Faculty & Staff

At the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine, we believe that we have assembled one of the most outstanding groups of faculty present at any school of East Asian medicine. Clinical faculty must have a minimum of ten years of practice experience before teaching at SIEAM. Faculty teach in their areas of expertise, and our curriculum represents the breadth and depth of their knowledge. Get to know our faculty and you will begin to understand why SIEAM graduates are so well prepared for clinical practice.

Faculty Directory

Allen Sayigh, M.Ac.O.M., L.Ac.

Allen Sayigh, M.Ac.O.M., L.Ac., graduated from the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine in 1999. A fascination with herbs threw him into the field of East Asian Medicine, he began managing the school’s herbal dispensary while a student at SIEAM. He is presently the herbal dispensary manager for Bastyr University. And he teaches courses covering the interactions between pharmaceuticals and herbal therapy.

Andy Russell, DAHM, E.A.M.P.

Andy Russell, DAHM, E.A.M.P., began her Chinese medical education at the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2000, and received her Master’s degree in Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine at the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine (SIEAM) in 2006. She also received her doctorate in acupuncture and herbal medicine from SIEAM, in integrative oncology. She maintains a busy private practice in West Seattle with a focus on oncology and auto immune diseases.

**Becky Sherman, Ph.D.**

**Becky Sherman, PhD** is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Columbia City, Seattle. Dr. Sherman previously worked at Northwest University (NU) as a professor in the masters and doctoral programs in counseling psychology. While at NU, she had the privilege of opening a counseling clinic offering low-cost services to the community and training and supervising doctoral students of psychology. Having lived and worked in several countries throughout the world serving those on the margins, Dr. Sherman has a passion for understanding more about multicultural and indigenous psychologies while critiquing western psychologies. The focus of her clinical work is in trauma and supporting helpers and healers in their journeys to lead healthy and balanced lives as they serve others. Dr. Sherman holds advanced certificates in EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Mindful Self-Compassion, Yoga, iRest and Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy.

Caroline Radice, DACM, L.Ac.

Caroline Radice, DACM, L.Ac., has practiced and taught in Metro New York area since 1995 where she was a founding partner of Soho Herbs and Acupuncture and has taught at the major institutions of Traditional Chinese Medicine in New York City, including the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Mercy College Graduate Department of Oriental Medicine, and Touro College Graduate Department of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, primarily in the Departments of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Oriental Medicine, as well as the New York Medical College in the Medical Acupuncture Program for Physicians. Presently, Caroline lectures on Women's Reproductive Health and Menopause for Doctoral Programs in Seattle, Los Angeles and Virginia and on Introductory Herbal Medicine in the Master’s Program at the Pacific College of Health Sciences in New York. She has also lectured privately and for several Continuing Education Departments on the treatment of infertility and pregnancy with acupuncture and East Asian medicine. She continues to specialize in the treatment of obstetrical and gynecological disorders, internal medicine, and dermatology.
Caroline is licensed by the state of New York and New Jersey, as well as Board Certified in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine by the NCCAOM. She has sat on the Chinese Herbal Exam Review Committee for the NCCAOM and is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and NJAAOM: NJ Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Craig Mitchell, Ph.D. (China), E.A.M.P.

Craig Mitchell, Ph.D. (China), E.A.M.P., received a Master of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco (1993). Craig completed his PhD from the China Academy of TCM (Beijing) in 2006. He has written numerous articles and translated several Chinese medical texts, including *On Cold Damage: Translation and Commentaries*. At SIEAM he is a clinical supervisor and teaches classes on herbal medicine and medical Chinese. Craig is currently the president of SIEAM.

Dan Bensky, D.O.

Dan Bensky, D.O., is a graduate of the Macau Institute of Chinese Medicine (1975), the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (1982), and the University of Washington (M.A. in Chinese Literature, 1996). Dan has translated and edited several texts on East Asian medicine including *Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica* and *Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies*. Dan is one of the founders of the Seattle Institute. Dan teaches palpation and acupuncture techniques at SIEAM.

Daniel Altschuler, Ph.D. (China), L.Ac.

Daniel Altschuler, Ph.D. (China), L.Ac.studied and taught Chinese medicine in Taiwan for nearly 15 years, apprenticing under Dr. Lee Chen-Yu. He has an MA (1992) in Asian religions from UCLA and a Ph.D. (2005) in Chinese medicine from Guangzhou Chinese Medical College. His specialties include neuropathy and chronically stubborn diseases. He has authored the translation entitled: *Neuropathy: Traditional Chinese Herbal Treatment in a Modern Medical Environment.* Daniel is an instructor for Chinese medical theory and language and is a clinical supervisor.

