Kelly’s interest in Chinese medicine arose as she explored how to better connect with her body. With degrees in Art History from Vassar College and Columbia University, Kelly found it very easy to engage with the world on a cerebral level. “As I got older, I became more curious about what my body was telling me and how I could perceive so much information about myself and the world through my body.”

Similarly, she saw how much she enjoys learning about others through her work as a writer. “I recognized how effortless it was for me to take an interest in people, to bend my attention to meet the other and discover what feels like a whole universe in a person. Somehow, I knew that being an acupuncturist would set things up for me to continue doing that in a way that feels natural to me.”

A Pacific College of Health and Science graduate with a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kelly says of her interest in community acupuncture, “There was something about this expression of inclusiveness that felt so alive and right to me. I think I thrive in environments that aim to foster inclusiveness and community acupuncture is beautifully oriented that way.”

Kelly enjoys working with all types of patients, including those with musculoskeletal pain, menstrual irregularities, IBS, anxiety, and depression, and especially those who sense or are looking to explore the emotional connection. “It’s very rewarding when I’m able to help people more fully express what they’re going through. That’s a gift that one person can give to another. And that’s something I find continuous with the writing and editing work I’ve done and the way I practice acupuncture — I’m interested in supporting the expression of something that wants to be expressed.”

Kelly loves spending time in nature and learning about local flora and fauna wherever she is, and she enjoys creating collages out of ephemera, such as discarded books, magazines, and handwritten notes.

Kelly’s interest in Chinese medicine arose as she explored how to better connect with her body. W... Read More

Tracey Byer first encountered the benefits of acupuncture when she injured her back and neck and could not find relief through Western medicine. After trying acupuncture, Tracey was amazed at the immediate results and she ultimately experienced a full recovery. After this Tracey made the commitment to study Chinese Medicine because as she says “I wanted to be able to provide that level of care to my clients.”

Tracey received her Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM) from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York City. She is Certified in Acupuncture by the NCCAOM and licensed to practice acupuncture in New York State.

Tracey has over 10 years experience as a massage therapist and skin care expert. Her educational background includes The Swedish Institute as well the Lia Schorr Institute of Cosmetic Care. She is currently a teacher and supervisor at Atelier Esthetique in New York City.

Tracey is a great advocate of community acupuncture, saying, “I am passionate about healthcare being affordable and readily available. Community Acupuncture provides affordable care and allows the patient to receive the treatments they need, when they need it.”

Outside of acupuncture, Tracey is interested in Qi Gong, meditation, Tai Chi, and enjoys Native American/Tlingit art, dance and language. Her future plans include advocating for Native American rights and educating Native people about health and nutrition.

Tracey Byer first encountered the benefits of acupuncture when she injured her back and neck and ... Read More

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Yuka was exposed to healing arts as young girl when her mother, a shiatsu practitioner, taught her about meridian theory, and how to massage certain points to feel better. After graduating from Douglass College at Rutgers University, Yuka had a formative experience working with Tibetan Refugees in northern India. Seeing first hand how effective regular access to acupuncture could be, Yuka decided to formally study acupuncture and Chinese herbology upon her return to the states.

Yuka started her acupuncture training at the New York Campus of the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM), and graduated from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) in San Francisco, California. Her internships included St. Vincent’s HIV clinic in New York City, as well as the St. James Infirmary and ACTCM’s community ear clinic in San Francisco. She is licensed to practice in New York State, and is board certified in Oriental Medicine by the NCCAOM. Her professional interests include community medicine, women’s health and pain management.

Outside of Olo Acupuncture, Yuka’s interests include spending her time with her daughter, travel and a life long love of photography.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Yuka was exposed to healing arts as young girl when her mother, a shiatsu p... Read More

Meghan Herzfeld (they/them) studied dance and graduated from Bennington College in Vermont. They are Certified in Transformative Touch from the Somatic Therapy Center in Philadelphia and currently live and work in New York City.

Meghan has been a client of Somatic Therapy for the past ten years and has been deeply changed and expanded by it. As a dancer, yoga teacher, lover of acupuncture, and all things body, they found that through Somatic Therapy, they began to understand things about themselves that “talking it out” could never quite land on.

Somatic Therapy has allowed Meghan to be more self-trusting, alive, pleasureful, and aware of how to show up in an embodied way. They believe that the world needs and deserves more embodied people, and it is an honor and privilege to begin to offer this practice that has generated immense growth and expansion for them personally.

Meghan is also an avid biker and cat parent to their beloved Jennipurr Coolidge Herzfeld.

