Organizational Chart
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Our general membership elects a Board, approves an annual budget, and votes on any changes to bylaws.
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The Governing Board, in turn, is tasked with making and implementing policy decisions, and coordinating the work of the committees.
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Committees are tasked with carrying out the organizational goals.
Governing Board | Committee Chairs
The purpose of the Minnesota Acupuncture Association's Governing Board is to provide governance for the good of the Association. The Board and/or its members shall:
- Provide the source for officer candidates and elect the Officers.
- May serve as a member liaison of each standing committee.
- Make policy decisions, which shall bind the Association, subject to ratification at the annual membership meeting unless voted down by membership.
- Ratify Executive Committee decisions made between Board meetings.
- Implement policy decisions.
Current Board goals are to:
- Increase active, satisfied and committed membership.
- Create and pass proactive legislation.
- Produce and develop effective, consistent, professional PR/Marketing.
- Develop effective administration and governance.
- Create positive professional networks.
2019 Board of Directors
Valerie Overby, M.Om., Dipl. Acu (NCCAOM) L.Ac.
President
Valerie is a seasoned project planner, strategist, leader and team builder. As a result she has worn many hats in her career; lab assistant and researcher, consultant, project manager, marketing manager, clinic coordinator, and long term community volunteer.
Valerie brings her passion for community outreach and healthcare to MAA. In a world of diverse populations and cultural backgrounds, Valerie seeks to support inclusive forms of healing that support the patient and utilizes complementary medicine.
Valerie is currently pursing her executive MBA at Carlson School of Management at the UofM and has earned her Masters of Oriental Medicine from Northwestern Health Sciences University in 2014, and received her undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota.
She enjoys traveling and working with Acupuncturists Without Borders with their world healing exchanges and trauma relief efforts.
In Valerie's private practice, Haven Acupuncture & Wellness, she focuses on national and international wellness retreats. Her direct patient care is focused at Merriam Park Acupuncture in St. Paul.
Nick Dougherty, DACM,(NCCAOM), L.Ac.
Vice President & Membership Committee Chair
Nick is 2009 graduate of the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with his Master’s in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He is currently working towards his Doctorate in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine with a focus on Neurological conditions.
Nick found Traditional Chinese Medicine through his lifelong study of the Martial Arts which he now teaches and incorporates into the health plans of his patients, via Qi Gong, Tai Chi and other modalities, thereby connecting the physical body to the mind.
Aaron Schindler, M.Om., Dipl Acu (NCCAOM) L.Ac.
Secretary & Legislative Committee Chair
Aaron is a licensed acupuncturist and holds a Diplomate of Chinese Medicine from NCCAOM. He is a 2008 graduate from the Masters of Oriental Medicine program at Northwestern Health Sciences University's College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and maintains a private practice in Minneapolis and works at Everspring Health Cooperative. He gave a presentation detailing Acupuncture practices in Minnesota at the October 2018 Traditional Korean Medicine in Modern Health Care in Busan, South Korea.
He is also has his Bachelors degree in Biology from University of Minnesota Mankato. He has been a Medical Laboratory Technician with 20 years experience in various clinical settings including at the CCRM IVF and Infertility Specialists in Edina, U of M Diagnostic Andrology Laboratory, St Paul Cancer Center, Park Nicollet Clinic laboratories and the Neuroimmunology Department at Mayo Foundation working with myasthenia gravis testing and paraneoplastic disorders.
Received his instructors License in 2004 from Mankato School of Internal Martial Arts, and Tai Chi, Baguazhang Kung Fu and Qi Gong for longevity and healing.
Aaron enjoys getting engaging the public by organizing volunteer efforts that bring acupuncture to the people. He has helped organize volunteers at events like the Yellow Ribbon Health Expo for Veterans of Lakeville, acupuncture booth at Women Run The Cities Marathon, acupuncture booth at the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Marathon, acupuncture volunteers at the Red Ribbon Bike Ride, and also volunteers with the Freedom Fighters first Tuesdays free acupuncture for veterans with PTSD group.
He is also works on legislative policy for the acupuncture profession. He organizes grassroots educational and communication trainings for acupuncturists and acupuncture students to get them engaged in protecting their scope of practice and the benefits of effectively building healthy relationships with our legislators and other professions.
Director & Public Relations Chair
Dr K has over 20 years of experience and advanced training in Integrative Medicine. She founded Healthy Happy Whole, LLC in 2003, and currently practices as a board-certified, Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine. Dr K received her four year graduate degree from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, and completed post-graduate hospital rotations and specialized training at Liaoning University teaching hospital in Shenyang, China. She completed a research-based graduate program in a Complementary Medicine & Wellness at Oakland University in 2003. Dr K has established successful Integrative Medical clinics in Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota, and has facilitated healing retreats around the world. She also owns and operates Wildflower Family Farm, a Chinese medicinal farm in Minnesota.
Dr K has been partnering with indigenous tribes since 2004 to preserve ancient medicinal practices and study the science behind these ancient techniques, including East Asian Medicine. She is currently filming a pilot for the tv series, Barefoot Doctor. Dr K also founded Aerospace Acupuncture, LLC in 2017, and is studying the therapeutic and preventative health benefits of East Asian medicine for short and long duration space flight.
Dedicated to educating the general public and medical community, Dr K is honored to serve as a MAA board member to spread the knowledge and benefits of East Asian Medicine.
