Lisa Gamora
Faculty, Online Faculty, Past Director
Lisa Gamora – CCH, CCHS, DFWC, SHW
Lisa began studying herbs in the Wise Woman Tradition back in 1986 and fell profoundly in love with medicinal plants and natural healing. While studying wildcrafting and medicine-making with traditional herbalists from New England to the Appalachian Mountains for ten years, she began creating herbal products and traveled the festival circuit with an herb booth and as a workshop presenter.
In 1997 Lisa decided to study botany, chemistry, and health sciences at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, and graduated with the highest honors and several awards. Lisa combines a deep understanding of traditional, Vitalist herbalism with a scientifically-integrated and holistic approach to natural health.
In addition to directing CSCH, Lisa was an Adjunct Professor of Pharmacognosy at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona, and has lectured and taught classes at numerous schools and conferences around the U.S. She is the author of Herbal Constituents, the standard textbook of phytochemistry for herbalists. For more information, see Lisa’s CV at HerbalConstituents.com.
Paul Bergner
Faculty, Online Faculty, Past Director
Paul Bergner – CHS, CN
Paul Bergner has studied and practiced natural medicine since 1973, with formal training in naturopathy, medical herbalism, clinical nutrition, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, flower essences, yoga therapy, and bodywork, including undergraduate studies in pre-medicine and psychology, and 50 semester hours of doctoral-level medical studies at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine. He has published the Medical Herbalism journal since 1989 and has written seven books on medical herbalism, nutrition, Chinese medicine, ethnobotany, and naturopathic medicine. He has also edited periodicals on clinical nutrition and naturopathic medicine.
Paul has taught clinical herbalism and clinical nutrition since 1989. He mentored more than 230 students through clinical residencies at the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies and the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism (NAIMH) in Boulder between 1996 and 2012. He is currently on the clinical faculty of the School of Traditional Western Herbalism in Portland, Oregon, and the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism in Boulder. He also has taught nutrition academically at both the undergraduate university and master’s level. He lectures on the topics of medical herbalism and clinical nutrition nationally and internationally.
Jessica Baker
Faculty
Jessica Baker
Jessica is an acupuncturist, herbalist, educator, and public speaker. Her passion for sharing the messages of the plants is reflected in her private practice and her classes on aromatherapy, herbalism, and Chinese medicine. As a continuing education provider to acupuncturists and nurses, she teaches the importance of traditional medicine to health care professionals as well as to laypeople. She teaches at several herbal symposia and acupuncture conferences throughout the U.S. You can see Jessica’s blog here.
Jamie Glaze
Nutrition Faculty
Jamie Glaze – MSW, MPH, CN
Jamie is the Nutrition Program Administrator at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. She appreciates the complexity of the human condition and utilizes her graduate level training in health behavior/education and mental health in order to provide a framework for her teaching and clinical practice. She mentors students in the development of clinical skills and approach to supporting clients’ health goals.
Jamie is a food enthusiast, gardener and cook. She grew up on a farm eating seasonally from her family’s garden, canning and preserving food for the winter, and enjoying meals made lovingly from scratch. Her passion for nutrition and nourishment led her to develop her own major in Nutritional Health at the University of Michigan where she focused on ethnobotany, economic botany, food science and kinesiology.
Jamie holds a MSW and MPH from the University of Michigan. As a graduate of CSCH’s Fundamental, Advanced, Clinical Herbalism, and Flower Essences Programs as well as Pacific Rim College’s Community Herbalist and Holistic Nutrition Programs, she has over 1750 hours of clinical training in Western Herbalism and Holistic Nutrition that compliment and inform her approach to health and vitality. She uses her diverse skillset to mentor and support students as well as in her private practice, Common Herbal, in order to bridge the gaps in healthcare by supporting clients with holistic, preventative, mind/body approaches to physical challenges, mental health, and nutrition.
