ACHS Oregon/Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Marie Berger, PhD
Dr. Marie Berger comes to ACHS with more than thirty years of teaching and administrative experience, including curriculum development and evaluation in universities and hospitals in the U.S and overseas.
Dr. Berger completed her Bachelor's in Nursing and Psychology at the University of Houston and her Master of Science in Educational Psychology at the University of Utah. She also earned her Doctorate of Philosophy, Urban Studies, with a concentration in Management and Administration at Portland State University.
Dr. Berger has served on the faculty of some of the Northwest’s most prestigious medical teaching institutions, including Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Portland. She was also recruited by the University of Colorado School of Medicine to act as Associate Director of Administration at the newly constructed 850-bed King Khalid Hospital and Outpatient Clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the early 1980s, where she again worked from 1997 to 2000. There she was responsible for developing policies and procedures, standards, recruitment, and a number of other health care-related activities.
Dr. Berger now resides in Portland, Oregon. When not teaching, she enjoys travel, reading, beading (her new hobby), and spending relaxing time with her two cats, Schatze and Penelope.
Mary Beth Buchanan, MA
Mary Beth Buchanan graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors degree in Alternative Medicine from Everglades University. She has also earned a Masters degree in Education in Instructional Technology from American InterContinental University and has completed additional graduate work in the field of Nutrition Science at Huntington College of Health Sciences. She has been teaching nutrition and serving as a Wellness Counselor in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for several years.
Mary Beth previously owned a private complementary and alternative medicine counseling business where she instructed clients on the options available to them, while working hand in hand with their physicians. She plans to pursue her PhD in the field of nutrition after completing her first book.
She has served as the president of the Student Nursing Association at Pearl River Community College, Vice President of the Education Network club at American InterContinental University, and is the Parish Family Life Director and a member of the Parish Council at her church where she is actively involved.
She has given of her time to be a Support Group Leader for Celiac patients and has volunteered her talents as a web page designer to various worthwhile entities. She has over 12 years experience as a private/home school teacher and administrator.
Michael Chaplin, DC, CCSP
Michael Chaplin worked for the New York City Police Department until 1985, when he was injured in the line-of-duty and retired. A few years later, Michael moved to Florida, where he became interested in holistic health. Michael attended the SunCoast School of Massage in Tampa, specializing in sports massage, and graduated with a license in massage therapy. He also studied structural body work at the Core Institute of Tallahassee.
In 1998 Michael graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic from the Texas Chiropractic College, and simultaneously became certified in Chiropractic Acupuncture through the Texas Chiropractic College. In 2001 he became certified as a Chiropractic Sports Physician. Michael is co-author of the Red Cross's national program, Protect Your Back, and he currently lives in Texas with his two Jack Russells, Tango and Trixie.
Reuven Cohen, MS, DO
My passion is to share the wonderful experiences and knowledge I have accumulated as an OB/Gyn physician, pilot, traveler, diver, MIS director, and educator, for the purpose of illuminating the knowledge students will accumulate in my courses. I enjoy interacting and communicating with each student. I try to teach, however, in the way each student, as a unique individual, finds it easiest to learn
I have taught students both on-ground and online over the past ten years in medical, pharmacy and healthcare information programs and also as a department chair. What a fantastic experience! It was all about each and every student I came into contact with. Educationally, I have a medical degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (1972) and a master's degree in computer information systems from Nova Southeastern University (1998).
The years I spent as an osteopathic physician were wonderful. I specialized in OB/Gyn, performing surgery and assisting mothers and babies at the moment of birth. Loved by patients (but not quite so much by fellow doctors), I was highly patient-oriented and utilized the latest medical techniques to insure safe journeys. I delighted in more natural methods and especially loved to participate in "gentle birthing" scenarios. What amazing things newborns would do when their senses were not overloaded in those first moments in the world!
My philosophy of wellness includes all modalities shown to be beneficial, beginning with those that are least intrusive to the human body's ability to normalize itself. During my practice I placed special emphasis on the role of the musculoskeletal system in the maintenance of health and treatment of illnesses. But first and always, do no harm.
