CCATCM History
The Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (CCATCM) is a leader in education and professional development when it comes to teaching Acupuncture and Natural Nutrition Counsellor programs. We offer some of the most advanced theoretical and practical training available today while staying loyal to an over 5,000-year history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
CCATCM began with the vision of Dr. Diana Tong Li and Dr. Franklyn Shi Chen. They dreamed of a school that combined the best of Eastern and Western Medicine with modern and traditional methods of healing. The result was the Canadian College of Natural Medicine (CCNM) – a career college, founded in 1998 in Bedford. CCNM primarily taught 2200 hours of Massage Therapy programs and Acupressure Massage Therapy programs (Dr. Li-Chen Acupressure Massage Levels 1-4). It experienced remarkable growth as a college of massage therapy, leaving little energy for the owners’ passions of Acupuncture and TCM. At that time Dr. Li and Dr. Chen decided that it was time for a change. The Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy purchased the school in 2003 where it continues to thrive to this day.
In its place, Dr. Li and Dr. Chen created the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Natural Medicine (CCANM). CCANM functioned as a college providing continuing education for health care professionals.
In 2008, Dr. Li and Dr. Chen had the vision to create a full-time, career-based Acupuncture program for students in the Maritimes wishing to pursue Acupuncture and TCM as a profession. In September 2009, CCATCM welcomed its first incoming class.
CCATCM is the result of this rich, educational history. CCATCM is a career college registered with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education, is a member of the Private Career Association of Nova Scotia and National Association of Career Colleges, and a core member of the Federation of TCM Colleges of Canada. CCATCM is also a member of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies. The college is certified by Human Resource Development Canada as an educational institution and recognized by the Ministry of Employment and Immigration. Furthermore, being registered as a Private Career College, our programs are eligible for student loans and other types of funding that allow students to pursue a new career more easily.
CCATCM has also become renowned for its use of the Acupressure Massage program created by Dr. Li and Dr. Chen and is known for being a better way to study TCM. Using a more hands-on approach wherever possible, this program brings the TCM foundation theory alive in the classrooms. During our evolution, we have moved to the forefront of our field by offering our students the opportunity to study to become exceptional acupuncturists and TCM practitioners. Through these efforts and the work of our students, we have been able to impact the lives of thousands of patients across Canada and the world. All of this has been accomplished because of the excitement we take in offering Acupuncture and TCM training and Natural Nutrition Counsellor training, thus building skills, knowledge, and a community where our students can realize their academic and professional goals.
In 2018, Mr. Ravee Ming Chen took over as CEO of CCATCM and led the college to its next phase of growth.
As of July 2019, CCATCM was excited to expand into the natural nutrition field by offering the approved Natural Nutrition Counsellor Diploma Program. This allows CCATCM to combine time-honored TCM with holistic nutrition, enhancing the knowledge and learning experience of the students. Ravee Ming Chen welcomed our first Natural Nutrition Counsellor class in September of 2019.
In July 2020, CCATCM received approval from the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education to begin offering the Blended Delivery Acupuncture Diploma Program (Two Years), with its first class of students starting in September 2020.
As of September 2020, CCATCM started a partnership with the leading Acupuncture School in Ontario to raise the standard of TCM and Acupuncture education in Eastern Canada.
With an increased focus on providing the best quality of education and expanding both the college’s reach and available programs, CCATCM has grown immensely and has earned an outstanding reputation provincially, nationally, and internationally. Ravee Ming Chen has overseen the expansion of the school’s curriculum to colleges in other provinces, such as Ontario and British Columbia. He continues to have a greater vision to provide the best Acupuncture and TCM education across Canada and North America.
