Colorado Faculty

Please Note: D.O.M. (Doctor of Oriental Medicine) is the title granted by the state of New Mexico upon licensing. L. Ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist) is the title granted by the state of Colorado upon licensing.

Campus Director

Valerie Hobbs, B.G.S., Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., L. Ac., Associate Professor
Valerie received a diploma in acupuncture from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Denver, Colorado in 1995 and was certified in Traditional Chinese Medical Gynecology from Blue Poppy Seminars in 1997. Before studying acupuncture, she was a Registered Midwife in the state of Colorado and maintained a private practice in midwifery from 1979 to 1995. Additionally, she was licensed as an EMT-Paramedic and worked on rural ambulance service in Ohio from 1983 – 1986. She specializes in TCM gynecology and sports acupuncture, and was one of two acupuncturists who worked at the Olympic Village in Atlanta in 1996. She was formerly the editor of the Journal of the Acupuncture Association of Colorado, and now serves as the association’s current Vice-President. Valerie has been the Campus Director of the Boulder campus since 1999. She teaches Chinese Medical Theory IV, Obstetrics and Gynecology and supervises clinic for the Boulder Campus.

Faculty, Boulder

Mei Lie Benink, A.A., B.A. Dipl. O.M., L.Ac., Full Professor
Mei received her Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1995. She holds a Diplomate in Acupuncture and in Chinese Herbology and has a private practice in Denver. Mei Lie is a clinical supervisor for the Boulder Campus.

Louis Cavallo, D.C., Instructor
Dr. Cavallo attended New York Chiropractic College in New York and graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1997. He worked as a chiropractor in Philadelphia, PA and Woodbury Heights, NJ prior to relocating to Colorado in 2006. Dr. Cavallo has taught Anatomy and Physiology at Front Range Community College and he maintains a private chiropractic practice in Longmont, Colorado. Dr. Cavallo teaches the Orthopedic Anatomy elective/specialty topic course.

Carol Conigliaro, B.A., Dipl., Ac., Dipl. C.H., L. Ac., Instructor
Carol received a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Biology from the University of Santa Barbara in 1985. She received her Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado in 2000. Since 2000, Carol has been in private practice in Lyons, Colorado. Carol supervises clinic.

Qiang D. (Daisy) Dong, M.H.A., M.A., Dipl. Ac., L. Ac., Full Professor
Daisy completed her medical degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Department of Acupuncture and Tui-Na of the Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BCTCM) in 1984. She worked at BCTCM for six years as a lecturer and instructor for the Acupuncture Science courses of their International Training Program as well for two years working with their Medical Qi Gong Research Institute. She was awarded a Master’s Degree in International Health and Health Administration from Ohio University in 1997. Daisy teaches Chinese Pharmacology, Oriental Physical Therapy, and Traumatology and offers an elective in Reading Medical Chinese. She also supervises clinic for the Boulder Campus.

Garima Fairfax, Associate Professor
Garima is a herbalist who has extensive experience with field identification and practical and medicinal application of native herbs. She studied Botany and Environmental Studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara and at Santa Barbara City College for five years. During three years with the U.S. Forest Services, she was involved in an extensive identification and mapping of endangered plants in central coastal California, and compiled a book based on her ecological research. She has training in massage and aromatherapy. She has been an instructor for the past five years for the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies. She currently has a business growing herbs to use in her own line of herbal skin care products, and conducts classes on plant identification. She is the designer of the Boulder campus Five Element Garden. Garima teaches Western Herbology electives for the Boulder Campus.

Vanessa Fishback, B.A.,M.S., Associate Professor
Vanessa earned her B.A. in 1980 in Chemistry and her M.S. in 1985 in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of Colorado. She has worked as a research chemist, as a senior analyst chemist for a beer brewing company and as a software designer for scientists. She has ten years experience as an instructor in chemistry at the college level. She has been teaching high school science at Shining Mountain Waldorf School since 2003. Vanessa teaches Introduction to Organic and Inorganic Chemistry and General Physics electives for the Boulder Campus.

