Our practitioners:
A passionate group of highly educated, licensed practitioners.
Dr. Jill Kleiber, DACM
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.
Maura Emerick, L.Ac.
Maura is a licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist with specialized training in Orthopedic Acupuncture. She earned her degree at New England School of Acupuncture (NESA), the oldest School of Acupuncture in the United States, now a part of MCPHS University in Worcester. She is also a nationally certified Diplomate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine through the NCCAOM.
Maura originally pursued a career in business, receiving her baccalaureate degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Southern Connecticut State University. From there, she served as the marketing manager for a solar company in San Diego for four years. In 2015, Maura became a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) and after seeing the positive impact she could have on people’s health and well-being, she realized a career geared toward helping others, specifically in a holistic way, was her true passion.
The philosophical foundation of both yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine are to examine each person as a whole and work toward achieving balance in their physical, mental, and emotional health. This is the driving force behind her practice, and she loves applying and combining her skills and knowledge in acupuncture, tui na, cupping, gua sha, meditation and breath work to deliver quality, patient-centered care to everyone she treats.
Dr. Karolina Zagaja, ND
Dr. Karolina Zagaja is a licensed naturopathic physician and acupuncturist who is passionate about helping patients achieve optimal wellness. She believes patient education is very important to help lay down a foundation for lasting health.
Dr. Zagaja’s specialties include: Nutrition; Dermatology and acne; Gastrointestinal Disorders (bloating, acid reflux, IBS, constipation); Autoimmune Conditions (Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and Celiac); Asthma; Allergies; Eczema; General (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances); as well as acupuncture for varied complaints such as pain relief.
Dr. Zagaja graduated from the University of Bridgeport, where she earned her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. She is board-certified and has an active physician’s license in the state of Connecticut. She is also a member of American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
After her first year at the University of Bridgeport, Dr. Zagaja began her journey in Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, completing her Masters of Science degree in Acupuncture. Dr. Zagaja believes that blending together Naturopathic and Eastern medicine can be beneficial to patients by providing well rounded treatment so that optimal health goals can be attained.
Dr. Zagaja is a native of northeastern Connecticut and received her undergraduate degree from Quinnipiac University, where she studied Health Sciences.
In her free time Dr. Zagaja loves to play the piano, exercise, cook, and get outdoors. Dr. Zagaja is excited to join the strong team at West Hartford Acupuncture and looks forward to helping patients achieve their health goals.
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.
Raine Beckett Office & Billing Manager
Hi, my name is Raine Beckett and I am the Office and Billing Manager of West Hartford and Avon Acupuncture. I joined the practice in the summer of 2022, and quickly fell in love with the holistic, inclusive approach to healthcare all of the providers here are so clearly dedicated to. When I'm not wrestling with insurance companies to resolve billing issues or updating our social media, you can find me riding my horse, cooking and baking for loved ones, or painting - my latest project was a 10ft mural inside a local duckpin bowling alley.
While your provider will be your main partner on your health journey, I am honored to provide support along the way. I believe strong communication is an integral part of successful healthcare. So, if you have any questions about your insurance benefits, appointments, or billing statements (or anything else!), I will welcome your email or call with a smile.
Billing@WHAcupuncture.com
Cushaiah Barnes West Hartford Receptionist
Hi, my name is Cushaiah Barnes. I joined the West Hartford & Avon Acupuncture Team in June of 2023. As a receptionist, I enjoy the process of helping our patients, from scheduling your visits to witnessing your health improve with each visit. When I'm not in the office, I'm most likely reading a good book, writing poetry or occasionally studying a foreign language.
I am happy to get you started on your journey to wellness and look forward to meeting you soon!
Hello@WHAcupuncture.com
Indiyah Barnes Avon Receptionist
Hi, I'm Indiyah Barnes. And yes, Cushaiah and I are sisters. No, we are not twins.I recently joined the West Hartford and Avon Acupuncture Team but have been an established patient for a while now. As the receptionist, I take pleasure in being here to welcome you into our office and seeing to all of your needs being taken care of.
In my spare time, I like to paint abstract and environmental art, read books about strange and interesting worlds, and occasionally study ancient civilizations and their cultures. I also enjoy practicing Tai Chi, which like acupuncture, I've found can be very beneficial to my Qi and body overall.
Feel free to give us a call to be scheduled for your initial visit or with any questions you may have. Hopefully, we'll see you soon!
Hello@WHAcupuncture.com
Boshi, O.P. (Office Pup)
The heart of our tribe, Boshi is available for “therapeutic” belly rubs. He can be shy, but not so secretly loves attention. Prone to napping and playful noises, Boshi makes West Hartford Acupuncture a joyful place to be. He works hard, and sure knows how to play hard. When not helping out at the clinic, Boshi can be found at home with his mom, Jill.