CITCM > Faculty

Our chief instructors are Ph. D degree holders in acupuncture and TCM with extensive teaching, clinical and research experiences, and are joined with a diversity of health care practitioners such as physicians, naturopath, dentists, chiropractors and physiotherapists, nutritionist who love teaching and have a holistic and integrated approach towards their practice.

Professors and instructors:

All of the professors and instructors at CITCM are highly educated, each having different areas of specialization and most having a Ph.D. or Master’s degree in medicine.   Additionally, almost all the doctors and professors are M.D.s (in China) allowing the school to offer a unique approach in incorporating both TCM and western medical knowledge into the CITCM programs.  This combination allows for both the practicing of TCM and acupuncture and the symbiotic relationship they have with conventional medicine. 

Excellent instructor to student ratios

CITCM has small classes with excellent instructor to student ratios. The school is set up to maintain this low student to professor ratio allowing much more one on one study.  During the year this allows for better communication between the professor and students in class, and also in the on-site professional acupuncture and TCM clinic where you will be mentored by practicing TCM doctors.   The students will gain practical experience as they observe the doctors during patient treatments at the BodyMind Synergy Health Center.  Later the students will be interns in the student clinic and will be treating patients under supervision.

Faculty Structure

List of Instructors

Dr. Cheng earned her Bachelor's Degree in TCM and Western Medicine in 1983 from the Hunan College of TCM, China. She did further study at Tianjin College of TCM, China culminating in 1987 with a Master's Degree in Medicine and Acupuncture. In 1990, she received her Ph.D in Medicine from the Chengdu College of TCM, China with a specialty in Acupuncture and Chronomedicine.

Dr. Cheng has 20 years of clinical experience as a physician, herbalist and acupuncturist. She has been a professor at several colleges as well as instructing foreign students in China. She has translated several publications and is a published author of several TCM works. She is currently the Director of the BodyMind Synergy Health Centre, a member of several professional association boards and Vice-President for the Alberta Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctors. Dr. Cheng is an active participant in the process of regulating TCM in Alberta. She also teaches courses on TCM to medical professionals and offers public education workshops on TCM. In September 2004 her long-time dream of opening a school of TCM was realised with the opening of CITCM, which she is proud to be the director of.

Emptiness sharpens one's intelligence
Serenity leads one to advance further

Dr. Shiwu Xiao, TCMD,MD (China), Associate Professor, M.Sc, RAc

Dr. Xiao is from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. He worked as Associate professor and Chief physician in Internal Medicine & Pediatric Department. He received his Masters degree after eight years systematically study TCM and Western Medicine in 1988.
Dr. Xiao has more than 20 years hospital and clinical experience as well as teaching experience. He also worked as visiting professor in Israel for 10 years.
As a known Physician, Herbalist and Acupuncturist, His specialty is treatment of: Asthma, COPD, Allergies, Cancer, Diabetics, he also treats the following: Pain management (Migraine, Back pain, arthritis, Neurological injury), Hormone disorder (Dysmenorrheal, PMS, Male and Female climacteric syndrome), Mental disorder (Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Insomnia), Infertility, ADD, ADHD, Eczema, Acne, Psoriasis, Addiction (Cigarettes, alcohol, drugs), Obesity, and diet consultation.

Dr. Lanre Salami, MBBS; RMT.

Dr. Salami is a medical graduate and massage therapist practicing since 1994. Dr. Salami has had a positive influence on the development of orthopaedic application of massage therapy as a complementary modality along with allopathic medicine. He is involved in massage training and curriculum development of some of the massage schools and associations in the province. His background in orthopedic medicine provides a comprehensive approach to soft tissue dysfunction assessment and treatment.

He has been a guest speaker in a variety of non-invasive technique application in chronic pain management, physiology seminar presentation involving soft tissue manipulative techniques, massage management in diabetics, TMJ and other fascial disorders. He has been involved with therapeutic massage training both in and out of the province. He was an active participant in the design and implementation of the first psychometrically validated evaluating exam for Massage training in the province.

