Our practitioners:
A passionate group of highly educated, NCCAOM board certified, licensed acupuncturists.
Dr. Jill Kleiber
Jill Kleiber earned her Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSOM) through a rigorous four-year, post-graduate program at AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin, where students study and intern with world-class Chinese doctors. This training encompassed: nutrition, meditation (qi gong), herbology, and acupuncture. Dr. Kleiber completed her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine through Pacific College of Health and Science in San Diego.
Focusing on musculoskeletal disorders early in her career, Jill became a nationally certified practitioner of Tuina (Chinese massage) as well as a registered massage therapist in 2003. She assisted Tuina classes at AOMA with Dr. Yongxin Fan and worked in pain management at a clinic that integrated massage, acupuncture, internal medicine, and chiropractic care.
After becoming a Licensed Acupuncturist in 2006, Jill interned, then practiced at Light Family Acupuncture in Austin, specializing in women’s health, especially fertility, IVF, pregnancy, and menopause.
Working at West Hartford Acupuncture since 2010, she has helped bring health, pain relief and fertility to thousands of patients in the community.
James Fitzpatrick, L.Ac.
Jim Fitzpatrick is a board certified Licensed Acupuncturist and practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine since 2002. Jim was Clinic Director at the University of Bridgeport from 2005-2015. Since 2015, Jim has been a clinical practitioner with MDs, NDs, PhDs and other Healthcare professionals.
Jim is consistently self-engaged in expanding his skills and knowledge to advance his application of the most effective acupuncture and Chinese Medicine techniques and protocols to help his patients regain and maintain their health and well-being.
He considers acupuncture to be a combination of art and science, one technique within the larger philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He engages in the ‘TCM’ philosophy that acupunctur used with herbal, dietary, meditation and lifestyle practices can be incredibly beneficial.
Jim is dedicated to being a passionate, creative and effective practitioner, bringing enthusiasm to work at West Hartford associates.
Dr. Samantha Prashad
Dr. Samantha Prashad is a board certified Licensed Acupuncturist who completed her Bachelor’s degree at Cornell University. As a premedical student she realized that the Western Medical model did not always get to the root cause of disease. She then decided to pursue a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at The American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. She loves to use five element analysis to hone in on energetic, psycho-emotional and physiological imbalances in the body. She uses gentle needling techniques that are even tame enough for infants.
Dr. Prashad combines Traditional Chinese Medicine with functional medicine to deliver individualized treatments. She helps to assess underlying nervous system stressors on a deep energetic level. She practices a variety of functional medicine techniques as well as acupuncture and herbalism to rebalance the body.
In between her busy schedule she enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxed beach days and of course exploring the latest fashion trends. She is compassionate and loves helping patients in as many ways as she can. She enjoys working on complex cases like Lyme Disease, Fertility Complications, ADHD, Cancer, and Autoimmune conditions.
Robert Robles, L.Ac.
Bob Robles (he/him/his) is board-certified as a Diplomate of Acupuncture by the NCCAOM and a licensed acupuncturist. He has been practicing the art and science of acupuncture in both private and community clinics in central Connecticut since graduating from the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) in 2000 with a concentration in Japanese meridian therapy style acupuncture.
His preferred treatment method is applying the principles of Tung Ching-Chang's pre-classical acupuncture lineage to modern complaints of pain (musculoskeletal, nerve, gynecological/pelvic, etc.) management and digestive disorders. In this method, almost all needling is applied to arms (and hands) and legs (and feet).
His special interest is in treating patients who have complex, chronic conditions and those who have not been satisfactorily treated with other interventions.
Tam Nguyen, L.Ac.
Tam is a board-certified, licensed acupuncturist with a passion for guiding people towards holistic well-being through natural medicine.
Tam was a pre-med student and later an EMT, He witnessed the limitations of conventional medicine firsthand, sparking his curiosity about Eastern medicine, ultimately leading him to the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA), where he earned his Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAOM), specializing in pain management and mental health.
Combining his Western background with the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine allows him to offer a unique perspective on healthcare. Tam understands the body's complex systems and believes in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.
In his treatment protocols, he creates personalized treatment plans that address specific needs, be it pain, anxiety, stress, or other concerns.
His passions include helping individuals rediscover their inner balance and achieve optimal health, providing a compassionate and supportive space for healing and growth, and bridging the gap between Eastern and Western medicine for comprehensive care.
Dr. Vicky Guo
Jiaqi Guo (Vicky) is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist. She graduated with her Doctor's Degree in Acupuncture and Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA). She is also a nationally certified Diplomate of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Her passion is helping people find relief from pain and improve their overall well-being through the ancient practice of acupuncture. Her primary interest lies in treating conditions that have both physical and emotional impacts, including acute/chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and women's health.
Sherif Farouk , L.Ac
Sherif earned his master’s in acupuncture form University of Bridgeport’s Acupuncture Institute. He is licensed in Connecticut and is a nationally board certified diplomate in Acupuncture through the NCCAOM . Sherif’s interest in East Asian medicine was piqued when he traveled to Japan and was treated by a master teacher and medical doctor, Dr. Mukaino. Dr. Mukaino’s techniques started Sherif on his journey.
Previously Sherif earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in Alexandria Egypt and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from University of New Haven. His background with his acupuncture education has fused to create an interest in body mechanics. He utilizes tuina, cupping, moxibustion and traditional Chinese style acupuncture. Having had a lifetime commitment to helping others, Sherif is excited to partner with his patient’s in their health care journey
Boshi, RIP (Office Pup)
The heart of our tribe, Boshi passed in 2024 due told old age and a heart that was too big for his little body. He was available for “therapeutic” belly rubs. and prone to napping in treatment rooms or at the front desk. Although he acted aloof, he knew he was the boss. Boshi made West Hartford Acupuncture a joyful place to be and will be remembered and missed by those who met him. RIP Boshi, Happy Trails.