Elisha Bobrosky E.A.M.P, L.M.T

Elisha Bobrosky E.A.M.P, L.M.T, graduated from Bastyr University in 2007 with a Master’s in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and in 2005 from the Brenneke School of Massage. She also holds a B.S. of Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University. Elisha's specialties include treating musculoskeletal conditions as well as women's health and dermatological conditions. She teaches in the channels and points sequence and supervise students in the SIEAM clinic.

Geoff Bender, ND

Geoff Bender, ND (he/him) received his BA in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Connecticut College, his masters in East Asian Medicine from the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine, and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. Dr. Bender currently practices in Georgetown and practices adjunctive general care and gender diverse health care at Vital Natural Health.

Charles Benincasa

Charles is a psychologist licensed in Washington state (License # PY.61155333) and currently provides clinical services through Spectrum Psychological Associates of Washington. He obtained his BA degree from the University of Saint Thomas, an MA in Counseling and Psychological Services, and a Doctor of Psychology degree from the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's APA-accredited PsyD in Counseling Psychology program. He completed his APA-accredited predoctoral internship with Behavioral Health Network in western Massachusetts and postdoctoral fellowship at the Trauma Disorders Program of Sheppard Pratt Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He provided inpatient and outpatient treatment to individuals with DID, Complex Posttraumatic Stress, and various other trauma- and dissociation-related disorders. He is an adjunct faculty member in the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program through Antioch University in Seattle, WA, associate editor for the APA-published Journal of Threat Assessment and Management, and serves on the editorial board for the journal Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, & Policy of the American Psychological Association. He has received advanced training in EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and the Adaptive Internal Relational (AIR) Network Model, a dignity-based approach for working with individuals with histories of complex trauma and neuro-dissociative states. He is passionate about a number of social justice causes and believes that his role as a psychologist also includes a responsibility of advocacy to curb the social barriers and ills that contribute to the distress of the people he serve.

Anisa Finney L.Ac., E.A.M.P.

Anisa Finney is a graduate of SIEAM’s masters program and a current doctoral candidate. She received her B.S. in Microbiology with a minor in Anthropology from Arizona State University.
For the past six years she has tutored high school, undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students in biology, molecular biosciences and pre-medicine courses. She is passionate about bridging the gap between Western medical and East Asian care and has a special interest in autoimmune, and endocrinology related conditions. In addition to her love of science she also enjoys reading and spending time outdoors. She is currently practicing acupuncture in her hometown of Spokane, WA. Anisa is currently teaching biomedical science courses at SIEAM.

Jean (Yuchun) Lai, D.A.O.M., L.Ac.

Jean Lai received her Doctor of Medicine (TCM) from China Medical University (Taiwan) in 2006, as well as a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from Five Branches University (California) in 2020. Jean worked initially as a doctor in Taichung, Taiwan and in 2010 she moved to Taipei, where she ran her own clinic and provided instruction for students and interns from China Medical University. Jean also spent many years studying outside of the academic system in the Zhong Jing lineage of Shang Han Lun Medical Classics, and her clinical approach is based on this training. Her focus is primarily on internal medicine, gynecology, infertility, and pediatrics. Jean moved to Seattle in 2023. She is passionate about pulse diagnosis, herbal formula prescription, and meditation with friends.

Greg Livingston, PhD (China), L.Ac.

Greg Livingston, PhD (China), L.ac., completed a Chinese Medicine PhD in China, entirely in Chinese, and is one of the few westerners licensed to practice Chinese medicine in China, where he spent over 10 years in total as a student, teacher and Chinese Medicine Physician. Dr. Livingston has over 20 years of clinical experience specializing in general internal medicine with an emphasis on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. He especially enjoys working with individuals who have had limited success with other healthcare providers-treatment is stubborn and difficult conditions as a challenge well-suited to his strong clinical background.
Dr. Livingston earned his 4-year Master’s in Chinese Medicine from Five Branches Institute (1997), in California, and his PhD in Clinical Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University (2009), in Hangzhou, China. During his 10+ years in China he studied with numerous senior-level doctors, spending thousands of hours in clinic with them and seeing tens-of-thousands of patients. During the majority of this time he also practiced in local and international hospitals and clinics, honing his skills in his own busy practice.
Dr. Livingston left China and relocated to the west coast of the US in 2013. He has served as core faculty at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) and the National University for Natural Medicine (NUNM). He maintains a private practice in Seattle, Washington, a visiting practice at Root and Branch Clinic in Portland’s Multnomah Village, and is available for tele-medicine consultations.
Dr. Livingston is a core faculty member at SIEAM where he teaches, supervises and is an herbal Preceptor.

