Honouring and Celebrating our Outstanding Members

Dr. G. Michael Allan

Dr G. Michael Allan (Mike) is the Director of Program and Practice Support in the College of Family Physicians of Canada and Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at University of Alberta. He has been in practice 20 years, given over 300 invited presentations and published over 100 articles. He contributes to a regular evidence-based update (called Tools for Practice) distributed to over 32,000 clinicians and published in the journal “Canadian Family Physician.” He also co-presents a weekly medical podcast (on i-tunes) called Best Science Medicine podcast.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: Large Variety of complex different medical and health
issues we see.

My family medicine mentor is: Dr. Stan Lubin

One thing that surprises me about being a family physician is: Getting to know the life stories of our patients

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: an ecologist

Dr. Flora Aladi

Dr. Aladi obtained her medical education from the University of Calabar in Nigeria. She immigrated to Canada in 2003 to join her husband. She received her Family Medicine training from the University of Calgary and have been practising for seven years. She has published 10 papers in the areas of health disparities and fuzzy logic (Organizational Informatics). She is currently the Medical Director of Health Watch Medical Clinic. She is also an American board-certified Independent Medical Examiner. She has a special interest in women, maternal and child health, anti-aging, and obesity. During her free time, she likes to travel, watch movies, and shop.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: that it’s dynamic and versatile.

My family medicine mentor is: Dr. M Abolarin

One thing that surprises me about being a family physician is: the ability to do what I love doing while having a balanced life.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: an obstetrician/gynecologist

Dr. Sheryl Clain

Dr. Clain is graceful to work with some of the most resilient people in Calgary, the patients of the CUPS Health Centre and the Alex Mobile Youth Health Bus. Both organizations aim to reduce the barriers that many people face when accessing health care and work to incorporate the principles of acceptance and support which are paramount to optimal health. After almost 20 years of a diverse practice, Dr. Clain has learned much from her patients and colleagues and hopes to see greater awareness and understanding of vulnerable populations both in Calgary and globally, so that society can effectively address the inequality in the basic determinants of health.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: focusing on the whole person to help them achieve their goals.

My family medicine mentor is: All my colleagues at the CUPS Health Centre and the Alex Youth Centre; Dr. Gordon Dickie at the University of Western Ontario.

One thing that surprises me about being a family physician is: how motivating an effective therapeutic alliance can be.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: I would likely be marginally employed on a tropical beach.

Dr. Teresa Killam

Dr. Teresa Killam is a family physician with the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network.  She practises Low Risk Obstetrics at the Riley Park Maternity Clinic and the Foothills Medical Centre. She holds a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and teaches communication skills to medical trainees with the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary. She completed residency training at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. She has advocated for trauma informed practice in primary care settings and the implementation of ACE score history-taking into prenatal care in Calgary.  Above all, she is a busy mom trying to keep up with my three active kids!

The one thing I love about family medicine is: The privilege of knowing my patients.

My family medicine mentors are: Dr. Elywn Brown and Dr. Karen Zwiers.

One thing that surprises me about being a family physician is: that being at a birth with a family is an unbelievable miracle, even after 15 years of attending deliveries.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: a teacher.

Dr. Tina Nicholson

A UK trained family physician, Dr Nicholson emigrated to Alberta setting up practice in Cochrane in 2006. She is a clinical lecturer with the Department of Family Medicine and is one of the Medical Directors (for the Physician Learning Program and CME offices at the University of Calgary.

As PCN Medical Lead in Cochrane, she was instrumental in responding to a needs assessment from the town, highlighting difficulties with access to mental health care in the child and youth population.  With PCN support, she helped develop the Pediatric Behavioural Assessment Service providing support to family physicians in managing this population within the medical home. Recognising the challenges with inter-agency communication and collaboration around those with more complex psycho-social needs, Dr Nicholson became the medical lead driving the development of the Cochrane Case Collaborative. This patient centred model of care facilitates communication between multiple agencies including schools, health care and social services, leading to effective use of resources and true collaboration with these families as they work towards their defined goals.

As part of the teaching faculty for the CanReach program, Dr Nicholson continues to train other primary care clinicians in the field of child and adolescent mental health across the province- at this time 9 other physicians have completed the Canreach training within Cochrane alone.

