College faculty

John Hicks

Joint President and co-founder

John is joint president and co-founder of the college.  He has a PhD from the University of London and has been in practice since 1975.  He trained at the College of Traditional Acupuncture and later received an advanced qualification.  He went on to become dean, lecturer and clinical supervisor between 1978 - 1985 at CTA.  He created the five element skills course at CICM which teaches the basic diagnostic skills of five element constitutional diagnosis.  He has undertaken clinical training in China at Nanjing College of TCM and completed Ted Kaptchuk’s course in Chinese herbal medicine.  In 1988 he co-founded acupuncture training courses, a course teaching TCM theory to five element acupuncturists.  John is an associate trainer with the society of neuro-linguistic programming.  The author of The Principles of Chinese Herbal Medicine (Singing Dragon), and co-author of Healing your Emotions (Thorsons), he also co-wrote the textbook Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture (Churchill Livingstone, 2011) with Angela Hicks and Peter Mole.

Angela Hicks

Joint President and co-founder, Chinese medicine lecturer and clinical supervisor

Angela is joint president and co-founder of the college.  She has been practising acupuncture since 1976.  She originally studied at the College of Traditional Acupuncture and later received an advanced qualification.  She was a lecturer and clinical supervisor at CTA between 1979 - 1987.  She studied TCM and completed clinical training in China at Nanjing College of TCM in 1989.  She is also a herbalist and graduate of the college’s herb course.   In 1988 she co-founded acupuncture training courses, a course teaching TCM theory to five element acupuncturists.  She practises qigong and is a qualified focusing teacher and is a master practitioner of neuro-linguistic programming.  In 2018 she received an MSc in Mindfulness from Coventry University. She is the author or co-author of five books:  The Principles of Chinese Medicine (Singing Dragon), The Acupuncture Handbook (Little Brown Books), 88 Chinese Medicine Secrets (Robinson) and co-author of Healing your Emotions (Thorsons) with John Hicks, and the textbook Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture (Churchill Livingstone, 2011) with John Hicks and Peter Mole. 

Neena Thakkar

Operations Director

Neena graduated with a law degree (LLB Hons) from Warwick University and later a Masters in Business Administration. She practised as a solicitor and business consultant and coach, and has over 25 years senior management experience leading, managing and advising organisations on HR, Finance, Operations, Compliance, and Contractual matters. Neena is an acupuncturist and a graduate of the CICM degree. She has completed postgraduate training in Chinese herbal medicine, NADA and facial enhancement acupuncture. Her practice is based in London, where she also volunteers as an acupuncturist helping refugees from Ukraine. 

Mark Foster

Academic Director

Mark graduated as a biomedical scientist and has experience of delivering and managing HE programmes for over 30 years as Director of faculty for three large FHEC providers of HE in the UK. He has been involved with supporting programme recognition and validation for several osteopathic education institutions, both in the UK and Europe. At Nescot college, Epsom he was responsible for directing a GOsC regulated Integrated Masters in Osteopathic Medicine and the associated public clinic. Mark is a member of the CICM management committee.

Sara Lacey

Student Experience Manager

Sara discovered acupuncture in her early twenties as, like many others, it supported her through a transformative healing journey. Eventually, the burning curiosity about how it worked encouraged her to leave the Civil Service and pursue a new career. As a Civil Servant, Sara worked in various client-facing roles in trauma and safeguarding environments, overseeing the care and journey of the end user. Prior to embarking on her Civil Service career, she obtained a degree from Aberystwyth University in Scenography & Theatre Design and worked in Project Management.  In college, Sara also marks assignments for the Professional and Reflective Practice module. Outside of college, she practices in a busy private clinic as well as a community multi-bed clinic and is also an active volunteer for Acupuncture Without Borders. Offering auricular acupuncture to refugees and asylum seekers in need. 

