About Us

The Integrative Health Project (IHP) is a volunteer organization with the mission of providing access to integrative medicine in underserved areas both locally and internationally. IHP was established in 2011 by a group of practitioners who were passionate about Chinese medicine and who saw the potential for its making a great impact in the lives of many. 

  The main focus of our work has conducting medical missions and training programs and since it's inception IHP has provided thousands of free treatments in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to these clinics, IHP has provided free training for over 60 local providers in auricular (ear) acupuncture and other types of basic Chinese medicine techniques and other treatment modalities including, yoga, meditation and different forms of body work. 

One of the things that sets our missions apart is our collaboration between Chinese medicine and biomedicalproviders. Doctors, nurses, chiropractors and physical therapists have made our volunteer teams richer and more effective and our work truly “integrative.” Locally we work to establish a network of integrative care with locally available health services. 

    IHP programs are designed so that everyone is a winner. The visiting volunteer has the opportunity to "give back" while improving their skills in the face of challenging situations. Local residents are able to receive healthcare otherwise unavailable and are provided with the tools to provide continuing care to their communities. Our programs have supported local organization's that work to reduce violence and empower women. All our work is done though partnerships with established local organization's who best know area needs. In Guatemala we are working with the federal Ministry of Health local treatment centers in Solola.

    IHP is completely run by volunteers. We have no paid staff. We invite you to join us.

Leadership: Board of Directors

Joan Boccino, DAOM, L.Ac.

Dr. Joan Boccino is a NCCAOM board certified licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist Practitioner, researcher and educator, she is committed to increasing access to Chinese medicine treatment domestically and worldwide. She is the founder and clinical director of the Integrative Health Project.

Dr. Boccino has worked in multiple hospitals including NYU Langone-Brooklyn and Memorial Sloan-Kettering in NY. She is a registered NADA trainer with the National Acupuncture Detox Association and serves as the Chair of the Foundations of Oriental Medicine Exam Development committee for the NCCAOM. Joan has maintained an active practice in Manhattan since l1997. She is currently on the faculty at the Pacific College of Health and Science in New York and on the doctoral faculty of multiple other institutions. Dr. Boccino has also been a speaker at a variety of venues locally and internationally.

Lisa Taylor-Swanson, PhD, MAcOM, L.Ac.

Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson, an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing (CON) at the University of Utah (UU), is a  health researcher and nursing scientist and works to ensure equitable access to high-quality healthcare that integrates evidence-based biomedical and integrative healthcare approaches.

Dr. Taylor-Swanson's research is rooted in a community-engaged approach that pioneered MENOGAP, designed to fill a GAP in MENOpausal women’s healthcare. She is currently collaborating with Latina Community Health Workers (funded by the UU 1U4U initiative) and American Indian/Alaska Native women (funded by the UU Vice President for Research) to adapt MENOGAP for their unique needs.

Dr. Taylor-Swanson has volunteered in Guatemala providing acupuncture to patients in San Raymundo and has developed a training program in acupressure for Comadronas in collaboration with Certified Nurse Midwives from Utah.  She looks forward learning more about  indigenous Guatemalan approaches to healthcare.

Dr. Taylor-Swanson has received the Excellence in University Health Partnership Award from CON and serves on the Society for Acupuncture Research board of directors. She was most recently selected as the recipient of the UU’s 2023 Leadership in Inclusive Excellence Awards: Faculty.

Jenny Walker, MD, MSW, MPH

Jenny Walker is a Family Physician who is also certified as a NADA Acupuncture Detox Specialist (ADS) and a certified acupuncturist (CA). Dr Walker has historically worked in inner-new York City clinical settings and has long focused on the prevention of disease (including nutrition, safety, behavior change, etc) involving patients in their own care.

Dr. Walker thinks it is essential to integrate the various approaches to health care available to meet the needs of individual patients. She is committed to providing excellent care to everyone, not just the super-rich/well-insured. Dr. Walker went on her first mission with IHP in 2013 and has been involved with the organization since then. With over 30 years experience in the field of public health, Dr. Walker is a long-time community organizer, an educator (has taught at all levels from pre-K to medical school), a published poet and photographer.

Jeanette Villarta, CHW

Jeannette was born in Guatemala City and has lived in Salt Lake City Utah for 25 years now. She has been married to Oscar Villalta for 27 years and together they have two sons, Christopher, and Derek.

She is an active member of her community; and has been working as a Promotora (Community Health Worker) for over 22 years working with agencies as the Hispanic Healthcare Task Force, Alliance Community Services, Multicultural Counseling Center among others. As a Community Health Worker and Outreach Specialist she continues to be part of the COVID-19 immediate response team that began at the start of the pandemic in 2020. She has worked in multiple health areas including: HIV, Diabetes, Mental Health, and with victims of Domestic Violence and sexual assault. In 2019 she was honored as a Cornerstone Community Health Worker by CHW Section/Utah Public Health Association. 

Guatemalan Practitioners:

Juana Ramos Buch: Has over 25 years experience as a traditional Mayan Huesera (bonesetter) and herbalist. Seeking to expand her capacity for helping her community, Juana starting working with IHP in 2015 earning her Acupuncture Detox Specialist certificate (ADS) from the National Acupuncture Detox Association (NADA).she has since then continued to expand her knowledge. She runs her clinic in San Jorge La Laguna and also provides services for the Diabetes Club in Santa Catarina La Laguna. A long time advocate for her community, Juana was recently elected as a government official representing communities in the Solola department.

Clinica Maya China: Sandy Lacan Petzey, Maritza Lacan and Lola Zologui founded their clinic in Santiago Atitlan in 2017 and provide services free of charge. Aside from maintaining their clinic 7 days a week, these dedicated practitioners do home visits for patients who cannot get to the clinic. Clinica Maya China practitioners all have their NADA ADS certificates and continually work on their skills. Sandy recently completed an auxiliary nursing certificate in geriatrics.

Maria Castallanos:

Maria has been working with IHP since 2016 and also has her NADA ADS certificate. Maria has long worked to support the street vendors and kitchen workers in Paajachel and often works on site in addition to running a weekly clinic in the Municipal building.