It is with our greatest pleasure to announce a special workshop for the diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and Endometriosis according to both TCM and Western Medicine. Dr. Fang Lian has accepted our invitation to provide this rare workshop to our network of students and practitioner - Case studies will be presented and discussed. Welcome all interested in the topics with basic TCM foundations.
The Speaker: Dr. Fang Lian
An Internationally renowned leader and expert gynecologist of Integrated Western and Chinese Medicine from China, Dr. Fang Lian, has over 40 years of clinical, teaching and research experiences, earned many prestigious titles, and helped millions of patients. She was the chief director for the Center of Reproductive and Genetic in Jinan Shandong China and led over 20 doctors, 70 staff and handled about 500 daily patient visits.
中西医结合诊断治疗子宫内膜异位证和多卵巢囊肿
中国及世界顶级中西医结合妇科专家, 连方教授,将在大多伦多中医学院为我们传授常见妇科病的诊断和治疗。由于时间限制,讲授将集中在子宫内膜异位证和多卵巢囊肿的临床诊断和治疗以及病案分析讲解和答疑。如有病人可联系学校安排现场诊治。
More details about the workshop and the speaker below
Dates: October 6 (Friday, Endometriosis) 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
October 8 (Sunday, PCOS) 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Location(s) :
In-Person: Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
700 Lawrence Avenue West, Suite 433, Toronto, ON, M6A 3B4
Virtual: ZOOM (login information provided upon registration)
Cost:
Register before Sept 30, 2023:
TSTCM Students & Graduates: $350.00/ both days; $250.00/1 day
Regular Price: $500.00/ both days; $350.00/1 day
After September 30, 2023, for ALL: $600/both days; $400/1 day
Participants will receive CEU hours: 8 hours each day, total 16 hours for both days
Registration: Fill out this form / E-mail info@tstcm.com / call us at 416-782-9682. First come first serve.
Refund Policy: 50% refund with written request received 1 week prior to the workshop (before Sept 29)
No refund if withdraw on or after September 30, 2023
"New Concepts in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Endometriosis."
Endometriosis, abbreviated as EMT, refers to the growth of endometrial tissue (glandular and stromal) outside the uterine cavity and myometrium. Ectopic endometrium can affect any part of the body, but it most commonly occurs in the pelvic organs and peritoneum, especially the ovaries and uterosacral ligaments. The main manifestation is progressively worsening secondary dysmenorrhea. While endometriosis is benign in histology, it exhibits characteristics such as proliferation, infiltration, metastasis, and recurrence similar to malignant tumors. Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease, primarily affecting women of reproductive age, with the majority of cases occurring between ages 25 and 45. Clinical incidence is approximately 10% to 15%, and there has been a noticeable increase in recent years. It is a complex condition with a significant impact on women's physical and mental health, and it often exhibits a familial genetic tendency. In TCM, it is associated with a blood stasis constitution. The combination of traditional Chinese medicine's ability to invigorate blood circulation, dispel stasis, and detoxify makes it effective in treating endometriosis. Prof. Fang Lian will present an in-depth lecture titled "New Concepts in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Endometriosis." She will cover the clinical identification of endometriosis, TCM treatment methods, and long-term clinical management.
Prof. Fang Lian has dedicated over 40 years to clinical practice, teaching, and research in TCM Gynecology. She leads the first TCM team in China to apply traditional Chinese medicine in assisted reproductive technology, achieving pregnancy rates of 55% to 60%. Her team has fulfilled the dreams of more than ten thousan"New Concepts in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Endometriosis."
Endometriosis, abbreviated as EMT, refers to the growth of endometrial tissue (glandular and stromal) outside the uterine cavity and myometrium. Ectopic endometrium can affect any part of the body, but it most commonly occurs in the pelvic organs and peritoneum, especially the ovaries and uterosacral ligaments. The main manifestation is progressively worsening secondary dysmenorrhea. While endometriosis is benign in histology, it exhibits characteristics such as proliferation, infiltration, metastasis, and recurrence similar to malignant tumors. Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease, primarily affecting women of reproductive age, with the majority of cases occurring between ages 25 and 45. Clinical incidence is approximately 10% to 15%, and there has been a noticeable increase in recent years. It is a complex condition with a significant impact on women's physical and mental health, and it often exhibits a familial genetic tendency. In TCM, it is associated with a blood stasis constitution. The combination of traditional Chinese medicine's ability to invigorate blood circulation, dispel stasis, and detoxify makes it effective in treating endometriosis. Prof. Fang Lian will present an in-depth lecture titled "New Concepts in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Endometriosis." She will cover the clinical identification of endometriosis, TCM treatment methods, and long-term clinical management.