Dr. Salami is currently a senior instructor at Centre for Complementary Health Education, Mount Royal University, Calgary, in massage therapy training and maintains his therapeutic massage clinic in Calgary, Alberta.

Ivy Juan Wang , MSc.TCM

Dr. Wang received her Master’s Degree of TCM from the Chengdu University of TCM in China. Dr. Wang is specialized in using acupuncture and moxibustion to treat gynecological and pain syndrome such as infertility, premature ovarian failure, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrheal, PMS, menopause; arthritis, herniated discs, frozen shoulder.
She has followed two very famous specialists for a period of two years in China. One is a professor in gynecology and the other one is good at using the ancient traditional acupuncture needling methods to treat stubborn diseases.

Gayle Heath, N.D.

Dr. Heath studied Biochemistry at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg for four years before being accepted into the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto for Canada's only accredited four year naturopathic medical program.  She has completed advanced training in intravenous therapies, reiki, muscle response testing, and facial rejuvenation acupuncture.  She also does talks at public schools, women's groups and corporations on health topics.  Dr. Heath is a licenced member of the Alberta Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors with offices in Okotoks and Calgary.

Dr. Huang Tie Jun M.D./PH.D. Professor (Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation) Doctor of T.C.M.

Dr. Huang worked as an associate professor in Department of Sports Science of Beijing Sport University after his graduation from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He earned a doctorate degree of medicine in the field of acupuncture, massage and immunology in 1998.

Dr. Huang is a well-known scholar and doctor in the field of sport medicine and rehabilitation. He also worked in Japan and America (U.S.A) as a professor teaching Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation. His lectures cover treatment of sports injury with acupuncture and Chinese Tui Na massage and Chinese herbal medicine.

From July, 2006 to August, 2008, in preparation of Beijing Olympic Games, Dr. Huang worked with two of the China Olympic teams: China RHY Gymnastics and female field husky team as their medical consultant. China RHY Gymnastics team got the silver medal of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Dr. Huang has also been involved in teaching traditional Chinese medicine to overseas students. He had trained many students and medical workers from British, France, German, USA, Japan, Spain and South Korea in the field of acupuncture, massage and Qigong. Dr. Huang is not only a successful professor and scholar, he is also a top clinician. He has over 20 years of clinical experience as a physician, herbalist and acupuncturist and is good at treating, preventing and rehabilitating not only sports medicine injuries and difficult/complicated illnesses but also a large variety of diseases. Dr. Huang has a great passion for teaching as well as helping others. He enjoys his work as a professor and doctor. He is grateful to have the opportunity to join CITCM for more challenge in his life and career, and at the same time, he repeatedly says “ I have great students here, I will miss them so much. It is a great feeling when students keep telling you that you are a great instructor or you are a miraculous doctor. ”

Dr. Craig W. Young, B.Sc., D.D.S., C.M.Ac.

Dr. Craig Young is a dentist with a unique approach to healing. He has integrated high tech modern dentistry with concepts of functional medicine, and various forms of natural healing. He is also an acupuncturist, and has been trained in Reiki and Body Talk among other forms of complimentary and alternative medicine health care modalities.

He graduated from the University of Alberta's certificate program of medical acupuncture in 1997 and has actively pursued further knowledge in the field of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine with an intensity that rivals his dental activity.

Dr. Young's dental professional development has taken him to international destinations typically spending over 20 hours per month in his pursuit of current dental knowledge. He is a member of the International Academy of Gnathology, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, and has had the pleasure of studying with some of the world's foremost experts in the field. With 16 years of clinical experience in integrated dental concepts, the utilization of Acupuncture and TCM has become a critical component in his clinic's management of Temporo-mandibular Joint dysfunction, chronic pain, bioesthetic dental rehabilitation and dental material sensitivity revision.