Inderjeet Ramgotra MSc LAc EAMP

Inderjeet began her studies in East Asian medicine after completing an undergraduate degree in molecular and cellular biology at the University of Saskatchewan (1998). She has been practicing EAM since 2001 after graduating from Bastyr University (2001/2003 MSOM). Inderjeet is a life-long learner and values continuing education. Advanced studies include in-depth study in classical Chinese medicine with both Dr. Tran Viet-Dzung (acupuncture) and Sharon Weizenabum (herbal medicine). Foundational training in palpation and bodywork was earned at IPSB San Diego (1990) and continues with the Engaging Vitality team. Inderjeet maintains a vibrant private practice specializing in women’s health near the arboretum in Seattle.

Jason Robertson, E.A.M.P.

Jason Robertson, E.A.M.P., is it a graduate of the American College of traditional Chinese medicine (2000). He has been involved with ongoing post graduate studies in Beijing, studying with acupuncture specialist Dr. Wang. Are in collaboration, they wrote and published *Applied Channel Theory in Chinese Medicine* (Eastland Press, 2008). Jason maintains a private practice in Seattle. He teaches acupuncture points and channels.

Jen Resnick, L.Ac.

An international champion and nationally-renown martial arts instructor, Jen began her TCM practice in Oakland, CA where she was the Head Instructor of a community martial arts center. There, she combined Chinese medical theory with the practice of martial arts, qi gong and meditation to investigate the path of somatic healing and empowerment through movement. Her training in Qi Gong and Zheng Gu Tui Na trauma medicine allows her, in turn, to effectively treat sports injuries and musculoskeletal pain. She has since taught Zheng Gu Tui Na at national martial arts conferences, has been a visiting faculty member at Tri-State College of Acupuncture, Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine, PCOM-NY and his top continuing education courses in New York, California, Montreal and France.
Jen is also a founding member of the Global Alternative Healthcare Project, one of the first organizations to offer TCM-based medical aid internationally. She has led trips to Indonesia, Nepal, Navajo Nation and Jackson WY to offer free, high quality care to communities in need.
Jen’s educational background includes a B.A. in semiotics from Brown University, MSTOM from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She graduated with a Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine from Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine. She is nationally certified with the NCCAOM in Chinese herbs and acupuncture, and currently practices at Evolve Health + Wellness in NYC.

Jia Ling (Janet) Liu, MD (China), L.Ac., E.A.M.P.

Jia Ling was born and grew up in Sichuan, China, in an acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine family. The influence from her elders in the family led her to major in TCM. She graduated with an M.D. degree from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China (1995). Jia Ling has years of experience in both clinical practice and teaching in China and North America. She has experienced great delight over the years practicing TCM, as well as enjoying its efficacy.

**JohnPaul (JP) Magenis**

JohnPaul (JP) holds a master's degree in Physician's Assistant studies and completed a post-graduate Emergency Medicine Residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. He has worked as a PA for the past 13 years. During that time, he has played an active role in educating PAs including serving as the director to a physician assistant post-graduate residency program. JP is also a long time student of the martial arts and Zheng Gu Tui Na. He is an assistant instructor in Xing Yi Quan and Bagua Zhang under Tom Bisio and Internal Arts International.

Josh Paynter, L.Ac.

Josh Paynter has been dedicated to Chinese studies for nearly 30 years. He received a B.A. in Chinese studies from Bard College with a focus on Daoist traditions, including studying at Yunnan University in Kunming, China. His Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine is from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. He has also completed training at Memorial Sloane-Kettering in acupuncture for the treatment of cancer patients.

Katherine Taromina, D.A.C.M., MS, L.Ac.