Dr. Chris Koo

I was born and raised in Vancouver, but to most people’s surprise I now call Edmonton my home.  I enjoyed serving fellow residents on the Family Medicine Residents’ Association (FMRA) and the Provincial Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA), with a special focus on physician health & wellness… and also tended to do whatever else needed to be done. I hope to continue mentorship of medical trainees. When I’m not working, you will find me cooking up a storm, playing the piano, hiking a mountain, working on my photography skills, or wiping out the competition in a board game.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: That learning about people beyond their medical problems is part of my job. Medicine is inherently interesting, but it is so much richer when you put it in the context of someone’s life.

Who is your family medicine mentor? Too many to mention! Dr. Neil R. Bell (my residency faculty advisor) deserves special mention, and I will give a special shout-out to Drs. Janet Craig and Wendy Dawson (community preceptors).

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician is: The sheer scope and flexibility inherent in my career. I can pick and choose among clinic work, hospitalist work, obstetrics, surgical assist, emergency medicine, addictions medicine… It’s all in the scope of family medicine!

If I wasn’t a family physician I’d be: A pâtissier. Although, who says I can’t eventually find a way to be both…?

Dr. Molly Whalen-Browne

Dr. Molly Whalen-Browne is passionate about refugee and women’s health, as well as medical education. She is a recent graduate of the University of Calgary Family Medicine program and has completed Enhanced Skills training in Women’s Health at the University of British Columbia as well as a MSc in Global Health at McMaster University. She is currently completing a Professional Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene in the United Kingdom. Molly is a member of the CFPC Besrour Centre, where she works to help advance primary care around the world. Outside medicine, Molly enjoys hiking, yoga, cooking and travel.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: The flexibility and scope of practice. I love that family doctors are able to reinvent themselves, in order to adapt to the needs of their community.

My family medicine mentor is: My mom, Dr. Karen Whalen-Browne, is the hardworking, dedicated and caring family physician that I aspire to be. I have also been fortunate to have many incredible preceptors, most notably Dr. Chris Gorrie.

One thing that surprises me about being a family physician is: The resiliency of patients. I am fortunate to have learned so much from the people I have met in this role.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: A global health researcher or an environmentalist.

Capt. Stephanie Smith

Stephanie Smith is in her final year at the Cumming School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, she was a Critical Care Nursing Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces for 12 years. During that time, she completed two deployments in Afghanistan and a deployment with the Disaster Assistance Response Team to the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.

Stephanie was VP External Affairs on the Calgary Medical Student Association, and the student representative on the AMA and the CPSA boards. She is the President of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students and is passionate about promoting physician health and wellness, which lead to her development of the Simulated Training for Resilience in Various Environments (STRIVE) course.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: I love that I have the opportunity to connect with my patients on all aspects of their care, including healthy lifestyle choices and health promotion strategies.  The ability to work with patients in a variety of clinical areas within a rural community is something I am most passionate about. I look forward to my career as a FM physician in the Canadian Armed Forces.

My family medicine mentors are: Dr. Michelle Warren and Dr. Rob Warren

Lucy Wang

I have had a long-standing passion for family medicine, and was selected to be junior rep of the U of A Family Medicine Interest Group {FM IG) in my first year of medical school. In my second year, I became the senior rep, leading my team in organizing 14 various events for the promotion of family medicine among students. I was subsequently elected the co-chair of the CFPC’s Section of Medical Students, working with CFPC executives, staff, and student representatives from all 17 Canadian medical schools to address issues in family y medicine important to medical students. Currently, I look forward to pursuing an exciting career as a family physician.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: The scope of practice makes family medicine extremely challenging, but it’s what makes it so exciting. Looking ahead at a long career, I know it will be filled with continuous learning and self-improvement.

My family medicine mentor is: All of my family medicine teachers thus far!

One thing that surprises me about being a family physician is: The diversity in family practice. One practice can look so different from the next!

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: Possibly an occupational therapist! I think problem solving to improve patients’ quality of life is great work.

