About Us

Community Acupuncture,
Massage, and More

Ren Acupuncture and Massage provides multidisciplinary health services & education focused on inclusive, preventative, and holistic community care.

We operate a clinic, education, and multipurpose space at #205-8 301 14St NW. Our services include community acupuncture, massage, yoga and stretching classes, and health education.

The Essence of Ren

Ren, meaning “human” and “benevolence” in Chinese, refers to the acupuncture meridian along the body’s midline and is the gathering place of deep nourishment. We were inspired by this ensure we are providing empathetic, nurturing, person-centred care.

Inclusive Care

Our clinic strives to provide inclusive, trauma-informed
care. We are a part of Skipping Stone’s Trans Affirming Network.

Meet Our Team

Alex Judd

Clinic Management & Acupuncturist

Alex Judd (she/her) is a registered acupuncturist with a gentle, judgment-free and trauma-informed approach to acupuncture that meets you where you're at. She welcomes those that are new to acupuncture, and even those who are nervous to try it!
Through her private practice at Bowness Acupuncture, Alex has treated a wide range of conditions from chronic pain to chronic illness, with a special focus on the connections of stress and mental health to physical health.
She's a graduate of the Alberta College of Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine and the University of Calgary and a member of Skipping Stone’s Trans Affirming Network.

Gabriella Wong Ken

Clinic Management & Programming

Gabriella (she/her) is a registered nurse and community organizer who believes in equitable, accessible, and holistic care. With a background in oncology, chronic disease, and community health, she recognizes the importance of integrative care and patient education.
She is the co-founder of The Hatch, Good Neighbour and Novelty, and currently manages Grow Calgary.

Alice Lam

Operations & Administration

Alice (she/her) is an avid volunteer in Calgary and founder of several non-profit initiatives including vollyapp.com, a website to connect citizens to volunteer opportunities, Good Neighbour, a pay-what-you-want thrift store, and Care My Way, a health literacy website.
She is passionate about making health care and health education accessible to the public, to foster a thriving city of healthy citizens. She is a big fan of traditional Chinese medicine and its ability to help with anxiety, muscle pain and insomnia.

Zaiba Karim

Acupuncturist & Clinic Management

Zaiba Karim (she/her) is a Registered Acupuncturist whose approach is centred on personalized care by working with individuals to create a treatment plan to address their unique needs and health goals. She believes in treating the root cause of an issue and treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
With a focus on both physical and emotional well-being, Zaiba uses acupuncture to address a wide range of conditions, from stress relief, reproductive and sexual health, pain management, digestion and overall wellness. In addition to acupuncture, Zaiba provides cupping therapy, electroacupuncture, and lifestyle advice to optimize patients’ health. She is committed to providing patients with compassionate and professional care to help achieve balance in their life.
Zaiba is a graduate of The Calgary College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and SAIT, as a Medical Laboratory Assistant.

Laureen Macintosh

Acupuncturist

Laureen (she/her) is a Registered Acupuncturist with a passion for helping people overcome stress related disorders. She is also keenly interested in longevity medicine and harnessing the power of Traditional Chinese Medicine for prevention and wellness.
Laureen is a natural teacher and believes in educating her clients so they can take an active role in their recovery and know how to stay injury free in the future. She is also an instructor in a local massage college; helping guide the skills of the next generation of massage therapists.

Mitchel Lewadny

Acupuncturist

Mitchel began his studies in 2014 at ACATCM, where he was awarded a scholarship for academic excellence by the Calgary Chinese Herbal Society. In 2018, he furthered his training by observing at several leading acupuncture hospitals across China. Since then, he has specialized in Master Tung-style acupuncture and Dr. Tan’s Balance Method, integrating these techniques into his clinical practice.
Mitchel is deeply passionate about treating pain and injury, utilizing a combination of acupuncture, manual therapy, and movement-based rehabilitation. In addition to musculoskeletal conditions, he has years of experience addressing mental health concerns, such as anxiety, stress, and insomnia, as well as internal medicine cases, including digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, and chronic illness. His holistic approach blends Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern rehabilitation principles, helping patients achieve lasting results.
Beyond his clinical work, Mitchel is a co-owner and instructor at the Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy. With over 25 years of experience in martial arts and Ashtanga yoga, he is also a registered yoga teacher. His passion for teaching extends beyond the gym, as he regularly lectures at ACATCM, mentoring the next generation of practitioners. A strong advocate for mindfulness, he sits on the board of directors of the Marpa Gompa Meditation Society, contributing to the promotion of meditation practices.

