Meet our Staff

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.

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.

Pamela has a doctorate in Adult Leadership and a master’s degree in teaching English as an additional language. For seventeen years Pam worked within post-secondary education first as an instructor and then in various management roles. As an instructor she has worked with newcomers to Canada at all levels of language proficiency and developed curriculum for domestic, international, and corporate programs. As a manager, Pam oversaw the development and expansion of services related to student experience and campus life.

Pam has extensive experience developing and delivering bridging programs to internationally educated professions transitioning into the fields of education, business, IT, health care, and engineering. As a certified Intercultural Facilitator, Pam has delivered presentations workshops and training sessions on equity, diversity, and inclusion. This includes coordinating the development of an equity framework for policy and research and development of a campus life framework.

Kathleen began working with IMGs over 15 years. She got to know many AIMGA Members through advising them on their professional documents, and has facilitated CaRMS Preparation, Synchronistic MCAP Online, and the RTT section of the PNP course for AIMGA as well as offering workshops in Personal Statement Writing, IELTS and OET preparation. She has been certified as a CLBA and IELTS Assessor and OET Preparation Provider.

Coaching for Growth and Change Management are among her many post-graduate training certificates. Other relevant training includes Essential Skills in the Workspace and Essential Skills in the Classroom Certification and Essential Skills Profiler Training, making her readily able to identify essential and transferrable skills to assist AIMGA members seeking employment in healthcare.

Kathleen has overseen program curriculum development at post-secondary schools and has served as Project Manager and Curriculum Developer for highly successful provincial, national, and international ITPs (Internationally Trained Professionals) and Health-care specific projects--all of which had mentorship and practicum components.

She is looking forward to connecting AIMGA members to one another, licensed professionals, potential employers, workplaces, and clinics

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.

Nadia Perveen has over 5 years of experience in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. After completing one year of internship, she obtained FCPS-1 in obstetrics and gynecology (with first merit order). She was a devoted OBGYN resident, serving marginalized and under privileged populations. She loves community work and has worked as a first responder for the 2005 earthquake, polio campaigns, and flood victims in Pakistan. Currently, she works as a telemedicine physician serving rural areas of Pakistan and AIMGA’s study group coordinator.

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.

Having a background as a medical graduate, Nashit Chowdhury is currently focused on working in the area of health and wellness research and community engagement. He has 2 years of experience in public health research where he worked primarily with the diverse immigrant population of Canada. Nashit is highly motivated to contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic, physical and emotional wellbeing of immigrants; particularly, International Medical Graduates (IMGs). He enjoys engaging with people, listening to their ideas and thoughts, and learning from their experiences. In his leisure time, he enjoys spending time with family, hanging out with friends, exploring nature, and helping people. He is very excited to work for AIMGA where he can contribute his knowledge and experience to facilitate the professional integration of his fellow IMGs.

Tisha Raj comes with an extensive background of event planning, workshop facilitation, volunteer management, project and communication management for various not for profits. A 2015 graduate from MacEwan University in sociology specializing in youth and family diversity and a minor in political science, she successfully has worked and traveled to places such as Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Guayaquil, Ecuador and Holguin, Cuba learning the different challenges that each community faces when it comes to the health and wellbeing of its citizens. She has a deep learning for sustainability and conservation and loves to rejuvenate during her travels around the globe and across Canada. Tisha will be helping spread the word about IMGs in the Edmonton community, making connections, and exploring alternative pathways into healthcare.

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.

Roman Sorokin is our Advisor at AIMGA! He 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!

Mary Anne Steiner was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland. She graduated from the Medical Office Administration Program at College of the North Atlantic in 2014. After graduating from the program, she decided to pursue a career in the Oil and Gas industry. She worked for an Offshore Recruiting company and their sister company for 5 years where she started off as a receptionist, then moved to doing accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and lastly as their Human Resources Coordinator which is what brought her to the Northwest Territories. She worked with AIMGA previously while she was living in Calgary in 2018. She also worked with Alberta Health Services in 2021/2022 in Grande Prairie as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Medical Affairs for Rural Alberta. She now currently lives in Yellowknife, NWT with her family where she enjoys everything the Territories has to offer such as kayaking, hiking, the midnight sun, and the northern lights. She has a position with the Government of the Northwest Territories at the Stanton Territorial Hospital. Outside of this role, she supports AIMGA in the evenings and is very excited to make the return to the AIMGA team.

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.

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.

A long-time volunteer for IMG career readiness programs, Anne supported the transition of IMGs into the Canadian workforce through her insights on interviewing, career search and communication skills. She is pleased to bring her experiences to AIMGA’s Career Transition Program.

Basma has a passion to connect with individuals whom she can be resourceful to in any way. She has extensive experience in counselling youth, children and adults in various different areas such as; parenting strategies, career permanency, mental illness, interpersonal relationships, so on and so forth. Basma specializes in industrial/organizational Psychology and has vast knowledge in the following areas; employee motivation, morale, leadership, productivity and general organizational consulting. Basma enjoys working with IMGs in exploring alternative career pathways in healthcare.