Amy Hull, MEd, MAOM

Director of Program Development

Amy manages post-graduate program development such as China Study trips and Acupuncture Residencies in Western Medical settings. She also manages the Speaker’s Bureau, matching alumni with organizations and agencies who would like acupuncture presentations.

Brock Haines

Herbal Dispensary Manager

Brock is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Chinese herbal dispensary, including processing orders, overseeing staff and assistants, and GMP.  Brock also serves as IT support on site and oversees the ITS group.

C.J. Allen, MAc, LicAc, DiplCH (NCCAOM)

Associate Dean and Assistant Professor

A 1999 graduate of NESA, C.J. Allen is certified as a Diplomate of Chinese Herbology by the NCCAOM and in the NADA protocol for Acupuncture Detoxification. C.J. has served as a detox acupuncturist at the Dimock Community Health Center and also as a clinical staff member of Pathways to Wellness (AIDS Care Project) where he assisted Dr. Tao Xie, the director of herbal medicine.

C.J. has guest lectured on Chinese herbal medicine at Boston University, Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He maintains a private practice at Acupuncture and Herbal Healing located in Newton and West Roxbury, MA. A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University (BS), Mr. Allen has also studied studio and fine arts at Harvard University and is an award-winning photographer.

C.J. serves as the Associate Dean of NESA and provides guidance to students, promotes academic success and quality of life. He also is responsible for coordinating academic support for admissions.

Catherine Hamilton, MBA

Director Admissions

Catherine manages all aspects of admissions to NESA. She most often is the first point of contact for individuals interested in attending NESA and supports them through the enrollment process and thereafter.  Catherine is the advisor for all international students.

Cid Tamagno

Clinic Administration Staff

Cid is responsible for creating and maintaining a clinical environment which is welcoming, well-organized, responsive and smooth running.  Cross-trained into all customer service positions and administrative departments at NESA, the clinical staff attend to the day-to-day operations of the NESA Intern and Professional Clinics, answering phones, scheduling patients, assisting students, interns and faculty as well as managing a busy group practice.

Craig Allard, MEd

Director of Student Affairs

Craig oversees all student activities from Student Orientation through Commencement. He serves on the Student Council and students should approach him with comments regarding student satisfaction. Craig also can advise students who are preparing for the NCCAOM Board exams and/or state licensure.

Cynthia Ruth

Clinic Administrative Staff

Cynthia is responsible for creating and maintaining a clinical environment which is welcoming, well-organized, responsive and smooth running.  Cross-trained into all customer service positions and administrative departments at NESA, the clinical staff attend to the day-to-day operations of the NESA Intern and Professional Clinics, answering phones, scheduling patients, assisting students, interns and faculty as well as managing a busy group practice.

Denise Rouleau

Proposal Development/Research Administration Specialist

Denise is responsible for the administrative oversight of grants, including the budget and compliance with regulations. Denise also serves as a key resource in identifying funding, writing grants and submitting applications for funding.

Elaine Scarmoutzos

Continuing Education Manager/Project Coordinator

Elaine coordinates the Continuing Education programs. She recommends programming and instructors, oversees registrations and payment, recruits and manages Alumni Hosts, and analyzes participant evaluations. 

Elaine also assists the Research Department.  Her research hours can vary and are also available by appointment.

Emilie Gerber

Clinic Administration Staff

Emilie is responsible for creating and maintaining a clinical environment which is welcoming, well-organized, responsive and smooth running.  Cross-trained into all customer service positions and administrative departments at NESA, the clinical staff attend to the day-to-day operations of the NESA Intern and Professional Clinics, answering phones, scheduling patients, assisting students, interns and faculty as well as managing a busy group practice.

Jane Jaxon

Director of Institutional Affairs

Jane acts as advisor to the President and Academic Dean with respect to overall institutional topics and is a liaison to the Board of Trustees. She ensures compliance with accreditation requirements and manages human resources and student health insurance.

Jeanette Blalock

Controller

Jeanette manages the Finance department, including student accounts and billing.

Jenn Hartman

Director of Library Services

Jenn manages the library and library staff.  All library staff support students in accessing the collection and online resources.

Keirsa Johnson

Academic Affairs Coordinator & Registrar

Keirsa works with the Academic Dean to coordinate academic scheduling, events, deadlines, etc. Keirsa also manages the processes underlying enrollment through graduation. She is responsible for class and clinic registration and transcripts.

