Kathy Taromina, MS, L.Ac.
Jason Ginsberg, M.S., L.Ac. Mr. Ginsberg holds dual Bachelors degrees from New York University in East Asian Studies and Medieval & Renaissance Studies. He received his Master’s in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Mr. Ginsberg’s post-graduate studies included an apprenticeship in Tui Na, Bonesetting, and Dit Da medicine. He is a sifu of the Hung Ga kung fu system and a 10th generation lineage holder in that system, 5th generation from the famed martial artist and doctor Wong Fei Hung. In addition to having a private practice in New York City, Mr. Ginsberg serves as clinic supervisor at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn. He continues to pursue his Chinese language studies and translation of Chinese medical texts. As full-time faculty, Jason serves as the Chair of the Materia Medica and Formulae Departments, and teaches various classes within other departments.
Michael Oxman. M.S., L.Ac. Mr. Oxman holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Grinnell College with a specialty in the study of language and science and a Master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Prior to joining the GPOM he served as faculty and Chair of the Herb Department for Alima Institute of Chinese Medicine in Israel, where he also maintained a private practice. He is a member of the GPOM full time faculty, teaching classes in various departments in addition to serving as the Chair of Clinical Training. Michael maintains a private practice in NYC and Westchester.
Josh Paynter, M.S., L.Ac. Mr. Paynter has been involved with Chinese studies for nearly twenty years. He received a B.A. in Chinese studies from Bard College with a focus on Daoist traditions, including studies abroad at Yunnan University in Kunming, China. He received his Master’s in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Mr. Paynter has been the staff acupuncturist at St. Johns Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, and clinic supervisor at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn. He is a third generation Chinese landscape painter in the lineage of Pu Ru (cousin to the last emperor of China), and birds and flowers in the lineage of Yu Feian, and a second generation jade carver in the techniques of Frank W. Long. He is fluent in Chinese language and translates classical medical texts, and early Daoist manuals. Josh maintains a private practice in NYC and upstate New York. As a full time Assistant Professor, Josh serves as the Chair of both the General Studies department and the acupuncture department, he also teaches various classes within other departments.
Kathy Taromina, M.S., L.Ac. Ms. Taromina is the Program Director of the Graduate Program in Oriental Medicine where she holds the rank of Assistant Professor. She received her Bachelor degree from New York University and her Master’s in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College, NY. She has completed post-graduate work at Nanchang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China. Ms. Taromina previously served as a faculty member and Department Chair of Clinical Practice at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Prior to her current position, Ms. Taromina served as a full time faculty member and the Academic Coordinator for the GPOM program. She is a founding partner of Hudson Healing Arts in Hoboken, NJ and maintains a private practice in NYC. She also currently serves as an acupuncturist for the Integrative Therapies Program for Children with Cancer at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. She is the co-author of various publications and is actively engaged in research activities related to treating pediatric oncology patients with Chinese medicine.
Harold Asbury, M.S., L.Ac. Mr. Asbury began studying aspects of Chinese medicine in the late 1980’s as a part of his practical of martial arts. He is an instructor in Hung Ga Kung Fu, Xing Yi Quan and Ba Gua Zhang, Mr. Asbury began a formal study of Chinese medicine as part of the inaugural class of the Graduate Program of Oriental Medicine. He apprenticed an additional two years with Tom Bisio, L.Ac. Mr. Asbury is an instructor in the Tui Na sequence. He maintains a private practice in midtown Manhattan, specializing in injury medicine.
Chaya H. Ben-Porat, Ph.D. Ms. Ben-Porat received her B.Sc. from Carleton University, Her M.A. in Chemistry, M. Phil and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Columbia University. She has extensive research and teaching experience in her field. Ms. Ben-Porat teaches bioscience classes for the GPOM.
