Our Experts

Our experts include experienced integrative therapy providers, as well as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and veterinarians who believe in an integrative approach to health and healing. This site is built on their expertise.

Brent Leininger, DC, MS

Susan Thompson, DNP, MBA, RN

Teaching Faculty
Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing
Susan is an advanced practice nurse with over 20 years diverse experience in clinical care, population health, and lifestyle and integrative health education. She currently works with both consumers andMore

Mary Jo Kreitzer, RN, PhD

Director of the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota
Mary Jo Kreitzer is the founder and director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality & Healing, where she teaches and conducts research on optimal healing environments and mindfulnessMore

Jane Armstrong, DVM, MS, MBA, Diplomate ACVIM

Professor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota
Jane is currently a professor in the Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department at the University of Minnesota. She has broad clinical and research interests within small animal internal medicine, including gastrointestinalMore

Linda Armstrong, RD, LD, MBA

Faculty, Normandale Community College, Minnesota
Linda Armstrong is a member of the faculty in Dietetic Technology and Health at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minn. She is a Registered Dietitian and has experience in acuteMore

Marilyn Bach, MS, APRN, BC, CHTP

Healing Touch Practitioner
Marilyn Bach is a certified healing touch practitioner and mentor and has studied a variety of energy healing modalities throughout the past 15 years. Bach has lectured on energy-based healingMore

David Berg, MA, MDiv

Cultural Competency Educator, Fairview Health Services
David recently retired after 29 years as a chaplain with the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. He continues to work as a cultural competency educator/consultant for Fairview's Office ofMore

Linda Brady, PhD

Professor, University of Minnesota
Linda Brady earned her master's degree in Nutrition at Lousiana State University and her PhD from Michigan State University. She then spent her post-doctoral years at Boston University Hospital inMore

Jenny Breen, MS Ed, MPH, Professional chef

Jenny Breen is a public health nutritionist, food educator and professional chef. She teaches cooking, nutrition, and mindful eating for the Center for Spirituality and Healing, The Healthy Foods HealthyMore

Judith Buchanan, PhD, DMD

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
Judith is the associate dean for Academic Affairs for the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, found her way into dentistry while doing post-doctoral work in biochemistry. In addition toMore

Beth Burgan, MA, MFA

Assistant Professor in the School of Massage Therapy at Northwestern Health Sciences University
Beth Burgan followed up a career in art education and art therapy with a career in massage therapy; she has practiced full time since 1988. Burgan is certified by NCTMBMore

Miriam Cameron, PhD, MS, MA, RN

Lead Faculty, Tibetan Healing Initiative, and Graduate Faculty, Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota
Dr. Cameron is the faculty lead for the Tibetan Medicine initiativ e at the Center for Spirituality and Healing and has developed and teaches graduate courses about Tibetan Medicine, Ayurveda,More

Pat Culliton, MA, L.Ac.

Director of HCMC's Alternative Medicine Division
Pat Culliton serves as the director of Minneapolis-based Hennepin County Medical Center's Alternative Medicine Division, where she is also the director of Alternative Medicine for the National Institutes of HealthMore

Kathleen Cummings, BSN, PHN, MA

Director, Fairview Hospice

Louise Delagran, MA, MEd

Director of the Learning Resources Group, Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing
Louise Delagran, MA, MEd, is a writer, researcher, instructional designer, and the editor and web producer of Taking Charge of Your Heath and Whole Systems Healing . Louise has aMore

Carolyn Denton, LN

Licensed Nutritionist, Abbot Northwestern's Institute for Health and Healing
Carolyn Denton is a licensed nutritionist who focuses on nutrition for general health, disease prevention, and as a complementary therapy for existing chronic and degenerative diseases. In addition to nutritionalMore

Rev. Catherine Duncan, MAT, M.Div.Equivalency, and Spiritual Director

Chaplain & Spiritual Director
Rev. Catherine Duncan, MAT, M.Div.Equivalency, and Spiritual Director, received a Master of Arts in Theology and Spiritual Direction Certificate at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She received aMore

