Meet our Acupuncture Team!
Dee Gorski, L. Ac., Thrive Team Manager
|
 |
Dee (they/she) found their way to meridian therapy through martial arts research. Discovering styles based in manipulating meridians and acupoints, they began studying acupressure and shiatsu manuals for understanding of the meridians and points. For years they used what they learned to help friends and family (and themself, of course) with minor ailments while continuing to work in IT help desks.
After having a child and leaving the world of martial arts for a long time, Dee found their way to Tai Chi practice at Rocky Mountain Tai Chi Ch'uan in Boulder. On recommendation of their teacher, the now late Bataan Faigao, Dee went to Naropa University, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Eastern Arts with an emphasis in Tai Chi Chuan. Dee also studied a variety of traditional arts including Sogetsu Ikebana/Kado (under Shenpen Sensei), Chinese calligraphy and ink painting, Taoist Feng Shui techniques and theory (as presented by Eva Wong), as well as Qi Gong practice and theory, focusing on Microcosmic Orbit and Embryonic Breathing which they were able to share with beginning Tai Chi students at the university.
After completing their bachelors, they promptly went to Southwest Acupuncture College (SWAC) in Boulder where they completed their Master of Science in Acupuncture. Dee was attracted to the programs at SWAC because of their pragmatic focus on moving students toward licensure as well as their versatility of styles available to study. While there, Dee focused their studies on meridian therapies and esoteric styles that centered around the spirit and harmony with universality. They resonated with Tui Na (Grasp and Pluck) manipulation as well as the classic medical conceptions they studied involving the 8 extraordinary vessels, harmonizing the 5 elements, and moving pathologies using divergent meridians, and trained in these methodologies through coursework and supervised clinicals.
After completing licensure, in 2016, Dee volunteered services providing NADA protocol treatments to the residents and staff at the Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence shelter and launched a small house-call practice, largely providing acupuncture and tui na services in Boulder and Longmont. The next year they came to work at Thrive (then Fort Collins CommUnity Acupuncture and Massage) and has since been certified in Usui Ryoho Reiki and Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture. Dee's experience at Thrive gives her a large breadth of knowledge and ability to work with a wide range of issues with our patients.
After having a child and leaving the world of martial arts for a long time, Dee found their way to Tai Chi practice at Rocky Mountain Tai Chi Ch'uan in Boulder. On recommendation of their teacher, the now late Bataan Faigao, Dee went to Naropa University, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Eastern Arts with an emphasis in Tai Chi Chuan. Dee also studied a variety of traditional arts including Sogetsu Ikebana/Kado (under Shenpen Sensei), Chinese calligraphy and ink painting, Taoist Feng Shui techniques and theory (as presented by Eva Wong), as well as Qi Gong practice and theory, focusing on Microcosmic Orbit and Embryonic Breathing which they were able to share with beginning Tai Chi students at the university.
After completing their bachelors, they promptly went to Southwest Acupuncture College (SWAC) in Boulder where they completed their Master of Science in Acupuncture. Dee was attracted to the programs at SWAC because of their pragmatic focus on moving students toward licensure as well as their versatility of styles available to study. While there, Dee focused their studies on meridian therapies and esoteric styles that centered around the spirit and harmony with universality. They resonated with Tui Na (Grasp and Pluck) manipulation as well as the classic medical conceptions they studied involving the 8 extraordinary vessels, harmonizing the 5 elements, and moving pathologies using divergent meridians, and trained in these methodologies through coursework and supervised clinicals.
After completing licensure, in 2016, Dee volunteered services providing NADA protocol treatments to the residents and staff at the Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence shelter and launched a small house-call practice, largely providing acupuncture and tui na services in Boulder and Longmont. The next year they came to work at Thrive (then Fort Collins CommUnity Acupuncture and Massage) and has since been certified in Usui Ryoho Reiki and Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture. Dee's experience at Thrive gives her a large breadth of knowledge and ability to work with a wide range of issues with our patients.
Jeff Brew, L. Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Jeff’s journey to becoming an acupuncturist began as a patient when he found acupuncture after an accident that severely impacted his quality of life. After feeling disheartened with a very short list of options offered by his doctors, he found the relief he experienced from acupuncture treatment totally life changing! What began as research to seek understanding exploded into a passion to share the healing he experienced with others.
After completing his undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2009, Jeff began attending classes at the prestigious Southwest Acupuncture College (SWAC) in Boulder where he was introduced to the “Community Acupuncture” model through a clinic for the homeless and working poor. Jeff describes this as one of the most rewarding clinical experiences of his education. During this time he also attended trainings for Acupuncturists Without Borders, Injection Therapy Acupuncture, Reiki, Qi Gong, and he worked with an AIDS outreach clinic.
After graduating in August, 2012 and receiving his Diplomate and Acupuncture License, he worked with Dr. Robin Saltonstall at 40plus Integrative Health in Boulder. Shortly thereafter, he joined Fort Collins CommUnity Acupuncture (now Thrive CommUnity Acupuncture) and has continued to serve our patients during his career over the years.
In 2017 Jeff began practicing within the Integrative Medicine department of the Centura Health system, working in the hospital and primary care setting. This gave Jeff the opportunity to focus on integrative pain management, oncology, and women’s health, providing additional depth to his practice. During his time at Centura Jeff trained resident physicians on the Integrative Medicine track, as well as provided a continuing medical education course to hospitalists at Longmont United Hospital on acupuncture therapy as an alternative to opioids.
Since leaving Centura Jeff has been able to continue to pursue his dual passions of community health and integrative medicine by joining the pain management team at the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a community-based geriatrics clinic in Lafayette, Colorado.