Programme Leaders

Sarah Attwell

Joint programme leader for Chinese medicine level 5 and programme leader for level 4

Sarah is joint programme leader for Chinese medicine level 5 and programme leader for level 4.  After more than a decade, Sarah decided to relinquish her role as global head of L&D for a commodities trader in order to retrain as an acupuncturist.  Since graduating from CICM, she has published articles in EJOM and Acu.  She has practiced acupuncture within an NHS GP surgery, set up and run a community acupuncture clinic, and is a former Chair of the British Acupuncture Council.  She currently practices in North Swindon. 

Janice Booth

Joint programme leader for Chinese medicine level 5 and programme leader for level 6 and lecturer for Chinese medicine

Janice is joint programme leader for Chinese medicine level 5 and programme leader for level 6.  She has a BA in English and French from Lancaster University and a PGCE from Swansea University.  After ten years in mainstream education (and working in adult education as a yoga teacher), she graduated from the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1988.  She then went on to complete the clinical integration course a few years later.  She has been the president of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) and is a board member.  Janice runs an acupuncture practice in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Kim Chan

Programme leader for skills and qigong, Chinese medicine lecturer and clinical supervisor

Kim is programme leader for 5 element acupuncture skills and qigong.  She is also a clinical supervisor and lecturer at undergraduate and post graduate levels for the college. She has an MA in Literature and Feminism.  She first trained in and then taught Shiatsu and Japanese movement and continued her training in acupuncture at the college, graduating in 1999.  She went on to complete further studies in patent Chinese herbal medicine, gynaecology and obstetrics, paediatric acupuncture and mentoring and supervision for acupuncturists.  She has a busy practice in West London, as well as being active within the acupuncture supervision network, running regular supervision sessions, both for groups as well as individual practitioners.

Dr Gwenan Evans 

Programme leader for professional and reflective practice 

Gwenan has a BSc (Hons) and PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Bristol.  Following a 25 year career in technical marketing and market research, she decided to retrain as an acupuncturist graduating from CICM in 2011.  She then completed a year long course at CICM gaining a diploma in paediatric acupuncture in 2012, followed by a postgraduate diploma in Toyohari Japanese acupuncture in 2019.  She has a busy practice in South Wales, where she also teaches tai chi and qigong.

Susannah Fone

Clinical development manager, Chinese medicine lecturer and clinical supervisor

Susannah is the clinical development director at the college. Previously she was the Academic Director and a Director of the college for five years. She also teaches Chinese Medicine, supervises in the clinical and teaches practical skills. She graduated in 2008 from CICM and has diplomas in Chinese Herbal Medicine and Tui Na. She has studied Chinese herbal medicine in Beijing with Dr Suzanne Robidoux and Dr Feng Shi Lun. She has a post graduate diploma in arts administration from City University and a BA in history of art from UEA.

Lynda French

Programme leader and lecturer for conventional medical sciences 

Lynda has a first class honours degree in mathematics which led to a career in software testing within the financial services industry.  Then, working in the NHS, she gained qualifications in haematology and transfusion science.  A growing interest in Eastern philosophy and medicine led her to study acupuncture at CICM and she graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in 2012. Since then she completed the tuina course and now runs a busy practice in Weston super Mare.

Nicola Gibbs

Programme leader for point location

Nicola is the programme leader for point location.  She has a BSc (Hons) in Financial Services and 20 years' experience in corporate and personal banking.  Her interest in oriental medicine led to her studying at CICM where she graduated in 2009 with a BSc (Hons). She has undertaken post graduate study in tuina, musculoskeletal treatment and auricular acupuncture.  She runs a clinic in South Oxfordshire.

Kasia Orzechowska

Programme leader for practical skills 

Programme leader for practical skills, Kasia graduated from college in 2016. She lives in St Albans where she runs her practice. She came across Chinese medicine, and five elements based nutrition guidelines in Poland through her interest in eastern philosophy, and meditation. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge, with a particular focus on supporting others to develop their practical skills.

