Plum Blossom Acupuncture Clinic

Julie Barsam-Cummings, D.Ac., Lic. Ac., M.A.O.M., M.A.,Dipl. Ac., Dipl. CH.
Founder and Owner

Julie Barsam-Cummings received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Tufts University and her Masters in Oriental Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture, the nation's oldest college of Oriental Medicine. She is Board Certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and licensed by the Board of Registration in Medicine as a Licensed Acupuncturist (MA) and a Doctor of Acupuncture (RI). Julie has also completed advanced herbal training with Master Herbalist Dr. Tao Xie of the Aids Care Project and Pathways to Complementary Medicine, treating severe and chronic conditions. She has also completed advanced studies in nutrition, fertility and pediatrics. Specializing in Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Chinese Medical Nutrition, she is able to draw upon numerous disciplines to assist clients with their health goals.


Mark Whalen, M.A.O.M., Lic.Ac., Dipl.Ac., Dipl CH
Clinic Manager

Mark earned his Bachelor's degree from Bentley College in Waltham, MA and graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture in Watertown, MA with a Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He is Board-Certified and licensed to practice acupuncture in Massachusetts by the Board of Medicine Committee on Acupuncture. He is also a nationally Board-Certified Medical Herbalist who earned a Diplomat in Chinese Herbal Medicine from the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. His training focused on Chinese style acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, with a focus on women's health and fertility as well as digestive disorders and pain management. After graduation, he completed a year long internship with the renowned Master Herbalist Dr. Tao Xie at the Pathways to Wellness Clinic in Boston, MA.


Melissa Wintturi, Lic. Ac., M.S.T.O.M, Dipl. Ac.
Melissa Wintturi is a graduate of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, CA where she received a Master's Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine. While at Pacific College, Melissa worked with athletes at a sports medicine clinic at the University of California, San Diego allowing her to specialize in pain management. She had the opportunity to study abroad at the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chengdu, China, where she learned advanced treatment techniques for severe and chronic conditions as well as women's health. Melissa received her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she received a Bachelor's of Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Melissa is licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.


Margaret Sommeling, Lic. Ac., MAOM
Prior to joining Plum Blossom Clinic, Marge Sommeling ran a successful private practice in Northhampton, MA serving patients in the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas for over six years. She is a graduate of the New England School of Acupuncture and has more than 2500 hours of classical training in Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture. Before founding her own practice Marge apprenticed with well-known Chinese Herbalist Dr. Tao Xie at Pathways to Wellness in Boston, MA. Marge is licensed in the state of Massachusetts and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. A former gymnast, Marge has an extensive understanding of human anatomy and physiology and believes the combination of nutrition, exercise, herbs and acupuncture is a classic formula for optimal health.


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