Katherine Taromina, D.A.C.M., MS, L.Ac., graduated from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (NY) in 1998. Prior to joining SIEAM, Kathy served first as an acupuncturist, then as the Program Manager for the Integrative Therapies Program at Columbia University Medical Center. Kathy also currently serves as an Oncology Acupuncturist for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She is an instructor and practitioner of Zang Fu Tui Na, a method of regulating the function of the internal organs (Zang Fu) through direct and indirect energetic visceral mobilization techniques, developed by Tom Bisio, Internal Arts International (IAI). Kathy is the Academic Dean and Clinic Director at SIEAM.

Li Jin, D.A.O.M., E.A.M.P.

Li Jin, D.A.O.M., E.A.M.P., began her TCM study in 1988 at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese medicine in China, where she earned her first Bachelor’s degree in Traditional Chinese medicine. Dr. Jin also received her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (2005). Her area of specialty is women's health and pain management. Dr. Jin maintains a private practice in Seattle. She teaches gynecology.

Liangxi Zheng, M.T.C.M. (China), E.A.M.P.

Liangxi Zheng, M.T.C.M. (China), E.A.M.P., is a graduate of the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (1991). His specialty in China was acupuncture techniques with expertise in scalp acupuncture for treating stroke patients. Liangxi teaches acupuncture techniques and participates in clinical training.

Lisa Conboy, MA, MS, ScD

Lisa Conboy is a social epidemiologist and a sociologist with an interest in the associations between social factors and health. She is published in the areas of Women's Health, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and qualitative research methodology. Since 2002 she's been the research director and the faculty at the New England School of Acupuncture where she teaches research methodology and overseas multiple projects. She's also a founding member of the Kripalu research collaborative which examines the mental, physical, and spiritual benefits of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda and other holistic and mind body-therapies. She is also an instructor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School where her work focuses on integrative therapies and the placebo effect.

Marguerite Dinkins, M.Ac.O.M., E.A.M.P.

Marguerite Dinkins, M.Ac.O.M., E.A.M.P., has been a student of acupuncture and palpation since 1997, when she began her studies at the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine. Since that time, she has continued to study palpation with Dan Bensky and Chip Chase, and for many years has assisted them in teaching palpation in the practice of acupuncture. She also has completed three years of osteopathic manual training at the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Vancouver, BC.
Since 2007, Marguerite has been instrumental in making palpation an essential part of the clinical experience at the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine. In addition to her extensive clinical experience, Marguerite has a unique ability to understand the specific needs of her students, especially those grappling with the early challenges of developing palpatory awareness.
Marguerite has maintained an active private practice since her graduation from SIEAM in 2000.

Maria Portnaya, L.Ac. MSAcOM

Maria Portnaya, L.Ac. MSAcOM, received her masters education at the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine in 2009. Since graduating, Maria runs an acupuncture clinic in Pike Place Market and enjoys providing services to a wide population of patients. Maria is trained in traditional Chinese acupuncture, Japanese acupuncture and Sotai, Chinese herbal medicine, Auricular therapy (ear acupuncture), scalp acupuncture, Tui Na (Chinese medical massage), cupping and gua sha therapy, a facial rejuvenation acupuncture, Qi Gong (exercise), and Chinese Medical Language.
She teaches Clinical Skills and supervisors in the Tui Na bodywork clinic.

Nicole Sharkey, EAMP

Nicole Sharkey, EAMP is a 2011 graduate of the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine (SIEAM) and has a private practice in the Eastlake neighborhood of Seattle. Since graduation, Nicole has continued to deepen her palpatory skills through study of the Engaging Vitality modality and is a table trainer for the Engaging Vitality fundamental course series. She is a clinical supervisor at SIEAM.

Nicole Villarreal McCormick, MAcEAM, L.Ac., MSW

Nicole Villarreal McCormick, MAcEAM, L.Ac., MSW (University of Washington, 2025), graduated from SIEAM in 2013. Since then she has worked primarily in low-barrier community acupuncture clinics, and currently provides mental health and housing services for underserved populations at the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC). She supervises SIEAM students at the Pike Market Senior Center and Downtown Food Bank to support the delivery of trauma-informed care to elders who hold identities that are often marginalized.

Pei-Hwa Lin, L.Ac. & O.M

Pei-Hwa is a graduate of SIEAM and currently practices in Seattle and Bellevue, respectively. Pei-Hwa used to be a software design engineer at Microsoft, and later a stay-home mom. She is an active volunteer at Tzu Chi Buddhist Charity Foundation since 1999. She is a Chinese teacher and principal of Tzu Chi Academy, Seattle.

