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Faculty: Acupuncture Diploma Program

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RONNY BREUER, BA., MSc., T.C.M.P., CH.
Director of the Acupuncture and TCM Programs & Clinic Supervisor
Ronny graduated from a 4-year comprehensive program of study in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and holds a diploma from the prestigious Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego , California and now teaches in the Acupuncture Program at the Shiatsu School of Canada. He has a clinical track record of thousands of successful treatments for various medical conditions. His fields of expertise cover acupuncture, herbs, nutrition and tuina.

KATE KENT, Dipl. Ac. & CH. (NCCAOM) 
Instructor of Point Location, Treatment of Disease & Student Clinic Supervisor
Kate Kent, started her career as a ballet dancer in England, dancing in most of the major cities of Europe . An accident forced her to quit ballet and she decided to become a Swedish Massage Therapist, training at the Arnold Taylor School of Massage Therapy in England . She worked in the Massage Therapy Department of Elizabeth Arden in London until she immigrated to Canada in May of 1974 where she was introduced to Chinese Medicine when a member of her family became dangerously ill and tried it as a "last resort". The results were so miraculous that she decided to pursue it further and has never looked back. She studied at the Chinese Medicine Institute in Beijing, China, the Chinese Traditional Medicine Institute in Canada, and the Institute of Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy in Toronto .

She holds diplomas in both acupuncture and herbs from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in the U.S.A. She has appeared numerous times on television and radio, given talks, and written many articles on Chinese Medicine. She has just completed a Test Manual for TCM Examinations: Chinese Herb Guide (500 Questions & Answers to the Most Commonly Used Herbs & Formulas). Kate believes very strongly in the mind/body connection and has expanded her private practice to include what is known as Experiential Dynamic Counselling.

She started teaching Herbology at the Shiatsu School of Canada and has been teaching and supervising in the acupuncture program since 1998.  Kate has maintained a private practice in Toronto since 1985.

ANNA STRZELECKA, BA., D.Ac., NCCAOM (USA)
Instructor of Ethics and Jurisprudence/Research, Clean Needle Technique, Treatment of Disease & Clinic Supervisor
Anna Strzelecka received her diploma in Shiatsu Therapy from the Shiatsu School of Canada.  She is also a graduate of the Acupuncture program at The Mitchener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, and was an intern in the Acupuncture Clinic in the Wasser Pain Management Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital .  She is one of the Directors at the Tai Chi Meditation Centre, and is actively involved with the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Ontario (STAO), and Friends Of Alternative & Complementary Therapies (FACT).

TAKAMASA TSURUSAKI, D.Ac., Japanese Acupuncturist
Instructor of Japanese Acupuncture
Takamasa graduated from Japan Central Acupuncture College in 1986. He is trained in the Uwagawa and Uawada Styles of Acupuncture and Moxabustion, and has studied the Nagano style under Master Nagano and Kiiko Matsumoto. He maintains a private practice in North York.

Chai Lien LeE, PhD (India)
Director of Bio-Medical Sciences & Instructor of Foundational Sciences
Chai Lien graduated from the University of Bombay in India in 1976 with an MBBS (medical) degree. She completed a Master of Surgery degree in human anatomy in 1982. Her 30 years of teaching experience includes teaching to students in medicine, dentistry, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and audio-speech therapy, as well as shiatsu. Chai Lien Lee has been working at the Shiatsu School of Canada for over 15 years, teaching and mentoring many shiatsu and acupuncture students. She currently teaches Physiology, Anatomy and Pathology.

WILLIAM HOSSACK,  Dipl. S.T., D.Ac.
Instructor of Auricular Acupuncture, Treatment of Disease & Clinic Supervisor
Will Hossack is the owner and a practitioner at the Danforth Progressive Health Centre. He has been practicing in the Eastern Medical field since 1999 as a Shiatsu Therapist.  He went on to study Acupuncture and Chinese medicine for 4 years at the Mitchener Institute for Applied Health Sciences graduating with the Gold Medal for academic achievement.  During his time at the Michener, Will’s clinical experience included 6 months at St. John’s Rehabilitation Centre and 1 year at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Wasser Pain Management Centre. Will held an executive position with the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Ontario, serving as Secretary and working with the Examinations Committee for 3 years.   He is currently an instructor at the Shiatsu School of Canada, where he teaches Shiatsu and Acupuncture Theory. Will’s clinical experience is varied and includes treatment for sports injuries, pain, immunological conditions and digestive complaints.

Chris di tecco, Dipl. Ac, CHM
Instructor of Treatment of Disease and Student Clinic Supervisor
Chris’ passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine grew from his study of martial arts and T’ai Chi. It was a natural progression which led Chris to his apprenticeship at a local acupuncture clinic and eventually to formal instruction with Dr. David Lam at the Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine in Toronto. Graduating with a diplomas in Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, Chris went on to gain invaluable clinical experience at several TCM clinics in the greater Toronto area.

Chris has recently started teaching Herbal Theory and The Treatment of Disease with Acupuncture at the Shiatsu school of Canada.  Additionally, at the SSC, he works as a student supervisor.  Chris also operates a private practice in Mississauga.

victor Lagman, PhD (Philippines)
Bio-Medical Science Instructor (Anatomy, Physiology & Bio Medical Pharmacology)
Dr. Lagman is an international medical graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, where he earned his degree of Doctor of  Medicine (M.D.) in 1992. He later specialized in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and is a graduate of the Intensive Course in Otologic Medicine and Surgery in Savannah Georgia, USA.

He began teaching in 1982 and underwent the Training Course for Instructors, in which he learned the fundamental principles and advanced techniques of adult education. Aside from his medical practice, he served as Associate Professor in Physiology, Biochemistry, and Otolaryngology in two medical schools. He has lectured to a wide range of audience, including nursing and dental students, maxillofacial surgeons, as well as in symposia for educating the general public.

Aside from being a medical doctor, Dr. Lagman is also a Certified Clinical Research Professional and has worked in the Canadian pharmaceutical industry. (Clinical Research is a branch of medical science that determines the safety and effectiveness of drug compounds, medications, and devices intended for human use.)

Tony tavares, Dipl. Ac
Instructor of Jing Luo, Practice Management and Fundamentals of TCM
Tony Tavares is the founder of Shining Waters Health. He completed acupuncture training programmes at both the Canadian branch of the Beijing Capital University of Medical Sciences and the Institute of Traditional Medicine.  He has also completed the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine diploma program with the Canadian branch of the Beijing Capital University of Medical Sciences.

He is currently a faculty member of the Shiatsu School of Canada – SSC Acupuncture Institute. In addition to his credentials in acupuncture and Chinese medicine; Tony has two decades of experience as a leader in the Toronto holistic, wellness and spiritual communities. His experiences are quite varied, having worked not only as a registered yoga teacher, but also as a fitness consultant and a Reiki Master. He has also received training in Tuina, Shiatsu and Ayurvedic bodywork modalities.

His interest and training in North American and African shamanism have lead him to receive initiations in these ancient spiritual traditions and, has brought about a deeper understanding of healing the whole individual and exploring the root cause of disharmony on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. His practice as a professional in the healing arts is imbued with these various philosophies and principles.