About Ursa

It’s been a tough year, hasn’t it? This might sound strange, but moving to Athens and opening my practice during these turbulent times just feels so appropriate to me. It strengthens my calling to help in times of need. I have travelled down a long road, studying with masters far and wide to get here and I am so ready to be of assistance to you.

I began my journey of learning natural medicine over 12 years ago, learning Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Western herbalism from my first teachers: Michael and Lesley Tierra. I went on to teach at their school and then travelled to Shanghai with them to attend rounds at the Longhua Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Along the way, I also earned my massage therapy license and opened a small practice and apothecary in Oregon. But, I wasn’t satisfied. I wanted to take my education to the farthest reaches, so I applied to one of the most prestigious universities of natural medicine in the country: NUNM in Portland Oregon, where I earned my Doctorate of Science in Oriental Medicine. There, I learned from masters in every discipline within Chinese medicine. I mentored with Heiner Fruehauf, who taught me how the cosmos can be contextualized within a single acupuncture point or herbal formula. I learned the gentle art of Japanese acupuncture from Bob Quinn, who was actually teaching me how to create sacred, healing space and how to “be” an acupuncturist. My teachers at NUNM were beacons of light and love, and I can only hope to honor them by bringing a part of that to my own patients and students.

I also spent a few months in the Wudang mountains of China at a Daoist temple in 2018. The abbott of that temple took us to stay in a bone setting hospital, and introduced us to many herbalists and healers along the way. I learned a bit more about the philosophical and spiritual roots of this medicine, and it opened my eyes to how profound being in service to others can be.

I suppose I should also say that I am Nationally Board Certified (NCCAOM) in both acupuncture and herbal medicine, and the only licensed herbalist in the area, in addition to having my masters and doctorate in Chinese medicine. I am also the only practitioner in the area to have achieved the prestigious national ranking of Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. O.M.)  My undergraduate degree is in molecular biology.

I look forward to working with you!