Dr. Hauser’s interest in oriental medicine as a young adult began during his undergraduate years during the late 1970’s & early 1980’s with his reading of the first modern English translation of any Traditional Chinese Medicine text, Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. That this text was an account of point and meridian location but a shallow and simple presentation of the theory of oriental medicine and that there were only three schools of oriental medicine in the United States at the time, each on either of the continent’s sea coasts discouraged what seemed at the time to be an unlikely pursuit for a Milwaukeean.
Twenty years later, inspired by the effective herbal treatments of Dr. Zhuo Ling Ren, Dr. Hauser organized a small class comprised of graduates of TCM schools which met for four hours weekly for three years to study oriental medicine under Dr. Duc the Kieu. Once learning oriental herbalism, the need to qualify as a licensed acupuncturist to complement this work compelled Dr. Hauser to obtain a Master’s in Oriental Medicine degree from the Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Roseville, Minnesota. He is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of Minnesota.
His clinic holds one of the few bulk herb oriental medicine pharmacies in the Twin Cities with 280 items of the Traditional Chinese Medicine materia medica obtained from Mayway Herbs of Oakland, California or Golden Flower Pharmacy of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He can fill his own prescriptions or those ordered by other practitioners who might need use of the pharmacy for their patients.
Director
Practice philosophy: I believe that the body is capable of being it's own natural healer when given an integrated approach; a unique blend of Western medicine and natural health care options like acupuncture, good nutrition, essential oils and massage therapy.
Best part of my work: When a patient comes in with chronic pain, and leaves my treatment room with less pain and a new outlook on their life.
Why I became a provider: To provide hope and healing to those who thought they would never feel good again or be able to participate in the activities that they once loved to do.
Director
Mona L. Robbins is a board-certified Diplomate of Acupuncture, licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin to practice Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She has a private practice, Evergreen Holistic Medicine, in Woodbury, Minnesota.
Mona is a Doctoral Candidate, at American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, with research focus on M1/M2 macrophage immunomodulation and the resulting innate immunity cascade simulated by acupuncture. She attempts to explain the bio-mechanism of acupuncture in local interstitial tissue as it pertains to both pain relief and tissue repair. Mona believes that understanding the local bio-mechanism of acupuncture through the western medical lens is a key component in the progression and acceptance of acupuncture in the medical world. This acceptance will stimulate more scientific study, meaningful insurance coverage, appropriate legislative support and most importantly patient awareness and access to licensed acupuncture practitioners.
Mona has studied or practiced integrative medicine for over 10 years. Her 20 years previous to medicine includes: military service, mechanical engineering, and a construction company she created, owned, and operated, all of which established a strong work ethic, acute tactile ability, and powerful problem-solving skills. Mona has dedicated her life to understanding function, identifying problems and implementing successful solutions.
Director
Dr. Choi has received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Seoul and a Master of Science degree in Veterinary Microbiology from Seoul National University. Dr. Choi then worked as a scientist at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Korea for 8 years. Subsequently, she was a visiting scientist at the Pasteur Institute in Paris and Institute of National Research Agronomy (INRA), Thiverval Grinion, France. After that, Dr. Choi received a PhD in Veterinary Pathobiology and a Post Doctorate in Molecular Biology/Immunology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota.
Since then, she has worked as a faculty member at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota. Dr. Choi was also trained and certified in veterinary acupuncture from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS).
Alternate Director
Amy received a Master’s degree in Traditional Asian Medicine from the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2006. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double major in English, and Communications, and a minor in Psychology, from Gustavus Adolphus College. She looks forward to learning more about the MAA, and assist in educating the public about the benefits of acupuncture through publicity and articles.
Amy is a Licensed Acupuncturist through the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, and board certified in acupuncture by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). As a practitioner, she continues to research ways to facilitate the healing process. She completed courses in Craniosacral Therapy and Somato Emotional Release from the Upledger Institute International, and continues to learn more about myofascial release and other healing modalities. Amy studied the Art of Healing Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Reiki for over 20 years. She currently leads Tai Chi classes in the Minnesota Capital complex, to help people bring balance to their physical and emotional well-being.
Amy is grateful to join the Minnesota Acupuncture Association board. Working near the Capital for many years, the best way to help good things happen with the legislature and build public support, is to speak with them and connect with the media.
Angie Weber
Student Director
Angie is currently pursuing a master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture from Northwestern Health Sciences University; she is expected to graduate in August of 2019.
Since 2007, Angie has been assisting clients in transforming their lives as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Her undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science was completed at St. Catherine's University. Her passion for health and wellness started as a teenager working as a certified nursing assistant and then continued as a laboratory technician in the U.S. Army. She is excited to join the TCM community bringing her varied experiences to patients and the MN Acupuncture Association.
Brett Willis
Student Director
Brett M Willis is a Masters level student at The Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Brett currently works as a paramedic at the Talecris Plasma Better in Fridley MN. With 10 years of experience in emergency medicine, Brett has developed a love of healing others and helping them find healthy alternatives such as Acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Brett is a nomad from birth as both his parents served in the United States Army. He himself has served in many capacities including serving a full time two year mission for his church, becoming an eagle scout, headed the first Spanish Scott unit in Indiana, resurrecting the Native American Student Alliance at IUPUI including helping create a certificate in Native American Studies. In high school Brett also spoke before his school board after participating in the first class to study Japanese in order to keep the program alive. His years of service now have lead him to seek ways to expand the knowledge and acceptance of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in both Minnesota and our country as a whole.
Join Our Board of Directors
We are actively seeking qualified candidates for the following Board of Director positions:
- General Director & Alternates
- Treasurer
- Volunteers always needed for event planning, continuing education, community outreach and other capacity building initiatives
Interested in joining? Click here to download an application!