Prof. Fang Lian has dedicated over 40 years to clinical practice, teaching, and research in TCM Gynecology. She leads the first TCM team in China to apply traditional Chinese medicine in assisted reproductive technology, achieving pregnancy rates of 55% to 60%. Her team has fulfilled the dreams of more than ten thousand infertile couples and alleviated the suffering of over 500,000 women, earning high praise from patients.
“子宫内膜异位症中医药治疗新理念”授课简介
子宫内膜异位症(endometriosis,EMT)简称内异症,是指子宫内膜组织(腺体和间质)生长在子宫腔与子宫肌层以外的部位。异位的内膜可侵犯全身任何部位,但大多数位于盆腔脏器和壁腹膜,以卵巢、宫骶韧带最常见。主要表现为逐渐加重的继发性痛经。 内异症在组织学上虽然是良性,但却有增生、浸润、转移及复发等类似恶性肿瘤的特点。 子宫内膜异位症是一种常见的妇科疾病。多见于生育年龄妇女,以25~45岁多见。临床发生率约为10%~15%。近年来内异症的发病率呈明显上升趋势,是疑难病,也是长期影响妇女身心健康的疾病,且有家族遗传倾向。中医认为该病与血瘀体质有关,中医药祛瘀解毒结合辩证治疗对子宫内膜异位症具有良好的作用。连方教授将以《子宫内膜异位症中医药治疗新理念》为题,将对子宫内膜异位症的临床辩识,中医药如何治疗及临床如何长期管理进行详尽讲授。
连方教授,从事中医妇科临床,教学,科研40余年,带领的团队是中国第一个在中医系统开展中医药在辅助生殖技术中应用的团队,并获得55%到60%的妊娠率,帮助万余例不孕夫妇圆了求子之梦,帮助50余万妇女解除疾苦,获得患者高度赞誉。
New Advances in the Differential Diagnosis and TCM Syndrome Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine and metabolic disorders among reproductive-aged women, considered a constitutional disease in TCM. It is generally believed that the incidence of PCOS is approximately 6% to 10% among reproductive-aged women. PCOS typically manifests during adolescence, characterized by clinical or biochemical evidence of elevated androgens, persistent anovulation, and ovarian polycystic changes. Common symptoms include hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularities, and infertility, often accompanied by insulin resistance and obesity. In addition to these, PCOS increases the risk of long-term complications such as diabetes, hypertension, and endometrial cancer, significantly impacting patients' quality of life.
Traditional Chinese medicine has proven to be effective in regulating constitution and providing targeted treatment for PCOS. Prof. Fang Lian, a National Renowned TCM Practitioner and Qi Huang scholar at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Center of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, will deliver an in-depth lecture titled "New Advances in the Differential Diagnosis and TCM Syndrome Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)." She will cover the clinical identification of PCOS, the methods of TCM treatment, and long-term clinical management. Prof. Fang Lian has dedicated over 40 years to clinical practice, teaching, and research in TCM Gynecology. She leads the first TCM team in China to apply traditional Chinese medicine in assisted reproductive technology, achieving pregnancy rates of 55% to 60%. Her team has fulfilled the dreams of more than ten thousand infertile couples and alleviated the suffering of over 500,000 women, earning high praise from patients.
