Jung Tao Clinic Interns

Gregory Bear

Following his graduation from ASU in 2010, Bear decided to move to Asheville, NC. This is where his destiny to become a healing arts practitioner began to unfold.

A remarkable Rolfing experience initiated his deep fascination with bodywork; leading him to study and practice various modalities of massage therapy. Since then, his trajectory has continued to evolve, eventually settling on Chinese Medicine. Due to Chinese Medicine’s vast scope of application and sense of balance, he ultimately landed at Jung Tao School for his current course of study.

Bear is honored to share his unique expression of medicine, helping others along the way, as he traverses his own healing path. Outside of work and school, you’ll likely find him in the kitchen/dining room, in the woods or on the dance floor.

Wesley “Wes” Brusseau

I am a resident of Virginia. I am a warm, compassionate, and trustworthy practitioner who has been working with patients since 2006. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services Counseling and a Master of Social Work degree. I currently practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Virginia where I own a private outpatient counseling practice focusing on helping patients experiencing challenges related to life transitions, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I enjoy serving children, adolescents, and adults.

My interest in East Asian Medicine began over a decade ago because of my own health journey. Having experienced the profound effects of this medicine, I couldn’t stop thinking about becoming an acupuncturist. Ultimately, my passion for expanding my ability to help others led me to study at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine.

I am especially interested in working with patients experiencing mental health challenges, men’s health concerns, and those experiencing orthopedic/ musculoskeletal challenges. I use my diverse training background and experience to help my patients take a holistic view of their health and wellness. I believe true change comes from within and I am committed to helping my patients connect with their ability to facilitate personal transformation.

Victoria Christian

Becoming an Intern in the Jung Tao Clinic is the culmination of Victoria’s long and rich path. Since 1980 she has worked and learned in areas including women’s health, counselling, recreational therapy, crisis intervention, theater, medical research, drug development, biotechnology, data science, and health policy. Each step along the way prepared Victoria to meet her destiny in acupuncture and Classical Chinese Medicine at Jung Tao.

After Internship, Victoria intends to practice restorative Chinese medicine. She will work with her patients to help them return their lives and health to the best possible state, feeling supported, strong, and hopeful, so that over time, each day, each breath, can be cherished as a miraculous gift.

Victoria lives in Durham, NC as matriarch of a family including 2 children, 4 grandsons, a long-time partner, a horse, dogs, and chickens.

Jean Chung

Cara Crawford

Cara brings her fun, passionate energy and curious mind into the JTS clinic where she loves to dig into complicated cases and get to the root of what is impeding health. She currently works as a chiropractic assistant for a chiropractor and acupuncturist in Hickory, NC where she gets to see the amazing results of acupuncture and how it improves patient’s lives every day.

Cara graduated from Virginia Tech in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences. One year after graduating she moved to China with her husband for 4 years and got exposed firsthand to acupuncture and Chinese medicine. This inspired her to change paths from veterinary medicine to Chinese medicine and she hasn’t looked back since.

Outside of the clinic you can find Cara at home on her farm in Lenoir, NC where she enjoys riding her horses, spending time with her husband, barn cats, and chickens, and tending to her garden.

Brittney Culbreath

Brittney has always known her passion was in healthcare. She originally graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina in experimental psychology, with a minor in sociology. She then took a detour and worked as a Corporate Project Manager before finding her way to Chinese medicine. She now works at an acupuncture office as a Clinical Assistant in Uptown Charlotte, NC and has for nearly 4 years. She finally feels that she is fulfilling her calling.

Between work and school, much of Brittney’s life revolves around acupuncture. When she has free time, she enjoys watching documentaries, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new restaurants.

Anna Dimitruk

Howdy, I am a former-farmer, artist, and Acupuncturist in the making. I am from California and moved out to North Carolina to study Chinese Medicine. Prior to studying Chinese Medicine, I earned my Bachelor of Science from UC Berkeley. I primarily worked on small organic-vegetable farms after graduating. Farming taught me to attune myself to the rhythms of the natural world around me and opened a world of healing with medicinal plants. In my free time I enjoy spending time in nature, playing guitar, making art (painting, design, drawing, sewing, and a lot more!), playing basketball, adventuring, traveling, hanging with my cat, and eating good food!

