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Title Our Teaching StaffBack to Contents
One of our greatest assets here at the NCA is, undoubtedly, our dedicated teaching faculty. Some of our teachers have taught with us since 1989. They bring to their classes a huge wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for their subject. Their dedication is often commented on by our students, who come to quickly appreciate their desire to see their students become great practitioners.

As well as teaching at the College and working in their busy practices, our staff devote time to learning more about education, to ensure the highest of teaching standards, and somehow they also find time to conduct research or develop areas of expertise. The College is very much a community of learners and our dedicated staff are at the heart of that community.

Elaine Aldred
BSc (Hons) DC LicAc DipHerbMed DipCHM

Elaine gained a degree in biochemistry and chemistry from the University of Sheffield and qualified as a chiropractor with the Anglo European Chiropractic College, as an acupuncturist with the British College of Acupuncture, as a Medical Herbalist with the College of Phytotherapy and in Chinese herbal medicine here at the NCA. She has written two books – “How to start your own Practice” published in 2007 and “Pharmacology - a Handbook for the Complementary Healthcare Profession”, due to be published in August of this year.

Elaine is a Western medicine Tutor and Business Tutor on the Acupuncture Course and Plant Science Stream Leader on the Herbs Course.

Ian Appleyard
BScAc (Hons) MBAcC

Ian trained in acupuncture at the University of Westminster. He has studied extensively in Japan and China and also taught at the Shanghai Second Medical University Health School. He has worked as an acupuncturist since 1999 and his special interests include hyperthyroidism and facial paralysis, as well as the translation of Chinese medical terms and concepts.

Ian is Chinese Medicine Stream Leader on the Acupuncture Course.

Gurm Bacchus
BA(hons) MSc MEd DipAc MBAcC

Gurm is a graduate of the NCA whose interest in acupuncture grew from a life-long interest in practising martial arts. After his MSc in Computer Aided Design, he worked at the University of Leeds providing support and training to both staff and students. He has a Masters of Education and runs a busy private practice in north Leeds where he is especially interested in the treatment of migraines and also sports related injuries.

Gurm is the Learning Support Tutor and teaches on the Business stream.

Richard Blackwell
LicAc MSc (Ac) MBAcC FRCHM ClinAc (Nanjing)

Richard is the College Principal. He has a Medical Sciences degree from Nottingham University Medical School, and graduated from the British College of Acupuncture in 1982 before going on to study Chinese herbal medicine. He established busy practices in Birmingham and then in York, and has taught at both undergraduate and post-graduate level for many years. He is a past president of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine. He has published widely on Chinese medicine theory, clinical practice, research and education. He has a particular interest in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Richard teaches Chinese Medicine, Clinical Education and Practitioner Development on the Acupuncture Course.

Charles Buck
BSc BAc MSc (Ac) MBAcC FRCHM ClinTCM (Shanghai)

Charlie is a widely-respected teacher, practitioner and author in the fields of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Graduating in medical physiology in 1977 he went on to take a three-year degree in acupuncture at the International College of Oriental Medicine. A long-standing fellow of the RCHM he was one of the first to practise Chinese herbal medicine in the UK and played a key role as initiator and teacher on the herbs course at the NCA. He is now a Reader in Chinese Medicine here, teaching and supervising MSc research as well as teaching widely across the UK and Europe. His own MSc explored the scientific study of TCM’s explanatory models and he has published extensively on many aspects of TCM. He runs a busy multi-disciplinary CAM clinic in Chester.

Charlie is a Research Supervisor and teaches Chinese Medicine on the Acupuncture Course and Chinese Herbal Medicine on the Herbs Course.

Richard Chamberlain
PhD MSc BSc MBAcC

Richard has a Biological Sciences (Genetics) degree from the University of East Anglia and a PhD in molecular virology at the University of Reading. He later worked on Hepatitis C and HIV in the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. He graduated with an MSc in Chinese Medicine from the Northern College of Acupuncture in 2002 and set up a practice in Edinburgh. He now lives in North Wales where he runs clinics in Ruthin and Flint.

