Meet our Board of Directors!
The OBAA Board of Directors is a dedicated group of volunteers from across the globe. Each of them believes in the mission of the OBAA, to continue to share knowledge and experience to elevate the quality and safety of perinatal care with Acupuncture.
Raeghan Siemens BSc., R.Ac, Birth Doula
Co-President and Treasurer
After receiving her BSc. from the University of Alberta, Raeghan studied Chinese Medicine at the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Victoria, BC. Compelled by Chinese medicine’s 2000-year-old history of treating woman’s reproductive disorders, Raeghan pursued postgraduate studies in obstetrics and gynecology under Dr. Randine Lewis, Debra Betts, Raven Lang, Jean Lesveque, David Bray, and Sharon Weizenbaum and many other world renowned specialists.
Raeghan has been in practice for over 9 years and practicing at Living Wellness Centre in South Surrey, BC. She is dedicated to treating all stages of women’s reproductive wellness, from enhancing fertility, through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. By working collaboratively with other health caregivers such as physicians, midwives and doulas Raeghan is able to provide the most comprehensive and effective care for her clients.
Raeghan lives in White Rock with her husband Dave, daughters Ardyn and Natalia, and dogs Lyle and Libby.
For more information go to www.raeghansiemens.com
Emilie Salomons, Dr. TCM, FABORM, Birth Doula
Co-President
Dr. Emilie Salomons is a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Dr. TCM) with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture of BC. After graduating as a Dr.TCM, Emilie spent eight months in Beijing, China, doing postgraduate studies at the Dongzhimen University Hospital.
Along with being a co-founder and board member of the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association (OBAA). She has also co-developed the first program in Canada for training midwives in Obstetrical Acupuncture for pain in labour. In 2015, Emilie became a cluster lead for Maternal Infant Health Canada, based out of the University of British Columbia. MIH Can is composed of a group of physicians, researchers and academics, whose aim is to find innovative ways to reduce maternal and infant mortality locally and around the world. Emilie practices at OAK Integrative, focusing in reproductive and mental health.
In keeping with her commitment to working at the community level, Emilie has volunteered several times in Uganda, Mexico and Nepal teaching nurses, midwives and traditional African medicine practitioners basic obstetrical acupuncture as well as acupuncture treatments for the debilitating symptoms associated with malaria, TB, malnutrition and trauma. Furthermore, in her capacity as an acupuncture detoxification specialist, Emilie has run stress management and addiction cessation groups in New York, Vancouver and Richmond, as well as contributed to a maternal substance abuse study with the University of British Columbia.
Emilie lives in Vancouver with her husband Courtney and their two children.
For more information go to www.emiliesalomons.com
Shannon Larson Dr.TCM, BFA, Doula
Director of Canadian Membership
Dr. Shannon Larson completed a 5 year program in Chinese Medicine and holds a diploma of Doctor of Chinese Medicine from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Vancouver. Her studies include clinical practice at the China Medical University and Hospital in Taiwan. Shannon also completed a 2 year Master’s Mentorship Program with Sharon Weizenbaun at the White Pine Institute and continues to study with the White Pine Institute.
While Shannon’s interest in Chinese Medicine is wide ranging, her passion for women’s health has led her to pursue training in workshops by some of the current leaders in Chinese Medicine for fertility and obstetrics including Sharon Weizenbaum, Bob Flaws, Debra Betts and Jane Lyttleton. Shannon was a partner in Acumamas for 6 years and has extensive hours of experience attending labours both as an acupuncturist as well as a birth doula.
For more information, go to www.vancouvertcm.com
Leisha Laird Dr. TCM, R.Ac
Secretary
Leisha is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a registered Acupuncturist with the College and Association of Acupuncturists in Alberta. She has trained under leading experts in the fields of nutrition, gynaecology, fertility, obstetrics, paediatrics and immunology. Over the past 10 years she has supported hundreds of couples as they have navigated through fertility, pregnancy, and welcoming their children into the world, both naturally and in collaboration with IVF and fertility treatment protocols. Her practice focuses on women’s health and has evolved to include autoimmune issues, digestive health and the creation of a more balanced and aligned self. She draws from an established network of resources to invite an integrative and complete experience.
Leisha is a Regional Chair and an active board member of the OBAA, working closely with midwifery and doula communities in Alberta.
Laurena White, OBGYN, L.Ac., MD.
Board Member
Dr. Laurena White has over 15 years of service and experience in the field of women’s health ranging from birth doula to physician including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. She works closely with a team she has carefully chosen to deliver expert care not only to women, but also to couples trying to conceive. Together with the team, Dr. White facilitates the transformation of complex women’s health and fertility challenges. By helping women and couples address the underlying root cause of their condition, her patients begin to flourish without taking unnecessary pharmaceutical medications or having fruitlessly invasive surgical procedures. Laurena has developed purpose-built signature programs that are unique to The Eudaimonia Center.
Dr. White integrated her practice by incorporating both allopathic and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment modalities in order to bridge the gaps in women’s healthcare.
You can find out more about Laurena and her work at www.laurenawhite.com
Sandro Graca, MSc., Lic. TCM, FABORM
Director of International Membership
Sandro is a lecturer and a published researcher in the field of menstrual and reproductive health, Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), and one of the Directors at Evidence Based Acupuncture. Originally from Portugal, Sandro obtained his Licentiate in TCM at the Irish College of TCM in Dublin, followed by a four-week program on acupuncture and moxibustion at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. He completed his MSc in Advanced Oriental Medicine (Research and Practice) at the Northern College of Acupuncture (NCA) – in conjunction with Middlesex University – focusing on acupuncture for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Sandro is a lecturer on the online MSc program at the NCA in York, U.K. and he is one of the researchers on the Cochrane Review Group for acupuncture for assisted reproductive technology.
Along with his role as the Director for International Membership of the OBAA, he is also the Social Media Editor of the European Journal of Integrative Medicine.
For more information go to www.acupunctureclinic.ie
Obstetrical Acupuncture Association 