Medical Management Team
Dr. Richdeep Gill - AOC South Medical Director
Dr. Richdeep Gill - AOC South Medical Director
Dr. Richdeep Gill - AOC South Medical Director
Dr. Gill completed both his medical degree and General Surgery residency at the University of Alberta. During his residency Dr. GIll pursued his research interests in surgical frontiers and was awarded a PhD in Experimental Surgery. He went on to complete subspecialty training in Bariatric Surgery before joining the Calgary Adult Bariatric Surgery Clinic.
Dr. Gill holds an academic appointment at the University of Calgary. Dr. Gill's surgical career focuses on the improvement of obesity related co-morbidities and optimizing outcomes for bariatric patients.
Dr. Gill has been a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine since 2021.
Dr. Joseph Solomon - AOC Medical Director
Dr. Richdeep Gill - AOC South Medical Director
Dr. Richdeep Gill - AOC South Medical Director
Dr. Solomon completed his medical school training at the University of Calgary. Following this he pursued a residency program in family medicine also at the University of Calgary.
He has a range of research in the area of surgical oncology and cell biology, and holds an academic appointment with the University of Calgary where he teaches medical residents at the Cumming School of Medicine.
Dr. Solomon has a passion for health, fitness, and weight management which he integrates into his primary care practice and at The Alberta Obesity Centre.
Dr. Solomon has been a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine since 2021.
Dr. Sabrina Kwon - AOC North Medical Director
Dr. Richdeep Gill - AOC South Medical Director
Dr. Sabrina Kwon - AOC North Medical Director
Dr. Kwon completed her medical school at the University of Western Ontario and her family medicine residency at the University of Alberta. She has worked in obesity medicine since 2012 supporting patients with evidence-based medical and surgical treatment options, providing clinical teaching for medical learners, presenting programs to increase awareness of obesity as a chronic disease amongst fellow physicians and allied health clinicians and working in the OR as a surgical assist for bariatric surgeries.
Making a positive difference in the lives of others, performing music, travelling, learning languages, thinking about possibilities and innovation and spending time with her friends, family and pets are what bring her joy.
Dr. Kwon has been a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine since 2015.
Dr. Ian Rigby
Dr. Gabriel Marcil
Dr. Sabrina Kwon - AOC North Medical Director
Dr. Rigby is an Emergency Physician at the Foothills Hospital and the Peter Lougheed hospital in Calgary. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Calgary with a developing interest in obesity medicine.
He obtained his MD at the University of Calgary and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Queens University. He subsequently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education from the University of Dundee, Scotland dovetailing with his academic interest in medical education.
Dr. Rigby has developed curriculum and taught at the University of Calgary's undergraduate medical program.
Dr. Rigby has been a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine since 2022.
Dr. Gabriel Marcil
Dr. Gabriel Marcil
Dr. Gabriel Marcil
Dr. Marcil is a general surgeon with specialty training in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery. He currently practices at the Red Deer Regional Hospital in Red Deer, Alberta.
He graduated from McGill University’s medical school in 2015 and went on to complete his general surgery residency at the University of Calgary in 2020. After residency, he obtained his bariatric surgery fellowship at the University of Alberta. He then became certified with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in 2021. Dr. Marcil previously obtained a law degree with focus on biotechnologies and pharmaceutics from the University of Sherbrooke.
Dr. Marcil has published numerous obesity related peer-reviewed articles and frequently presents research at international meetings with his colleagues from the University of Alberta and University of Calgary.
He recently obtained his certification as an American Board of Obesity Medicine diplomate.
Dr. Chris Dockx
Dr. Gabriel Marcil
Dr. Gabriel Marcil
Dr. Dockx completed his BSc in life sciences at McMaster University before obtaining his medical degree from the University of Limerick in Ireland. Following his studies abroad, he completed his residency training in family medicine at Dalhousie University.
Dr. Dockx worked as a family physician in Prince Edward Island before accepting an opportunity in Edmonton to focus his medical practice in obesity medicine.
He has been a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine since 2020.
Behavioural Medicine Team
Dr. Holly Sidhu
Dr. Jordan Vollrath
Dr. Jordan Vollrath
Dr. Sidhu completed her medical school training at the University of Calgary. She then ventured to Eastern Canada to complete her residency in family medicine at Memorial University in Newfoundland, where she became certified in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).
