Toni Twitty Rocky Top Winner
Toni Twitty founded her successful acupuncture clinic with skills and insight built through the College of Arts and Sciences.
Toni Twitty (BA, Anthropology ’06) built a rich perspective through her studies at the University of Tennessee that she now applies to helping others seek pain relief through acupuncture.
Her educational foundation and Volunteer Spirit led her to found and operate Be Well Acupuncture in Edmond, Oklahoma. The success of Be Well earned her company recognition in the 2025 Rocky Top Business Awards.
“To be recognized by UT for the work I do is such a meaningful full-circle moment,” said Twitty. “I started my practice to help people reclaim their lives from pain, but the skills I gained at UT are what I use every day in business. I would also like to acknowledge that nothing great is built alone and my team here at Be Well is what makes us successful.”
Family Inspiration to Academic Insight
Twitty grew up in Knoxville, deeply familiar with the energy that the University of Tennessee brings to the city and the region. She was inspired academically by her uncle Anthony Falsetti, a UT alumnus and renowned forensic anthropologist.
“His job intrigued me, and I’ve always been fascinated by people and the human body,” said Twitty.
She focused on forensic anthropology in her major but found multiple insights into the study of humanity—from ancient bones and cultures to healthcare.
“It wasn’t just about learning bone features or about a tiny tool culture. It was about learning how to truly understand and see people in a multidimensional way, which has turned out to be one of the most valuable foundations for my career.” — Toni Twitty
Twitty also engaged in study abroad programs while at UT, traveling twice to Italy, learning new languages, and engaging with different approaches to health care.
“It changed my life,” she said. “I saw that different cultures value different aspects of wellness—whether it’s food, community, rest, or preventative care.”
Italy was the perfect place to observe this.
“People walk everywhere, meals are slow and social, and healthcare is not something people fear due to cost,” said Twitty. “That experience gave me a new lens on what it means to be healthy, and it directly influences the way I approach patient care now. I always consider the bigger picture: how someone’s daily environment supports or sabotages their well-being.”
Career Shift with a Big Orange Boost
In her own daily life, a struggle with severe neck pain led Twitty to explore acupuncture. The relief she found sparked a motivation to offer that same kind of healing to others. She began studying acupuncture in 2010, graduated in 2013, and became Head of Integrative Medicine at Valir Hospital in Oklahoma City.
Her passion for one-on-one healing and truly connecting with people, and valuable lessons from her UT anthropology experience, led her to step out on her own and open Be Well.
“UT shaped who I am. It gave me the tools to think critically, care deeply, and take big leaps,” said Twitty. “Anthropology trained me to see people in context instead of through the lens of a diagnosis. The late Professor Michael Logan’s ethnography course comes to memory, as he emphasized healthcare in his studies. Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all—patients are individuals with stories, beliefs, and environments that shape their health.”
Giving Back While Carrying the Torch
Twitty honors her UT experience through support for programs that create access and opportunity for students, especially areas like anthropology and international studies that challenge students to see the world from new and different viewpoints. Courses and programs like these benefited her own journey and helped shape her career and personal success.
“UT is woven into who I am. It’s where I learned how to think, how to care, and how to chase meaningful work—even when the path looks different,” said Twitty. “The Volunteer Spirit of service, leadership, and the drive to make a difference still guides me. Whether I’m helping a patient in Oklahoma or cheering on the Vols, I carry UT with me every step of the way.”
By Randall Brown