Jerry Cronin, BS, DC
Dr. Cronin started his education in pre-med, but soon realized there had to be a better way to help people with their illnesses than conventional medicine, so he changed his major to Chiropractic. Dr. Cronin opened his practice in the South Jersey/Philadelphia region in 1997. At that time he was introduced to aromatherapy, which he started to use on his patients with much success. Dr. Cronin completed his graduated studies in Marietta, Georgia, at Life University and then settled in South Jersey, where he currently lives with his wife and son. He spends his free time traveling.
Dr. Cronin has been teaching allied health care classes both in the classroom and online for more than five years. He has also been an instructor in health care and many of the sciences, such as anatomy and physiology, environmental science, and human biology for the past 14 years.
Dr. Cronin has a Bachelor's of Science from Regents University (now Excelsior), as well as his Chiropractic degree from Life University in Georgia.
Helen Delfakis, MS, RD
helendelfakis@achs.edu
Helen (Eleni) Delfakis, has a Bachelor's degree in Food and Nutrition Science, a Master's in Dietetics from the University of Arizona, and earned the Registered Dietitian credentials post-graduation from the Commission for Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association in nutrition education. Her professional experience and accomplishments include: establishing and directing a nationally recognized Food Service Management and Culinary Arts Program in one of the largest school districts in Arizona; establishing a nutrition program for the Pasqua Yaqui Health Department and Clinic; establishing a successful upscale restaurant as business owner; authoring Healthy Living from a Greek Island, a nutrition guide and cookbook, and co-authoring Food Service Management (textbook, teacher's manual and student workbook); and more than a decade of experience teaching food service management, culinary arts, nutrition science, holistic nutrition, and other nutrition and wellness courses.
Mary Fry, ND
Dr. Mary Fry completed her undergraduate Bachelors of Science training in Nutritional Biochemistry from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Following her undergraduate studies, Dr. Fry traveled extensively through South and Southeast Asia. Dr. Fry continued her formal studies in naturopathic medicine, obtaining her degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) in 2004. At NCNM, she completed certification training in homeopathy.
Commensurate with naturopathic studies, Dr. Fry began informal studies in psychology, later traveling abroad to partake in an intensive study program at the C.G. Jung Institute of Zurich and attending monthly lectures and workshops offered by the Oregon Friends of C.G. Jung. Studying psychology deepened her understanding of remedy states as they appear in her patients. She remains actively involved in her learning as a Board member of the Oregon Friends of C.G. Jung.
Dr. Fry recently completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in the department of Psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University. During her fellowship, Dr. Fry learned how to conduct and analyze research and investigated the use of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of mental illness.
Currently Dr. Fry maintains a private practice in Portland, Oregon focusing on the homeopathic and naturopathic treatment of mental illness. She looks forward to engaging students of ACHS in learning about the healing potential of holistic therapies.
Deryl Gulliford, MHA, FAAMA
Deryl was born and raised in northwest Ohio. Athletics were very important to him growing up, and he was fortunate enough to achieve all-state honors in football and baseball. Deryl continued his athletics at Ohio State University while studying health sciences, and upon graduation practiced respiratory therapy and cardiovascular technology for several years prior to training in community health administration. He received a Master’s degree in health administration/health planning from the University of Cincinnati in 1985.
Deryl also studied in the British National Health Service in 1990-91, completing a fellowship in the NHS, London. He is now a Fellow of the American Academy of Medical Administrators and is the 2005 William Newcomer Health care Executive of the Year for the United States.
Deryl’s mother Cora Jane Gulliford spent her entire career promoting natural health as manager and educator of a community nutrition center. Deryl feels he is a stronger and healthier person today because of her influence and her teachings. He grew up in a culture of natural health.
