In Conversation With... Inspection Program
Posted On: April 18, 2023
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Date: Wednesday June 14, 2023
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Intravenous Infusion Therapy (IVIT) involves the compounding of drugs or substances for and the administering of drugs or substances through intravenous injection. The College’s IVIT Inspection Program ensures the safety and quality of care for Ontarians who access this therapy through a naturopathic doctor by setting out the requirements to be met by a premises where IVIT is performed.
PANEL MEMBERS
Dr. Mary-Ellen McKenna, ND (Retired)
Dr. Mary-Ellen McKenna, ND (Retired) serves as the College’s Manager of Professional Practice, provides guidance to Registrants, stakeholders and the public on the regulations and standards of the profession and oversees the Inspection Program and the Peer and Practice Program. Prior to working with the College, Mary-Ellen served on the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy and the Transitional Council of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
Mary-Ellen graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in 1994. As a naturopath, she has worked in her own clinic, taught at the CCNM and supervised fourth- year interns in clinic. Before her naturopathic career, Mary-Ellen received a B.Sc. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Western Ontario and worked in the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Sean Armstrong, ND
Dr. Sean Armstrong, ND is the Chair of the Inspection Committee, he graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Degree in Zoology focusing in scientific research. He has been practicing in Simcoe since successfully completing his Ontario Board exams in 2004. As owner of The Armstrong Clinic, Sean is deeply committed to helping the citizens of Norfolk County live healthier and happier lives.
Alongside managing and practicing in his clinic in Simcoe, Sean assisted the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy-Naturopathy (BDDT-N) as an examiner for their entry-to-practise Ontario Board Exams. Sean also volunteered with the BDDT-N and the Transitional Council of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario with input and research for IVIT substances while they were being reviewed prior to proclamation of the Naturopathy Act, 2007 in 2015. In 2014 he was appointed to the BDDT-N, and assisted in a number of complaints and resolutions, alongside other board responsibilities. Sean is a positive advocate of Naturopathic Medicine in his rural community, including IV therapies and has been an active IVIT practitioner since 2004.
Sean has enjoyed the opportunity, responsibility, and privilege of being registered with and assisting both the former (BDDT-N) and current (CoNO) ND regulatory bodies in Ontario. His experience helps to ensure that both the public need for safety, and the scope of practice of Naturopathic Medicine in Ontario are met.
Sean lives in Simcoe with his wife Stacie and their two lovable Australian Sheppards Chili and Lulu.
Dr. Meera Dossa, ND
“Good health begins in the gut.”
This is the principle for which Dr. Meera Dossa, ND has been practicing for more than 15 years. Meera’s clinical experience has been based on the concept of healing the body using remedies and therapies that are safe and effective, that work to restore and support the powerful and inherent healing ability of the body, mind and spirit and to prevent further disease from occurring.
Meera is certified to perform IVIT in the province of Ontario and has been teaching IVIT access at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine over the last few years. Previously, she was an examiner for the College’s Ontario IVIT Examination, and has been an inspector with the Inspection Program since its inception in 2018.
Rita Gupta, Facilitator
Back to News & AnnouncementsSince 2005 Rita has facilitated over 100 sessions (single and multi-sessions) with project teams. During that time, she has gained experience with a wide variety of facilitation techniques and processes, adapting processes to changing situations and the needs of the group.
Rita has also used her wealth of facilitation experience to train clients on developing facilitation skills. She has taught 2-day introductory courses that combine topics such as facilitation practices, meeting management, managing group conflict, and decision-making techniques.
Rita has experience beyond that of facilitation. She has over 20 years of experience as a Project Manager, including a management role of Director of a PMO at an IT consulting firm. She also has several years developing and implementing Project Processes. She is a Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF) and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).