Angela Van Veen

Programme leader for research 

Prior to graduating from CICM in 2022, Angela obtained a degree in Economics and Law. She has 20 years of experience in senior management positions, leading and delivering large, complex, global corporate projects. During this time, she has also lead several initiatives such as bringing mindfulness meditation to the workplace, setting up global mentoring programmes and driving gender diversity in the science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM) field. She practices Acupuncture in Sevenoaks where she also provides Meditation for both adults and children. She has completed several post graduate training,  including a one year Chinese dietary therapy course and has a specific interest in Mental Health research.

Teachers, Supervisors and Assistants

Dr Yasmine Assar

Conventional medicine lecturer

Dr. Yasmine Assar is a CMS Lecturer, junior doctor, and OSCE examiner for medical students. With a MBBS degree and studying a MSc in medical education, she brings extensive knowledge and expertise to her role.  She has eight years of teaching experience since her undergraduate studies, specializing in communication skills, reproductive health, and clinical skills instruction. As an IFMSA trainer and peer educator, she has
actively engaged students in interactive and impactful learning experiences. Known for her warm and approachable teaching style, she fosters an inclusive environment that encourages active student participation.

Rebecca Avern

Chinese medicine lecturer

Danny Blyth

Chinese medicine lecturer

Danny studied acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine here at CICM, graduating in 1998.  He has postgraduate diplomas in Chinese language and academic studies.  He has a special interest in teaching and using nutrition to support treatment. Danny currently practises in Cheltenham where he also teaches tai chi and qigong.

Mark Bovey

Research lecturer

Mark has an MSc in animal breeding from Edinburgh University. He qualified from the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1983 and has completed the clinical integration course.  He practises in Abingdon and Oxford.  He was the research manager of the BAcC from 1998 to 2021 and is now a member of the ETCMA’s Research Task Force.  He has published numerous acupuncture research articles and his teaching is research focused.

Alex Brazkiewicz

CMS lecturer

Alex’s initial interest with the East came through his contact with the Japanese martial arts and study of shiatsu in the early 80's.  He spent 18 years as a paramedic in the London ambulance service and for 10 years worked as an assessor for the health professions council (HPC).  Alex runs his own approved first aid training organization, Holos Healthcare and Training Limited and he wrote a first aid manual for the British Acupuncture Council.  Alex qualified from CICM, then studied the on the patent herb course.  He studied tuina at LCTA  and regularly returned to Beijing to study acupuncture under Prof Wang Ju Yi and Tui Na at the Beijing Tui Na hospital.  In 2020 Alex qualified as an Osteopath and is now studying his MSc in Nutritional Science. He practices at his clinic in Malvern where he integrates acupuncture, osteopathy and tuina.

Charlotte Brydon-Smith

Chinese medicine and 5 element lecturer, practical skills teacher and clinical supervisor

Charlotte has a BSc in acupuncture and has been teaching at the college since 2006.  After graduating from CICM in 2003, she completed a year-long apprenticeship in five element acupuncture and continues to have a passion in this area.  Following work with Acupuncture San Frontieres in Sri Lanka in 2005, she co-foundered the successful multi-bed clinic BIGROOM in Oxford offering low cost acupuncture for 10 years.  Charlotte currently runs an acupuncture and mindfulness based psychotherapy practice in Bristol.  

Sarah Collison

Clinical supervisor 

Sarah graduated from CICM in 1999 and has completed post-graduate studies including patent remedies, obstetrics, gynaecology and guasha.  She has also trained as a mentor/supervisor.  She runs a busy practice in West London, where she is also the regional group support tutor.   She has co-run a multi-bed, worked in a local homeless project and for RBKC mental health following the Grenfell fire.  Sarah is also a biodynamic craniosacral therapist and has practised qigong for over 30 years. 

