Series: CVFP Physician Development
Teaching remains a core strategic priority at CVFP
Preparing Future Physicians to Practice within Team‑based Models of Care
Teaching remains a core strategic priority at CVFP and a key contribution to the future sustainability of Alberta’s health system. As primary care evolves, so too must the way the workforce is trained. Team‑based care requires developing competencies in collaboration, communication, leadership, and interdisciplinary practice, and preparing learners for these environments is essential to meeting the changing needs of patients and communities.
“A defining strength of our program is that learners are trained within a fully realized team‑based care environment. This is made possible by our unique funding model, which supports the full integration of interdisciplinary team members into daily care delivery.”
—Dr. Ian Johnston, CVFP Family Physician & Teaching Lead
Meet the Year One Resident Doctors Joining CVFP
As we approach the end of June 2026, and through the fall and winter, we look forward to graduating eight CVFP trained family medicine residents as full-fledged family doctors for Alberta. As well, we have six new residents joining us.
Dr. Katie Cooke
CVFP Coaches: Dr. Ingunn Benediktsson, Dr. Julie Croateau
“I was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, and took time after high school to travel. I dabbled in a variety of interests before discovering Speech Pathology. This brought me back to Ottawa to complete my undergraduate degree at Carleton University, then to Toronto to complete my master’s degree. My career then brought me to Calgary where I fell in love with the city.
After working for nearly twelve years as a Speech Language Pathologist, focussing on patients with swallowing disorders, I took the leap and successfully applied to the University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine. With the support of my husband, our two children, and many family and friends, I am grateful to have completed the program. I am feeling so incredibly excited and fortunate that I get to start the next part of my journey at CVFP as a family medicine resident.”
Dr. Allesha Eman
CVFP Coach: Dr. Wendy Stefanek
“Growing up in Calgary, I developed a strong appreciation for community and meaningful connection. I completed both my undergraduate studies and medical training at the University of Calgary, and I am excited to continue my residency training in the city that has always been home to me. Throughout medical school, I developed a growing interest in palliative care and compassionate, patient-centered medicine.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy poetry and creative writing, which have become important outlets for reflection and storytelling. I look forward to continuing to grow throughout residency while caring for diverse patient populations in the Calgary community.”
Dr. Dalia Ghoneim
CVFP Coach: Dr. Kathleen Young
“Born and raised in Calgary, I began my career in kinesiology, public health and exercise physiology, with a focus on helping people live healthier, more active lives. My work ranged from personal training to research exploring how our environment influences health and physical activity.
This passion for prevention and community health led me to pursue medicine in Ireland, followed by clinical experience as a junior doctor in Wales. Living and working in Europe deepened my appreciation for family medicine, holistic patient-centred care and diverse approaches to healthcare, while also inspiring a love of travel and new cultures. I’m thrilled to be returning home to Calgary to continue that work!"
Dr. Sunand Kannappan
CVFP Coaches: Dr. Reid McLean Wiest, Dr. Garrett Moffatt
“I was born in India, grew up in Ontario and later moved to Calgary where I completed my Bachelor of Health Sciences in the hopes of pursuing a career in medicine. Before medicine, I worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company focusing on health technology and innovative care models. Throughout medical school, I have become increasingly passionate about the future of primary care and how I can best serve my patients in a rapidly evolving world.
Alongside my clinical training, I have been involved in national work related to digital health and medical education. I served as Co-Chair of the College of Family Physicians of Canada’s Section of Medical Students Council and was a member of the national Digital Health Interoperability Task Force. During medical school, I also spent time training in Taber, Alberta, where I developed a deeper appreciation for rural and community-based family medicine.
I am excited to begin my family medicine residency at CVFP and look forward to continuing to both serve and learn from patients, colleagues and the broader community. Outside of medicine, I enjoy staying active, travelling to new places, writing about healthcare and decaf coffee.”
Dr. Ehireme Osa-Igho
CVFP Coach: Dr. Karyn Richardson
“I am excited to be joining CVFP as a resident doctor. I completed medical school at the University of Benin, Nigeria. There I developed a strong appreciation for working with diverse patient populations within community-based care. I am especially looking forward to beginning this next chapter, getting to know the CVFP team and becoming part of the CVFP community.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow and serve the broader community.”
Dr. Sameen Shaukat
CVFP Coach: Dr. Lynne Gillis
“I am originally from Pakistan, where I completed my medical training and gained experience across both hospital and community-based care. After moving to Canada, I continued my clinical development through diverse healthcare settings and had the privilege of working alongside excellent family physicians and hospitalists, which strengthened my appreciation for comprehensive, continuous and patient-centred care.
For the past several years, I have been working in Red Deer as an Associate Physician, caring for patients with a wide range of medical and surgical needs while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. These experiences have shaped my interest in Family Medicine. I am excited to continue my training at CVFP, learning from the program’s expert mentors and serving the diverse communities of Calgary.”