Hira Waqar was born in Pakistan and moved to Canada in 2001. After finishing her high school, she completed her BSc in Biology from the University of Calgary. She then went on to get a MD degree from the American University of Caribbean. She completed clinical rotations in hospitals in the United States and England. Hira recently completed her family medicine training from Pakistan and is waiting for her PRA assessment to begin. She successfully passed the TDM and is looking forward to working with members of AIMGA to do the same.
Deniz is a dedicated researcher with a strong commitment to the greater good. Her passion lies in organizing, analyzing, and visualizing data to mobilize knowledge in clear, concise ways. Driven by a love for investigation, equity, and life-long learning, Deniz has international experience across non-profit, public, academic, and private sectors, providing a broad perspective on various issues.
Before joining AIMGA, Deniz led social research projects and evaluated non-profit programming, with specific expertise in immigration, diversity & inclusion, and mental health. Deniz earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Economics from the University of Calgary and holds a certificate from the Max Bell Public Policy Training Institute (PPTI) since 2016.
Ugo enjoys working with people and communities to help overcome health challenges. He comfortably navigates community needs and aligns these to strategic health goals. Ugo is a dedicated health professional with a strong track record in global health management. His expertise spans surveillance, outbreak response, community engagement, health promotion, design, implementation, and evaluation of health intervention projects. As a trained field epidemiologist, he has utilized quantitative and qualitative methods to conduct surveys aimed at generating evidence for health decision-making. He is also skilled at consensus building working with various stakeholders in healthcare to achieve improved health outcomes for communities. He is passionate about humanitarian service and volunteers with the Canadian Red cross in his spare time. He has successfully completed AIMGA’s Patient Navi8gator Program and is looking forward to working with the PHAC Vaccine Navigator Team as a Coordinator.
Sarbast moved to Calgary to pursue his education at Mount Royal University, where he is currently finishing his undergraduate degree in Sociology, with a double minor in Accounting, and Psychology. Prior to moving to Calgary, Sarbast was living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he immigrated to from the Middle East. In his spare time, Sarbast enjoys learning and reading about Ancient Civilizations, going out to the mountains to hike, and spending time with his friends. Sarbast loves to spend time at home with his dog and cat, Oliver and Talullah. Sarbast joins AIMGA as the Mentorship Coordinator and is looking forward to connecting with the members of AIMGA and providing mentorship opportunities.
Drew Bowman, joins AIMGA on a full-time basis as Research and Evaluation and Community Engagement Coordinator. Drew recently moved to Calgary from her hometown of Wheatley, Ontario, where she previously worked for St. Clair Catholic District School Board as their Health Promotion Officer. Drew attended Western University in London, Ontario, for both her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences and her master’s degree in Health Geography. In her spare time, Drew loves being outdoors in nature either hiking in the mountains or bird watching. Drew is very excited to begin her work with AIMGA to create a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of newcomers to Alberta, and to help build capacity, knowledge, and access to future careers for members through AIMGA’s research and evaluation activities.
Joyce is a graphic designer and an advertiser with a degree in Visual Communications from Alberta University of the Arts based in Calgary, Alberta. She loves brainstorming different concepts, developing brand identities and has volunteered at many different senior homes and companies. She also hosted fundraising events such as Development and Peace for Haiti and the Coldest Night of the Year. She has experience in video editing, motion graphics and website design. Joyce is the Co-Founder of a Made in Alberta, Runner-up beverage company called Parch and Chief Design Officer at JYN Design Studio. Outside of work, Joyce loves drawing, travelling, and is passionate about music. She is interested to learn more about the pathways to healthcare and is excited to apply her design techniques at AIMGA.
Jennifer is passionate about healthcare with a background in Nutrition, as well as being a nursing student with experience working in various medical settings. Working in various aspects of the healthcare system both within large organizations and paramedical spaces has allowed her to see the importance of health and wellbeing to newcomers, and emphasize the importance of support during the transition to Alberta and beyond. Balancing her academic goals with a continued commitment to excellence in healthcare, Jennifer is focused on continuing to support others in the journey to integrate into the Canadian healthcare system as AIMGA’s Career Transition Program Coordinator. Beyond her professional endeavours, she is a proud mom, an avid dog lover, and enjoys spending time exploring the city with her family.
