Faculty Profiles

Afsoun Khalili, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Assistant Professor
Afsoun is a naturopathic doctor in Toronto and a graduate of CCNM, with a background in biochemistry. While Afsoun’s practice is eclectic, using all naturopathic modalities for treatment, patients can also benefit from her advanced training in cosmetic/facial rejuvenation acupuncture and anti-aging treatments.

Ajay Lad, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Ajay is a licensed naturopathic doctor whose main areas of clinical interest are gastrointestinal health, detoxification and treatment of anxiety and stress related disorders.

Alan Vu, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Alan is a licensed naturopathic doctor and a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND). After a Bachelor of Science (honours) at U of T and four years at CCNM, Alan was accepted into and graduated from an additional two-year CCNM Clinical Residency Program.

Alexander Hall, B.Sc.(Eng.), P.Eng., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Assistant Professor
Alex is a registered naturopathic doctor and licensed professional engineer. He is the founder of Helianthus Naturopathy.

Allison Creech, BA, ND

Instructor
Allison is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a Master’s degree and PhD training in Clinical Psychology. Her practice is based on the traditional science of naturopathic medicine, and she offers individualized treatment designed to promote wellness and conscious living.

Alyson Munkley, BA, ND

Teaching Assistant
After graduating with an Honours degree in Psychology and Health Studies from Queen’s University, Alyson Munkley pursued medical training at CCNM. She achieved the designation of Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine in 2004.

Amauri Caversan, B.Sc., ND

Teaching Assistant
Amauri is a naturopathic doctor committed to optimizing his patient’s health, wellbeing and overall quality of life. A graduate of CCNM, Amauri also holds a Bachelor of Science degree - a combination that has led to a successful practice where traditional treatments are applied with a proven scientific basis.

Connie Pugliese, CBHT, ND

Teaching Assistant
Connie received her BA in Kinesiology at York University in 1998. Since then she has had a passion for health and wellness. That is why she continued her education to receive her diploma from CCNM in 2002.

David Burman, DDS, DDPH, M.Sc., PhD

Instructor
David is a graduate of the Faculty of Dentistry and PhD from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

Deborah Kennedy, B.Sc., MBA, ND

Teaching Assistant
Deborah works in the research department to help collect and analyze data to build the evidence base of naturopathic medicine through high quality synthesis work, and where needed, to help coordinate clinical research.

Erin Truscott-Brock, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Erin completed her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology at the University of Toronto and from there went on to the four year Naturopathic Medical program at CCNM.

Gabriella Chow, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
In addition to her private practice – The Dufferin and Steeles Medical Centre – Gabriella is currently a supervising physician at the RSNC.

Hal Huff, BA, ND

Clinic Supervisor, Associate Professor
In addition to general family practice Hal’s clinical interests include management of pain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and disorders of immunity.

Jennifer Hillier, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Specializing in the practice of facial rejuvenation, Jennifer utilizes botanical medicines, nutrition and acupuncture to create a tailored treatment plan which minimizes the visible effects of aging and slows the aging process.

Jill Shainhouse, B.Sc., ND, FABNO

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Jill is the founder of the Insight Naturopathic Clinic. She received her Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Western Ontario prior to graduating from CCNM.

Jodi Larry, BA, ND

Teaching Assistant
Jodi has a resilient passion for health and healing. After being struck by a rare virus at the age of ten, her life was transformed by a naturopathic doctor and she has been utilizing naturopathic principles ever since.

Jodie Peacock, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Teaching Assistant
Jodie is a graduate of the University of Guelph, where her studies focused on bio-medical science. After completing her bachelor of science Jodie went on to complete four years of study at the CCNM, one of the seven accredited schools in North America.

Jonathan Tokiwa, B.ScN, RN, ND, LAc

Clinic Supervisor, Assistant Professor
Jonathan completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the University of Toronto and obtained his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at CCNM.

Kenneth Dunk, DC, ND, F.C.A.H., C.C.H, RS Hom (NA)

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Kenneth graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College with a Doctor of Chiropractic Diploma in 1973. In 1981, he graduated from the Ontario College of Naturopathic Medicine (now CCNM) with the Diploma as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

Kerri-Lynn LaPointe, B.HSc., ND

Teaching Assistant
Kerri-Lynn has a background in Health Sciences from Western University and completed the naturopathic medicine program at CCNM. During her time at CCNM she interned at the RSNC and The Sherbourne Centre treating HIV and AIDS patients.

Kerry Barlow, B.Sc., ND

Instructor
Kerry is a graduate of CCNM. Prior to CCNM, Kerry earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nutrition and Nutraceutical Sciences from the University of Guelph.

Kieran Cooley, B.Sc., M.Sc., ND

Associate Director, Research, Assistant Professor
Kieran is a graduate of and an Assistant Professor at CCNM, as well as the Associate Director of Research.

Kimberlee Blyden-Taylor, BA, ND

Associate Dean, Clinical Education
In her position as associate dean of clinical education, Kimberlee develops and oversees the clinical education component of CCNM’s naturopathic medicine program.

