Clara Buttemer, R.Ac.
Clara’s interest in Chinese Medicine began in 2017 while studying a bodywork modality that incorporated Shiatsu & Five Element Theory. The lens of interconnection between our emotional landscape and physical body was a huge eye opener for her and she wanted to get her hands on as much of this ancient knowledge as possible. Following her heart and keen enthusiasm, she registered in the Diploma of Acupuncture at Pacific Rim College. Throughout her schooling she was amazed by how many people reflected to her the profound impact acupuncture had on their life.
Since graduating, Clara has continued to work as both a bodyworker and acupuncturist, and is so grateful to now have the opportunity to join the Hemma team. She loves how CA gives people the chance to rest for the amount of time that feels right for them, and that it is financially accessible to many. It also feels very human and heartwarming to share space with others and recognize the profound similarities and differences of this human experience. Areas of care in which she has the most experience are mental health, women’s health, digestive health, and with pain conditions.
Outside the clinic, Clara dedicates herself to a regular Qi Gong and Meditation practice, and has recently been singing, growing plants, writing poetry, and creating delicious elixirs. She is so excited to meet you
Katherine murphy, R.Ac.
Katherine began her journey into studying Chinese Medicine while working reception for an acupuncturist friend. Seeing the impact it had for so many made her curious enough to start reading textbooks on her lunch break. It sparked a passion that is only growing the more that she learns. She graduated with a Diploma of Acupuncture from Pacific Rim College, and is continuing her education with Neijing Nature-Based Medicine. There is also a stack of textbooks that she still reads on her lunch break!
She is filled with immense gratitude to be here at Hemma. Realizing that she wanted to work as a community acupuncturist came as a bit of a surprise halfway through her schooling; however, she truly fell in love with the model. The elegant simplicity of the treatments, the effectiveness of it that she witnesses, the accessibility of the community setting, and most of all, the way the healing compounds when there is a group of people all resting with their pins in.
Outside of the clinic Katherine delights in time spent in the kitchen, often preserving or fermenting foods (but also having enthusiastic dance parties that her cat refuses to join in on). She is most grounded when her bare feet are connected to the earth, whether that is in the soil of her garden, on a shady forest path or in the saltiness of the ocean.
Michael Lium-Hall, B.A., R.Ac.
Michael began having visions of community acupuncture many years ago as he was sitting in an acupuncture class. The visions continued until 2007 when he saw them in practice during his first visit to Working Class Acupuncture, one of the first community clinics, located in Portland Oregon. He returned home, inspired to help community acupuncture take root in Canada, and to construct his vision of CA in Victoria, BC. Since opening hemma community acupuncture clinic in 2007 he has dedicated his work and teaching to the continued growth of community acupuncture in Victoria and throughout North America.
Michael has accumulated nearly thirty years of study and practice in the fields of; Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Massage, Yoga Therapy, and Addictions, all of which inform his practice. He studied Acupuncture in San Francisco and Victoria and has been licensed to practice in B.C. since 2004. Michael has served on the faculty of both the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and the Pacific Rim College. He also served on the board of the Community Acupuncture Network (now POCA), and currently serves as a Canada representative for POCA, providing education and support for people interested in establishing CA clinics in their communities throughout Canada.
Melissa de Hann R.T.C.M.P., R.Ac.
Melissa was first talked into trying acupuncture by her father about 23 yrs ago, because of chronic back pain she had developed from mountaineering. She did not believe in it at the time, but as nothing else had worked, she thought, why not? Her first treatment, she clung to a pillow in abject terror of being needled. But it wasn’t so bad. Pretty painless, actually. After one course of treatments, the pain she had had for over 6 months was gone. She decided that being an acupuncturist and herbalist would be way cooler than being an alpine climbing guide, and switched career paths immediately. She graduated from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1995, and is a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Licensed Acupuncturist with the CTCMA. She has been in active practice for 18 years, and during this time has taught at the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and at Oshio College. She also worked under contract at the Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital, practicing animal acupuncture under the direction of the accomplished veterinarian acupuncturist, DVM Marlene Smith, until a sufficient number of veterinarians completed their acupuncture training and could serve the Greater Victoria community. She feels that that experience greatly enhanced her sensitivity and skill in treating her human patients. She switched from private practice to community style acupuncture several years ago and has never looked back! She is very happy to be at Hemma, and truly feels she has come home.
Susan shields R.Ac.
Susan came across acupuncture in her efforts to heal a sore back and a broken heart. She soon became a big fan and found that the hours spent with those little pins in not only helped her immediate concerns, but also made her entire life much better.
She loves community acupuncture because it helps us reconnect to ourselves and access our inner resources in a simple and profound way, reminds us that we are not alone, and makes this powerful medicine accessible to more people.
She graduated with a Diploma of Acupuncture from Pacific Rim College in 2012, and since then has had the good fortune of working and learning at Heart and Hands Health Collective, Poke Community Acupuncture, PHS Community Services Society, Peers Victoria Resources Society, and Barefoot Acupuncturists.
When she isn’t at the clinic she can be found riding her bike, hanging out with her cat, reading, singing, drinking coffee, and (mostly unsuccessfully) trying to make sense of things.
Madison Kolla, R.Ac.
(Currently on Maternity Leave)
Madison loves how acupuncture plants us firmly in our bodies, forcing people to hang out with themselves in the present moment. She hopes to empower clients to take responsibility for their own health and well-being, and is simply delighted to help people feel better.
She has worked almost exclusively with the community acupuncture model and is truly committed to making treaments accessible, affordable and effective. She believes in the importance of collective healing, which is created within spaces like Hemma. Madison also has a passion for the use of acupuncture in treating trauma, addictions and mental health challenges. She feels very lucky to have explored this through work in VIHA’s Community Medical Detox Unit, and with AIDS Vancouver Island.
She graduated from Pacific Rim College in June 2012 with a Diploma in Acupuncture, and continues to study, learn and grow in her practices of acupuncture, yoga and meditation.