TCM Faculty

Administration

Dr. James Reddy Kakulavaram, BPT, M.Sc. Anatomy, MD

Dean/ Biomedical Sciences Instructor dean@kootenaycolumbiacollege.com Dr. James has 15 years of international teaching experience. His passion to teach and share medical knowledge has led him to graduate in Bachelors of Physical Therapy (4 ½ years) in 2004 and Masters in Medical Anatomy (3 years) in 2008 from Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, India. Dr. James was bestowed M.D degree with Magna Cum Laude in 2015 from Southwestern University School of Medicine, Cebu, Philippines. In 2011 he founded Anatomy Study Club at SWU. In 2015 he was awarded Best in Leadership and a plaque for his contribution to Anatomy Study Club. His strong academics and enlightening experience in education have helped him to develop innovative concepts in teaching medical and paramedical subjects. In 2015 he moved to Canada and studied French for a year in Gatineau while working as free-lance Anatomist in Ottawa. He also gives online courses for Medical & paramedical, NPTE, USMLE and MCI. In 2016 he moved to Nelson to take up his new assignment at KCCIHS to make learning simple and easy. His teaching principle – “It’s not enough to know, one must understand!”

Veronika Loffelmannova, M.A.

Admin Director / Program Manager admindirector@kootenaycolumbiacollege.com Veronika has over 15 years of international experience working in managerial positions across Europe and Asia. For several years, she worked on European projects supporting hearing-impaired students. She has gained a Master’s degree in Education in the Czech Republic and after completing education courses in BC, she has received the BC Teacher Certificate. During her travels, she visited different countries around the world but she chose to settle down in Nelson with her family.

Lilith Swetland

Administrator admin@kootenaycolumbiacollege.comLilith comes to KCCIHS with a strong background in administration and communications. She has a lifelong interest in a holistic approach to health. Her wilderness farm upbringing gave her the opportunity to learn firsthand about the importance of knowing how to maintain the health of humans and the critters.
Lilith holds a Diploma in Computer Information Systems from Selkirk College and a Bachelor of Commerce from Royal Roads University and has spent a number of years working in administrative roles in academic and medical-related organizations. These skills enable her to be of support to students, faculty, and fellow staff in her role as Administrator.

Instructors

Kevin Wallbridge, TCMP (program) B.A., Instructor

Kevin earned his degree in Medical Anthropology and Asian Studies. He is a highly experienced teacher of the esoteric concepts of the body and health that are found in Chinese physical culture. From a year-long residency in China, Kevin has first hand experience of the People’s Republic. He was trained as a cross-cultural facilitator by the founder of the Canadian Association of Applied Anthropologists. He offers his twelve years of experience in the Asian martial arts to the benefit of the students and the community alike. Kevin is bilingual in English and Mandarin.

Ellissa Crête Dr.TCM, B.A., Instructor

Ellissa Crête is a BC registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Dr.TCM) and Certified Bodyworker. In 2014, Ellissa graduated from the five-year Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Program at the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences (ACOS) in Nelson, BC. She participated in additional TCM clinical internships in Kunming, China. Ellissa is continuing studies in gynecology, mental health, sound healing, and Western herbology. She is an Ohm Therapeutics™ practitioner in sound healing with tuning forks. Ellissa has a private practice in Nelson offering services in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, Tuning Forks, Massage, and Yoga.

Since 2019, Ellissa is an instructor in the TCM program; she teaches Chinese Herbology and Herbal Therapeutics classes. Ellissa is honored to support students on their journey of self-reflection, theoretical understanding, and practical clinical application.

Mary Devan MA, Instructor: Counselling and Communication

Mary received her Masters of Arts degree from UBC in 1989, and her Masters in Counseling from Gonzaga University in 2008. Currently also working as a therapist in private practice and a clinical supervisor of a multi-service agency, Mary has 20 years experience working with people healing from trauma. Mary has facilitated several groups and presented at conferences and numerous workshops both locally and in Vancouver. She has experience with various therapeutic modalities and is a Somatic Experiencing practitioner.

Jennifer Dunn Moynes, R.TCMP, Instructor

Jennifer received her diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences in 2004. Since, she has been a member of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia, and has been practicing in Nelson BC. Her clinical practice and experience include her home practice, supervision of the KCCIHS student clinic, tuina clinic, and classroom clinic, in-hospital treatments and visits to a local psycho-social rehab facility. Jennifer loves to integrate her clinical experience into her teaching. She has been lecturing at KCCIHS, formerly ACOS, since 2006, and strives to help students embody Chinese Medicine through a combination of theoretical understanding and practical application. Over the past 12 years, she has enhanced both her practice and teaching with advanced studies in Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Neurology, Cardiology, Sports Medicine, Chinese Herbology and Psychotherapy. She believes that continued advancement in all fields of medicine require a dedication to education, both of self and other.

