Faculty

Christopher was educated at CSTCM/CCMU. He received a Masters of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and then earned his Doctorate of Acupuncture, and is a Nationally Board certified Diplomate of Oriental Medicine in acupuncture and herbal medicine therapies by NCCAOM. He has also studied Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Shaanxi College of Chinese Medicine in Xianyang, China. He was drawn to Traditional Chinese Medicine after receiving a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract. After being introduced to Chinese medicine by a Taiji instructor, he took the steps to begin a path in the medical field. He developed both a love and devotion to Chinese herbal medicine as he was able to find solutions for his own symptoms and illness that simply were not offered or available with the western medical care he was receiving.

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.

Dr. Melati Stevens is a nationally board-certified and licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with a dual-specialization in Oriental Medicine in Santa Monica, CA, where she received her specializations, earned a DAOM, and expanded her interests in Rehabilitative Medicine, Fertility, and Cardiology. She completed her MSTCM at CSTCM, gaining proficiency in conjunct modalities including Cupping, Auricular, and Electro-Stimulation Acupuncture. Internal and Physical Medicine, extensively experienced in the treatment of Sports Medicine, FunctionalMedicine, and Immunology. She completed her doctoral residency at Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine.

Heather “Maya” Suzuki lived and worked in Japan as an acupuncture and moxibustion therapist for over 10 years. Maya studied acupuncture at Toyo Shinkyu Senmon Gakko. She apprenticed and worked at Acura Acupuncture Clinic. During school Maya also became a member of Iyashi No Michi Kyokai and Tanioka’s Daishiryu shonishin styles. In 2015 she attained dual licensure in Japan and the U.S. She is a nationally certified Diplomate of acupuncture through the NCCAOM. Maya teaches Japanese acupuncture nationally and internationally, is the main translator and a mid-level practitioner for Iyashi No Michi, and is a mid-level practitioner of Daishiryu. She volunteers as a translator for the North American Journal of Oriental Medicine where she publishes articles on Japanese acupuncture. She owns and runs Bumblebee AcuTherapy, where she utilizes Japanese acupuncture and shonishin, as well as moxibustion to mainly treat perinatal and pediatric conditions. Maya has many hats. She owns and runs Bumblebee AcuTherapy, teaches Japanese acupuncture workshops around the US and internationally, and is the main translator and a mid-level practitioner for Iyashi No Michi. She is also a mid-level practitioner of Daishiryu style pediatric acupuncture. Maya is the head coordinator and translator for the Annual In-Touch Japan Seminar in Japan. She also volunteers as a translator for the North American Journal of Oriental Medicine where she has published several articles about Japanese acupuncture. She is passionate about allowing acupuncturists to improve their technical skills and therefore their clinical results via Japanese style needling and moxibustion.  Maya founded and teaches the online Japanese acupuncture educational school, ShinKyu University, aimed to educate acupuncturists around the world in Japanese acupuncture and moxa techniques.

David Teitler has been practicing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in Carbondale since 1997. His journey in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) began at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (now Colorado Chinese Medicine University®, or CCMU), where he studied from 1993 to 1995, laying the foundation for his nearly three-decade career.

David’s approach to healing is characterized by personalized attention and carefully listening to patient aspirations in health. Acupuncture treatments and herbal remedies are tailored to the specific needs of the individual to promote Universal wellness.

As a board-certified practitioner, David successfully treats a wide range of conditions, including back and knee pain, tendonitis, fatigue, digestive issues, depression, anxiety, and women’s health concerns. His true specialty lies in the treatment of respiratory conditions and immune system enhancement.

David’s expertise in respiratory health is particularly valuable in Colorado’s dry climate. He has developed a keen understanding of how the arid environment affects lung function. His proficiency extends to conditions such as sinusitis, allergies, and chronic cough; honed-in on modifying treatments to address these unique challenges.

This specialized knowledge led David to found Dr. Dave’s Herbal Medicine, a small company focusing on remedies for respiratory conditions. His expertise on the topics of sinusitis and allergy care has led him to teach at acupuncture schools in Colorado and Arizona.

For seven years, David served as lead acupuncturist with the Calaway Young Cancer Center at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, CO. This experience deepened his understanding of integrating TCM with modern cancer care. His commitment to expanding knowledge in this field led him to study with the oncology team at the Yunnan Provincial Hospital in Kunming, China.

David’s dedication to learning is evident in his international pursuits. Fluent in Chinese and Spanish, he embarked on a self-guided herbal medicine study in China in the summer of 2023, exploring medicinal plants in their natural habitats. This global perspective enriches his practice and allows him to connect with a diverse patient base.

When not treating patients, David finds great joy in nature and family life. An avid outdoorsman, he can be found skiing in various locations during winter, from Spring Gulch and Williams Peak to Aspen Highlands. Summers see him gardening, hiking, and backpacking. His passion for nature extends to mushroom foraging, where he applies his keen eye and knowledge to discover culinary delights in the forest.

Wen Tian, is a licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist in Massachusetts. She is also a teacher at the New England School of Acupuncture at MCPHS University. She has 25 years of clinical experience in Acupuncture and 12 years of teaching experience in herbs and acupuncture needling. She was raised from a traditional Chinese family, influenced by her mother, who was a professor in research about nationalities history in south China, and her grandfather, who was also a famous scholar in those fields. She excels at reading and understanding ancient Chinese linguistics. She has been studying the Huangdi Neijing for 14 years. With years of consistent studying of the ancient Classical textbooks such as the Huangdi Neijing and Nan Jing, and integrated with years of clinical practice, she has developed quite a few useful diagnosis and needling methods, like the special method of treating tendon and muscles, Fan Zhen Jie Ci; the special method for bone problems, Cui Zhen Yao Yun; the Renying and Maikou pulse regulating method based on the body parts for diagnosis and treatment methods, the San Sheng needling method; and the five elements year and six meridians qi, Six Qi meridians method. These methods originate from the Classical textbooks, and have been proven very effective in clinical practice.

Stephanie is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of Colorado. She earned her DACM from Pacific College of Health and Science, San Diego in 2016 and her MSTOM from Pacific College of Health and Science, New York in 2005. Additionally, she is nationally certified through the NCCAOM. She was a board member of the Acupuncture Association of Colorado from 2020-2024, serving as Secretary and President. She has been treating patients in her community style clinic practice since February 2012 in Northglenn, CO.

Stephen Ulmer is a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalist. He graduated in 2014 from the Colorado Chinese Medicine University® in Denver with a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Stephen has managed Yan Jing Supply, the oldest Chinese medicine pharmacy in Denver, for more than 6 years. This position has allowed him a unique experience in helping the general public with herbal recommendations and fulfilling practitioners’ formulas for 1000’s of patients.

Robin got her first ever acupuncture treatment at the CCMU student clinic over 25 years ago, which sent her on the path to eventual practice. Robin is a Colorado native and has been licensed to practice acupuncture in Colorado since 2009. She maintains a general practice in Denver in a multidisciplinary healthcare office and has a practice in Englewood, CO. She graduated from Touro Health Sciences College Graduate Program in Oriental Medicine in New York City and earned a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from PCOM. She is a nationally certified Diplomate of Oriental Medicine through the NCCAOM.