Meet our Acupuncture Team

Haejung Kim Dip.O.M., L.Ac.

 

Haejung is an NY licensed and board-certified acupuncturist and herbalist with a rich educational background. She obtained her Oriental Medical Doctor’s License in South Korea in 2004 after completing a rigorous six-year program, equivalent to Western medical schools. She then pursued a master’s degree in Acupuncture and Moxibustion, furthering her expertise.

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Having practiced Oriental Medicine both in Korea and the United States, Haejung offers comprehensive care to her patients, specializing in acute and chronic musculoskeletal problems, women’s health, long COVID and respiratory symptoms, digestive issues, insomnia, anxiety, and general well-being. She employs a diverse range of techniques including Korean Sa-Am Acupuncture, Hwa Chim and Pyung Chim, moxibustion, cupping, electro-acupuncture, Jung-gol Tuina, Trigger Points, auricular and scalp acupuncture, and facial acupuncture.

 

Beyond her clinical expertise, Haejung’s treatment philosophy is deeply rooted in the principles of the mind and body as one, as espoused in the Huangdi Neijing. She recognizes the profound impact of emotional imbalances on physical health and vice versa, integrating this holistic perspective into her approach to restore balance and harmony within her patients. With a sincere desire to contribute to community health, Haejung is committed to providing compassionate and personalized care to individuals seeking holistic wellness.

 

Haejung is fluent in Korean.

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Dr. Lauren Kuei D.A.C.M., L.Ac. 

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Lauren is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist and clinical herbalist in New York City. Lauren employs Classical and Traditional Chinese Medicine framework to her practice with utmost respect for every patient. She treats an array of conditions ranging from orthopedic/sports injuries, pain management, fertility, long COVID, respiratory, digestive, and urinary dysfunctions, addictions, as well as autoimmune conditions, metabolic syndrome, and wo/men’s health.

Lauren holds a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) degree from Pacific College of Health and Sciences - San Diego. Lauren has completed clinical rotation at Columbia University Medical Center Integrative Health working alongside topnotch East Asian and Western medical professionals in a multidisciplinary setting. A lifelong yogi and a seasoned yoga teacher with 10+ years of expereince, Lauren brings comfort, mindfulness, and tenacity to every body that comes her way. She particularly enjoys working with rock climbers, runners, endurance athletes, and senior citizens on the mat. 

A native of Taiwan, Lauren grew up with East Asian and allopathic medicine practiced under the same roof in hospitals. It was, and very much still is, all medicine — a multifaceted practice employing methodologies through a slew of tools to identify pathology, arrive at working diagnosis, apply adequate and appropriate treatment modalities, and develop treatment plans to ensure the continuation and consistency of care. In a nutshell, the practice of medicine involves trained professionals attempting to figure out the cause of one’s dis-ease in order to arrive at homeostasis.

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Lauren is fluent in Mandarin.

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Rachel Liao M.S.Ac.CHM, L.Ac.

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Rachel holds a Master's in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (MSAcCHM) from Pacific College of Health and Sciences, with specialized training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Classical acupuncture, particularly Trigger Point therapy. She also practices Kiiko Matsumoto Style acupuncture, mentored by Vidhya Rojanavongse, a direct student of Matsumoto.

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Before her acupuncture career, Rachel gained experience working with physical therapists, specializing in rehabilitation, post-operative care, and sports injuries. She treats a diverse range of conditions including musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, fatigue, immune support, digestive issues, and gynecological concerns.

Dedicated to helping New Yorkers manage stress and improve overall health, Rachel offers personalized acupuncture care rooted in holistic principles. Her approach incorporates modalities such as Moxibustion (moxa), cupping, gua sha, tui na massage, and electro acupuncture, tailored to support balanced health in the New York City's fast-paced lifestyle.

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Rachel is fluent in Cantonese

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Stephanie Kessell M.S.Ac.CHM, L.Ac.

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A graduate of the Pacific College of Health and Science, Stephanie completed clinical rotations at Columbia University Medical Center and NY Harm Reduction & Educators/On-Point where she gained vast experience treating health conditions ranging from back pain to infertility. As a teaching assistant at the Pacific College of Health & Science, Stephanie facilitates learning experiences for graduate students, supports curriculum development, and organizes review sessions for exam preparation. She is also pursuing her transitional doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

 

Committed to personalized care and continuous learning, Stephanie empowers her patients on their journey toward optimal health and vitality. Stephanie integrates acupuncture with lifestyle recommendations and herbal remedies, nurturing her clients' well-being. Her favorite aspect of being an acupuncturist is guiding patients to uncover their innate healing capabilities. In addition to treating chronic and acute pain patterns, she loves to focus on women's health concerns such as menstrual irregularities, fertility issues, and menopausal symptoms.

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Donna Nield M.S.T.O.M., L.Ac.

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Donna is the founder of East Village Acupuncture & Massage. Having lived in the East Village for over 20 years it has been her dream to bring affordable, accessible acupuncture to her community. Donna studied acupuncture and herbology in New York and Beijing, graduating with honors from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in NY. During her training at PCOM she completed rotations at the Initiative for Women with Disabilities at NYU Langone and at Beth Israel Medical Center’s Institute for Family Health. She travelled to Beijing to study a the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences which is a World Health Organization Collaborating Center of Traditional Medicine. Seeing first hand how acupuncture is integrated into daily life in China solidified her decision to provide the same access to acupuncture here in the East Village. She opened the clinic in 2016 and since then has helped bring relief to thousands of people suffering with a wide variety of medical issues ranging from musculoskeletal pain, anxiety and depression to infertility.

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Peter Tricarico M.S.T.O.M., L.Ac.

 

Peter is a skilled acupuncturist committed to integrating traditional Chinese medicine and modern therapeutic approaches. After earning his Master's Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from PCOM, he expanded his expertise through a program at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, treating patients under the guidance of esteemed physicians in various Shanghai hospitals.

 

Since getting licensed in 2005, Peter has developed a broad range of experience treating diverse conditions. He combines traditional Chinese acupuncture theory with contemporary insights into the nervous system to create comprehensive treatment plans. His specialized training spans multiple areas, including pain management, OB/GYN, diabetes, pediatrics, and nephrology.

 

Peter finds joy in the relief his treatments bring to his patients and takes pride in making a positive difference in their lives. He likens an acupuncture needle to the needle of a record player. Patient and provider share wavelengths when that needle is inserted; so staying in optimum health is incredibly important to him. Outside of the clinic, Peter enjoys bread baking, painting, solving puzzles, and studying radiology images seeking out pathology.

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Craig Wong M.S.T.O.M., L.Ac.

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Craig obtained his Master’s Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from PCOM.  He has completed additional trainings in fertility and labor support and in treating muscular skeletal pain. He recently completed a training in neuro-functional acupuncture which covered advanced methods for using trigger points, motor points and corrective myofascial release. These techniques restore normal nervous system activity, soft-tissue integrity and joint function.

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Before joining East Village Acupuncture, Craig practiced for a decade at a busy community-style clinic in Manhattan’s downtown financial district where he performed thousands of treatments.  He has considerable experience helping those suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, digestive disorders, fertility issues, musculoskeletal pain, and immunity challenges. He is excited to be practicing acupuncture in Manhattan once again and making a difference in people’s lives.