President

James Christian is a Medical Herbalist, having studied with the College of Phytotherapy in the UK and achieving a B.Sc. in Herbal Medicine. He has also completed a post-graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicine at the University of Central Lancashire with a specialty in Herbal Education.

James maintains professional membership in the Canadian Herbalists Association of BC (CHA of BC) and is the current President of the association. He is a past member of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy (CPP) in the UK and of the oldest professional herbal association in the world, the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH).

James is very passionate about nature and the environment. He travels to various parts of the world to study their use of indigenous medicines. Aside from working with medicinal plants in South Korea, James has spent time in Peru, Nicaragua and Costa Rica studying their local use of plants as medicines. James is also passionate about growing plants and currently resides at Tiny Tree Herb Farm on the Saanich peninsula specializing in permaculture and regenerative systems of food and medicine production.

Executive Director & Academic Dean

Michelle Quintal is a life-long learner. She has been actively working as a community organizer for the past 15 years and is trained as a mental health worker, chef, and herbalist. She completed her Western Clinical Herbal Medicine training under the tutelage of Diane Kent and at The Institute of Traditional Medicine. Her culinary arts education was completed at Liaison College of Culinary Arts in Toronto. Both were completed while also working at organizations offering services for people facing poverty and homelessness. Michelle fuses her training in the culinary arts, mental health advocacy and herbalism to help organizations provide people with the tools they need to take better care of their health. She is currently working on a degree in Psychology with an interest in Cultural and Health Anthropology.  Michelle is honoured to have been the Administrator to the Ontario Herbalists Association and is grateful to have found a new community of like-minded people in Victoria. When not on-campus, she is learning from nature and connecting with her family and friends.

Dean, School of Western Herbal Medicine

Bree received her Phytotherapy Diploma from Pacific Rim College, and as a PRC grad herself, she's thrilled to be a part of the incredible community that enriched her life when she was a young budding herbalist. As the owner of Wild Yarrow Herbal Medicine Clinic & Dispensary in Edmonton, Alberta, Bree sees clients in her private practice and works with Naturopathic doctors and midwives to design custom herbal blends for their patients. Bree sat on the board of the Alberta Herbalist Association (AHA) and the Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations (CCHA) for 3 years, where she attended Health Canada stakeholder meetings in Ottawa, to represent herbalists Canada-wide. Due to her passion for herbal education, Bree has created and offered multiple herbal medicine courses and has been a presenter at the Canadian Herb Conference and the Alberta Herb Gathering. She is a Registered Professional Member of both the AHA and the American Herbalists Guild. When she isn't engaging in the world of herbal medicine, you can find her hanging out with her beautiful daughter, and getting outside to soak in the bountiful gifts nature has to offer.

Dean, School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Sumi is a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P), registered in good standing with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners of British Columbia (CTCMA).

She was born and raised in South Korea where Traditional Chinese Medicine has thrived and developed with its own style and blended in its own rich culture for centuries.

She loves introducing various modalities she has experience from East and West to her practice and applying them into her daily practice to benefit her patients accordingly.

Also as a life-time student, Sumi keeps expanding her comfort zone in Traditional Chinese Medicine with bottomless curiosities by interacting with her patients, colleagues and mentors.

Outside of her practice, she enjoys nature walking with her two rambunctious doodles and practising gratitude in her fast flowing daily life.

Dean, School of Holistic Nutrition

Amber Baker, CNP, NNCP, CHCP, is a holistic nutritionist, educator, and academic leader with over a decade of experience in clinical practice, nutrition education, and integrative health. As Dean of the School of Holistic Nutrition at Pacific Rim College, she provides leadership for curriculum development, faculty support, and student success while teaching courses in holistic and clinical nutrition.

Amber has pursued advanced training in women's integrative and functional medicine, as well as oncology nutrition. Her professional background includes serving as a Nutritionist and Vancouver Island Clinical Director with InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care, where she worked alongside an interdisciplinary healthcare team supporting individuals living with cancer.

In addition to her academic role, Amber maintains a private nutrition practice and co-founded Glow Integrative, a multidisciplinary health clinic in Victoria focused on collaborative, patient-centred care. Her areas of interest include women's health, hormone balance, fertility, pregnancy, digestive health, oncology nutrition, and sustainable lifestyle change.

Amber is passionate about helping students develop both the clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to become compassionate, effective nutrition professionals. Her advice to new graduates is to stay curious, embrace lifelong learning, and trust that meaningful impact comes through building strong relationships with clients and communities.

Admissions Director

Amy Klazek is a Medical Herbalist and a graduate of the Diploma of Phytotherapy program at Pacific Rim College. She is a professional member the Canadian Herbalist Association of British Columbia and operates a small private practice in Victoria, BC. As a member of the team at Pacific Rim College, she is proud to contribute to the education of holistic health as the Admissions Director, Assistant Director of the Holistic Doula Certificate program, and an instructor for the Holistic Doula Certificate and Community Herbalist Certificate programs.

Herbal Dispensary Manager

Alexis is a Registered Herbal Therapist with the British Columbia Herbal Association, and owner and operator of Wild Water Botanicals based out of Victoria, BC. Raised in a health-conscious, nature-loving family, Alexis developed an early connection to the natural world and a lasting passion for plant medicine.

Alexis began her formal path in natural health in 2008, earning a Certificate in Aromatherapy from Mount Royal University. Her interest in supporting health concerns internally as well as externally eventually led her to complete a Diploma of Phytotherapy at Pacific Rim College. She graduated with the highest of honours in April 2014 as class valedictorian.

After graduating, Alexis joined Pacific Rim College’s Dispensary Team and became Dispensary Manager the following year. In 2016, she joined the PRC faculty, where she enjoys teaching, mentoring, and supporting budding herbalists—whom she fondly calls “herblets.” In addition to her Diploma of Phytotherapy and Certificate in Aromatherapy, Alexis also holds training in Lomi Lomi and CranioSacral Therapy.

When she is not immersed in the world of herbal medicine, Alexis can often be found sipping matcha, reading by the beach, playing guitar, practicing with her bo staff, or hiking the beautiful landscapes of Vancouver Island with her camera.

Academic & Administrative Coordinator

Jessica is a graduate of International Relations and has completed post-graduate studies in Holistic Training based in transpersonal psychology principles in Brazil. As a Magnified Healing teacher and Reiki practitioner, she is passionate about holistic health and is continually engaged in wellness practices such as yoga and acupuncture. Jessica joined the team at Pacific Rim College in 2023, when she decided to embark on an international journey.

TCM Dispensary Manager

Kori Richardson is a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She works within the tradition of Classical Chinese Medicine and Jing Fang Classical Herbal Formulas – a specialized, lineage-based approach that goes deeper than much of contemporary training. In 2025, Kori travelled to China to directly study under Dr Huang Huang, professor and doctoral supervisor of the International Jing Fang Institute of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine.  In her clinical practice, Kori integrates acupuncture, classical herbal medicine and abdominal diagnosis. She commonly works with sleep, digestion, mental health, gynecology, pain, immune support and autoimmune conditions. Outside the clinic, Kori enjoys learning mandarin, spending time in the garden, cooking, and hiking with her dog, Stevie.  

Elham Ansari is a teacher and practitioner of Ayurveda and Holistic Nutrition. With over 15 years of experience in the field, she has inspired thousands of students and clients on their healing journey.

Elham studied Ayurvedic medicine in New Mexico and India at the Ayurvedic Institute with Dr. Vasant Lad. As well as extensively studied Chinese Medicine, Yoga, energy medicine and the spiritual/esoteric sciences.

Elham’s first degree is in Fine Arts and Design from Emily Carr University. She majored in conceptual art and social and critical theory, inspiring her work as a social and cultural activist. Eventually, this led her to the healing arts, and healing, as the source of cultural revolution.

Elham has received Honorary Board Certification in Holistic Nutrition from the National Association of Nutritionists Practitioners for her work on their Credentialing Board, leading to her specialty in traditional and conventional diet therapeutics.

She spearheaded and directed one of the first wellness clinics in Victoria, the Awakening Wellness Centre, in 2010, where her commitment to the alternative and integrative medicine field began. Today, Elham maintains a private clinic, and her practice serves students and clients worldwide. Locally she teaches Ayurveda at Pacific Rim College, where she is also a clinical supervisor and the former dean of their Holistic Nutrition program. Elham also teaches Ayurveda at other institutions, including Ajna Yoga College in Victoria.

Jennifer Apedaile is committed to holistically supporting and empowering folks, families and communities towards health, well being and self governance in an equitable, diverse and inclusive way.

For over twenty years Jennifer has supported and advocated end of life living and dying, she is a Five Element and TCM Acupuncturist, an Indigenous Focusing Oriented Therapist of complex trauma and a Full Spectrum Doula.

She longs to live in the wild places of which there are few, and practices leaning into creativity, passion, love and beauty... reclaiming the wisdom of her body, and remembering that healing is learning to trust life.

Jennifer is deeply grateful to her children, her teachers, to the elders who love and support her and to all Indigenous Peoples on whose Turtle Island she lives, works, learns and plays.

Judith is an ethnoecologist of British ancestry raised here in W̱SÁNEĆ territory. In addition to her experience working in the food sovereignty movement and forestry sector in British Columbia, she has also worked internationally on the restoration of traditional food ecosystems in Japan, Italy, and Mexico.

Judith is deeply passionate about the healing work of restoration as well as building community based capacity for long term and widespread ecosystem restoration with a core foundation of indigenous land sovereignty.

Dallas was born in New York City and was raised by a family who practiced alternative medicine. They guided her to work toward making people’s lives comfortable, whether by using folk methods, healing, or looking toward the stars. Dallas began studying Astrology in 1984 and has been practicing ever since. Her interest extended to Medical Astrology after attending a workshop on Evolutionary Herbalism. An ongoing fascination with the topic led her to pursue continuing education in Medical Astrology with William R. Morris.

Dallas moved to Victoria in 2017 and attended Pacific Rim College, graduating with a Diploma of Phytotherapy. Dallas has been running her own practice as an Herbalist, Medical Astrologer, and Maker of Medicinal products in Cedar Hill since the summer of 2019. Dallas believes that if people can understand themselves and their patients better, the mental, emotional, and physical body will allow a faster path to healing.

