Our March newsletter begins with Congratulations to Humber Polytechnic on the approval of their Bachelor of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture. This B.Sc-TCMA is the first of its kind in Ontario.
Speaking of schools, TCMO believes that outreach to students while they are in school is beneficial to their success in practice after graduation and essential to the future of the profession. TCMO offers many benefits to students and new grads, and we have been arranging meetings in schools to introduce TCMO. Our first meeting was with students at Humber, and we have upcoming dates with AIM Academy, Eight Branches and TSTCM. For more information, or to arrange a meeting at your school, please email info@tcmo.ca.
The leaders of four provincial Associations – BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec – got together to share information and updates on the state of TCM&A in their respective provinces. Across Canada, Quebec acupuncturists have regained the ability to deliver tuina, qigong and Chinese dietary advice and in BC, TCM&A professionals are making strides towards reinstating access to herbal therapies and compounding. We are all keeping current on the Federal changes to student assistance programs as well as related provincial adjustments to similar programs.
We are Traditional Chinese Medicine Ontario – but what does that really mean? Part One in a series
Traditional Chinese Medicine Ontario (TCMO) is an Association that represents members of the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (TCM&A) profession in Ontario. Members of TCMO are R.Acs and R.TCMPs registered with the CTCMPAO, membership is also offered to students enrolled in TCM&A programs in Ontario. The governance structure of TCMO includes an Executive Team and a Board of Directors, supported by ad hoc Committees. TCMO holds Annual General Meetings, and every two years members participate in a democratic process to elect Board Members. Members of the Board freely volunteer their time and expertise to ensure that the Association meets its purpose, while also ensuring the integrity of the mission and vision.
TCMO exists to advance and protect TCM&A, to support and promote the TCM&A profession amongst the public and other regulated health care professions and to serve as the voice of the profession while advocating for members’ interests.
In 2025, as a part of the annual strategic planning meetings, the TCMO Board established a vision and a mission, both oriented to underpinning the purpose.
Vision
To lead the evolution of integrative healthcare by ensuring a thriving community of Acupuncturists and TCM Practitioners who demonstrate excellence and inspire trust as essential pillars of Ontario’s healthcare system.
Mission
To be a driving force, advocating for the advancement of the profession, elevating public trust and preserving the integrity of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.
TCMO uses the vision, the mission and the purpose as guiding principles as we focus on membership benefits, promotion, information dissemination and advocacy interfacing with varied audiences of members, the public, the regulator and government.
These areas are further developed as core roles of the Association: support and benefits to members; public and inter-professional awareness; advocacy and support of professional standards as well as contributions to research and policy development.
It is important to note that TCMO is not the enforcer of clinical standards nor the entity that protects the interests of the public, while both are important to the profession, it is the regulator, the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) that fulfills these roles.
TCMO is a profession-focused association that helps practitioners to be heard, supported and better integrated into Ontario’s healthcare system.
Stay tuned to the next few newsletters, for an exploration of the core roles of TCMO and how these bring added value and benefit to your practice.
– Heather & the Entire TCMO Volunteer Team!