Our Team

Adriana is a compassionate psychologist dedicated to supporting clients on their journey toward growth and resilience. She has 15 years of counselling experience with Indigenous teen and adult clients. She believes everyone has the inner strength to overcome challenges and thrive. Using a person-centered approach, Adriana tailors therapy to honor each individual’s unique experiences, values, and goals. She creates a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions without judgment. Trained in EMDR and other trauma modalities,, she assists clients in processing difficult past experiences impacting their present. Deeply respectful of cultural identity, Adriana is committed to providing inclusive, empowering care that acknowledges and values each client’s background. She partners with clients to transform challenges into opportunities for healing and lasting change.

Bio to follow.

Dr. Aiden Zalasky was born in St. Albert, Alberta and completed all of his medical training at the University of Alberta. He primarily practices in Family Medicine, but dips his toes in hospitalist work and rural emergency medicine. Outside of the hospital or clinic, he enjoys hockey, golf, and exploring the outdoors with his family and two dogs.

Bio to follow.

Family Medicine
Eden Valley Bearspaw First Nation
Dr. Gausvik finished her family medicine training in 2006 and has been working in Alberta ever since. She works on the First Nation reserve of Eden Valley as well as maternity care and delivering babies in the Town of High River. She also teaches medical students at the University of Calgary. Her loves include volunteering for medical work overseas, movie nights, and summer camping in her little trailer with her husband and 3 children. The youngest two are twins, which makes things very busy but very fun!

Bio to follow.

Bio to follow.

Hi! I’m Breanne. I’m a Registered Nurse working with AIVCC. I finished my BScN in December 2020 and started working in the ICU right away. My role with AIVCC is to update and fill in the missing holes in a patients chart, educate patients on different chronic conditions and cancer screening timelines, and I have also helped physicians with various tasks that arise. When I’m not working, I love playing with my dog and spending time in a studio practicing yoga or spinning on a bike!

Brittany is a Registered Psychologist who has worked with a broad clientele throughout her career, including children, adolescents, adults, and elders in many different settings. Brittany has been working with First Nation community members in Northern and Southern Alberta for the past 12 years, providing both on-reserve psychological services and telehealth services. Brittany is a compassionate, creative, client-focused psychologist who enjoys collaborating with her clients while blending evidence-based therapeutic principles and strategies that meet her client’s needs.

Dr. Hilbert graduated from the University of Alberta and completed her family practice residency at McMaster University in Hamilton. She provided full scope family practice (delivering babies to elder care) for the first 7 years of her career. During this time, she started the maternity clinic at CUPS clinic in downtown Calgary. After taking some time off with kids, she returned to CUPS and continued her work with vulnerable populations. After some time, she added work at the Tsuut’ina Health Centre, where she has worked for about 15 years. In recent years she branched out into more addictions work. PERSONAL – Having enjoyed the adventure of mothering four children, now that there’s only one left at home, she is enjoying more time in pursuing her passion for singing, hiking and kayaking.

Family Medicine
Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, Tsuu T’ina Nation
Dr. Christine Kennedy is a physician who trained at the University of Calgary (same class as Dr. Gausvik). She is a Family Physician as well as a specialist in Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine, practicing all three here in Alberta. She has lived and practiced in Wood Buffalo Region and recently moved her family back to Calgary. She is a physician with the Frail Elderly ARP, the Addictions consulting team for Rockyview General Hospital, the RAAM Clinic at Adult Addiction Services (AHS), a Family Physician for Chipewyan Prairie First Nation at the Janvier Health Centre, and has been a long term locum for the Health Centre at Tsuut’ina Nation. In the last 8 months, when she is not dealing with COVID-19 from a Public Health perspective, she looks after multiple family pets and three young children.

Bio to follow.