Ben Cox

Qigong teacher

Ben has been teaching qigong at the college since 2008 and developed the course we now teach.  He is an acupuncturist and has also studied Chinese herbal medicine and tuina massage.  He graduated from a 5 year degree run in conjunction with Beijing university in 2007.  This training included a five month clinical placement in the hospitals of Beijing.  Since graduating Ben has completed a qigong teaching apprenticeship, advanced acupuncture and massage studies with Andrew Nugent-Head and several month long qigong instructor training courses.  Currently he practises Chinese medicine and runs a small qigong school in Oxford.

Fabiana Dalla Vecchia

5 element skills assistant

Fabiana’s journey into Chinese medicine began after she experienced the profound benefits of 5 element acupuncture. She graduated from CICM in 2019, then completed the diploma courses in tuina and paediatric acupuncture. She lives in south Oxfordshire where she runs a busy private and multibed clinic. She is also part of the team at The Little Acupuncture Room clinic in Oxford. Her particular interests are in 5 element acupuncture, fertility and paediatrics.

Heather Davidson

Clinical supervisor, Chinese medicine and practical skills teacher

Heather teaches on both the practical and theory programmes. An interest in meditation and somatic therapy led her to study for a degree in acupuncture. She has completed post-graduate studies in Shonishin Paediatric acupuncture, mental health, gynaecology, advanced needling and practical skills. She was the president of Toyohari UK and has done both the basic and advanced training in Japanese acupuncture. She co-founded Oxford Community Acupuncture and runs a busy practice in Oxford.

Jason Davies

Chinese medicine lecturer and practical skills teacher

Jason graduated from the college in 2003 and has been working here since 2006.  He teaches on the acupuncture course, is a practical skills tutor and involved in marking assignments and exams.  He practises in Chippenham where he also teaches meditation.

Alex Evans

Tuina course director and teacher

Alex's first degree is in electronic engineering where he forged a successful career in the software industry, working in silicon valley companies as an executive vice president.  He is a graduate of CICM and has diplomas in tuina and Chinese herbal medicine.  Alex studied Chinese herbal medicine in Beijing with Dr Suzanne Robidoux and Dr Feng Shi Lun.  He runs a thriving mulitbed clinic and our tuina clinic.  He works with patients living with Cancer at the RBH with the charity My Cancer my Choices.
  

Melissa Garland

Practical skills teacher and 5 element skills assistant

Melissa graduated from CICM in 2020 and enjoys working at the college alongside colleagues and supporting students on their learning journey as a practical skills tutor. She has a special interest in the treatment of children following further study and completion of CICM’s diploma in paediatrics. She spends two weekends a month working at ‘The Little Acupuncture Room’ Oxford, a clinic specialising in the treatment of children. 

Martin Genovese

Clinical supervisor 

Martin is a clinical supervisor, having graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree from CICM in 2010.  He runs a busy acupuncture practice in Southampton and is also the BAcC regional support group coordinator for Hampshire. In addition to his acupuncture practice, Martin has been studying and teaching Karate in excess of thirty years, learning extensively from his friend and teacher in Japan. Indeed, it is from this experience that the motivation behind his study of Eastern medicine and philosophy was born. In 2021 Martin also qualified as a Thai massage and bodywork therapist, which he integrates into his practice.

Roz Gibbs

Dissertation supervisor and teacher

Roz has a BSc (Hons) in biomedical science and a PhD in protein biochemistry and molecular biology and has 23 years experience in higher education as an academic and researcher. Roz graduated from the college in 2007 and now she divides her working time between her acupuncture practice and teaching at college.  She is involved in research, evaluating the biomedical basis of complementary and alternative medicines and has experience both in laboratory and clinical research.

Jill Glover

Chinese medicine lecturer

Jill is Chinese medicine lecturer at the college.  She runs fertility seminars and supervision days.  Previously a radiographer working in the NHS, she graduated from the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1985.  She has completed CICM's acupuncture skills course, the clinical integration course and the college's herb course.  She has undertaken neuro-linguistic programming training and is also a qualified life and executive coach.