Throughout his career, community wellness and holistic medicine have been crucial to his personal mission and success. He has held CEO positions at three hospitals since 1991, including Community Memorial Hospital in Defiance County, Ohio, which made the “Top 100 Hospital” list of Modern Healthcare magazine. Deryl recently completed construction of a new community health care facility for Stevens County Hospital in southwest Kansas (Hugoton) and now serves as CEO of two community hospitals in Oklahoma. He is also Vice President of the Pioneer Health Network, a voluntary group of 18 community hospitals and clinics in Oklahoma and Kansas. In all of his hospitals, Deryl has insisted upon a prominent role for complementary and alternative medicine.
Recently, Deryl was selected National Chairman of the Small and Rural Health care Section of the American Academy of Medical Administrators (AAMA). He’s published six books and more than 20 professional journal articles in the healthcare field, presenting many of these at state and national health care conferences.
Deborah Halvorson, BA, RA
Deborah, a Registered Aromatherapist, teaches Aromatherapy, Herbal, and Natural Health workshops in Southern California where she also owns a holistic health practice.
Her herbal education began as a child growing up on an organic farm. She received a bachelor's degree in Spanish and Education from the University of Delaware, and taught high school Spanish and Latin for 13 years. For five years she balanced the responsibilities of being a stay-at-home mother with taking classes to increase her knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine, and began working in this field in 2004. She has a Diploma in Aromatherapy from ACHS and has studied herbal medicine making at the California School of Herbal Studies. She is excited to be able to combine her love for teaching with her passion for essential oils and herbs.
Deborah is the California Director for the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy and serves on NAHA’s Ethics Committee. She is also a member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, the American Herbalists Guild, and United Plant Savers.
She lives with her husband and three children, ages 11, 7, and 5, in Huntington Beach, California. In addition to Aromatherapy, her passions include spending time with her children, reading, gardening, yoga, and camping with her family. When she isn't teaching, Deborah can often be found in her garden, where she grows many plants for use in her herbal remedies, or in her kitchen creating Aromatherapy blends and skincare products.
Laura Hatton, MS, CNN
Laura Hatton is originally from the Bay Area. She graduated with a BS in Business Administration from San Jose State University and completed an MBA in Finance from Golden Gate University while working for Intel. In 1993, Laura left Intel to pursue motherhood and home school teaching. At the same time, Laura suffered with significant health problems, which is when she became interested in health and nutrition. She later received a MS in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist through The International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists (IAACN).
Laura currently resides in Arizona, where she works as a private nutritionist and teaches community seminars. Laura says, "I love to teach health and nutrition. I also became a Certified Personal Trainer and believe this aspect of health is also very critical. Teaching good lifestyle habits is truly my passion."
When she isn't teaching, Laura likes to get outdoors with her husband, including jogging, walking, hiking, bird watching, kayaking, and camping. She has four children, two dogs, and one cat. She and her husband also live part-time in Ecuador where Laura is participating in community nutrition education programs and learning Spanish.
Barbara "Tai" Lovelace, MA
Barbara grew up in Iowa where she was deeply influenced by her grandparents’ lifestyles. Her grandmother was a pioneer, sod-house prairie herbalist, who grew plants and produced formulas with Native American and old European recipes for the area settlers. The other grandparents were organic farmers and gardeners who saved generational seed for the national heirloom seed bank. Her mother was a naturalist before it was fashionable to “be green” and would cook up intriguing meals like stir-fry dandelion heads and squash blossoms with tofu slices. As a teenager this was embarrassing, but now many of these memories for healthy living are being successfully practiced in her own home.
Barbara’s academic background includes a Master of Arts in Education and Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Consumer Life Sciences from the University of Northern Iowa. She also has a Nurse Educator’s Certificate from University of Phoenix and training in medical administration and coding. She has had extensive teaching experience with adult online course work and continuing education.
Barbara is a volunteer for the local hospice and hospice respite care and practices Reiki with a community non-profit group. She enjoys online teaching because it reaches a diverse group of students, can provide a less hectic and more in-depth communication with her students than the traditional classroom, and allows her to teach with less stress for herself and her family. She enjoys native Floridian landscaping, growing orchids, her three geriatric pug dogs, piano, and beach walks with her husband during evening tide.