Tom Bisio, L.Ac., Mr. Bisio is a graduate of the Tri-State College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Prior to completing his studies, he apprenticed with Chinese herbalists and experts in acupuncture, Qi Gong, Chinese massage and bonesetting. He has taught martial arts for over 25 years. Tom has previously worked as an athletic trainer at the elite Sports Training Institute, where he collaborated with physical therapists to create and implement rehabilitation programs for injured athletes. He heads a busy clinic that specializes in trauma and sports injuries where he oversees and trains other acupuncturists and students from various acupuncture schools that come to observe and assist in the treatments. He is the author of A Tooth From The Tiger’s Mouth: How to Treat Your Injuries With Powerful Healing Secrets of the Great Chinese Warriors. Tom is the co-creator of Zheng Gu Tui Na, a system of orthopedic medicine, which he and his partner teach across the United States.
Elizabeth Carpenter, M.S., L.Ac. After receiving her BA from Oberlin College and completing a successful career in modern dance and dance instruction, Ms. Carpenter received her MTOM from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Subsequently she served as Director of Chinese Medicine for Health, LLC, an innovative program based in Manhattan, which provides integrative medical services to patients with chronic disease condition. She has previously taught at in the Department of Oriental Medicine at Pacific College. She is presently in private practice.
Meg Chang, Ed.D, ADTR is a registered dance-movement therapist (ADTR) and Doctor of Education from Columbia University Teachers College, specializing in intercultural Adult and Continuing Education. Since 1979, she has worked in the field of body-mind health and creative arts therapy at numerous psychiatric and medical settings—including South Beach Psychiatric Center, N.Y.; Gracie Square Hospital, N.Y.; and as a stress reduction specialist at NYU Medical Center. She has taught mindfulness-based stress reduction at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, and was assistant professor and Coordinator of the Dance Therapy Specialization at Lesley College in Cambridge, MA. Publications include "Mobilizing Battered Women: A Creative Step Forward" in Fran Levy (Ed.) Dance and Other Expressive Art Therapies. NY:Routledge. Teaching at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine since 1996, she developed clinical counseling into a comprehensive course sequence.
Zhao-Yang Chen, MB,/BS, M.A., L.Ac. Ms. Chen was awarded a Bachelors of Medicine from the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China and received her M.A. in Psychology from Long Island University. In addition to maintaining a private practice in New York and Connecticut, Ms. Chen is currently a staff acupuncturist for Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut. She was an Assistant Professor for the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 1982-1988 and has been an instructor for Pacific College of Oriental Medicine since 1995. She joined Touro’s faculty in 2003.
Claudia Citkovitz, M.S., L.Ac. Ms. Citkovitz began her Chinese Medicine studies in 1997 with Tom Bisio. L.Ac. and assisted in his clinic for six years. She also assisted at Soho Herbs and Acupuncture. She is a graduate of Tristate College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and has studied at the Beijing Language and Culture Institute. Ms. Citkovitz is in charge of overseeing operations and supervision of GPOM students at Lutheran Medical Center where she is also involved in research activities relating to labor and delivery.
Sheila Diente, M.S., L.Ac. , is a graduate of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, where she earned her M.T.O.M. Her practice of Chinese medicine is informed by a long standing yoga practice. She is certified in Thai Yoga Therapy, and uses this knowledge as a basis for her workshops on Yoga+Acupuncture: Understanding Acupuncture Through Yoga Asanas. She maintains a private practice in NYC as well as working at a variety of spas and other clinics.
Kevin V. Ergil, M.A., M.S., L.Ac., F.N.A.A.O.M., F.A.A.P.M., is the founding Director of the Graduate Program in Oriental Medicine in the School of Health Sciences where he holds the rank of Associate Professor. Mr. Ergil is a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine and a medical anthropologist. He is a practicing acupuncturist (licensed in New York and California), and herbalist since 1990. He was co-chair of the Overview Panel for the Workshop on Acupuncture sponsored by NIH in 1994 and presented on Acupuncture Licensure, Training, and Certification in the United States at the NIH Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture in 1997.