Richard is a Chinese Medicine Tutor on the Acupuncture Course and Philosophy and Context Stream Leader.

Don Clarke
BA MSc (Acupuncture) MBAcC MRCHM

Don worked as a teacher and as an educational advisor before graduating from the NCA in 1999. He went on to obtain his MSc in Acupuncture and also completed a diploma in Chinese herbal medicine. He runs a busy practise in Leeds.

Don teaches Chinese Medicine for the Acupuncture course and has responsibility for the teaching of pulse diagnosis based on the “Shen Hammer” system Medicine 1 and He is also an experienced and well regarded NCA Clinic supervisor.

Lyn Clarke
MSc (Ac) DipAc MBAcC

Lyn is a graduate of NCA with a background in physical education. Her MSc dissertation was a clinical study of Multiple Sclerosis and patient perceived changes during a course of traditional acupuncture. She runs a busy practice in Malvern. Lyn is Year 3 Leader and teaches Chinese Medicine and Research on the Acupuncture course.

Hilary Coles
BSc DipAc MBAcC RGN DipHEd

Hilary has a background in nursing, training and health promotion management in the NHS. Her interest in acupuncture grew whilst commissioning acupuncture services for community groups and she trained here at the NCA, graduating in 1996. Since then she has practised both privately and within the NHS and currently has practices in Bradford and Skipton. Hillary is a Clinic Supervisor and Pulses Tutor on the Acupuncture course.

Lynne Dean
DipAc MBAcC PGDip
Lynne trained as a nurse originally, and then pursued her interest in complementary health by studying at the NCA. She graduated in 1999 and has built up a very busy practice where massage is an integral part of the treatment. Lynne is a Safe Practice Verifier and Accreditation Visitor for the BAcC. Lynne has been involved in teaching acupuncture at the University of Salford where she is the Bodywork module leader, teaches point location and channel work and is a Clinic Supervisor.

Lynn is Points Tutor, Body Work Tutor and Clinical Education Stream Leader on the Acupuncture Course

Sarah Dixon
DipAc MSc (Ac) MBAcC

Sarah has a background in health care and runs her own acupuncture practice. She has a special interest in mental health, fertility, pregnancy and postnatal care.

Sarah is Points Tutor on the Acupuncture Course.

Mike Freeman
PGDip DipAc DipCHM MBAcC MRCHM

Mike comes from a background in social work and is a graduate of the NCA’s courses in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. He has built up his own successful practice in Harrogate.

Mike is Practitioner Development Tutor on the Acupuncture Course

Alison Gould
BA LicAc MSc (Ac) MBAcC MRCHM ClinAc (Chengdu)

Alison graduated from the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1983 and went on to further studies of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. She has a strong interest in research into acupuncture and has published several articles including her MSc research on patient perspectives following treatment with acupuncture. She managed the Acupuncture Research Centre and is a member of the BAAB Accreditation Committee. Alison runs a busy practice in York, specialising in gynaecology and infertility and also teaches tai chi and qi gong.

Alison is a Pulses Tutor on the Acupuncture Course

Eileen Gibbon
DipAc MBAcC MRCHM MSTAT

Eileen graduated from the NCA in 1994 and went on to graduate from our Chinese herbal medicine course in 2001.She practises both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in Sheffield and also teaches the Alexander technique.

Eileen is Year 1 leader, Pulses Tutor and Chinese Medicine Tutor on the Acupuncture Course and Year 1& 2 leader for the Chinese Herbal Medicine Course.

Nick Hudis
MA MRCHM

Nick trained in oriental and western herbal medicine with Michael and Leslie Tierra. After further intensive clinical study in Nanjing he specialised in Chinese herbs. He runs busy practices in York and Newcastle mainly working with gynaecological and reproductive issues. He has previously taught TCM for the East West College of Herbalism. Nick is also a highly regarded Tuina practitioner and teacher and is well known at NCA for his lively and practical seminars.

