Biomedical Department

Dr. Dean S. Cunningham earned his Medical Doctorate in 1985 from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, after having completed Ph.D. studies in Immunology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, in 1979; and his dual-bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology from the University of California Riverside campus in 1976. Dr. Cunningham has facilitated and participated in medicine world wide. Academic and professional appointments have taken him around the the world as Dean of Curriculum (online) and Professor of Medicine at Oceania University of Medicine in Apia, Western Samoa (2010 – 2021), Medical Director of the Free Clinic in Nueva Ciudad Guerrero, Tamaulipas, Mexico (2003-07), Clinical Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Howard University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. (1994 – 1997), and onboard U.S. naval craft as a General Medical Officer and Department Head (1986 – 1968) while on tour of duty. Dr. Cunningham has maintained private practice throughout the years, and continues to write and edit medical contributions for various journals and publications.

Jon has been a holistic warrior in Denver since 1996. He graduated with honors from the Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado. Jon went on to attend South West Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado. He served his acupuncture externship at the Boulder County AIDS project. In addition, he spent 135 hours studying trigger point dry needling and sports acupuncture. Jon graduated in 2001 with an MSOM. From 2003 to 2011, Jon was a lead therapist for a huge State of Colorado wellness program devoted to identifying and treating potential worker’s comp patients. This experience has given him a vast reservoir of hands-on clinical experience with treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. In 2020, Jon completed his Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine with the Pacific College of Health and Science, including a 60-hour internship with UC Health Anschutz Hospital’s Internal Medicine Resident’s clinic at the CU School of Medicine. Jon maintains a practice specializing in myofascial, musculoskeletal, and sports medicine conditions. Jon has been a professor at CCMU since 2017.

Chris graduated from Colorado Chinese Medicine University® in 1993 and completed a clinical internship at Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Harbin, China. She is a Nationally Certified Diplomate in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology through the NCCAOM and is licensed in Colorado and Hawaii. Since graduation she also was involved in a research study on treating pelvic pain with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Chris has also taught various Traditional Chinese Medicine subjects at other Colorado Oriental medicine schools. She specializes in Chinese herbal medicine, women’s health care and sports medicine.

Nicholas Conte, PharmD, MAc worked as a Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist for 13 years before enrolling at CCMU. Dr. Conte graduated from CCMU with a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture in 2024. He also completed both his 200 hour Yoga Teacher certification (2017) and Ayurvedic Health Counselor certification (2019) in Asheville, NC.

Dr. Conte is relocating back to Asheville, where he plans to open a family acupuncture practice with his wife. He enjoys cooking, playing music and spending time with his dog.

Dr. Caitlin R. Dilli is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, a licensed and board-certified acupuncturist, and clinical herbalist. Caitlin is trained in Cosmetic Acupuncture and Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture, and she regularly helps patients with headaches and migraines, women’s health concerns, fertility, stress and anxiety, altered sleep, and digestive disturbances.  Her patient focus is on children, teenagers, adults, and elders. Caitlin holds a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from the Pacific College of Health and Science, a Master’s of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Colorado Chinese Medicine University®, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Willamette University. She has published research on Parkinson’s disease and acupuncture through the University of Colorado. As a Colorado native, Caitlin yearns to be situated deep in God’s country and is miserably happy with a fly rod and a mountain stream. Her happy hour is practicing Qi Gong or teaching Spanish commands to her rescue pup Lola.

Dr. Ergil is an anthropologist and a clinical acupuncturist since 1990. He has served as President of the American College of TCM in San Francisco, Founding Dean and Director of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in NY, and as Director of Research for the NY College of Health Professions. He was a Professor at NYCC from 2006 to 2019 and served as Acupuncture Clinical Lead at the Canandaigua VA from 2008 to 2019. He was recently the Director Health Sciences at Wells College, where he also served as Director of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program. Dr. Ergil is Chair of the New York State Education Department Acupuncture Board. Over the years Dr. Ergil has worked to develop and practice acupuncture in several integrative programs at hospitals and outpatient facilities. Presently he teaches at several schools and maintains a consultancy (Ambit Informatics Ltd.) which provides guidance and support to clients in the areas of education, health and technology.

Dr. Ergil’s research interests include Tibetan medicine, safety and efficacy issues related to single substance phytopharmacy, drug-herb interaction and toxicity issues in herbal medicine, the assessment of clinical outcomes in complementary and alternative therapies, and the clinical management of chronic pain. He has been an invited teacher in Australia, Germany, and the Republic of China and has numerous publications, including two textbooks.

