Faculty, Staff & Board

Andrew Ali Hamm, B.A., M.Ac, A.P. (FL), graduated from University of Florida with a degree in East Asian Languages. He received his M.Ac. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2004). Andrew maintains a private practice in Gainesville, FL. Acupuncture/Herbs.

Jim Brooks, B.A., M.S., M.Ac., A.P. (FL), holds a B.A. in Psychology and Master of Social Work from State University of New York at Albany. He received his M.Ac. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2010). Jim is in private practice in Gainesville, FL. Acupuncture/Herbs.

Erika Chase, B.S., M.Ac., D.A.C.M, A.P. (FL), holds a B.S. in Biology from Augusta State College. She graduated with her M.A.c. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in 2015 and went on to earn her doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (2020) from Pacific College of Health Sciences. Erika is in private practice in Gainesville, FL. Acupuncture/Herbs.

Mindy de Wilde, R.Y.T., B.S., M.Ac., A.P. (FL), graduated from the University of Florida, Magna cum laude, with a B.S. degree in Health Science. She received her M.Ac. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2012). She maintains a private practice in Gainesville and is a registered yoga teacher. Herbs.

Gary Dolowich, B.A., M.D., M.Ac., L.Ac. (CA), holds a B.A. in Psychology from Brooklyn College. He received his Doctorate of Medicine from University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine and his M.Ac. from College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (1981) in Leamington Spa, UK. He is the author of Archetypal Acupuncture: Healing With the Five Elements and is in private practice in Santa Cruz, California. Acupuncture.

Jennifer Downey, B.A., M.A.O.M, A.P. (FL), graduated with a degree in music from University of Florida. She received her Masters of Oriental Medicine from Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine (2002). Jennifer maintains a private practice in Gainesville, FL. Acupuncture/Herbs.

Thea Elijah, B.A., M.Ac., L.Ac. (VT), graduated with a B.A. in Women’s Studies from Empire State College in New York. She received her M.Ac. from Traditional Acupuncture Institute (1995). She is a featured lecturer nationwide and maintains a private practice in Brattleboro, VT. Herbs.

Merry Gerard, B.A., M.Ac., L.Ac. (MA), received a B.A. in Psychology from the State University of New York in Buffalo. She holds a M.Ac. from both the Traditional Acupuncture Institute (1982) and the College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (1989) in Leamington Spa, UK. Merry is in private practice in Newton, MA. Acupuncture.

Patty Getford, A.A., M.Ac., A.P. (FL), graduated from University of Florida with an Associates degree in Computers/Electronics Repair. She earned her M.Ac. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2001). Patty currently practices in Gainesville, FL. Acupuncture.

Margaret Ginestra, B.A., M.F.A., M.Ac., A.P. (FL), received her B.A. in English from Florida State University and earned her M.F.A. in poetry from Washington University in St. Louis. She graduated from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture where she received her M.A.c. (2021). Margaret is now in private practice in Georgia. Acupuncture.

Chuck Graham, B.A., M.Ac., L.Ac. (MD), holds a B.A. in English/Fine Arts from Loyola College. He received his M.Ac. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2002). Chuck maintains a private practice in Baltimore, MD. Acupuncture.

Rachel Harrison, B.A., M.A., M.Ac., M.M.Q., L.Ac. (MN), earned a B.A. in Music Performance from the Eastman School of Music and a M.A. from Julliard. She studied at Academy for Five Element Acupuncture where she received her L.Ac. (1999) , her M.Ac. (2001) and Master of Medical Qigong. Rachel is in private practice in Minnesota. Acupuncture.

Brendan Kelly, B.A., M.Ac., L.Ac. (VT, MT), graduated from Swarthmore College with a degree in Political Science in 1992. He received his M.Ac. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2004). Brendan has a private practice in Burlington, VT. Acupuncture/Herbs.

Alexander Love, M.Ac., L.Ac. (CO), received a M.Ac. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2004). He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Classical Chinese Medicine. He is a certified Quantum Cranial Practitioner and Instructor. Alexander is in private practice in Colorado. Acupuncture.

Dava Michelson, B.F.A., M.Ac., D.M.Q., A.P. (FL), graduated from Antioch College with a B.F.A. She received her M.Ac. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2001), along with a Master of Medical Qigong. Dava maintains a private practice in Miami, FL. Acupuncture.

Gale Mowry, B.S., M.Ac., C.A. (MT), earned a B.A. in Pre-Medical Sciences from The Evergreen State College. She received her M.Ac. from the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2002). Acupuncture.

Misti Oxford-Pickeral, B.S., M.Ac., A.P. (FL), graduated from Texas Tech University with a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology. She received her M.Ac. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2003). She is the Director of Clinics of the Academy, and the former director of the Chinese Herbal Studies program. She also maintains a private practice in Gainesville, FL. Acupuncture/Herbs.

Janet Rucker, A.P. (FL), received her Diploma in Acupuncture from the Classical Acupuncture Institute (1990) in Jacksonville, FL. Janet maintains a private practice in Gainesville, FL. Acupuncture.

Dan Sachs, B.S., B.Ac., M.Ac., L.Ac. (MA & VT), holds a B.S. in English from the State University of New York. He earned both his L.Ac. (1984) and B.Ac. (1989) from College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture in Leamington Spa, UK. He received a M.Ac. (1989) from Traditional Acupuncture Institute. Dan is in private practice in both Massachusetts and Vermont. Acupuncture.

Amy Sear, B.S., M.Ac., A.P. (FL), graduated from Cornell University and received her M.Ac. from Acupressure-Acupuncture Institute. Amy has a private practice in South Florida and is the acupuncture physician at the Breast Cancer Center of Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, FL. Herbs.

Shayna Stringer, B.A./B.S., M.Ac., A.P. (FL), graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Sociology and Psychology. She earned her M.A.c. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture and currently maintains a private practice in Gainesville, FL. Acupuncture.

Joon Thomas, B.A., B.F.A., studied Asian History and Chinese language at the University of Pennsylvania; holds a B.A. from Haverford College; and a B.F.A. in printmaking from the University of the Arts (Philadelphia College of Art). Joon is an artist, calligrapher and designer; owner of Palmstone Studio which provides commissioned art to clients worldwide; and a member of Sweetwater Print Cooperative in Gainesville, Florida. Acupuncture.

Peggy Watson, B.A., M.Ac., L.Ac. (TN), graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in East Asian Studies and earned her M.Ac. from Academy for Five Element Acupuncture (2001). Peggy is in private practice in Tennessee. Acupuncture.

Susan Weiser Mason, B.A., B.Ac, M.Ac., L.Ac. (ME), holds a B.A. in Education from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She received her B.Ac. College of Traditional Acupuncture (1989) and her M.Ac. from Traditional Acupuncture Institute (1986). Susan maintains a private practice in Maine. Acupuncture.