Michelle has long been involved in health care, first working at her father’s dental practice as a teen, studying pre-med in college (and ultimately getting a fine arts degree), apprenticing with many midwives over the years she was raising children, and then working nearly 20 years as Executive Director at a community health clinic. It was here she learned her best skills: listening, solving problems, connecting meaningfully with others. It was where she learned the true value of both community and each individual - and in deciding to pursue Eastern medicine, she could put all her interests in one direction and work one on one with each valued person.
Michelle moved to the Pacific Northwest after 25 years in Alaska. She studied both locally and through internships in China and Nepal and has additional certifications and trainings after her Master’s Degree, in Sports Medicine and Toyohari Japanese style acupuncture (great for those who hate needles.) She’s worked at various small private clinics, large health centers, a hospital, and finally with chiropractors and other like-minded practitioners. With the years of clinical experience she loves using a variety of techniques, methods, and ideas to best connect with each person. She especially likes to work with folks who’ve never had acupuncture or who may be hesitant for any reason.
Michelle likes to think of herself as ‘well-rounded’ so can be found pursuing many things outside of work: travel (from camping to 5-star!), gardening, cooking and baking, arts and theater, food culture, and exploring the natural environment. She has cats and chickens, a big old bungalow in need of remodeling, piles and piles of books, and grown kids who sometimes come around.