Leslie Solomonian, B.Sc., ND

Academic and Clinic Faculty
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph, Leslie graduated from the four-year naturopathic medical program at CCNM. During her training, she was greatly involved in women’s health, and upon graduation was honoured with the Women’s Health award.

Ljubisa Terzic, MD

Associate Professor
Ljubisa, a native of former Yugoslavia, graduated from medical school in 1987, and started teaching as the assistant professor at the local university. He attended postgraduate studies, completing the M.Sc. program in ENT and Maxillofacial surgery at University of Zagreb, and in 1988 he began his residency in Neurosurgery.

Melanie Facca, B.Sc., ND

Instructor
Melanie is a naturopathic doctor who has been in practice since 2002. She has been part of the Oakville Naturopathic Clinic team since 2006.

Minda Ahuja, BA, ND

Teaching Assistant
Minda is a registered naturopathic doctor and has been running her private practice – Grand River Pathways Clinic – in her native Kitchener-Waterloo area since she graduated from CCNM in 2000.

Misa Kawasaki, B.Sc., ND

Teaching Assistant
Misa obtained her Bachelor of Science (Honours Biochemistry) from the University of Waterloo before graduating from CCNM in 2001. She further completed a two-year residency at CCNM to train in naturopathic education.

Mitchell Zeifman, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Mitchell is a graduate of the four year Naturopathic Medicine program at CCNM and has been practicing in Toronto since 2003.

Moira Kwok, B.Sc. (Hons), ND

Teaching Assistant
Moira obtained her Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Guelph, and then proceeded to complete the four year post-graduate program in naturopathic medicine at CCNM.

Mubina Jiwa, B.Sc., ND

Teaching Assistant
Mubina received her naturopathic doctor designation from CCNM. She also completed a two-year residency program following her graduation.

Nadia Bakir, B.Sc., ND, FCAH, DHANP, HMC, CCH, M.Sc. (Cand.)

Associate Professor, Clinic Supervisor
Nadia is a naturopathic doctor and a full-time faculty member at CCNM. She received her B.Sc. from the University of Toronto prior to completing her naturopathic training at CCNM in 1989 and has run a private clinic since then.

Payam Kiani, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Teaching Assistant
Payam completed his four-year naturopathic medical education at CCNM after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences from McMaster University. He is a past winner of the INM Future Leaders Award and the prestigious Naturopathic Honour Award for his dedication to the naturopathic profession.

Peter Tebruegge, B.Sc., RMT, ND

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Peter is a clinical supervisor at the Sherbourne Health Centre, a satellite clinic of CCNM treating Toronto's HIV positive community.

Philip Rouchotas, M.Sc., ND

Instructor
Philip is an Associate Professor at CCNM and is responsible for the assimilation and delivery of the second year curriculum in Clinical Nutrition. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Integrated Healthcare Practitioners, a peer-reviewed publication reaching NDs, DCs, and MDs across Canada.

Rebecca Kellerstein, B.Sc., ND

Teaching Assistant
Rebecca is a naturopathic doctor who has been practicing in Thornhill since 2000. She graduated with high distinction from the University of Toronto in 1996, earning an Honours Bachelors of Science degree in Microbiology, with minors in Immunology and Hebrew Studies.

Rita Patel, B.Sc., ND, FSHM

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Rita is a licensed naturopathic doctor and a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND).

Rong Xin, BM.Sc., M.Sc., ND, CPR Instructor (Heart & Stroke Foundation)

Teaching Assistant
Rong completed her four-year naturopathic education at CCNM. This is her second post-graduate degree, as she began her studies in China, where she enrolled in a five-year program and received the Degree of Medical Science from China Medical University.

Saveria (Rena) Zambri, B.Sc., ND, FCAH

Clinic Supervisor
Rena graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 1987. In 1991, she graduated from the Ontario College of Naturopathic Medicine (now CCNM) where she received many awards, including the Founder’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence during the four-year program.

Sean McConnell, BA, ND

Teaching Assistant
Sean, a native of Montreal, graduated from Concordia University in Montreal with a degree in Cultural Anthropology. He and his family moved to Toronto so that he could complete the four-year naturopathic program CCNM.

Sejal Parikh-Shah, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Sejal is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in Thornhill. She graduated from CCNM where she is now a part-time clinical and academic faculty member.

Shelley Burns, BA, ND

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Shelley, a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, is Health Services Director for Scienta Health. She works alongside Scienta Health physicians, consulting as a team, to offer the best advice from medical, naturopathic and nutrition worlds.

Susan Slipacoff, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Instructor
Susan has practiced as a naturopathic doctor for over four years. She is the Clinic Director of Kleinburg Integrative health center located in the Kleinburg village, and also works as part-time faculty at CCNM.

Zeynep Uraz, B.Sc., ND

Clinic Supervisor, Assistant Professor
Zeynep is a licensed naturopathic doctor, a graduate of CCNM and a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND). After completing her four years of study to become a naturopathic doctor, Zeynep was accepted into the residency program and completed a one year residency with the College.