After several years of graduate research in Buddhism in Japan and Taiwan, Ms. Liu went to Tianjin, China, to study medicine at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There she earned both a medical degree in internal medicine and a master’s degree in ophthalmology. During this time, she frequently returned to Japan to study Japanese-style acupuncture under a renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine ophthalmologist in Osaka. Ms. Liu also trained under several well-known TCM internists in Tianjin.

Ms. Liu practiced for nine years at a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic in Tianjin, specializing in internal medicine, gynecology, and ophthalmology, before moving to the United States. She is an NCBAHM Diplomate of Oriental Medicine and a licensed acupuncturist in New York State. In 2023, she opened her own TCM clinic in Greenville, where she provides care to patients from the local community as well as surrounding towns and rural areas. 

Ms. Liu is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Japanese.

A Proud Partner of the American Job Center Network. Our service area consists of Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer counties. The Capital Region Workforce Development Board (WDB) is composed of private business representatives and public partners. The WDB strives to strengthen the skills of the Capital Region’s workforce through partnerships with business, education and community-based organizations. The Workforce Development Board sponsors the three (3) Career Centers in the region that offer a variety of programs designed to help adults and youth identify career pathways and get the appropriate training and skills. Programs are funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to provide individuals with job training, placement and the tools to strengthen their skills to achieve a higher quality of life. The Career Centers also support and provide services to businesses, including employee recruitment, training, and business retention programs. The Capital Region Workforce Development Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

ALLI classes are taught by distinguished experts and skilled presenters who bring their expertise to life through dynamic instruction and interactive discussion across a broad range of topics.

INSTRUCTOR: Suanne Pasquarella

Rachel Yattaw, Health Educator and Advocacy Coordinator for the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York.  She has been employed by EFNENY for three years and has a background in Public Health and community health education, with a bachelor’s in public health from the University of Albany.  She is experienced in seizure education and first aid training, providing information to individuals affected by epilepsy and their family members/caregivers as well as in the community throughout the 22 counties served by the Epilepsy Foundation

Cheryl Syta is a medical oncology nurse practitioner who is passionate about lifestyle medicine and has 20 years’ experience caring for patients.  She is a certified functional medicine health coach, and a certified tobacco treatment specialist.  Although she specializes in helping cancer patients, she feels everyone can benefit from improving diet, movement, sleep and stress management in a journey to health.

Dr. Costello is an internal medicine physician and geriatrician based at Albany Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Group. Also, director of Albany Medical College’s Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, he specializes in the daily management and continuity of care for elderly patients, with particular focus on their functional status and cognitive ability. He also provides home care for homebound elderly people throughout the eleven counties of the greater Capital Region.

He is a board-certified internist and geriatrician. He received a bachelor’s degree from Siena College and his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. He completed a residency in internal medicine at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Quebec and a fellowship in geriatric medicine with McGill University and the University of Montreal. He subsequently completed a research fellowship in the Department of Pharmacology at Albany Medical College.

At the Alden March Bioethics Institute at Albany Medical College, Dr. Costello precepts students and has worked on projects focused on advanced care planning in Alzheimer’s disease.

Brian Meurs is the Executive Director of Umbrella of the Capital District, a role he assumed in 2023. With over 40 years of experience in trades, real estate, and property services, he combines hands-on technical knowledge with deep market insight to deliver safe, well-managed properties.

Beginning his career in 1973 as a Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractor, he developed a strong foundation in building systems and maintenance. He later transitioned into residential and commercial real-estate inspection (1990 – 1995) and then into real-estate sales (1995 – 2023), bringing a unique blend of practical know-how and client-focused service.