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I would like to introduce myself as a Registered Social Worker who completed a BSW at the University of Calgary in 2007. I also am a graduate of the University of Alberta Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology (Family Studies Major) in 1999 and a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University of Edmonton 1997. I have experience working with a multitude of populations including Juvenile and Adult Corrections, Child and Youth Mental Health, Addictions and Disability Services.

I am a wife of more than 14 years to a wonderful husband and a new mother to two children (son aged 19 and daughter aged 22) who both newly migrated to Canada from Jamaica and are in 2025 awaiting their Canadian Citizenship. I was born in Manchester, England to parents from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. I have lived and worked primarily in rural Alberta and worked in the past in the Eastern States (Massachusetts).

I enjoy in my free time volunteering in the community (most recently with Edmonton Reggae Festival Society). I love all music, travel and thrive on inter-cultural exchange.

Dr Ojimelukwe Ononyelu- “Dr Oneal” – a family oriented family physician, practicing out of St Paul, Alberta.
Loves sports (Chess , soccer and basketball) but currently active in Tennis and Pickleball.

Family Medicine
Blood Tribe
Dr. Esther Tailfeathers was born and raised on the Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta, graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Alberta. Esther has worked in many Indigenous communities in both the United States and Canada including the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, Fort Chipewyan in Northern Alberta, and her home community of the Blood Tribe. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Tailfeathers currently serves as the Senior Medical Director of the Provincial Indigenous Health Hub at Alberta Health Services. Esther is most proud of organizing a relief mission to Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, leading a team of Blood Tribe paramedics, nurses and health care workers who took care of more than 2000 patients during the relief efforts. Since 2014, Dr. Tailfeathers has been a leader in responding to the Blood Tribe’s opioid crisis, including developing community strategies on harm reduction, treatment and addressing upstream determinants of health.

Bio to follow.

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Dr. Ali completed her medical school at the University of Calgary and her family medicine residency at McGill (and is now reasonably fluent in French). She completed an enhanced skills fellowship in Maternal Newborn Care along with Health Equity through the University of Calgary, and also obtained her Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H). She has a strong passion for women’s health, along with health for more marginalized and vulnerable populations. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping and fishing.

Jeff is a Registered Psychologist who has worked with clients of all ages and backgrounds. He has experience working in both community and hospital settings and has provided on-reserve psychological support. He practices a client-focused and culture-as-treatment approach with empirically supported interventions while respecting the individuality of his clients.

Dr. Jennie Ding completed her medical degree at the University of Calgary, and family medicine residency at the University of British Columbia. She has advanced training through Harvard Medical School’s culinary medicine program and is a member of the Institute for Functional Medicine. Dr. Ding is interested in chronic disease management, functional and lifestyle medicine, and obesity medicine. She founded Kale Health Wellness, an online medical weight management and nutrition coaching company. Currently, she practices in Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories, working in rural towns, various Indigenous communities, and underserved vulnerable populations. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, cooking delicious meals and practicing yoga.

Family Medicine
Indigenous Wellness Clinic
Dr. Jill Galipeau is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta and completed her training in Family Medicine at the University of Alberta.

Hi, I’m Kayla. I’m a Registered Nurse with the Alberta Indigenous Virtual Care Clinic (AIVCC). I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014 and have since worked primarily in pediatrics and public health. I enjoy caring for individuals across all age groups and supporting them through a wide range of health journeys. I have a passion for education, both teaching others and continuing to learn myself.

When I’m not at work, I’m busy on our acreage, spending time with my family, cheering on my kiddos at their activities, camping, golfing or looking after our animals.

I feel honoured to support the health and well-being of the communities I serve, and I’m always looking forward to meeting new faces and building meaningful connections.

Bio to follow

Family Medicine Ridgeview Medical Centre
Dr. Barrick obtained her Medical degree from the University of Ottawa in 2014. Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, she moved to Calgary to start her Family Medicine residency at the University of Calgary and instantly fell in love with the mountains and the people.

