TCMCH Faculty
Megan Yarberry, M.O.M., L.Ac. Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H. (NCCAOM) B.A. (International Affairs/French), University of Puget Sound, 1987; Peace Corps Volunteer, Togo, West Africa 1988-90; M.A.O.M., Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, 1998; Dipl Ac. & Herbal. (NCCAOM) 1998; Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist, National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, 2000. Certified Qi Gong instructor. Ms. Yarberry has a private practice in Hilo, HI 1999-present and has been working on health and education projects in East Africa since 2005. Ms. Yarberry is the Academic Dean and an Instructor.
Jacqueline Hahn, N.D., N.D., National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland, OR, 1994. Certified Obstetrical Specialist (American College of Naturopathic Obstetricians), 1996. B.S. (Microbiology & Public Health), Washington State University, 1984. Licensed Massage Therapist. Licensed Animal Health Technologist. Licensed Medical Laboratory Technologist. HIV/AIDS Prevention Program Coordinator,
U.S. Center for Disease Control, Northern Mariana Islands District, 1996-1998. Adjunct Faculty, Northern Marianas College, 1996-1998. Founder and physician at Hilo Naturopathic and Acupuncture Clinic, 1998-present. Jacqui has been teaching at TCMCH since 2003. In addition to being the College President, Dr. Hahn teaches courses in Western Clinical Medicine.
Maureen McLaughlin, M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM)., Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Seattle, WA, 1995. B.A. (Sociology), Western New England College, Springfield, MA, 1978. Doctoral work (Psychology, Integrative Medicine), Saybrook Institute, San Francisco, CA. NCCAOM Diplomate, National Acupuncture Detoxification Association Specialist. Studied ancient medicine practices with Alberto Villoldo, and Jose Luis Herrera (2000-2004). Ms. McLaughlin is a member of the adjunct medical staff at North Hawaii Community Hospital where she is both preceptor and supervisor for TCMCH interns. She teaches core theory and philosophy classes, advanced therapeutics, and subtle energy medicine elective since 2004 and is also Dean of Clinics.
Eileen Adames, Dipl. of Ac (NCCAOM),1997 BA,University of Hawaii at Manoa and Certificate of Completion from Oriental Medical Institute of Hawaii, 1997. Ms Adames has a private acupuncture practice in Kamuela, HI . Ms. Adames has over 35 years experience as a avid gardner and has also brought about public attention to her organic and companion planting. Over the years she has been using this knowledge to nourish the body from within and then using her acupuncture knowledge to treat the body from the outside in. Her Native American heritage has also contributed to her experiences and physical wisdom by mixing western and eastern medicine while treating the whole person and not just the body.
Karen Altergott, Dipl. L.Ac. (NCCAOM), L.M.T. B.S. (Sociology) SUNY Brockport, NY, 1993; M.S.O.M., Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, 2001. Ms. Altergott has a private practice in Waikoloa, HI, 1999-present. Ms. Altergott specializes in muscular skeletal pain and imbalances and has a strong background in Tui Na and Pediatrics. She is a member of the adjunct medical staff at North Hawaii Community Hospital and a Clinical Supervisor at the TCMCH Clinic.
Jivan Collins, M.O.M., L.Ac. B.A. (Biology/Political Science), University of California, Santa Barbara, 1971. Master of Oriental Medicine, Tai Hsuan Foundation College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, 1996. Faculty, Tai Hsuan, 1996-1999. Faculty, TCMCH, 1999-Present. Academic Dean, TCMCH, 2000-2003. Director of Clinics, TCMCH, 2000-2003. Clinic Supervisor, TCMCH, 1999-present.
Kelly Frith, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM) M.S.O.M,
Traditional Chinese Medical College of Hawaii, 2005. Undergraduate education at The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA with an emphasis on Herbal Medicine. She currently maintains a private practice in Waimea combining herbal medicine and Japanese Acupuncture. Ms. Frith teaches our Herbal Dispensary course and is a teaching assistant for other herbal classes. Kelly has also started her own herbal company, botanicalblends.net.
Sifu Gwen Fujioka, RDH, LMT Certified Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Meditation & Stress Management instructor since 1998, studied under Master Tom Grunden from 1993. Sifu Gwen also trained in the Choy Lee Fut system, under Grandmaster Chan Yong Fa; Sifu John Saw & Sifu Seng Jeorng Au (ASAS) in China, Hawaii and Australia in Shaolin Lohan Qi Gong & the Chan Family Tai Chi form. With Master Chen Hui-Xian, she learned the Turtle Longevity Qi Gong forms. In Germany, she studied with Master Li Cheng Ji in Tai Chi, Tai Chi Sword & Tai Chi Stick. Sifu Gwen teaches the Qi Gong courses and has been teaching at TCMCH since 2001.
Erika Haga, M.A.O.M., L.Ac., Dipl.O.M. (NCCAOM). Post Graduate Study in Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Tokyo, Japan (2007). M.A.O.M. (Chinese Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine). New England School of Acupuncture, Watertown, MA. 2006. B.A. (Neuroscience & Behavior, Medical Anthropology) High Honors, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA. 2000. Experienced medical research technician. McLean Hospital / Harvard Medical School / Brain Imaging Center (2000-2003, 2006-current).TCMCH Faculty and Clinical Preceptor since 2008.
