Whitney Thorniley, LAc

I received my B.A. from The Naropa Institute in Boulder, CO. I left Boulder for a much less sunny San Francisco in 1997. I moved to the slightly sunnier East Coast of the Bay in 2001 and have been in Oakland ever since, though I will always consider West Virginia home.  Many years working in the grueling yet rewarding food service industry created the aches and pains that initially led me to acupuncture. The results were amazing.  My own powerful experiences as a patient coupled with my typical curiosity made it clear that I needed to study acupuncture. With school completed, I worried about what my practice would look like and whether I would actually make it as an acupuncturist. I was thrilled and relieved to learn about Community Acupuncture, and I have never practiced professionally any other way! When not in the clinic I read and hike and laugh and spend time with my two wild and amazing boys.  I work in the Laurel Ave clinic Monday through Thursday.

Roselle McNeilly, LAc

I was born in Belize and spent my early years on a farm in the jungle before my parents moved us back to the States to attend school. I grew up mostly in Ojai, a small town in Southern California, before moving to Berkeley in 1997 for college. I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2001 with a degree in sociology and a minor in Spanish. After working for a few years in public health research I developed a repetitive strain injury and a deep sense of boredom with my work. My mother had been studying and practicing acupuncture since my teen years and recommended that I seek out acupuncture treatment for my wrists. The treatments quickly resolved my injury and sparked my curiosity; I decided to return to school to study Chinese medicine. I now love my work and am thrilled to be a founding partner of OAP and a part of the Community Acupuncture movement. When not at OAP I can be found frequenting farmer’s markets and local playgrounds with my husband and our two darling boys.  I work in the Laurel Ave clinic Tuesday through Friday.

Jeffrey Levin, LAc

After over a decade of successfully practicing yoga, I began to experiment with other healing modalities to address some chronic injuries from surfing and skateboarding that were resistant to the clever therapies I had devised over the years. I came across acupuncture while traveling in Thailand early in 2005. The effects of my treatments were so miraculous and profound that by the time I returned to the United States, I had decided to become an acupuncturist. All these years later, I feel very lucky to be able to offer the benefits of acupuncture to my local Oakland community. When I’m not at work, I’m usually hanging out with my daughter Audrey who is super fun. You might see us smelling flowers in the Morcom Rose Garden. I also enjoy listening to my (ridiculously large) vinyl collection, sharing bottles from my (sadly small) wine collection, practicing and teaching yoga and meditation, sipping my fresh direct trade Ethiopian coffee, and cooking and eating delicious food. I am a simple man with sophisticated tastes.  I work in the Grand Ave clinic Monday through Thursday.

Cait Cain, LAc

As a native Cape Codder, from a small seaside village,  I was born with sand between my toes and salt water in my veins. Now, Oakland is my home, the cork to my bottle, the bulb in my lamp, and the zest in an already zesty life. Because of acupuncture, I have a clear mind, the ability to experience grace, and an avid love of life.  When not pinning folks, I’m traversing the wild terrains of Applied Kinesiology and NAET (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique), bicycling, on a yoga mat, or enjoying good food, good company and good fun.  It’s an honor to work with you all, what a great privilege!  I work in the Laurel Ave clinic Friday through Monday.

Mari Kubota, LAc

I grew up in North Carolina with the influence of my father, who is an Ishizaka-ryu style Japanese acupuncturist. From an early age I had an interest in healing work. Before moving to California to study acupuncture, I spent time learning Spanish in Honduras and Guatemala. Along my way to becoming a community acupuncturist, I volunteered at Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic in Oakland, a clinic that provides complementary care for women living with cancer, and Lyon-Martin Health Clinic in SF, a clinic that provides low/no cost healthcare to women and transgender people.  I am passionate about making acupuncture a more available and safe option for people of color and LGBTQQ-TS (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirit), as well as for gender non-conforming communities. In my political life I have become very passionate about studying transformative justice as a path to healing on an individual, communal, and global level. Outside of the clinic I enjoy art, the outdoors, and spending time with my wife and pups.  I work in the Grand Ave clinic Saturday through Monday.

Lori Tusa, LAc

I have been residing in the Bay Area since 2000, but am from Long Island, NY. I am happy to be here and even happier to be practicing acupuncture. While I was a massage therapist for years, I think acupuncture is even more effective for a wider variety of concerns. I have varied and numerous interests, but Chinese Medicine is so vast and applicable to so many things that my fascination with it never fades. It is great how accessible it is becoming and the more people it can help, the better. When I am not practicing I often find myself exploring the Bay, biking, hiking, reading, and (my favorite) rock climbing.  I work at the Grand Ave clinic Tuesday through Saturday.

Sarah Elliott, LAc

After completing my BS in Biology at San Diego State University I briefly worked as a cellular biologist, but it didn’t take long for me to realize this was not my calling. Therefore I decided change paths and pursue my lifelong interest in the healing arts. This deviation brought me back to my hometown, Santa Cruz, where I spent four years studying Chinese Medicine, and I couldn’t be happier with this career decision. I’ve found such fulfillment providing assistance to individuals on their path to wellness, and am continually amazed by the transformations that can occur with the inspiration of just a few little needles.  I’m a new resident of Oakland, and I found OAP as a patient, quickly fell in love with the community feel, and am delighted to be able to give back as a sub.  In my spare time you’ll find me tending veggies in the garden, road tripping, and doing my favorite of favorite things, DANCING!  I work at the Grand Ave clinic on Fridays and Sundays.

Sarah Liners, LAc

I grew up in Salinas, CA and Brainerd, MN before moving to the Bay Area in 2000. My mother’s family immigrated from China and the use of traditional herbs and medicines have always been commonplace in our home. My father was a Chiropractor throughout my childhood and greatly influenced my dedication to holistic and natural health practices. I received a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland and am a licensed acupuncturist. I happily substitute for the wonderful OAP practitioners as often as possible.

Scott Rowe, LAc

I spent most of the first fifteen years of my working life feeding people, mostly in the restaurant business. But when I found myself suffering from the social, physical, and emotional demands of that business, I began to look for something else. I discovered acupuncture after a particularly grueling encounter with insomnia; a long night of the soul and several long nights talking with a fellow chef led me to pursue the change in career to healing. After finishing acupuncture school, I spent some time in China, where I had the opportunity to observe the effects of frequent treatment on a wide variety of conditions. Here in the States, that usually means Community Acupuncture! When not poking people, I’m usually enjoying food, craft, community, and the paradise we call the Bay Area. I also enjoy European martial arts, singing traditional folk music, and reading. I fill in at both clinics so that the other folks can have vacations!