Dallas has traveled many roads to get here. She was a volunteer with the American Red Cross for over ten years as a Senior Disaster Response Leader. Dallas has worked in business management, accounting, and operations for corporate America and is currently a Notary Public in the States. She owned two businesses in the United States that guided her to continue seeking new ventures. She has done extensive work with the homeless and transgender populations in Washington, DC. She believes you should treat the Queen of England the same way you would treat a homeless person - there should be no difference. She believes all persons deserve care, respect, and access to health education. Dallas brings her experience, knowledge, and wisdom to the table. She is a big believer in intuition and listening to the signs.

Emma is a Registered Acupuncturist and has been a clinical instructor in the Acupuncture Program at Pacific Rim College since 2018.

Emma Barker graduated from Queen's University in 2007 and from Pacific Rim College in 2014. Upon graduation, she worked in a community acupuncture clinic for four years before transitioning to private practice and starting my her business, "Barefoot Healing". Additional training that has shaped Barker's practice includes Dr Tan's Balance Method, Kiiko Matsumoto Style (KMS), Advanced Tui Na, Medical Qi Gong, Maternity Acupuncture and Kruger Omni Healing.

What brought you to the profession?
"Over the years, acupuncture supported me through several health challenges, offering not just physical relief but also a deeper sense of balance and connection to my body. Those experiences were profound turning points for me. They inspired me to learn this medicine so I could offer the same kind of compassionate, holistic care to others that made such a difference in my own life."

What is your advice for a new graduate?
"Be a sponge. Try to get as much experience as you can right off the bat, whether it's working front desk, shadowing, community acupuncture, etc".

Shawna Barker is a nutritionist, educator, and founder of Synergy Nutrition. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health from the University of British Columbia and a Diploma in Holistic Nutrition from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.

With over 14 years of experience in the nutrition field, Shawna's work has included private practice, community education, cooking classes, recipe development, workplace wellness initiatives, and post-secondary instruction. She provides nutrition consultations, supervises student clinics within the School of Holistic Nutrition at Pacific Rim College, and has developed and teaches an elective course in Plant-Based Nutrition.

What brought you to the profession?
"I was originally thinking about studying kinesiology, but an organic chemistry course sparked my interest in nutrition. Learning about topics such as trans fats made me realize how much our food choices can influence health. Around the same time, I was transitioning to a plant-based diet and wanted to better understand nutrition for myself. The more I learned, the more fascinated I became, and that curiosity eventually led me to a career in nutrition".

What is your advice for a new graduate?
"Don't feel pressured to have everything figured out right away. Explore different areas of nutrition, gain experience wherever you can, and pay attention to the types of clients and topics that energize you most. Your niche will often develop naturally over time".

Visiting Professor

Paul Bergner is Director of the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism in Portland, OR. He has studied and practiced natural medicine, medical herbalism, and nutrition since 1973. He has supervised residents in teaching clinics for medical herbalism and clinical nutrition continuously since 1996, mentoring more than 250 clinical graduates, and has published and edited the Medical Herbalism journal since 1989. He has authored seven books on medical herbalism, clinical nutrition, ethnobotany, and naturopathic medicine. Combining information from both nutritional anthropology and biomedicine, he developed a successful protocol for treating insulin resistance between 1997 and 1999, and has been utilizing and teaching the protocol to residents in his teaching clinics since that time. He has lectured on this topic at professional conferences nationally and internationally since 2000.

Check out Paul's nutrition course at PRCOnline.

Visiting Professor

Dr. Debra Betts, PhD, graduated from the London College of Acupuncture in 1989. With a practice based in women’s health in 1997 she commenced acupuncture courses for midwives in New Zealand. Debra is the author of The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth published in 2006 and now translated into German and French. Her PhD on the use of acupuncture in threatened miscarriage was completed through the University of Western Sydney, Australia. Debra is currently the Director of an online Master’s qualification in Chinese medicine for the New Zealand School Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She also supervises a hospital maternity acupuncture clinic and lectures internationally on the use of maternity acupuncture.

Illya obtained his Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diploma at the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Victoria, B.C. (2002). He concluded his studies with an internship at Tianjing Second University Hospital in Tianjing, China. His intensive experience there sparked a profound appreciation for Chinese culture, philosophy and tradition. Illya’s residency in China also fostered a strong commitment to traditional Chinese medicine and he has been devoted to his practice ever since.

Upon his second trip to China in 2006, he worked at the reputable Shanghai East International Medical Hospital. After a year and a half of observing a wide variety of health modalities at the hospital - including physiotherapy, chiropractic and western medicine - he then moved to southeast Thailand where he joined the team at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa Resort.

Recognized for its outstanding Traditional Chinese Medicine department and signature health retreats, Kamalaya is one of the leading medical spas in Asia. While practicing there, Illya worked in a holistic capacity together with doctors from Naturopathic, Chinese, Ayurvedic and western medical backgrounds to achieve the health goals of his patients.

Illya returned to Canada in late 2008 and he has since launched Victoria Community Acupuncture + Spa (2011). Blending together the practice of community acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, registered massage therapy and holistic spa services, the center reflects his passion for alternative medicine. Illya has been working with the community acupuncture model for over 7 years in Victoria and he looks forward to sharing his diverse experience with students at Pacific Rim College as well as learning new insights.

Lacy Brandt is a Registered Acupuncturist and alumni of the Diploma of Acupuncture program at Pacific Rim College. She grew up in Alberta where she worked as a Physical Therapy Assistant in Hospitals and received a Bachelor's Degree in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from University of Calgary. Her approach to health is an integration of her Traditional Chinese Medicine education with her work and personal experiences in the Western Medical world. She loves helping individuals achieve a state of wellness with acupuncture because it allows her to unwind all these hidden psychological, emotional, spiritual, and physical connections as complex patterns versus viewing them all as separate parts. Mental health and trauma-informed care is a focus of her practice with educating and creating awareness of how it plays into the physical functions of the body. She also has interest in treating chronic pain, sports injuries, reproductive health, autoimmunity, and digestive health.

​ Sugandhi completed her Diploma of Acupuncture at Pacific Rim College. In addition, she studied at the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences in Nelson. Since completing her studies she has practiced in three countries, including with the Acupuncture Relief Project, providing primary care to patients in rural Nepal.

As a registered acupuncturist, Sugandhi’s goal is to help others achieve optimum health and wellbeing, that is a state of balance and wholeness. She is passionate to educate others on how the underlying principles of Chinese Medicine can not only improve the qualities of our own lives, but also support the health and wholeness of our communities and the planet.

Being deeply committed to service, Sugandhi handed off a busy practice on Vancouver Island to head to India. There she runs a busy charitable clinic for Embracing the World. She is very happy to connect with students and colleagues back in Canada by contributing to PRC’s online offerings.

Ian began his studies in electrical engineering in the UK but soon developed a strong parallel interest in the environment and sustainable technologies. This led to further studies in biology and later, after moving to Canada in 1997, environmental management and ecological restoration.

After a career in various industrial design roles, Ian has spent the past 20 years working as an educator in the fields of environment and technology at various institutions in Alberta and BC. He is passionate about ecological restoration and design and helping students on their educational journey.
Ian has also trained as a yoga and martial arts instructor, enjoys the outdoors, playing music, practicing improv, and making his garden into a mini wildlife haven.

Jon Cain is a Certified Athletic Therapist who graduated from Camosun College in 2014 with a Bachelor’s in Athletic and Exercise Therapy. He is a Victoria-born local with background in running, rock climbing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. With several years of experience in coaching young athletes as well, he brings an active approach to orthopaedic treatment and rehab to clients in his private practice. A mind-body approach to health and guiding the body’s natural abilities to recovery are central philosophies to his treatment style.

David Caudwell completed his studies in Herbal Medicine at the College of Phytotherapy in South East England and was awarded a BSc (Honours) from the University of Wales. After graduating David settled in Sussex, dividing his time between practice, clinic management and teaching responsibilities at the college where he trained. He has taught for the Universities of Wales and East London, and for the "Discovering Herbal Medicine" program run by Dr. Anne Walker. David is a member of The College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy, a professional body of herbalists established to champion the role and development of traditional herbal medicine in the modern world. David has a lifelong passion for wildlife, the outdoors and the world's indigenous medicine systems, which has led to travel on five continents. In his practice, David takes a particular interest in Women's Health, Fertility Issues and Cancer Care.

Kym Chi is a dedicated healer, grounding herself in service through earth stewardship, people care and regenerative action. As a dynamic woman, her main passions are Permaculture design, creative facilitation, visual art, holistic healing and community building.

To date, Kym has received 3 certificates in Permaculture Design, completed multiple teacher trainings, taken a variety of advanced trainings, completed a Diploma in Permaculture Education and has over 2000 hours facilitation experience. She has studied and taught with Permaculture Visionaries like Rosemary Morrow, Robin Clayfield, Starhawk, Robina McCurdy, Mark Lakeman, Michael Becker, Toby Hemenway, Larry Santoyo and Scott Pitman.

She is a chartered Herbalist and has completed advanced herbal studies with Susun Weed, Dina Falconi, Barbara Cotgrave, Robert A. Bartlett and Matthew Wood. With a love of learning, she continues to take courses that grow her understanding of the natural world.

Through her stewardship of a deepened connection with the environment, Kym wishes to inspire connection with the natural world, oneself and the greater community to invoke creative self expression and value-centred living, enriching and creating healthy, abundant habitats and communities.

With a focus on Social Permaculture, people care and connected living design, Kym works with empowerment models, enjoys encouraging others on their life path and focusses on ways to support organizations and communities to become more resilient. Her success is measured on the successes of her students, allies and friends.

Kym is a settler on the West Coast of Turtle Island on the unceded and stolen lands of the Coast Salish Peoples. She is dedicated to the continued process of decolonizing herself and creating right relations with the land and the original people where she lives, works and visits. 

Kym is a homesteader,  Permaculture Teacher, Holistic Healer, Mentor, HeArtist and is the Dean of the School of Permaculture Design at Pacific Rim College.

Dr. Angeli Chitale, BSc, ND, is a Queen’s University alumni whose journey into natural medicine began after successfully treating her own knee injury using naturopathic medicine. A graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, she has advanced training in botanical medicine and endocrine health, with a focus on thyroid, fertility, and reproductive wellness. At Pacific Rim College she teaches various courses in the School of Western Herbal Medicine and School of Holistic Nutrition, while maintaining an active clinical practice.

What brought you to the profession?

"I believe healing must honour the interconnectedness of all life. My mission is to embody and share the principles of natural medicine while continually expanding my understanding of health and healing. Through a holistic and sustainable approach to teaching and care, I aim to promote wellness for individuals and communities while contributing to a healthier, inclusive future".

What is your advice for a new graduate?

