Immune Enhancement Project | Practitioner Bios

Dennis Boyles, L.Ac.

Dennis began studying shiatsu during the twenty years he lived and worked in Japan, China, and Taiwan. After returning to the US, he furthered his shiatsu training at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, CA. He continued with Zen Shiatsu study at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, along with study of qigong, tai chi, acupuncture, and herbal medicine, earning a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He broadened his practice by completing the Japanese Acupuncture Certificate Program at Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. In addition to his work at IEP, he is an acupuncturist at public health clinics that offer treatment for people in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, medical services for low-income and homeless patients, and support for other underserved clients. He maintains a private practice offering Japanese style acupuncture and shiatsu in Gresham, OR.

Mae Costello has been with IEP since 2006.Mae graduated from Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. Mae specializes in the treatment of pain syndromes, insomnia and anxiety. She also maintains a private acupuncture practice in Portland at the Vital Health and Wellness.

Allen Downs, L.Ac., Acupuncture Director

Al has been with IEP since its founding in 1992 and is currently director of the acupuncture program. Al received his Master's in acupuncture and oriental medicine from OCOM in 1990 and has done extensive post-graduate study in China (1991 and 1997) and Seattle (Bastyr University, mid 90s). He specializes in treating patients with immune disorders, allergies and acute and chronic pain. Al has a private practice in SE Portland. Please visit hawthornewellness.com for more information.

Camille Hofvendahl, L.Ac.

Camille has been a licensed acupuncturist for over 17 years and has been with IEP since 1993. Camille specializes in the treatment of chemical dependency, multiple sclerosis, immune deficiency, diabetes and pain management. For over 15 years she has practiced acupuncture for the Portland Addictions Acupuncture Clinic (PAAC). Camille also has a private practice in Portland.

Tom graduated from the Auckland College of Acupuncture in 1991, the first full-time traditional acupuncture program approved by the New Zealand Register of Acupuncturists. He also has a Master’s Degree in Sociology. In 1994 he moved to Portland and is licensed by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners and certified with the National Committee for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. With over 16 years in practice Tom has considerable experience with complementary cancer care, MS, hepatitis C, HIV as well as with a focused, anatomically precise approach to acute and chronic pain. He has been with the Immune Enhancement Project since 1994. He also maintains practices at two local integrative medicine clinics and is interested in the integration of acupuncture into modern medicine. (see integrativeprimarycare.com)

Michael McCarron, L.Ac.

Michael has been with IEP since its inception in October of 1992. He graduated from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in 1993. Michael is certified in Chinese herbology and acupuncture by the NCAA and has extensive experience with the treatment of chronic pain and cancer. Michael is also a part-time teacher at OCOM and a supervisor in the student clinic. He maintains a private practice in Northeast Portland.

Usha graduated from O.C.O.M. in 1996 and has been practicing Chinese medicine for 8 years. In addition to her work at IEP, she provides acupuncture for Kaiser-Permanente Continuing Care services and maintains a private practice in Portland.

Sabine Pater, L.Ac.,

Sabine received her Master's Degree in Oriental Medicine from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine, which is a 4-year curriculum in acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. Prior to that she received her degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University and worked as an acupuncture assistant for 3 years. She has been to China on several occasions to treat and observe patients at a hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and to practice Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Sabine also maintains a private practice here in Portland.

Edie Vickers, N.D., L.Ac.

Edie Vickers is one of the Northwest's most respected naturopathic doctors. She is graduate of the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (class of '86) and received her naturopathic degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (class of '87) also in Portland, OR. With over 15 years of practice, Dr. Vickers specializes in treatment of women's disorders, immune disorders and treatment of multiple sclerosis with scalp acupuncture.

Susan Wilmoth, L.Ac.

Susan received her Master's degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and has recently attended advanced training in "Acupuncture for Cancer Patients" at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. She has worked at IEP since 2007, maintains a private practice on East Burnside in Portland (seedsofhealth.us), and is also an acupuncturist for the Oregon Ballet Theater (OBT). Susan is committed to providing skilled and compassionate care with a gentle touch.

Monica Zimmerman, L.Ac.

Monica has been a Shiatsu therapist with IEP since 2005. She is a 2004 graduate of The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, earning a Master's Degree in Oriental Medicine.

Inspired by a lifelong love of the natural world and practicing yoga for over 16 years, Monica’s gentle approach allows clients to connect to their physical and energetic bodies, encouraging healing. Monica maintains a private practice using Acupuncture, Shiatsu and Chinese herbs in S.E. Portland.

Dennis Boyles, L.Ac.

Adrianne Cadbury, L.M.T.

Iris received her education in massage therapy at the East West College in Portland, OR in 2000. Since then, she has been working as a licensed massage therapist in several settings, including a cruise ship, a chiropractic office, and a wellness center. Iris received training in several techniques including Swedish relaxation, deep tissue massage, and Shiatsu. In 2004, she began her schooling in Chinese Medicine at OCOM in Portland, OR, where she completed a three year graduate program. At OCOM, she received training in Chinese and Japanese acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Shiatsu and Qi Gong. She has been working at IEP as a Zen Shiatsu therapist since 2005.

Sande Mullany, L.M.T.

Sande began her Shiatsu education in New York City in 1987 at The Ohashi Institute. She was a Shiatsu instructor at East West College of Healing Arts from 1992-99 and from 1995-2006 she was an instructor at OCOM as well. She has been with IEP since 1995. Sande has continued her Shiatsu training with international teachers Pauline Sasakie, Cliff Andrews and Carola Bereserd-Ford. She has also trained with the Shiatsu School of the U.K attending their two year post-graduate program 2005-2006. Sande maintains a private practice here in Portland. Please visit zenshiatsuportland.com for more info.

Xavier Preciado, L.M.T.

Xavier has been practicing Shiatsu since 1988. He was a 1991 graduate of the Desert Institute of Healing Arts in Tucson, AZ, and a 1994 graduate of the East-West College of Healing Arts. Xavier is a Shiatsu instructor at OCOM and has been with IEP since its inception in 1992. He also maintains a private practice in Northwest Portland.

Tina Rae, L.M.T., Shiatsu Director

Tina has been with IEP since 1996. She received her license from East West College of Healing Arts in 1995. Tina has continued her Shiatsu training with international teachers Pauline Sasakie, Cliff Andrews, and Carola Bereserd-Ford. She has also trained with the Shiatsu School of the U.K attending their two year post-graduate program 2005-2006. Tina maintains a private practice here in Portland. Please visit zenshiatsuportland.com for more info.

Monica Zimmerman, L.Ac.

Monica has been a Shiatsu therapist with IEP since 2005. She is a 2004 graduate of The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, earning a Master's Degree in Oriental Medicine.