Oleg Maksimov, PhD
Oleg Maksimov was born in Moscow, Russia, and moved to the United States in 1995. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the City University of New York in February 2002. He then worked as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Department of Physics and as a Research Associate in the Materials Research Institute at Pennsylvania State University. In addition, Dr. Maksimov holds an M. Ph. and a B.S. in Chemistry, both from the City University of New York.
Dr. Maksimov is an author and co-author of more than 60 articles published in peer-reviewed journals, an active member of the American Physical Society, and an editorial board member for Scientific Journals International. He serves as a reviewer for a number of scientific journals, including Applied Physics Letters, Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, Materials Chemistry and Physics, and Thin Solid Films, and as a proposal reviewer for Research Foundation of City University of New York. In addition, he teaches General Chemistry for South University Online.
Dr. Maksimov has been happily married for 12 years and has a three-year-old daughter. When he has free time, he enjoys spending it with family. He currently resides in Massachusetts.
Catrina Mianecki, MEd, MS, Cert. Aroma. LAc
Catrina has been in the Health and Wellness field for more than 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s in Wellness Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Master’s in Adult Education from Colorado State University, and a Master’s in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado. She is a Bach Flower practitioner and has furthered her passion for holistic medicine by becoming a certified Aromatherapist from ACHS. Additionally, Catrina has studied iridology and western herbal medicine at the School of Natural Medicine in Colorado. She has also lived in India and studied Ayurvedic medicine, yoga, and meditation.
She has an extensive science background including graduate level studies in cell biology and is now synthesizing that information into a practical clinical application of mind-body healing at the cellular level.
Catrina has competed in both gymnastics and cross country running at the national collegiate level and has counseled elite athletes for better competitive performance through precision training and better nutrition. She has also been involved as a volunteer in Search and Rescue for over 5 years where she taught snow technology, avalanche safety, wilderness survival and back country snowshoeing.
In Catrina’s Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine practice she incorporates homeopathy, aromatherapy, phytotherapy and herbal medicine to facilitate the healing of her patients, guiding them to a state of more vibrant health. In Catrina’s early years it was her love for animals that awakened her to the effectiveness of energetic healing. With her four-legged friends she was able to perceive and move energy to clear blockages and facilitate their healing.
When not in the clinic, Catrina enjoys Indian cooking, running, hiking, being out in nature, teaching others about holistic medicine as well as furthering her own knowledge of the wide variety of healing modalities.
Robert Seidel, BS
Robert Seidel is a native New Yorker who, upon moving to Portland, Oregon in 1977, founded The Essential Oil Company, turning his love for nature and his natural ability to discern even the most complex essential oil constituents into a life long career. He attended NY State Ranger School at Wanakena, graduating with Certificate in Forest Technology. Paul Smiths College graduating with an AAS in Forestry.
Robert continued his studies gaining an AAS in Forestry and BS in Resources Management from SUNY College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry. Robert also graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Forestry.
He is one of the world’s leading essential oil distillation and aromatherapy experts. He is in demand as a private consultant to manufacturers and essential oil producers because of his expertise in essential oil purity, quality, and blending experience. Robert has created blends for some of the leading perfume producers in the world.
Robert has worked closely with the local Native American Indians advising and helping them to utilize their natural resources; designing distillation equipment and helping them to produce a profit bearing essential oil yield in an environmentally friendly process.
Lauren Shapiro, MS, Dean of English/Instructor, Communications Manager
laurenshapiro@achs.edu
Originally from Irvine, California, Lauren joined the American College in October 2008. She recently graduated from Portland State University with an MS in Writing, and a focus on editing and book
publishing.
Before moving to Oregon, Lauren completed her BA in English at the University of California Santa Cruz. In 2002, she moved to Eugene and spent four years working in Communications and Management for a fair trade imports company, which fostered a deep appreciation for community and healthful living. Now an ACHS team member, Lauren looks forward to expanding her holistic health education and work with the community.
