Series: CVFP Health Team
Introducing our New Family Medicine Resident Doctors
CVFP Residents are doctors working towards a specialization in family medicine. They work with patients under the supervision of CVFP family doctors for two years, with increasing independence. Many of our doctors completed their residency at CVFP.
CVFP is actively engaged with residency training through our colleagues with the Department of Family Medicine at both Alberta Health Services and the University of Calgary's Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME).
This ongoing involvement in physician development helps not only our own patients but also newly qualified medical graduates through the challenges of providing high-quality and efficient primary care in Alberta. These developing family doctors often bring new perspectives from their rotations in other areas of medicine adding value to the care of CVFP patients.
“We are proud of our role as a teaching clinic. In the summer of 2022 we graduated six new family doctors and anticipate another six doctors graduating this summer 2023. We are excited to introduce our newest residents beginning their family medicine journey at CVFP in July 2023. Our residents help to provide care to our patients as a vital part of the CVFP Health Team. We are grateful for their skills, new experiences and compassion.”
Dr. Ian Johnston, CVFP Physician and Teaching Lead
Dr. Shima Afhami
CVFP coaches: Dr. Julie Croteau/Dr. Brooke Miller
“I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. After completing my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology at the University of Alberta, I worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator in a Pediatric Neurology lab where I had my first significant exposure to patient care and witnessed the impact that could be made by collaborating with patients to address healthcare needs. I continued my education and completed a Master of Science looking at the Gut Microbiome in Children with a rare genetic disorder, Prader-Willi Syndrome. I then moved to Calgary to complete my medical school training, and I loved it so much that I decided to stay here for my Family Medicine Residency. I value the therapeutic relationships that are developed with patients and want to provide comprehensive longitudinal care that empowers patients and acknowledges their broader life-context. I am excited to be part of the multidisciplinary team at the CVFP.”
Dr. Meena Assad
CVFP coach: Dr. Lynne Gillis
“After completing my undergraduate degree in Cellular Molecular Microbial Biology and Master's in Biomedical Technology from the University of Calgary, my career in medicine took shape through a series of experiences and personal aspirations. Working as a Senior Project Manager for Alberta Health Services (AHS) provided me with the opportunity to interact with senior AHS leadership, including physicians. This sparked my interest in the clinical side of medicine, and I enrolled at UCalgary’s Cumming School of Medicine. As a family medicine resident, my vision for the future is to become a highly skilled and compassionate physician who provides comprehensive care to individuals and families. A key aspect of this vision is the integration of preventative medicine. I firmly believe in the power of preventive strategies in promoting wellness and reducing the burden of chronic diseases.”
Dr. Pauwlina Cyca
CVFP coach: Dr. Ian Johnston
“I grew up on the South Shore of Nova Scotia and I studied Biochemistry, graduate studies in Biology (Entomology and Epidemiology), prior to completing my Pharmacy degree. I have practiced Pharmacy as an ICU Pharmacist, Community Pharmacist, Policy Maker, Regulator, Pharmacy Owner, Operations Specialist and Senior Pharmacy Services Executive for 13 years before completing my medical degree at the University of Calgary. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as the Government Affairs and Advocacy Representative for UCalgary’s Cumming School of Medicine during my time there.”
Dr. Morgan Gregg
CVFP coach: Dr. Chris Bockmuehl
“Born and raised in Calgary, I grew up playing basketball and volleyball, sailing on the reservoir, and spending time with my family in the mountains. After four years at Queen’s University studying life sciences, I returned to the prairies to study medicine at the University of Alberta. I find fulfillment from the relationships I form with my patients, and I am excited to pursue opportunities in medical education and leadership within family medicine. I am looking forward to the opportunity to connect with patients at CVFP, and I am excited to spend the next two years building relationships with colleagues and co-residents at the clinic.”
Dr. Ayesha Kashif
CVFP coach: Dr. Kathleen Young
“Prior to medicine, I completed a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. My clerkship experiences through the Cumming School of Medicine have cemented my belief that compassion forms the foundation of a successful patient encounter. Practicing compassion-based approaches to care-quality improvement will give me insight into my patients' personal and health priorities, barriers to care, environmental circumstances and deepest values, allowing me to evolve my future practice alongside them. In addition to my passion for Family Medicine, I love giving back to my community and have been involved with a few initiatives promoting youth development, mental health awareness and immigrant health. As a first-generation immigrant raised in Calgary, I find great joy in continuing to learn from, grow with and serve the communities that have given me so much.”
Dr. Kashif was awarded the Dr. Chuck Carson Memorial Endowment. This Endowment provides an annual award to a doctor who is in their Family Practice rotation, and who has demonstrated an interest in, and a commitment to, family medicine. The primary objective is to recognize those who have demonstrated a real compassion to patients.
Dr. Andrew Nguyen
CVFP coach: Dr. Reid McLean Wiest
“I was born in Calgary and raised on the beautiful Vancouver Island in Nanaimo, British Columbia. I am very excited to be back in Calgary. For my academic journey, I studied Biochemistry at the University of Victoria. I am a recent graduate of the Island Medical Program with the University of British Columbia. One of my hobbies is coding/programming. I have worked on full stack development (webapps/websites), bioinformatic analysis, and recently explored creating a virtual anatomy app for android using augmented reality. I am delighted to be at CVFP for my residency and look forward to providing longitudinal care, both preventative and therapeutic, to a vast and diverse patient population.”
Dr. Dactin Tran
CVFP Coach: Dr. Wendy Stefanek
“Before entering medicine, I completed my Pharmacy Degree at the University of Alberta. After graduation, I moved to Calgary and eventually joined Alberta Health Services at the Poison Center, honing and developing my knowledge in toxicology and how to handle poisonings in both the home and hospital setting. In addition, my intellectual curiosity led me to pursue training in the care of the elderly and palliative care which eventually allowed me to work in an interdisciplinary setting at St. Marguerite Manor as a clinical pharmacist. My future career goals as a physician are to build upon my knowledge in the care of the elderly and palliative care.”
Dr. Hilary Turpin
CVFP coach: Dr. Karyn Richardson
“I am from the lovely St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry before continuing at Memorial University for medical school. I am super excited to have been accepted to the Family Medicine residency program at the University of Calgary. I have a special interest in care of the elderly and palliative care, and I find fulfillment in providing compassionate and validating care in the later years of an individual's life. I hope to spend the next 2 years at CVFP learning to practice full-scope comprehensive care centered around quality of life, and helping patients to emphasize physical, mental and spiritual well-being.”