She has also completed extra training in psychiatry and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which she utilizes when supporting her patients at The Alberta Obesity Centre.
She recently obtained her certification as an American Board of Obesity Medicine diplomate
Her passions include cooking, dancing, and yoga. She tries to live a health conscious life and help her patients do the same.
Dr. Jordan Vollrath
Dr. Jordan Vollrath
Dr. Jordan Vollrath
Dr. Vollrath completed his medical school at the University of Alberta in Edmonton before going on to finish his Family Medicine residency at the University of Calgary.
He has worked in a wide variety of both urban and rural clinical settings including ER and hospital based medicine. He is a co-founder of Cherry Health a Canadian technologies company. In 2020, he was awarded the Joule Physician Innovation prize by the Canadian Medical Association. He has a passion for mental health and its relationship with weight outcomes.
In his spare time, he enjoys being active and outdoors - skiing, camping, mountain biking and spending time with his French bulldog.
Dr. Griselle Leon
Dr. Jordan Vollrath
Dr. Griselle Leon
Dr. Leon completed a Bachelor's degree in Physiology and Nutrition at the University of British Columbia and her medical training at the University of Calgary, including medical school and family medicine residency. She obtained her certification as an American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) diplomate in 2020 and has incorporated weight management into her family practice since.
She has also completed additional courses in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is passionate about helping patients identify and overcome barriers to work towards their health and wellness goals.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Leon enjoys travelling, cooking and is a fitness enthusiast; she enjoys all sorts of activities including hiking, yoga, barre, dance, skiing, biking and playing tennis
Dr. Onome Ogona
Dr. Ainna Randhawa
Dr. Griselle Leon
Dr. Ogona completed her medical training in the United Kingdom and has been practicing as a family physician since 2013.
She has a special interest in mental health and is a life and weight loss coach.
She uses a combination of psychotherapy and coaching to support her patients in their weight management journey.
In her spare time, she enjoys walks, travelling and reading a good book.
Dr. Ainna Randhawa
Dr. Ainna Randhawa
Dr. Ainna Randhawa
Dr. Randhawa completed her medical training and residency in Family Medicine at the University of Calgary.
She uses a multidisciplinary approach - with novel psychological and physiological tools- to help patients achieve sustainable weight loss and improve their overall health.
She understands that excess weight can have a significant impact on mental health and self-esteem and she works closely with her patients to help them overcome these challenges.
In her spare time she enjoys travelling and playing with her little niece and nephew.
Dr. Sara Axford
Dr. Ainna Randhawa
Dr. Ainna Randhawa
Dr. Axford completed medical school in Grenada and completed her family medicine residency at Western University in Ontario and is CCFP certified.
She is a family physician with additional training in Addictions Medicine who primarily works in Edmonton's inner city, serving our marginalized community.
Dr. Axford is a previous National Group Champion and Canadian National Team member in Rhythmic Gymnastics.
She is dedicated to assisting her patients achieve their health and fitness goals.
Dr. Sandy Ly
Dr. Sholeh Dezfuli
Dr. Sholeh Dezfuli
Dr. Ly completed both her medical degree and Family Medicine Residency at the University of
Calgary. She currently practices both family medicine and Rural Emergency medicine at various locations around Southern Alberta.
Her family medicine practice is geared towards Women’s Health, and addressing social determinants of health, as they greatly impact health outcomes.
She is dedicated to work with patients to achieve their weight management and wellness goals
through a holistic approach to wellness.
In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, skating, snowboarding, and spending time with her
family and friends.
Dr. Sholeh Dezfuli
Dr. Sholeh Dezfuli
Dr. Sholeh Dezfuli
Dr Dezfuli is a family physician with a passion in Obesity Medicine and helping patients gain their goals through science based approach.
She obtained her medical degree in Iran at Tehran University and completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
She is CCFP accredited and is a diplomat of American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM).
She also has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy and holds accreditation from the Medical Psychotherapy Association of Canada (MDPAC).
Dr. Srgun Sidhu
Dr. Sholeh Dezfuli
Dr. Srgun Sidhu
Dr. Sidhu (she/her) studied Psychology and Sociology at the University of Alberta prior to completing medical school at the University of Calgary. She then completed her Family Medicine training at the University of Alberta, with a special interest in mental health as well as transgender medicine.