Victor is a RPR Certified recruitment professional with extensive experience in full lifecycle recruiting across corporate and agency settings, sourcing for various technical/non-technical roles in healthcare, IT, and other industries. Victor had the privilege of working with international students and professionals to settle in Canada providing job opportunities, career advice, training and development, and mentorship. Having relocated to Canada from his home country, Victor is passionate about helping international professionals settle easily and find their dream jobs. Victor currently volunteers with various employment programs offering one-on-one coaching, resume reviews, and job opportunities to internationally experienced professionals immigrating to Canada. Victor holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Business Information systems from the U.K. He is excited to bring his skills and experience to support IMGs, providing support and guidance towards their career goals. In his spare time, Victor loves to watch soccer games and is a huge Arsenal fan.
Roman Sorokin will be joining our Program Administrator team at AIMGA! Roman is a 2021 graduate from the University of British Columbia, where he majored in international relations and minored in economics. During his studies, he loved learning about the history, culture, and languages of other countries. He feels his studies and interests will help him in building connections with AIMGA’s members and community partners. He has also had professional experience working in various fields including the government, non-profit, administrative, and client service sectors. This experience included working as a Taxpayer Services Agent at the Canada Revenue Agency, Community Relations Coordinator at the Northern Hills Community Association, Application Assistant at BC Housing, and Office Coordinator at the Adaptive Sailing Association of BC. He looks forward to using this combination of experience and education to help IMGs settle and find their dream jobs in Canada. When he is not working, he enjoys composing music and playing and watching hockey, being a huge Calgary Flames fan!
Shola Adelakun is a Human Resources Professional with extensive experience in the health and wellness industry and in managing employee lifecycle, strategic planning, change management and implementing programs designed to achieve strategic business and operational goals. She enjoys working in the non-profit sector mainly because of her passion for advancing humanitarian causes that drive social change and that lead to significant and measurable socioeconomic impact.
Shola is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources candidate with CPHR Alberta and holds an MBA with a specialization in Human Resources Management from the University of Sunderland, United Kingdom. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Counselling Psychology.
She is excited to bring her skills and experience to support IMGS to achieve outstanding success in their short and long term goals. In her spare time, Shola enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and photography.
Teresa Lau is a human resource professional with extensive experience in recruitment and selection, training and development, and employee relations. She had the privilege to work with foreign workers and assisted them in renewing work permits and obtaining permanent residency. She has also worked as a coordinator for various government and non-profit agencies.
Teresa is a Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Alberta Candidate and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a Concentration in Ethnicity, Immigration and Multiculturalism as well as a Human Resources Management Certificate from the University of Calgary. She is currently pursuing her Master’s of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. Through her experience and education, she strives to give others the tools they need to be successful in their lives.
Rossalia Videlova has a comprehensive academic and practical background ranging from applied linguistics and research in Second Language Acquisition to program and curriculum development, project planning, coordination and evaluation. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Bulgarian Philology from the University of Plovdiv in Bulgaria and a Masters of Education in TESL degree from the University of Calgary. Rossalia is an Alberta Learning and ATESL certified educator with more than 21 years of progressively evolving experience in Canada throughout which she has been utilizing her cultivated abilities to cope with ethnically, culturally and socially diverse educational audiences facilitating all aspects of their success and motivating others to develop their full potential. For eight of these years, Rossalia has devoted her expertise to AIMGA while playing a key role in the design, coordination and administration of all educational activities aimed at providing relevant support to the unique needs of IMGs. She has a proven record of making a positive change in the professional integration of many AIMGA’s members and considers it to be her greatest and most rewarding professional quest.
Milton’s career has been a rewarding journey, and he is excited to take on new challenges. With expertise developed over his years working in the Settlement and Integration sector in executive, advisory, and senior management positions, Milton has applied his diverse leadership experiences to advise local nonprofits on governance, management, and funding strategies. In addition, he has facilitated strategic collaboration between nonprofits, funding partners, and higher education institutions to effect positive community change.
Milton is an active leader in the community and often serves as an advisor and mentor to other professionals in the sector. He is an active volunteer who has served on several local and national Boards. His tireless work in the nonprofit sector led him to becoming one of the recipients of the 2023 Government of Alberta’s Newcomer Champion Awards.
