Meet Your Health Team
Family Doctors & Nurse Practitioner
Ingunn Benediktsson , MD
“I feel very privileged to work at a clinic that truly embodies the principles of the Patient’s Medical Home. This model really allows our whole team to function at its best to care for and support our patients." - Dr. Benediktsson
Dr. Ingunn Benediktsson joined CVFP in 2022. She was born in Iceland but grew up in Calgary. Dr. Benediktsson comes to medicine after a previous career in music; she completed a Bachelor and Master of Music Performance in Toronto, Ontario at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She returned to Calgary and completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Calgary. Dr. Benediktsson obtained her medical degree from the University of Calgary and completed her residency training in Calgary, the majority of which was at CVFP as part of the Blue Health Team.
Dr. Benediktsson has three young boys, and enjoys spending time outdoors with her kids and crazy dog.
Emily Buchanan, MD
“I feel very fortunate to work at a clinic that values the importance of primary care and building a strong medical home for patients and their families. Crowfoot Village Family Practice’s multidisciplinary team-based approach allows patients timely access to quality care when they need it most.” – Dr. Buchanan
Dr. Emily Buchanan joined the CVFP team as a Family Medicine Resident in 2021 and fell in love with the multidisciplinary team model of care during her training. She then joined as a locum physician in 2023 and is now thrilled to be staying on as a permanent family physician at CVFP.
Dr. Buchanan grew up in Calgary for much of her life; but left the province for a short while where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology at the University of Victoria. She was fortunate to return to Calgary to complete medical school at the Cumming School of Medicine and subsequently her Family Medicine Residency.
Outside of clinical time, Dr. Buchanan enjoys spending time with her husband and their Australian Shepard, Trek. They spend their weekends hiking, biking, running and generally enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
Kelly Chang, MD
“I am grateful to work at CVFP and collaborate with our interprofessional team in providing patient-partnered care to the best of my ability. We will continue to support our patients by exemplifying the principles of the Patient’s Medical Home, the future of family practice.” - Dr. Chang
Dr. Kelly Chang was raised in Toronto, Ontario. She completed a BMSc in Pathology and Toxicology at Western University prior to completing her Medical Degree at McGill University. She then decided to adventure to Western Canada and completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Alberta in 2020. The Rocky Mountains drew her and her fiancé to Calgary a year later. She started as a locum at CVFP in the summer of 2021 and began her practice in the summer of 2023.
Dr. Chang is a dog mom to an adorable German Shepard-Pit Bull-Terrier mix and welcomes any tips or advice on training. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her fiancé, cooking, hiking and snowboarding.
Julie Croteau, MD
“Our clinic strives to provide excellent care through a patient partnered health home. Our funding allows us to provide care in unique ways to improve patient outcomes. I am fortunate to be able to work at CVFP with health professionals who are as passionate as I am about this. And, I am excited to continue to work with our amazing team on future advancements.” - Dr. Croteau
Dr. Julie Croteau completed her Family Medicine residency at CVFP and so, has been a part of the clinic team since 2014. Her newest role is leading and supporting the Rainbow team - launched in Q1 2024. The focus of this new model is team-based care with a flexible entry point reflecting a patient’s immediate health need. Dr. Croteau was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. She completed a BSc. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Alberta prior to completing her Medical Degree and Family Medicine residency at the University of Calgary. In addition to her practice at CVFP, Dr. Croteau also works as a Hospitalist here in Calgary at the Rockyview Hospital.
When she's not working, you can often find Dr. Croteau spending time outdoors enjoying biking, hiking, skiing, rock-climbing and other adventurous pursuits.
Lynne Gillis, MD
“I am proud to work in a clinic that provides patients access to their family physician as well as an exceptional multi-disciplinary team all within their medical home. Our funding model allows our team to provide in-clinic, phone or email appointments when appropriate. Our team works together to provide high quality, patient partnered care. CVFP has been doing this successfully for over 20 years and we continue to work on ways to improve our model of health care.” - Dr. Gillis
Dr. Lynne Gillis has been a physician at CVFP for ten plus years in addition to two years as a Family Medicine resident. Dr. Gillis completed her Medical degree and Family Medicine residency from the University of Calgary. Prior to this she completed a Masters in Sports Nutrition/Exercise Physiology from the University of Guelph working with elite female endurance athletes. She worked with the Decision Support Research Team on projects including RSV prophylaxis and Cystic Fibrosis newborn screening before deciding to pursuit a degree in Medicine.
