Faculty
Eileen Yue-Ling Han, PhD, LAc
director
An exclusive, lifelong disciple of her Shifu (master) Dr. Richard Tan, Eileen Han is passionately dedicated to continuing the practice, inspiration, and influence of the Balance Method, his extremely effective, world-renowned acupuncture methodology.
In 1999, Eileen began her medical studies and an apprenticeship in Dr. Tan’s San Diego, California clinic. As his student, she honed her implementation of the Balance Method, eventually becoming one of the top 5% of leading practitioners of the methodology worldwide. Over the past 15+ years, Eileen has continually honed her skill into a healing art, bringing relief and wellness to countless, thankful patients through her clinical practice.
Eileen holds a Ph.D. in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from American Liberty University in Newport Beach, CA, and a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine from the University of East/West Medicine in Sunnyvale, California. She supplements her formal and practical education with continuing studies in Ba Zi and Chinese face reading.
Howard Chen, M.D.
As the founding Medical Director of Renown Medical Group Health, Wellness, and Integrative Medicine Services in Reno, NV, Dr. Howard Chen, MD, FAAMA, ABOIM provides patient care, develops policy, and guides treatment protocols.
Prior to joining Renown in 2007, Howard was the founder and sole proprietor of Dragonfly Medical Acupuncture and treated countless patients using a blended approach of both Western and Eastern principles.
A devout apprentice and assistant of Dr. Richard Tan, his primary Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques include Balance Method Acupuncture and BaZi Birth Chart Analysis (Richard Teh-Fu Tan, OMD) and Muscle Channel Technique (Frank He, DAOM).
Among his extensive list of achievements, Howard is a Board-Certified Family Physician and additionally Board Certified by the American Board of Medical Acupuncture, the American Board of Integrative Medicine, and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.
John Mini, LAc.
Dr. John Mini, L.Ac., is not only a nationally licensed and recognized practitioner in Marin County, California but an avid student of world cultures. From an early age, John was intrigued by the beliefs and sciences of indigenous cultures, which drew him to the exploration of international societies to discover how best to help his patients. His deep passion to help as many people as possible has led him to intensive study, apprenticeships, writing, and leading nonprofit seminars and workshops.
John graduated with honors and received his acupuncture license from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1988.
Diane Iuliano, LAc, MAc, Dipl.Ac (NCCAOM)
Diane Iuliano, MAc, LAc, Dipl Ac (NCCAOM) is a world-renowned teacher and practitioner of acupuncture in Cambridge, MA. She has received a rich and robust education from some of the most well-respected mentors in Eastern medicine, including the late Dr. Richard Tan. In addition to her engaging instructional style, Diane infuses passion, insight, and clinical gems into every seminar.
Gord Dewar, DAc.
Dr. Gord Dewar, D.Ac. is a registered acupuncturist specializing in vestibular physical rehabilitation at his clinic in Canada. After meeting and beginning training with Dr. Richard Tan in 1999, he has treated patients exclusively using the Balance Method. He attained Gold Level status with Dr. Tan in 2010 and became a Master of Ba Zi during the charter class in 2011.
Gord holds multiple degrees, most importantly receiving his certification in acupuncture from the University of Alberta in 1994. In his spare time, Gord is a competitive golfer and curler and has won two Canadian curling championships, most recently in 2016.
Harmen Mesker
A renowned expert on the history and language of the Yi, Mr. Harmen Mesker began his study of the Yijing, the Chinese Book of Changes, in 1982 at the age of 16. Harmen is a founding member of the Dutch Foundation for Yijing Studies and chief editor of the Dutch edition of Richard Wilhelm’s Yijing translation. In 2018, Harmen founded the Yijing Research Center to share the many interpretations of Yijing practice in ancient China with the international community. Additionally, Harmen is frequently consulted to assist with the translation of old Chinese texts and had an advisory role in several Dutch translations of Daoist inner alchemy neidan texts.
Be sure to visit Harmen’s social media: YiTube, a YouTube channel with instructional videos on all aspects of the Yi and www.yjcn.nl.
Joshua Herr, MS, Dipl.Ac. & CH (NCCAOM), LAc.
Josh Herr is an instructor for the Academy of Acupuncture and an eternally dedicated pupil of the late Dr. Richard Teh-Fu Tan. After graduating in 2000 from Bastyr University with an MA in Acupuncture and a Chinese Herbal Medicine Certificate, he discovered the therapeutic value of the Balance Method and began studying with Dr. Tan in 2006.
Since then, he has been committed to the application of the Balance Method in both his practice and his continuing education. As a lecturer for the Academy of Acupuncture, he seeks to reinforce the importance of the Balance Method as a critical tool for diagnosis and treatment.
Currently, the Clinic Director of the Chinese Acupuncture & Herbology Clinic in Asheville, NC, Josh seeks to round out his acupuncture treatments with herbal formulations, for a
comprehensive approach to treating the whole patient.
Antonio Alfaro, LAc.
Dr. Antonio Alfaro, L.Ac., brings a unique perspective to our teaching faculty. Specializing in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in San Jose, Costa Rica, Antonio has attained multiple levels of accreditation in Dr. Tan’s Balance Method, studying with the Master since 2003.
In addition to presenting countless national and international seminars, Antonio has relentlessly continued his studies, striving to provide excellence in veterinary TCM. A retired professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine, UNA, Costa Rica (2005), Antonio received his Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) degree at both the Chi-Institute of Chinese Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, FL in 2004 and Costa Rican Association of Veterinarians in 2006.
Jim Westmoreland, LAc.
Dr. Jim Westmoreland, L.Ac., has been a practitioner and teacher of Asian healing and martial arts for more than four decades. As a direct disciple of Dr. Tsoa Wang, he was classically trained in the Wang family systems until he met Dr. Tan in 2000.
Now, after years of study with the late Dr. Tan, he exclusively treats patients with the Balance Method and is committed to sharing and expanding the wisdom and knowledge obtained from his Master: “I believe that the body itself is imbued with a deep and abiding innate wisdom which can be activated through the processes of acupuncture and Chinese medicine to restore health and bring balance to all.”
Anna Dolopo, LAc
Dr. Anna Dolopo, LAc is the owner of Elements in Harmony Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs, a private practice based in Laguna Hills, California specializing in Dr. Tan’s Balance Method since 2006. She began her journey into Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Diego, California in 1999, volunteering in the care of the local homeless and HIV/AIDS communities.
When Anna is not deeply involved in achieving optimal results for her patients, she focuses her energies on helping other acupuncturists build their practices and knowledge base. She received her Master of Traditional Oriental Medicine degree in 1998 and was certified as a Gold Level acupuncturist in the Balance Method in 2012.
Brad Whisnant, DAOM
Dr. Brad Whisnant, D.A.O.M., is the owner and founder of Pinpoint Clinics, PC based in St. Helens, Oregon. Since the founding of his clinic in 2007, Brad has successfully treated 100+ patients per week as a solo practitioner. He has published prolifically, focusing on the lifetime work of Dr. Tan, Master Tung, and distal acupuncture.
After having proudly and valiantly served in the US Marine Corps as a squad leader in the first Gulf War in Kuwait and in Somalia (1989-1993), Brad returned stateside to earn multiple degrees. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice at Portland State University in 1996, a Masters degree at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (MAcOM) in September 2007, and his Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine certification at Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine in December 2010.