Milton received his MPA from Portland State University, was trained in Program Evaluation from the American Evaluation Association, completed Leadership Training from Cornell University and is a Chartered Manager by the Canadian Institute of Management.
Deidre’s career started with teaching. From there, she specialized in performance-based, competency-based assessment tools related to language, communication, and workplace integration. She’s managed various programs and initiatives for non-profit organizations and large institutions. She’s been a member of various provincial and national advisory committees. From management, she moved into the areas of curriculum design and research. She’s led several research studies related to language assessment and a longitudinal study on International Medical Graduates in Canada. Deidre has been working with International Medical Graduates since 2004 and brings with her a wealth of knowledge, experience, and ideas. She has a proven track record in the development of innovative, high quality, outcome driven, online and face-to-face training programs, including the highly successful MCAP program for IMGs in Alberta. She is enthusiastic and driven to continue to lead, develop, and implement quality educational programs. She is committed to excellence and passionate about IMG education, workplace training, e-learning initiatives, and the evolution of technology in the areas of education and healthcare.
Basma is the Director of Corporate Training at Veritas Solutions. Her background in training and development and Organizational Psychology allows Basma to develop and provide impactful trainings relevant to industries throughout North America. Prior to this role, Basma was a Career Advisor and Facilitator at AIMGA. She supports AIMGA when our advising team needs support such as during the CaRMS residency interview period.
Basma believes that ongoing learning and education is necessary for reformative change in the workplace. She firmly believes in fostering workplace climates that are inclusive, respectful and reflect civility which in turn minimize human resources risks. Basma’s primary goal in all trainings is to foster education and growth as well as psychological safety for all attendees. She believes having difficult and challenging conversations in a respectful, safe and open manner is the key to bringing reformative change. Basma has a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, a former trainer and expertise in IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility) trainings and concepts, she specializes in leadership development and has been formally trained in workplace investigations.
Kate Maguire was born in Edmonton, Alberta and has lived in Victoria, Vancouver, London Ontario and Chicago. Kate graduated from University of Victoria with a BA in Psychology and then went on to UBC to do a Professional Teaching Certificate. Following this, Kate completed her Post Graduate Diploma in teaching English at the University of Calgary. Kate has worked continuously throughout her career in Adult Education, teaching English to International Students in Academic programs. These included University of Alberta, Fanshawe College in Ontario, Kendall College (now National Louis University) in Chicago and International House at the University of Chicago. Currently, Kate is working as a facilitator for Prospect Human Services, a not-for-profit organization in Calgary that helps Albertans who have barriers to employment. Kate strongly values diversity and inclusion bringing an open mind and flexibility when facilitating classes. She has delivered workshops on many topics including Conflict Resolution, Communication for Professionals, Resiliency and Adaptation and Language Components. Kate is very happy to be a part of AIMGA’s Medical Communication Assessment Program where she can engage with members, learn from their experiences, and help them prepare for their future positions as physicians in Canada. In her free time she loves travel, yoga, coffee, and running.
Rachel has an MA in Applied Linguistics (TESL) from Brock University and a BSc. in Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology from the University of Toronto. With a strong foundation in both science and language, she has taught in diverse contexts abroad and in Canadian universities. Her academic research has included the assessment of current textbook materials used to prepare internationally educated nurses and doctors to work in English-speaking countries. Rachel is dedicated to helping individuals increase their English language proficiency to facilitate their successful integration into the Canadian healthcare system.
Anne Babineau helps scientists, researchers, and health professionals elevate their work with clear and compelling communication. Anne comes to AIMGA after a long career in the health and social services system. As an executive, Anne developed and implemented advertising, communications, stakeholder and government relations strategies and programs.
She is passionate about innovation in Canada’s health system. Through the Canadian College of Health Leaders, Anne earned the Certified Health Executive designation. She also achieved a Fellowship Certificate in Health System Improvement at the University of Alberta.
Anne shared her leadership skills as a volunteer Board Member for CNIB Alberta and participated on several advisory committees of life-science research organizations and professional development networks.