Dr. Gillis’ passions include her two sons and her husband, aka “Mr. Incredible”. Dubbed this by their youngest son fifteen years ago, proclaiming “he opened my Gatorade AND saved us from our fire”. When Dr. Gillis takes a break from admiring her boys’ sports and life accomplishments, she enjoys running, golfing, acreage projects, pool-side entertaining and wine tours. She is a strong believer in community and teamwork; we all need and deserve a “village”.
William Halliday, MD
“I appreciate being at CVFP – the clinic’s funding model allows me to provide more comprehensive patient care.” - Dr. Halliday
Dr. William Halliday has been at CVFP for five years; half of that time has been during the pandemic. He has worked as a full-time family physician in Calgary since 1993. Dr. Halliday completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta and his medical degree at the University of Calgary. He enjoys all aspects of Family Medicine.
In his time off, Dr. Halliday enjoys trailering and basketball.
Ian Johnston, MD
“There are many benefits to the CVFP care model. It allows us to focus on how best to care for our patients without creating unnecessary trips to the doctor. This leads to increased availability and access to appointments when patients do need us. We also know through independent research that our care model keeps patients out of hospital, and if they are admitted to hospital, they get home faster. Our patients, physicians and residents are supported by an incredible interdisciplinary health team unrivalled in any of the settings I’ve worked in through three health care systems worldwide.” - Dr. Johnston
Dr. Ian Johnston joined CVFP as a resident in 2018 and returned as a member of the Physician team in 2019. He is also the site education lead and division director for the University of Calgary Postgraduate Residency Program. Dr. Johnston is a graduate of the University of Glasgow (2012). He trained in the national health service in Scotland, working in orthopaedic surgery prior to and throughout five years of medical school as a cast technician. After two more years in Glasgow gaining valuable experience rotating through postgraduate medical training as a junior doctor in medical and surgical hospital specialties, he moved to Canada to complete his family medicine residency. Dr. Johnston has worked in the research hub of the University of Calgary Department of Family Medicine, focusing on respiratory infections, as well as medical and procedural skills training. He has also published research on the assessment and management of cardiovascular risk during residency.
Dr. Johnston considers himself to be the lucky husband to an incredible wife and dad to two amazing children. They enjoy many outdoor activities and spend weekends camping, hiking, biking, and cross country or downhill skiing. He is a keen recreational runner and especially enjoys the panoramic mountain views at the top of his favourite routes.
Wendi Keller, NP
“CVFP’s unique patient-based funding model allows me to practice independently to my full scope of practice as a Nurse Practitioner (NP). It also enables me to provide high quality care that is specialized in Women’s Health.” - Wendi Keller
Wendi Keller has been with CVFP for ten plus years. Wendi obtained her undergraduate degree in Nursing from the University of Alberta. Her special interest in obstetrics and gynecology began while working in a Labor and Delivery unit at The Woodlands, Texas, USA. Later, she achieved her Nurse Practitioner/Master’s degree at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center. Wendi returned to her Alberta roots and continued her NP career at CVFP.
Wendi has two children who are currently completing their own studies in post-secondary education. Her favorite past-times include gardening, swimming and competing with her husband at golf.
Heather La Borde, MD
“ I believe that primary care is the foundation of our health care system; it has the ability to transform our health care system by improving health outcomes and decreasing overall cost. CVFP’s unique funding model has demonstrated that this is possible in Alberta. I am excited to be working within this evidence-based model of care.” - Dr. La Borde
Dr. Heather La Borde joined CVFP in 2023. She is a native Calgarian and grew up east of the city near the town of Chestermere. She studied at the University of Calgary where she earned Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce degrees. Dr. La Borde worked in the oil and gas industry for several years. Her passion for exploration took her backpacking through Australia where she eventually settled. Brisbane, Australia became her home while she studied Medicine at the University of Queensland. Dr. La Borde returned to Calgary to complete her residency in Family Medicine. She has been practicing medicine in the northwest of Calgary, providing comprehensive longitudinal care, and is the newly elected Primary Care Network Physician Lead Executive for the Calgary Zone.
Family is deeply important to Dr. La Borde. She and her husband have two children and two golden retrievers. They connect as a family by skiing, biking, hiking and lake swimming.
Reid McLean Wiest, MD
“I am pleased to work in a clinic and model that supports the kind of care patients deserve and the kind of medicine I want to practice.” - Dr. McLean Wiest
Dr. Reid McLean Wiest has been a physician with Crowfoot Village Family Practice for sixteen years. He is also a clinical lecturer at the University of Calgary’s Family Medicine residency program. Dr. McLean Wiest completed his Medical degree and Family Medicine training at the University of Calgary. In addition, he also holds a Diploma in Practical Dermatology from Cardiff University in Wales, UK.