Originally from Parker, Dr. Gilchrist left Colorado in 1998 to attend college in Utah. He interrupted his studies to serve a mission in Argentina, and among the lessons he learned there was that making healthy food choices and getting regular exercise were powerful tools for health and well-being. Upon returning home, Dr. Gilchrist decided he would learn all he could about natural health so he could teach these tools to his future patients. World events took Dr. Gilchrist overseas for a few more years, but he eventually found the path to realize his dream at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. There Dr. Gilchrist discovered the world of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, earning his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, and his Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Dr. Gilchrist specializes in working with children and adolescents, treating auto-immune conditions and behavioral issues with safe and effective natural therapies.

Robert received his MD from Dartmouth College in 1978, and completed a three-year residency in internal medicine at Cambridge Hospital in Massachusetts. He received an MS degree in human nutrition from Columbia University in 1975, and an MS in Traditional Chinese Medicine from SWAC/Santa Fe in 2007. He is both NCCAOM and ABIM certified. He has a lengthy practice in internal medicine, with over 20 years spent with the Indian Health Services in Arizona, and New Mexico, as well as being an emergency room, hospitalist, urgent care, and primary care provider in other facilities.

Dr. Paul Magarelli is a highly experienced, double board-certified Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Specialist (REI). He has been in private practice building families through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) for more than 25 years. Dr. Magarelli completed his REI fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles/ Cedars-Sinai, his OB/GYN residency at Duke University Medical Center, and his MD at the University of Arizona. While at the University of Arizona, he also completed a PhD as well as a Masters of Science in Nutritional Biochemistry. Considered a pioneer in integrative reproductive medicine, Dr. Magarelli was one of the originators of research to incorporate acupuncture into IVF treatment cycles. The C-MAP (Cridennda Magarelli Acupuncture Protocol) he and his partner developed is used worldwide to help infertility patients. He currently serves as faculty, mentorship program coordinator, and Chairman of the Integrative Reproductive Medicine program at Yo San University in Los Angeles.  He is an ardent supporter of affordable treatment practices and equitable access to fertility care.

Angie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1991 and after 20 years in the Healthcare field, went back to school and earned her Masters of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from CCMU in 2013, and completed her Doctorate of Acupuncture & oriental medicine from CCMU in 2024. Angie has practiced tai qi, and Qi gong for over 20 years and finds time to dance at least once a week. She is certified by the NCCAOM in oriental medicine and is a licensed acupuncturist in Colorado. Angie has an acupuncture and herbal medicine practice in Denver Colorado where she says her specialty is people.

Billy obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science with a focus in Chemistry from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2007. After realizing he had a special interest in how our surroundings affect our holistic health, Billy attended the CCMU in Denver, Colorado. Currently, he holds his master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in Oriental Medicine and is a licensed acupuncturist in Colorado. Billy has a special interest in cosmetic acupuncture, skin disorders and Chinese herbology. He currently has a private practice in Denver, Colorado.

Emily has a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrative Healthcare, and a Master of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSTCM). She is a Nationally Board certified Diplomate in Acupuncture by the NCCAOM. After struggling with chronic illness since adolescence, Emily first found holistic healthcare by learning Reiki in 2007. This propelled her into the world of alternative medicine. A friend recommended acupuncture and CHM later on, which created such profound changes that she felt inspired to learn more. Emily is passionate about helping empower patients on their own healing journeys.

Donna earned her Master of Science in Acupuncture degree from Southwest Acupuncture (2004), and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine degree from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (2019). She is also certified Genomic Medicine Clinician, Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT), and Certified NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) Specialist.

Daniel is a world-renowned expert on Botanical medicine and Integrative Oncology. Daniel has written many books, articles and databases on complimentary oncology and botanical chemotherapy support. Daniel’s intimate understanding of how the body works from a molecular level through to systems, together with his immense knowledge of botanical medicine makes him sought after internationally by practitioner and patients alike, both as a lecturer and a clinician. Daniel’s wisdom from 40 years as a Naturopath and practitioner of Chinese Medicine is evident.

Emory has been teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level in Integrative Health Care and the Life Sciences since 2004. Emory holds a M.D. degree with training in Energy Medicine, Massage (LMT), and Yoga. Currently, Emory teaches in Integrative Health Care at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Red Rocks Community College, and Georgian Court University.