Donna and Joel

Practitioner Biographies

Donna:

Donna H. Kater, L.Ac. is an accomplished practitioner of Chinese Medicine.

Education/Background: Her four-year course of study at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine provided her with a comprehensive medical education that encompassed Western as well as Eastern medicine, including Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Orthopedic and Neurological Evaluation, Pharmacology, Western Nutrition, Eastern Nutrition, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong.

She studied Chinese Herbs for nine full semesters, including drug/herb interactions. She mastered ten courses in medical theory and complementary medicine, which is the integration and application of Chinese medicine with Western medicine.

Donna has completed over 1000 hours of training in the acupuncture clinic at the Pacific Clinic. She also served the following residencies:

• Childrens Hospital, San Diego

• San Diego Hospice

• Chengdu University Teaching Hospital, China, studying ancient as well as current treatment methods.

In addition to her Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine, she has Master’s degrees in Psychology and Counseling, and she was a counselor for over 15 years. She draws on her extensive background to provide each person with unique and complete treatment solutions.

Treatment: Donna prescribes many forms of treatment, including acupuncture, nutrition, counseling, Chinese herbs, therapeutic massage, energetic exercises, and lifestyle modification.

Why to choose Donna as your Practitioner: Her broad education, diverse life experience, and strong counseling background enable her to provide you with comprehensive support in reaching your health goals.

Joel:

Joel V. Gabriel, L.Ac. incorporates the full scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in his practice. This includes: Acupuncture (Chinese, Balance Method and Meridian Acupuncture techniques), Gua sha, Cupping, Herbology, Nutritional counseling, Therapeutic bodywork, Exercise, and Meditation.

Joel is a graduate of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego (PCOM), where he received a Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine. PCOM’s rigorous four year program incorporates the best of Eastern and Western medicines. PCOM’s demanding Western coursework includes: Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Orthopedic and Neurological assessments, in addition to the numerous Traditional Chinese Medicine classes.   Joel also attended the Chengdu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital College, in Chengdu, Sichuan, China.  There he had coursework in herbal medicine, tuina and participated in the acupuncture rounds at the hospital.

Joel also holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning and Asian Studies, with a minor in Chinese from University of California, San Diego (UCSD). In addition to his private practice, Joel volunteers his acupuncture and massage services at the annual event Stand Down, where homeless military veterans can come to receive hot meals, receive medical and dental care, and enjoy a feeling of safety and well-being.

Joel’s experience includes treatment of the following:

• pain management (musculoskeletal, chronic and acute pains, headaches and migraines)
• asthma and other respiratory disorders
• fatigue
• insomnia
• digestive disorders
• inflammatory disorders of joints and muscles
• stress and anxiety
• wellness /preventative care and strategies
• low back and shoulder pain

Chinese medicine’s focus on addressing the root causes of imbalance, and not simply treating symptoms fits well with Joel’s own philosophy.

Geno:

Geno Diveley L.Ac., is a graduate of Dongguk University Los Angeles (DULA).  He holds a Masters of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine.  The acupuncture program at DULA, is a 4-year program that specializes in the treatment of disease with: Acupuncture, Tui Na, Chinese herbs, and nutritional counseling.

Geno’s passion for the health field continues to be a life long pursuit.  He is an avid martial artist, starting from age 4, and continues to the present.  He has studied many forms of martial arts, but to balance this out, his mother suggested he take some healing courses.  So in 1981 he enrolled at Mueller College of Massage to study Shiatsu.  He has never quit learning and continues to develop and learn new forms of massage and movement therapies: dance, yoga, qi gong and martial arts.  He incorporates these teachings together with his acupuncture treatments.

In his practice, Geno utilizes a unique blend of therapies with the intention of leading patients along their own journey of empowerment, growth, self-care and healing.  In Geno’s practice, he incorporates his vast 30 years of experience to help his patients achieve their goals. Geno is still constantly amazed with acupuncture and all its benefits.