Dr. McLean Wiest’s passions include his wife and three kids, his church, and singing and writing music for his choir “Harmony through Harmony”. A self-described lifelong learner, he also enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, skiing, golfing, playing squash and sand sculpting.
Brooke Miller, MD
“CVFP is the embodiment of what family practice should be. It is incredible to work in a place where I am empowered to deliver the best care I can, alongside a team that is always looking for ways to improve patient care. I hope and believe our patients feel a sense of attachment and support in this Patient’s Medical Home.” - Dr. Miller
Dr. Brooke Miller started at CVFP as a resident in 2013. After residency, she immediately started locuming in the summer of 2015 and began her practice at CVFP in the fall of that same year. Dr. Miller went to medical school at the University of Alberta and completed her residency at the University of Calgary. She has a special interest in breastfeeding medicine with credentials as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). When not seeing family medicine patients, Dr. Miller is often at the breastfeeding clinic helping moms/babies/dads with feeding.
Dr. Miller’s main passion outside of medicine is Ukrainian dancing. She has danced with semi-professional Ukrainian dance companies in Edmonton and Calgary for 15 years, touring both nationally and internationally. She recently retired from dancing in order to start a family and is now enjoying seeing her young daughter learn and grow.
Garrett Moffatt, MD
“I see the CVFP care model as an ideal foundation to create a medical home for patients. It enables me to know patients best and allows me to provide thorough and comprehensive patient partnered care. CVFP’s unique patient-based funding allows such a care model to run smoothly.” - Dr. Moffatt
Dr. Garrett Moffatt has been a physician at Crowfoot Village Family Practice since August 2020. He has a Master of Science degree from the University of Calgary with a research focus in dermal stem cell biology. He also completed his Medical degree and Family Medicine residency program at the University of Calgary. In addition to his educational credentials, Dr. Moffatt is certified with the College of Family Physicians.
Dr. Moffatt enjoys playing music with his band, and spending quality time with his wife and cat. He is an avid snowboarder in the winter and skateboarder in the summer.
Janet Reynolds, MD: Medical Director
“The patient-based funding model at CVFP allows me to focus on my patients and their care needs in our Patient’s Medical Home. We work together as a team and strive for a culture of continuous quality improvement.” - Dr. Reynolds
Dr. Janet Reynolds has been a physician at Crowfoot Village Family Practice from 2003 to 2012 and from 2018 to present. In addition to her role as a clinic physician, Dr. Reynolds was appointed as CVFP’s Medical Director in May 2019. She is also the Medical Director for the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network. Dr. Reynolds completed her Medical degree from the University of Saskatchewan, eventually moving to Ottawa to complete her Family Medicine training at the University of Ottawa. She worked in a rural setting in Ontario for two years prior to moving to Calgary.
In her more than 20 years of experience as a physician, Dr. Reynolds has learned that the most rewarding part of her job is getting to know her patients over time and understanding what is important to them. She is passionate about family medicine and health care stewardship. And as such, has recently become a Family Medicine advisor to Choosing Wisely - a campaign to reduce unnecessary testing, treatment and procedures for patients.
Karyn Richardson, MD
“The CVFP funding/practice model allows us to be creative about how we provide care and enables a health home approach where we aim to provide the right care by the right provider at the right time. I believe that this leads to more efficient and more effective care.” - Dr. Richardson
Dr. Karyn Richardson started working at CVFP in 2009 as a locum covering a maternity leave. She quickly realized what a unique and rewarding place it was to work. The team-based collaborative care and great people at CVFP made it difficult to imagine working anywhere else. Medicine was not something Dr. Richardson set out to do from the start but was something she found her way to over time. She obtained a BSc in Neuroscience and then an LLB from the University of Calgary and spent many months backpacking and biking around Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe before deciding to pursue medicine. She completed both her medical degree and residency in Family Medicine at the University of Calgary.
Dr. Richardson’s greatest passion is her family and spending time with them. She loves to downhill and backcountry ski in the winter and mountain bike in the summer. Dr. Richardson feels lucky to have a wonderful husband who shares her love of the outdoors and three amazing kids who are all eager participants in these adventures. Beyond this she enjoys spending time with friends, walking her dogs, wake surfing and waterskiing, and any opportunity to be out in nature.
