About Us

Academic Director and Lead Instructor

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Dave Maybee, RMT, is the Academic Director and Lead Instructor at the Canadian Institute of Auricular Medicine (CIAM) and co-owner of Clear Path Holistic Health in Nova Scotia with his partner, Alice Patterson.

 As an instructor, Dave values an approach that shines light on the brilliant and revolutionary developments of Drs. Frank Bahr and Beate Strittmatter. His goal is to bring these methods into the world in a way that makes them accessible to English-speaking practitioners. Beyond that, Dave focuses on demonstrations and practice in his courses, and is committed to ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to absorb the information through hands-on experience.
In his clinical practice, he combines subtle manual therapies with Auricular Medicine to treat chronic pain and therapy-resistant conditions. His approach achieves a high success rate, even among patients who have “tried everything”. Dave’s methods include identifying and prioritizing psychological blockages to healing. In his teaching, Dave emphasizes unifying attitudes between styles and precisely individualized point
localizations, contributing to the understanding of the vast possibilities that Auricular Medicine has.

Founder and Advisor

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Muriel Agnes, MAEd, PhD | Muriel Agnes is the founder and former director of the Vital Principle Institute — now known as the Canadian Institute of Auricular Medicine (CIAM).
Muriel began in this field in 1999, inspired after attending an international Auricular conference in Las Vegas where Dr. Beate Strittmatter presented. Prior to founding CIAM, Muriel had the
privilege of being mentored in the German system of Auricular Medicine by Dr. Strittmatter and Dr. Peter Gross. She completed a PhD in Energy Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Norm
Shealy with doctorate work focused on the Reliability and Predictive Validity of Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS) pulse palpation (also known as the Reflex-Auriculo Cardiac)
discovered by Dr. Paul Nogier.
Muriel went on to invite Dr. Strittmatter to Canada in 2003 to teach health professionals. This became the basis for Muriel’s development of what has evolved into CIAM’s curriculum, rooted
in her Masters in Adult Education, building the foundation of integrity for which CIAM is now recognized by students from around the world for leading continuing education in the field of
Auricular Medicine.

Director Of Development

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Duvan Hoffmann, MBA, graduated from Indiana University in 2001 and has explored many areas of study, including TV News Production, Communication Design, Fine Arts as well as Anatomy and Physiology.
In 2014, Duvan produced a video on the clinical application of Auricular Medicine by a surgeon in Switzerland for the treatment of chronic migraines. This helped launch him toward a passion for
Auricular. Since then, he has translated various articles on Auricular research and a book by Dr. Frank Bahr, Soul Trauma, outlining clearly some of the master methods taught in CIAM’s Level 3 Clinical Retreat. He is now the Director of Development at the Canadian Institute of Auricular Medicine. Duvan has worked with tireless artistic integrity to create one of the most interactive and engaging online courses available. Students who are veterans of continuing education often comment that CIAM’s Level 1 Online is the best online course they have taken.
Duvan continues to apply his media & communications production experience to the development of educational content to bridge various fields of healthcare and wellness practice.
One example is seen through his work with auricular leaders around the world such as Dr. Frank Bahr, Dr. Andreas Wirz, and many others through his Integrate Auricular project to create an international hub of auricular education.

Clinical Practicum Instructor

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Lisa graduated from the Alberta College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2006, where she received diplomas in both Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Lisa also received a diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the University of Beijing for her studies and hospital practicums completed in China. Lisa has been practicing as a licensed
acupuncturist in Calgary since 2006.
Being greatly impressed with what an effective tool for assessment and treatment the ear was using the European system, Lisa was led to study with Dr. Beate Strittmatter, the Chief Instructor of the German Academy of Acupuncture, which then led her to the CIAM (Canadian Institute of Auricular Medicine, where she completed her Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Certification.
With her love for Auricular Medicine and attuned attention to detail, we are fortunate to have Lisa serving as our Clinical Practicum Instructor now for many years.
In Lisa’s words:
“Through my journey of medicine, I witnessed the healing processes of many, and realized the true meaning of Holistic. To be whole. I observed that the physical and emotional are indeed so
entangled, that they cannot be separated…I feel that my role is to support what is needed in the physical body while helping people connect to and understand what needs attention and healing
in the emotional. I believe that is true medicine.”

Lead Administration

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Managing the front line and the back end of CIAM is Michelle.  Her value is without measure. Although she is often unseen within the organization, her dedication, work ethic, attention to detail and genuine kindness plays an integral role in why CIAM is what it is today.

 Also a well-established event planner and musician, Michelle brings her array of talents wherever she goes. We are grateful to have her with us.