Ray Yueh

Ray Yueh, began studying at Taoist Studies Institute shortly after moving to Seattle in 2004. First training in BaGua Zhang and then in Hunyuan Taiji. In 2014, Ray became a formal disciple of Harrison Moretz as a 20th-Generation Chen style Taijiquan and 3rd-Generation Hunyuan Taijiquan lineage holder. He began teaching in 2016.

Reya Born

As a 2003 SIEAM graduate, Reya has been practicing in the Seattle area for 20 years. In addition to her clinical practice, she works with SIEAM students in their treatment of patients, teaches health equity continuing education, supports the Engaging Vitality study groups, runs an antiracist practitioner training and mentorship program with the ReCenter, writes books, watches birds and grows food.

Sachiko Nakano, M.Ac., E.A.M.P

Sachiko Nakano, MAc., EAMP, graduated from the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NIAOM) in 1995. After graduating from NIAOM, Sachiko established outreach clinics for underserved populations. She also had the privilege of translating for and apprenticing under some of Japan's renowned practitioners. She operates her private practice in a Seattle suburb, offering treatments such as NAET®, Huna (Ancient Hawaiian energy medicine), Clairvoyant healing/reading, and regular acupuncture sessions.
Sachiko is a clinical supervisor for SIEAM students at the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS).

Trevor Sevigny, L.Ac. Dipl. Ac. (NCCA)

Trevor Sevigny, L.Ac., has first-hand experience of acupuncture's contribution to injury recovery and athletic performance enhancement, which combined with his scientific curiosity, drove him to pursue graduate studies at Bastyr University’s School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from 2000-2003. After Trevor graduated, the Bastyr Center for Natural Health selected him from a national pool of candidates for one of two residency positions. He taught among Bastyr’s clinical faculty, and he built a private practice specializing in sports acupuncture and injury rehabilitation.
Trevor specializes in neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation and has continued to work with top level athletes in several sports.

Matt Ferguson, E.A.M.P., L.Ac.

Matt is a graduate of Bastyr University’s Chinese Medicine Program in 1996 Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Certificate. He worked for 18 years in varying roles as the Bastyr Chinese Herb Dispensary Manager, Adjunct Faculty teaching an 8 week Chinese herbal medicine making class for 18 years, Rainier Clinic and Carolynn Downs neighborhood clinic 3 years.
Matt is an acupuncturist at Acupuncture Northwest and Associates at the Westlake office in the Medical Dental Building downtown Seattle and their South Tacoma office. He is a current Fellow of The Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine since 2014. He volunteers at the Beacon Hill Food Forest since 2014. Compulsive plant forager and is a member of the Lilium Initiative.
Matt is currently working as adjunct faculty at SIEAM teaching herbal medicine focused on East Asian Medicine.

Yiwen SU, M.T.C.M. (China), E.A.M.P.

Yiwen SU, M.T.C.M. (China), E.A.M.P., began his TCM study in 1980 at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, where he earned his Masters degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. After graduating Dr. Su received one year of additional clinical training in Dermatology and General Surgery in the Hospital of Sichuan province. Dr. Su maintains a private practice in Seattle, WA. He teaches classes in internal medicine and dermatology at SIEAM.

Yun Wang, M.D. (China), M.Ac., E.A.M.P.
Retired this year, 2023
Thank you Dr. Wang!

Yun Wang, M.D. (China), M.Ac., E.A.M.P., received his medical training at the Qingdao Medical College (1978) and supplemented his acupuncture training at the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (1993). He maintains a private practice in Seattle specializing in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, trauma and stroke. Dr. Wang is a supervisor in the clinical training at SIEAM.

Staff Directory

Dalton Meade LAc, EAMP

Dalton L.Ac., began her academic career at University of Redlands in California in 2012, where she studied political science and conflict resolution. She graduated from the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine (SIEAM), with a Master’s degree in 2021. She practices Engaging Vitality, and trigger point therapy predominantly, and enjoys treating and learning about the cranial sutures. She has been in clinical practice in Bozeman, Montana for the past year and a half, and is now an administrative staff member at SIEAM.

Dylan Knutson L.Ac. EAMP

Dylan is a lifelong Seattle resident and a graduate of the SIEAM program. In addition to managing the herbal dispensary at SIEAM, he maintains his own private practice in the White Center neighborhood of Seattle. Prior to his career as an acupuncturist, Dylan managed the business operations for his family's wild salmon business, Loki Fish Company.