Karen Seigel, MD: Quality Improvement Specialist
“I shifted my work at CVFP in 2023 to focus on health system improvement/innovation, quality, effectiveness and efficiency, provider sustainability and to make CVFP a more data-driven organization. I fully believe in the CVFP model of care and would like to help it thrive!” - Dr. Seigel
Dr. Seigel has a special interest and expertise in data, including evaluation, quality improvement and analysis. She has worked in this capacity with the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network, several provincial evaluation committees, and the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA). She grew up in Ottawa and earned a Master’s of Epidemiology and Medical degree at Queen’s University in Kingston, and completed her Family Medicine residency in Calgary.
Family is very important to Dr. Seigel and she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She is also an accomplished violinist.
Wendy Stefanek, MD
“I am most proud of the clinic CVFP has become. I am proud of my amazing colleagues I have the privilege of working with, many of whom have been mentors to me, and some of whom I have helped to train as family medicine residents. I hope I can also inspire my colleagues that follow. I work with a compassionate and skilled group of providers who go above and beyond every single day to make CVFP a medical home that I wish was available to all Albertans.” - Dr. Stefanek
Dr. Wendy Stefanek has been at CVFP since 2005. She graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine in 1998 and completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Calgary Sunridge teaching clinic. After finishing her residency elective with Dr. Rick Ward at CVFP, Dr. Stefanek was hooked on the team-based model that CVFP provided to their patients. And, she hasn’t looked back. Shortly after starting in 2005, the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (CFPCN) was also born, and CVFP and its physicians have been members of this PCN from the beginning. Dr. Stefanek continues to be involved with the PCN and is currently on its physician corporation Board of Directors.
Dr. Stefanek enjoys being a mom to her teenage and young adult daughters, raising her golden retriever puppy, reading, and trying to keep up with her husband through fitness and running.
Rick Ward, MD
“I’ve been privileged to be a part of the CVFP journey, beginning as a four-doctor, fee for service, ‘old fashioned’ practice to the best Medical Home in Canada with an interdisciplinary care team working alongside seventeen doctors. I am energized daily by my colleagues, team members and patients.” - Dr. Ward
Dr. Rick Ward has been a principal at CVFP since 1988. He completed his medical training here in Calgary. Throughout his career, Dr. Ward has held leadership positions provincially and nationally. Currently, he has a faculty position with the University of Calgary, is a Medical Director, Primary Care for Alberta Health Services, and is a member of the Alberta Medical Association Board of Directors. Dr. Ward has clinical interests in Mental Health and Chronic Disease Management along with medical education and systems change. He has acted as a Principal Investigator for several clinical trials which have contributed to our knowledge of medical care.
Outside of the practice of medicine, Dr. Ward is passionate about family, entertaining at his West Coast home, salmon fishing and travel.
Kathleen Young, MD
“The CVFP model allows me the ability to care for my patients with a whole team to help support them. I feel this is the future of medicine in creating a true Medical Home for patients.” - Dr. Young
Dr. Kathleen Young has been with CVFP since 2013 and was previously a long-term locum at another Calgary primary health care clinic. Her first career was as a costume designer after completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from York University in Toronto. Dr. Young late earned a degree in Biochemistry from McMaster University before attending medical school at Queen’s University. She moved west to complete her Family Medicine residency at the University of Calgary and remained in our city to launch her practice.
Dr. Young continues to have a huge love of theatre, however her dedication to medicine allows little time for this passion. She also loves reading, spending time with her child, travelling and working on her fitness.
Yan Yu, MD
“The CVFP patient-based funding and care model is the future. Health care systems and our patients need a model of patient care that optimizes care quality, improves patient access, boosts provider satisfaction and lowers overall health care costs - all at the same time. This model is it.” - Dr. Yu
Dr. Yan Yu has been a family physician at Crowfoot Village Family Practice for five years, including time as a locum. He is a Rhodes Scholar with dual master’s degrees in Public Policy and Business Administration from Oxford University. Alongside caring for his patients, Dr. Yu is also interested in medical education, health care innovation and advancing the family medicine profession. His advocacy work includes serving as a Director on the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)’s Board of Directors, where he helps shape CFPC strategy in advocating for Canadian family physicians and their patients.
During his medical school training, Dr. Yu founded the free online medical learning resource, The Calgary Guide to Understanding Disease www.thecalgaryguide.com, which is now used in over 180 countries by 3000 plus medical learners a day. Dr Yu speaks Mandarin Chinese fluently and can provide this service to our Mandarin-speaking patients. He also has a YouTube channel for patients to learn more about various medical topics www.youtube.com/c/DrYanYu.