I am a global nomad, a dreamer, a curious cat, an addicted traveler and a failing guitarist. What gets my engines racing is collaborating with innovators and entrepreneurs who are reimagining their domains and inspiring others to build a better future for all.
After leaving Mumbai, India in 1998, I pursued a career in Big Bang physics at Wayne State University, Michigan followed by clinical Neurosciences to explore the mysteries of the brain at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Moving social experiences while interacting with patients during this period shifted my mindset to pursue an MBA in healthcare design & management at the Schulich School of Business at York University, Canada leading to management roles where I am able to tangibly influence projects that have meaningful social impact. I enjoy coaching and facilitating quality improvement and design thinking courses during my spare time through IDEO U, an influential design company and have been doing so for the past 2 years.
I have been a resident of Calgary, Alberta for the past 9 years working for Alberta Health Services in a variety of roles ranging from patient experience, clinical quality improvement and design director working on several projects to provide safe, timely, effective, equitable, efficient and patient-centered care. I am especially proud of the work done in collaboration with primary care physicians and community supports such as AIMGA in addressing equitable access to mass vaccinations for the most vulnerable population in our city through our grant funded initiative CORIGQI
Outside of work, I try to get to the mountains for a few hikes in the summer, still contemplating taking up skiing to survive the winters and I am always up for a beer and a conversation.
Clementine Crooks has her Masters in Leadership with a specialization in Health Care and is CPHR certified. For almost fifteen years Clementine has worked with organizations to improve efficiencies and maximize profitability by developing their people processes. This work has included the development of policies and procedures, performance management processes, executive coaching, recruitment, and employee documentation.
Clementine has worked with professionals across Canada to support their career transition processes where she works in a one-on-one capacity to enhance their chances of getting hired.
Nadia Perveen is an international medical graduate from Pakistan with over 5 years of experience in family medicine, emergency medicine and obstetrics and gynecology . she completed her one year rotatory internship as part of her medical school in various disciplines like General Medicine ,Emergency Medecine,General surgery, anaesthesia. After completing one year of internship did FCPS-1 in obstetrics and gynecology(hold first merit order in whole district for residency) .she was a devoted resident of ob/gyn, during residency she served marginalized and under privileged population and made commitment herself to work incessantly to address the health issues of deprived community. She loves to do community work, worked as a first responder for 2005 earthquake, polio campaign and flood victims in Pakistan. Currently working as telemedicine physician to serve rural areas of Pakistan. Teaching is her passion ,did volunteer moderatorship for qe1 study group at AIMGA. Now a days working as a study group coordinator.
Nadia is an international medical graduate who aims to serve the ailing humanity and make positive contribution towards mental and physical health of the community. She practised in the fields of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and served in various roles to foster the health of her community . She aspires to not only help the body heal but wants to address the mental well-being and health of the patients she serves as well. Nadia has extensively helped individuals with mental disorders and has successfully been able to maximize their assimilation into the workforce of the nation. Nadia graduated from Dow University of Health Sciences and is a member of AIMGA. She is eager to explore careers within the healthcare sector in Canada and wishes to be a resourceful healthcare professional to her community.
Dr. Annalee Coakley, MD CCFP DTM&H is a graduate of Queen’s University where she completed both her medical training and family medicine residency. She worked in rural settings across Canada before moving to London in 2009 where she completed her Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene at the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Once she completed her training, she settled in Calgary where she started to work at the Calgary Refugee Health Program in order to maintain her skills in tropical medicine. However, once she started working with refugees, she became a passionate advocate for their health and wellbeing.
In 2012, Dr. Coakley became the Medical Director of the Calgary Refugee Health Program where she was immediately confronted by the challenge presented by the Federal Government’s decision to cut the Interim Federal Health Program, which provides coverage for health services and essential medications for newly arrived refugees. She worked with many stakeholders within Alberta, including provincial agencies, to minimize the impact of the cuts on Calgary’s most vulnerable newcomers. Since the reversal of the cuts in 2015 following the last election, she has been working with her team at the Refugee Clinic to help meet the health needs of the influx of Syrian refugees and most recently, the victims of Daesh. Her hope is to one day work herself out of job once the mainstream health system is able to meet the needs of our most vulnerable newcomers.
Favorite food: ice cream.