In her free time, Lauren writes nonfiction, scavenges Portland's local, independent bookstores, and supports her family and friends in their diverse creative endeavors.
Danielle Silverman, BS, MBA, NMT, CCMT, NCBTMB, Cert. Master Herbalist
danisilverman@achs.edu
Danielle (Dani) spent most of her life in the business world, though she always had an interest in living naturally. She earned an MBA in Finance from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Bachelor's in Finance from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.
In 2002, a life-changing experience propelled her to massage school. Danielle received certifications in Neuromuscular Therapy, Clinical Sports Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Swedish Massage from the Academy of Somatic Healing Arts (ASHA) in Atlanta, Georgia. Because of her love of animals, she became certified in Canine Massage Therapy from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Colorado, and also trained in CranioSacral Therapy for both people and small animals.
Danielle was previously Education Director and Business Instructor at the Montana School of Massage in Missoula, Montana, and taught Business at ASHA in Atlanta, Georgia. She then received her Master Herbalist Certification from American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), and is a member of the American Herbalist Guild. She was given the rare opportunity to apprentice with Greg Tilford, a renowned herbalist in Montana. They studied rescued wild wolves in Colorado, researching herbal remedies and preventatives for heartworm.
She is currently a Reiki Master, and is nationally certified as a massage therapist and licensed in Connecticut. Dani is also a certified Dog First Aid/CPR instructor for the American Red Cross, and a National Disaster Animal Rescue Team member for the Humane Society of the U.S.
When not working, Dani likes to spend time with her son Jace and dog Beau. She enjoys yoga, hiking, kayaking, theater, and just hanging out.
Scott Stuart LAc, BS, MAOM
scottstuart@achs.edu
Scott’s interest in plant medicine began in 1975, following a four-year tour of duty in the U.S. Navy as a photographer. While earning a B.S. in Journalism at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Scott began to explore his interest in herbs on his own. He learned from books, friends, and local classes how to make relaxing teas, soothing salves, oils for massage, and tinctures for common ailments. He has also created his own herb gardens for cooking, teas, and medicines. In his younger days he managed a natural foods co-op, where he taught classes in basic vegetarian cooking, diet and nutrition.
Scott has also studied Taiji Quan and Qigong for 12 years, and is certified to teach Soaring Crane, Essence, and Super Energy Qigong. His love of herbal medicine, Chinese martial arts, and Taoist philosophy called him to change careers from journalism and photography to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Scott has completed a four-year Master's program in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, Oregon. He has skills in acupuncture, herbal medicine, Zen Shiatsu massage, flower essences, and Qigong.
He currently practices Oriental Medicine at Outside/In, a Portland social service agency. He is also working with a partnership to establish an integrative family health care clinic offering acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, nutritional consultation, flower essences, Qigong classes, and counseling.
When he is not practicing Chinese medicine, Scott enjoys riding his bicycle, playing his guitar, cooking, and just hanging out with his 12-year-old son.
"I love the work I do and the relationships I establish through this medicine", says Scott, "and I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with the students at the American College of Healthcare Sciences."
Penny Wilkins, MBA, M Ed, Cert. Aroma
Penny has been a manager in the business world for over twenty years, and an instructor and course developer in higher education since 1999. While the majority of her studies have been in leadership, management, and education (Doctorate of Leadership, Masters of Management, & Masters of Education in Online Teaching), she also has a certification in Aromatherapy from American College of Healthcare Sciences. While it might seem like an odd mix to have a business background along with aromatherapy, Penny's interest in holistic wellbeing is personal as well as professional. She not only uses a holistic approach in her personal life, but she has studied holistic wellbeing principles since 1995 through graduate and postgraduate work, and she teaches holistic based courses in various workplace and higher education settings.
Penny has a wide range of teaching experience from the workplace training level through doctoral level and has worked with a diverse mix of students. Like you, Penny has had an opportunity to experience online learning from a student perspective during her second masters program. She thoroughly enjoys the online education realm of learning and feels it brings opportunity for in-depth exploration and real world application that people do not always see in traditional education settings.