Jamie is also a licensed psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience in a variety of treatment settings including school-based clinics, in-patient hospital settings, outpatient healthcare clinics, community mental health and private practice. She has provided health education, counseling and support to clients on topics ranging from anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, sexual and reproductive health, eating disorders, stress, chronic pain and addictions. Her passion for nutrition infuses her mental health practice where she specializes in the complex and dynamic intersection of mental health, the nervous system, and nutrition; better known as the mind/gut connection. She has additional certification in Nutrition for Mental Health.
Cat Pantaleo
Faculty
Cat Pantaleo
Cat teaches Botany, Respiratory A&P and Materia medica, and holds plant walks for students at CSCH. She holds a Masters degree in Ecopsychology, is a Holistic Practitioner and Wellness Educator with 23 years of professional experience assisting people to achieve optimal physical and emotional health. Masterfully weaving together her skills as an Ecotuner, Certified Herbalist, Nutritionist, Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, and practitioner of Nonviolent Communication, she offers a diverse and invaluable array of offerings designed to facilitate resilience, restoration and deep nourishment for body, mind and spirit. She believes that when humans are healthy of mind, body and spirit, connected to oneself, each other and the Earth, there is immense potential for reawakening our innate human capacity for caring and cooperation – essential for a truly sustainable future in which all life flourishes.
Liz Faermark
Online Advisor, Writer, Faculty, Online Faculty
Liz Faermark – CCH, CN
Liz started her herbalism path first through farming and foraging. Her training at CSCH provided Liz with a solid foundation, allowing her to seamlessly merge the art of herbalism with clinical care. Liz is a dedicated herbal educator, guiding aspiring herbalists in honing their skills and coaching the herb-curious.
At the core of Liz’s mission is her commitment to being an advocate and ally for individuals on their healing journeys. When Liz is not teaching at the school, she can be found at the Little Herbal Apothecary in downtown Lafayette, CO.
Liz sees clients through her private practice at Talk Wild Herbs.
Cody Smith
Lead Online Advisor, Faculty
Cody Smith
Cody is a certified clinical herbalist and spagyrist. Cody’s practice is rooted in the intelligence of nature, facilitating the alchemical process of transmutation to guide individuals toward comprehensive well-being of mind, body, and soul. His areas of expertise encompass a broad range of health conditions, including digestive disorders, nervous system management, immune support, and more. A graduate of the CSCH clinic program, Cody came onto the staff and faculty with enthusiasm and vigor, from teaching vitalism in fundamentals, to honing students vital actions and energetics skills in Advanced, and then mentoring the students in the clinic program. Cody has helped shape the online program as well as support students through their journey as a student coordinator.
By reading the language of both the body and plants, Cody orchestrates a relationship that fosters holistic health and harmony.
Through his practice, Howling Moon Botanicals, Cody integrates traditional herbal practices with spagyric alchemy, transforming disharmonious conditions into a harmonious union of vital holistic health. His expertise goes beyond conventional herbalism, encompassing a profound knowledge and skill in the ancient art of Spagyria.
Cady Jo Patterson
Fundamentals Coordinator, Flower Essence Program Manager, Faculty
Cady Jo Patterson
After earning certification from CSCH as both a Clinical Herbalist and a Bach Flower Essence Practitioner, Cady Jo has fully lept into her passion for herbalism. Inspired by her background in Massage Therapy, she creates an integrative approach to well-being where she is dedicated to supporting herbalists on their plant paths. She teaches Flower Essences to students across multiple levels, including the Fundamentals, Advanced, and Clinic programs. Her teaching integrates knowledge with practical application, encouraging students to develop a nuanced understanding of Flower Essences and their transformative potential. She mentors first year students at CSCH with grace and intelligence.
Through her personal practice, Hearthfire Herbalism, Cady Jo facilitates group coaching programs and unforgettable retreats. Her work emphasizes a Vitalist perspective through emotional and energetic tending, nervous system regulation, herbal formulation, lifestyle practices, nutrition, and somatic processing, guiding individuals toward full system support and deeper self-awareness.