“多囊卵巢综合征的辩病与中医辩证治疗新进展”授课简介
多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)是育龄期妇女最常见的内分泌代谢紊乱性疾病。在中医讲是体质性疾病。一般认为,在育龄妇女中发病率约6%~10%。 该病多在青春期发病,以雄激素过高的临床或生化表现、持续无排卵、卵巢多囊改变为特征,表现为多毛、痤疮、月经异常、不孕等,常伴有胰岛素抵抗和肥胖。除此之外,PCOS发生糖尿病、高血压、子宫内膜癌等远期并发症的机会比正常人增加,严重影响患者的生命质量。
中医药对体质调节具有良好的作用,对多囊卵巢综合症具有良好的对症疗效。中国名中医,岐黄学者,山东中医药大学附属医院妇产生殖中心连方教授将以《多囊卵巢综合征的辩病与中医辩证治疗新进展》为题,将多囊卵巢综合征的临床辩识,中医药如何治疗及临床如何长期管理进行详尽讲授。
连方教授,从事中医妇科临床,教学,科研40余年,带领的团队是中国第一个在中医系统开展中医药在辅助生殖技术中应用的团队,并获得55%到60%的妊娠率,帮助万余例不孕夫妇圆了求子之梦,帮助50余万妇女解除疾苦,获得患者高度赞誉。
About the speaker
Prof. Fang Lian, a National Renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioner, a Qi Huang scholar, a chief physician, and a supervisor of countless doctoral students and postdoctoral researcher. She completed her Master's and Doctoral degrees under the guidance of three distinguished figures in the TCM field: National TCM Master Xia Guicheng, National Renowned TCM Practitioner Sun Ningquan and Tian Daihua. She has also been honored as a special expert with government allowances by the State Council of China. She plays a crucial role in guiding the academic inheritance of TCM expertise among senior TCM experts across the nation. She serves as the chair of the key discipline in TCM Gynecology under the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Additionally, she holds the director position of the Reproductive Medicine and Assisted Reproduction Branch of the China Association of TCM Research Promotion. She is also an honorary deputy director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Professional Committee of the China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the deputy director of the Reproductive Medicine Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine.
连方教授简介
连方教授,全国名中医,岐黄学者,主任医师、博士、博士后指导老师。分别是国医大师夏桂成,全国名中医孙宁铨,田代华的硕士、博士,国务院政府特贴专家;全国老中医药专家学术经验继承工作指导老师;国家中医药管理局重点学科中医妇科学学科带头人;任中国中医药研究促进会妇产科与辅助生育分会主任委员;中华中医药学会妇科专业委员会名誉副主任委员;中国中西医结合学会生殖医学专业委员会副主任委员。
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Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, a cure for modern healthcare woes
Joint Press Release
Since becoming a regulated health care profession Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture have increasingly become an important part of Ontario’s medical system offering illness prevention, health promotion, diagnosis, and treatment for a wide spectrum of health concerns.
And, on April 1st 2023, as Ontario celebrates 10 years since the proclamation of the TCM Act, 2006 and the establishment of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO), the profession looks forward to continue to serve an even larger role in the province’s health care system.
“Ontario’s healthcare system has been under extreme pressure. Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture offer safe and effective treatment choices for a wide range of conditions. With recent changes being made by the Ontario government and significant federal funding increases, TCM is prepared to work hand in hand with Federal and Provincial partners in restoring our healthcare system to once again be the best in the world,” says Heather Kenny, President of Traditional Chinese Medicine Ontario.
TCM is among 26 health-care professions that are governed by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. It is the mandate of CTCMPAO to regulate the profession in the public interest, ensuring the public have access to Traditional Chinese Medicine services that meet or exceed required professional and
ethical standards.
“It is integral for both the College and TCM and Acupuncture Practitioners to work together to ensure the profession grows in a manner that protects and benefits the public interest,” notes Dylan Kirk, President of the Council of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Schools of Ontario.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated in ancient China and has a history of over two thousand years. Influenced by ancient Chinese philosophy and integrating knowledge of modern science and technology, it continues to be a healthcare choice for people around the world offering a combination of therapies that include acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, and tui na.
TCM and acupuncture are effective treatments for many common health conditions including pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, menopause, digestive disorders and stroke recovery, to name but a few. It is considered a cost-effective and safe treatment when provided by well trained and qualified practitioners. In Ontario, an Acupuncturist or TCM Practitioner must complete a three or four year full time postsecondary education respectively, and pass the national Pan-Canadian exam. The registration requirements for formal education and passing the pan-Canadian examinations ensures public safety and confidence.
(Reference)
Acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners are regulated in Ontario and British Columbia, while Alberta, Quebec, and Newfoundland regulate only Acupuncturists. There are over 2817 registered TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists in Ontario. No person other than a registered member of College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario can use the protected titles of “Acupuncturist” or “Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner”. Only registered members of the CTCMPAO are permitted to perform the two controlled acts authorized to the profession
including:
1. Performing a procedure on the tissue below the dermis and below the surface of a mucous membrane for the purpose of performing acupuncture
2. Communicating a traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis
The practice of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture in Ontario has earned increased confidence, public safety and recognition since becoming a regulated profession 10 years ago. With the upcoming development of a new class of registration for Doctor Title, and integration into healthcare teams, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists continue to provide important health care choices and reduce wait times to serve Ontarians better.