She has experience working with patients known with anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, substance misuse and disordered eating. Patient centered, culturally competent care is a foundational component of her care. She employs techniques of cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, trauma-informed therapy and humanistic therapy in her practice.
In her spare time, she is an avid traveller, yogi and Netflix subscriber.
Psychology Team
Dr. Alana Ireland
Dr. Ireland is a psychologist practicing in Calgary, and an Assistant Professor of psychology. She graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Calgary, and has been an active therapist, university instructor, and researcher since. Dr. Ireland’s research and practice has focused on the spectrum of weight-related issues including obesity, weight bias, body image dissatisfaction, and eating disorders.
Dr. Ireland is passionate about mental health as well as promoting health, confidence, and comfort in our bodies.
Nutrition Team
Dr. Michael Yosefi
Dr. Makela Nkemdirim
Dr. Michael Yosefi
Dr. Michael Yosefi completed his BSc in Molecular Biology in 2012 from York University in Toronto, and his Doctorate of Medicine (MD) in 2016 from the University of Calgary. This was followed by residency training in Family Medicine at the University of Calgary and in 2018, he became certified in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).
He has a passion for nutritional science and fitness. When he’s not tending to his patients, Michael enjoys spending time outside in the Canadian Rockies by ways of running, scrambling, climbing, and cycling.
Dr. Keshav Sharma
Dr. Makela Nkemdirim
Dr. Michael Yosefi
Dr. Sharma is a graduate of the University of Alberta Medical School and completed his Rural Family medicine Residency training in Southern Alberta through the University of Calgary. He initially practiced as a locum physician in Rural Alberta and in the Northwest Territories before settling down in Calgary, tailoring his practice towards nutrition weight management and bariatric medicine.
He recently obtained his certification as an American Board of Obesity Medicine diplomate
In his free time, you can catch Dr. Sharma trying to stay active out on the golf course, hiking or camping in the mountains.
Dr. Makela Nkemdirim
Dr. Makela Nkemdirim
Dr. Makela Nkemdirim
Dr. Nkemdirim completed her medical degree at the University of Toronto. She returned home to Calgary to complete her residency in family medicine in 2003. Since that time, she has practiced family medicine with a special interest in women’s health, maternity, and newborn care. She is an associate clinical professor at the University of Calgary and enjoys teaching medical students and residents through her general and maternity practice.
Dr. Nkemdirim has a strong passion for health and wellness and is excited to be part of the team at The Alberta Obesity Centre.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and the outdoors.
Dr. Leon Greeff
Dr. Charles-David Clayton
Dr. Makela Nkemdirim
Dr. Greeff grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. He completed his medical degree in 2002 at the
University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Since moving to Canada in 2006, he has worked in a variety of urban and rural family medicine practices in Alberta, currently working in Emergency Medicine. He holds a CCFP designation from the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
His interest in nutrition started in 2013 after a successful personal weight loss journey. He has since aimed to explore different approaches to nutrition, focusing on incorporating nutrition quality, measures to improve satiety and reduction of sugars and processed food.
In his spare time, he likes to enjoy year-round outdoor activities with his wife and two daughters.
Dr. Charles-David Clayton
Dr. Charles-David Clayton
Dr. Charles-David Clayton
Dr. Charles Clayton (he/him) earned his medical degree from the University of British Columbia in 2019 and completed his Family Medicine residency training at the University of Alberta in 2021. He has interests in preventative health, lifestyle medicine, and palliative care.
When not practicing medicine, he enjoys any activity that gets him outside and moving (cycling, mountain biking, hiking, camping, skiing, running, team sports), while nearly always listening to music.
Dr. Monica Chawla
Dr. Charles-David Clayton
Dr. Charles-David Clayton
Dr. Monica Chawla completed her Masters in Public Health and medical school training at the University of Alberta, and her residency training in Family Medicine and Enhanced Skills in Addiction Medicine at the University of Calgary. Her interest in public health and preventive medicine has led her to a career in addiction medicine and weight management.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, doing yoga, and travelling.
