Topic Tag: sonia@aimga.ca

Edna Ramirez Cerino is an International Medical Graduate and Software Assistant from Mexico. After becoming a General Practitioner, she worked as a Clinic Manager and Physician in rural Mexico where she enhanced her skills in Community Health and Preventive Medicine. After immigrating to Canada, she became a member of AIMGA, later taking the Career Transition Program and obtaining a position of Clinical Coordinator in Fertility Medicine.

Edna’s interest in preventative medicine led her back to AIMGA at the onset of the pandemic when she joined the COVID-19 Response Team as a volunteer. She was later hired as AIMGA’s Health and Wellness Team Coordinator. Edna was recognized for her contributions to patient education, advocacy, and research and recommended for one of two positions to become a Community Scholar with the University of Calgary and to join the PaCER program with the Refugee Health YYC team. Since then, Edna has continued to be engaged in multiple activities to support health outcomes of ethno-cultural populations in Alberta and Canada.

With a passion to serve newcomers, Edna is excited to start her new role as Coordinator for the Career Transition and Patient Navigator Programs and support fellow IMGs in their career pathways

Lovejeet is an International Medical Graduate who is currently completing his residency training in Diagnostic and Clinical Pathology at the University of Alberta. He was born in Montreal and also lived in the Northwest Territories prior to his family settling in the Edmonton region.

Lovejeet has always had a strong desire to assist those in need and give back to his community. Over the years he has volunteered his time with a number of organizations including The Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada and the Center for Public Legal Education.

Prior to leaving Canada for his medical studies, Lovejeet attended the University of Alberta (2004) for his Bachelor of Arts in (Economics and Psychology) and obtained his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Western Ontario (2007).

Yulian graduated from the University of Alberta and began his career in public accounting in 2007. After obtaining his Chartered Accountant designation in 2009, he spent several years in industry before returning to public practice in 2012.

Yulian has acquired thorough experience in all areas of public accounting, including assurance, corporate and personal taxation. The vast amount of diverse industries he has been exposed to over the course of his career include technology, manufacturing, municipal, not-for-profit and construction. He enjoys helping his clients navigate through complex accounting and tax issues and providing them with clear and effective recommendations.

Outside of the office, Yulian enjoys spending quality time with his two young children and recreationally playing hockey and soccer.

Kate graduated from the University of Victoria with a BA in Human and Social Development and later completed a Professional Teaching Certificate at the University of British Columbia. She then earned a postgraduate diploma in teaching English from the University of Calgary. Throughout her career, Kate has worked extensively in adult education, teaching English to international students in academic programs. She has taught at institutions such as the University of Alberta, Fanshawe College in Ontario, Kendall College in Chicago, and International House at the University of Chicago.

In addition, Kate worked as a facilitator for Prospect Human Services in Calgary for almost six years, where she taught skills for success, helping individuals overcome barriers to employment.

Kate has facilitated the MCAP course for AIMGA and is now very happy to be serving as a Career Advisor. She strongly values diversity and inclusion, bringing an open mind and flexibility to her work. Kate has delivered workshops on a range of topics, including conflict resolution, communication for professionals, and resilience and adaptability. In her role at AIMGA, she looks forward to supporting IMGs with their career decisions.

In her free time, Kate enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, running, and good coffee.

Sonia Shah is a dedicated and compassionate medical professional with a strong foundation in clinical practice. Originally from Pakistan, she earned her MBBS degree and completed her house job, gaining valuable experience in medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, and gynecology. Sonia’s career progressed as she served as a District Medical Officer in Abbottabad before relocating to Canada in 2021. She worked as a Clinical Trial Assistant in Barrie, Ontario, and after moving to Edmonton, Alberta, she currently volunteers at a medical clinic under the guidance of a family physician. Sonia is eager to join an organization that supports her professional growth and development in the medical field. Outside of her professional pursuits, Soniaenjoys cooking and exploring new destinations with her husband. She is fluent in English, Urdu, and Pashto, allowing her to connect with diverse communities. Sonia looks forward to utilizing her medical expertise, cultural adaptability, and passion for learning in her part-time role as study group coordinator at AIMGA.

Carolyn Petersen currently lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She has undergraduate degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from Minot State University and Human Justice from the University of Regina. She is currently pursuing her Master of Education – Specialist degree in Adult, Community and Higher Education at the University of Calgary. Carolyn is a certified TESL educator with many years of experience teaching English to adult learners in academic, settlement and business settings. She has also worked as an intercultural competency facilitator over the past 10 years.

Carolyn worked with IMGs in Saskatchewan for several years and was involved in physician and nursing recruitment for the province. She really enjoys supporting IMGs to continue their careers in Canada and contribute to the healthcare system.