Joanne Pritchard-Sobhani, current President of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario comments:
I believe as we commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the College, we have risen to the occasion as a “College striving for excellence in governance and in regulating the practice of the TCM profession”. I am proud of this Council, staff, and members!
It is with profound appreciation and acknowledgment I thank all of you for your trust, perseverance, and hard work to bring this College back in alignment with the expectations to function as a self-governing, regulated health care College!
Congratulations in achieving this success!
Some photos documenting this success:
Mary speaking at the press conference regarding the regulation of TCM in Ontario back in 2005
TSTCM President, Mary and Ontario's Premier, Doug Ford
Mary, Dylan Kirk and Heather Kenny
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More than 70 people from TSTCM showed up today at the demonstration alongside with hundreds of others to have Schedule 5 removed from Bill 88. Our president, Mary Wu, has been working tirelessly along side an excellent team and engaging in endless conversations with professionals and government personnel to stop the government from potentially making the mistake of deregulating TCM.
More information can be found here: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/03/07/ontario-chinese-medicine-regulate/
]]>The de-regulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine is bad to general public (patients).
The de-regulation is bad to the acupuncture and TCM business sector (practitioners, educators, suppliers).
Students, alumni, faculty and staffs at TSTCM are firmly oppose the de-regulation of acupuncture and traditional Chinese Medicine. Our patients also oppose the de-regulation.
Important Events
Protest at Queen's Park: March 7, 9:45am - 12:00pm. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
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Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Inception of TSTCM:
Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TSTCM) was officially registered in 1995. As the funder and president, Mary Xiumei Wu started offering short practical acupuncture courses such as point location and needling, pulse and tongue diagnosis according to increased interest and demands on quick practical natural healing modalities. Mary was very clear that training a real doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) who has the basic foundation, practical skills and sufficient clinical training, takes at least five years full time formal medical school education. While continuing offering courses with minimum essentials for the practice of acupuncture, tuina massage and Chinese herbal medicine, Mary started her research on legislation, regulation and standards for the practice of acupuncture and TCM in North America. She had studied over 30 acupuncture program curriculum from United States and Canada, analyzed the situation, consulted with expert advisors and set the mission for TSTCM to offer high standard formal professional TCM education. In 1998, TSTCM offered the first Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diploma Program, one of its kind in Canada and North America. This 4 year full time program composed of total 2880 hours including 800 hours of clinical training. The program can be completed in 3 years with an intensive schedule, or study part time according their individual situations,
The First Mile Stone:
In 2001, the three graduating students from the first doctor of TCM diploma program, Marylyn Bell, Corinna McFarlane and Jay McCoy, decided to go to the USA to take the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) the certification examinations for Acupuncture and for the Chinese Herbology. They believe in the excellent education they received and they were confident in their knowledge, understanding and application skills. They wanted to prove that they meet the requirements and they reached the professional levels! There was no such exams in Canada at that time. To support and help these students, TSTCM offered an examination preparation course, and Mary decided to take her exams together with her students. While she was helping the students preparing their exam, Mary was also preparing her own exam. In May 2001, Mary and her students went to New York for their Clean Needle Technique workshop and the test. They achieved 100% pass! Because of 911, they changed their plan of go back to New York, they went to Vermont for their Acupuncture and the Chinese Herbology exams in November. On a Saturday, they took the 5-hour comprehensive Acupuncture exam and the 1-hour point location test. On Sunday, the next day, they took the 5-hour comprehensive Chinese Herbology exam. The proctor joked when she saw them back the second day: “you must not be Americans!” because nobody doing the two exams one day after another. People usually take the herbology exam months after they took their acupuncture exam in order to study and prepare. All students passed both of their exams, including Mary. The average pass rate for the NCCAOM exams was about 70%. Since then, TSTCM and Mary was known by NCCAOM. The first Doctor of TCM class successfully reached the first TSTCM mile stone of 100% pass!