"My advice to a future grad would be - the web of life and healing is interconnected, so never stop learning!"

Malcolm's unique outlook allows him to meet clients and students in their individual needs. He turns old art forms into very practical life skills and has built techniques to relieve physical, environmental and emotional stresses. Client involvement is an important part in healing, which he encourages through hands-on bodywork, communication and home exercises. He has been inspired by practices such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Feldenkrais and Zero Balancing. In addition to teaching at Pacific Rim College in the Acupuncture and Doula programs, he also offers Bodywork and classes at U Retreat Spa and Wellness. 

Malcolm and his wife Melanie live in Sooke, BC, with their 3 active, joyful, home-learning children. He is passionate about playing music and spending time in nature. 

Peter Conway is a leading herbalist (Phytotherapist) with a core interest in contrasting and integrating approaches to healing from both traditional and contemporary sources. He enjoys testing the alleged boundaries between disciplines and approaches and seeing what happens when these give way to open up to allow new connections and potentials. Peter combines his clinical practice in Tunbridge Wells (where he has a special interest in working with people experiencing cancer) with herbal educational and political work.

Peter is a Fellow and former President of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy, a Fellow of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and a former Director of the European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association. He teaches on several herbal medicine courses - including co-teaching one for veterinarians. Peter helped develop the UK National Professional Standards for Herbal Medicine and sat on the UK Department of Health Steering Group looking at the regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture.

He has written several books including his recent textbook The Consultation in Phytotherapy: the herbal practitioner's approach to the patient published by Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone.

Liza is a Medical Herbalist and Holistic Nutritionist deeply committed to expanding her knowledge about all things plant-related. She has lived and worked on various organic farms studying regenerative agriculture, gained experience as a health consultant, and collaborated with various wellness-based start-ups. Since 2017, Liza has helped to develop Pacific Rim College Online, a digital platform for holistic health education. She is currently the Assistant Dean of the Community Herbalist Online program. Offline, Liza is setting up her private practice and works closely with Ravenhill Herb Farm where she grows herbs, leads tours, and hosts events. She also is the creator and curator of a tea project that blends herbs grown at the farm. Liza is a graduate of the Diploma of Phytotherapy program at Pacific Rim College.

Leila Darwish is a community organizer, bioremediation educator, author, and disaster response and recovery worker with a deep commitment to providing accessible and transformative tools for communities dealing with the toxic contamination of their lands and waters, and responding to natural and environmental disasters.

Her work is rooted in environmental and social justice, inspired by the power of community action, mutual aid, and regenerative earth repair. Over the last decade, she has worked as a community organizer for different environmental justice organizations and community groups in Canada and the USA on a variety of climate justice and watershed protection campaigns.

She currently works in the field of emergency management, disaster resilience and disaster recovery, supporting communities on the frontlines of climate chaos. Leila published her first book “Earth Repair: A Grassroots Guide to Healing Toxic and Damaged Landscapes” in 2013, and has taught numerous bioremediation and oil spill response courses in communities across North America.

Dr. Jaime de Melo is a Naturopathic Physician and Educator. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. He has a special interest in treating disorders of the Respiratory and Digestive Systems. Dr. de Melo is the founding Naturopathic physician for the Healthy for Life program at Aids Vancouver Island in the Access Health Centre. The Healthy for Life program provides free Naturopathic medical care and more (including need supplements) to individuals with low income, some with HIV, Hepatitis C and addictions who would otherwise not have access to appropriate medical care. He has published research in the area of botanical medicine with a focus on reporting quality guidelines. He holds faculty positions at both the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and the Pacific Rim College in Victoria, where he teaches courses on Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology and Nutrition.

Maria Depenweiller, BSc, NNCP, RNT, is a highly skilled Food Scientist, Registered Nutrition Therapist, and internationally recognized cookbook author with over 15 years of experience in nutrition, clinical research, food history, and food writing. Maria holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Food Science and Nutrition from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), a Writing in the Sciences certificate from Stanford University, and a diploma in Aromatherapy from Auckland College.

She has authored four books, two of which have received prestigious international recognition, including a Gourmand World Cookbook Award, with additional works shortlisted for both the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards and the Taste Canada Awards. She is known for her ability to translate complex nutritional science into clear, practical applications through creative writing and inspirational storytelling.

Maria's passion for the profession stems from her interest in the relationship between food, health, culture, and science, and her commitment to making evidence-based nutrition accessible and meaningful to diverse audiences. Her professional experience includes therapeutic recipe development for metabolic disorders and clinical research roles at the University of Southern California and the University of Toronto. She integrates scientific evidence with culinary tradition to create engaging and accessible educational resources.

Her advice to new graduates is to remain curious, commit to lifelong learning, and build a strong foundation in evidence-based practice. She believes that the ability to communicate scientific knowledge clearly and compassionately is essential to supporting and educating others effectively.

Stephanie is a clinical supervisor in the Acupuncture Program and an occasional guest lecturer in Prenatal Acupuncture. She was initially drawn to studying acupuncture because in the paradigm of Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotional and physical health are not considered separate. She has always been fascinated by the connection between mind and body. After graduating from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Vancouver (ICTCMV) in 2014, Stephanie has dedicated her practice to not only addressing physical ailments but also fostering emotional and psychological well-being among her clients.

Using evidence-based approaches, Stephanie's method integrates acupuncture with Compassionate Inquiry, a powerful technique developed by Dr. Gabor Maté, with whom she had the privilege of studying in 2020. This unique approach enables her to deeply understand and effectively treat the interconnectedness of mental, emotional, and physical health.

Stephanie began her career as an acupuncturist with a passion for how acupuncture can support a healthy pregnancy and birth. After completing her acupuncture diploma, she immediately launched into continuing education in the area of obstetrics and studied to become a member of the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association. Since then she has continued to study and practice in women’s health and perinatal care, supporting her clients hormonal health from puberty, childbearing and menopause.

Stephanie’s advice for a new graduate is to keep studying and learning after you graduate. What you learn in school is only the beginning.

Bobby Eng is a summa cum laude graduate and valedictorian of the Pacific Rim College Diploma of Acupuncture program. He enjoys fusing Traditional Chinese Medicine practices with a more Western view of Anatomy and Fascia to create a holistic and integrated healing experience. You may find his treatments to consist of local and distal needling, Cupping, Gua Sha, Tui Na, and Electro-Stimulation Acupuncture. Bobby has a passion for fitness and is also a firm believer is using movement therapy and exercise to reinforce and maximize the benefits of treatments. Consequently, he is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and has worked for over 5 years in various fields of Personal Training such as Rehabilitation, Sports Performance, and Injury Prevention.

Bobby wants to work alongside patients on their healing journey to ensure that they have a safe and beneficial return to their optimal state of function and also prevent the chance of future occurrence. His areas of passion include: sports injuries, repetitive strain injuries, general practice, sports performance, acute and chronic pain, digestive issues, anxiety, and sleeping issues.

Bobby completed a five-year degree in Recreation and Health Education from the University of Victoria where he also played Varsity Soccer. He currently enjoys ultra running and spending time with his wife (Rylee), new baby (Arrow), and dog (Charles Barkley) in the Saanich Peninsula.

Visiting Professor

Sally Fallon Morell is the founding president of the Weston A. Price Foundation and the author of the best-selling cookbook Nourishing Traditions. She is a world-renowned advocate for a return to traditional foods such as butter, whole raw milk, organ meats, bone broth and cod liver oil.

Heidi Fink, a Red Seal Chef and an award-winning cooking instructor, has been teaching cooking classes for over 20 years. Her fresh recipes, down-to-earth teaching style, and many cooking tips ensure that her students leave class with the confidence and enthusiasm they need to cook delicious food at home.

Previously Executive Chef of the renowned ReBar Modern Food restaurant in Victoria, Heidi now owns her own business teaching cookery classes and hosting culinary tours. In addition, she works as both a culinary instructor and instructional assistant in the Professional Cook Training program of Camosun College. She is the host of CHEK TV’s cooking show, Cookin’ on the Coast, and the chef representative for Vancouver Island’s own Country Grocer.

Heidi’s cooking classes and food writing have won multiple local awards for her contribution to culinary education on Vancouver Island. She has been a long-time supporter of local food systems and sustainable agriculture, and is thrilled that to have been able to contribute to this community over the course of her career.

Visiting Professor

Margi Flint owns and operates EarthSong Herbals, a busy family practice and herb school in Marblehead, Massachusetts. For over thirty years she has worked as a labour coach, polarity therapist, and herbalist. She has been Adjunct Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine where she taught a four-week rotation in clinical herbal medicine for Fourth Year Medical Students and practitioners at Union Hospital and her clinic in Marblehead, Massachusetts. She continues to teach Herbal Pharmacology at North Shore Community College, and for The Masters of Applied Natural Products course at Massachusetts College of Pharmacology. She is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild and serves as an Herbal Mentor for those who aspire to professional membership in the organization. She oversees two Practitioners Circles, one at her clinic in Marblehead and one in Newport Rhode Island.

Dr. Hong Fu is currently a Research Associate and Instructor in the Faculty of Education, University of Victoria. She has been an English language instructor for post-secondary students in China for 10 years and she is now involved in preparing teacher candidates to teach English language learners. She also has experience in Education Leadership programs for school teachers and administrators outside Canada.

Matthew Gindin, who graduated from PRC in 2011, is a registered Acupuncturist and certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counsellor and Yoga Vedanta teacher. Matthew has years of experience teaching Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and topics in Yogic and Buddhist philosophy. His interest in Chinese and Indian medicine began when he was living as a Buddhist monastic and became curious about what was best to eat and how to take care of his health. Matthew now lives in Vancouver, BC and spends his time in clinical practice as well as in teaching, writing, and journalism.

Alex Greenwood is a bicoastal woman. Born and raised in Halifax Nova Scotia she grew up exposed to the elements and deep roots within the community. She went on to travel the world and live in countries such as New Zealand, Australia and Guatemala before landing on Vancouver Island in 2020. Alex has a deep curiosity of humans and their nature which lead her to pursue a multidisciplinary career in the healing arts. With a BA in psychology from Bishop's university she found herself curious in the pursuit of understanding consciousness and the human condition. She went on to become a registered holistic nutritionist through CSNN Vancouver in 2014 followed by an intensive 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in the jungles of Costa Rica in 2017 through the Akhanda yoga lineage. Psychology (mind), nutrition (body) and yoga (spirit) became the foundation of care and inquiry into the human condition. Alex became a full time yoga instructor as well as a birth worker in 2018 studying under the DONA Institute, as well as studying under traditional birth keeper Kate Varsava. In 2019 Alex landed at Pacific Rim College to deepen her practice as a Doula. She also started studying cranial sacral therapy at this time. Alex now offers birth and craniosacral services in the Cowichan Valley.

