Faculty

The faculty members at the American Institute of Alternative Medicine are well-educated, experienced, and creative teachers. Each teacher of the hands-on classes is a successful practitioner of what he/she teaches. Faculty have TV-VCR, computers, overhead projector and slide projectors, life size skeletons as well as the Anatomiken System (a 29” skeleton), ear, eye and upper abdomen models and numerous videos and books available for instructional use. All faculty are available for assistance by appointment or by e-mail at their aiam.edu accounts (initial of their first name, lastname@aiam.edu; i.e. cdoss@aiam.edu) Collectively, the faculty has over 40 years of massage practice experience and over 35 years of acupuncture experience. The instructors join together in a spirit of cooperation, sharing their knowledge and experience and creating an open atmosphere for learning.

Emily Arnold, BA, LMT, graduated with honors from Massage Away Inc, School of Therapy and has a BA from The Ohio State University. In addition to teaching massage therapy theory and techniques, and instructing clinic at AIAM, she maintains her own private practice. She has over eight years of massage experience incorporating La Stone Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, postural assessment, and day spa treatments.

Nancy Belay, RN, LMT, is an honors graduate from Massage Away, Inc. School of Therapy. Since graduation she has maintained her affiliation with the school. She is in private practice with Well Beings Wellness Group where she uses aromatherapy and Reiki in her practice. She has worked 27 years as a hospital RN and has a wide range of medical experience she shares with students in the Student Clinic.

Hong Chen, MS, LAc, received her Master of Science in Texas A&M University in the US. She received a Master of Medicine from Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1996, She earned her Bachelor of Medicine in Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in 1990. She has worked as a physician in the Department of Internal Medicine at Guanganmen Hospital in Beijing, China. In her more than eight years of practicing TCM especially acupuncture and herbology, she specializes in pain management; internal conditions; gynecology diseases; and insomnia, anxiety. She is an Ohio licensed acupuncturist and has national certification (NCCAOM) in both acupuncture and herbology.

Laurie Cole, PT, LMT, has worked as a Physical Therapist in the outpatient orthopedic, acute care, and rehab settings since 1994. Laurie currently teaches Anatomy & Physiology at AIAM. Laurie also remains active as a massage therapist.

Jayne Culloo, , B.S. ,L.P.N., L.M.T., holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Dayton. She is a Licensed Practical Nurse, a Licensed Massage Therapist, and has earned her National Certification in Massage Therapy (NCBTMB). In addition, Jayne has had training in Craniosacral Therapy, Sports Massage, and NMT. Jayne has over 20 years of teaching experience with the last 7 years at massage schools in both Ohio and Texas. While in private practice as a massage therapist, her clients included dancers from Ballet Met, Columbus Symphony musicians, and various professional touring performers in both the theatre and the arts. At AIAM, Jayne teaches courses in Anatomy & Physiology, Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Pathology, Anatomical Kinesiology, and Student Clinic practicum classes.

Mary Dineen, BMS, BS, LAc and LMT, has been a faculty member since 1996. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University in Family Life Education and a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine. She has national certification (NCCAOM) in both acupuncture and herbology. Currently she is the clinical instructor for the Chinese Massage Therapy Program as well as classroom instructor for Acupuncture, Chinese Massage Therapy, and Western Science courses. Mary has a private practice in the NW Columbus area.

Zui Fang, MD, earned his Masters in Medicine in China. He received his Bachelor of Medicine in Jiangxi College of TCM in 1986, and received his Master of Medicine at the China Academy of TCM in 1991. He taught, conducted medical research, and practiced clinically as a chief-physician and an associate professor in Zhuhai Hospital of TCM affiliated with Guangzhou University of TCM. He supervised many international students from Sydney Institute of TCM, Australia, and numerous students from Hong Kong, Macao, and other parts of China. Zui Fang has published many articles on TCM and received a number of scientific medical research awards. He is a member of the Second Health Preservation and Rehabilitation Committee of the China Association of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine.

Joseph Galusick, MD, MPH. Dr. Galusick spent the first half of his adult life traveling throughout West Africa, the islands of the Scottish North Sea, and places in between, where he earned an appreciation for indigenous traditions and practices. He then pursued a more traditional education. He earned an AAS in Medical Laboratory Technology from Columbus Technical Institute, BA in Biology from the Ohio State University, Doctor of Medicine from Wright State University, and Master of Public Health from Cleveland State University. Since 1992, he has taught anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology and related subjects to health professionals in training at Columbus State Community College, Otterbein College and Capital University.

Monique Gibson, BA, LMT has a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University in Social Sciences with a major in Communication. She graduated with honors from the American Institute of Alternative Medicine as Valedictorian of her class. Monique started her own massage practice Touch of Wellness in 2003 and also provides massage therapy at Grant Health and Fitness Center in Columbus. Monique has over 15 years of sales and marketing experience, which provide an excellent background for the Professional Practice and Business courses she teaches at AIAM.

Sheri Gunn, BS, LMT, has a BS in Business Management from Franklin University. She is a graduate of Massage Away, Inc. School of Therapy. She believes in continuing education, and has advanced training in St. John Neuromuscular massage, Trigger Point, and Foot massage. Sheri enjoys teaching beginning massage techniques and massage theory courses at AIAM. In addition to teaching, Sheri owns a successful massage practice near Grandview, Ohio.

Laurie (Lou) Peters, BS, LMT, CNMT, has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. She graduated from Massage Away, Inc. School of Therapy with the first class in 1995. Lou received her license to practice from the State Medical Board of Ohio and is a Certified Neuromuscular Therapist. She has her own massage clinic in Clintonville and also works at the Jewish Center in Bexley. Lou has been an instructor at the school since 1995. She teaches Neuromuscular Therapy Plus, Swedish Massage Techniques, and Introduction to Massage. She has additional training in John Barnes Myofascial Release Techniques, Sports Massage, and studied Tui Na at the university of Chengdu, China. Lou loves learning new techniques and her intention is to instill that joy to the students in her classes.

Stephanie Schleappi, LMT is a 1997 honors graduate from Massage Away, Inc. School of Therapy. She is also certified in trigger point therapy. In addition, she works as a massage therapist with the Ohio State University Faculty/Staff Wellness Program and in a chiropractic office. Stephanie teaches Massage Therapy Techniques and Introduction to Massage Therapy at AIAM.

Teacher-Student Ratio
Lecture class sizes vary and are conducted by one teacher. Massage Therapy entry-level labs and hands-on classes have a teacher-to-student ratio of at least 1 to 14.