The Saturna Health Services Committee is pleased to announce that the Medical Clinic has a new practitioner in the form of a Registered Acupuncturist, Mareena Dufault. Mareena has a BScH in Health Sciences and Biology from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. She completed her 3-year Diploma in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture at Pacific Rim College in Victoria. She also studied veterinary medicine for 3 years at the University of Montreal, which she finds complements her pediatric practice – note that a Registered Acupuncturist is also qualified to treat children. You can find more information about Mareena and the types of health problems that can be treated with acupuncture on her website at www.whitebearmedicine.com. Mareena first moved to Saturna in May 2017 to work as a summer captain for the CETUS Straitwatch boat based out of Lyall Harbour (CETUS is a marine mammal monitoring and education program operating around Vancouver Island, which monitors vessel activity near marine mammals, especially killer whales).

Mareena offers her services on a sliding scale of $60-$100 per treatment. Clients pay for each session given what they can afford; this is self-determined according to both their finances and how many sessions have been prescribed for their health concern. B.C. residents receiving MSP Premium Assistance (income of $30,000 or less) can be reimbursed $23 per visit to a maximum of 10 visits per calendar year by submitting their receipts to Health Insurance BC. Most private extended health care companies cover some or all of acupuncture costs; contact your insurer to discuss your coverage.

Mareena will begin her practice at the Medical Clinic every second  Monday, starting Oct. 30, as well as every Friday after December 1, 2017. To make an appointment or to find out more about whether acupuncture is appropriate for your health issues, please contact her directly at 778-587-2327 or info@whitebearmedicine.com.