Mr. Ergil was a past president of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, San Francisco (1990-92) and was the founding Dean of the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, New York Campus (1992-1998). Additionally, he served as the Director of Research and Chair of the Department of Oriental Medicine at the New York College for Wholistic Health Education & Research. As a representative to the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from 1991 to 2000, he chaired the Research Information Committee and the Core Curriculum Committee. Mr. Ergil established the Graduate Program in Oriental Medicine at Touro College (2001-2006), where he held the position of Director. He is a full time faculty member at the New York Chiropractic College and maintains a private practice in upstate New York.
James Gilchriest, M.S. Mr. Gilchriest received a Master of Science in Clinical Engineering from Touro College School of Health Sciences and a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the New York Institute of Technology. He has extensive experience in biotechnical, biomedical and educational environments with a focus on instruction, research and development, product development, management and communications. He is currently an adjunct instructor at Touro College School of Health Sciences; a research associate for North Star Research and product development for Gilchriest BioMedical.
Damon Halperin, PA Mr. Halperin was awarded his Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences – Physician Assistant Program from Long Island University in 1985. He has worked as a Physician Assistant at St. Barnabas Hospital, Beth Israel Medical Center and at the New York Hotel Trades Council Health Center. He has been at SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn in the department of Medicine/Infectious Diseases Division since 1988.
Elizabeth Harper, M.S. Ms. Harper received her master’s degree in exercise science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She has worked for the US Navy as a research physiologist, studying muscle, bone, and connective tissue damage and repair. She has taught anatomy and physiology in a number of Colleges on both the East and West Coasts. She is presently a PhD candidate, in the Health Studies Department, at New York University's Steinhardt School of Education. She has been on the faculty of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, NY. Ms. Harper is also an experienced yoga instructor, with more than a decade’s teaching experience. In 1994 she created a yoga based exercise program for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Her most recent research pursuits involve the integration of complementary/alternative medicine into the rehabilitative setting. Ms. Harper teaches various courses in the biosciences, including Neuroscience and Clinical Research and Design.
Xin He, M.B./B.S Ms He graduated from the Hunan College of TCM in China in 1982. She worked as a Teaching Assistant and eventually Associate Professor in the Acupuncture and Tui Na department of Hunan Clinical Medicine from 1982 – 2000. She has spent time as a visiting clinician in both Russia and Switzerland. She moved to NYC in 2001 and has since maintained a private practice in addition to being a member of the clinical faculty at Touro College.
Susan M. Jones PhD. Dr. Jones received a PhD in pharmacology from SUNY, Upstate Medical Center. She Pursued biomedical research interests for 12 years at Yale University School of Medicine and Cornell University Medical College. She has also produced pharmaceutical educational programs for patients and physicians. Dr. Jones has taught anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, histology, and clinical medicine at Touro since 1990.
William J. Kaplanidis, L.Ac., M.S., M.A. William has been involved in the healing and helping profession since the early 1980’s. He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Psychology at Binghamton University, Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling at New York University and his Master of Science Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. For over 20 years, William studied various forms of Qi Gong, both here and in China. He is also trained in Hypnotherapy, Tai Chi and the Sandlin Technique (Cherokee Indian based body work). In addition to his private practice, he is faculty at the New York Open Center and has taught for the past decade on subjects including ethics, communication skills, clinical counseling, Oriental Medicine, Tai Chi and Qi Gong at several Colleges of Oriental Medicine.
Elena Ladas, MS, RD, Elena is the Director of the Integrative Therapies Program, Division of pediatric Oncology, Columbia University. She counsels and educates patients and families on nutrition and CAM therapies and integrates complementary therapies into her nutrition practice. She is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group Nutrition Task Force Steering Committee, the National Cancer Institute’s PDQ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Editorial Board and Advisory Board, and of the Children’s Oncology Group’s steering committee for complementary/alternative medicine. Her research interests lie in developing safe and effective nutrition and CAM therapies that improve the quality of life, nutritional status and overall health of patients with cancer.