Dr. Barrick’s practice interests include Addiction Medicine, Palliative Care and Mental Health Counselling. Additionally, she works as a clinical lecturer at the University of Calgary and teaches medical students and residents. When not practicing medicine, you can find Dr. Barrick in the mountains running, hiking, and ice-climbing!

Kim is a registered provisional psychologist and a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Kim’s professional experience spans across health, education, government, research, supportive living, correctional services, and cross-cultural settings. This diverse background enables Kim to connect with clients of all ages and from all walks of life. Kim practices therapy from a holistic, culturally-informed approach, bringing both evidence-based techniques and practical guidance that can be applied to everyday life.

Bio to follow.

Family Medicine
Siksika First Nation
Sookwiipamii “Last to Come In”, Dr. Lana Rose Potts BScN MD CCFP is a Family Physician at the Siksika Health and Wellness Centre Niitsitapi Learning Centre and the Elbow River Healing Lodge. She was raised in the Piikani Nation in Traditional Blackfoot Territory. Dr. Potts completed a Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Nursing from the University of Alberta and went on to graduate with a medical degree from The Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lana completed her residency training in Indigenous Family Medicine at UBC. Lana is an advocate for First Nations children. She spends her time researching methods to improve First Nations Health determinants. She is a renowned speaker and has published work on Indian Residential School and Tuberculosis. She is married to Robert Benjoe and is the proud mother to her daughter Annataki and son Nodin

Leili is a Registered Psychologist with experience providing mental health services to Indigenous peoples in private practice and the public sector. She has over 10 years of experience supervising mental health teams in remote and isolated communities of the Northwest Territories. Leili’s areas of expertise include PTSD/trauma, mood disorders and couples therapy.

Dr. Linda Liu completed medical school and Family Medicine Residency at the University of Calgary. She has a strong passion for Mental Health, Women’s Health, and health for marginalized and vulnerable populations. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, biking, and traveling.

Lisa is a Registered Psychologist who has worked with adolescents, adults, and older adults in a variety of settings including private practice, inpatient addictions treatment, and corrections over the past nine years in therapy and counselling-adjacent roles. Her primary areas of focus are trauma, mood disorders, interpersonal relationships, and addictions. Lisa believes a client-centred, holistic approach to therapy is key and enjoys working in collaboration with her clients to achieve their goals.

Dr Manya Bernbaum is a family physician who works on the Stoney reserve in Mînî Thnî, Alberta. She went to medical school in Dublin, Ireland and completed her training in Rural Family Medicine in the state of Maine in 2020. She enjoys the diversity of working in clinics, hospitals and in rural and remote communities in Alberta and the Yukon Territory. When she isn’t working you might find her running, biking or skiing up mountains, listening to live music, and enjoying good food.

Dr. Marc Sonntag completed medical school at the University of Calgary and residency through the University of British Columbia at Nanaimo. I have worked at the Stoney Health Centre for the last 5 years. I enjoy any time spent outside. Gardening, hunting, running, and biking are some of my favorites.

Bio to follow.

Natasha is a Registered Social Worker with experience supporting adolescents and adults in community, hospital, and private practice settings. She works collaboratively with individuals to identify meaningful treatment goals and to process difficult experiences, emotions, and body-based sensations.

Natasha takes an integrative counselling approach, drawing from Person-Centred Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She has completed specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is a Certified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).

Bio to come.

Dr. Nicole Cardinal is an Indigenous Family Physician working in Saddle Lake First Nation providing primary care. Dr.Cardinal went to medical school at the University of Alberta and finished her Rural Family Medicine residency in Prince Albert, SK in 2014. Since graduating she has been focusing her practise on Indigenous Health and being an advocate for Indigenous People. She works providing primary care in her home community of Saddle Lake as well as working in long term care, emergency room, surgical assisting and hospital care. She also teaches medical students at the University of Alberta. When she is not working she loves being home with her husband and three children. She also enjoys travelling, golfing in the summer time, running, and watching movies.