Acacia Edmiston

Acacia hails from a rural community outside of Chattanooga, TN in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains.  She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee, a Certificate from the University of Alaska Southeast in Outdoor Leadership and Education, and is currently working as a registered nurse in the field of Labor and Delivery.  Becoming increasingly disheartened with our current medical system, she sought out methodologies outside of a western approach to healthcare.  This is where she stumbled into Chinese medicine.  In her own journey towards health, acupuncture has played a crucial role.  Upon graduation, she hopes to open her own practice to share this beautiful, nurturing, and truly holistic medicine with her community that is so desperately seeking an alternative to what is currently offered.

When she is not studying or working in the hospital, Acacia spends her time paddling whitewater, running mountain trails, and hiking with her five rescue dogs.  She and her husband own a small piece of land in TN they are slowly converting into an off-grid, organic farm, and hopefully one day a great pyrenees rescue.

Because of her athletic pursuits, she is passionate about injury prevention and pain management, orthopedics and sports medicine, and has a special interest in women’s health and fertility.

Ryan Faught

Ryan, a Marine Corps veteran, was introduced to energy medicine and shamanism upon his return to the States in 1998. After becoming a Reiki master and practicing shamanic healing and conscious dreaming, he deepened his work by becoming a licensed massage therapist in 2005. Since then, his practice has expanded to include Thai yoga massage, John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release, and Visionary Craniosacral Work.

When not building his healing arts practice in the Mooresville and Lake Norman areas, Ryan can be found returning to his love of glassblowing. Inspired by the colors of the Wu Xing (Five Elements), Ryan draws creative energy from the Blue Ridge Mountains as he reintroduces himself to the furnace, exploring the use of contemporary medicine bowls.

Sarah Fick

Sarah Fick is a 7th generation Appalachian Ohioan. They are a co-founding organizer with Athens Rock Camp for Girls+ and Athens Book to Prisoners and have worked in the worker-cooperative movement for 6 years. She received her Bachelors of Science in Education, summa cum laude, in 2003 and worked as a Public Health Educator teaching consent and healthy relationships skills to middle and high school students for 4 years. Sarah has worked in the violence prevention and rape crisis movement for a total of 6 years. They bring their interests in community organizing and trauma informed care to their practice of Chinese Medicine. Sarah plans to open a practice in Middleport, Ohio that both accepts Medicaid and holds community acupuncture and free ear acupuncture days. In her free time, she likes to garden and spend time with her animals.

Kelly Hardie

Kelly received a BA in Studio Art from the University of Virginia. She has a background as a registered nurse having specialized in neurosurgery/neuroscience, head and neck cancers, and hospice care. She is also a practicing massage therapist and Reiki master.

Kelly was first introduced to acupuncture while attending massage school. Several of her teachers were acupuncturists as well as martial artists. She became enamored with Chinese medicine during her introductory classes to Tui Na and Shiatsu and has dreamed of attending acupuncture school for nearly twenty years.

Kelly believes that “Chinese medicine does not replace Western medicine. Chinese medicine completes it.” She is interested in exploring the connection between emotional and physical pain and aspires to assist her patients find hope and healing during every stage of life.

Anna Jackson

Kaitlyn Jarvis

Raised on the shores of Hatteras Island and later shaped by the Appalachian Mountains, Kait has always felt a strong connection to nature’s rhythms. In 2008, she moved to Boone to study at Appalachian State University, where her love for learning evolved into a thoughtful, integrative approach. With a background rooted in poetry, philosophy, and working with her hands, she eventually found her calling in Chinese Medicine.

Kait’s dedication to understanding the connections between body, mind, and spirit grew from her work with children on the autism spectrum and from her own wellness journey, which ultimately led her to acupuncture. Kait currently resides in Asheville with her dog and finds joy in the simple things.  Whether it’s crafting, gardening, or cooking, she strives to bring a sense of harmony to everything she does.

