Dr. Erin Smith, DACM, L.Ac. | President & Treasurer of the Board
Dr. Erin Smith is the founder and President and Treasurer of the Board of Mindful Medicine, a nonprofit integrative wellness center dedicated to helping individuals heal, grow, and thrive through holistic healthcare. She has been a Licensed Acupuncturist since 2011, providing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to patients seeking natural, evidence-informed solutions for a wide range of health conditions.
Dr. Erin earned her Master of Acupuncture with highest honors from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, and completed her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine through Pacific College of Health and Science in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stevenson University and is licensed in Maryland and nationally board certified through the NCBAHM in both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Inspired by a vision of making holistic healthcare more accessible, Dr. Erin founded Mindful Medicine as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2014. In 2015, she volunteered with the Acupuncture Relief Project, traveling to remote villages in Nepal to provide acupuncture care to hundreds of patients with little to no access to healthcare. Her long-term vision is to cultivate a thriving community of practitioners and individuals committed to healing, personal growth, and whole-person wellness.
Dr. Erin Smith is the founder and President and Treasurer of the Board of Mindful Medicine, a nonprofit integrative wellness center dedicated to helping individuals heal, grow, and thrive through holistic healthcare. She has been a Licensed Acupuncturist since 2011, providing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to patients seeking natural, evidence-informed solutions for a wide range of health conditions.
Dr. Erin earned her Master of Acupuncture with highest honors from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, and completed her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine through Pacific College of Health and Science in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stevenson University and is licensed in Maryland and nationally board certified through the NCBAHM in both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Inspired by a vision of making holistic healthcare more accessible, Dr. Erin founded Mindful Medicine as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2014. In 2015, she volunteered with the Acupuncture Relief Project, traveling to remote villages in Nepal to provide acupuncture care to hundreds of patients with little to no access to healthcare. Her long-term vision is to cultivate a thriving community of practitioners and individuals committed to healing, personal growth, and whole-person wellness.
Deborah Irvin, MSW, LCSW-C, CIMHP, CPC| Vice President of the Board
Deborah Irvin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, and Certified Professional Coach with over 15 years of clinical experience in mental health and integrative wellness. As founder of Foundation Psychotherapy and Counseling, LLC, Deborah specializes in trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, narcissistic abuse recovery, inner child healing, life transitions, and addiction.
Her practice integrates psychotherapy, life coaching, neurofeedback, and integrative health coaching, a rare and forward-thinking combination that meets clients at every stage of their healing journey.
Deborah joined the Mindful Medicine board as Vice President and co-director of the Wellness Collective, bringing her clinical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and deep commitment to whole-person, community-centered care to the next chapter of the organization's growth. Her vision for accessible, integrative mental health services is central to everything the Collective is becoming.
Deborah Irvin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, and Certified Professional Coach with over 15 years of clinical experience in mental health and integrative wellness. As founder of Foundation Psychotherapy and Counseling, LLC, Deborah specializes in trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, narcissistic abuse recovery, inner child healing, life transitions, and addiction.
Her practice integrates psychotherapy, life coaching, neurofeedback, and integrative health coaching, a rare and forward-thinking combination that meets clients at every stage of their healing journey.
Deborah joined the Mindful Medicine board as Vice President and co-director of the Wellness Collective, bringing her clinical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and deep commitment to whole-person, community-centered care to the next chapter of the organization's growth. Her vision for accessible, integrative mental health services is central to everything the Collective is becoming.
Tara Cepaitis, MSPT, PT| Secretary of the Board
Tara Cepaitis is a licensed Physical Therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience spanning orthopedic rehabilitation, geriatric care, and integrative practice. A Maryland native, Tara earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Science and her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Sargent College at Boston University in 1999.
Her career has taken her across a rich range of clinical environments, from an orthopedic outpatient clinic in Rockville to assisted living communities serving the geriatric population, to a pioneering integrative practice in Elkridge, Maryland where she worked alongside acupuncturists to blend Eastern and Western approaches to whole-person care. Tara is also a certified Level 2 Reiki practitioner, bringing an energetic healing perspective to complement her conventional clinical expertise. She currently works with Maryland Sports Medicine Center, where she contributes to clinic management and patient care.
Tara brings a valuable bridge between conventional rehabilitation medicine and holistic wellness to the Mindful Medicine board.
Tara Cepaitis is a licensed Physical Therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience spanning orthopedic rehabilitation, geriatric care, and integrative practice. A Maryland native, Tara earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Science and her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Sargent College at Boston University in 1999.
Her career has taken her across a rich range of clinical environments, from an orthopedic outpatient clinic in Rockville to assisted living communities serving the geriatric population, to a pioneering integrative practice in Elkridge, Maryland where she worked alongside acupuncturists to blend Eastern and Western approaches to whole-person care. Tara is also a certified Level 2 Reiki practitioner, bringing an energetic healing perspective to complement her conventional clinical expertise. She currently works with Maryland Sports Medicine Center, where she contributes to clinic management and patient care.