Dr. Mensik graduated her family medicine training in 2019, and has spent time working in both southern Alberta and the North West Territories. She now practices maternity and inpatient care both in High River and Rockyview Hospital, as well as locuming in Tsuut’Ina. She loves reading murder mysteries, cycling and baking.

Dr. Nicole Perkes completed medical school at the University of British Columbia and postgraduate training in Family Medicine at the University of Alberta. She has an interest in Orthopedics and musculoskeletal issues, as well as all aspects of Women’s Health from contraception all the way to menopause.

Hi! I’m Olivia, a Registered Nurse working with AIVCC. I received my BScN in 2016 and have been lucky to spend more than half my career working in Iqaluit, Nunavut. I’m passionate about helping to empower my patients through education and communication and look forward to working with you. When I’m not working, you can find me cooking or going on adventures with my family!

Family Medicine
Dr. Onyinye Chiazor earned her medical degree at the Newcastle University, England. She then completed family medicine residency at the University of Manitoba and undertook an extra year of training at the University of Calgary’s Health Equity program aimed at caring for marginalized local and global patient groups. She obtained her CCFP designation in 2019. Dr. Onyi is interested in Addiction Medicine, immigrant and refugee health, indigenous health and women’s Health. Outside of work, being mum to an active toddler and infant makes life busy but fun!

Family Medicine
Stoney Nakoda Nation
Dr. Robin Simms is a Family Physician who works on the Stoney Reserve in Morley, Alberta. Dr. Simms completed medical school at the University of Calgary in 2009 and went on to do her Family Medicine residency in the University of British Columbia’s Northern Rural Family Medicine program. She has a special interest in working with rural/remote and Indigenous populations. Dr. Simms worked in rural BC as well as the Northwest Territories before settling in Alberta. She also has an interest in Infectious Diseases, and has done extra training in Tropical Medicine and Hepatitis C treatment. When not at work, she can usually be found exploring the mountains on foot or on skis!

Robyn has worked in the field of mental health as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse since 2009 in a variety of areas including community, correctional services, private practice and inpatient settings across western Canada. Numerous types of therapies are utilized including ART, DBT, ACT, and CBT that is tailored to each individual client’s needs and goals. Meeting individuals where they are at to live a life full of passion that is aligned with their personal values and goals. Robyn has a passion for supporting young adults and adults in various areas including interpersonal relationships, mood disorders, psychosis, anxiety, life transitions and more.

Dr. Samuel S. Lee, MD, FRCPC, FAASLD
Professor of Medicine (Emeritus)
University of Calgary, Canada

Dr. Lee graduated MD from Memorial University, and trained in Internal Medicine and hepatology in Toronto and Paris.

His lab research interest is cardiovascular complications of cirrhosis, and clinical research interest is viral hepatitis, particularly in underserved and vulnerable populations.

He has published >280 peer-reviewed scientific papers, >30 book chapters and edited two textbooks on cirrhosis complications.

He has won several awards including the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, St Louis University Distinguished International Lectureship award, the Canadian Association of Study of Liver (CASL) Gold Medal, and CASL Distinguished Service Award, and has lectured in >40 countries.

He is a past-president of CASL, the International Ascites Club, the International Association for Study of Liver (IASL), and was editor-in-chief of Liver International from 2008-2013. Since 2016 he has been the Chair of the Canadian Network Undertaking against Hepatitis C (CANUHC), the Canadian HCV database registry.

Currently his major clinical activities involve trying to improve hepatology healthcare delivery to remote and Indigenous communities by telehealth.

Family Medicine
Dr. Sonya Regehr grew up in Saskatchewan before moving to Alberta to attend medical school and has been working here ever since. She has over three decades of experience as a family doctor, including working at the Tsuut’ina Health Centre from 2008 to 2020 and at AIVCC from 2020 to the present. She holds a medical lead position in the Indigenous Wellness Core, Alberta Health Services. She also works at a PCN urgent care clinic in Calgary and enjoys supervising students and residents through the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. Outside work, she enjoys adventures in the mountains with her husband, two grown children and dog, and practicing mindfulness with a Mindfulness in Medicine community.