Amy Esler, PhD, LP

Licensed Psychologist, University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital
Amy Esler is a psychologist in the Autism Spectrum and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Program at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital and an assistant professor in the Pediatric Clinical NeuroscienceMore

Roni Evans, DC, MS, PhD

Associate Professor, Integrative Health & Wellbeing Research Program; Research Director
Dr. Roni Evans has been an investigator of several randomized clinical trials funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the U.S. Health Resources and Services AdministrationMore

Sharon Franquemont

Sharon Franquemont's life has been dedicated to intuition for more than 30 years. She is a coach, consultant, teacher, reader, and writer in the field. Her expertise includes teaching graduateMore

Archelle Georgiou, MD

Dr. Archelle Georgiou is a recognized physician leader who combines her deep knowledge of clinical medicine with a breadth of experience in business and healthcare administration to pursue her passionMore

Allison Golnik, MD, MPH

Pediatrician, University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital
Allison Golnik is a pediatrician at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital and assistant professor in the Pediatrics and Adolescent Health department at the University of Minnesota. She attendedMore

James Gordon, MD

Founder and Director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine
James S. Gordon is the Founder and Director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC and is a Clinical Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Family MedicineMore

Becky Gorman, PA-C

Faculty member of the Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota
In her private consulting practice, Gorman specializes in intuition, relationships, and authentic living. She also teaches the Enneagram, a personality inventory tool, to individuals and organizations. Board certified as aMore

Sarah Gottfried

Sarah is a faculty member of the School of Massage Therapy at Northwestern Health Sciences University, teaching evidence-informed coursework for massage therapy students. She earned her Professional Certificate in MassageMore

Lynelle Graham, DVM

Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
Lynelle Graham, DVM, is an assistant clinical professor at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture and Animal Chiropractic. Her interests include clinicalMore

Amala Guha, PhD, MPH, MA

Assistant Professor of Medicine and Program Director of Complementary & Alternative Supportive Care, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Amala Guha, PhD, MPH, MA, is an assistant professor of medicine and the program director of Complementary & Alternative Supportive Care (CASC) at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.More

Christopher Hafner, L.Ac.

TCM practitioner
Christopher Hafner, L.Ac., is a TCM practitioner and licensed acupuncturist in Minnesota with more than 30 years experience. He was formerly a faculty member and clinic supervisor at Northwestern HealthMore

Linda Halcón, PhD, MPH, RN, RATC

Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Linda Halcón, PhD, MPH, RN, RATC, is an associate professor in the University of Minnesota's School of Nursing, where she is chair of the Integrative, Global & Public Health Co-operative.More

Alex Haley, JD, MBA

Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Alex Haley, JD, MBA, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota where he teaches, assists with research, and helps set strategy within the mindfulness program area. He hasMore

Richard Hammerschlag, PhD

Clinical Researcher
Richard Hammerschlag, PhD, continues to conduct clinical research although he is recently retired from his position of Dean of Research at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, where coordinated collaborativeMore

Patricia Hart, MD

Patricia Hart, MD, is board certified in Internal Medicine & Nephrology. Her mid-career Bush Medical Fellowship catalyzed a profoundly deeper understanding of complementary healing, with an emphasis on meditation andMore

Kate Hathaway, PhD

Kate Hathaway is a clinical health psychologist with thirty years of clinical experience in mind-body interactions, wellness and psychotherapy. She has taught at the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center,More

Dale Healey, DC

Dean of the School of Massage Therapy, Northwestern Health Sciences University
Dale Healey, DC, is the dean of the School of Massage Therapy at Northwestern Health Sciences University. Healey was trained as a chiropractor, but his career has focused on massageMore

Annie Heiderscheit, PhD, MT-BC, FAMI, NMT

Music Therapist
Annie Heiderscheit, PhD, MT-BC, FAMI, NMT, is a board certified music therapist with 18 years of clinical experience and degrees in music therapy, education, and counseling. She has completed advancedMore