Cielo began practicing Taiji in 2008. As a student of Chinese history, she has always been fascinated by traditional Chinese practices such as Taiji and Qigong. To experience the most authentic teachings, after the completion of her master’s degree in Chinese Historical Geography, she embarked on a journey to Chen Village (Chen Jia Gou) in Henan Province, the birthplace of Chen Style Taiji. During her three-month stay, she trained intensively every day.

Upon returning to her hometown of Shanghai, Cielo connected with Chen Style Taiji national champion Yelei Xie, a professor of Traditional Martial Arts at Shanghai University of Sports. Under his guidance and that of his student, Qingran Zhan, another national champion, she practiced Taiji and Health Qigong daily for years before immigrating to Canada in 2015.

In Canada, Cielo continues her practice and learning through online sessions with her teachers. She also attends workshops with them whenever she returns to China. She completed her 4-year TCM program in 2023, which has deepened her understanding of theoretical foundation of Taiji. With more than fifteen years of teaching experience in yoga, Cielo’s classes are adaptable and student-centered.

Teaches in the Holistic Doula Program and the School of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Registered Acupuncturist, Shamanic Practitioner, Holistic Doula, College Instructor

The road to acupuncture was long and winding, as the very best journeys often are. Marika originally wanted to become an MD and work with Médecins Sans Frontières, but as she progressed through her university studies, she realized something was missing. She wanted a deeper way of helping people—one that considered the whole person rather than simply treating illness.

This realization led Marika to pursue a degree in Medical Anthropology, where she explored how different cultures understand illness, disease, and health. Through her studies, and later while living and traveling throughout Tanzania, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Europe, and the United States, she immersed herself in many traditional healing modalities. She studied Western Herbal Medicine, Ayurveda, and Shamanic Healing, while also gaining a broader perspective on her own health and the dis-ease present within Western culture.

When she returned home, Marika decided to become a doula with the hope of eventually becoming a midwife. It was during this time that she was first introduced to Pacific Rim College. Throughout the program, she received regular acupuncture treatments, and after practicing as a doula for several years, she returned to Pacific Rim College to study acupuncture. She realized that acupuncture brought together everything she had been searching for: a practical clinical skill, an understanding that every aspect of life influences well-being, an ancient lineage of wisdom, and a profound connection between body, mind, heart, and spirit.

From this foundation, Marika has woven a practice that naturally attracts clients who are grappling with life's deeper questions, navigating significant transitions or initiations, or seeking greater awareness and transformation in their lived experience. She draws upon her training as an acupuncturist through Five Element, spirit, and channel-based perspectives, alongside her intuition and experience as a shamanic healer, exploring ancestral patterns, past-life influences, and the spiritual dimensions of healing. She also brings the lived wisdom gained through motherhood, birth work, and the experience of grieving the loss of loved ones—and of parts of herself—to support clients as they face their own inner lead and transform it into gold.

Marika is deeply humbled to serve as a steward of these healing traditions and feels honored to support both the clients and students with whom she has the privilege of working.

When asked what advice she would offer new graduates, Marika encourages them to seek experience in many different settings and styles of practice. She believes it is important to discover which clients are naturally drawn to them, whom they most enjoy treating, and to find mentors or trusted colleagues with whom they can discuss cases. Above all, she reminds new practitioners that they do not need to know everything. Showing up fully, listening deeply, and holding the intention to see each person as whole and inherently healthy is, in her view, one of the greatest medicines anyone can offer.

Mia Harris is a registered holistic nutritionist with a focus on women’s health. She is passionate about teaching people how to have a healthy relationship with food and their body. She lives in Saskatchewan and her practice is fully online. To learn more about her you can visit her website www.miaharrisnutrition.com.

Shima Hashemian is a Medical Herbalist and the co-founder of Heartsease Herbs. She has been in private practice since graduating with highest honours from PRC’s Phytotherapy Diploma Program in 2016. Prior to this, she studied Food, Nutrition, and Health at the University of British Columbia, obtaining her Bachelor of Science Degree (Hons) in 2011. There she specialized in Food Market Analysis, with a special interest in Food Security Issues, which took her traveling and farming both at home and abroad. 

Shima has been a supervisor at the PRC dispensary since 2017 during which time she has overseen thousands of herbal formulations. In addition, since January 2020, Shima has served as a supervisor in the student training clinic.

Shima combines her knowledge of health, herbalism and nutrition with her spirituality in all her professional roles. She uses this compassionate, heart-centered, and holistic vision to guide and support her students and patients on their own unique journeys. 

Melissa is a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine with the CTCMA of BC. She graduated magna cum laude from the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Program at Pacific Rim College in 2014. She has since practiced in collaborative multidisciplinary health clinics both in Victoria, BC, and New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Melissa now practices out of two clinic locations: Copper Mountain Centre in James Bay and Pure Body Health downtown Victoria.

Prior to studying Chinese Medicine, Melissa completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Psychology and a minor in Religious Studies from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS, graduating with honors magna cum laude.

Melissa has a special interest in women's health, mental health and digestion, but enjoys treating a wide range of health issues. She is passionate about the holistic approach of TCM and takes pride in customizing each unique treatment, employing acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, gua sha and food therapy depending on the needs of each individual.

In her down time Melissa enjoys spending time in nature, going for walks, often while listening to podcasts. She’s an avid reader, both of novels and health and wellness books. Melissa loves food, cooking and exploring all the great places to eat in the city.

Yvonne is a lifelong Earthkeeper and enthusiastic about anything related to growing and nature. Often found, hands in the dirt, on the farm where she passionately works and stewards the land with her family, she specializes in plant identification, propagation, succession planning and planting, harvesting, sales and communication, problem-solving and a willingness to try anything.

Driven by a love of plants and being outdoors, Yvonne established a flower growing business to supply local florists, wholesalers and retail customers with unsprayed, high quality cut flowers and edible flowers. Each year, she lovingly cuts and delivers tens of thousands of hand-seeded and grown flowers to delighted customers around the community.

Yvonne participated in the Floret Online Workshop which is an intensive program designed to teach all elements of sustainable large-scale farming, from the soil level, to seed starting and transplanting, succession planting, efficient harvesting, to end-product sales and delivery.

Prior to farm life, Yvonne accumulated career experience and skills in business administration, project management, teaching, team building, event planning and customer relations.

Alexis is a Registered Herbal Therapist with the British Columbia Herbal Association, and owner and operator of Wild Water Botanicals based out of Victoria, BC. Raised in a health-conscious, nature-loving family, Alexis developed an early connection to the natural world and a lasting passion for plant medicine.

Alexis began her formal path in natural health in 2008, earning a Certificate in Aromatherapy from Mount Royal University. Her interest in supporting health concerns internally as well as externally eventually led her to complete a Diploma of Phytotherapy at Pacific Rim College. She graduated with the highest of honours in April 2014 as class valedictorian.

After graduating, Alexis joined Pacific Rim College’s Dispensary Team and became Dispensary Manager the following year. In 2016, she joined the PRC faculty, where she enjoys teaching, mentoring, and supporting budding herbalists—whom she fondly calls “herblets.” In addition to her Diploma of Phytotherapy and Certificate in Aromatherapy, Alexis also holds training in Lomi Lomi and CranioSacral Therapy.

When she is not immersed in the world of herbal medicine, Alexis can often be found sipping matcha, reading by the beach, playing guitar, practicing with her bo staff, or hiking the beautiful landscapes of Vancouver Island with her camera.

Patrick completed the four year masters program in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at CCAOM and has been registered with CTCMA and in private practice in victoria since 2001. At his clinic, Luminous Island, he enjoys incorporating a variety of healing modalities into his treatments. In addition to Acupuncture and Tui Na he offers iRest Yoga Nidra, and Zero Balancing. Patrick has taught at the Canadian College of Acupressure and has developed workshops and events that make energetic healing concepts and practices available to a wide range of people.

Visiting Professor

Jude Hobbs is an internationally recognized permaculture designer, educator and co-founder of the Permaculture Institute of North America (PINA). With over 30 years’ experience she utilizes whole-system techniques in urban and rural settings to co-design environmentally sound solutions that inspire sustainable actions. Through her business, Agro-Ecology Northwest, she specializes in optimizing resource conservation, biodiversity, soil and watershed enhancement and income diversification for large and small-scale acreage.

As an educator, she conveys her passion for permaculture to students worldwide by providing curricula developed to encompass diverse learning styles with teaching techniques that are accessible, inspiring and information rich.

Jude tends Wilson Creek Gardens, a 7-acre homestead and demonstration site located in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Learn more at www.cascadiapermaculture.com

Lindsay’s interest in plants was cultivated in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. During 10 years of work as a naturalist guide, Lindsay gained a deep appreciation for ecology. Her instruction and healing work integrates her respect for the profound nature of connection within our web of life. She has a deep love for plants and a passion to increase the availability of safe, effective medicines. After study in geography, nutrition, and yoga, and mentorship in energy work, shamanism, organic gardening, and herbal wildcrafting, she dedicated herself to herbal studies and was one of Pacific Rim College’s first Diploma of Phytotherapy graduates. She is a professional member of the British Columbia Herbalists Association, the past Vice President of the Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations, and former Dean of the School of Western Herbal Medicine at Pacific Rim College. She lives in the traditional territory of the Lekwungen speaking peoples (the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations) currently known as Victoria, BC. She is a happy gardener, yogi, and mother to 2 children.

Amanda Howe has been a Herbalist for over 35 years. She trained in England in the early
’80s and became a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (UK). She went on to
receive her MSc in Herbal Medicine from the University of Wales. Amanda worked in England in
a multidisciplinary clinic before moving to Vancouver Island 30 years ago. Since moving to
Canada Amanda has been active in practice as a Herbalist and as a herbal educator. She has
served on the board of the provincial Canadian Herbalists Association of BC as well as the
national Herbal Practitioners Council – the Canadian Council of Herbalists Associations
(CCHA), working to ensure continued access to herbal medicines for Herbalists and the general
public. And she also sat on Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Expert Advisory
Committee.