Priya Marwaha

Yoga Instructor

Priya Marwaha (she/her) is a 500-hour certified Yoga instructor, rooted in the diverse heritage of South Asia and East Africa. Committed to a decolonized perspective, she honors yoga’s profound roots, offering inclusive practices for every body, income and experience level. Priya believes that Yoga offers holistic tools guiding individuals toward self-healing and personal liberation. Through her additional training, she brings a trauma-informed and accessible yoga lens to her teachings.

Aimee Nossack

Yoga Instructor

Aimee (she/her) is a certified yoga teacher with a background in psychology and an interest in somatic therapy. She completed her 200 Hour Registered Yoga Alliance training following her graduation from the University of Calgary in 2022. Aimee works with a vast demographic and is passionate about providing coping tools & strategies to enhance overall well-being. Through additional training, Aimee provides trauma informed care, valuing inclusivity and collaboration in her teaching. She welcomes all levels of experience to her classes!

Testimonials

“I had my first acupuncture session with Dr. Alex at Ren and the whole experience was wonderful. From being welcomed warmly into the space, kind and clear communication with what to expect and refreshments and snacks offered in the waiting room. The space feels welcoming and calm. I had my consultation with Dr. Alex who is so compassionate and present, asked good questions to get an understanding of my situation and shared clear information on treatment strategy. I shared that I had had a bad experience in the past elsewhere and was a bit nervous and Dr. Alex’s approach was with care and clarity. I felt at ease right away. I am looking forward to continuing my sessions with Dr. Alex. My first session was free!! Amazing! How lucky we are to have accessible options like this in the city. Thank you Dr. Alex and Ren!”
“Alex is very attentive and considerate when it comes to understanding one’s particular needs. She offers a clear and concise strategy of treatment, ensuring that the patient is comfortable with the procedure. She is very gentle with the needles, and takes a calm and communicative approach to the process. She is always happy to answer any questions the patient has. The space is calm and comfortable in both the treatment area and waiting area. The admin/front desk staff are also very friendly! Will come back again!”
“I had a really authentic and supportive experience with Alex Judd and staff at Ren Health Collective, receiving acupuncture. I found the receptionist warm and gentle and Alex was patient, trauma informed in practise and was efficient, timely, and met me where I was at. I look forward to coming back, and sharing with others about this business. It’s special when an organization values humans and provides supportive space for health and wellness.”
“What a welcoming, calm, affirming and supportive space and experience. Alex gave attentive, affirming care in the acupuncture treatment and reception staff were kind and helpful. Highly recommended and I’ll definitely be coming back.”
“Dr. Alex is super caring, thoughtful, and accepting. She always listened and checked in with me at the beginning and throughout the acupuncture sessions. The space is super safe and relaxing and accessible from the train. Lovely customer service at the front desk and hot tea for clients. I am hugely grateful for the personalized treatment for anxiety, depression, insomnia and TMJ. Thank you Ren for working to make acupuncture more accessible!”

Work With Us

We are always open to collaborating with healthcare practitioners. Whether you are looking for clinic space, want to host an event or workshop, or have another idea, we’d love to hear from you!

Please see below for current career opportunities. To apply, email your cover letter and resume to info@renhealthcollective.com

Current Opportunities

Full or part-time Registered Massage Therapist

What We Offer

Location & Facilities

Central location in West Hillhurst/Kensington

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Spacious treatment rooms
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Hand sink and washroom access
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Massage table, desk and chair(s)
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Cleaning service and PPE
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Compensation & Community

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Flexible hours
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Competitive, fixed compensation regardless of treatment cost

Opportunity to provide sliding scale treatments to clients who cannot afford full price

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Clinic focused on community care
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Support Services

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Administrative support
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Client self-check in, online scheduling and billing through Jane App

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Mentorship for new practitioners
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Collaboration with other practitioners
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Growth & Exposure

Opportunity to teach workshops or facilitate events related to your discipline

Marketing and promotion of services through our website, social media, and in-clinic referrals and signage

Requirements

Share our values of inclusive, compassionate, and accessible care

Hold professional liability insurance

Active membership in good standing with relevant regulatory body

Available for a minimum of 2 shifts per week

Preferences

Individuals from equity-deserving groups are encouraged to apply

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Familiarity with trauma-informed care
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Interest in building clientele
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Experience with digital practice management systems (i.e. Jane App)

Submit Application