Dr. Florence Chan
Dr. Florence Chan
Dr. Florence Chan
Dr. Chan completed her medical school and residency training in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto. She has a particular interest in preventative care and emphasizing lifestyle management strategies.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, dog walks and barre classes.
Dr. Dalal Awwad
Dr. Florence Chan
Dr. Florence Chan
Dr. Awwad graduated from the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine. She completed her Family Medicine residency training at the University of Alberta and received her certification with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).
She is a clinical lecturer at the University of Alberta, and has a special interest in medical education, women’s health, mental health, and supporting patients in making lifestyle and nutritional changes to achieve their goals.
In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, kickboxing, and baking.
SPORTS MEDICINE - PHYSIATRY - EXERCISE MEDICINE
Dr. Sumeet Gill
Dr. Jennifer Assh
Dr. Hafeez Kurji
Dr. Gill is a practicing Sports Medicine and Family Physician. He obtained his Medical Degree from McMaster University. He completed a residency in Family Medicine and subsequent fellowship in Sports Medicine at the University of Toronto.
He draws on his Sports Medicine training and coaching experience in Strength & Conditioning to care for patients at AOC. His clinical interests include exercise prescription, musculoskeletal medicine, and medical education.
Dr. Hafeez Kurji
Dr. Jennifer Assh
Dr. Hafeez Kurji
Dr. Hafeez Kurji obtained in medical degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2016. He has since completed his Family Medicine residency training in June 2018 and his Enhanced Skills residency training in Sport and Exercise Medicine in June 2020, both at the University of Calgary. Dr. Kurji presently holds his Certification in Family Medicine with a Certificate of Added Competency in Sport and Exercise Medicine from the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
Throughout his residency training and early into his career he has taken a special interest in Sport and Musculoskeletal Medicine. He has been assisting with a number of sports teams including the University of Calgary Dinos Varsity Athletics (USports), Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL), Airdrie CFR Bisons (AAA Hockey), Calgary Colts (CJFL), Speed Skating Canada and covering other local sporting events.
Outside of clinic practice Hafeez enjoys living an active lifestyle, playing ice hockey, ball hockey, golf, and softball, as well as going to the dog park with Fawkes his entlebucher mountain dog. He also enjoys travelling with his new wife.
Dr. Jennifer Assh
Dr. Jennifer Assh
Dr. Jennifer Assh
Dr. Assh is a physiatrist, which is also known as a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). This is a medical specialty that focuses on helping individuals with neurological and/ or musculoskeletal conditions maximize their function and improve their quality of life.
Dr. Assh obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree and completed her postgraduate medical training/ residency in PM&R at the University of Alberta. She is now a Clinical Lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the U of A, participating in the training of physiatrists.
Her medical practice is based at the Body Restoration clinic in Edmonton, where she works in general musculoskeletal medicine and electromyography. For the latter she holds the designation of CSCN Diplomate (EMG) from the Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiologists. She has a special interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided injections.
WOMEN'S HEALTH - Peri Partum
Dr. Shawna Stafford
Dr. Caroline Le Jour
Dr. Caroline Le Jour
Dr. Stafford completed medical school at the University of Calgary and subsequent residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Alberta. She pursued a Masters of Science in Obstetrics and Gynecology, focusing on research about women with obesity in pregnancy.
Dr. Stafford now practices obstetrics and gynecology at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. She is passionate about caring for women with obesity and helping them achieve greater health through sustainable weight management, which she integrates into her practice at the Alberta Obesity Centre.
She has recently obtained her certification as an American Board of Obesity Medicine diplomate.
Dr. Caroline Le Jour
Dr. Caroline Le Jour
Dr. Caroline Le Jour
Dr. Le Jour is originally from Montreal where she completed her medical degree at McGill University before heading out West to Calgary to complete residency training in Obstetrics & Gynecology. She developed an interest in bariatric medicine in 2014 and continue to seek learning opportunities in the area. She is a clinical assistant professor.
She grew up playing ice hockey and soccer but now also enjoys mountain sports.
