Meet Our Alternative Health Practitioners

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Domenic Thomas - M.S.O.M., L.Ac.

Domenic enrolled at SAMRA University in Los Angeles and earned a full tuition scholarship to study Traditional Chinese Medicine. He went on to graduate with a Masters of Science degree in Oriental Medicine in 2001.

At SAMRA he was fortunate to study under some of the brightest Chinese, Japanese, and Korean professors in the science of oriental medical diagnosis, acupuncture, and herbology. Domenic also studied optional advanced coursework in Chinese herbal theory, diagnosis, and massage therapy.

After leaving SAMRA, Domenic moved to New York City for a position at a physical rehabilitation clinic in Bronx, NY where he was able to perform over 5,000 acupuncture visits in his first year of practice. After his extensive clinical experience in New York, Domenic decided to re-locate to Baltimore, MD and opened his current practice in February of 2003, specializing in obstetrics, pregnancy support, physical medicine, and pain management.

Seok Park, M.T.O.M., L.Ac.

Seok finished 2 years of full time acupuncture and herbal medicine apprenticeship under Grandmaster Hyun Kyu Choi in Korea before starting his formal education. He then enrolled in Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine in Los Angeles and earned his master's degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine graduating summa cum laude.

In addition to his extensive clinical experience from Korea, he also served in various integrated medical facilities including UCLA Arthur Ashe Center, Venice Family Clinic, and Los Angeles Free Clinic. He was also the chief acupuncturist for a medical mission to Tijuana, Mexico in 2006.

Besides pain management, his specialties include internal medicine, allergies and nervous system disorders.

Brian Jackson, L.Ac.

Brian was classically trained at the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. There he had the opportunity to study under some of the greatest contemporary scholars in the field of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

Beyond competency in Acupuncture he is also adept at Tuina, and Qigong External Therapy. During his graduate work and residency program within one of the largest and most modern TCM hospitals in China, the Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the majority of his clinical work was in the field of post-stroke care, muscular-skeletal disorders, and pain management.

He is nationally certified and holds a Maryland license in acupuncture. Due to his extensive training in China he has seen a high volume of patients with a vast array of disorders. He has just recently moved to the Baltimore area to share his knowledge of classical Chinese acupuncture with our growing patient population.

Ashley Hoppa, CMT

I graduated Baltimore School of Massage in 2000. I am a member of AMTA and am nationally certified with the NCBTMB. I have over 10 years experience in the field, focusing on Swedish, myofascial release, stretching, sports massage and injuries, as well as deep tissue and acupressure.

In the future, I would like to pursue a certification in pregnancy massage as well. I have danced for over 15 years, and massage and physical therapy have helped me recover from many injuries in the past; therefore I know first hand how beneficial it can be. Our bodies are amazing things. That is why it is so important to take care of them on a regular basis.

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William N. Loeliger MD, R.Ac.

Dr. Loeliger completed his medical training in the Fifth Harvard Surgical Service at the New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He is a board-certified anesthesiologist with subspecialty training in cardiac and neuroanesthesia.

Dr. Loeliger is currently a staff anesthesiologist at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and a clinical instructor of anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins Medical School.

In 1996 he traveled to Beijing, China where he studied acupuncture at the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center. Subsequently, Dr. Loeliger has also completed the Acupuncture for Physicians Program at UCLA and is a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.

He is licensed to practice acupuncture by the Physician Board of Quality Assurance in the State of Maryland. His other complementary and alternative medicine interests include mind/body medicine, herbal therapy, energy medicine and magnetic therapy. Dr. Loeliger is committed to the integration of complementary and alternative medicine into conventional healthcare.

William Zvarick, L.Ac.

Bill Zvarick, L.Ac. completed his acupuncture studies at the Maryland Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In addition he has studied acupressure with Michael Reed Gach through the Acupressure Institute at Berkeley, California, and massage at the Baltimore School of Massage.

He has extensive experience in massage and acupressure, working with a wide range of skeleto-muscular conditions, and he utilizes these modalities together with acupuncture to address patients� health issues on multiple levels.

Mr. Zvarick also treats a wide range of other conditions, including migraines, depression, anxiety, infertility, digestive disorders and immune disorders.

Maria Kimos, CMT

Maria is a graduate of Baltimore school of Massage and has been a certified massage therapist in Maryland for over 10 years. She is nationally certified in bodywork through the National Cerification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Maria's expertise lies in deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, sports related injury and chronic pain.

She has advanced training in the highly recognized hot stone massage certification, La Stone Therapy. Maria is also a certified prenatal and peri-natal massage therapist.

