President's Report September 2026

by ATCMA President, Dr. Chris Vallee

As we move through the summer and look ahead to the coming months, I want to take a moment to recognize the tremendous amount of work that has been taking place behind the scenes on behalf of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of British Columbia and, most importantly, on behalf of our members.

The work of an association does not stop when the calendar says summer. In fact, this summer has been one of continued activity, advocacy, relationship-building, and planning for the future of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and our profession in British Columbia.

A Dedicated ATCMA Board

I want to begin by sincerely acknowledging the hard work and commitment of our ATCMA Board Members.

Our Board members volunteer their time because they believe in our profession, our practitioners, and the important role TCM can play within the broader healthcare system. Throughout the summer, Board members have continued to attend meetings, participate in discussions, review important issues, advocate for our profession, and work on initiatives designed to strengthen the Association and provide greater value to our membership.

Much of this work happens quietly and behind the scenes. It may not always be visible to our members, but it is important work that continues to move our profession forward.

I am proud of the dedication demonstrated by our Board and grateful for the time, energy, knowledge, and professionalism each member brings to the table.

Creating Greater Value for ATCMA Members

One of our ongoing priorities is ensuring that membership in the ATCMA provides meaningful value to practitioners.

We continue to look at ways to enhance the benefits available to our members, strengthen communication, provide better resources and opportunities, and ensure that the Association remains responsive to the changing needs of practitioners.

An association is only as strong as its membership. Our goal is not simply to represent practitioners when issues arise, but to build an organization that supports members throughout their professional careers.

We are continuing to explore additional opportunities and partnerships that can bring practical benefits to our members while strengthening the collective voice of the TCM profession.

Continued Dialogue with the Ministry of Health

The ATCMA continues to maintain an active dialogue with the Ministry of Health.

These meetings are an important part of our advocacy work. They provide an opportunity for us to bring the voice and experience of TCM practitioners directly to government and to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing our profession.  Our current challenges with the Regulation of Chinese herbs is a conversation that we continue to have with the Ministry and we are eager to finally see the changes that we have been promised. 

Our discussions continue to focus on the future of TCM in British Columbia, the utilization of qualified healthcare professionals, regulatory considerations, and opportunities to better integrate the skills and expertise of TCM practitioners into the healthcare system. Scope of Practice remains a key area yet to be completed, and ATCMA continues to actively advocate for meaningful changes. We have had encouraging conversations throughout the year that we believe are bringing us closer to our goals—changes that will strengthen our profession while also benefiting BC’s healthcare system and the patients we serve.

Building Relationships with Allied Health Professionals

We have also continued meetings and conversations with members of the broader allied health community.

These relationships are extremely important.

Healthcare is changing, and the future of healthcare will require greater collaboration between professions. TCM practitioners have an important role to play in that conversation.

By building stronger relationships with allied health professionals, we can better understand the challenges facing other healthcare disciplines while also demonstrating where TCM can contribute.

Our objective is not to work in isolation. It is to demonstrate that TCM practitioners are highly trained healthcare professionals who can work collaboratively with other disciplines to support patients and improve healthcare outcomes.

Working with Our Professional College

Our relationship and ongoing communication with our Professional College also remain an important part of our work.

The Association and the College have different mandates and responsibilities, but both organizations have a shared interest in maintaining a strong, respected, and sustainable profession.

Continued communication allows us to better understand regulatory developments, professional concerns, and the issues that matter most to practitioners.

We will continue to engage respectfully and constructively, ensuring that the concerns and perspectives of our members are part of the broader conversation about the future of our profession.

Recognizing Our Exceptional ATCMA Staff

No President’s Report would be complete without recognizing the exceptional work of our ATCMA staff.

Our staff have taken on an increasing workload as the Association has become more active in advocacy, meetings, member services, communications, and professional initiatives.

In particular, I want to recognize Dr. Melissa Carr and Skye Tang for their extraordinary commitment and contribution to the ATCMA

Dr. Melissa Carr continues to bring tremendous professional knowledge, experience, and leadership to the Association. Her understanding of both the profession and the broader healthcare environment has been invaluable in our ongoing advocacy efforts and discussions with government, healthcare stakeholders, and our Professional College.

Skye Tang has also demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism. Her work behind the scenes helps keep the Association organized, responsive, and moving forward, often taking on responsibilities that members may never see.

To both Melissa and Skye: thank you.

Your work matters, and it is deeply appreciated.

Looking Ahead

As we look toward the remainder of the year, there is much to do.

The healthcare environment in British Columbia continues to evolve, and our profession must be prepared to evolve with it. We need to continue demonstrating the value of TCM, advocating for appropriate opportunities for qualified practitioners, strengthening our relationships throughout healthcare, and ensuring that our profession has a meaningful voice in discussions about the future of healthcare delivery.

This will require continued commitment from our Board, our staff, our members, and the profession as a whole.

I remain optimistic about what we can accomplish together.

The ATCMA is committed to being a strong, professional, and credible voice for Traditional Chinese Medicine in British Columbia. We will continue to advocate, continue to build relationships, continue to listen to our members, and continue working toward opportunities that strengthen our profession.

A Final Thank You

To our members, thank you for your continued support of the ATCMA.

To our Board Members, thank you for giving your time and energy to the profession.

To our staff, Melissa and Skye, thank you for the exceptional work you continue to do.

And to every TCM practitioner who continues to provide care to patients across British Columbia—thank you for the important work you do every day.

Our profession has a strong future, but that future will be built through collaboration, professionalism, advocacy, and a willingness to keep moving forward.

I look forward to continuing that work together.

Respectfully,

Dr Chris Vallee DrTCM

President
British Columbia Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Practitioners (ATCMA)