Meet the Chico Community Acupuncture Team
We’re excited to learn more about you and how we can serve you!
Olivia Peters-Lazaro, L.Ac.
Olivia Peters-Lazaro has been a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) in California since 2009.
She started Chico Community Acupuncture in 2010.
She attended Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, earning a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. After her third year at Five Branches, Olivia traveled to Hangzhou, China to study at Zhejiang University, getting in contact with the roots of acupuncture. There, she observed Traditional Chinese Medicine is used in hospitals as a regular form of treatment for basically any kind of ailment or dysfunction.
Olivia has pursued specialized training in treating pregnant women as well as children. She apprenticed with Raven Lang (midwife and acupuncturist), a leading expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine Obstetrics and pediatrics in the United States. She also interned at Nurture Acupuncture, a bay area clinic that exclusively treats women and men for fertility health.
Olivia grew up in Chico. After being gone for many years, she returned to start Chico Community Acupuncture in 2010. She absolutely loves her hometown and living in the beautiful Sacramento Valley.
Elinore Schafer, L.Ac.
Ellie retired in March 2024. We wish her all the best on her travels and adventures.
Elinore "Ellie" Schafer, L.Ac., has been a licensed acupuncturist in California since 2004. She has been an upbeat part of the Chico Community Acupuncture team since 2015. "One of my best decisions was making acupuncture my craft."
She obtained her master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley in 2003.
Ellie is getting close to retiring and her dream is to live close to nature learning more skills to be self-sufficient. In her free time, she walks and bikes everywhere, enjoys cooking and sharing time to relax with friends, traveling when she can to keep an eye on her mom who lives in Maine.
Sarah Morris, Reception
Sarah has been heading the desk here since 2019. She will help you get scheduled, and all other things “front end.” Born and raised in Chico, she loves walking her dogs and being with her family at home.
Board of Directors
Chico Community Acupuncture is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our board of directors consists of the following members.
Olivia Peters-Lazaro, L.Ac. President
Bonnie Pipkin, Vice-President
Orien Nelson, Secretary
Scott Dakof, Treasurer
Dr. Deborah McMenemy, L.Ac., Board Member