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Christina Rutheiser, CNHP

Christina Rutheiser, CNHP, completed a Bachelor of Holistic Nutrition degree with Clayton College of Natural Health and is currently a Naturopathic Doctoral candidate at the same institution. She is a Certified Natural Health Professional through the The National Association of Certified Natural Health Professionals, Inc. Christina also interned for two years with a local naturopath, working with clients to find the healthiest state for every body with natural supplements, herbs, and whole foods.

As a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Christina helps people to improve the quality of their lives by making healthier food choices. By working in partnership with clients, options are explored for improving diets in ways which are workable, convenient and delicious.

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Susan H. Miller - Practice Manager

Susan Miller has been in the field of health and wellness for over a decade, dedicating herself to educating the community about the benefits of holistic medicine. Advocating and promoting internally to patients, as well as in the public sector, she is committed to making CAM a household name. Susan has developed numerous corporate wellness programs throughout the greater Baltimore area.

She has experience as a chiropractic assistant working with physical rehabilitation and related therapies. Susan worked as a certified personal trainer for several years as part of an ongoing commitment to wellness in her personal and professional life. She is currently the practice manager and marketing director for Integrative Health Centers.

Karisa Grudi - Licensed Acupuncturist and Board-Certified Chinese Herbalist

Karisa Grudi is a state licensed acupuncturist in Maryland and Virginia and a nationally board-certified Chinese herbalist. She holds a 4-year Master of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York City. She is also a Diplomate in Oriental Medicine from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Karisa’s passion for acupuncture and oriental medicine coupled with her ongoing research in the fields of natural health and nutrition has inspired her to educate, empower, and motivate her patients to take control of their own health and strive for a state of well-being. Her focus is in treating fertility issues as well as an extensive variety of conditions including weight management, digestive disorders, smoking cessation and pain management.

Jessica Ellerman, L.Ac.

Jessica Ellerman, L.Ac., is a state board licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in Maryland and California. She completed a 4 year program of study at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, graduating with honors, and obtaining a Master's of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine. Jessica is also nationally certified to practice acupuncture and chinese herbology by the NCCAOM as a Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (Dipl. OM).

Jessica also received additional training in massage therapy, including deep tissue and swedish massage, Tui Na (a type of acupressure), and craniosacral therapy.

Clinically, she has had the opportunity to work with a very diverse patient population. In addition to her private practice, she has treated patients at San Diego Hospice, UCSD Free Clinic for the homeless and low income families, and within the Integrative Medical wing at Rady's Children's Hospital in San Diego. There she worked with patients and their families in the oncology and chronic pain units.

For the past eight years, Jessica has worked in the field of holistic healing and is truly passionate about helping her patients achieve optimal health and vitality. Her specialities include; women's health issues, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, supporting thyroid and adrenal health, pain management, and digestive disorders. She offers comprehensive treatment tailored to each patient's individual needs, while providing the inspiration and tools for healthy living.

Eric H. Smith, L.Ac.

A martial artist since age eight; Eric began studying herbal medicine as an undergraduate at University of Maryland College Park as part of traditional Chinese martial art training. He has continued to practice Nei Jia Quan and study Traditional Chinese Medicine since then.

Eric graduated with a BA in Art; studying Japanese papermaking and book arts, and a BA in Asian Art History with a Mandarin Chinese Language minor. Following college Eric was mentored by several Acupuncturists learning primarily Japanese style of treatment as well a Qi Gong healing techniques and Reiki Jin Kaido. He attended the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in 1999 earning a Masters of Acupuncture degree in 2003.

After graduation Eric worked at the Wellspring Center physical therapy and studied with a Tibetan Doctor. In 2009 Eric became a team member of Upper Cheseapeake Health Care, performing Acupuncture in the CancerLifenet Center under a Susan G. Komen grant.

He continues to practice martial arts and has been an instructor of Tai Ji Quan in the Baltimore area since 2000. Eric’s primary specialty is Acupuncture as an integrated treatment for Cancer patients. He also has extensive training and experience in pain management, psychology, and internal medicine.

Ashley Hoppa, CMT

I graduated Baltimore School of Massage in 2000. I am a member of AMTA and am nationally certified with the NCBTMB. I have over 10 years experience in the field, focusing on Swedish, myofascial release, stretching, sports massage and injuries, as well as deep tissue and acupressure.

In the future, I would like to pursue a certification in pregnancy massage as well. I have danced for over 15 years, and massage and physical therapy have helped me recover from many injuries in the past; therefore I know first hand how beneficial it can be. Our bodies are amazing things. That is why it is so important to take care of them on a regular basis.

Read more...