The Dalles

Cinthya Ramirez is the Front Desk Coordinator and Scheduler at Cascade Acupuncture Center in The Dalles, Oregon, where she brings empathy, precision, and a calm presence to every patient interaction. 

With over a decade of experience in healthcare administration, client advocacy, and community support, she ensures the clinic runs smoothly while creating a welcoming, healing environment.

Bilingual in Spanish and English, Cinthya excels in patient communication, insurance coordination, and workflow management. Her background includes roles in medical reception, domestic violence advocacy, and housing resource support—each reinforcing her commitment to service and confidentiality. 

Cinthya’s attention to detail, collaborative spirit, and ability to navigate complex systems make her an invaluable part of the Cascade team. Whether scheduling appointments, supporting the acupuncturist, or managing clinic logistics, she brings heart and clarity to every task.

Kara “Shamsa” Houck brings over 20 years of experience with her roots being in classical 5 Element style. Over many years of practice she has studied many traditions including Medical QiGong, Dr Tan and Master Tung to name a few.  She has a strong background in nutrition and can help anyone who wants to heal by creating more balance in their life through eating right. She has a deep compassion in helping those in pain of all types.  She treats the whole person body heart and soul. After selling her community acupuncture practice on the east coast she and her husband eventually found themselves moving and setting roots in a small town in eastern Oregon.  In her off time she enjoys permaculture gardening, cooking nutritional wholesome and delicious foods and spending time with her family and friends. 

Shamsa Kara Houck feels blessed to be in service to the community here in The Dalles. 

Hi, I'm Katy! I am a licensed massage therapist with a passion for helping people feel at ease in their bodies. I offer a variety of techniques and I love tailoring each session to meet the unique needs of my clients. My goal is to create a calm, restorative space where you can release tension, recover from stress or injury, and reconnect with our body's natural balance.

When I'm not in the clinic, you can usually find me enjoying the outdoors, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or learning more about holistic health practices