Tara brings a valuable bridge between conventional rehabilitation medicine and holistic wellness to the Mindful Medicine board.
James Gummer | Board Member
James Gummer has taught tai chi, qi gong, and meditation for LifeBridge Health, Baltimore County Senior Centers, Stella Maris Hospice, Towson University, and many other groups. He is most interested in helping people integrate timeless practice with modern living.
James is also a Health Rhythms Drum Circle Facilitator and a professional percussionist. He serves as an advisor and board member of Mindful Medicine, where he plans to lead monthly workshops at the clinic, bringing accessible movement and mindfulness practices to the community.
James Gummer has taught tai chi, qi gong, and meditation for LifeBridge Health, Baltimore County Senior Centers, Stella Maris Hospice, Towson University, and many other groups. He is most interested in helping people integrate timeless practice with modern living.
James is also a Health Rhythms Drum Circle Facilitator and a professional percussionist. He serves as an advisor and board member of Mindful Medicine, where he plans to lead monthly workshops at the clinic, bringing accessible movement and mindfulness practices to the community.
Wendy Groomes, MA | Board Member
Wendy Groomes is a healing arts professional with more than 30 years of experience integrating mindful movement, body awareness, energy medicine, wellness coaching, and conscious embodiment practices into whole-person care. She brings a deep and multidisciplinary understanding of integrative wellness to her role on the Mindful Medicine Board of Directors.
Wendy's academic and professional training spans the Pilates Method, Qigong, Health & Wellness Coaching, Integrative Nutrition, and Western Herbalism, the latter three through Maryland University of Integrative Health. Her broad foundation across movement, nutrition, and holistic modalities positions her as a valuable voice in guiding Mindful Medicine's mission to make integrative healthcare more accessible to the community.
A dedicated contributor to Mindful Medicine since 2019, Wendy has been actively involved in the organization's growth and development, bringing both her clinical expertise and her commitment to the mission to everything she does. She is passionate about empowering individuals to reconnect with their inner wisdom, build lasting resilience, and experience meaningful transformation in their health and well-being.
Wendy Groomes is a healing arts professional with more than 30 years of experience integrating mindful movement, body awareness, energy medicine, wellness coaching, and conscious embodiment practices into whole-person care. She brings a deep and multidisciplinary understanding of integrative wellness to her role on the Mindful Medicine Board of Directors.
Wendy's academic and professional training spans the Pilates Method, Qigong, Health & Wellness Coaching, Integrative Nutrition, and Western Herbalism, the latter three through Maryland University of Integrative Health. Her broad foundation across movement, nutrition, and holistic modalities positions her as a valuable voice in guiding Mindful Medicine's mission to make integrative healthcare more accessible to the community.
A dedicated contributor to Mindful Medicine since 2019, Wendy has been actively involved in the organization's growth and development, bringing both her clinical expertise and her commitment to the mission to everything she does. She is passionate about empowering individuals to reconnect with their inner wisdom, build lasting resilience, and experience meaningful transformation in their health and well-being.
Dinah Simpson | Board Member
Dinah Simpson is a Reiki Healer, Sound Bowl Practitioner, and Wellness Advisor with a deep commitment to energy healing, stress management, and whole-person well-being. As the founder of High Ki Living, she offers one-on-one healing sessions, corporate mindfulness programs, and bespoke wellness coaching that help individuals and organizations cultivate harmony, resilience, and lasting transformation.
Dinah draws on a rich personal background spanning both family life and a high-stress corporate career, giving her a grounded, practical perspective on the challenges people face in their daily lives. Her work integrates Reiki, sound healing, Kundalini-Reiki, ancestral healing, and meditation to help clients create meaningful shifts and build sustainable well-being practices.
Dinah brings a complementary perspective to Mindful Medicine's integrative care mission through her expertise in energy medicine and community wellness.
Dinah Simpson is a Reiki Healer, Sound Bowl Practitioner, and Wellness Advisor with a deep commitment to energy healing, stress management, and whole-person well-being. As the founder of High Ki Living, she offers one-on-one healing sessions, corporate mindfulness programs, and bespoke wellness coaching that help individuals and organizations cultivate harmony, resilience, and lasting transformation.
Dinah draws on a rich personal background spanning both family life and a high-stress corporate career, giving her a grounded, practical perspective on the challenges people face in their daily lives. Her work integrates Reiki, sound healing, Kundalini-Reiki, ancestral healing, and meditation to help clients create meaningful shifts and build sustainable well-being practices.
Dinah brings a complementary perspective to Mindful Medicine's integrative care mission through her expertise in energy medicine and community wellness.