Amanda spent several years teaching at Pacific Rim College in Victoria, BC. as a teacher in
their excellent full-time Herbal Practitioner training program, and was involved in funded
research projects with the Centre for Livelihoods and Ecology at Royal Roads University.
Amanda is passionate about herbs and herbal medicine and about sharing the connection to the
natural world that can be found through connecting with and learning about the healing power of
plants. Amanda loves to teach and is happiest when she is in the garden teaching people how
to grow, harvest, use and listen to the magic of the plants that are thriving there

Juan Huang received her PH.D. in internal medicine of TCM at Beijing University of TCM and Pharmacology, Beijing, China. She has been involved in several research projects both experimental and clinical at the municipal and national level in China. Dr. Huang has 20 years of teaching experience both in China and Canada. She has been principle instructor at Academy of Classical Oriental Science in Nelson, BC, for 13 years and at Calgary College of Acupuncture and TCM for 3 years. She has taught a broad range of courses from Diagnosis, Acupuncture therapeutics, Herbology, Formula, internal medicine, external medicine, gynecology, Pediatric and classic courses. Additionally, Dr. Huang was a highly esteemed lecturer at the Capital Medical University (Beijing).

Dr. Huang has 28 years of clinical experience both in China and Canada, including 13 years practicing both at Guixi municipal Hospital (Jiangxi Province, China ) and Dongzhimen Hospital, which is the affiliated hospital of Beijing University of TCM and Pharmacology (Beijing, China) and 15 years practicing at TCM colleges in Canada. She has successfully treated many difficult diseases in internal medicine and gynecology with acupuncture and herbal medicine. Dr. Huang has numerous articles published in academic Chinese medicine journals.

Jarret has worked in food security in Victoria for over a decade, most recently with Quadra Village Community Centre and previously with the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society. He currently educates the public through three community gardens in Quadra Village, where he cultivates a diverse range of vegetables, edible perennials, medicinal plants, native pollinator species, and fruit trees.
Jarret has studied herbal medicine-making and grows, harvests, and processes over 20 medicinal plants for the Pacific Rim College REES clinic apothecary. His farming background includes four years of starting and managing a one-acre market garden, where he developed strong skills in small-scale, intensive food production.

Jarret’s growing philosophy emphasizes vertical growing, permaculture principles, SPIN farming, and polyculture companion planting. His passion for gardening is rooted in a holistic approach shaped by his work as a mental health coach, where he integrates food literacy and gardening as meaningful psychosocial practices. He also holds training as a Physiotherapist Assistant (PTA) and is a certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator.

Outside the garden, Jarret enjoys camping, yoga, meditation, and travelling throughout Latin America.

Amy Klazek is a Medical Herbalist and a graduate of the Diploma of Phytotherapy program at Pacific Rim College. She is a professional member the Canadian Herbalist Association of British Columbia and operates a small private practice in Victoria, BC. As a member of the team at Pacific Rim College, she is proud to contribute to the education of holistic health as the Admissions Director, Assistant Director of the Holistic Doula Certificate program, and an instructor for the Holistic Doula Certificate and Community Herbalist Certificate programs.

Rory Knapp-Fisher is a student of movement and the human body. He has been actively training in martial arts for over 20 years and completed his BA in Anthropology at Malaspina University (now VIU) with a focus on traditional medicines. These two fields of interest combined in 2008 when Rory went to China on a language study exchange at the Shanghai University of TCM and in 2009 he enrolled at Pacific Rim College. In 2013 he completed his Diploma of Acupuncture and began his professional practice.  Finding that he had a particular knack for injuries, pain and mobility issues he began to direct his practice and advanced training towards Sports Acupuncture techniques. In the summer of 2015 he synthesized his various interests and opened Jin Therapeutics Sports Acupuncture in downtown Victoria. Rory believes that movement is a profound medicine and loves using acupuncture and tui na to enhance his clients' quality of life. When not in clinic or teaching, Rory can be found walking around Victoria, climbing trees, practicing his martial arts or reading in a coffee shop.  

Hillary has been a practicing Registered Holistic Nutritionist since 2004. Her professional experience has spanned from clinical settings in supportive cancer care and private practice, to nutrition programming for people living with HIV, with a specific focus on not-for-profit and social justice settings. 

Alongside clinical practice, Hillary is a freelance writer for various health and wellness publications and companies, and has taught cooking classes and developed content for community health programs and initiatives. She is passionate about travel and our relationships to food with a special interest in cultural diets and the various ways and contexts in which we nourish ourselves, both individually and collectively.

When not focusing on nutrition, she can be found tasting her way around the world or channeling the ‘50s with her vintage clothing business. 

Visiting Professor

Mark Lakeman is a co-founder of the City Repair Project in Portland, Oregon, and served as the Co-Director of Creative Vision from 1995 to 2008. He is presently active as a core member, overall mentor, and project coordinator in City Repair's annual urban permaculture festival known as the Village Building Convergence. Mark is also the founder and principal of Communitecture, Inc, a cutting edge eco-architecture and planning design firm with sustainable building and planning projects at all scales. These highly popular projects include such social-ecological innovations as The ReBuilding Center, numerous ecovillage projects and urban infill co-housing examples. Many current projects involve low income and homeless people in the self-development of tiny-home based villages. All of these initiatives were developed out of the Planet Repair Institute, which Mark co-founded, including PRI's acclaimed urban permaculture design course which is currently taught in collaboration with Permaculture PDX and Witch Hazel Inc.

After working for several years in the 1980s as a lead designer of large scale corporate projects, in 1988 Mark embarked on a series of cultural immersion projects with numerous indigenous societies in order to derive place-making patterns which could be applied to urban settings across North America. These patterns include broad participation, local ownership, and transference of authority to local populations, creative expression in planned and unplanned processes, and social networks as the primary economic medium of change. His travels lasted until 1995 when he returned to Portland to undertake a series of creative, culturally restorative initiatives. His cooperative initiatives include the Last Thursday Arts & Culture Project, The City Repair Project, Communitecture, Inc., the Intersection Repair Project, the T-Horse mobile public gathering place, Dignity Village, the annual Earth Day celebration of localization, and the Village Building Convergence (VBC), and Planet Repair Institute.

Visiting Professor

Dr. Butch Levy is an integrative MD and Licensed Acupuncturist with thirty years practice and experience in Chinese Medicine. His instruction was initially in TCM, but his clinical education has been from a Japanese perspective on TCM principles and applications. With decades of mentorship from his teacher, friend, and colleague Dr. Miki Shima, he gained extensive clinical experience in Extra Vessel and Channel Divergent acupuncture as well as the Kampo approach to herbal therapies.

His current clinical practice focuses on complex chronic diseases. In addition to providing patient care, he teaches and writes about acupuncture and herbal therapies. He coauthored a Shang Han Lun case book with Dr Shima in 2018 titled Miraculous Cures by Shang Han Lun Masters, and he recently completed a second edition on Kampo herbal medicine, titled Secrets of the Herbal Masters.

Michael Lium Hall has accumulated more than twenty years of study and practice in the fields of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Massage, Yoga Therapy, and Addictions, all of which inform his practice. For the past 14 years he has been practicing channel-based acupuncture in his community acupuncture clinic, where he has given more than 40,000 treatments. Michael has served on the faculty of both the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and Pacific Rim College.

Dr. Martha Lucas holds a PhD in Psychology as well as certification and licensing to practice TCM. She has more than 20 years of teaching experience and is described as "a dynamic speaker who keeps her classes engaged and who can explain complex information in an understandable form". She teaches Pulse Balance System internships that integrate classical pulse models for use in contemporary clinical applications, Qi Gong, Women's health and herbal prescriptions, and Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture. Her private practice is based in Denver, Colorado, where she specializes in treating serious chronic illness, couples who are having fertility challenges, and anti-aging treatments.

David came to Chinese medicine by way of the comparative study of Eastern and Western philosophy at the University of Victoria’s departments of philosophy and religious studies. There, he developed a deep reverence for the Taoist and Mahayana world views, which inform both his practice and day to day life.

After graduating with a degree in philosophy, David spent five years in Asia teaching and traveling, where he was introduced to Tai Chi as a student, and Chinese medicine as a patient. Deeply impressed by acupuncture’s ability to treat pain and speed recovery from injury, David decided to pursue studies in Chinese medicine, learning the medicine based upon the metaphysics he finds most convincing.

He graduated magna cum laude from Pacific Rim College in 2019, and became a registered acupuncturist the following year while continuing studies in Chinese herbal medicine. David embraced the challenges brought by the pandemic in 2020 and took over a local clinic, determined to learn to run a small business while providing exceptional clinical care.

David realizes the high level of privilege experienced in his life, and understands it to render him in a debt of service to others.

He is also astounded daily by the profundity of the clinical encounter, and its interplay of identity, power, politics and humanity.

David practices with humility and gratitude at Haultain Health Centre, a dedicated healing space located on the traditional and unceded territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ, Esquimalt, and Songhees peoples.

Celina Lyons, M.Sc., R.Ac., D.O.M. received her Masters Of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from ACTCM in San Francisco in 2005. She completed a post grad training in Functional Medicine in 2021. She is a passionate healthcare provider and educator. Much of her post graduate training has focused on her great loves; women’s health, fertility and pregnancy and pediatrics. She grew up with a mother who was a midwife for 40 years. A godmother and teacher who was a home birth  midwife and  Doctor of Chinese Medicine. Birth, babies and the transformation of women has always drawn her in. She has taught Pediatric Acupuncture at Pacific Rim and has been been teaching for the Holistic Doula program since it began.

Celina Lyons has been practicing Integrative medicine for over 20 years. and is currently in private practice and owns her own clinic,  Celina Lyons Acupuncture & Medical Arts. She has a primary focus on women’s health, fertility, pregnancy and children’s medicine. She continues to incorporate  Functional Medicine into her Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, finding great joy in bringing the ancient wisdom and artistry of Chinese Medicine together with modern tools of inquiry and examination. Particularly when working with autoimmune diseases, chronic illness, cancer, etc.

Foundational to Celina’s work in medicine and healthcare is a passion for helping bring people back into balance within themselves and the natural world that holds them, so that they can meet life fully.

Visiting Professor

Back in university, Bev earned a reputation as a tenacious inquisitive driven to make sense of nature through scientific endeavors .  This reputation has withstood the test of time.  Today, as a practicing Medical Herbalist and international speaker at medical conferences and colleges, Bev focuses on demystifying menopause for patients that don’t respond to traditional medicine.

Bev’s unique background informs her deep investigative approach.  Her science studies led her to work in fundamental research, pharmaceuticals, anesthesia, oncology, urology, transplantation and neurology for twelve years before training as a Medical Herbalist and opening her own clinic.  This unique blend of education and experience provided her with a rare ability to study the intricacies of our nervous, endocrine and digestive systems for physiological, emotional and spiritual root causes to medical concerns associated with the menopausal process, some of them deep seated and lifelong.