Dr. Lindsay Jantzie

Dr. Jantzie is a family physician in Calgary. She completed medical school at the University of Alberta and moved to Calgary for her residency training. Her practice includes comprehensive family medicine at Circle Medical in Southeast Calgary, obstetrical care and deliveries out of the Foothill Hospital, and medical education as a division director with the Calgary Family Medicine Residency Program. Lately she is brainstorming on her next travel get away and planning her wedding in May 20129 to her fiancé, Anthony.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: the privilege of being a part of so many patients’ lives; and the ability to recreate myself in my career by developing new skills and passions over time.

My family medicine mentor is: My mother, Dr. Judy-Diane Cooney.

One thing that surprises me about being a family physician is: I had no idea I would want to work in so many different areas of medicine; despite choosing this career for its flexibility, I continue to search for ways to make all my work passions fit, and collaborating with all the amazing colleagues I am inspired by.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: a science teacher.

Dr. Dinesh Witharana

Dinesh Witharana is a family physician in the west Edmonton area who primarily focuses on community primary care of palliative patients. He often brings residents with him to his hospice rounds and home visits. He also enjoys participating on The Provincial Palliative Tumor Group as an Executive Member, the AMA Section of Palliative Care Fee Committee, The ACFP’s First Five Years In Practice Committee, and the Core Committee for the Cancer Strategic Clinical Network.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: Travelling with my patients and families on their life journeys. Family physicians are tasked with being an advocate for their patients to have a better quality of life. It can be a daunting responsibility but is an incredible honour at the same time.

My family medicine mentor is: Dr. Brenda Ireland. As a resident, she fostered my passion in palliative medicine. When I graduated, she gave me the opportunity to practice palliative medicine despite my lack of credentials. Family physicians without credentials or publications face immense barriers from progression in their career. Her grace and dedication to improve the lives of others regardless of these barriers continues to inspire me.

One thing that surprises me about being a family physician is: How isolating it can be. Despite being surrounded by support staff and other health care professionals every day, the ultimate burden of helping your patients falls onto your shoulders. But when you carry that burden and succeed, it is the most prestigious reward any career can offer.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: A firefighter. They are willing to risk their lives everyday, and there isn’t a paycheque that can compensate them for taking that risk. But you take that risk as a team, and I would love to experience that sacred bond with your crew.

Dr. Margaret Churcher’s Clinic

My family practice office is team -based with care through a family physician, chronic disease nurse, pharmacist, shared mental health consultants, certified respiratory educator with assistance from an office manager, primary care coordinator and MOA

The best thing about working at our clinic is: Working together as a team to improve patient care and our own satisfaction with that care.

The biggest challenge or success we’ve had in adopting PMH in our clinic: Biggest success is to realize the benefits of this team model.

What advice would you give to other clinics: Work as a team as it is more satisfying.

One thing that you will be surprised to learn about our clinic: That only a single physician can have this type of team.

Wild Rose Medical Centre

The best thing about working at our clinic is: The collegiality of the people who work here at the clinic.  The flexibility that the clinic structure gives to physicians enabling them to work at multiple venues including the Olds Hospital, the three seniors homes, the Olds College and the PCN clinic.

The biggest challenge or success we have had in adopting PMH in our clinic: The Peaks to Prairies Primary Care Network was newly established at the time when the PMH program was launched.  In order for our clinic to incorporate the PMH in to the clinic business model, program planning and service delivery needed to be addressed.   Implementation of PCN designated resources, and staff then provided for the creation of programs to incorporate PMH in to the clinic including addressing panel management, screening protocols, and other patient centered services.

What advice would you give to other clinics: Our change management was supported through our involvement in the Access Improvement Measures collective.  Through our participation in AIM we did many Plan Do Study Assess exercises.  We learned quite a bit through these hands-on trials.  We also were in contact the AMA for Business management consultation.  Change management takes time, take small steps, and ensure everyone on the team is on board, and knows the plan.

One thing that you will be surprised to learn about our clinic: The medical hub is centered at the Wild Rose Medical Centre down town location with 18 Family physicians, a full time equivalent of 13.5 Family Physicians.  The clinic however functions virtually in many venues simultaneously, in the sense that the 18 physicians provide care and services in the hospital, the Primary Care clinic, the Olds College, the three Senior’s homes and the main downtown clinic location.