Morgan Johnson

Morgan is native to the scorching Sandhills of South Carolina. As a University of South Carolina College of Nursing graduate, she attained a new graduate position in a hectic ER in North Charleston. It was there that she got her first taste of the reality of the health challenges rural communities face. Desperately wanting to make a difference in her patient’s lives, she sought out alternative methods of healing receiving her RYT 200 hour in 2018. Shortly after, she survived a terrible neck injury that brought her into an acupuncturist’s office. The rest is history!

In her free time, she loves being outside with her husband and toddler, pottery and painting, working with Chinese herbs, making flower bouquets, and growing organic food. Her main interest within Chinese medicine involves pediatrics, reproductive health, chronic illnesses, and Chinese herbal formulations.

Renee Lamance

With a B.A in Education, Renee has explored careers in the teaching and mental health field, but she has spent the past 18 years in the field of massage therapy.  She loves to inspire others to connect to their own healing potential through bodywork.  Learning about the human body is a never-ending exploration, so she is a committed life-long student.  This curiosity is what led her to Jung Tao.

Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, mountain biking, paddle boarding, CrossFit, and snowboarding.  Summer is her favorite season, and she loves to be near water.  She is a co-parent to 10 chickens and 2 goats.

After graduation, her dream is to spend an extensive amount of time in Southeast Asia to explore the culture, receive healing bodywork and acupuncture treatments, learn, relax, and eat amazing food.  She plans to expand her massage practice where she will integrate acupuncture and sound healing.  Renee currently resides in Murphy, NC.

Elizabeth Newman

Channa Pickett

My name is Channa (sh-anna). I am a licensed massage therapist (NC LMBT #18823). I came to massage after 10 years at Duke University running education programs that worked with Latino families and public-school teachers in Durham. In 2018, after having some health issues, I experienced the powerful healing effects of massage and acupuncture. Wanting to approach challenges, I saw in the community in new ways and continue my personal health journey, I embarked on a bold lifestyle change. In 2019, I left Duke and I graduated from Carolina Massage Institute in Hillsborough, North Carolina. In August 2020, I began working at Armonia Health LLC where I used to be a patient.

My goal is to get a Diploma in Acupuncture and practice in the clinic where I currently work. Massage and acupuncture are often thought of as luxury services, but I believe they are essential to keeping a body working its best. I like to blend different therapeutic techniques to promote relaxation, manage stress and pain, and increase mobility. I typically see clients who have pain and tension from demanding jobs and family life.

I speak Spanish and am studying to get a Spanish Medical Interpreter Certificate from Durham Technical Community College. When I am not working or studying, I like to hang out with my husband, 9 year-old son, and 5 year-old Lab/Doberman pup. We like to walk the trails at the Eno State Park, swim at the pool, watch movies, and eat good food.

Era Pope

Katherine Popio

My Hao Tran

My Hao Tran obtained her BA in Multidisciplinary Studies from North Carolina State University. She is certified both in massage therapy and as a Kripalu yoga instructor. With a passion for health and wellness, My Hao traveled to Thailand to enhance her expertise in Thai massage therapy and deepen her practice with ancient wellness techniques. Her dedication to alternative health led her to explore acupuncture study. Currently, she is an intern at the Jung Tao Classical School of Chinese Medicine.

She highly values health and wellness and is motivated to empower her clients to take charge of their well-being. In addition to her therapeutic work, My Hao shares her knowledge as a yoga and Tai Chi teacher, fostering community wellness at the YMCA and Senior Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. With a compassionate understanding of her clients’ needs, she provides comprehensive care and equips them with the tools for lifelong vitality.

Susan Waff

Nicholas Zeek

The practice of acupuncture combines many things that I love. It is an amazing opportunity to be of service to others while developing a unique understanding how each person works. My undergraduate degree was in economics and to me acupuncture is the way that we tell the body how to allocate its energy. I love to think and problem solve, and I love to talk with people from all walks of life.