Nick is Chinese Herbal Medicine Stream Leader on the Chinese Herbal Medicine Course

Stephen Hunter
DipAc MBAcC

Stephen has been practising as a massage therapist since 1995 having made a career change. He qualified in acupuncture in 1999 from the NCA. He practises in Ilkely & Skipton. Stephen is particularly interested in the areas of back pain and acupuncture in midwifery.

Stephen teaches both Points and Bodywork on the Acupuncture Course.

April Joslin
DipAc MBAcC

April has a background in nursing and is a graduate of the NCA. She runs a busy practice in Hexham, has led a conference in Acupuncture in Cancer Care and has been published in the European Journal of Oriental Medicine.

April teaches Business Development, Clinical Education and Points on the Acupuncture Course.

Lara McClure
BA(Cantab) MA(Cantab) PhD

Lara obtained a PhD in Medieval Studies from the University of York in 2003 and has a special interest in the history of medicine, religion and popular culture. She has worked as a Librarian in a variety of academic contexts and has provided support services to students at the Universities of Cambridge and York. She also has a strong research background and she has been the College Librarian for the past four years.

Lara is a Research Supervisor and Research Stream Leader on both Herbs and Acupuncture Courses, and she teaches Practitioner Development and Philosophy and Context on the Acupuncture Course.

Julian Morgan
LicAc DipTCM DipJAc MBAcC

Julian graduated from the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1990 and shortly afterwards went on to study TCM. He taught at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine while also studying qi gong and tai chi chuan. Julian now specialises in Japanese acupuncture styles. After fourteen years of intensely busy private practice and teaching Julian went to Spain in 2004 to study Taoist Water method qi gong and meditation in the tranquillity of the sierras. His area of special interest is to combine the teaching of qi gong and self-healing techniques with acupuncture in the treatment of chronic disease.

Julian is Year 2 Leader and teaches Chinese Medicine, Points, Bodywork, Philosophy and Context, and Practitioner Development on the Acupuncture Course.

Annie Milles
BA MSc PhD MBAcC MSc (Ac) ClinAc (Beijing)

Annie was an archaeologist specialising in environmental change before she became fascinated by Chinese medicine. She graduated in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at the NCA and practises in York. She has been Acupuncture Course Director at the NCA and now concentrates on her practice and teaching.

Annie is a Chinese Medicine and Points Tutor on the Acupuncture Course.

Brendan O’Sullivan
LicAc MBAcC

Brendan studied five element acupuncture before completing his TCM training and gaining a diploma in the treatment of children with acupuncture. He has worked extensively in the NHS in GP acupuncture clinics and hospital pain clinics. He now runs his own busy clinic in Scarborough where he specialises in the treatment of pain.

Brendan is a Clinic Supervisor and teaches both Chinese and Western Medicine and Pulses on the Acupuncture Course.

Non Owen
BSc PhD DipHM MNIMH

Non has been lecturing and teaching for many years and is an experienced medical herbalist. Her areas of interest include auto-immune and gastro-intestinal disease and she is currently involved in a national clinical audit for the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.

Non is Western Medicine Stream Leader on the Acupuncture Course.

Sarah Price
MSc LicAc MBAcC MRCHM

Sarah has been practising Chinese medicine since 1986, having trained with a variety of teachers both here and in China. She has been lecturing in Chinese herbal medicine since 1994, and has been on the accreditation board of the EHTPA. Sarah is currently undertaking a sponsored PhD at the University of Leeds exploring theory and practice of acupuncture relating to breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. She is also a collaborator in a similar Norwegian project. Research in Chinese medicine is a special interest as are women’s health and fatigue with chronic illness.

Sarah is a Chinese Herbal Medicine Tutor on the Herbs Course.

Paul Smithson
RGN DipAc PGCertEd MBAcC

Paul’s background is in nursing and he has many years experience in lecturing and research. He qualified as an acupuncturist from the NCA in 2002.