Peng Her

Instructor & Healer of Qigong
Peng Her was introduced to qigong and meditation at age thirteen when he began learning martial arts. His uncles were his primary instructors, from whom he learned a combined systemMore

Don Houge, PhD

Psychologist, Emeritus Professor
Prior to his retirement, Don Houge was a licensed psychologist and a consultant certified in clinical hypnosis by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Houge was on the facultyMore

Amy R. Krentzman, MSW, PhD

Amy R. Krentzman, MSW, PhD, will join the University of Minnesota School of Social Work in the Fall of 2013. She came to Minnesota after two consecutive postdoctoral research fellowshipsMore

Larry Kuusisto, PhD, DC

Vice President of Education, LifeScience Alley
Larry Kuusisto is the vice president of Education at LifeScience Alley, a major Midwest health industry trade association, and is the executive director of their non-profit research affiliate, Alley Institute,More

Jean Larson, PhD, CTRS, HTR

Manager and Assistant Professor, Nature-Based Therapeutic Services
Dr. Jean Larson began her work for the University of Minnesota in 1992, where she developed the Nature-Based Therapeutic Services (NBT) a partnership between the Bakken Center for Spirituality andMore

Karen Lawson, MD

Program Director for the Health Coaching track, Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota
Board-certified in family medicine and holistic medicine, Karen Lawson, is teaching faculty at the Center for Spirituality and Healing, where she leads the integrative medical education efforts, teaches about Shamanism,More

Kathryn Leggitt, RNC, MS, CNM

Certified Nurse-Midwife, Hennepin County Medical Center
Kathryn Leggitt, RNC, MS, CNM, is a certified nurse-midwife at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minn. She has additional experience in childbirth and adolescent sexuality education and is aMore

Barb Leonard, PhD, RN, PNP

Professor in the School of Nursing, University of Minnesota
Barb Leonard, PhD, RN, PNP, is a professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota. Leonard has faculty appointments in the School of Public Health and theMore

Tashi Lhamo, DTMS, RN

Tibetan Medicine Practitioner
Tashi Lhamo, DTMS, RN, Tibetan Medicine Practitioner, lives and works in Minnesota. She graduated from the Men-Tsee-Khang in Dharamsala. In 2002, she moved from Dharamsala to Minnesota. Since then, sheMore

Kate Maher, RN, BSN

Coordinator of Healing Arts Therapy Volunteer Program, Woodwinds Health Campus
Kate Maher is the coordinator of the healing arts therapy volunteer program at Woodwinds Health Campus, which delivers essential oils, energy-based healing, guided imagery, massage, healing music, and acupressure directlyMore

Asavari Manvikar, BAMS

Asavari Manvikar earned her Bachelors of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree in 1997, and Master’s in Kayachikitsa (Ayurveda medicine) in 2000 from the University of Pune, India. In 2001,More

Timothy McCall, MD

Timothy McCall is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine, the medical editor of Yoga Journal, and the author of two books, Yoga as Medicine and Examining Your Doctor. He completedMore

Dennis McKenna, PhD

Senior Lecturer at the Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota
Dennis McKenna has worked in the interdisciplinary fields of pharmacognosy, ethnopharmacology, and ethnobotany for more than 20 years. McKenna has conducted extensive ethnobotanical fieldwork in the Peruvian, Colombian, and BrazilianMore

LeeAnn Melin

LeeAnn Melin has worked in a variety of roles within higher education for the past 22 years. Her passion is in providing opportunities for undergraduate students to learn and developMore

Ryan J. Milley, MAcOM, LAc

Informatics Director, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine Research Department
Ryan J. Milley, MAcOM, LAc, received his Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAcOM) Degree from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and is certified to teach Qigong and practiceMore

Pamela Miles

Reiki master
Pamela Miles is a Reiki master practicing since 1986 who has 30 years' experience in complementary and alternative medicine. Miles is a pioneer in the integration of Reiki into conventionalMore