Jordan Signor
Advance Program Coordinator, Online Advisor, Faculty
Jordan Signor
Ashlyn Newcomb
Admissions and Marketing Coordinator
Ashlyn Newcomb
Ashlyn supports students from their first inquiry to their day of graduation. Ashlyn is a graduate of the CSCH clinic program and has over 10 years of experience in herbalism. Ashlyn heads up our social media efforts and guides clinic students through the difficulty of marketing themselves to the community. She also enjoys grading and commenting on materia medica and herb of the week assignments for the fundamentals and advanced programs. Ashlyn’s quiet confidence, compassion and grace supports both staff and students! She holds a bachelor’s degree in Holistic Health & Healing from Naropa University, a Permaculture Design Certificate, and is a Certified Yoga Teacher. When she isn’t working at CSCH, she runs Rose & Thorn Botanicals, where she sees clients, formulates, and creates her own unique products, and teaches classes on bioregional herbalism.
Matthew Becker
Faculty, Online Faculty
Matthew Becker
Matthew was lucky enough and privileged to be the student of two great herbalists, Susun Weed and William Lesassier. They taught him not only how to effectively work with plants and herbal remedies for physical maladies but also taught him an underlying description of the world in which herbal medicine was part of a separate and poetic consciousness that embraces and enfolds all things. Matthew’s specialty and true love is materia medica (a description of the properties and uses of herbs) and helping students learn how to understand the unique attributes and personalities of each herb and how to utilize them both in clinical practice and in their daily lives. Matthew works with both western and Chinese herbs and has been a clinician and teacher for over thirty five years.
Sara Josey
Faculty, Online Faculty
Sara Josey
Sara Josey is a Clinical Herbalist & Clinical Nutritionist, she is the founder and owner of Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary located in Fort Collins, CO.
She studied Biochemistry in her undergrad and is a graduate of the the Clinical Program at CSCH in 2011 (when it went by NAIMH).
Sarah’s current clinical practice combines a blend of traditional herbalism and wisdom as well as the latest research and knowledge on herbs and nutrition. In this way she has the ability to use what has worked for centuries by traditional healers as well as the many advancements that the modern health field has to offer, creating a blend that is as adaptable and personalized as each of her clients.
Her passions lie in bringing herbal medicine back into mainstream society, teaching about herbalism, and helping people achieve their health goals naturally. She is passionate about using food as medicine and helping her clients find their body’s unique dietary patterns.
You can learn more about here through her Golden Poppy Website: https://goldenpoppyherbs.com/team_members/sarah-josey/
Lindsay Adams
Faculty, Online Faculty
Lindsay Adams
Lindsay Adams teaches in both the in-person program and online modules at CSCH.
She is a Clinical Herbalist, Nutritionist, Postpartum Caregiver & Licensed Practical Nurse. A lover of the liminal, she is fascinated with life’s transitions, big or small. Her greatest lessons have emerged from birth, death, change & grief. She is passionate about supporting people navigating pregnancy, postpartum, hormone balance, grief, the medical system, parenting & pregnancy loss/release. She prioritizes marginalized humans in her practice, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ & disabled folks. Lindsay teaches at CSCH both in person and online about uterine reproductive health, pregnancy, labor & postpartum after a decade of self-study, two years of clinical nursing work under a Certified Nurse-Midwife & her own initiation into parenthood in 2022. She loves learning, music, dreamwork, magic, communication & parenting.
Dana Hutchinson
Faculty, Online Faculty
Dana Hutchinson – M.A., R.H. (AHG)
Dana Hutchinson, MA, RH (AHG) specializes in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western Clinical Herbalism, and energetic healing at her private practice the Wildflower Clinic, in Golden, CO. She has extensive clinical training in Chinese diagnostic assessment where she interprets, observes, and analyzes the pulse, tongue, skin, and nails in each of her clients in order to determine their underlying health imbalances. Dana’s specialties include autoimmune conditions, digestive issues, infertility, and emotional trauma. Dana is a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild (AHG) and has been a featured speaker at the AHG Herbal Symposium, the Good Medicine Confluence, the International Herbal Symposium, the National MS Summit, and the National Celiac Summit among many others. Dana is an AHG registered mentor, a guest faculty member at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism, and a freelance herbal writer. You can work with Dana 1 on 1 and learn more about the clinic offerings at: www.wildflowerclinic.com.
