The board
The board is formed by the core board and the chairpersons of the other four departments. The board members are:
Harm Elsinga (1959)
Chairman Core Board
After my studies in physiotherapy in Amsterdam, I have completed various acupuncture courses and internships in Europe and China.
I am the owner of a TCM practice in Hilversum. In recent years, I have also been active as a guest lecturer at HBO institutions and organizer of courses and conferences. Mountain biking, target shooting, culinary, and artistic diversions keep me fit.
My cultural and business involvement with the country China provide the necessary variety. From 2000 to 2014, I was chairman of the NVA, a demanding task. In October 2016, I became interim chairman due to the resignation of the elected chairman Coquita van der Harst (2014-October 2016); on April 8, 2017, the official appointment by the Members' Assembly took place.
I am proud of our stable and active club. An important objective of the association is an increasing application and integration of TCM in the Netherlands.
Personally, I continue to strive to position acupuncture, herbs, and tuina as strongly as possible on behalf of the NVA with patients, health insurers, and the government.
Johanna Biemans (1961)
Vice-Chair Core Board
Already during my acupuncture training, about 25 years ago, I was struck by the beauty and wisdom of this Traditional Healing Method.
Since then, I have had the passion to understand what happens when needled. In daily life, I work as an acupuncturist, physiotherapist, and clinical epidemiologist. Within the association, I am known as the one with a scientific perspective. For the Netherlands, I am an ambassador of the international and ambitious SAR, the Society of Acupuncture Research, a unique position.
In May 2006, I became a board member in the PR department of the NVA; in 2014, I took the initiative to establish the Dutch Knowledge Centre Acupuncture. I believe it is important that we, as a professional group, continue to critically assess our abilities. And innovate where necessary. On April 8, 2017, I transitioned to the Executive Board of the NVA, as vice-chair. I have been active within the ETCMA for years, the European umbrella organization, of which I became vice-chair at the end of March 2018. I stepped down at the beginning of 2023; I will continue to shape the contacts with the ETCMA for the time being.
Koos van Kooten (1965)
Chairman of the Education and Science department
In 1993, I graduated as a doctor and in 1998 as an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. Since then, I have been working in my own practice in Utrecht and Arnhem.
In my work, which I describe as 'acupuncture with attention,' I support people, especially in processes of change and healing, without losing sight of the physical and psychological complaints and symptoms or the medical background of these complaints. I provide continuing education for acupuncturists.
Within the NVA, I have been chairman of the Continuing Education Committee since 2000, and since 2017, the Continuing Education Department. Since January 1, 2019, I have been chairman of the Education & Science Department (E&S), whose main tasks include the recognition and quality control of acupuncture training programs, admission policies, and membership acceptance.
Barbara Jenner (1970)
Chair of the Continuing Education Department
In 1987, I set foot on Chinese soil for the first time and became fascinated by the country. My international background led me to graduate in 1998 as a political scientist in International Relations at the UvA.
During the many visits to China, I came into contact with Qi Gong, Tuina massage, and Chinese philosophy. After my studies, I worked for the FSC certification for sustainable forest management and then for five years with and for rejected asylum seekers in Haarlem. My fascination with Chinese medicine never let go of me, so in 2007 I changed course and started studying Chinese medicine, alongside my work and two young children. In 2011, I started my practice of Tuina and acupuncture in Bloemendaal and later Haarlem.
In December 2018, I switched from Zhong to NVA and quickly became active as a cadre member in the continuing education department. Since the position of chairman became vacant, I have also become a board member since 2022. Initially, it is the task of our department to ensure the quality of accredited continuing education, so that NVA members can maintain and improve their professional knowledge. We also assess requests from members for postponement of the continuing education obligation due to compelling circumstances. At the board level, my goal is to raise more awareness of Chinese medicine, which I will be happy to work on in the coming period.
Esther Buquet (1969)
Chair of the Communication Department
Interim Chair of Behavior & Well-being
I started my working life as a physiotherapist and movement scientist, teaching at a university in Aberdeen, Scotland. After a detour into the business world, I returned to my first love, the human body and health.
In 2018, I graduated as an acupuncturist. Since then, I have been working in my practice in Wassenaar. My practice is part of Practice Acupuncture; a group of 11 acupuncturists who join forces for a broader reach and deeper professionalism.
Within the NVA, I have been the chair of the Communication department since 2024. My main tasks are to promote wider attention to acupuncture and related Eastern healing methods to the general public and to inform (potential) members.
It is my goal, as part of the board, to contribute to putting acupuncture on the map as an effective form of treatment.