Bev’s inquiring personality (encouraged by both parents being teachers) has lent itself to her style, as a generous and passionate speaker particularly adept at empowering her audience to deconstruct complex ideas into their simplest form and apply this learning in the context of their own medical practices.

In addition to her work at Maya Natural Health, Bev also works in collaboration with several Medical Doctors specializing in wholistic solutions during midlife at Westcoast Women's Centre for Hormone Health, Vancouver, B.C.

Andrea's journey into holistic nutrition began through her own experience with health challenges. She originally studied Medical Sciences at Western University with the goal of becoming a physician. However, after being diagnosed with celiac disease, she faced years of gut issues, hormonal imbalances, acne, and mental health struggles. When she couldn't find the answers she was looking for, she turned to the world of holistic health—and it completely changed the course of her life.

After experiencing the transformative power of nutrition, lifestyle, and herbal medicine firsthand, Andrea knew she wanted to help others find the same hope and healing. This experience inspired her to complete her undergraduate degree in Biology, specializing in Microbiology and Biochemistry, at Brock University before earning her Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) designation through the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.

Andrea has now spent more than six years working in the natural health industry, educating the public, supporting clients in health food stores, and providing one-on-one nutritional guidance in both in-person and virtual clinical practice.

One of Andrea's greatest passions is education. She enjoys sharing not only the science behind holistic nutrition but also the practical strategies that empower people to make meaningful, lasting changes to their health. She hopes to inspire students to stay curious, lead with empathy, and remember that behind every client is a unique story. Andrea believes holistic health has an exciting future and is passionate about helping the next generation of practitioners make a genuine difference in the lives of others.

Doula Program Director, Holistic Doula Certificate

Emily McGregor was raised in a close-knit community in southern Ontario where caregiving was shared, relationships were interwoven, and the line between family and community was beautifully blurred. From an early age, she developed a deep respect for collective care and the enduring strength of supportive bonds — values that continue to shape her work today.

As a mother through both birth and adoption, and now a grandmother of ten, Emily brings decades of lived experience in nurturing, advocacy, and community-building to her professional practice. Throughout her life, she has supported individuals and families through seasons of growth, grief, and transition — helping them cultivate resilience, self-trust, and joy.

After completing the Doula Program at Pacific Rim College in December 2013, Emily stepped fully into her calling as a birth doula. She quickly developed a passion not only for supporting families during pregnancy and birth, but for education as a cornerstone of empowerment. Emily believes informed families are better equipped to make confident, values-aligned decisions, and she prioritizes evidence-based knowledge alongside compassionate care.

In addition to her work with families, Emily has dedicated significant time to mentoring new doulas as they attend their first births and develop their professional confidence. She is deeply committed to fostering integrity, competence, and heart-centered leadership within the doula community.

As the founder of Firefly Perinatal Education, Emily continues to support families navigating pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood, while contributing to the growth and sustainability of the birth work profession.

Kayla’s dream of finding a comprehensive herbal medicine program came true in 2009 when she discovered the Diploma of Phytotherapy program at Pacific Rim College. While completing this program, she quickly and passionately fell in love with traditional Chinese medicine, which inspired her to continue her studies. She went on to graduate as a Medical Herbalist and a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Prior to her education at Pacific Rim College, she completed various trainings in aromatherapy, birth and postpartum doula, massage, and reiki.

A dedicated yoga practice over the past decade led her to India twice to immerse herself in this spiritual tradition. On her first trip, she completed a yoga teacher training and returned a year later to teach yoga and do volunteer acupuncture at a charitable hospital through the ashram she was living at. The profound effects that herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and yoga have had on her life are what inspired her to study these ancient healing traditions. She is deeply passionate about helping people connect to their innate healing potential. 

She is currently registered with the CTCMA as a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and focuses her practice on women’s health. She is deeply committed to her patients and her greatest joy is supporting women in the areas of fertility, gynecology, pregnancy, digestive health, and mental wellness.

Molly Moon is a mother, a doula and a singer of sacred songs. She has been living the practice of Yoga for over 20 years, and has led Yoga Teacher Training programs around the world with her passion for guiding the wild, awakening spirit. When not chasing around her toddler, Molly might be found inventing new flavours of Kombucha or pulling weeds in the garden. She brings with her the magic of song wherever she goes.

Born and raised just outside of Montreal, Heather began working in holistic health around 2003. This path eventually led to Pacific Rim College where she graduated with highest honours from the Phytotherapy program in 2016. Since then she has merged herbalism and energy work in her practice. Heather is also a writer and content editor who loves to help others improve their writing. In 2011, Heather graduated with distinction from Concordia University where she did a double major in Specialization Psychology and Linguistic Science. With over 10 years of experience in the areas of writing, editing, and holistic health, Heather is now pleased to be sharing her knowledge with others.

Christina's background is in landscape gardening, architecture, and design. She has been teaching organic horticulture, landscape design, and plant ID at Gaia College for 15 years. Christina has designed many Victoria gardens as well! She is a SOUL Certified Organic Urban Land Care Professional and a volunteer with, and past board member of, SOUL (Society for Organic Urban Land Care). Currently she runs a local fertilizer business, The Organic Gardener's Pantry, retailing fine fertilizers and microbial products. If there is time left, she can be found in the garden, getting her hands dirty.

Trained at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Donna received her Doctor of Naturopathy degree. Donna is certified by the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC to practice acupuncture as well as naturopathy.

​Donna received a Master of Science from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria. She is a biologist and ecologist, as well as a post-secondary education instructor.

​Donna studied yoga for many years and is an IKYTA certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor.  Donna is also a parent, nature-lover, and community-minded spirit.

Teaches in the School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Brook Paulin was born and raised in the harbour town of Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. He is a lifetime student and practitioner of the healing arts who realized his passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a culmination of insight & interest while learning about other natural systems of restoration through Permaculture, and has since been on this path.

Brook attained his Diploma of Acupuncture and Diploma of TCM Herbology from the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He then earned his Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diploma, graduating magna cum laude, from Pacific Rim College. He is a Registered Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine in British Columbia. He is also certified in Jin Shin Do, Mei-Zen Facial Rejuvenation, 5-Element Acupuncture, and Sports Medicine Acupuncture. He favours classical perspectives in Chinese medical diagnosis, but integrates modern approaches and understandings in practice.

Visiting Professor

RoseMarie Pierce, B.Sc. Pharm, is the owner of Pharmacy-Alternatives Corporation, a consulting firm specializing in natural health product research and development. In 1972, she earned her Pharmacy degree from Dalhousie University, Halifax. While at university, she partook in the “Opportunities for Youth” program, managing the dispensary for the Storefront Health clinic located in the under-privileged area of Halifax. In the early part of her career, she taught prescription compounding to 4^th year pharmacy students at The College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University. RoseMarie studied Herbology for a number of years with Clinical herbalist Terry Willard, Ph.D. at Wild Rose College in Calgary. Following extensive studies in herbology and nutritional medicine, RoseMarie integrated these disciplines into her pharmacy practice to become one of Canada’s first holistic pharmacists. She is widely recognized in Canada as a well-loved integrated health spokesperson, media personality, and writer.  

Throughout her career, RoseMarie has researched and formulated natural medicines and lectured across Canada on holistic health with an emphasis on women’s hormonal health, digestive issues, cognitive and ocular wellness, inflammation, immunity, pH balance, and drug-nutrient depletions. RoseMarie has a natural ability to present technical information in an easy-to-understand format and acts as a catalyst for individuals who wish to improve their health, enjoy vitality, and realize their potential.

RoseMarie is on the faculty (as a visiting Professor) of Pacific Rim College, an award-winning institution specializing in Holistic Medicine and Sustainable Living. She presents weekend workshops as part of the Diploma of Holistic Nutrition program and now has her first online course on Drug–Nutrient Depletions and Drug–Food–Herb–Nutrient Interactions, debuting through PRCOnline in Fall 2020.

RoseMarie serves as a senior technical adviser for Prairie Naturals Health Products and GFR Pharma Manufacturing. She has over 48 years of extensive experience in both the Natural Health Industry as well as in conventional medicine.

RoseMarie has two grown daughters who spent 9 and 11 years in Waldorf education. She was a founding director and second president of the Calgary Waldorf School and served on the board of the Sunhaven Waldorf School once she and her husband moved to the Sunshine Coast. Anthroposophical medicine and home remedies, Waldorf education, and the work of Rudolf Steiner remain dear to her heart.

RoseMarie and her husband David have been offering community development workshops known as “Heart-to-Heart Communication” to groups and individuals of all kinds in both North America and Europe since the early 1990s. This heart-opening process, helping individuals develop deep human connections, is one of the ways David and RoseMarie feel they can contribute to the betterment of humanity. You can locate her at www.holistic-pharmacist.com.

Krista is a Medical Herbalist in private practice in Victoria, BC, balancing her private practice as a faculty member at Pacific Rim College, teaching courses in herbal medicine and medicine making, along with supervising clinical training.   Krista is passionate about medicine making and has a full dispensary created 95% from herbs she has grown or from tinctures she has made herself from either percolations or macerations. Ethical wild-harvesting, cultivation, and developing those intimate relationships with plants fuels her spirit and her practice.

Krista has focused her continuing education within hormonal health with herbal mentors such as Aviva Romm, as well as Fertility Symposiums and Women’s Health conferences. Krista has spoken at the Kootenay Herb Conference in 2016 and 2018, with Colleen Emery’s Mentorship Program in Winlaw, the Herb Gathering on Vancouver Island in 2017, American Herbalist Guild in 2019, offered a combined practitioner intensive workshop with Bev Maya in the Winter of 2018 and 2019 at Pacific Rim College and will be speaking at the Canadian Herb Conference in 2020. Krista continues to offer through Pacific Rim College Online a three part online course on Menstrual Cycle Tracking and Herbal Medicine for the general public and for practitioners. 

Krista maintains a professional membership with the British Columbia Herbalist’s Association (BCHA) and is actively involved with this organization as a member of the Board of Directors. She is also actively involved in the People’s Apothecary, a community Herbal Medicine garden located in Quadra Village.