The Doctor Title:
Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a medical practice and a formal health profession. Students may choose study TCM or Western Medicine in China. Graduates of TCM (including acupuncture) could earn same levels of undergraduate or graduate degrees, such as bachelor’s or master’s degree, even Ph.D upon the completion of their programs. Doctors of TCM could receive the same levels of professional titles such as resident doctor, deputy chief doctor and chief doctor, and academic titles such as assistant professor, associate professor and professor. In the province of British Columbia in Canada, doctor title is awarded to individuals who have completed a five year full time TCM education with total of 3250 hours, including 1000 hours of clinical training, after passing the Doctor of TCM Competence Examination. The admission requirement is two years university study.
In Ontario, after many years of continuous hard work of many TCM leaders, a special session in the TCM Act 2006 described the use of “Doctor” title: “Subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council and with prior review by the Minister, the Council may make regulations, (a) regulating or prohibiting the use of the title “doctor”……”. Although still working in progress, it is hopeful that TCM practitioners could be allowed and be privileged for registration as Doctor of TCM if they meet all the standards and requirements in the future. Some TSTCM graduated from the five year Advanced TCM Diploma program was approved by CTCMA-BC and passed the Doctor of TCM Examinations! We are very proud and warmly congratulate these graduates for their highest levels of achievement as TCM doctors! We encourage all our graduates of the ATCM program to write the TCM doctor exam!
Moving Forward: Phase 2 of the Doctor Title Project in Ontario
CTCMPAO is preparing to begin Phase 2 of the Doctor Title Project and is currently recruiting members to serve on the Doctor Title Working Group. Interested individuals are invited to submit their resumes and cover letters for consideration by December 15, 2021.
The Doctor of TCM Program and the Advanced TCM Program
Legislation for the practice of TCM was a very complicated and length process. The first request for TCM regulation in Ontario was submitted to the government in 1986. It was not until 1996, the government requested the Health Professional Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) to provide recommendations for acupuncture regulation. In 2001, HPRAC submitted its report for regulation of TCM. Doctor title was not recommended to the TCM profession. The main reason was the lack of educational program at the doctoral levels. Although there was no formal standards or program requirements, HPRAC has checked the programs of all the five health professions, Medicine, Chiropractor, Dentists, Optometry, and Psychology, that were authorized the doctor title. They have concluded that all these programs has 4 year professional training and require 3 years university for admission. The doctor of TCM program offered by TSTCM was 4 year professional training and required 2 years university for admission. HPRAC did recommend the Minister to consider the doctor title for the TCM profession when educational program became available. It was at that time, in 2002, TSTCM has upgraded its Doctor of TCM Program to 5 years full time with minimum of 4220 hours of professional education including 1340 hours of clinical training, and two years university education for admission.
In 2006, A Report to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on Regulatory Issues and Matters respecting the use of “Doctor Title” in Traditional Chinese Medicine was submitted by HPRAC. In the TCM Act, a session about the “Doctor” title was included.
The law governs all the regulated health professions in Ontario is the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). RHPA has strict controls for the use of the “doctor title”. Only members of the five named professions can use the protected title “doctor”. TSTCM did not issue any certificates or grant any title to its graduates. The government stated that the use of the term “doctor” in the name of the program implies a “degree” program. TSTCM was given 4 options in dealing with the issue: 1. change the name of the program without the use of the “doctor” term; 2. sue the government and go to court; 3. pay a fine that cost minimum of $100,000; 4. Mary be taken to jail if continue with the program name. With very careful analysis of the situation and very careful consideration, in 2010 TSTCM changed the “Doctor of TCM Diploma Program” to the “Advanced TCM Diploma Program (ATCMP)”. The term “doctor” had to be covered and eliminated from all the promotional materials and from the school documents. For the past 20 years, the ATCMP program has been demonstrated it’s one of the most systematic and comprehensive program in North America. Graduates of the ATCMP program have become some of the finest and most successful TCM professionals!
Currently, the Canadian Alliance of Regulatory Bodies for TCMA (CARB-TCMPA) is in the process of establishing the standards for accreditation of TCM education in Canada. CARB is also planning to upgrade the Entry-Level of Occupational Competencies for the Practice of TCM and Acupuncture, and hoping to add the competencies and to create national examinations for Doctor of TCM.