Douglas Frank, B.S., Ed.M., C.M.T., Dipl. Ac., L.Ac., Instructor
Douglas received a B.S. in history from the University of Akron in 1972. He then received an Ed.M. in Counseling Psychology from Kent State University in 1973. He earned his C.M.T. from the Boulder School of Massage Therapy in 1982. Douglas then did an acupuncture mentorship with Bob Flaws from 1983 to 1985. He received a Certificate in Acupuncture from Shanghai Acupuncture Center in 1985 and did Chinese herbal medicine study at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 1987 to 1990. He did Jin Shin Jyutsu training in Boulder, Colorado from 1992 to 1994, Heart Essence Energy Work in Denver, Colorado from 2001 to 2006, and did Bach Flower Training in Boulder, Colorado from 2006 to 2007. Douglas has an extensive and varied work history, but most recently he was an acupuncturist for the Center for Spinal Rehabilitation in Denver, Colorado from 1990 to 1995 and was an acupuncturist for the Colorado Back School in Denver, Colorado from 1987 to 1990. Since 1985, Douglas has maintained a private practice in Oriental Medicine in Boulder, Colorado. Douglas is a supervisor in the student clinic.

Nadia Haddad, B.A., M.S. L. Ac., Associate Professor
Nadia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychobiology from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2001. She received her Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine from Dongguk Royal University in Los Angeles in 2005. Since 2001, Nadia has been a certified instructor for the Princeton Review in General and Organic Chemistry, Biology, and LSAT, becoming a Princeton Review Teacher of the Year Finalist, making her one of their top ten teachers worldwide. She attained her acupuncture licensure through the State of California in 2005, and is licensed in the state of Colorado. She maintains a private practice in Boulder. Nadia teaches Microbiology 711.

Ted Hall, B.A., Dipl. Ac., D.O.M., L. Ac., Full Professor
Ted specializes in Japanese styles of acupuncture and bodywork. Ted studied at the Kototama Institute from 1982 to 1984 and has also undertaken tutorial studies in Japanese acupuncture, along with several years of advanced bodywork training. He received a B.A. with honors in language and linguistics from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1988. He received a diploma from a tutorial with Dr. Tom Duckworth (1989), and his New Mexico license and the NCCA certification in 1990. He received his M.S.O.M. from Southwest Acupuncture College in 1999. He has previously taught at YoSan University and Southwest Acupuncture College in Santa Fe, as well as San Francisco State University and the Inochi Institute. Ted has also performed extensive volunteer clinical work in both Mexico and teen shelters in Santa Fe. Ted teaches Chinese Medical Theory I/II, Oriental Physical Therapy I, Point Energetics, electives in Japanese style acupuncture such as Kototama Inochi Medicine, and is a clinical supervisor.

Nancy Harnum, B.S., M.S., R.N., Instructor
Nancy received her B.S. in Nursing in 1990 from Temple University and a Master of Science in Health Administration in 1995 from Central Michigan University. Nancy has worked in the healthcare profession for nearly 20 years and most recently has been working with the Jefferson County Department of Health in their H1N1 preparedness program. Nancy teaches the Public Health/Epidemiology course.

Drew Henderson, B.S., Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., L. Ac., Full Professor
Drew received a B.S. in Chemistry from Spring Hill College in 1979. He graduated from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1993 and did an advanced clinical internship in Harbin, China in 1995. Drew has a private practice with a focus in sports medicine and has extensive experience with auto accident injuries. Drew teaches Surface Anatomy and is a clinical instructor for the Boulder Campus.

Nina Herrick, B.A., M.A., L. Ac., Dipl. Ac., Associate Professor
Nina received a Bachelor of Arts in English and completed pre-med studies from the State University of New York at Albany and West London Institute of Higher Education in 1978. She completed a M.A. in Journalism at CU Boulder in 1981. Nina completed her training in Chinese Medicine Theory and Acupuncture at the Dechen Yonten Dzo Institute of Buddhist Medicine, taught by Bob Flaws in 1990 and was awarded a Diplomat in Acupuncture in 1991. She did additional training in herbology at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 1991-1993. From 1979 she taught writing at Baruch College. She has maintained a private practice in Oriental Medicine in Boulder since 1991 working at Stillwater Health, Wellspring for Women, and Partners in Health. Nina is a clinical supervisor for the Boulder Campus.

