I was going to be a dentist. It would have been easier, a predictable income, everyone at least knows exactly what a dentist does. Luckily, I had an amazing anatomy professor who one day said, “Robyn, you seem pretty passionate about the body, I think you should look bigger than the mouth.” Thank goodness for that man’s advice, acupuncture is way more fun than a root canal!
After graduating from Bastyr in 2009 and having all plans suddenly change, I thought working on a cruise ship sounded like a great idea; the grown-up version of running away to join the circus. There has been much travel in my life and ships allowed for more of it while also having the possibility of making those pesky student loan payments.
As a child I found the idea of acupuncture to be terrifying. I am likely the most needle-phobic acupuncturist there is. I’ve gotten better, but I’m sensitive and hope that it has helped me to be a good practitioner for those at end of life. Sometimes a gentle touch is needed even more than finding da qi. In February I’ll have been with Whatcom hospice in Bellingham, WA for seven years. The plan is to stay there while continuing to advocate for acupuncturists in more hospices as well as in cancer centers, palliative care settings, and in hospitals
What I love most about acupuncture and TCM is that I will always have more to learn, it’s impossible to get bored. Each time I take a class or learn a new way to treat a pathology, I get a little spark of excitement. What an incredible medicine.