Q & A with our new licensed acupuncturist, Jessica:
1) What brings you back to Tahoe?
Where do I start? First and foremost I am a mountain girl. Secondly, I have an opportunity of a lifetime to join the team at Elevate Wellness Center doing what I love and working with a team of practitioners that are vibrant, dynamic, and great at what they do. My excitement level to be back in Tahoe is through the roof! I went for a leisurely jog this week and I found myself overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for Tahoe; its beauty, its stillness in what can feel like a chaotic world and I haven’t even begun to talk about how grateful I am to live close to family again.
2) How will you combine your RN experience with your new acupuncture practice?
Being a nurse is ingrained in who I am. I’m grateful for my experience thus far as an RN and I consider obtaining my masters degree and becoming a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) as an extension of it. The decision to further my education and become a licensed acupuncturist was motivated by my desire to learn more about an integrative medicine approach and to put myself in a position to be able to have more one on one time with patients and their families.
3) Do you have any specialties?
I have spent a majority of my training and interning focusing on integrative orthopedic sports medicine and thoroughly enjoy it. However, I consider Chinese medicine to be most effective when treating the whole person-mind, body , spirit to address the root and branch- versus isolating one region of the body. I’m most interested in meeting the needs of the community.
4) What's your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is becoming a licensed acupuncturist and a practitioner of Chinese medicine. I have never felt so sure or been so proud about a decision I have made in my life.
5) What's your guilty pleasure?
Frozen yogurt, everything in moderation, right?
6) An interesting fact about you that you want to share?
I secretly would love to be a performer- preferably a singer or dancer. However, I have stagefright.
7) Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning, tea any other time.
8) Your next educational goal?
Obtaining my doctorate/Ph.D in Acupuncture and Oriental medicine. I am in no rush- My plate is full.
9) Your vision of the future of medicine?
Team work! There are so many different modalities and models of health care-no one size fits all. Times are changing, and I believe as health care providers we are all responsible for keeping up with the times, being adaptable, meeting people where they are at and empowering patients through education about their health and options.
10) One item you'd have on a deserted island?
My djembe drum. I have wanted to spend more time playing it. Speaking of that, I am super excited to hear that Liz Broscoe is still teaching djembe classes!