Laurel Lewis, R.N., Dipl. Ac., L. Ac., Associate Professor
Laurel graduated with her Associate Degree in Nursing from Cabrillo College in 1985. She worked as an R.N. in various western medical settings including as a charge nurse on a med-surg unit, in home health, a critical care nurse, and as a nurse case manager. She completed her TCM education at Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1999. She studied Japanese acupuncture with Miki Shima. She worked at Southwest Acupuncture College as clinic director from August 2000 until June 2001 and as an assistant instructor. Laurel teaches Medical Terminology and Pharmacology for the Boulder Campus.

Li Lu, B.S., M.S. T.C.M., L.Ac., Full Professor
Li Lu received a Bachelors Degree in Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1986. He studied at the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and received a Masters Degree in TuiNa of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Li Lu worked as a TCM doctor in China from 1986 to 1995 and then taught and practiced in Israel for a year. From 1997 to 2003, he taught at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and from 2003 to 2005 he had a practice in Longmont, Colorado. From 2005 until the present, he has owned and operated private practices in Lakewood and Boulder, Colorado. Li Lu teaches Oriental Physical Therapy II 205.

Tristan McCoy, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., L. Ac., Associate Professor
Tristan graduated from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1995 and has a private practice in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Tristan teaches Point Location, Chinese Patent Medicines, and Internal Medicine, and supervises clinic for the Boulder Campus.

Molly McIntyre, M.S.O.M., L.Ac., R.N., Instructor
Molly graduated in 1996 with a B.A. in Spanish Literature from the University of Iowa. She then attended the University of Portland and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1999. Molly graduated with a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from the Boulder campus of Southwest Acupuncture College in 2005. While attending Southwest Acupuncture College and since her graduation, Molly has attended a variety of professional seminars to further expand her education in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Molly was employed as an Obstetrics Nurse from 1992 to 2002 at Longmont United Hospital and then at the Boulder Community Hospital. From 2005 to the present, Molly has maintained a private acupuncture practice in Boulder, Colorado where she specializes in pediatric acupuncture. Molly teaches Pediatrics 206.

Joanne Neville, BA, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., L. Ac., Instructor
Joanne received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York in 1988. She received her Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado in 2002. She maintains a private practice in Boulder. Joanne teaches Point Location 141.

Todd Plymale-Mallory, M.A.T.C.M., L.Ac., D.N.B.A.O., Associate Professor
Todd completed a Massage Therapist program in 1998 from East-West College of the Healing Arts. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from Occidental College in 2002. In 2006, Todd graduated with a Masters of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Since his graduation from Yo San, Todd has obtained postgraduate education in Japanese Bodywork, TCM Management of Arthritis, and Shen Disturbance/Psychiatry in TCM. Todd has been an instructor at Samra University of Oriental Medicine, Lerner Education, Dongguk Royal University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, West Coast University, Occidental College, and Touch Therapy Institute as well conducting independent seminars. At Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Todd also served as a Teaching Assistant and Tutor. Todd was a Chiropractic Assistant for several years in California and Oregon and practiced acupuncture in California since 2000. Since 1998, Todd was the owner and sole proprietor of Integrated Healing Acupuncture in Los Angeles, California. He has recently relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado where he is establishing a private practice. Todd teaches Herb Review 410, Introduction to Chinese Herbology 163, Sports Medicine 625 and is a clinical supervisor.

Whitfield Reaves, B.S., O.M.D., Dipl. Ac., L. Ac., Full Professor
Whitfield received his Bachelor of Science in History from the University of Oregon in 1973. He graduated in 1981 from SAMRA University of Health Sciences in Los Angeles. In 1983, he completed advanced studies for his O.M.D. degree in Oriental medicine that included a four-month internship in Beijing, China. Since then, Whitfield has specialized in the treatment of musculo-skeletal and sports-related injuries. He has taught at numerous acupuncture colleges in the United States and Europe, both as core faculty and as a guest lecturer for graduate and continuing education seminars on sports medicine. He participates as a lecturer in our continuing education program and teaches Chinese Medical Theory, Introduction to Diagnosis, Point Location, and Sports Medicine electives as well as supervising clinic for the Boulder campus.