Visiting Professor

Sarah Pritchard was one of the first westerners to practice Tui na in the UK and is known as an inspiring teacher and workshop leader. She originally trained to be an actor at RADA where she was introduced to Alexander Technique, Qi Gong, yoga and meditation as well as the performance and communication skills that have proved invaluable for teaching. Her Chinese Medicine studies began in 1992. She trained at the London School of Chinese Clinical Massage Therapy, the Nanjing University of TCM, and the London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She has been a member of the British Acupuncture Council since 2000.

Sarah is the author of two Tui na books Chinese Massage Manual, originally published by Piatkus in 1999 and re-published with Singing Dragon in 2015, is the definitive introductory text on Tui na Massage currently published in English. Her second book Tui na: A Manual of Chinese Massage Therapy, published by Elsevier Churchill Livingstone in 2010 and re-published by Singing dragon in 2015, is a comprehensive handbook for the 21st century student and practitioner of Tui na working in the West. Both books are used as essential texts on Tui na training courses in the UK, Europe, and the USA.

Sarah has 17 years of teaching experience. In 2001, she wrote and developed the professional Tui na course for the LCTA London College of Traditional Acupuncture. She was course co-ordinator and senior lecturer until the college closed in November 2010. She is currently senior lecturer and Tui na course co-ordinator at the City College of Acupuncture in London. Sarah has run courses, workshops and postgraduate seminars on Tui na and the integration of acupuncture, moxa, and Tui na for the LCTA, the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine (CICM), the International College of Oriental Medicine (ICOM) in the UK, for Total Health in Holland, the Florence Tui na Congress, the ScuolaTao Milano in Italy, and for Pacific Rim College in Victoria BC. Sarah has been in private practice since 1994. She is the founder and Director of Blackheath Complementary Health Centre in London, established in May 2000. More can be found on her website at www.sparktheshen.com.

Dr. Elli Reilander is a licensed naturopathic physician in Sidney, BC. She has completed a bachelor of science degree from the University of Victoria and a 4-year doctor of naturopathic medicine diploma from Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine.

Local to Sidney, Dr. Reilander is excited to be back improving the lives of those from her hometown. She focuses on patient-centered naturopathic care and creating individualized, clinically effective, evidence supported treatment plans. Her personal health concerns have allowed for a unique perspective and have directed her to special clinical interests in autoimmunity, digestive and hormonal health.

For fun, Dr. Reilander loves to dance and is still actively involved in her dance community on the Saanich Peninsula. She is also an avid outdoor enthusiast and spends as much time as possible exploring our local wilderness.

Sky Richarde began her herbal education in 2010 with the Science & Art of Herbalism by Rosemary Gladstar. From there she was inspired to deepen her knowledge, move to Canada from the U.S, and go on to complete the Diploma of Phytotherapy program (with honours) offered by Pacific Rim College. Along with yearly continuing education programs in the fields of plant and mushroom medicines, as well as sleep sciences. She is now a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild and owner of White Owl Medicinals, her personal home-based clinic located in Esquimalt, BC. Besides her work as a clinical herbalist and educator, she is also a personal caregiver, working 24-hour shifts helping to support the lives of those who would otherwise not be independent. 

Sky has a special interest in sleep and dream support where she finds herbal medicine can shine, helping to assist those who are left behind by the conventional medical system. 

Beyond her special interest, Sky has developed extended knowledge in North American medicinal and edible mushrooms, undergoing many continuing education programs in this realm. This helps her to support clients, engage with the community in educational walks, and share her knowledge with her students. You’ll often find Sky deep in the woods excitedly exploring the local flora, fauna, and fungi; sharing her knowledge with anyone willing to listen. 

Visiting Professor

Jason Robertson is a licensed acupuncturist and educator in Seattle, Washington. He spent 8 years studying Chinese language and medicine in Taiwan and China. He is the author of numerous articles on acupuncture channel theory and palpatory diagnostic techniques. In 2008, along with Professor Wang Ju-Yi, he co-authored Applied Channel Theory in Chinese Medicine. Jason was a key speaker at the 2010 TCM Kongress in Rothenburg, Germany. His clinical practice, Kentucky Ginseng, is located in Seattle, and he is a core faculty member at Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine.

Tiffany Robinson has 19 years of experience in the social services sector, a B.A. in psychology, and over 16 years’ experience developing and facilitating dynamic wellness programs for youth and adults. She is a full-time instructor of Lightwork’s Level 1 to 3 meditation courses and Teacher Training program, and is the Director of Operations for Lightwork Meditation. Tiffany has been studying meditation for 16 years, completing Lightwork’s two-year meditation teacher training in 2012, and a three-year apprenticeship in 2015. Drawing from invaluable past experience as the Wellness Programs Specialist for the Crisis Centre of B.C., Tiffany co-developed and facilitated hundreds of workshops, webinars and wellness programs designed to enhance well-being, resilience and mental health. Over 13 years, she championed the centre’s first mindfulness training programs and was instrumental in establishing key contracts to deliver large-scale mindfulness programs to 1,500+ person organizations, such as the Vancouver School Board. Tiffany lives with her husband at the Lightwork Ecovillage on Gambier Island, an off-grid permaculture farm-meets-meditation centre set on 80 acres overlooking Howe Sound.

Visiting Professor

Robert Dale Rogers has been working with flower essences for nearly forty years. He is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild and has written 37 books on plants and fungi of the boreal forest. The Fungal Pharmacy: The Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America is a great resource for health practitioners.

He is an assistant clinical professor in family medicine at the University of Alberta, and teaches both introductory and advanced flower essence courses at the Northern Star College of Mystical Studies.

His newest book Mushroom Medicines for the Soul: Fungi Essences and Spiritual Growth will be published in Fall of 2015.

Visiting Professor

Alexandre has 25 years of experience in manual therapy and more than 18 years of teaching experience. His teaching workshops were given to various students including Osteopaths, RMTs, Massage practitioners, Acupuncturists as well as employees in several prestigious Spas in Canada. Alex's clinical approach is a mix of different modalities but is heavily influenced by his countless trips to Asia to learn Nuad Boran Thai, Tuina, and Amma, as well as his training in Osteopathy in Quebec. In his classes, Alex shares his vision of therapy and demonstrates only the techniques he uses daily in his clinic, providing students with practical tools they can apply immediately after completing the training.

TCM Herbal Formulas Instructor, Professional Practice Instructor

Brewster Scott is a Naturopathic Doctor who graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Boucher Campus) in 2010.  She was first introduced to TCM through this program.  It opened up her love of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, so she continued her studies at Pacific Rim College, completing her DTCM diploma in 2016.  She practices in Victoria at Victory Therapeutics and the Cowichan Valley at Purely Wellness.

She came to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with a burning desire to understand. At first glance, TCM seemed to elude any rational attempts to make sense of it, but through deeper reflection and study, she discovered that it offers a unique gateway to unifying experience and understanding in a deeply practical way.

Her advice to new graduates is to question what they think they know, and then stand at the precipice of the unknown, allowing the shared experience between themselves and their patients to gently guide their actions toward the answer.

Dr. Shoshana Scott started in Organic chemistry and won the gold medal at the University of Winnipeg. She switched to Homeopathy after working in a busy homeopathic clinic under a Homeopathic Doctor in Winnipeg. Inspired by Dr. Leelamma Nielsen, Dr. Scott completed a four year degree in Homeopathic Medical Science with an internship at Father Mueller's Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital in Manganlore, India. Dr. Scott has a strong interest in bringing Homeopathy into mainstream medicine as a gentle, effective choice in health care. Dr. Scott now practices at the integrated medical clinic at the Victoria Community Health Cooperative in James Bay, Victoria, BC. Dr. Scott's complete bio is available on her website at www.thehomeopathicdoctor.ca.

Grace is a Permaculture educator who has taught both in person and online in Permaculture Design Certificate programs, college courses, and introductory and advanced workshops both in North America and internationally. She has a lifetime of experience in heritage animal husbandry, applying practical plant medicine and diet to enhance daily health routines, and homesteading skills. Grace is a dedicated expert in plant medicine, holistic skincare, and sustainable living, whose years of experience developing a natural skincare line earned distribution opportunities with Whole Foods. Over the past decade, she has deepened her expertise in herbalism, training under plant medicine luminaries Susun Weed and Dina Falconi, while completing extensive permaculture studies across the USA, Canada, and the UK. An accomplished educator. Her contributions to the Permaculture Design Book—with chapters on Animal Husbandry, Fermentation and Food Preservation, and Green Building—highlight her depth of knowledge and hands-on experience in sustainable living practices. As a successful small business owner, designer, and consultant, Grace combines her entrepreneurial acumen with her love of nature and sustainability. Grace’s work is driven by a passion for empowering others to embrace practical, nature-based solutions for a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

Registered TCM Practitioner, Diploma of Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine from KCC (formerly ACOS), teaches in the Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine programs.

DJ was exposed to traditional Chinese medicine at the age of 15 while studying martial arts and Qigong under Kevin Wallbridge and immediately fell down the rabbit hole. In his spare time during his youth, he would study TCM textbooks and ask his teachers an incessant amount of questions. At 19, from 2015 until 2019, he attended and completed the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program at Kootenay Columbia College (formerly ACOS) and graduated top of his class. During the last year of his training, he practiced for a month in the hospitals in Chengdu, China, and studied extensively with the pulse diagnosis wizard and former dean of AOMA, William Morris. After graduating, he dove into the study of the Huangdi Neijing and became dismayed at the disparity in practice between the classic and what he had learned. Further, seeing a general lack of efficacy in his acupuncture practice, he pursued further education in Neijing Nature-based medicine under Dr. Edward Neal, completed the 2+ year post-graduate mentorship training program and went on to become an occasional guest teacher and founder of Apricot Grove Canada where he continues to practice and teach. His interest in mental health and the nature of psychosocial-emotional causes of illness has led him to begin pursuit of a masters degree in psychotherapy and spirituality which he hopes to complete in the next 3 years.

What brought you to the profession: A long love of Chinese and east-asian philosophy and natural sciences and close connection with qigong and martial arts teachers who founded ACOS. 

What is your advice for a new graduate: Study the channels, the classics, and yourself. Listen openly to your patients, they are the experts in their own bodies. Remember what draws you to the practice and revisit that each day. 

Milo’s passion for ecological design and rainwater harvesting has evolved from puddles to ponds. He has been managing farms and installing water harvesting earthworks in various climates for nearly a decade.
In addition to running RAINWALK Design + Nursery, he manages Harvest Farm in the Burgoyne Valley on Salt Spring Island, B.C. and works with Dan Jason of Salt Spring Seeds and the Seed Sanctuary to ensure the preservation and promotion of heritage seeds.

