Chinese Medicine Reference Group: new term and new members

27 Feb 2019

The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia is pleased to announce the latest appointments to the Chinese Medicine Reference Group.

In September 2018, the Board called for applications from registered Chinese medicine practitioners for appointment to the Chinese Medicine Reference Group (the Reference Group). The purpose of the Reference Group is to ensure and enhance a common understanding of the National Scheme from the differing perspectives of our stakeholders.

The Reference Group consists of health practitioners and representatives of organisations, who give collective advice to the Board. The composition of the group is normally at least 10 members including:

• national professional association representatives
• consumer representatives
• educational institution representatives
• representation from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and
• four registered Chinese medicine practitioners and one recently graduated registered Chinese medicine practitioner, who are selected on merit, based on published selection criteria.

The Board was delighted to receive a strong field of applications. A selection panel reviewed the applications and conducted interviews and referee checks.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of the following practitioner representatives to the Chinese Medicine Reference Group for a two-year term:

Reappointment of existing members

• Ms Dina Tsiopelas
• Dr Kevin Ryan

New appointments

• Mr Shengxi (George) Zhang
• Ms Honglin (Linda) Yang

The second term begins on 1 January 2019 and ends on 31 December 2020. Congratulations to our new and returning appointees. We also sincerely thank outgoing members Dr Carolyn Ee and Ms Geraldine Robinson.