One of Jeff’s dreams for the future of acupuncture is bringing it to people who need it most but may not have access, especially those in distress. During his education, Jeff was trained by Acupuncturists Without Boarders - a philanthropic organization that has sent acupuncturists to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti, and the shootings in Aurora Colorado.
During the severe flooding in Lyons in 2013, Jeff was surprised to find himself on the receiving end of that natural disaster. After he and his pets were rescued from the flood, Jeff immediately put his training to use as a volunteer giving acupuncture to first responders and evacuees in the initial days and weeks following the flood.
In recognition of the amazing work that Colorado acupuncture volunteers, like Jeff, did during that incident, the Medical Reserve Corps (a federal government emergency response program) decided that Colorado needed to develop an acupuncture unit to respond to these types of events. Remarkably, this is the first unit of its kind in the USA. In addition to being a volunteer acupuncturist with this new organization, Jeff served as the training coordinator for the first year of the program and helped develop the training course for new volunteers.
Beyond being a gifted healer, Jeff enjoys life with his wife and daughter and is often found outdoors, whether climbing the canyons of the Front Range or working in his garden at home. An accomplished chef as well as an acupuncturist, Jeff recognizes the importance of using food not only as a source of sustenance and joy but as medicine as well. Jeff’s clinical philosophy is based on the joyful integration of his love of life with his personal and professional healing journey. He is excited and grateful to be working with the patients of Thrive CommUnity Acupuncture on their journey toward serenity and better health.
After completing his undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2009, Jeff began attending classes at the prestigious Southwest Acupuncture College (SWAC) in Boulder where he was introduced to the “Community Acupuncture” model through a clinic for the homeless and working poor. Jeff describes this as one of the most rewarding clinical experiences of his education. During this time he also attended trainings for Acupuncturists Without Borders, Injection Therapy Acupuncture, Reiki, Qi Gong, and he worked with an AIDS outreach clinic.
After graduating in August, 2012 and receiving his Diplomate and Acupuncture License, he worked with Dr. Robin Saltonstall at 40plus Integrative Health in Boulder. Shortly thereafter, he joined Fort Collins CommUnity Acupuncture (now Thrive CommUnity Acupuncture) and has continued to serve our patients during his career over the years.
In 2017 Jeff began practicing within the Integrative Medicine department of the Centura Health system, working in the hospital and primary care setting. This gave Jeff the opportunity to focus on integrative pain management, oncology, and women’s health, providing additional depth to his practice. During his time at Centura Jeff trained resident physicians on the Integrative Medicine track, as well as provided a continuing medical education course to hospitalists at Longmont United Hospital on acupuncture therapy as an alternative to opioids.
Since leaving Centura Jeff has been able to continue to pursue his dual passions of community health and integrative medicine by joining the pain management team at the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a community-based geriatrics clinic in Lafayette, Colorado.
One of Jeff’s dreams for the future of acupuncture is bringing it to people who need it most but may not have access, especially those in distress. During his education, Jeff was trained by Acupuncturists Without Boarders - a philanthropic organization that has sent acupuncturists to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti, and the shootings in Aurora Colorado.
During the severe flooding in Lyons in 2013, Jeff was surprised to find himself on the receiving end of that natural disaster. After he and his pets were rescued from the flood, Jeff immediately put his training to use as a volunteer giving acupuncture to first responders and evacuees in the initial days and weeks following the flood.
In recognition of the amazing work that Colorado acupuncture volunteers, like Jeff, did during that incident, the Medical Reserve Corps (a federal government emergency response program) decided that Colorado needed to develop an acupuncture unit to respond to these types of events. Remarkably, this is the first unit of its kind in the USA. In addition to being a volunteer acupuncturist with this new organization, Jeff served as the training coordinator for the first year of the program and helped develop the training course for new volunteers.
Beyond being a gifted healer, Jeff enjoys life with his wife and daughter and is often found outdoors, whether climbing the canyons of the Front Range or working in his garden at home. An accomplished chef as well as an acupuncturist, Jeff recognizes the importance of using food not only as a source of sustenance and joy but as medicine as well. Jeff’s clinical philosophy is based on the joyful integration of his love of life with his personal and professional healing journey. He is excited and grateful to be working with the patients of Thrive CommUnity Acupuncture on their journey toward serenity and better health.
Elena Beltran, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
|
Elena is a board-certified Diplomat of Acupuncture (Dipl. Ac.) through the National
Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist (L.Ac). She began her journey into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) during her undergrad at Front Range Community College where she graduated with an Associate’s of Applied Science emphasizing in Holistic Health. It was here during an introductory course on TCM that the first seed of curiosity was planted. Before committing to furthering her education in TCM, Elena found Thrive CommUnity Acupuncture and helped as a receptionist (she’s so excited to be returning!). After becoming inspired by the environment she worked in, she obtained her Master’s in Acupuncture with a specialization in Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CSTCM). She graduated with honors and 3045 hours of educational training, including 825 clinic hours and 150 observation hours at CSTCM. In addition, she is Clean Needle Technique and Basic Life Support certified. Prior to starting her education at CSTCM, she received her 200-hour yoga teacher training certificate and took a deep dive into the yoga tradition and Ayurvedic medicine, teaching over 1000 hours in a variety of classes such as alignment-based vinyasa, restorative/yin, and Yoga Nidra. Additionally, she has been trained in Medical Qigong, Jin Shin Level 1, and both first and second-degree levels of Usui Reiki Ryoho. This experience gives her a unique view of the body and allows her to educate patients on movements and breathing techniques that they can utilize at home. Each treatment with Elena is completely unique to the individual and it may not only involve acupuncture (the insertion of tiny needles into specific points throughout the body) but also may include physical manipulations such as tuina, guasha, cupping, or electrical stimulation. Furthermore, she can provide insight and recommendations concerning movements, breathing patterns, or dietary modifications that are best for each individual. |