Craig Zion Cain, D.C., Palmer College of Chiropractic West , 1988. Dr. Cain has been in private practice in California, Japan and presently in Hilo, Hawaii. Founder of the Kiso Method, a non force/force method of adjusting the spine and influencing the nervous system and cranio-sacral system. He has authored 4 manuals on The Kiso Method, written both in English and Japanese. Has been doing seminars over a 20 year period and is the author of "Secrets of Healing Back Pain.
Vanessa King MTCM, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM) B.A.Environmental Sciences, Chinese Language, UC Berkeley, 1998. Taiwan Normal University, degree in Classical Chinese, 2000. Apprentice - Taipei Chinese Medicine Hospital, Internal Medicine Unit, 1998-2000. Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Branches Institute, 2003. English Language Teacher, Taipei, 1998-1999. Private acupuncture practice, Kona, Hawaii 2003-2005, with clinical emphasis on chronic pain, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
Angela Longo, L.Ac., Ph.D., UC Berkeley, Biochemistry, 1976. BS, Chemistry, University of Rochester, NY. 32 year apprenticeship in TCM under Dr. Lam Kong, San Francisco, CA. Founder of Traditional Chinese Medical College, and co-founder with Dr. Lam Kong of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Center for Cancer Research, 1984. Authored a chapter on "TCM Methods for Treating Women's Health Problems"to an Alternative Medical textbook, edited by Kay Weiss and published by Prentice Hall, 1984. “Pulse Identification and TCM Treatment of Hidden Viral Pathogens (old flu) and Their Possible Connection to Cancer" - Presented at the International Symposium on Integrated Treatment for Cancer, Waimea, Hawaii, 2002. Dr. Longo currently teaches elective courses at TCMCH.
Chieko J. Maekawa, Ph.D., D.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. Dr. Maekawa trained at New England Acupuncture School, 1982, and graduated with honors from the Waseda Medical Arts College, Tokyo, 1985. NCCA Dipl. Ac. 1986. Ph.D., University of Health Science, Honolulu, 1991; D.Ac., University of Health Science, 2000. Executive Director, Seitai Shinpo Foundation, 1983-97. Vice-President (1985-92) and President (1992-present), Big Island Acupuncture Association. Board of Directors (Education Chair), Hawaii Acupuncture Association, 1993-present. Founder, Traditional Japanese Acupuncture Foundation, 1997-present. Dr. Maekawa has her acupuncture clinic in Kona, Hawaii. Dr. Maekawa has taught the series of electives on Japanese acupuncture at TCMCH since 2002.
Karen Nesbitt, M.A., Psychology and Counseling, Antioch University, Ohio 1983. Ms. Nesbitt is an internationally recognized medical qigong and taijiquan instructor with Hebei Medical Qigong Hospital in Hebai, China. She founded The International Qigong Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization that has provided educational exchange programs in medical qigong and taijiquan around the world for the past 12 years.
Dara Thompson, N.D. is a naturopathic doctor practicing in Hilo, Hawaii and San Francisco, CA. She has a general medical practice with an emphasis on diet and nutrition and environmental medicine. She studied biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California Santa Cruz. She received her doctorate in Naturopathic medicine at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She has taught at TCMCH for 7 years.
Nadia Wolf, M.A., M. of Div. Counseling Psychology, University of Santa Monica, M. of Div., Spiritual Healing and Ministry, University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism, CA, B.A., Communications and Teaching Credentials, Elmhurst College. After teaching various subjects at the junior and senior high school level, Nadia studied and explored subtle energy medicine and emotional/spiritual healing from both ancient and contemporary perspectives. She has 20 years experience as a teacher, healer, and practitioner. Nadia has a private healing practice, holds spiritual retreats, personal development workshops, and gives inspirational lectures.
Dr. Noah Wolf, ND, L.Ac., Dipl Ac, (NCCAOM); M.A.O.M., Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, 1998; Dipl Ac.(NCCAOM) 1998; N.D., National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland, OR, 1995; B.S. The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA, 1988 with focus on Botany; University of Spiritual Healing & Sufism, Pope Valley, CA, 2010; California School of Herbal Studies, Forrestville, CA, 1989; Dr. Wolf has been in private practice for 15 years in Port Townsend, WA, and Portland, OR, offering a synthesis of Naturopathic & Oriental medicines, Acutonics sound healing (certified Kairos instructor since 2000), Classical Chinese herbal formulas, and Bioresonance diagnosis and therapy. He has trained in China with master herbalists and Qigong practitioners.
Sarah West New England School of Acupuncture, Santa Fe College of Natural Medicine, 1982. L.Ac. 1982, Dipl Ac.(NCCA) 1986. International Training Center, Academy of Traditional Medicine, Beijing, 1992. M.S. in Oriental Medicine, Southwest Acupuncture College, 1993. Faculty member and Clinical Supervisor, Southwest Acupuncture College, 1985-1993; Chair, Department of Acupuncture, Southwest Acupuncture College, 1989-1993. Examiner for Acupuncture Board of New Mexico and for National Council of Acupuncture Schools and Colleges. Faculty member, TCMCH, 1995-present. Past TCMCH Assistant Academic Dean and Director of Acupuncture.