Paul is a Western medicine Tutor on the Acupuncture Course.

Eric Tessier-Lavigne
DipAc MBAcC

Scotland. He has a background in dancing, choreography and teaching and he is a taiji and qigong practitioner.

Eric teaches Bodywork, Chinese Medicine and Points on the Acupuncture course.

Julie Weston
DipRad DipAc MBAcC

Julie trained as a radiographer and then qualified in acupuncture from the NCA in 1993. She has a busy practice in Merseyside.

Julie is a Points Tutor on the Acupuncture Course

Carole Wicks
MSc CertEd UKCP Registered Psychotherapist

Carole has a Certificate in Education and taught for 15 years before going on to study Humanistic Integrative Psychotherapy, gaining an MSc from the University of Wales. She has worked extensively in private practice and for the NHS and has taught and supervised counsellors and psychotherapists. She runs training workshops in communication skills and is an examiner for counselling / psychotherapy courses.

Carole is Stream leader for Practitioner Development on the Acupuncture Course.

Cliff Wicks
DipAC DipCHM MBAcC MRCHM

Cliff trained in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at the Northern College of Acupuncture. After qualifying, he practised acupuncture and herbal medicine in the Teesside area and also held the posts of Herb Course Director and Herb Clinic Manager at the NCA. He now practises in the Stirlingshire and Fife areas and continues to teach on the acupuncture course at the NCA.

Cliff is Bodywork Stream Leader on the Acupuncture Course

Elaine Wilson
DipAc MSc (Ac ) MBAcC DipCH MIPCH

Elaine spent 25 years working in IT and Business Consultancy before she undertook a major career change and retrained as an acupuncturist at the NCA, achieving a distinction in her MSc in Acupuncture. Alongside her work at the College she has established a busy private practice in York, offering both acupuncture and colonic hydrotherapy. In 2007 she and her business partner opened The Clinic on the Green in York: a multi-disciplinary clinic offering excellence in a wide range of complementary therapies.

Elaine is the Course Director for the BSc/MSc in Acupuncture.

Jo Wright
DipAc MBAcC

Jo graduated from the NCA in 1994 and runs a busy private practice in Newcastle. She has a background in nursing and provides acupuncture services to the NHS within GP surgeries. These services began as an initial Primary Care Trust project which won the 2004 NHS Alliance Acorn Award for Integrated Care, and was runner up twice for the Foundation for integrated Health Good Practice Award. Jo is also a guest lecturer at the University of Northumbria.

Jo teaches both Chinese & Western Medicine on the Acupuncture Course.

Jacqueline Young
BA(Hons) MPsychol ND PgDip(Nut) DipA, PGDip (Epidemiol)

Jacqueline originally took a degree in psychology and a masters degree in clinical psychology, working in the NHS. She later trained as an acupuncturist and a naturopath, going on to do postgraduate training in nutrition. She has been working as an educator and writer in the field of natural medicine for over 20 years. She runs an active integrated medicine practice in central London and is also a health writer and author of several books on natural medicine. She is also the Nutrition Course Director here at the NCA.

Jacqueline is the Nutrition Tutor for both the Acupuncture and the Chinese Herbal Medicine Courses.

Cheng Hao Zhou
BMed Acu (China) MBAcC MRCHM

Cheng trained in China at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, qualifying in 1992. She worked as a Chinese Health Service acupuncturist and herbalist for eight years and was titled “doctor-in-charge” in 1998. She came to the UK in 2000 joining the NCA team in 2001 and soon acquired a reputation as an excellent practitioner with a sophisticated treatment style.

Cheng is both an Acupuncture Clinic Supervisor and the Herbs Clinic Supervisor. She teaches extensively on both the Herbs and the Acupuncture courses.

MSc Research Supervisors
Jennifer Dale, Alison Longridge, Hina Patel, Claire Relton, Stan Switala, Peggy Welch.

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