KPU celebrates first graduates of traditional Chinese medicine degree

Twenty-six students have graduated in the first cohort of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s bachelor’s degree in traditional Chinese medicine. The ceremony was held Aug. 13 at the Wilson School of Design on the KPU Richmond campus.

The 10-semester program prepares graduates to seek licensing to treat patients using acupuncture and other stimulation techniques, and to prepare and dispense herbs and herbal formulas. Twenty-two students also received acupuncture diplomas that day.

Health faculty dean Sharmen Lee said the graduates build on a decade of experience with KPU’s diploma program. Department chair Dr. John Yang said the degree provides broad clinical education as demand grows for complementary health services in urban and rural communities.

KPU says its program is comparable to similar university programs in China, Australia and New Zealand, potentially opening routes to graduate study elsewhere. Graduate Meaghan Mc Aneeley, who previously earned an acupuncture diploma, said she pursued the degree to broaden her qualifications and study herbal approaches to complex internal conditions. She received the Chan Sisters Foundation Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Endowed Award.