SPECIALISTS
Gastroenterology - Dr. Rachid Mohamed
Gastroenterology - Dr. Rachid Mohamed
Gastroenterology - Dr. Rachid Mohamed
Dr. Rachid Mohamed is a therapeutic endoscopist in Calgary, based out of the Peter Lougheed Center. Rachid completed medical school in Edmonton and went on to an internal medicine residency at the University of Alberta. He moved home to Calgary in 2008 where he completed his gastroenterology fellowship followed by a fellowship in therapeutic endoscopy. He is Section Head for Therapeutic Endoscopy in the Calgary zone. His interests lie in endoscopy, specifically complex pancreaticobiliary endoscopy and advanced tissue resection.
Internal Medicine - Dr. Pradip Joshi
Gastroenterology - Dr. Rachid Mohamed
Gastroenterology - Dr. Rachid Mohamed
Dr. Pradip Joshi became a member of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in 1981. He is board certified in Internal Medicine & Geriatrics.
He joined the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial in 1982, and he is currently a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine.
He has a special interest in diabetes, lipid disorders, geriatrics, venous thrombotic diseases, clinical research, and teaching. He has been on various advisory panels on diabetes and lipid disorders.
He received the award for Canadian Diabetes Association 2011 Outstanding Healthcare Professional.
Partnerships
Specialized Pharmacy
Specialized Pharmacy
Specialized Pharmacy
Founded in 2019, Rx Connect Specialty Pharmacy is a proud Canadian company, comprised of Healthcare Professionals with extensive Specialty experience. Rx Connect has devised a healthcare model that supports each and every patient to receive the most optimum individualized healthcare management by focusing on helping people to achieve a
Founded in 2019, Rx Connect Specialty Pharmacy is a proud Canadian company, comprised of Healthcare Professionals with extensive Specialty experience. Rx Connect has devised a healthcare model that supports each and every patient to receive the most optimum individualized healthcare management by focusing on helping people to achieve a healthy weight, they also provide advice about exercise alongside other lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and alcohol consumption. Our young innovative team will assist each and every patient to improve patient health outcomes by enhancing adherence and compliance to medications. Rx Specialty Pharmacy is committed to exceptional patient care by dedicating to safety, quality and innovation.
Specialized Pharmacy
Specialized Pharmacy
Specialized Pharmacy
UPharmacy prides itself in providing consistent high-quality care, making it the specialty pharmacy of choice for many of its patients. Focusing on select areas of medicine, including lifestyle medications, UPharmacy staff and its pharmacists are there to provide patient-centered care when you need it. All pharmacists at UPharmacy are wel
UPharmacy prides itself in providing consistent high-quality care, making it the specialty pharmacy of choice for many of its patients. Focusing on select areas of medicine, including lifestyle medications, UPharmacy staff and its pharmacists are there to provide patient-centered care when you need it. All pharmacists at UPharmacy are well informed when it comes to the counselling of the specialty medications they dispense. We are continuously seeking out ways to deliver up-to-date information in an innovative and efficient manner. At UPharmacy, your health is our commitment.
Specialized Sleep Clinic
Specialized Sports Medicine
Specialized Sports Medicine
Aveiro Sleep is an industry partner with a network of 35 clinics throughout Alberta and British Columbia. Their integrative approach includes Diagnostic Sleep Testing, CPAP Therapy related to OSA, as well as Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) and Home Oxygen Therapy. The Aveiro Family includes Aveiro Sleep, Sleep Medix, CanSleep and FreshAi
Aveiro Sleep is an industry partner with a network of 35 clinics throughout Alberta and British Columbia. Their integrative approach includes Diagnostic Sleep Testing, CPAP Therapy related to OSA, as well as Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) and Home Oxygen Therapy. The Aveiro Family includes Aveiro Sleep, Sleep Medix, CanSleep and FreshAir Respiratory Care.
The Aveiro team understands that obesity is a major risk factor for the development and progression of sleep disordered breathing, most commonly known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The prevalence of OSA is estimated to be higher in an obese patient and should be investigated. Aveiro’s team will guide patients through screening and treatment options unique to each care plan.
Specialized Sports Medicine
Specialized Sports Medicine
Specialized Sports Medicine
We are a multidisciplinary Sport & Musculoskeletal Medicine Clinic offering management of acute injuries & chronic ailments including motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries (WCB) and concussions. Our unique, integrated approach provides comprehensive assessment & treatment, ensuring your optimal recovery. Trust us to get back to your best!