That changed after I was diagnosed with cancer at age seven. I couldn’t quite grasp how helping people feel better could involve treatments that seemed harsher than the disease itself. Instead, I became a writer, ultimately building a successful career in both the advertising and publishing industries here in Dallas. I remain thankful for the incredible care I received at MD Anderson, and for the way it shaped my approach to wellness. I eventually found my way back to healthcare, but from an integrative point of view. This philosophy recognizes the full range of physical, emotional, social, spiritual and environmental influences that can affect a person’s well-being. The centuries-old practice of acupuncture addresses these elements, making it a powerful companion — or, at times, a viable alternative — to traditional medicine. (It also makes me very happy that top hospitals such as Mayo Clinic, Duke University Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic, Sloan-Kettering, and, you guessed it, MD Anderson now consider acupuncture a legitimate part of patient care.) I hold a four-year Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from AOMA Graduate School of Integrate Medicine in Austin, Texas. While in school, I had the opportunity to study at the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, an experience that allowed me to observe the combined practice of Western and Eastern medicine at a public hospital. This cemented my belief in the power of collaborative care. I am a certified Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist and cupping therapist, and have received additional training in facial rejuvenation and medical qigong. While I work with a wide range of medical conditions, I’m particularly drawn to the treatment of anxiety disorders, trauma/PTSD, and addiction.