Motunde Oke is a dedicated health professional with a strong passion for promoting the health and well-being of people, animals, and the environment. Her journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to health, safety, and holistic care, which fuels my enthusiasm for working with international medical graduates (IMGs) who are striving to overcome the unique challenges of integrating into the Canadian healthcare system.

She holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, as well as a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA. In addition, she earned an MBA from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. With these degrees, she brings a diverse and interdisciplinary perspective to the healthcare field, ensuring a broad understanding of both human and animal health, public health policies, and organizational management.

Having faced similar challenges in obtaining professional licensure in Canada, she understands the complexities and obstacles IMGs encounter on their path to professional success. Her personal experience motivates her to use her skills and knowledge to support others in navigating these hurdles, helping them to achieve their goals within the Canadian healthcare system.

She is passionate about making a positive impact through mentorship, professional development, and collaboration, with a focus on improving public health outcomes and fostering a more integrated approach to health and wellness. During her leisure time, she loves to hike and explore nature around.

Dr. Albert Roland Alcaraz MD DPPS obtained his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Santo Tomas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Manila, Philippines. He then completed his post graduate internship and pediatrics residency training at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital which is one of the largest government hospitals in the country. He practiced out-patient pediatrics, worked in various corporate settings (safety surveillance physician and regional medical manager for multinational pharmaceutical companies) and became a part time instructor for a medical school. One of his proudest achievements was presenting his research about clinical profile and outcome of children with viral encephalitis in the Netherlands during the ICNC 2016. He even met the doctors who were able to diagnose and treat the first cases of Zika virus. He initially moved to Edmonton, Alberta to pursue further training in a pediatric subspecialty however life had other plans for him. While still very much passionate about pediatrics, he sought to work with an organization that enables career and personal growth while helping others succeed in their goals.
Outside of work, he is an excellent tennis player who one day dreams of meeting/playing with Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova, loves to read books especially biographies and LGBTQIA+ stories, enjoys listening to music mostly artists in the 1990s-2000s era (Taylor Swift, an exception), learning how to cook and loves to travel.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Since joining SAIT as an English language instructor in 2015, Gifty has worked in different roles to support the design and implementation of workplace culture training to help professional immigrants join the Canadian workforce in their fields. She has worked in various roles as instructor, curriculum specialist, subject-matter expert, and most recently, academic chair of the English Language Foundations program here at SAIT. Gifty’s passion is in designing and supporting programming that enable new immigrants meet English proficiency requirements, learn workplace skills, and thrive in the Canadian workplace.

She has supported various post-secondary institutions to create more equitable and inclusive pathways for English proficiency requirements. As an AIMGA board member, Gifty will leverage her expertise in English language proficiency requirements and program pathways to support and advocate for internationally trained medical graduates in Alberta.

Gifty holds a PhD in Curriculum and Education from the University of Alberta. Her PhD research focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in post-secondary curriculum and instruction.

David Kay is Principal Consultant with David Kay and Associates, a health care management consultancy focusing on project management and regulatory performance. He has a diverse leadership background in a variety of sectors including professional regulators and healthcare.

David has held senior roles with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). For 19 years, David was the Executive Director for RPAP | Health Workforce for Alberta, a rural health workforce agency.

He is a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL), the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC), and a past board member of the Canadian Association of Staff Physician Recruiters (CAPSR), CCHL and the Canadian Network of Agencies for Regulation (CNAR). David is currently a member of several committees of the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR).

Dr. Mitra Arjang was completed her medical education and postgraduate training in General Surgery at Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. She practiced Medicine and General surgery in Iran before moving to Canada.

She first landed in Toronto, and while working as a research associate, passed several exams and obtained the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada. She moved to Calgary to start a new chapter of her life as a Clinical and Surgical Assistant in 2013 with Alberta Health Services.

Her passion for learning motivated her to embark on another chapter in her career as she pursued residency training in Family Medicine at the University of Calgary and graduated in 2022.

Now, she has her community practice, as well as an academic position at the University of Calgary, but never forgets her long journey and the challenges she faced as an International Doctor in Canada. She is ready to support other IMGs in their path to join the health care team in Canada and looks forward to continuing to serve as a Board Member of AIMGA.

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.

AIMGA is currently accepting applications to fill the Board Member positions.

Board members will ideally have experience or knowledge in one or more of the following areas: Board Governance, Financial Management & Resources, Fund Raising, Program Development, Related Organizations, Public Relations/Communications, Community, Advocacy, Not-for-Profit, Law, Human Resources, and the Alberta healthcare system.

To apply, please complete the Board Member Application Form (fillable PDF that you can download and save) and submit it along with your CV and Letter of Intent to Deidre Lake, Executive Director, at deidre@aimga.ca.

Download Application Form