The Regulation of TCMA in Ontario
Ever since its inception in 1995, as one of the leading institutions in North America, TSTCM has earned its excellent reputation by offering high standards, systematic, comprehensive and unparalleled quality of education. As a passionate and visionary leader, Mary has actively participated and made significant contributions to the regulation and recognition of TCM. She was appointed to the Advisory Committee for the regulation of TCM in Ontario in 2003. Her recommendations were seriously considered by legislature. She was named the “TCM Lady” by primer Dalton McGuinty, and “indispensable for TCM in Ontario” by Michael Chan, the Minister of Citizenship. Her contribution was highly recognized by the government and by the profession. In 2008, she was appointed to the Transitional Council of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario by the Lieutenant Governor, and actively participated for the establishment of standards of education and practice of the profession, the Entry-Level Occupational Competencies and the Pan-Canadian Examinations. Mary strongly believes the importance of education. High quality professional education is the only way to ensure the quality of the profession, and the safe, effective and ethical service to the public. She has been pushing very hard for accreditation of TCM education, and we are very glad to confirm that CARB-TCMPA is working on accreditation of TCM education in Canada.
The Students Financial Assistance - OSAP
In early 1995, Mary contacted the government regarding the registration and financial support for TCM students. We were told that there was no legislation for registering TCM schools, except registering as a business. There was no government student loans such as OSAP or any other financial support for the students. It was very clear to Mary that TCM regulation and legislation was the most important for the recognition, acceptance and development of TCM and the profession. With over 10 years of hard work of many leaders of the profession and organizations, Ontario government passed the legislation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Act 2006. With continued persistence and hard work, TSTCM received its Eligibility of Ontario Student Assistant Plan, and became the first TCM private school approved by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities for OSAP in 2016. Now, many TCM and Acupuncture students could enjoy the financial support from the government. The availability of OSAP has made possible for many students to study TCM, and who would not be able to do so without the OSAP. The approval of OSAP for TCM students has brought the profession to another level that is parallel with other health professional education, and has very significant and long term influence for the growth of the profession and the recognition of the medicine.
The Expert Advisory Committees for Regulation of Natural Health Product in Canada
In 1997, Mary was appointed to the Advisory Panel for the Regulation of Herbal Remedies. Later, she was also appointed to the Expert Advisory Committee for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the Expert Advisory Committee for Natural Health Products. As member of these advisory committees for Health Canada, Mary has made presentations and recommendations to the Health Committee of House of Commons, and the Health Ministers regarding the regulation of TCM products, and the recommendations of professional regulations. While she was serving in the expert committees, many of her recommendations were considered and incorporated into the regulation of natural health products to ensure their safety, quality and efficacy.
Promoting TCM Through Volunteer and Public Education
As a nationally recognized expert in the field of TCM and education, Mary has been invited for lectures and presentations as TCM expert by health care professional programs and organizations. Almost all these presentations and demonstrations were volunteer without pay. For some large skill shows, the school had to pay high fees as an exhibitor. Her presentations are prized as informative and enjoyable. She was invited to lecture for the introduction of TCM to medical students, pharmacy students and graduate students at University of Toronto, presented to medical students and students of physiology and toxicology at Western University, presented and demonstrated at the program for Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research (PIPER) to medical students, physiotherapy and occupational therapy students, midwifery and nursing students, as well as students of childhood education and social workers. At Queens University, Mary was invited to give presentation and demonstration for acupuncture at the Canadian Undergraduate Conference on Health (CUCOH), the Kinesiology and Health Science Student Organization (KAHSSO) at York University. She was invited to present TCM to Asian Medical and Dental Student Association at McGill University, to present acupuncture to nurses at the Peter Brojde Lung Cancer Center in the Jewish General Hospital, to talk about TCM to the pre-med students at the Dawson College & Marianopolis College in Quebec, and invited by the Order des acupuncteurs du Quebec to introduce Chinese herbal medicine to acupuncturists in Montreal. As one of the most well known TCM presenters, Mary has been invited to give lectures to many professional organizations including the Pharmaceutical Science Group, Chiropractors, Naturopathy, Massage therapists and Nutritionists. She also made presentation to the Canadian Lung Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Society, the Diabetes Association, the Fibromyalgia Society and the Arthritis Society……
To promote and raise the awareness of TCM, TSTCM was actively participating health shows and events with presentations and demonstrations. TSTCM attended the Total Health Show and the Whole Life Expo for over 10 years. Thousands of people has listened to Mary’s lectures, and experienced TCM pulse and tongue diagnosis and demonstrations of Tuina massage and acupuncture. At the Canadian National Exhibits (CNE), TSTCM attended this 18 day show as an exhibitor for 6 consecutive years. At the booth, under the leadership of Mary, TSTCM students learned to promote TCM, communicate to the general public, practiced TCM diagnosis and modalities. Many people experienced immediate results of Tuina massage and acupuncture. Many people became interested in acupuncture for their health, even for their career afterwards. With invitation, TSTCM has participated at health and wellness events provided TCM consultation and treatments to government agencies such as the National Women’s Show, Women’s Health Matters, Syme 55, the Occupation in Health Care Expo, CRA, Canada Service and Government Services, University of Toronto, Ryerson University, Senior Homes, the Four Season Hotel and Stroll for Liver organized by the Canadian Liver Foundation, and university professional and graduate fairs.