Stephanie is a Provisional Registered Psychologist who has experience working with adolescents and adults in private practice. Her areas of focus are trauma, interpersonal relationships, depression and anxiety. She also has a special interest in working with individuals dealing with body-image concerns and disordered eating. Stephanie uses a variety of modalities such as CBT, EMDR, Mindfulness Therapies, DBT and Psychodynamic Therapies.

My name is Sue and I am Metis Gwichen, from north of the Arctic Circle. I have had the privileged of supporting child, youth and families, in various capacities, for many years. Today I feel fortunate to be supporting Indigenous peoples throughout Alberta in my role at Alberta Indigenous Virtual Care Clinic.

Dr. Susan Adelmann is from Treaty 1 Territory, growing up in the traditional land of the Anishinaabe, Dakota, and Métis Nations (Winnipeg, MB), but have lived in Treaty 7 Territory, in the traditional land of the Niitsitapi/Blackfoot Nation (Lethbridge, AB) for the past eight years. She is grateful to the First Nations of Manitoba for allowing her European ancestors to seek refuge from the Russian Revolution in the early 1900s. She completed her undergraduate and medical schooling in Manitoba and completed a Rural Family Medicine residency program in southern Alberta in 2014. She has spent five years working on an itinerant basis in the Northwest Territories where she did full-scope family practice including clinic, hospital medicine, ER shifts, and low-risk obstetrical deliveries. Since January 2020 she has been working on the Blood Tribe reserve doing clinic and addiction medicine. She likes working in remote communities.

Bio to follow.

I am a family physician with a background in neurobiology from the University of Western Ontario and medical training from the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. My journey in medicine has taken me across diverse settings, including urban clinics, rural communities in Alberta, and remote areas in the Northwest Territories. I find great meaning in serving communities and embracing the variety of care, whether through community health, hospital medicine, or offering support through psychotherapy.

I am deeply committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces that honor the diverse traditions, stories, and strengths of the communities I work with. Teaching and learning from others, including learners at all stages, have been a core part of my practice.

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family, exploring the beauty of the Rockies, and connecting with people and places through travel. I’m honored to walk alongside others on their health journeys and value the opportunity to build trust and understanding together.

Bio to follow.

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Bio to come.

Background: Dr. William Forsey attended medical school at the University of Calgary, and graduated in 2020. He then went on to complete the University of Calgary Rural Alberta South Family Medicine training program in Lethbridge, AB. During training, Dr. Forsey sought out many opportunities to work with First Nations patients. He now practices full scope rural family medicine on reserve, and also works as a locum physician in Southern Alberta.

Personal: Interests include athletics, fitness, travel, investments and home DIY projects. Some of the many athletic interests include Alpine and Nordic skiing, running, hiking, badminton and squash.

Dr. Griffin completed his medical education and family medicine residency in Ireland. He has spent most of his career in rural remote and Northern Alberta. He understands the challenges many people face because of their geographic location. His main interests include care of the elderly, chronic disease management and mental health.

When not practising medicine, Dr. Griffin’s main interests outside of family include camping, the great outdoors, anything to do with horses and music. He resides in Edmonton with his wife.

Dr. Griffin looks forward to working with AIVCC and helping to bridge the care gap that many Indigenous People experience on a regular basis.

Dr. Zander Affleck is from Chief Drygeese Territory (Yellowknife), the traditional land of the Yellowknife’s Dene First Nation. He completed his medical schooling and Family Medicine residency program at the University of Alberta. He is now living and working in Edmonton with some time working in the Northwest Territories. Outside of work, Dr. Affleck likes anything outside including camping, running, hiking and time with family