View Our Spring 2022 Newsletter
 
Letter from the President
 

Academy President Misti Oxford Pickeral
 
 
Greetings from Gainesville,
 
Based on the Chinese Lunar New Year calendar, we’ve entered the year of the Water Tiger. This year is expected to bring about great change in our lives, encouraging us to take risks and grow as individuals and as members of society.
 
We are already undergoing significant transformation at the Academy. In the past months, we have welcomed staff members Marilyn Mesh as Interim Administrative Director; Angela Xistris Kreuger as Accreditation, Compliance & Legal Specialist; Mariam Higginbotham as Communications and Marketing Coordinator; and Liana Simon as Receptionist.
 
Additionally, several of our staff members have transitioned into new roles. They include Andi Houston, former Administrative Assistant and now Clinic Manager; Robbie Milam, former Receptionist and now Office and Building Manager; and Czr English, who has joined the administrative office as a Staff Aide in addition to serving as one of the clinic receptionists.
 
Beyond staff changes, I am happy to announce that Class 39B began their journey with us on January 4th, 2022. We are thrilled to assist another great group of students in blossoming into Five Element practitioners. Though this year has only just begun, I am hopeful that it will leave a legacy of positive development for us all. I hope that your 2022 is off to a great start and that you have a lovely spring.

May the energy of springtime and the new year renew and revitalize you,
 
 
Class Updates
 

From l. to r., back row: Carly Barnes, Matt Wallach, Gregory Steinlage, Sarah Blackwell, Alexandra Kamakas, Candace Galbreath, Anadel Montero, Brooke Nantz

Front row: Leora Esterra, Sarah Haven, Elisa Cabrera, Tatyana Reznik, Jessica Ivey, Bailey Weed
 
Class 39 B joined us on January 4th, 2022. Their orientation was a lovely way to start the year.
 
Auricular Clinic Reopening
 
We're happy to announce that our $5 Community Auricular Clinic is re-opening on Mondays from 6:15 to 7:15 weekly. The first session will be on March 7th. Veterans receive free treatment.
 
 
 
Staff Updates
 

L. to r.: Mariam Higginbotham, Liana Simon, Czr English
 
There are some new faces around the Academy these days! Please give a warm welcome to:
 
Marilyn Mesh
Interim Administrative Director
Angela Xistris Kreuger
Accreditation Specialist
Mariam Higginbotham
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Liana Simon
Receptionist
 
 
 
 
 
Additionally, some of our staff have shifted their role in the Academy. Congratulations to:
Andi Houston
Clinic Manager, formerly Administrative Assistant
Robbie Milam
Office and Building Manager, formerly Receptionist
Czr English
Staff Aide, in addition to Clinic Receptionist
 
 
More About Marilyn
 

Academy Interim Administrative Director Marilyn Mesh
 
Marilyn Mesh, M.Ac, M.Ed, is the Academy’s Interim Administrative Director. A graduate of WICA VI, Marilyn was an organic watermelon famer, a teacher in a women’s prison and in the public school system, and has over 40 years of administrative experience as an executive director of two non-profit health agencies.
 
She is enjoying working at the Academy and hopes to make a positive difference at our school.
 
Changing Clinic Managers
 

Clinic Manager Gale and former Administrative Assistant Andi Houston
 
Gale Mowry, a Class 12 alumna, faculty member, and on-leave board member, was hired by the Academy in February 2021 to be acting Clinic Manager. She was brought in to reprise the Clinic Director postition and create the new Clinic Manager position.
 
Her tenure is ending at the end of April and Andi Houston, Executive Assistant since 2008, has been promoted to take over as Clinic Manager. Andi says, "I am thrilled with my new role."
 
 
Alumni Updates
 
 
Now Open: Zara Acupuncture
 
Magdalen Hsu-Li
Class 35
 
Magdalen graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting, and from Berklee College of Music with a BA in Music/Songwriting. She spent many years as a professional touring musician, lecturer, and diversity advocate.
 
Her new practice, Zara Acupuncture & Wellness, is in a beautiful Victorian house in Wayland Square, Providence, RI, where she hopes to integrate and develop her passions for 5-Element Acupuncture, Women's Health, Diversity and Inclusion, and Sufi Healing, while working toward certification in Herbal Medicine, Zero Balancing, and Functional Nutrition. Keep an eye out for her website, which will be launching soon.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Now Hiring at Acupuncture Williamsburg
 
Bart Beckermann
Class 26
 
Associate Acupuncturist
Acupuncture Williamsburg is looking to hire an associate acupuncturist for their busy practice.
The right candidate will be:
  • Licensed in New York
  • Available to work weekends
  • Have a clean background check
  • Ideally trained in Five Element and/or Classical Acupuncture; or desiring to learn
  • Willingness to develop strong patient relationships and keep up with communication
  • Willingness to learn electronic record keeping through Unified Practice EMR software.
  • Keep excellent notes
  • Herbalist a plus
  • Energy/body worker a plus

Associate starts out as an independent contractor for 3 months with possible hire if it is a good fit.
Start out working weekends with potential to expand to other days.
Starting pay based on experience and qualifications.

 
 
 
Stay Connected with the Academy
 
Alumni Services
 
Are you a graduate of the Academy with an active acupuncture or Chinese Herbal Medicine practice?
 
Click below to get added to our database of alumni practitioners.
 
 
 
Blog Features
 
We're re-launching our website's blog and would love to feature your story.
 
Click below for more information and to make a submission.
 
 
Changes to our Newsletter Design
 
We've changed our newsletter to be more mobile-friendly.
 
Have suggestions or questions about it? Please contact our email. We'd love to hear your opinions!
 
 
 
Seen on Social Media
 
 
Our Community Auricular Clinic is reopening on March 7th and current Class 37 students Nikki Canny and Elad Gabay graciously modeled what the treatment looks like.
 
 
 
Academy for Five Element Acupuncture
352.335.2332
info@acupuncturist.edu
315 SE 2nd Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
 
 

305 SE 2nd Ave • Gainesville, FL 32601 • United States