Nina-Lynn Hamilton, B.Sc., CLSp (MB), Instructor

Nina is an instructor at the Academy in the Western Medicine department. Nina received her B.Sc. from the University of Calgary in cellular, molecular and microbial biology in 1997, and received her post-graduate diploma in Molecular Diagnostics from the University of Connecticut in 1999. Nina worked for six years with Calgary Laboratory Services as a Laboratory Scientist in the Molecular Microbiology Department in the area of Research and Development. In 2006 Nina and her family moved to the Kootenays to enjoy the lifestyle and slower pace, but quickly took on a new challenge as a Coroner’s agent here in Nelson. Nina is excited to meet and work with the staff and students of KCCIHS during the next year and she wanted to be sure and add … P.S. Microbiology is interesting!

Chris Holland, BA, Instructor

Chris Holland is a Communications Specialist with a diverse work history and grounded understanding of the needs of businesses. With a degree in Communication from Simon Fraser University, Chris launched his career by creating a one person traveling promotional show for the opening of Science World. Moving into the raucous world of hospitality promotions Chris spent the next decade pioneering new ways to promote, market and advertise using guerrilla tactics fusion campaigns and hosting the grandest events on the most impoverished of budgets. The adventure continued as Chris spent the next six years in the corporate world developing sales strategies, resource/account management, professional training, development, human resource consultation and advertising/marketing analysis skills. For the past 12 years Chris has been working with entrepreneurs, social enterprises, community organizations, educations institutions and national corporations providing a unique mix of inspiration, education and action. Residing in the Kootenays Chris Holland brings has cultivated his knowledge and experience to a new plateau through Juggernaut Marketing and Communications. The motivation behind this company is the passion Chris has to truly live the fusion life.

Paul Gaucher , R.TCM.P

Paul earned a diploma in the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program, graduating in 2006. This 5 year full time program involved intensive studying of acupuncture, herbalism, diet, nutrition, and emotional health. He went on to be an instructor for 2 ½ years in Nelson, B.C., and Paul is now in his 15th year of practice.

At a young age, Paul had a fascination with nature, and biology. This innate curiosity of life inspired him to study alternative medicine. Paul has a passion for bringing people to their full health potential, and he is genuinely motivated to help individuals with a wide range of health challenges. researching and sharing her knowledge of TCM remotely.

Daniel Hengsbach, RAc, TCMP

Daniel has been practising as an Acupuncturist and Herbalist since 2007.

He has always been intrigued with the philosophy and the practice of traditional Chinese Medicine. His style of acupuncture is always evolving as he learns from other practitioners, teachers and his own experiences with clients about what can benefit health and well being. The roots of Chinese medicine involve uncovering and treating the underlying disease and the individual signs and symptoms that are expressed by our individual internal environment which is the key to long lasting results.

Daniel feels that in this era of mental stress, pollution, dietary possibilities and intense technological change, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have a strong role to play in helping people adapt and cope with the different stresses placed upon our bodies.

Kate Butt, R.TCM.P, Instructor

Kate Butt earned an Honors degree in the Health Sciences from Queen’s University and a diploma degree as a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences graduating in 2006. She travelled to China to further her studies undertaking internships in two hospitals in Beijing as well as one in Xi’an. From 2007 to present she has been in private practice and has spearheaded the opening of a collaborative healthcare centre called the Heritage Health Centre. She holds a special interest in perinatal health, women’s health, palliative care, and trauma relief. Until 2012 she helped to run a volunteer Acupuncture for Addictions community program at Nelson Mental Health & Addictions Services at which she also taught students acupuncture for treatment of addictions and addiction-related symptoms for the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences. She currently teaches community acupuncture for KCCIHS where she is honored to work both with the community and with KCCIHS students.

Elise Arnaudin, R.Ac.

Elise was introduced to acupuncture in her late teens when, as a competitive swimmer racing at the national level, she sought relief for an injured shoulder. Her first acupuncture session left her feeling more clear, centred and present, and Elise realized that the effect of this modality extends far beyond the physical. She started her studies at College Rosemont in Montreal, and completed her degree at the Academy of Classical Studies in Nelson, BC, where she graduated with top marks in 2013. Elise furthered her studies through a practicum at the acupuncture department at Yunnan Provincial hospital in Kunming, China. Elise is the co-founder of the Kaslo Community Acupuncture Society, a non-profit whose mandate is to remove any barriers towards accessing acupuncture care in the North Kootenay Lake region.

Dr. Nitu Karmacharya, B.Sc. Biology, MD, Instructor

Dr. Nitu graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Southwestern University, Cebu, Philippines in 2012, and received her Doctor of Medicine degree from Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manila, Philippines in 2016 and completed her Postgraduate Internship in EAC Medical Center, Cavite, Philippines in 2017.
She worked as a Medical Officer in Madhyapur Hospital, Bhaktapur, Nepal in 2018. She moved to Nelson and has been teaching in KCCIHS since 2019.
She has 7 years of International and Canadian teaching experience.
She has always been passionate about helping others. She has volunteered in multiple health camps, study clubs, red cross and was an active scout member for 9 years.
Her passion for health and medicine has led her to join KCCIHS. She teaches biomedical sciences and research.