Shane Schoolman
Faculty, Online Faculty
Shane Schoolman
Shane Schoolman, CEO, and Co-Founder of MyCOLove Farm, a vertically integrated mushroom company based in Colorado as well as a Co-Founder of MycoReach Non-Profit. Shane is a disciple of the sacred Fungal Queendom and a Myco Educator. His journey into the Fungal realm blends a deep-rooted passion for ecology with a commitment to sustainable practices. Graduating from CU Boulder with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Shane’s exploration of mycology began in 2016, igniting a fervent dedication to understanding and collaborating with our fungi allies for environmental healing. The quality of his extraction methods are representative of his approach to life and business. His mission is to Heal Through Biodiversity by Spreading Spores. Shane teaches Mycology at CSCH in person and online.
Brigitte Mars
Guest Faculty, Online Faculty
Brigitte Mars
Brigitte Mars is an herbalist and nutritional consultant of Natural Health with over fifty years of experience. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University and CSCH. She has taught at Omega Institute, Esalen, Kripalu, Sivananda Yoga Ashram, Envision, Arise Festivals, Burning Man, and even The Mayo Clinic. She is a founding and professional member of the American Herbalist Guild.
Brigitte is the author of many books and DVDs, including The Natural First Aid Handbook, Natural Remedies for Mental and Emotional Health, Dandelion Medicine, Nettle Power, The Country Almanac of Home Remedies, The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, Beauty by Nature, Addiction Free Naturally, The Sexual Herbal, Healing Herbal Teas, Rawsome! and co-author of The HempNut Cookbook. Her latest project is a phone app called IPlant and an online course
Adrian Mintzmyer
Guest Faculty, Online Faculty
Adrian Mintzmyer
Adrian Mintzmyer is a botanist and herbalist with special enthusiasm for wild plants. At CSCH, he divides his time between hands-on outdoor classes focusing on our incredibly abundant and diverse medicinal mountain herbs, and classroom lectures on human anatomy, physiology, pathology, and materia medica in the Fundamentals of Medical Herbalism program. Adrian enjoys thinking of teaching as performance art, and incorporates song, dance, and mnemonic teaching techniques into many classes to improve student retention of the material.
As a white person of German, Czechoslovakian, Scott-Irish, and English ancestry, Adrian is working to better understand and address the forces of racism, colonization, and capitalism that impact the health of our communities. As an herbalist, he believes that the deepest healing can come from building reciprocal relationships with land. He teaches botany, ethical wildcrafting, and bioregional herbalism as a way to reconnect humans with their local ecosystems.
Adrian is a Certified Clinical Herbalist and Certified Nutritionist. He’s been formally studying plants for a little more than 10 years, including a 2-year apprenticeship at the Columbine School of Botanical Studies with Howie Braunstein, Steven Jager, and Heron Brae, studies at the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism with Paul Bergner, and completing the Clinical Program at CSCH with Lisa Ganora. Adrian is grateful to all who have offered knowledge and guidance, and as always, the plants themselves have been the most valuable teachers. When Adrian isn’t at CSCH, he runs a small business called Mountain Herbalism, where he sees clients and leads workshops on the wild medicinal and edible plants of the Rocky Mountains.
Monticue Connally
Guest Faculty, Online Faculty
Monticue Connally
Monticue Connally is an Author, Afro Futurist, Herbalist, Oracle Reader, Plant Medium, and Medicine Man. Herbs, Medical Astrology, Tarot, Orishas, Sacred Objects, African Spirituality, singing and alternative healing methods have been a lifelong interest for the life-long Denver resident who currently lives on the island of Barbados.
