Meet Our Team

Lisa C. Francolini, L.Ac., Owner

From the time I was four years old, I knew I wanted to help people. Even as a young child I was concerned for anyone who didn’t seem to have enough food, a warm enough coat, or was simply down and out and in pain. When I was six, my younger brother had some serious health issues that put him in the hospital. I’ll never forget my parents’ angst, my brother’s struggle, nor even the five-year-old girl who suffered from leukemia in the room next to my brother’s—the tremendous hardship left an indelible impression on my life, telling me with total confidence: I am here to help people.

After spending 17 years working in the Western Medicine health field model—first as an administrator for a Yale affiliated psychiatric department in CT, and then as the Executive Director of two different non-profit organizations that worked with the geriatric community and then the developmentally disabled community—I had an epiphany that declared, “Acupuncture is where I need to be.” Without a doubt, I knew my next move.

After graduating from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, I opened my practice in 1995, with a vision to offer patients a healthcare alternative where healing would be transformative. I wanted to use the ancient healing tradition of acupuncture to meet modern day needs. And I wanted to use my confidence as a practitioner—that I am exactly where I need to be, helping others—to give my patients the confidence to reveal exactly where they need to be, living fully, in optimum health.

After 16 years of practice, I am still as passionate about this medicine and my patients as I was the day I graduated. It thrills me to see my patients transform as they heal from a previous imbalance. It over-joys me to see them live their lives to their fullest, free from the pain, anxiety or stress of a load they no longer need bear.

Having witnessed countless patient success stories over the years, I have continuously sought to extend my reach—to help as many as possible. And so in 2006, I developed a concept that had been brewing for some time: Relational Acupuncture®, which was implemented in 2007. Relational Acupuncture® re-imagines the traditional practice of acupuncture by bringing it into a collective setting. Channeling the collective energy of multiple patients contributes to a deeper, faster, more powerful healing process for each member of the group. And it’s allowed me to extend my reach indeed as I continue to watch over as patient’s lives are healed and transformed. It is my life mission.

Jenn Funk, L.Ac.

As a practitioner, I believe that everyone can enjoy good health. Sometimes one just needs a subtle nudge or reminder of the body’s incredible healing powers. Using a gentle style, I enjoy working with all kinds of clients and their diverse health and healing challenges.

After graduating from Eastern Oregon University as a three-time, all-American athlete with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and health, I had hoped to continue my running career, but illness reset my priorities and future. In my own quest for health and fulfillment, I discovered the healing power of alternative medicine. I studied at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, Ore., where my focus was on Traditional Chinese Medicine including Chinese Medical Theory of Acupuncture and Herbology, Qigong, Taiji, Shiatsu, and Tuina. I graduated with a Master’s in Acupuncture and Oriental medicine in 2007, and am a licensed acupuncturist and am Nationally-Certified as a Diplomat in Acupuncture. After graduating, I moved to Kansas City MO, and practiced with a Chiropractor, offering acupuncture services to his patients. During my two year stay there, I was able to develop and hone my skills with predominantly pain management. It is here that I saw the direct correlation between emotional imbalance and pain. After two years, it was time to return to my roots in Portland. Upon my return, I heard about the opening on the RiverWest Acupuncture team and immediately contacted Lisa. We met and the rest is history.

I feel like I have found my ideal practice place in my ideal practice.

Beverly Wells, Clinic Administrator

After coming out of Cleveland State University and serving five years in the United States Air Force, I moved to Portland, and spent 23 years working at my sister’s business in the world of phone systems, data networks and constantly changing technology.

Lisa and I first started talking about me coming to RiverWest Acupuncture because I was ready to do something else, and we had often talked about the possibility of working together. We first had to decide, would it just be her and I in a small office, or would we take the whole practice to the next level. Clearly we decided we needed to take things to the next level. Lisa was concerned that I would be bored, knowing the hectic pace I had kept in my previous career. And yet, I have been here since September of 2010, and to date, have not had a single boring moment.

Why? Because of our patients and my love for them. I love to spend time with them and learning about their lives. Fortunately enough, my office is directly adjacent to the reception area, and so I have easy access to patients as they come and go. My greatest thrill is to see a patient walk in with “issues” and walk out changed, because of the work that the practitioners do here. Some patient stories have been so healing and transformative that they literally brought me to tears.

I feel so amazingly fortunate to have created this space with my life partner and my business partner, Lisa. I sit in my office and think: Is this really considered work? And I realize, it is—it’s the best kind.

So please, always feel free to stick your head in my door and say hello. It makes my day.