Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy

Faculty and Staff

Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy’s (NAH) nationally-known instructors have extensive clinical experience which validates and promotes the use of classical homeopathy in today's health care environment. The diverse backgrounds and styles of the faculty provide a progressive and well-rounded learning environment. This is evident in both classroom and clinical settings. In the classroom, instructors provide students with a deep understanding of homeopathic philosophy and remedies by sharing professional knowledge and experiences. This information is then reiterated and expanded upon in the student clinic setting. Throughout the program, one-on-one feedback and guidance are invaluable resources to students.

Valerie Ohanian, RS Hom(NA), CC Hom, Dean, is a full-time homeopathic practitioner in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ohanian attended the Hahnemann College of Homeopathy, where she later became an associate faculty member. Ohanian has an AB in Journalism from Humboldt StateUniversity. She is co-founder of Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy and the past chairwoman of the International Council of Classical Homeopathy. Co-founder of NASH, Ohanian served as Vice President for five years. She was also a key founder and officer in the Minnesota Homeopathic Association.

Laurie Dack, RS Hom(NA), Instructor , is a full-time homeopathic practitioner in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dack brings a wide-ranging cultural wisdom to her practice of homeopathy. She has traveled extensively and studied homeopathy in India, Greece, England and Switzerland. In addition to being a Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy instructor, Dack is also a faculty member at the Vancouver Homeopathic Academy and has published numerous case studies.

Karen Lawson, MD,Instructor , is active teaching faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School and through University ofMinnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing. She completed her medical training at University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is Board certified in both Family Medicine and Holistic Medicine. Dr. Lawson is the past-president for the American Holistic Medical Association, and has lectured and taught nationally. She is a previous student of Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy.

Debra Sax Annes, CCH, RS Hom (NA), Instructor , is a full-time homeopathic practitioner in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a graduate of Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy, holds a degree in psychology and education from Northeastern Illinois University-Chicago, and has completed the masters clinical program at the Luminos School for Homeopathy in Vancouver, British Columbia. Annes is also adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing.

David A. Johnson, Certified Physicians Assistant, CCH, RS Hom (NA), Instructor , is a full-time homeopathic practitioner in Madison and Pewaukee,Wisconsin. He is a graduate of Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy and the International Foundation for Homeopathy. In addition, Johnson has taught clinical medicine at the University of Wisconsin and Ausburg College Physician Assistant programs.

Michael Quinn, R.Ph., Instructor , is president and Chief Pharmacist at the Hahnemann Laboratories, Inc. in San Rafael, California. He has a BA in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BS in Pharmacy from Oregon State University. In addition to being a Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy instructor, Quinn has taught at the University of California School of Pharmacy and the Hahnemann College of Homeopathy.

Paula Jelinek, RN, BA, Program Director , is a full-time homeopathic practitioner in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota. She holds a BA in Health and Human Services from Metropolitan State University, received her RN from Inver Hills-Lakewood Nursing Program, and she is a graduate of the Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy. Jelinek was the Program Manager at the University of Minnesota- Fairview Chronic Pain and Palliative Care Center where she was a three-time recipient of Fairview’s Exceptional Contribution Award. She is also adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Health.

Jason-Aeric Huenecke, Administrative Director , is a full-time homeopathic practitioner in Stillwater, Minnesota. He is a graduate of Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy, holds a BA in Anthropology, Holistic Health Studies and Psychology from Metropolitan State University, holds a certificate in Holistic Health Studies from the College of Saint Catherine, and holds a certificate in Homeopathy from the Dynamis School of Homeopathy. Huenecke also serves as Master Prover for the Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy.

Tami Herndon, CCH, RS Hom (NA), Marketing & Admissions Director , is a full-time homeopathic practitioner in Little Rock, Arkansas and San Antonio, Texas. She is a graduate of Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy and holds a BS in Finance from Louisiana State University. Herndon is vice president of the Texas Society of Homeopaths.

Marcia Brown, Clinic Coordinator

Eric Sommermann, PhD, RS Hom(NA), In Memoriam, received an MSc and PhD in Biochemistry from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Sommermann was engaged in biomedical cancer research at the time when he discovered homeopathy in 1983. Subsequently, he attended the Hahnemann College of Homeopathy. Sommermann’s scientific background has enabled him to create and offer a balanced curriculum which integrates the natural and human sciences with a holistic, homeopathic viewpoint. In founding the Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy, Sommermann put into place training standards which exceed those set by the International Council on Classical Homeopathy (ICCH). His focus, as Dean, was to develop curriculum and teaching styles which encourage students to cultivate their own talents. This ongoing focus has as its goal the transformation of students into competent and successful practitioners of classical homeopathy.

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