Dr. Young's practice is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Dr. Michelle Phillips, MS, RAc., DTCM

Dr. Phillips is a graduate of CITCM.  Her prior education includes a Bachelor of Science in Genetics from the University of Alberta in 1989, and a Master of Science in Human Genetics, with a specialization in counselling, from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991. 

Dr. Phillips worked in the field of clinical/medical genetics for 15 years.  This included positions held in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Alberta Hospital and the Alberta Children’s Hospital, as well as in the Department of Gynecology Oncology at The Toronto Hospital.  Her area of specialization has been hereditary cancer syndromes, with a concentration in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.  Among other professional associations, Dr. Phillips was a member of the professional advisory council for the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Society, as well as a research collaborator on the INHERIT project team.  She has also instructed at Grant MacEwan Community College in Edmonton, in the faculty of Science, University Transfer Program.  Professional speaking engagements have been a part of Dr. Phillip’s activities as well and have included talks and presentations given to a cross-section of healthcare professionals in hospitals, community centre’s and health regions, as well as special interest groups.

Jackie St. George-Rennie, B.M.R. (P.T.), C.M.Ac.

Jackie has extensive training in physiotherapy and acupuncture. She holds a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy in 1979 from the University of Manitoba. She received her Post Graduate Diploma in Sport Physiotherapy in 1986 and continued to her professional development with various manual therapy courses. She became a Certified Level 1 Acupuncturist, A.F.C.I in 2000 and in 2002 she completed Level 2 Acupuncture Courses (T.C.M), A.F.C.I. In 2003 she received her Certificate in Medical Acupuncture from the University of Alberta and has continued to pursue further knowledge of Acupuncture through various professional development courses.

Jackie has been a practicing physiotherapist for over 20 years. She is the former owner and director of the Calgary Winter Club from 1992 to 2000 where she still practices. Jackie has previously been a member of many professional boards dealing with sport medicine and is currently a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Jackie also brings many years of experience teaching Injury Prevention programs and is a Certified Instructor for Sport Physiotherapy Canada. She has been a member of several major games medical teams and a former consultant to Calgary Television for local fitness programs.

"When you embrace learning with a positive mind and an open heart, you will experience life long benefits."

Lars Gustafsson

Born in east India to Canadian parents, Lars spent his childhood living an authentic mix of tribal and western life. This upbringing created a balance between the scientific passion of the west and the ancient wisdom of the Far East.

Lars has 21 years experience developing and coaching nutrition, lifestyle, fitness, and personal development programs. In 2002, Lars founded The BodyMind Nutrition System to encapsulate the principles of nutrition that connect the physical and mental-emotional-spiritual realms. The BodyMind Nutrition Certification program was introduced in 2003. This program has created the opportunity for people to personally discover and pass on a nutrition process that creates freedom of Body, Mind and Spirit. Lars is very pleased to have the opportunity to share his nutrition approach with CITCM students.

Frank J. Wen, MSc. Eng, IES

Frank received his B.Eng. from Tsinghua University, China in 1992, a MSc. in Engineering Management from University of Alberta in 2003. He was the recipient of the National Invention Award from Tsinghua University, the Gold Award by Singapore Productivity & Standards Board and the Natural Science & Engineering Research Council Scholarship of Canada.

Frank has been working in China, Singapore and Canada involving into different fields such as negotiation with fortune 500 executives to introduce investment into Beijing Shangdi Information Industry Base; consulting and managing projects in Singapore; leading the development, integration and marketing of artificial intelligence software as well as business websites, WITSML server and E-learning platform; Mandarin and English interpretation for USA and South East Asia Zen monks, etc. He is a partner of KarmaGrid Consulting Group. Its clients include Merrill Lynch, UPS, etc. As a spiritual human being, Frank has been searching the truth in Christianity, Taoism, Confucianism, and has been practicing Zen meditation for 20 years.

"The whole world is a single flower".