Meet the teachers 

Jane Grissmer, M.Ac. Dipl. Ac. has been a pioneer in the recovery of the healing arts in America as an acupuncture clinician and educator for 40 + years. In 1992, she founded Crossings: A Center for the Healing Traditions, Maryland's first integrated healing arts center.

Jane's journey in acupuncture education is a testament to her influence and dedication. She was privileged to receive her acupuncture training in England with JR Worsley from 1978 to 85. She then played a pivotal role alongside Robert Duggan and Dianne Connelly in developing the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in MD, one of the first accredited acupuncture schools in the US. As Dean of Faculty, she introduced the Herbal Medicine Program and 8-Principle education, shaping the future of acupuncture education.

At the Maryland University of Integrative Health, she was appointed a Professor and served as Division Chair of Theory with the express mission of preserving the teaching of Five-Element Acupuncture in its program.

Jane's innovative spirit shines through in her development of cutting-edge experiential curricula. Her creations include Sensory Skills, Nature As Medicine, Healing Emotions through the Lens of Qi, Integrating Traditions of Acupuncture, and the Clinical Application of Five-Element Acupuncture. These unique approaches to learning are a testament to her creativity and dedication to advancing the field.

Her publications include Long COVID and 5-Element Acupuncture, Dosage: An Acupuncturist's Art Form, and The Geometry of Emotion: Healing Emotions through the Lens of Qi. 

More from Jane Grissmer on her approach to teaching Five Element Acupuncture 

Dr. Simons is an experienced educator and skilled practitioner with over 40 years of clinical experience in Eastern and Western medicine. She runs a successful acupuncture practice in Bethesda, Maryland. She has served as an esteemed Assistant Professor and faculty member at the Maryland University of Integrative Health (formerly Tai Sophia) and the Traditional Acupuncture Institute since 1996. Additionally, Dr Simons has served as an outside lecturer, curriculum writer, and consultant in her field.

Dr. Simons' journey began as a Registered Nurse in the high-risk labor and delivery suite at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. Her career then expanded to include professional massage therapy with advanced certification in bodywork for the childbearing year, infant massage, Maya Abdominal Massage, and trauma recovery. She has also been a nurse consultant in product liability and women's health legal claims, showcasing her diverse experiences and deep understanding of healthcare.

Dr. Simons holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture from the Maryland University of Integrative Health and a Master of Acupuncture degree from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute (TAI). She earned her Teacher Training Certification from the Worsley Institute and participated in the highly-regarded Master Apprentice Program (MAP) with the Worsley Institute.

Dr. Simons' expertise, creative approach, and passion for teaching have made her a highly respected figure in her field. She aims to help students discover this system of medicine's profound beauty and power in a supportive learning environment as they cultivate their abilities to serve as skilled Five-Element practitioners.