Thanks for the hard work and persistent, TSTCM together with many people, TCM is getter more and more accepted for its health benefits, and the practice of TCM is getting more and more recognized as a formal health care profession.
Swift Adaptation of Technology and New Methods of Teaching during the Pandemic
When the lock down started in Canada because of the pandemic, TSTCM acted swiftly to switch the teaching of all courses online in 2 days. We offered all the clinics via online case discussions and provided all students with the make up of the required hours for direct patient contacts when the in-person clinics re-opened. By doing so, almost all students were able to graduate as they originally planned, passed their Pan-Canadian examinations, successfully registered with CTCMPAO and start their practice.
At the beginning of the pandemic, when all the personal protection supplies such as masks, hand sanitizers and rubbing alcohol became shortage, TSTCM has prepared and distributed these supplies to students who needed them. Mary also prescribed and prepared the herbal medicines to help students to boost their immune system and to prevent the possible infection by COVID-19. To reduce the potential risks of infections and ensure the safety and health or the students, Mary and Robert drove their car to deliver these supplies at the doors of the students who relied on public transit. Many students were so touched by their care and considerations.
TSTCM has always put the safety and health of their students first while ensuring the high quality of education. With the uncertainty of the pandemic situation, TSTCM is carefully observing and analyzing the situation, make the best possible decisions that assures the students well being and the learning outcomes of their education, as well as following the government guidelines.
The Pan-Canadian Examinations for TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists
Since the TCM Act was proclaimed April 1, 2013, the first ever Pan-Canadian Examinations for TCM practitioners and acupuncturists was offered by the Canadian Alliance of Regulatory Bodies for TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists (CARB-TCMPAO). Two exams were offered in Ontario: the examination for TCM Practitioners, and the examination for Acupuncturists. There were two components for each exam. The first component was the comprehensive written exam. The second component was the clinical case study exam. Candidates much pass the first component first in order to be eligible for the second component. Generally speaking, the pass rate for each component was around 70% (+/_ 5%). The national average pass rate for both components was about 45% for the first few years of the Pan-Canadian exams. TSTCM new graduates had achieved many 100% passing! In 2013 and 2014, 100% of new graduates passed the written exams for both TCMP and Acupuncture. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, 100% of new graduates passed the clinical case study exams for both TCMP and Acupuncture. In 2018 and 2019, all new TCMP graduates passed both the written and clinical case study exams. In 2020, all TSTCM graduates, new and old, passed the Pan-Canadian Examinations for both TCMP and Acupuncture! This outstanding performance was the results of combined efforts of bright good leadership, well designed curriculum, efficient and effective training strategies and continuous effort and hard work of both faculty and students.
As of 2018, all individuals who were trained in Ontario and passed the Pan-Canadian Examinations and registered with CTCMPAO, 52% of registered TCM practitioners were trained and graduated from TSTCM, and about 22% of registered Acupuncturists were trained and graduated from TSTCM. We are very proud about the success of our graduates and the accomplishment of TSTCM!
Proud TSTCM Graduates
Over the 26 years of excellent education and services, TSTCM has trained hundreds of qualitied professionals. Among hundreds of our graduates, some have become the finest and top practitioners, even well recognized educators and leaders of the profession. Many TSTCM graduates have been rated the three best acupuncturists in their cities. Some of them have won prestigious awards.