XiaoKui Li, MB/BS, L.Ac. Mr. Li received his medical training at the Beijing University Medical School where he completed his MB/BS in Medicine in 1970. He also received advanced training in the WHO sponsored China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s program of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. He has been an attending physician in the Department of Oncology in Beijing University Medical School. Mr. Li has also been a visiting professor in the Mount Sinai Medical School Department of Neoplastic Disease, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at the Beijing University Medical School. He also partook in the Memorial Sloane Kettering Department of Medicine Anti-cancer Herbs Study. He has lectured widely on the topic of the treatment of cancer using Chinese medicine, and has published many articles on the same in both newspapers and medical journals. Since the fall of 2005, Mr. Li has taught and supervised in the Touro College GPOM.
Yingzhe Li, MB/BS, L.Ac. Ms. Li received her medical training at the Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine where she received her MB/BS in 1984. She received her Medical MS from the Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1995. She has worked in various hospitals, including Luoyang hospital where she served as resident physician of acupuncture and attending physician of neurological-internal medicine, and the Zhengzhou 1st Affiliated Hospital of Henan College of Chinese Medicine. She has been published in numerous journals with a focus on cardio-vascular disease and its treatment using Chinese medicine. In addition to teaching at Touro College, Ms. Li has lectured and instructed at The Luoyang Medical School and the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.
Hongwei Liu PhD MB/BS, M. MS;, L.Ac.
Mr. Liu received his medical training at the HeBei Medical University where he completed an M.B/BS in 1983. He received his Medical M.S from the Gui Yang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Beijing, China) in 1991. He worked as chief physician and mentor professor at Xi Yuan Hospital of China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He served as deputy chair of the Nephropathy Division of the Beijing Association of Integrating of Western and Chinese Medicine. He is an executive committee member of Nephropathy Division of World Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. He moved to the United States in 2000 and began teaching and private practice. He was professor and clinic supervisor at the International Institute of Chinese Medicine (New Mexico 2002-2002); Herbal/Oriental Medicine chair at New York College of Health Professions (2003-2005); Professor at Mercy College. He has published many books and more than 100 research articles. Mr. Liu specializes in using herbs and acupuncture to treat kidney stones, nephritis, prostate and male reproductive disorders, gastro intestinal disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
James M. Murphy, M.Div, MD, ADTR, CGP Dr. Murphy has been clinically active and teaching for over 30 years. He received his BA degree from Phillips University, his M.Div degree from Union Theological Seminary and his MD degree from New York University. As a Psychiatrist in private practice, he works with a wide variety of patients and conditions. He has been appointed faculty and lecturer at multiple institutions, including New York University, Long Island University and Anding Hospital in Beijing, China. He has published extensively in various professional journals, newsletters and magazines.
James Neill, PhD. Dr. Neill is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine where he received his Doctorate in anatomy. From 1999 to the present he has been the Assistant Director for the Office of Educational Computing and Technology, State University of New York Health Sciences Center. Dr. Neill has also taught at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine since 1997. Dr. Neill has been faculty at Touro College since 2003.
Mike Pingicer, M.S., L.Ac. After gradating from The College of William & Mary with a BA in
anthropology and a minor in chemistry, Mr. Pingicer explored a career in photography and photography research in New York City. He graduated from the GPOM at Touro College with an MS in Oriental Medicine. Mr. Pingicer currently has a private practice on Manhattan's upper east side and in Brooklyn's park slope.
Caroline Radice, M.S., L.Ac. Caroline Radice received her B.A. from Boston University and her Masters of Science at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco, mentoring under Lifang Lian, PhD, LAc, a respected TCM infertility specialist and Misha Cohen, OMD, LAc, a well known practitioner in the Bay area. She also received continuing education at the Nanchang College of TCM, in Nanchang, China. She has taught for several professional schools of TCM in New York over the last decade, including as a faculty and clinical instructor at the Pacific College of TCM and the Mercy College Graduate Department of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, as well as for many private and public engagements, including as a lecture specialist in Infertility and Chinese Medicine for the Swedish Institute, Chinese Herbal Medicine for the New York Medical College and the New York Botanical Garden, and as the consultant to health insurers, notably Oxford Health Plans Alternative Medicine Network, and publications, notably Life Magazine. Currently, she is a member of the Chinese Herbal Medicine Exam Development Committee for the NCCAOM and maintains a private practice in Manhattan specializing in OB/GYN related issues in TCM.
