Amy Severinsen, Acupuncturist (She/Her)

Amy graduated from Pacific College of Health Sciences in 2006 and opened a private practice called Luma Acupuncture. In 2007, she went to Hangzhou, China to do advanced acupuncture studies. While there, she was impressed with the affordability of acupuncture treatments and how frequently people could get treatment. She realized that most people couldn’t afford the expensive private room treatment fees she was charging at her private practice, and didn't come in often enough to truly feel better. She began devising ways to modify her treatment model to allow people to better afford to get regular treatments.

In 2009, Amy realized this goal when she co-­founded Milwaukee Community Acupuncture with her colleague and friend Olivia Crane. Since opening, Amy has seen first-hand how the community clinic model makes it possible for community members to realize the benefits of affordable long term acupuncture treatment plans.

Amy is an active member of POCA, the People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture. She sits on POCA’s events circle, planning upcoming continuing education seminars.

Olivia/Olive Crane, Acupuncturist (She/Her)

Olive was inspired to study acupuncture because of her own positive experiences with acupuncture treatment. After studying at the Pacific College of Health Sciences in Chicago, Olive had the opportunity to briefly study acupuncture in Beijing, China. She was impressed with the easy access and affordability of acupuncture and herbs there. Upon her return Olive moved to Milwaukee and co-founded Milwaukee Community Acupuncture with her colleague and friend, Amy Severinson. She believes that everyone should have access to quality healthcare and found that the community acupuncture model is the best way to achieve this. Olive especially enjoys the inclusivity and group dynamic of community acupuncture. Dealing with pain, trauma and/or health conditions can be so isolating and she has seen first hand the therapeutic benefit of coming together with others to heal.

Olive also volunteers for the People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture (POCA.) She has worked with the legislative circle and is currently working with POCA’s newly formed ear acupuncture circle on increasing awareness and access to ear acupuncture.

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Anna Kats, Acupuncturist (She/Her)

Anna learned about acupuncture and its benefits while completing her undergraduate studies at UW Milwaukee in Microbiology and Ceramic Art. She earned her Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Racine, WI in 2006. Anna enjoys all aspects of practicing acupuncture, particularly how it combines tranquility and healthy growth. In 2011, Anna had an opportunity to work as a substitute acupuncturist in a community acupuncture clinic in Racine and since then has been devoted to the concept of practicing acupuncture in a communal and approachable setting. Anna believes strongly that healthcare should be affordable and accessible, and finds that community acupuncture is a perfect fit for these goals. In 2012, she was thrilled to join the dedicated team of practitioners at the Milwaukee Community Acupuncture Clinic.

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Megan Bielinski, Acupuncturist (She/Her)

Megan first experienced the benefits of acupuncture as a patient. After experiencing severe migraines for years and being unsatisfied with the relief provided by traditional western medicine, Megan found that her condition improved dramatically with acupuncture. Not long after Megan learned that Chinese Medicine could help control her migraines, she began pursuing her master’s degree in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at Pacific College of Health Sciences in Chicago.

Before she graduated in 2014, Megan interned at the Chicago Women’s Health Center and Wellspring Acupuncture in Evanston, IL, which exposed her to a variety of Chinese medical treatment models. Community-style acupuncture appealed to Megan because of her desire to help patients from all walks of life access the most appropriate care for their condition.

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Heather Eldridge, Acupuncturist (She/Her)

Heather likes to think that acupuncture found her. She received her first treatment, one for depression, while touring Midwest College of Oriental Medicine as a prospective student. That first treatment started her career in Chinese Medicine. While in school, Heather worked in the free (then low-cost) off-campus clinic. One of the best things about the clinic was the ability to make regular acupuncture accessible to people from all walks of life. 

Heather graduated with a  master’s degree in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Racine, WI in 2013. Upon receiving her license to practice in Wisconsin, she started a private clinic. Heather realized that the way she was trying to run her clinic was not making acupuncture accessible to a large number of people due to the costs. She realized that she wanted to help as many people as she could to receive quality care on a regular basis. That realization brought her to community acupuncture and Milwaukee Community Acupuncture. Heather is excited to be able to help as many people as possible facilitate their healing at MCA. 

Mary Froeba, Acupuncture Substitute & Eastern Therapies Practitioner (She/Her)

Mary Froeba is a second-generation Doctor of Acupuncture, following in her mother's footsteps. Mary’s studied at AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin, Texas.

Mary has designed and opened a pop-up community acupuncture clinic for the chemical dependency program at Texas NeuroRehab, reinforcing her passion for accessible medical care. She also has experience providing care through cupping therapy, nutritional counseling and herbal perscriptions.

Mary moved to Milwaukee in 2021, along with her husband, two dogs, and cat.

Shia Aimes, Substitute Acupuncturist (She/Her)

Shia graduated from the Midwest College of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine with her Master’s degree in 2021. During her studies she was able to offer affordable treatments on campus. Helping individuals find relief during times of struggle in mental health has always been her passion. Her studies began in mortuary science and evolved into psychology, health and later on acupuncture and traditional Chinese Medicine. After working at an acupuncture clinic and the local food cooperative during graduate school she found nutrition, herbal formulas and acupuncture helped her to navigate through her own chronic panic disorder. She became dedicated through her studies to help others find the same relief. Luckily, working at Milwaukee Community Acupuncture allows her to reach others by offering affordable and accessible healthcare while working alongside some knowledgeable like minded acupuncturists  

Marissa Meddaugh, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Eastern Therapies Practitioner (She/Her)

Marissa has always been passionate about helping people feel their best. Starting out as a hairdresser & yoga teacher, she found herself drawn to learning more about the body, especially through her own journey with movement & pain relief. This led her to pursue a license in Massage Therapy and Bodywork, graduating from East-West Healing Arts in 2023. She also studied Thai Massage in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where she learned even more about bodywork and holistic healing.

Today, Marissa offers Cupping Therapy and Gua Sha to help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow. Marissa believes that with the right support—both medical and holistic—anyone can heal. She focuses on reducing stress and helping her clients activate their parasympathetic nervous system, which is key to restoring balance and promoting recovery.

Will Black, Substitute Acupuncturist

Will was first introduced to acupuncture as a high school freshman, where he found lasting relief from mental fog and cystic acne following a severe concussion. This experience sparked a lifelong interest in holistic medicine. After completing his Bachelor’s in Psychology at UW-Madison in 2019, he turned to acupuncture again years later to manage migraines, finding a real sense of relief and comfort in the community acupuncture setting. The accessibility and affordability resonated deeply with him and inspired him to pursue a career in acupuncture. Will earned his Master’s in Acupuncture from Pacific Rim College in British Columbia in 2024. He is committed to creating a welcoming space where people from all walks of life can find relief on their wellness journeys.