Our Experts | Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing

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.

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 mindfulness

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 acute

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 healing

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 of

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 in

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 Healthy

Kit Breshears

Director of Communications, Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing

Kit is communications director for the University of Minnesota's Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He has worked in educational communications, advertising, and marketing for nearly 20 years

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 to

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 NCTMB

Miriam E. Cameron, PhD, MS, MA, RN

Graduate Faculty, Lead Faculty, Yoga and Tibetan Medicine Focus Area, Center for Spirituality and Healing

Ph.D. in nursing and philosophy/bioethics, University of Minnesota M.S. in nursing, University of Minnesota M.A. in philosophy/bioethics, University of Minnesota B.S. in nursing, University of Minnesota Dr. Cameron did postdoctoral

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 Health

Kathleen Cummings, BSN, PHN, MA

Director, Fairview Hospice

C.M. Cyprian

C.M. Cyprian is a scholar-practitioner who is particularly passionate about the healing & wellbeing of individuals, communities, institutions and systems. She has been recognized as one of “Tomorrow’s Leaders” in

Louise Delagran, MA, MEd

Louise Delagran, MA, MEd, is a writer, researcher, instructional designer, and former editor and web producer of Taking Charge of Your Heath and Whole Systems Healing. Louise has a strong

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 nutritional

Rev. Catherine Duncan, MA, BCC

Integrative Spiritual Consultant

Catherine is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ, a board-certified chaplain, spiritual director, energy healer, tapping (EFT) practitioner and certified in neuroplasticity training. Catherine is passionate about

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 Neuroscience

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 Administration

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 graduate

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 passion

Jaidev Gollakota

Taking charge of your Health and Wellbeing Website Assistant

Jaidev Gollakota is the Website Research Assistant at the Earl. E Bakken Center. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Public Health with a focus on Environmental Health Sciences. He

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 attended

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 Medicine

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 a

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 Massage

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 clinical

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

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 Health

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

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 has

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 collaborative

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 and

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

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 massage

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 advanced

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 system

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 faculty

Michael Howell, MD

Professor and Vice Chair of Education & Faculty Affairs
Division Director, Sleep Medicine
Director, Neurology Clerkship

Dr. Howell is a Professor and the Division Head of Sleep Medicine in the Department of Neurology and dedicated to developing novel strategies to improve brain function and sleep health

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 fellowships

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

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 and

Karen Lawson, MD

Former Program Director for the Health Coaching track, Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota

Board-certified in family medicine and holistic medicine, Karen Lawson, was teaching faculty at the Center for Spirituality and Healing, where she leds the integrative medical education efforts, teaches about Shamanism

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 a

Richard Leider, BS

Senior Fellow

Richard Leider, founder of Inventure – The Purpose Company, is one of America’s preeminent executive-life coaches. He is ranked by Forbes as one of the “Top 5” most respected executive

Brent Leininger, DC, MS

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 the

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, she

Rhonda V. Magee, MA, JD

Rhonda V. Magee (M.A. Sociology, J.D.) is a Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco and an internationally-recognized thought and practice leader focused on integrating mindfulness into higher

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 directly

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

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 completed

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 Brazilian

Esther Sternberg MD

Research Director, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and Founding Director of the University of Arizona Institute on Place, Wellbeing & Performance

Dr. Esther Sternberg is internationally recognized for her discoveries in the science of the mind-body interaction in illness and healing, and the role of place in wellbeing. She is a

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 develop

Maeve Mikal

Student Communications Associate

Maeve is a 4th year political science student in CLA and one of the primary student authors for the Student Wellbeing section of taking charge. Maeve Mikal is the Student

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 conventional

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 practice

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

Tenzin Namdul, PhD, TMD

Teaching Faculty, Center for Spirituality and Healing

Ph.D., Cultural Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA T.M.D (Doctor of Tibetan Medicine), Men-Tsee-Khang Tibetan Medical and Astro. College, Dharamsala, India M.A., Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA BA, Anthropology, University of

Cherie O'Neill, EdD, FACSM, NBC-HWC, PAPHS, EP-C, CHWC, EIM

Cherie O'Neill, EdD, FACSM, NBC-HWC, PAPHS, EP-C, CHWC, EIM
Director, Integrative Health Coaching Programs

Find Dr. O'Neill's bio on the Bakken Center's website. https://csh.umn.edu/bio/center-for-spirituality-and-he/cherie-kroh

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)

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 to

Teddie Potter, PhD

Dr. Potter is deeply committed to climate change education including co-founding Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, membership in the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, and membership on the

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 completed

Sylvia Rani

Former Web Producer of the Student Corner, University of Minnesota

Sylvia Rani majored in technical writing and was the writer and producer of the Student Corner of the Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellbeing website. In addition, Sylvia was

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 naturopathic

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

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 the

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 Urologic

Katharine O. Swenson, MD, MS, RN

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

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 and

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 and

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 at

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 for

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 at

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 14

Susan Vold, BSN, RN, PHN, BA, CNRN, HNB-BC

Susan Vold is a board certified holistic nurse and certified neuroscience nurse who manages patient care within the movement disorders clinic at M Health Fairview neurology clinic. She has extensive

Megan Voss, RN, DNP

Megan Voss, DNP, RN, is a nurse clinician, educator and program lead at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in the area of integrative health and healing. She obtained

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 in

Anu Wille

Find Anu's bio here: https://wrs.umn.edu/node/1446

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-hand