Unity is what is needed in our acupuncture profession.  There is strength in numbers. When, as a profession, we need to protect or enhance our scope of practice, I envision all Florida acupuncturists coming together to get the job done.  I was one of those acupuncturists years ago who thought I didn’t need to be part of FSOMA. The truth is that if we don’t create our future, someone will create it for us.     

I was doing fine I thought, practicing on my island, isolated from other acupuncturists, and doing my own thing.  That was until a chiropractic friend of mine called me and asked for additional understanding on what certain acupuncture points were used for.  He expressed his enthusiasm having just passed his weekend warrior acupuncture certification class in Miami.  How did chiropractors obtain the authorization to practice acupuncture?  The answer is strength in numbers. When the physical therapists in Florida decided to include acupuncture (aka dry needling) in their scope, how did they finally succeed?  The answer is strength in numbers.  As a profession, we almost lost our professional title of “acupuncture physician” this year, 2023.  The only thing that saved our titles was strength in numbers (and a veto by our governor). 

My focus as a FSOMA Board member is to raise money for our agenda, your agenda!  We need you to move our profession forward, your time, your talents, your financial contributions, your participation, or even your thoughts.  FSOMA’s mission is to support Florida acupuncture physicians in their roles caring for those seeking natural medicine.  We would love to see you leave your island and join our team.  I look forward to meeting you.     

Sandra Kahn AP, RN returns to the board and has been elected by the new board of directors to serve as the Vice President. She has been a licensed acupuncturist since 2007 and a member of FSOMA since 2005 as a student and currently as a practitioner. She is also board-certified by NCCAOM with a Diplomate in Acupuncture.  She was granted a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Oriental Medicine from Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sandra is the owner of Acupuncture & Oriental Healthcare, Inc. in Davie, Florida.

Sandra believes that visibility and education about Oriental Medicine in our communities are the milestones of moving our profession forward. She is active in her community by conducting workshops about holistic health & wellness, stress management, and the benefits of acupuncture. She is a member and committee volunteer of the Case Management Society of America, a board member/executive committee member/committee volunteer of the South All Florida Case Management Network, and a volunteer of the Florida Medical Reserve Corps for Broward County.  She will be Co-chairing the Conference Committee, serves on the Advocacy and Membership Committees. 

Galina has over 30 years of experience in health care. She was a major contributor to the development of the Chinese Herbal Therapy program at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. As a result, Cleveland Clinic garnered global attention as being one of the first major medical institutions to open a hospital-based herbal clinic in the United States. Currently, Galina focuses on providing traditional Chinese herbal medicine care via Telehealth consults in her private practice.

Before moving back to Florida to be closer to her family she served on the State Medical Board of Ohio’s Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Advisory Panel concerning the subject of Chinese herbs and other modalities of Oriental Medicine. Also, in the past, she served on the Hospital-Based Practice Task Force Committee advisory panel for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Currently, Galina is serving on the herbal committee at the American Society of Acupuncturists.

“I am committed to changing lives exponentially through the facilitation of interdisciplinary collaboration between Western and Eastern medical communities through integrative & holistic healthcare and education.”

David has served on FSOMA’s board of directors for 10 years including being the FSOMA president from 2021-2023.  He is currently the chair of the Legislative Committee leading the campaign to update our practice act, Chapter 457, and practices in Crystal River, FL

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Serving on the FSOMA board gives me the opportunity to become more involved with our profession. I am particularly interested in continuing education and legislative development”. 
Gretchen M. Thévenau is a Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (PCOM) and a licensed and board-certified acupuncturist, a certified homeopath and registered practitioner of the Bach Flower Remedies. She teaches all levels of the practitioner training for the Bach International Education Program. She has a full practice in Suwannee County, FL where she has lived since 2014. Her focus is empowering patients to learn self-help systems in tandem with their acupuncture treatments. 
She lives on the Suwannee River with her two Malinois and two cats.

Dickie Walls DAOM is owner and practitioner at Inner Space Acupuncture in Delray Beach, Fl since 2002.  He holds a Master of Oriental Medicine and DAOM from Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine (ATOM). He served as outreach director and clinical supervisor at ATOM since 2002. He did post graduate studies at Shanghai University of TCM in 2002, and Tian Jin University of TCM in 2005.  He established a Veteran’s program at ATOM and supervised a free clinic for Vets. He established and supervised an ATOM student clinic at Light of the World clinic, offering free acupuncture for the underserved.  

Dickie began volunteering as event photographer for FSOMA as a student member in 2000, and has continued that function since. He has attended FSOMA acupuncture education events in Tallahassee and acted as liaison with FSOMA and ATOM.

Service to FSOMA and ATOM are a big part of that life. Dickie loves to dive and takes photos above and below the sea.

Ellen Teeter, AP, licensed in Florida since 2000, is a clinical practitioner and tai chi teacher. She has been on the `FSOMA Board of Directors since 2004 and served as Vice President from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2010-2012. She has been Chair of the Website and Journal Committees, served on Legislative and Conference committees, and was the editor of the FSOMA Journal.

Ellen attended Emory University receiving a BA in Political Science, received her Oriental Medical education from the Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in St. Petersburg, FL, graduating in 1999. She has studied and practiced martial arts, tai chi, and qi gong for over 20 years.

FSOMA’s focus will be on building the profession through business management development, pro-active legislation efforts, and promoting insurance coverage for acupuncture services.  Ellen is located in the Bradenton and Sarasota area.

Natalia Morrison is an AP in the Miami area and is working with FSOMA to expand communication distribution through social media platforms, promoting FSOMA Events, and building a stronger bridge of communication between FSOMA and our professional community.

Natalia dedicates her time and work, to her private clinic, Healing Blossom (specialized in Acupuncture and Integrative Healthcare).  She integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Food Therapy, Herbal Therapy, Color Light Therapy, Sound Healing, Yoga, Meditation & lifestyle coaching – to help her patients achieve their health goals while inspiring & guiding them to create the life they desire. Natalia believes in the conscious integration of science and spirituality for the health and evolution of all people.