Michael A. Taromina, J.D.,
After completing his B.A. from Fordham University, Mr. Taromina completed his Juris Doctor at the City University of New York Law School. Mr. Taromina has since taught Health Law, Ethics and Professional Responsibility to members of the New York State Bar; Bioethics and Practice Management at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine; Ethics & Professionalism at New York College of Wholistic Medicine and Eastern School of Acupuncture; Ethics in Society at Laboratory Institute of Merchandising and Business Ethics at Felician College. He has served as a consultant to several colleges and was appointed by Bloomfield College to oversee the establishment of the Institute of Ethics and Professionalism. Mr. Taromina is on the board of Directors of the Acupuncture Society of New York and serves in an advisory capacity to the NCCAOM.Maryanne Travaglione, MTOM, L.Ac, Ms. Travaglione received her BA from Hunter College and her MTOM from the San Diego Campus of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She served as a full-time faculty member at Pacific College’s New York campus from 1994-1997. She has completed continuing education in Nanchang, China. She has previously served as faculty at New York Medical College, Mercy College, and Pacific College. She is a founding partner of SoHo Herbs and Acupuncture and maintains a private practice in New York City.
Ann Vitolo, MTOM, L.Ac. Ms. Vitolo received her B.A. in English Literature from New York University and her MTOM from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She serves as clinic supervisor and teaches Oriental Medical theory class in gynecology at PCOM NY as well as integrative medicine classes concerning the use of TCM in public health and community level settings. Ms. Vitolo has a background in utilizing the NADA protocols in various clinics throughout the NYC area, including setting up a program with FDNY. She maintains a private practice in Hoboken, NJ.
Jason Wallman, PT, M.S., L.Ac. Mr. Wallman received his B.S. in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University, his Masters in Oriental Medicine from New York College for Health Professions and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Stonybrook University. Prior to joining the GPOM, he was faculty at New York College for Wholistic Health, Education and Research. Mr. Wallman teaches in both the Chinese medicine and bioscience sequence in addition to clinic supervision. He currently runs a private practice utilizing physical therapy, acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Kejian Xiao, L.Ac,, Ms. Xiao graduated the Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China in 1982. She worked as an Attending Physician in the Internal Medicine Department of the Xiangtan TCM Hospital until 1991, specializing in pulmonary and neurological disorders. Ms. Xiao moved to the United States in 1991 and began teaching and private practice. She was a member of the faculty of the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine where she taught courses in the Herbal, Acupuncture and Clinic departments from 1991 - 2001. She has worked on studies examining the efficacy of TCM treatment with cancer and pulmonary disorders and has extensive experience in a variety of areas including gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, orthopedics and otorhinolarryngology. She serves as Academic Dean of the International Acupuncture Institute from 2001 – 2003 and from 2001 – 2004 she taught the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She maintains a private practice in New Jersey.
Xuijuan Yang, M.B/B.S., Ph.D. Ms. Yang received her BS from Gansu College of TCM in 1985, her Master’s from Gui Yang College of TCM in 1988, and her Ph.D. in the Science of Medicine from the China Academy of TCM in Beijing in 1991. She served as professor and faculty Dean at Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center and as a senior clinician at the Acupuncture Institute of China Academy of TCM in Beijing until 1999. She has lectured in many countries and has published articles in both English and Chinese publications. Since moving to the United States, Ms. Yang has taught at the International Institute of Chinese Medicine, the New York College of Health Professions, and Mercy College.
Jessica I. Yunker, M.S., LAc, was among the first graduates of the Graduate Program in Oriental Medicine at Touro College. Before attending acupuncture school, Jessica received a B.A. in Psychology from Vassar College. She then spent several years working at a psychiatric research clinic in the Bronx, developing pharmaceutical treatments for anxiety and depression disorders. Jessica is a New York State licensed acupuncturist and board-certified herbalist, and currently has a private practice in Manhattan.