The design systems of agroforestry, silvopasture, keyline and permaculture influence his work. Creating abundant and regenerative systems has become a driving force in this rapidly changing world - coaxing life into landscapes and leaving room for natures welcomed surprises.

Dr. Sonia F. Tan, BA, BA(H), DAOM, RAc, RTCMP, is an educator, author, practitioner and consultant. She has been helping guide people on their pathway to balance in the Chinese Medicine and
metaphysical world since 2006. She is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM degree), a Registered Acupuncturist, and a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioner. Dr. Sonia Tan obtained her clinical research Doctorate degree from Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Los Angeles, California. She is also a graduate of the five year Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Vancouver. Dr. Sonia F. Tan is one of few certified Gold Level practitioners of the late Dr. Richard Tan. His most advanced level courses after all Balance Method levels, were first completed by a group of 16 senior students. Sonia was among those 16. With the blessings of fellow senior students to pass on the Balance Method legacy, Dr. Sonia Tan developed and created the very first Balance Method/System Acupuncture Certificate program at an accredited public post-secondary institution–Langara College –launched in 2018. Dr. Sonia Tan is the author of The Foundations of Balance Acupuncture: A Clinical Reference Manual.

In addition to Balance Method and following in her grandfather’s footsteps, the Tan lineage, and the classical umbrella of Chinese Medicine, Dr. Sonia Tan has completed apprenticeships in Chinese Metaphysics in the areas of Chinese Astrology, Face Reading, and Classical Feng Shui under various teachers, and has been certified since 2011. She is a certified Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui practitioner under Master Marlyna Los, and a certified Ba Zi Chinese Astrology practitioner and direct and first graduating class disciple of the late Grandmaster Dr. Richard Tehfu Tan. Dr. Sonia Tan has also completed many adjunct and advanced courses, such as Sound Healing, TCM Clinical Aromatherapy & Essential Oils, and Dr. Jeffrey Yuen & Dr. Yvonne Farrell’s Eight Extraordinary Vessels approach. She is also an ongoing student of a variety of Martial Arts since 1995, and is grateful to her Shifu the late Dale Johns for her foundation, and to Shifu Matthew Dyck for continued guidance.

Dr. Sonia F. Tan is immersed in all aspects of Chinese Metaphysics, and thoroughly enjoys educating and inspiring others!

Amber Thibault is a Registered Nurse, Birth and Postpartum Doula, entrepreneur, educator, and healthcare leader with more than 23 years of experience supporting individuals and families through every stage of life. She is the Founder and CEO of Rural Care Co., a Central Alberta-based organization dedicated to helping people remain safely at home through pregnancy, postpartum, childhood, aging, serious illness, and end-of-life care.

Raised in a small rural Saskatchewan community, Amber developed a deep appreciation for the strength of rural healthcare and the importance of community. That foundation continues to shape her work as she advocates for equitable access to care in rural and underserved communities.

In addition to leading a multidisciplinary healthcare team, Amber serves on the Boards of Directors for both the Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association (AHPCA) and the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA), where she contributes to advancing palliative and community-based care at both the provincial and national levels.

As an educator in our Holistic Doula Certificate Program, Amber is an Alumni of the program and is passionate about equipping students with practical skills, critical thinking, and the confidence to build meaningful, sustainable careers. She brings real-world clinical, leadership, and business experience into the classroom, encouraging students to blend evidence-informed practice with compassion, professionalism, and innovation.

Whether caring for clients, mentoring future professionals, or speaking on rural healthcare and leadership, Amber believes that exceptional care begins with authentic relationships, thoughtful collaboration, and a commitment to serving communities well.

Ted has been a Registered Acupuncturist in British Columbia since 2001, and an instructor of acupuncture for more than 15 years. After completing a 4-year Masters Program in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, he went on to lecture extensively to the public and practice in multidisciplinary clinics, hospitals, mental health and addictions programs, and other social services. Ted has been a faculty member of Pacific Rim College since it’s inception, teaching many core classes, and supervising in the clinic. Ted is passionate about both medicine and education, and has a private practice here in Victoria at www.acupunctureman.ca.

Anne has been practicing Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine since 2001. After trying acupuncture for the first time she was hooked. She began her studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Victoria and continued with a hospital internship in China. Anne is also a practitioner of Craniosacral Therapy.

In addition to running her own practice for many years, she has also worked as an instructor and clinical supervisor at Oshio College of Acupuncture and Herbology and now Pacific Rim College.

When not working with patients or students, Anne can be found spending time with her family or running away to the mountains.

Gigi began her studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Taiwan. Dr. Liu, her local TCM Doctor, became her mentor and inspiration for becoming a Doctor herself. After living and teaching there for over 4 ½ years, she was drawn to Victoria to complete a five-year Doctor of TCM program at the International College of TCM. Gigi later returned to China to complete an internship at Zhejian University Hospital in HangZhou.

She has successfully challenged the Acupuncture and Herbal Board Exams and is currently a Registered Acupuncturist and Herbalist under the College of TCM in BC. Gigi has over 15 years of clinical experience in Acupuncture, Herbology, TuiNa Massage, Moxa, Cupping, Reflexology, GuaSha, Shonishin, and listening. Her experience, practice and teaching of Yoga, Taoism, Qigong, and Meditation continue her precious journey inward to reflect our collective truth and light as human beings. Gigi is married with two beautiful children who encourage her to dream big!

Gigi practices out of her beautiful clinic in downtown Victoria. For over 15 years, she has had the pleasure of being and practicing TCM with generations of Victorians. She is a mentor, a teacher, a lecturer, a doctor, a student, and a lifelong learner. Visit her website if you are curious to learn more at www.gigivincentine.ca.

“The Teacher and the Taught Together Create the Teachings.” An Eastern Proverb

Melody is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine dedicated to integrative family medicine. Her practice
is grounded in the belief that the body holds innate wisdom.

With a clinical focus on hormonal health, digestion, emotional well-being, pain relief, sports
injuries, and trauma recovery, she integrates Acupuncture, CranioSacral Therapy, Massage, and
Yoga Therapy to create individualized, holistic treatments.

Passionate about women’s health, Dr. Walford supports women in reconnecting with their bodies
and reclaiming vitality through cyclical awareness, hormonal harmony, embodied meditation,
and mindful movement. She also welcomes all genders, children, and infants into her care.

Melody mentors’ new graduates through clinical observation and practice-startup guidance,
helping to lay the foundation for a thriving work life while delivering compassionate, patient-
centred care.

Outside the clinic and classroom, Melody enjoys surfing, dancing, forest bathing, crafting herbal
remedies, and homesteading.

Education & Registration

Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine — Pacific Rim College
Associate of Arts Degree — Camosun College
CCHPBC — R.Ac, R.TCMP, Dr. TCM

Dr. Carrie Watkins is a Naturopathic Doctor, Yoga Teacher and Educator. She obtained her Bachelor of Science at McGill University with a focus in Wildlife and Plant Biology and is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. Dr. Watkins has spent many years leading health education and wellness programs in hospital, corporate and community settings. She holds a faculty position at Pacific Rim College teaching biomedical sciences and nutrition.

I am an internationally trained midwife currently living in Metchosin, BC. I grew up in a large family on the west coast of Vancouver Island, and was a founding member of West Coast Doulas in 2007. I spent 4 years supporting families as a birth and postpartum doula in Port Alberni, Ucluelet, and Tofino before traveling to New Zealand to study midwifery in 2011. Upon completing my education, I had my own child, which rounded out my experience and renewed my passion to advocate for holistic, and truly client-centered maternity care for my clients. I proceeded to practice midwifery in the Victoria region for a total of 5 years between 2016-2021. I have a passion for teaching and the development of holistic maternity care and am especially interested in developing resources and education to support the marginalised and those who face barriers to accessing culturally safe care.

It is an honor to support growth and education in the doula community. I am very much looking forward to discussing the intricacies of current, evidence-based, and client-centered maternity care through our own unique lenses.

Candice Wray is a Vancouver Island local and mother of two wonderful children. She is also an experienced perinatal and pediatric Registered Nurse, helping childbearing families on Vancouver Island for 6 years out of 12 years as an RN. In April 2019, she added IBCLC to her credentials by sitting and passing the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Examination (IBCLCE). With that, a private lactation company called “two moons lactation consulting” was created and a spark for breastfeeding education has been lit. Candice thrives to find new and exciting ways to share her knowledge and experience supporting breast or chest feeding families on Vancouver Island.

Myra is a holistic nutrition professional, personal chef and reiki practitioner at Terrain Within Nutrition and Wellness. She is a professional member of Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional
Practitioners and National Association of Nutrition Professional in US. Myra studied Culinary Arts at PICA (Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts) in Vancouver and Holistic Nutrition at PRC (Pacific Rim College) in Victoria. She embraces both of her trainings and applies them synergistically in her practice while addressing wellness and healing.

Her prior experience within health systems and healthcare providers in health insurance settings, coupled with her own health issues and upbringing, where food served as the centre of all things life, forged a path leading her to now harness food, nutrition and land as medicine.

Myra works with individuals of all ages and genders in a variety of health conditions. She uses power of food and nutrition to address metabolic health, cancer care and prevention, autoimmunity, hormonal health, liver health and elimination support, and mental and emotional wellbeing. With her deep appreciation for traditional food cultures and healing practices, and comprehensive knowledge in culinary arts and contemporary approach to nutrition, she has been supporting individuals and families to find their own connection to food, wellbeing and health.

Dr. Zhang completed a Bachelor of Medicine degree (specializing in acupuncture and moxibustion), a Master of Medicine degree (specializing in integrating TCM and modern medicine) and a PhD in Internal Medicine of TCM at the Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan Province, China. Dr. Zhang has extensive experience in teaching, research and clinical practice in the field of Internal Medicine, Gerontology and Rehabilitation as well as the integration of TCM and Western Medicine. From 1999 until 2008, Dr. Zhang worked as a TCM doctor, acupuncturist and teacher at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM.

Dr. Jin Tripp is a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner with 11 years of training in Western and Traditional Medicine areas and 30 years' experience working in Canada and China. After graduation from Jin Zhou Medical University (China), Dr. Tripp worked and taught in China for over 20 years. During that time, she became a chief physician, and this gave her extensive medical experience. While in Canada, Dr. Tripp upgraded her skills by studying Traditional Chinese Medicine in English, and earned the TCMP registration in BC. Her TCM clinic, Jin Tripp Health Service, has been open in Victoria in 2006. She has also worked as an instructor and clinic supervisor in TCM colleges since 2008.