Laurel Gould

Clinic Administration Staff

Laurel is responsible for creating and maintaining a clinical environment which is welcoming, well-organized, responsive and smooth running.  Cross-trained into all customer service positions and administrative departments at NESA, the clinical staff attend to the day-to-day operations of the NESA Intern and Professional Clinics, answering phones, scheduling patients, assisting students, interns and faculty as well as managing a busy group practice.

Lilly Goncalves

Front Desk Manager

Lilly is the first point of contact for visitors to NESA and is liaison between students, staff and faculty. She can direct students to the appropriate person to address their particular need and maintains the inventory of academic-related forms.

Lisa Conboy, MA, MS, ScD

Director of Research and Chair of Western Biomedicine Department

Lisa Conboy is a health researcher who has been teaching research methods for fifteen years. She received her MA from UMASS Amherst, and her MS and ScD from Harvard School of Public Health. A sociologist and epidemiologist, she became interested in Chinese medicine about twenty years ago due to its positive effects on her own health. As a result, she has focused her research questions on acupuncture and Chinese medicine over the last ten years.

In her research and teaching, Lisa utilizes and teaches multiple methods and various forms of analyses to best ask and answer questions about acupuncture and Chinese medicine. She has published analyses using qualitative, survey, and biological data. Lisa is striving to produce work and train researchers that can address novel questions in scientifically sound ways. Lisa lives in Somerville, MA and is currently pursuing her certification in yoga instruction.

Lynn Teo, MAOM

Alumni Relations Coordinator

Lynn works to improve alumni offerings, coordinates events, and serves as the editor for Currents and the Alumni E-Letter. Lynn graduated NESA in 2011 and is a Shiatsu practitioner in our Professional Clinic.

Meredith St. John, MAc, LicAc, DiplAC (NCCAOM)

Vice President and Academic Dean

Meredith is responsible for leadership of NESA’s academic program including: assessing, designing and delivering the classroom and clinical curriculum; program planning; academic policy; and faculty assessment and development. Meredith manages the Academic Department, including Department Chairs, the Dean of Clinical Education, and the Academic Affairs Coordinator and Registrar. She serves as an escalation point for academic issues. Meredith is a co-investigator on the NESA research study of effectiveness of acupuncture for Gulf War Syndrome, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Peg O’Connell

Financial Aid Administrator/Accounting Assistant

Peg handles NESA's Financial Aid, while also having responsibility for various payroll and accounting duties. Peg works with students on billing issues and is the point of contact for payroll.

Sara Dubois

Marketing Design Specialist

Sara designs all materials that reflect NESA in and around the community. She coordinates NESA’s marketing efforts, including events, the NESA Facebook page, NESA collateral and branding. Sara also updates the NESA website.

Sharon Stratis

Accounting Assistant/Bookkeeper

Sharon works in the Finance department, processing invoices, tracking W-9s and handling deposits.  Sharon works closely with Peg and Jeanette to handle Finance Department projects.

Sheila Carroll

Director of Operations

Sheila oversees the daily operations of the school, including the clinic, bookstore and facilities. Sheila is a resource for intern requirements, scheduling advice, clinic sign-up, clinic desk functions, patient scheduling and billing, clinic facilities and maintenance, marketing and clinic supplies (other than those provided by the Supply Coordinator).

Steve Kidder

Special Projects Assistant

Steve manages all receiving and inventory for the bookstore, practice rooms, and some of the clinic. Steve also works with parties interested in renting space at the school. 

Susan L. Gorman, MBA

President & CEO

As President and CEO, Sue is responsible for all aspects of the school both internally - for students, staff and faculty - and externally for alumni and other friends of NESA. She holds regular weekly office hours to talk to students about their learning experience, career aspirations and/or concerns.

Valerie Smith, MAc, LicAc, DiplAc (NCCAOM)

Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor

Valerie Smith is a 1997 graduate of New England School of Acupuncture where she also received her master’s degree in acupuncture (2000) and certification in Chinese herbal medicine (2002). Valerie is an Assistant Professor at NESA and maintains a private practice at Harvard Square Acupuncture and Massage in Cambridge.  Val is a supervisor for the CHA Malden Family Health Center Clinic

Valerie’s style of teaching is learner-centered. She creates a dynamic environment by engaging students in discussion of material as well as encouraging continued questioning. In her position of Director of Clinical Education, Valerie is responsible for oversight of clinical education at NESA and its satellite clinics in collaboration with the Academic Dean.

In her role as a Faculty advisor, Valerie enjoys participating in Student Council meetings.