Mary Heneghan

Five Element skills assistant

Mary Heneghan qualified from CICM in 2000. Prior to that she had studied Medicine at the University of Oxford for four years, researched traditional medicine in Africa and completed a Masters by Research, in psychological disorders, also at Oxford.  Since qualifying as an acupuncturist, she has been in practice in Oxford and has particularly focused on developing and her understanding of the five elements.  She was a founder member of the acupuncture in childbirth team (Oxfordshire), holding an honorary contract at the John Radcliffe Hospital for this work.  She also teaches Kum Nye Tibetan yoga and meditation and is senior editor and a director of Bodhicharya Publications. 

Anna Jolly

Clinical supervisor

Anna graduated from CICM in 2011 and has been working full time as an acupuncturist since then. She ran a Regional Support Group for CICM in Taunton, Somerset for 2 years and has been marking exams and coursework for CICM’s Acupuncture Degree Course for the past 3 years. She holds a Certificate in Tui Na and regularly practises Qi Gong attending retreats and weekend workshops throughout the year with her teacher in Devon. Her Clinic is one of General Practice covering every kind of health issue for all ages but particularly loves working with children. She also uses Paediatric Tui Na and Shoni Shin in her Paediatric Clinic as well as Five Elements and TCM Acupuncture. Anna lives in Somerset growing all her own fruits, herbs and vegetables. Living in harmony with nature is something she values highly, undertaking workshops at Embercombe in Devon where rewilding of the land and people is at their core.

Graham Kennedy

Anatomy and qigong lecturer

Graham is a craniosacral therapist and integrative child psychotherapist with almost 25 years clinical experience. He is one of the anatomy tutors at the college and also teaches regular qigong classes. 

Magda Koc

Chinese medicine lecturer and clinical supervisor

Magda graduated from the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1982.  She went on to study TCM, completing the integration course in 1994.  She has a diploma from the University of Westminster in qigong and tuina, which she combines with acupuncture in her practice in Reading.  As well as teaching on the acupuncture course, Magda is a regional support group tutor and a clinical supervisor.  She is member of of the BAcC professional standards and regulatory committee.

Karen Lawrie

Clinical supervisor

Karen is a clinical supervisor at CICM. She graduated from CICM in 2013 and since then has completed post-graduate training in musculoskeletal acupuncture, infertility and IVF, women’s health, and cancer care, as well as tuina and guasha. Alongside her BSc in Acupuncture Karen has a Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology. Today she runs a busy acupuncture practice in Henley and for 6 years co-ran a multibed clinic. 

Melanie Leeson

Clinical supervisor

Melanie graduated from CICM in 2011 with a first-class BSc (Hons) degree in acupuncture.  Prior to this she worked as an art director for film and television productions.  Currently she runs a thriving practice with clinics in central Bath and Bristol, working with graduates from the college.  Melanie is a former programme leader at CICM and is a clinical supervisor.   She is passionate about working with mothers and children and co-founded the acupuncture conception to childbirth team in Bristol, a specialist group of acupuncturists collaborating in the area of fertility, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care. 
 

Sam May

Practical skills teacher

Sam is a practical skills tutor at the college, and runs the regional support group in Bristol, where he also runs his clinic. Prior to completing his acupuncture degree at CICM, Sam studied Philosophy at the University of Bristol and taught meditation for many years. He is passionate about treating the whole person with acupuncture and assists with assignment marking.

Siân Morriss

Chinese medicine lecturer

Siân qualified from CICM with a BSc (Hons) in 2010. Prior to this she achieved a BA (hons) in music & visual Arts from Brighton University. She has extensive experience working in academia supporting ongoing learning, clinical research and lecturing.  She now practices acupuncture in Horsham & Reading specialising in women’s health.  She has completed post graduate training in gynaecology, fertility and obstetrics and is a member of Brighton and Sussex Acupuncture Childbirth Team.  Siân lectures in Chinese medicine, is a regional support tutor in West Sussex and a personal tutor at CICM. 

