Meet Our New Acupuncturist – Keri Ondrus

I had trouble finding work I could be passionate about. I grew up in the country in Defiance, Ohio. My parents were social studies teachers/coaches, and we had acres of trails and creeks right in our backyard. My interest in history and nature, along with my love of reading, helped me learn about the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world, and how important that was, but I didn’t know how to incorporate it into a career.

After studying English literature and Spanish language and culture here in Ohio, I went to teach English in Costa Rica, with the duel intentions of sharpening my Spanish-speaking skills and finding out what I truly wanted for my life’s work. There I learned to meditate, began a yoga practice, and ultimately met local healers who inspired me to go to school to become an acupuncturist and herbalist.

After graduating from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, I practiced for three years at Source Healing in Chicago under founding director Christie Hwang Jordan. In Chicago I also spent time working in a variety of community acupuncture settings, from a women’s clinic, to a mainly Spanish-speaking clinic, to setting up healing events to support and educate those involved in community organizing.

I’m so happy to be here at Urban Acupuncture. Community acupuncture and holistic ideology in general give me hope and comfort in the present and for the future.