A list of the Three Best Rated Acupuncturists:
Best Rated Acupuncture |
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TSTCM Graduates |
Practicing Cities |
Name of their Clinics |
Amy Lee |
Kitchener |
Pink Lotus Acupuncture & Wellness |
Amanda Barone |
Vaughan |
Best Health Acupuncture |
Drew Nesbitt |
Toronto |
Natural Health Care for Women |
Eric Ahn |
Vaughan |
Maple Acupuncture & Wellness |
Mai Pham |
Vaughan |
Mai Medical Health Centre |
Katrina Dollano |
Oak Ville |
What’s Good |
Martin Perras |
Ottawa |
Oak Tree Health |
Sanjana Asnani |
Milton |
Vedalift |
Ryan Longenecker |
Toronto |
Avenue Acupuncture |
Corinna McFarlan |
Collinwood |
Blue Mountain Acupuncture |
Amy Lee: Readers Choice Award
Drew Nesbitt: Top Choice Award 8 years in a row
Ryan Longenecker: Consumer Choice Award 7 years in a row
Educators and Leaders:
Ryan Brook: TSTCM Class 2003: Owner and Director of Eight Branches Academy
Richard Kwan: TSTCM Class of 2004: Director of Acupuncture Program: Shiatsu School of Canada and instructor
Kenneth Choi: TSTCM Class of 2010: Director of Acupuncture Program: Academy of Integrated Medicine and instructor
Kenneth Choi: Professor of TCM program at Humber College. The only full time TCM professor at public colleges
Amy Lee: Peer assess, and Professional Advisor for CTCPAO
Martin Perras: Class of 2010: Elected council member of CTCMPAO
Ryan Longenecker: Class of 2010: Elected council member of CTCMPAO
Justin Lee: Class of 2012: Elected council member of CTCMPAO
Aric Chang, More Nick, Eric Ahn, Maria Florentin, Katherine Chekhter, Michael Gang Liang, Shelley Shuang Yu, Effy Germanis, Karen Tsoi…… Instructors
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Want to learn easy ways to preserve your health and promote longevity?
Through dietary and lifestyle adjustments, better health and quality of life can be achieved. We want to give back to the community by providing regular free online seminars to provide ways that you can tweak your lifestyle to improve your health. Open to everyone that is interested in TCM, the complimentary seminar details are as follows:
Speaker: Mary Wu, President of TSTCM
Date: June 21, 2021 7:00 - 8:30 pm EDT
Topic: Introduction to TCM and how it can boost your wellness
Location: Zoom (detailed provided after registration)
Register: email info@tstcm.com Subject: Wellness Seminar June 21, 2021
We look forward to seeing you there!
Our Teaching Clinic is now reopened for the public with extra safety measure to protect our patients, students and staff! For COVID-19 screening purposes, treatment services are provided by appointment only, no walk-ins available. Please call 416-782-9682 to book an appointment today.
For more information, check out our Teaching Clinic page.
We look forward to helping you soon!
]]>Did you know we still have 2 more virtual open houses scheduled for this summer to provide more information to our new Fall 2020 Student Cohort? (sign up here)
Want more information on Fall 2020 Admission? Visit the page here.
We look forward to having you join our student body!
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Financial assistance (OSAP) may be available to those enrolled in the three diploma programs: Acupuncture Diploma (2 years), TCM Practitioner Diploma (3 years) and Advanced TCM Diploma (4 years). Starting September 2017 students enrolled in the OSAP program can benefit with the Free Tuition policy. The OSAP may offer grants to cover tuition fees and book materials and to cover also part of living expenses for students with children. This new policy will reduce the financial burden dramatically. Please contact the academic advisers for more information.
TSTCM is proud of success of graduates. TSTCM graduates have achieved high pass rate in the licensing exams year after year. Most recently TSTCM graduates have achieved 100% pass rate for the Clinical Case Study Examination in 2017 and 2018. Most of graduates have established a successful practice. Many of them have become the best rated practitioners in their local city.
Under the Declaration of Emergency of Ontario all classes at TSTCM have been conducted online (with Zoom and other tools). Classes will be continuously conducted online until it is safe to go back to our normal teaching (we will follow the government order).
If you consider to start your study in Spring 2020, please call the admission office at 416 782 9682 or send email to: info@tstcm.com.