Meet Our Practitioners

Andrew Nugent-Head

Andrew Nugent-Head arrived in Taiwan in 1986 to study Chinese Medicine, martial arts and internal cultivation. He formally began studying Chinese medicine in 1989, founding the Association for Traditional Studies (ATS) to preserve China’s traditional knowledge. Andrew is a renowned Chinese medical practitioner, educator and martial artist, currently completing his medical doctorate in Zhejiang China.  Andrew teaches at the Beijing University of Chinese medicine, and travels to London, New York, Germany and Switzerland teaching and consulting on difficult cases.  Returning to the United States in 2014 to open The Alternative Clinic, Andrew looks forward to spending more time in Asheville in 2016.

JulieAnn Nugent-Head MD (China)

JulieAnn completed her masters degree in Oriental medicine and opened a private practice in Boulder Colorado. Feeling that her USA based training was not sufficient to treat the seriously ill, JulieAnn spent the summers of 2004 and 2005 in internships at Kuan Jie hospital in Beijing. These internships only further emphasized the necessity for dedicated & long term medical residency.  JulieAnn moved to China full time in 2006 to learn Chinese and study under two of Beijing’s most famous practitioners Dr Li Hongxiang (1924- ) and Dr Chen Tongyun (1922 -).  During the next 8 years while working with these great teachers, JulieAnn provided medical care to the migrant workers and expat population of Beijing.

Escaping the pollution of Beijing after the birth of her third child, JulieAnn & Andrew relocated to the rural tea mountains of Hangzhou, living amongst the simple farmers of the Dragon Well tea village. While in Hangzhou, JulieAnn completed her doctorate level medical degree in Chinese Medicine at the Zhejiang University of Chinese Medicine.

JulieAnn’s emphasis on the classical perspective of Chinese herb use has resulted in three published articles in the Journal of Chinese medicine. She teaches a 60 hour online herbal program to reframe the modern application of Chinese herbs. JulieAnn lectures internationally and treats patients locally in Asheville, NC.

David Trevino LAc

David is a native Spanish speaker, born and raised in Mexico City. With 16 years of clinical practice and 9 years teaching students, David’s extensive experience also includes working with Houston’s Brain Injury Rehab Center, Harvard’s Mind Body Medical Institute’s Cardiac Rehab program, and Anderson’s Cancer Center’s Integrative Medicine program.

After implementing the tangible treatment strategies learned from Andrew Nugent-Head over the last six years, David experienced a number of his patients showing dramatic improvements. He is delighted to be working at the Alternative Clinic providing authentic and tangible Chinese medicine alongside Andrew and JulieAnn

 Gabby Hardin LMBT NC 15533

Gabrielle Hardin worked for several years with her husband in Southeast Asia through NGO projects focused in the fields of Education, Human Trafficking, and Empowerment of Women. Gabby’s life changing experience with the Northern Hilltribe women in Thailand awoke a deep passion to join the fight for quality medical care for all women.

Gabby’s life long path to become a healer was aided by becoming a Massage Therapist, and working at the Alternative Clinic. In addition to her training in therapeutic bodywork, Gabby has completed Doula training through DONA International. Gabby provides professional labor support for mothers who are expecting, working locally in Asheville and volunteering around the world in programs such as the Karatu District Clinic in Tanzania Africa. Bodywork and Birthwork is at the heart of Gabby’s practice, she aims to support women and be in service to the miracle of childbirth.

Liz Cross LMBT 10694

Liz’s focus on therapeutic bodywork began more than 15 years ago with a year long residential program. Practicing bodywork-therapy ever since, Liz’s experience working with semi- pro and professional athletes in Colorado, and guiding other therapists as a bodywork teacher created a high level of skill and confidence in her treatments. Since moving to Asheville in 2011, Liz has practiced holistic medicine at a mental health center while earning her Masters degree in Chinese Medicine. Liz is thrilled to be given the opportunity to do massage at The Alternative Clinic and study under Andrew and JulieAnn.

Maria Delahoz LMBT #17890

Maria was born and raised in Colombia, South America. After moving to New York City, Maria explored holistic approaches to healing, and found her passion in therapeutic massage. With the desire to offer others the same healing services that made a difference in her own life, Maria studied neuromuscular massage therapy. The knowledge she has gained from those studies, and many years of working with chiropractors who specialize in rehabilitation therapy,  Maria is confident in her skills and techniques. Maria is always eager to learn the diverse approaches to holistic medicine and is excited to be a part of The Alternative Clinic.