Jack Schaefer, B. S., M.S.A.O.M., Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., L. Ac., Associate Professor
Jack received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and his Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2000 from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. He has since done post-graduate study at the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China where he studied internal medicine, oncology, Chinese Tui na massage, and acupuncture. He has also practiced and lectured in Europe. Jack continues to make regular trips to China for study. He is an NCCAOM certified Diplomate in Acupuncture and Herbs. Jack has been a student of martial arts for 25 years, and has taught martial arts to adults and children for 15 years. He has a private practice in Louisville, Colorado. Jack teaches Point Energetics, Techniques of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Qi Gong and supervises clinic for the Boulder campus.

Debby Shapiro, B.S.N, Dipl. Ac., L. Ac., Associate Professor
Debby graduated with a Bachelor in Nursing from Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1982. She completed her Masters of Traditional Oriental Medicine, graduating magna cum laude from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 1992. Debby is well versed in Chinese Herbology and has recently completed a 2-year course on the five-element aspect of herbs called The Emotional and Spiritual Functions of Herbs. She has been an instructor at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture. She is a past-president (1997-1999) of the Acupuncture Association of Colorado and maintains a private practice in Lakewood, Colorado. Debby was an instructor at Southwest Acupuncture College from May 2003 to May 2004. She relocated to North Carolina, and has recently returned to Colorado. Debby teaches Oriental Nutrition and is a clinical supervisor for the Boulder campus.

Deborah Skelton, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., Lic. Ac., R.N., Instructor
Deborah attained an Associate’s degree in Nursing from Arapahoe Community College in 1987 and earned a Nursing Certification in Reproductive Endocrinology in 1993. She graduated from Southwest Acupuncture College with a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine in 2003. She has thirteen years experience in nursing including a surgical assistantship and as an In Vitro Reproductive coordinator. She became a Reiki Master teacher in 2000. Deborah maintains a Reiki and acupuncture practice in Boulder, CO. She teaches Human Anatomy and Physiology 200 A/B and Reiki as an elective.

Tracey Thomas, B.S., N.D., Instructor
Tracey received her doctorate from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon in 2001 and her B.S. in Kinesiology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in 1996. She is currently a wellness consultant with a natural medicine consulting firm and was a practicing naturopathic doctor in South Dakota for five years. Tracey teaches in the Western Sciences curriculum.

Honora Wolfe, C.M.T., Dipl. Ac., Full Professor
Honora graduated from the Dechen Yonten Dzo Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1988. She is the co-founder of Blue Poppy Enterprises, Inc. and has published many books on using Chinese medicine to treat women’s disorders. She has taught in many acupuncture colleges and massage therapy institutes around the country, specializing in Tuina and the uses of adjunctive therapies such as moxibustion. In recent years, Honora has been lecturing about building an acupuncture business and practice management. In 2004, she published Points for Profit: The Essential Guide to Practice Success for Acupuncturists. Honora teaches Practice Management for the Boulder Campus.

Michael Young, B.A., Dipl. Ac., L. Ac., Full Professor
Michael received his Bachelor of Arts in Asian Religions from Occidental College in 1985. He then spent two years studying acupuncture and Oriental healing systems in Japan. In 1990, Michael graduated from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. He was the Founder, Executive Director and Clinical Director of the Immune Enhancement Project, the first Chinese medical clinic to obtain federal funding for low income patient care, in San Francisco from 1990 to 1993. In 2000, he received advanced clinical training in Beijing, China. Areas of special interest for Michael are treatment of chronic pain, immune system dysfunction, and the integration of detoxification and weight loss protocols with Japanese Kampo detoxification formulas. He is also certified in homotoxicology through HEEL, Inc. He is a senior student of Dr. Miki Shima, having studied with him since 1993. Michael teaches Needle Technique Practicum and supervises clinic for the Boulder campus.

Jiayu Zhang, O.M.D., Dipl. Ac, L. Ac., Full Professor
Jiayu completed her Medical Degree in TCM in 1989 in China. She was a TCM medical doctor and instructor of TCM in China for many years, specializing in sports medicine. Jiayu has also taught in the United States and has published several articles on sports traumatology. Jiayu teaches Traditional Herbal Prescriptions, Needle Technique Microsystems, and Classical Herbal Theory and supervises clinic for the Boulder Campus.