Sandra Muzinich 

CMS lecturer and practical skills teacher

Sandra is a conventional medicine teacher and has a BSc in Biochemistry/Microbiology from the University of Western Australia. After moving to the UK in 1998, she spent over 20 years working in the healthcare sector across various roles in strategy consulting, marketing, mentoring and training within the UK and Europe. Passionate about making a difference to patient health within the natural principles of Chinese medicine, she has since gone on to study acupuncture and graduated from CICM in 2022. She lives in Winchester, where she runs her practice.

Rachel Peckham

Clinical supervisor 

Rachel graduated from the college of traditional acupuncture and has been in private practice since 1993. She completed the integration course at CICM in 1997.  Rachel is a director and trainer for NADA GB, (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association). She worked for several years as an acupuncturist and clinical supervisor at the Core Trust, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in London. Her special interest at the trust was the delivery and coordination of the group auricular acupuncture treatment, the NADA protocol. Part of her MSc award involved a study examining the benefits of the NADA protocol. She has worked as a volunteer for World medicine on their India/Chaparda Project, and more recently set up and project managed NADA clinics for people in the Grenfell community following the fire.

Sue Pennington (Supi)

Five element skills assistant

Supi graduated from the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1987 and completed a one year Acupuncture Skills course with John and Angela Hicks in 1989 and their TCM integration course in 1999. She loves that acupuncture allows her to be a ‘generalist’ and has clients who she has supported for many years as they (and she!) move through all the different stages of their lives. She is also passionate about training the acupuncturists of the future and sharing her enthusiasm for this amazing system of medicine. Supi practises in Oxford and also offers massage, yoga, shamanic work and supervision/mentoring

Dr Jonquil W Pinto

Dissertation supervisor and marker

Jonquil graduated from the University of Westminster, School of Integrated Health in 2006 with a BSc Acupuncture and a Diploma in Qigong Tuina. She completed her Psychology PhD at the University of Southampton researching lifestyle and health behaviour change in traditional acupuncture practice. Jonquil is committed to expanding the acupuncture research base in order to progress the acupuncture profession, to inform policy, and encourage the use of complementary and integrative medicine in the NHS. She also co-founded and developed a mobile application for acupuncturists which includes dietary content and other self-care/lifestyle change resources to share with patients. 

Andy Roscoe

Clinical supervisor

Andy is a clinical supervisor at CICM. He originally qualified in 5 element acupuncture from the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1993. In 1996 he qualified as a certified zero balancing practitioner.  He undertook further TCM training at CICM in 1998 on the integration course. In 2001 he studied on the herbal patents course at CICM and undertook internship at Guangdong Hospital, Guangzhou in 2013. Andy is a director of a complementary health clinic in Thame and has been a practitioner in both Oxford and Thame for 29 years.

Ehsan Salout

Practical skills teacher

Ehsan’s interest in Chinese medicine started from practicing martial arts and Qigong since a young age. He graduated from CICM in 2020 and now teaching Practical Skills at the college. He has studied Tuina with Sarah Pritchard and channel theory with Jason Robertson. He enjoys supporting students and sharing the journey with them. He has special interest in musculoskeletal issues, women’s health and psycho-emotional wellbeing.

Peter Salt-Berrymen

Practical skills teacher​

Peter studied tuina and shiatsu in the late 1980’s which lead to studying acupuncture at CICM, graduating in 1996.  Peter practises in south London combining all of these disciplines.  He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with others, and enjoys teaching point location, anatomy, needling, cupping, moxa and tuina as well as a being a personal and regional support group tutor.  Peter has studied taichi and qigong over the last 25 years and teaches in London.

Olivia Selinger

Learning Support coordinator

Olivia qualified from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine and runs both private and multi-bed acupuncture clinics in Oxford. She graduated from Sussex University with a degree in Experimental Psychology, before becoming a teacher and working in various schools around Oxford.