Meghan Herzfeld (they/them) studied dance and graduated from Bennington College in Vermont. They ... Read More

With over a decade of experience in health and wellness, Dr. Joss Martinez, L.Ac., practiced reiki and other energy work modalities before studying at the Pacific College of Health and Science’s New York and San Diego campuses and graduating as a Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization.

Joss sees integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a natural evolution of their energy work practice and one aligned with their values. “After receiving acupuncture and looking deeper into its philosophy, I found that the medicine described the relationship between elements of nature and our bodies in such a beautiful and intricate way. I deeply resonated with this process of holistically rewiring as a tool to help individuals regulate themselves and, in turn, strengthen the collective.”

Community acupuncture is similarly a natural fit for Joss, who is dedicated to reducing barriers for underserved communities with affordable and accessible care. They are especially driven by a passion for providing intentional, inclusive care and fostering safe wellness spaces for QTBIPOC individuals, “helping them clear the dissonance brought on by societal and environmental factors.”

Joss finds joy in supporting individuals navigating various health challenges, including pain management, nervous system dysregulation, addiction, trauma processing, gender-affirming care complications, and more. Joss also embraces esoteric approaches to help individuals further connect with their innate power to heal.

Often incorporating the use of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine along with their energy work skills such as reiki, craniosacral, and biofield tuning, Joss finds that “deciphering the connections between the physical, emotional, and spiritual layers within each unique person” is one of their favorite aspects of their practice. “Witnessing patients experience profound transformation after a tailored session, the genuine relief and glow on their faces as they become more in tune with their bodies and settled in their spirit, is so lovely.”

Fluent in Spanish and English, outside of their practice, Joss enjoys live music, engaging in restorative and rhythmic movement, spending time in nature, building community, and cuddling their cat, Shenzi.

With over a decade of experience in health and wellness, Dr. Joss Martinez, L.Ac., practiced reik... Read More

For Monica Sun, L.Ac., Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combines her interests in somatics, poetry, and psychology with her Chinese American identity and heritage. Originally from Bridgewater, New Jersey, Monica graduated as a Dance Major from Wesleyan University. “When I started dancing in college, I was suddenly faced with a thousand questions that were unlocked through movement exploration, like opening Pandora’s box. But I still needed answers, and that’s where Chinese medicine came in.”

Monica studied acupuncture and herbology, receiving her Master’s from the Pacific College of Health & Science with a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Along the way, her education has included apprenticeships with Dr. Henry McCann, an expert in the Master Tung tradition, and Dr. Sharon Zhao, a TCM Five Elements practitioner.

As a practitioner, Community Acupuncture makes sense to Monica, saying, “Acupuncture is meant to be a consistent and comprehensive therapy in order to not only yield long-term, sustaining results but also prevent imbalances from progressing to illness. Community-style acupuncture gives patients a more affordable opportunity to receive continuous care. Healing is not a sprint but a marathon. It’s important to me that everyone has extended access to the tools for healing as much as possible.”

Monica works with many types of patients and conditions but is especially drawn to those whose personal healing includes therapy as a synergistic modality of mind-body integration. “I love witnessing patients become more and more attuned to the subtle, proprioceptive landscape of both mind and body… Although my immediate goal is of course to help patients feel better, my long-term goal is to help deepen their relationship with their own bodies and open the gate for their truest selves to shine through.”

Beyond music, film, and video games, dance has been a North Star for Monica since college, and she is currently obsessed with House and New Style Hustle.

You can learn more about Monica Sun, L.Ac. in our interview with her on our blog.

For Monica Sun, L.Ac., Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combines her interests in somatics, poe... Read More

Jane was introduced to alternative medicine at the age of 11 when she saw a chiropractor for her injuries after falling out of a tree. Her experience led her to look into studying chiropractic medicine but “after working for an acupuncturist and seeing the full range of conditions acupuncture and herbology could treat I was fully persuaded to study Traditional Chinese Medicine.”

After receiving her BA from Binghamton University, Jane attended Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego where she attained her MSTOM. During her 4 years in California she assisted Donna Keefe, L.Ac. a renowned fertility specialist. Her studies also included an internship at the San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care, Senior Clinic at First Lutheran Church, a free, community style mobile clinic for seniors, and Integrative Health Nights: Community Clinic, a donation based, mobile clinic for underserved populations.

Jane is drawn to community acupuncture because “it allows people to get acupuncture often and that’s how acupuncture works best.” Her specialties include fertility and sports medicine. Outside of her work as an acupuncturist Jane’s interest includes supporting the growth of happy and healthy communities, cross-training, obstacle racing, yoga and lots of music.

Jane was introduced to alternative medicine at the age of 11 when she saw a chiropractor for her ... Read More