Series: CVFP Physician Development
Our physician development program continues to build and develop much needed family doctors
We are the Biggest Contributor to Primary Care Medical Education
CVFP is the largest teaching clinic in Alberta outside of the universities. We care for more patients than the three academic teaching clinics in Calgary combined. By this metric, CVFP is the biggest contributor to primary care medical education in the province. Our 25,000 plus patients play an important role in training, providing real-world clinical experience that supports physician development as well as an understanding of patient care. This experience allows residents to learn by doing, building confidence and developing the necessary skills for practicing family medicine. CVFP patients also contribute to the education and development of many more than our own residents and medical students as they rotate through various local hospitals and specialty clinics.
Training Tomorrow’s Family Physicians
In June 2025, nine residents completed their family medicine training journey with CVFP. Some of these doctors will be staying on as locums or new associates as we continue to train for the future. Other graduates plan to further specialize in areas including palliative care with additional training. We are also pleased to have helped a graduate who came to CVFP after experiencing some difficulties elsewhere. Under the knowledgeable guidance of CVFP family physician Dr. Karyn Richardson, we were able to get them back on track.
“As one of the postgraduate residency directors, I am extremely grateful to every CVFP
patient who had one of our residents deliver their baby, help their children with
AD
H
D or sports injuries all the way through to those with arthritic knees willing
to let a new doctor do their first injection under our guidance.”
Dr. Ian Johnston, CVFP Family Physician & Teaching Lead
Meet our Newest Residents Joining CVFP in July 2025
Dr. Nick Bell
CVFP Coach: Dr. Ingunn Benedikttson
“I was born and raised in Nanoose Bay, British Columbia. After completing my undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia, I set off to Australia for medical school. Upon graduation I worked in Australia for several years, mainly in the emergency room. I made the decision to return to Canada for residency last year and began my training in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. I missed the comprehensive care and longitudinal nature of family medicine. I am very excited to continue my training in Calgary at CVFP where I can focus on practising comprehensive, patient-centred care as I believe this is the foundation of family medicine.”
Dr. Nicholas Brisebois
CVFP Coaches: Dr. Julie Croteau and Dr. Brooke Miller
"Born and raised on the westside of Ottawa, I grew up playing competitive golf, biking by the Ottawa Canal and spending time with my family. I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to attend Columbia University on an NCAA golf scholarship where I studied Psychology before returning to Ottawa to begin my Master of Public Health. Four years ago, I moved to Edmonton to pursue Medicine, and I am thrilled to be staying in Alberta for my residency. As an Indigenous health professional, I have been involved in Indigenous health policy through roles and work experience in the provincial and federal government and my goal is to make an impact on my community in my future practice. I am very grateful for the opportunity to spend my residency providing care for patients at CVFP. And, I am extremely excited for my future as a Family Medicine physician where I hope to practice in a variety of locations with diverse patient populations.”
Dr. Yseult Gibert
CVFP Coach: Dr. Wendy Stefanek
“After completing medical school at McGill University in Montreal where I was born and raised, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in International Relations at the Johns Hopkins University with a focus on climate and health governance. I have a strong interest in Planetary Health, and the intersection of climate and health; how our environment affects our health as well as how our health system affects the environment. My clinical experience and climate policy knowledge led me to work for the World Bank Climate and Health Program in Washington D.C. (USA) where I focused on increasing primary healthcare system resilience to climate change. I feel very fortunate to continue my clinical training in Calgary at CVFP, taking care of patients from diverse backgrounds and learning from an amazing team.”
Dr. Jon Slaney
CVFP Coach: Dr. Reid McLean Wiest
“Originally from St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, I completed medical school at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Before entering medicine, I worked in kinesiology for five years and in carpentry for three. As a former competitive triathlete and mountain biker, I bring a strong foundation in physical health and functional movement to my clinical practice. Now based in Canmore, I balance residency, life with three young children, and my continued passion for mountain biking and skiing in the Rockies.”
Dr. Anita Truong
CVFP Coach: Dr. Kathleen Young
“I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta where I completed a Bachelor of Science and a master’s in Biomedical Technology before moving to Edmonton for medical school. I am excited to return to Calgary where I will be closer to family, friends and the mountains! I look forward to joining the team at CVFP and becoming a well-rounded family physician providing compassionate and comprehensive care to the community.”
Dr. Claudia Vega
CVFP Coach: Dr. Ian Johnston
“Originally from the beautiful beach town of Mazatlán, Mexico, I moved to Monterrey to study Medicine and Pediatrics. Interested in the connection between behaviour and health, I earned two master’s degrees, one in Nutrition and another in Psychotherapy, and became certified in Mindfulness-Based Interventions by the University of California San Diego. Working with children facing obesity and disordered eating for over 15 years taught me the value of involving the entire family to promote lasting change; the crucial system that supports each member's health and well-being. I'm honoured to be part of the CVFP Health Team in my pursuit of becoming a family physician dedicated to delivering comprehensive and compassionate care to patients and families in Calgary.”
Dr. Daria Venkova
CVFP coach: Dr. Karyn Richardson
“Prior to medical school, I completed a bachelor’s degree in Biosciences, and a master’s degree in Biomedical Technologies. After graduating, I worked as an executive across multiple healthcare and pharmaceutical start-ups, acting as a liaison between academia, industry and the clinical environment. Several of our projects revolved around orphan diseases; chronic and often debilitating conditions that are frequently overlooked due to a small number of the population affected. During medical school at the University of Calgary, I was on the Alberta Medical Association board which has exposed me to ongoing initiatives to improve the quality of healthcare in Alberta. These experiences have inspired me to pursue family medicine, and I am grateful to embark on this journey as a resident physician at CVFP.”
Dr. Bryton Wong
CVFP coach: Dr. Lynne Gillis
“I was born and raised in southwest Calgary and graduated from Western Canada High School. I completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Alberta, where I also attended medical school. I am excited to be back in Calgary and at CVFP for my residency. Over the next two years, I look forward to learning more about providing comprehensive, longitudinal care and working to become a well-rounded family physician.”