beginning in 1991. Prior to her arrival at Daoist Traditions, she was a faculty member at Atlantic University of Chinese Medicine in Mars Hill, NC, where she also served as the Dean of Student Affairs. She has undertaken intensive studies in Tai Chi and Qi Gong in both China and Thailand. She completed an Oriental Medicine internship in Chengdu, China in 2002 and private apprenticeship with Dr. Xin Lin. She has published several articles on the topics of macrobiotics, travel, cultural and women’s issues.

Tracy Peck, M.Ac., L.Ac., studied acupuncture, bodywork, taijiquan & Qi Gong at the Bio-Balance Institute from 1981-1986. He then attended and graduated from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, Maryland. Mr. Peck co-founded East Gate Healing Arts Center in Greensboro in 1990 and continues to practice acupuncture & Chinese medicine there. He has a life-long interest in Daoist philosophy, mysticism and Internal Alchemy, all of which sparked his initial interest in Chinese Medicine. Mr. Peck is a certified teacher and healer in the Emei Linji tradition as well as in several Wudang Qi Gong forms. He is a 25th generation Daoist Initiate in the Wudang Longmen Nei Dan Pai (Internal Elixir School) under Master Yun Xiang Tseng and has been a senior student and teaching assistant of Master Yong Zhou for twelve years. He continues his education in Classical Chinese Medicine with Jeffrey Yuen, Daoist Priest.

Sarah Robinson, Lic. Ac, Dipl. CH (NCCAOM), graduated from Five Branches Institute in Santa Cruz, California, with a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2003. She is nationally certified in Acupuncture and Herbology. In addition to North Carolina, she is licensed to practice acupuncture in South Carolina and California. Ms. Robinson is the founder of White Pine Acupuncture, where she practices privately in Asheville, North Carolina. She appreciates of the abundance of medicinal herbs growing in Western North Carolina and incorporates locally grown and ethically wildcrafted herbs into her herbal dispensary. Ms. Robinson continues her studies with Miki Shima and Jeffrey Yuen.

Connie Ross, M.D., 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.

Margot Rossi, M.Ac., Lic. Ac., received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Connecticut College where she was a zoology major with a premedical objective. After interning in the neonatal ward at Norwalk Hospital and working as an ecologist, she turned her interests from Western medicine to Chinese medicine. In 1994, Ms. Rossi graduated from the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Seattle where she studied intensively under the tutelage of Five Element practitioner, Eliot Cowan, interned in Japanese acupuncture and auricular medicine, and worked at the Kang Wen HIV/AIDS clinic. Ms. Rossi started Cloud Gate Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture which is housed in the Celo Health Center. In 1997, she underwent a three-month-long independent study in herbal medicine and Qi Gong in China at the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. An avid movement and meditation student since 1986 and certified yoga teacher, she teaches hatha yoga from the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and Tantric Shaivism, incorporating her experience in Tai Ji Chuan, Qi Gong, and Feldenkrais movement.

Rick Sibley, L.P.T., graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in Physical Therapy in 1976. He has been in private practice in Asheville since 1991. After studying the shoulder complex and mobilization in Kenya, he began studying maxilo-facial and spinal dysfunction with Professor Mariano Rocobado from Santiago, Chile and eventually did a 2-year internship with him. Rick has also studied Cranio-Sacral Therapy at the Upledger Institute and completed the advanced training with Dr. Upledger and several preceptorships at the institute. Certified to teach Medical Qi Gong by Master Shou-Yu LLiang, Rick has continued his studies in Qi Gong healing in Beijing, China. In the early 90's, he incorporated Visceral Manipulation into his practice after studying with Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral.

David Treviño, Lic.Ac., M.Ed., M.S., competed his undergraduate work in Biomedical Science at Texas A&M University in 1986. He continued his education and received his Master’s Degree in Physical Education in the area of human health and performance form the University of Houston in 1996. Mr. Treviño worked as an exercise physiologist at Havard’s affiliate Mind and Body Medical Institute Cardiac Rehabilitation program in Houston, Texas from 2000-2006. In 2002, he earned his Master’s of Science Degree in Oriental Medicine from the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Houston, Texas. Mr. Treviño is nationally certified in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology and has been in private practice for four years. He joined the staff of the Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic and the faculty of Daoist Traditions in 2006.

MaryAnn Watjen, MSW, LCSW, holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston University (1983) and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina. She is in private practice in Asheville, NC, offering psychotherapy and consultation to women and girls, their partners and families. Ms. Watjen also works as a therapist with the All Souls Counseling Center in Asheville. In her practice, she guides clients toward healing from trauma & violation, family of origin issues (including the mother-daughter connection), distorted body image/eating disorders, and depression. She is guided by the Relational/Cultural Model (Jean Baker Miller Institute, Wellesley, MA) which supports transformation through relationship.

Ann Wolman, L.Ac., Dipl. CH (NCCAOM), Clinical Director, earned her B.S. 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 Colorado. She maintained a private practice specializing in Women’s Health Fu Ke (Chinese Medine OB/GYN) and Tieh Tah (martial arts injury treatment and prevention). After completing an extensive internship with Amelia Greacan, Dipl. Ac., CH (NCCAOM) in Japanese Acupuncture, she integrated this approach into her practice. She has studied and taught martial arts for twenty-five years.

Weixing Zhao, Lic.Ac., Dipl. CH (NCCAOM), M.D. (China), 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.

VISITING FACULTY

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, Taoism, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, Tai Ji Chuan, and Qi Gong. He has served as a Guest Lecturer at Rockefeller University, City University of New York, San Francisco State University, Vassar College, and is the only non-M.D. acupuncturists on faculty for the American Association of Acupuncture Physicians. Mr. Yuen was the first recipient of the Oriental Medicine Educator of the Year Award presented by the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 1995. Currently the President of the International Tai Chi Institute, he is responsible for the development of programs to preserve and promote the teaching of Tai Chi Chuan and other Chinese healing arts in the U.S. and abroad. Mr. Yuen is an instructor and Dean of Academic Affairs at the Acupuncture and Oriental Medical Studies program at the Swedish Institute of Health Sciences, New York. He was a key figure in the development of the first Ph.D. program in the field of Classical Chinese Medicine, now offered at the American University of Complementary Medicine in Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Yuen willingly shares his knowledge of Classical Chinese Medicine through lectures nationally and internationally.