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Board of Governors

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The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine Society provides direction and leadership for the Institute. The Board of Governors of the Society ensures that the goals of the BINM are consistent and applicable for a naturopathic medical school. The Board consists of members from both within and outside the naturopathic profession. At least nine but not more than fifteen governors shall be appointed and ratified by the membership at an annual general meeting of the Society. Current members and their areas of responsibility are as follows:

John Cosgrove, ND, DC, Chair
Dr. John Cosgrove obtained his ND from the Ontario (now Canadian) College of Naturopathic Medicine following his DC from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto . Dr. Cosgrove has had many roles during his career: founder of the Cosgrove Clinic, founder of NaturPharm, a supplier of nutritional and herbal supplements, elected positions with the Ontario and Canadian Naturopathic associations, and chair of the board of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.

William Robinson, PEng, MBA, Treasurer
Mr. Bill Robinson has been a proponent of naturopathic and traditional medicine for 25 years and was very supportive of his daughter's choice to study at BINM (Nicole graduated in 2006.) Bill is a professional engineer with extensive background in consulting on research and development incentives, company management, telecommunications, marketing and human resources. He is owner and CEO of Research Support Services Inc. which develops software tools for research support systems. Bill brings 40+ years of entrepreneurial and business experience to the BINM Board.

Patricia Wolfe, ND, Secretary
Dr. Wolfe is President Emeritus and was Executive Director & President of the Society from 2002 to 2009. In addition to maintaining a busy private practice, she was Assistant Executive Director (1992-96) of a United Cerebral Palsy agency and a consultant for the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Wolfe was Research Director and Chief Research Supervisor at the Ontario (now Canadian) College of Naturopathic Medicine (1989-1990) and was a Supervisor in the Teaching Clinic at OCNM (1988-1990)

Karrin Fairman-Young BPE, N.D., Faculty Representative
Dr. Fairman-Young supervises third and fourth year student interns in the BINM teaching clinic. Dr. Karrin Fairman-Young has a lifelong interest in health and wellness. She obtained her Bachelor of Physical Education from University of Calgary in 1993 and spent the next 12 years as a Sports Massage Therapist. After graduating from CCNM in 2004 she practiced in Ontario, Alberta, and is currently practicing in Kitsilano. Dr. Fairman-Young has additional certification in acupuncture and IV therapy. Though she has a general practice, her areas of focus are: pediatrics, sports, nutrition for youth athletes, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Michael Long, Student Representative
Mike is the voice of the Boucher students on the Board, ensuring that their needs are being considered and that they help shape the school's policies and goals. The Student Representative is elected by the entire student body and serves for one academic year.

Alexander Cortina, MEd, Executive Director and President of the Society
Alexander is responsible for implementing the policies approved by the Board and ensuring that BINM meets and maintains accreditation standards.

Dirk Brinkman is CEO of the Brinkman Group of Companies which is recognized as a leader in forest ecosystem restoration contract services. Dirk is also president of the Canadian Silvaculture Association and is one of three non-government representatives on the steering committee of the National Forest Strategy Implementation Coalition. He was a delegate for Canada to the Conference on Climate Change in Montreal in 2005 and to the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002. Dirk is a visionary who brings expertise and leadership skills for future building and responsible business strategies to the BINM Board.

Tom Glew, ND, is a graduate of National College of Naturopathic Medicine (1982), which followed his studies culminating in a BSc. in Biology at the University of British Columbia . In the intervening years he worked in the field of fisheries research with the BC government. Since graduating from NCNM Dr. Glew has been in private practice in the Vancouver area. Dr. Glew has served as vice-president and secretary of the BC licensing body, the Association of Naturopathic Physicians of BC (now the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC.)

Jose Jaime Guerrero, CPA, MA, has extensive experience in strategic planning, financial operation, and human resources management in coporate and not-for-profit organizations.

Rowan Hamilton is a career medical herbalist originally from England where he trained with the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and practiced for many years. His post- graduate studies were at Canton Medical University, China. His passion for education stems from a two year teacher training at Birmingham University. Since coming to Canada he has been on the faculty at Bastyr University, Chair of Botanical Medicine at BINM. He now runs a custom formulation and manufacturing company producing unique, private label, products for the professional and retail markets.

Gilbert Henry has supported holistic medicine for 30 years. He has taken training in massage, reflexology, acupressure and several forms of energy healing such as Reiki. He has also received training in the area of Psychology and Spirituality including the death and dying process, spiritual development and contemplative learning. Gilbert’s professional skill sets include: Human Resource Management; Organizational Development, Training and Effectiveness; Team Building and Employment Counseling. Gilbert brings 15+ years of senior level leadership to the BINM Board.

Dr. Jilla Kahrobaei BSc, N.D. supervises the third and fourth year student interns in the BINM teaching clinic. Dr. Kahrobaei obtained her BSc. from Concordia University and her diploma in naturopathic medicine from The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in 2003. She received the Initiative Award n 2003 for her work on bridging the gap between conventional and naturopathic medicine. Dr. Kahrobaei has been in private practice for the last 5 years and joined Bowen Therapy Clinics, Vancouver, BC in 2006 where she established a general family practice with a focus on Bowen and Homeopathy. She has certification in Bowen, Acupuncture and has completed part 1 of Dr. Andre Saine's course in homeopathy. At the present Dr.Kahrobaie has received research grants in the area of complementary and alternative medicine.

Albert Kim, ND, has a BSc (1996) from University of Victoria with a major in Biology and minors in Biochemistry and Microbiology, during which time he served in the University Senate (1995-1996) and contributed as a senator in creating policies regarding university academics. He initially attended Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (2000) and later graduated from Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (2004), after which he began a 3 year clinical practise and training under Dr. Tim Brown, ND, DC in South Surrey, BC. Dr. Kim's practise is primarily physical medicine focused on ligament rebuilding .

Larry Odegard, BComm, MBA, has an extensive background in health care management, advocacy and research. He has been a university sessional lecturer, CEO of an Alberta health region, Vice President at University of Alberta Hospital, and CEO of health associations in both Alberta and British Columbia. As CEO of St. John Ambulance, British Columbia and Yukon Council, Larry brings a passion for health promotion, continuous learning and personal responsibility for health. Larry is currently the CEO of St. John Ambulance for British Columbia and Yukon.