Donna L. Morris, DrPH, CNM, NBCR

Associate Professor in the College of Nursing, University of North Dakota
Donna L. Morris, an associate professor in the College of Nursing at the University of North Dakota, is a certified nurse-midwife, a board certified holistic nurse, a nationally certified reflexologist,More

Tenzin Namdul, DTMS, BA, PHCcc

Tibetan Medicine Practitioner, Faculty Member of the Tibetan Healing Initiative, Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota
Tenzin Namdul is a Tibetan Medicine Practitioner as well as Faculty Member of the Tibetan Healing Initiative, Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota: In addition, Tenzin Namdul isMore

Terry Pearson, RPh, MBA

Terry Pearson has more than 30 years of clinical experience in healthcare, including working as a pharmacist. Pearson has completed the practicum professional internship in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)More

Cari Johnson Pelava, BA, CI, AOBTA, Dipl. ABT, NCCAOM

President of CenterPoint
Cari Johnson Pelava has spent the past 25 years pursuing the art of body-mind-spirit integration. After earning a degree in exercise and dance physiology in 1983, she went on toMore

Snigdha Pusalavidyasagar, M.D.

Dr. Snigdha Sagar (Snigdhasmritha Pusalavidyasagar) is originally from India, where she earned her MBBS (equivalent to MD) degree from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, India in 1993. In 1994 she completedMore

Paul Ratté, ND

Naturopathic Doctor
Paul Ratté, ND, a naturopathic doctor at the Natural Care Center at Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury, Minn., is an authority on functional medicine. Ratté earned his doctor of naturopathicMore

Joe Reichle, PhD

Professor, Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, University of Minnesota
Joe Reichle is a professor in the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences department at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Reichle has served as the co-principal investigator on a federally sponsored leadership training grant,More

Deborah Ringdahl, DNP, RN, CNM

Reiki master
Deborah Ringdahl is a Reiki master and has been practicing as a certified nurse-midwife and Reiki practitioner since 1982 and teaching in the Nurse-Midwifery and Women’s Health Program at theMore

Joel Slaton, MD, MSBS

Associate Professor University of Minnesota Medical School and Department of Urologic Surgery
Joel Slaton is an associate professor, Department of Urologic Surgery and the University of Minnesota Medical School. In addition to his medical degree, Slaton has a master's degree in UrologicMore

Katharine O. Swenson, MD, MS, RN

Dr. Swenson is a cardiologist, with more than 15 years of experience in clinical cardiology. She has advanced training in Integrative Medicine, Spiritual Direction, subtle energy healing and a personalMore

Karen Teagarden, BA, ARCB

Reflexologist
Karen Teagarden has more than 14 years of experience as a reflexologist, teacher, and writer. As a nationally certified reflexologist, she assisted both Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Methodist Hospital andMore

Carolyn Torkelson, MD

Medical Director at the Women's Health Center, University of Minnesota
Carolyn Torkelson, MD, is medical director at the Women’s Health Center at the University of Minnesota, assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, and faculty atMore

Sue Towey, RN, CNS, MS, LP

Mental Health Practitioner
Sue Towey has been a faculty member with the Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota since its inception in 1995 and has created several courses forMore

Andrea Uptmor, MA, MFA

Andrea Uptmor, MA, MFA, is a writer, editor, and one of the producers of the Taking Charge website. As a content developer at the Center for Spirituality & Healing atMore

Wes Vaught, CMT

Wes Vaught has studied bodywork throughout his life, starting with learning hands-on healing and sacred healing presence from his Native American grandmother. He began studying massage formally at age 14More

Sarah Weaver, MFA, M. Om. L.Ac

Sarah Weaver is an assistant professor in The School of Massage Therapy and a faculty clinician in massage therapy and acupuncture at Northwestern Health Sciences University. Weaver is certified inMore

Terri Zborowsky, PhD, EDAC

Evidence-based Design Researcher
As an Evidence-based Design Researcher, Terri focuses on the intersection of user experience and human interaction within the built environment. Beginning her career as a nurse, she combines her first-handMore