He taught in-person classes at CSCH before leaving for Barbados this past year. He now zooms in for his classes for the students and they are so appreciative! Monticue previously served as Lead Herbalist and Youth Coordinator for Front Line Farming and taught herbalism at the Denver Botanic Gardens. He received the Preventative Care Leadership Award from the Be Well Health Initiative in 2019 for being of service to diverse black and brown communities, pushing them towards the accessible and immediate plant medicines growing around them. Deeply spiritual and sensitive to subtle energies, Monticue has found great pleasure in the art of tree talking and working with the spirits of the roots, which ground, energize, protect and bring great joy to his life.
Johnnie Heider-Kuhn
Guest Faculty, Online Faculty
Johnnie Heider-Kuhn – CCH, CN
Johnnie Heider-Kuhn is the Program Coordinator for the Advanced Herbalism Evening program at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. He teaches classes in Fundamentals and Advanced on Anatomy and Physiology, Materia Medica, Horticulture, Formulation, and Clinical Assessment. An entrepreneur, student of Kundalini yoga, artist, and urban farmer with a professional background in manufacturing and distributing herbal dietary supplements. He aims to shine light on the many professional plant paths available to the budding herbalists who continue their journey at CSCH, while celebrating each student’s unique skills.
While completing his Clinical Herbalism Certificate in 2018 at CSCH Boulder, Johnnie worked as a production associate at WishGarden Herbs, interned as a community herbalist at Herbs and Arts in Denver, and ran a 1-acre urban farming experiment with his husband in Lakewood.
Johnnie possesses a diverse skill set forged behind the scenes of three botanical brands over an 8-year career in natural wellness. A past AHPA committee member, holding roles for emerging and established brands including project management, product development, marketing, sales, procurement, regulatory affairs, and operations. A professional member of the American Botanical Council and American Herbalists Guild, Johnnie devours botanical and nutrition research out of an unquenchable thirst to enrich his mantra, “People-care and Planet-care are inextricably linked.” He also holds certificates in Permaculture Design and Corporate Social Responsibility, with a Bachelor’s of Art in Psychology and Fine Art.
Johnnie launched his private practice, Rainbow Heart Wellness, in 2022. Also an initiate of the South American folk medicine Kambô, he offers 1:1 Vitalism consultations and private ceremonies, live workshops, herb walks, and healing retreats for small groups around the Front Range and Western Slope. Otherwise, you can find Johnnie in the kitchen cooking for loved ones, or exploring the Rocky Mountains with his German Shepherd, Rosie.
Joshua Paquette
Online Faculty
Joshua Paquette
Joshua holds a certification in herbalism from the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism, as well as from the Columbines School of Botanical Studies. He began his study of the natural world in 2005 at the University of Maine, Orono where he was inspired to the craft of environmental education. Since then he has had the opportunity to work with some outstanding herbalists and botanists in the field.
Samantha Grant
Online Faculty
Samantha Grant
Samantha Grant is the Program Coordinator for the Fundamentals of Medical Herbalism and Advanced Herbalism programs at Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. Samantha is a Certified Clinical Herbalist, Nutritionist, and Bach Flower Essence practitioner through CSCH. With her expertise in administration and student services, she offers support to students and those looking to further their education in herbalism, nutrition and flower essences. She’s grateful for the community CSCH provides, and the lineage of outstanding herbalists that practice the vitalist tradition.
Samantha has a BS in Exercise Science from Northern Arizona University where she developed a deep love for the desert and the unique ecotone that Flagstaff offers to the southwest region. As a Colorado native, she adores the Rocky Mountain landscape that sparked her passion for exploring the natural world and continues to inspire her as a forever student to the earth.
She supports clients in her private practice with holistic health and flower essence consultations, and creates lunar-infused artisan products through her business, Full Moon Medicinals. Outside of the school, Samantha enjoys spending her time gardening, reading all the books, camping, hiking, and medicine-making.
Amber Gratziano
Guest Faculty
Kat Mackinnon
Guest Faculty
Akacia Rose
Guest Faculty
Lauren Nichols
Guest Faculty