Ania Szczepanik

Clinical supervisor

Ania graduated from CICM with a first class BSc (hons) degree in 2008 and practises acupuncture in Oxford.  She has completed extensive post-graduate training in paediatric acupuncture, as well as gynaecology, fertility and obstetrics.  Ania has also studied bodywork and craniosacral biodynamics and she integrates somatic work into her practice.  Before pursuing her career in alternative medicine, Ania obtained a BA(hons) in Children’s Nursing and worked within specialist fields of children’s surgery.  Yoga and meditation have been an important part of her life for over twenty five years, inspiring and informing her work with clients.

Pawel Skrzypczak 

Practical skills teacher

Pawel graduated in 2015 with a BSc in acupuncture from CICM.  He has a MA in political science from University of Szczecin in Poland.  He has attended numerous CPD events deepening his acupuncture knowledge and skills over years and provided acupuncture for patients in "My Cancer My Choice" and "The Disability Foundation" charities in the past.  In 2022 he became a practical skills tutor at CICM.  He is married with 2 children and a cat and lives in Hatfield.  He enjoys meditation practice, music and contact with the nature to charge his batteries and keeps a positive attitude to everything in life.

Jackie Shaw

 Research and Chinese medicine lecturer

Jackie has a BSc in biophysics from the university of Sussex.  She taught English in China and then studied at the College of Traditional Acupuncture, graduating in 1989.  In 1984 she co-founded an educational charity specialising in the use of video as a tool for group development.  She completed the clinical integration course and joined the college staff in 1995.  She coordinated a pilot national outcomes study funded by the BAcC and conducted a research project looking at patients’ progress in the college student clinic funded by the college and the oriental medicine research trust, published in 2007.

Yvonne Sommer

CMS lecturer

Yvonne qualified as a veterinary surgeon in her home country, Germany in 1990.  She moved to England in 1992, and graduated from the college in 2002.  Since then she has been practising acupuncture at her clinic in Nottingham as well as working as a veterinary acupuncturist.  Yvonne teaches conventional medical sciences at the college and enjoys practising qigong and taichi.

Raquel Torralba

Anatomy teacher and practical skills teacher

Raquel originally trained and worked as a physiotherapist in Barcelona, her hometown. She then completed a post-baccalaureate certificate in integrative medicine and healing practices from the university of Minnesota where she explored different medical systems. Fascinated by Chinese medicine she came to the UK to study the CICM integrated approach and graduated in 2018.  She has a practice in Marlborough where she combines all her skills. She is a practical skills tutor and teaches her passion for anatomy and practical skills in visual and creative ways.

James Unsworth

Practical skills teacher

James began his acupuncture training at CICM in 1997 and has worked at the college since 2002, where he currently teaches practical skills to acupuncture degree students and lectures on the tuina course.  He has a particular interest in classical acupuncture, particularly using palpation-based methods, learning from teachers across Asia and running high patient volume acupuncture clinics in India, Sri Lanka & Burma.

Clare Venters Smith

Chinese medicine lecturer and practical skills teacher

Clare graduated from the college with a first class BSc (Hons) degree in five element & TCM acupuncture, followed by courses in tuina and fertility and obstetrics.  She works as a practical skills tutor and is involved in marking assignments.  She runs busy practices in Reading and Henley.  She is also secretary to the acupuncture for conception to childbirth team (ACT) Berkshire which she helped set up.

Qiong Wang 

CMS lecturer

Qiong was a resident doctor in China before becoming a lecturer and researcher.  She received her PhD in endocrinology from Liverpool University.  She is an acupuncturist and herbalist.

Kevin Young

Anatomy lecturer

Kevin teaches anatomy, structural diagnosis and tuina.  He graduated from the University of Westminster with a BSc (Hons) in TCM acupuncture and a diploma in tuina.  He is also a state registered, chartered physiotherapist and has qualified in sports therapy and sports massage specialising in the treatment of sports injuries.  He works with sports teams, professional boxers and practitioners of various martial arts.  He is currently the principle physiotherapist of the arthritic association and sits on the BAcC investigating committee.