SHAWN KISSICK, L Ac, DOM, DQM, FOUNDER
With a passion for helping others, Shawn Kissick founded Free Spirit Acupuncture and Wellness clinic in the town of Beaver, PA in 2007. The clinic treats over 1,000 patients annually while serving Beaver County and surrounding areas including Pittsburgh.
Shawn has 20 years of experience in traditional holistic medicine. He was the Valedictorian of his accredited Master Level Acupuncture Program at the American Institute of Alternative Medicine in Columbus, Ohio. In the fall of 2007, he spent six (6) weeks in Beijing, China, honing his knowledge and skills through studying and practicing at two separate hospitals. Shawn also received a Doctorate in Qi Gong on March 18, 2012 after completing a 2000-hour training.
Shawn is nationally board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and licensed by the State of Pennsylvania.
Ken Sowinski L.Om
Licensed Oriental Medicine Practitioner
Ken’s interest in acupuncture and Chinese medicine started many years ago from his studies in the martial arts. While attending Penn State University for his bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, he was a student of Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu. After graduating, he worked in various research laboratories in the areas of neuroscience and ophthalmology while continuing to deepen his studies of Chinese Kung Fu and Japanese Aikido.
Ken graduated from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, Oregon in 2009 with a Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. While attending Oriental Medicine school, he focused mainly on the treatment of Orthopedic injuries and chronic pain management with the use of acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and Tuina manual therapy. He was also trained in the safe use of Chinese herbal medicines, Chinese internal medicine, Chinese and Western clinical diagnosis, as well as the practice of Tai Chi and Qi Gong.
Ken has been practicing Chinese medicine for over 10 years and has had the privilege of being an acupuncturist for players of the Pittsburgh Steelers for three seasons, as well as running his own private practices in Pennsylvania and Utah.Ken also continues his study of the martial arts and learning more about Chinese medicine to better help his current and future patients.
Cuiling zhangPh.D, L.Ac, L.OM
Dr. Cuiling Zhang (or Dr. Z), Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac), Licensed Oriental Medicine Practitioner (L.OM), practices acupuncture and herbal medicine in Pennsylvania. Dr. Z was a Medical Doctor or referred to as an Oriental Medical Doctor (OMD) in China.
Dr. Z received her Bachelor’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China in 1990, and later received her Doctoral degree of Traditional Chinese Medicine from the same university, which is one of the top ranking Chinese Medicine schools in the nation. She held the position of Oriental Medicine associate chief physician at Yunlong Hospital; Director of Chinese Medicine department at Bengbu Medical College. Dr. Z came to the U.S. in 2011 and did research at University of Pittsburgh (UPMC Liver Cancer Center; Musculoskeletal Research Center in the Department of Bioengineering). Later she passed the NCCAOM exam in the U.S. and became a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac) and Licensed Oriental Medicine Practitioner (L.OM) in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Z has abundant teaching experience and clinical experience in Acupuncture; Herbal Medicine; Cupping and Moxibustion. Dr. Z not only treats patients to relieve their conditions, but also gives them advice to adopt more balanced lifestyles.
Andrea D KirkhaM
ERYT500, YACEP
Usui Reiki Master
Pranayama Teacher
Ayurvedic Health Educator
After years of attending yoga classes and having two beautiful boys, Andrea became a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) through Yoga Alliance under the direction of Donna Dyer and continued her training at Three Rivers Yoga Institute where she received her RYT500. She has found that regular practice has helped her become a better mother, wife and member of the world community and she loves to share what she has learned with others.
Andrea teaches with an eclectic mix of styles with a playful and lighthearted attitude. She has studied the Hatha tradition, with influences of Iyengar, Ashtanga, Anusara and YinYang Yoga. She founded Sangha Center in April of 2010 and has since continued her studies with master yoga teachers, The California College of Ayurveda and The Ayurvedic Institute and Yoga Medicine to further her guidance to students in the community towards increased health and vitality.
Over the years of teaching and learning, Andrea found a deep connection between physical movement and energy work. The combined modalities can contribute to deep healing and understanding.
jessica barrett, office manager
Jessica is Free Spirit’s insurance guru, and one of the smiling faces and friendly voices that greets patients in person and on the phone when they engage with Free Spirit. Jessica enjoys providing a warm welcome to patients that arrive at the clinic, and helping answer questions that patients may have about their paperwork and insurance billing to obtain a low-stress treatment plan.
Having worked in the healthcare field for most of her life, Jessica is a huge advocate of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. With her caring personality and passion for health and wellness, she truly appreciates the wellness approach to healthcare.