CoFounders
Jack Taunton, MD
CoFounder
Grant Stewart, MD
CoFounder
Don Nixdorf, DC
CoFounder
Andrew Mai, MD
President & CEO
Alastair Younger, MD
Medical Director, Day Surgery, Orthopedist
Dr. Alastair Younger was born in Scotland and grew up close to St. Andrew’s in Scotland. This, unfortunately, has not resulted in a genetic ability to play golf. Instead, Dr. Younger grew up with an avid interest in skiing because this sport was inaccessible to a large part in the area that he grew up in, in Scotland.
After attending a school with a large interest in outdoor sports, Dr. Younger attended medical school in Aberdeen, graduating in 1985.
After working for three years in the National Health Service, Dr. Younger moved to Vancouver to study Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. After finishing a Master’s Degree, studying Limb Lengthening in Children, he trained in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of British Columbia, finishing both the Residency Program and further studies on Limb Lengthening in 1995.
He received a further degree from the University of Aberdeen for his work in Limb Lengthening. After doing a short fellowship and locum at Vancouver General Hospital in Joint Replacement, Dr. Younger moved to Boston in Massachusetts to study at Harvard in the area of Arthritis Surgery. He then trained in Foot and Ankle at the University of Washington in Seattle, finishing his training in 1997 and returning to be on staff at the University of British Columbia and begin his practice at St. Paul’s Hospital.
At that time, Dr. Younger was the sole surgeon practicing Foot and Ankle at the university. He was instrumental in developing British Columbia’s Foot and Ankle Clinic and lobbied hard for this clinic to be created at Providence Health Care.
As a result, he is presently the Director of British Columbia’s Foot and Ankle Clinic and has been able to hire other orthopaedic surgeons in the group, as well as operative podiatrists to try and address the need for foot and ankle care in British Columbia.
Dr. Younger is the past president of the Canadian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and a founding member. He has been active on many committees of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association. He is a member of the American Foot and Ankle Society, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, as well as the Canadian organizations mentioned above.
Dr. Younger has chaired a local meeting for a foot and ankle symposium for the Canadian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society for the last six years, every other year. He has also given talks nationally and internationally for foot and ankle conditions. He has lectured for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America and has coordinated courses for them. He has been a Master Instructor for the Arthroscopy Association of North America at their Learning Centre in Chicago. He has been a visiting professor in Calgary, Winnipeg, Northwestern University and the University of Montreal.
Dr. Younger has been recognized by the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, by being awarded the North American Traveling Fellowship in 1997 and the American/British/Canadian Traveling Fellowship in 2007.
Dr. Younger presently enjoys camping, cycling, and skiing. He also still tries to match his cultural heritage of being able to play golf, but still to a very poor level.
Learn about Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant Surgery.
Andrea Velkjovic, MD
Director of R&D, Orthopedist
Dr. Andrea Velkjovic is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia. She is the Fellowship Director for the Adult Foot and Ankle Reconstruction Fellowship program and Research Director of the UBC Orthopaedics training program.
Dr. Velkjovic has been in full time academic subspecialty surgical practice for more than ten years. Her particular interests are in joint preservation and lower extremity sport injuries and arthroscopy. She maintains a sport knee and sport foot and ankle affiliation with the UBC varsity sport teams. Her particular interests are in cutting edge surgical techniques, realignment procedures, and biologics interventions joint preservation of the knee, foot and ankle through the use of minimally invasive techniques.
Professional Highlights
Dr. Veljkovic has received numerous awards for teaching and education, including the UBC Teaching Award. She was the recipient of two prestigious orthopaedic travelling fellowship awards from the Canadian and American Orthopaedic Associations. She has published over 60 scientific papers and has lectured extensively. Recently, her research was nominated as a finalist for the AOFAS Leonard Goldner and Roger Mann Awards.
Research Interests:
Joint preservation techniques and arthroscopy,
Early knee and ankle arthritis epidemiology,
Foot and Ankle surgery clinical outcomes.
Harmeet Dhaliwal, MD
Family Physician & Sport Medicine
Dr. Dhaliwal obtained his medical degree in 2015. He then completed a 3 year Family Medicine residency program at Michigan State University with a special focus on sports medicine and graduated in 2018. After graduation, Dr. Dhaliwal practiced at a community practice in Colorado and spent time educating and teaching Medical residents, Nurse practitioners, and students. He was most recently working in Langley and Coquitlam. He is certified by Sports Medicine Ultrasound Canada and has a special interest in Sports injuries, regenerative medicine and interventional pain relief for musculoskeletal injuries.
Graeme Poole
Director of Allied Health, Sport Physiotherapist, Rehab Specialist
Graeme is currently working in a dual role, spending mornings as the Rehab Therapist for the Vancouver Canucks and a couple days per week at PolyCan Health Centre. Graeme’s role with the Canucks is helping players on the injured reserve return to NHL play, and his role at PolyCan is helping other athletes achieve their rehab goals. Prior to this, Graeme spent seven years being the head physio for the Vancouver Whitecaps Major League Soccer team.
Graeme has worked with community athletes of all levels, in both conditioning and rehabilitation roles. Growing up as a multi-sport athlete, Graeme has a passion for many different sports including soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, snowboarding and golf.
In the professional sport environment, Graeme was able to hone his skills by treating injuries from the moment they occur, all the way back to return to competition at a high level.
Having been an athlete all his life, Graeme—an ex UBC Thunderbird soccer player, has first-hand experience with a lot of conditions he treats, an invaluable insight.
Jack Liney
Director of Physiotherapy , Sport Physiotherapist, Rehab Specialist
Growing up, Jack always knew he wanted to become a Physiotherapist. Upon graduating 11 years ago, Jack honed his skills working across a whole spectrum of hospital and rehabilitation settings and as a pitchside Physiotherapist in UK professional rugby.
Jack has worked with various clients, including; professional and Olympic athletes, everyday warriors, postpartum and the elderly.
Jack is a sports and physical activity specialist. He also has extensive experience working in concussion and vestibular rehabilitation.
Jack adopts a personalized approach at every opportunity. He uses a variety of techniques to keep his clients functional, pain-free and beyond; precise assessment, functional movement screening, Intramuscular stimulation dry neddling, joint mobilization, therapeutic exercise, including strength and conditioning program prescription.
As an interdisciplinary healthcare professional, Jack considers himself part of the team required to assess and treat injuries, fueled by his passion for building professional networks and staying in tune with the latest evidence-based practice.
Jack believes daily physical activity and mindfulness are foundations to success, a concept he lives out through his interests in soccer, triathlon, music and snowboarding.
Braedan Lalor
Sport Physiotherapist, Rehab Specialist
Braedan has over 25 years of experience in the areas of resistant pain, musculoskeletal prevention, and athletic performance.
He has worked with pro and National team athletes in the USA and Canada in almost all of the major leagues/sports, and he enjoys teaching other clinicians how to develop young athletes or fix difficult pain problems. He has recieved commendation from his peers in the area of golf performance and created training videos for athlete care at competitions.
Braedan believes in a ‘full scope’ physio practice where clinicians provide simultaneous solutions for pain, prevention, and performance.
He has solutions for all types of athletes and regular folk, and is passionate about sharing them.
Reza Nematollahi
Registered Physiotherapist, PT.PhD
Reza has worked as a physiotherapist for more than a decade and has a Doctorate in Physiotherapy (PT.PhD). He is experienced in the assessment and treatment of patients with various musculoskeletal and neurological disorders as well as sports-related injuries. He uses manual therapy, hands-on techniques, and exercise prescription to provide diagnosis and treatment of movement system impairments. Reza is also qualified in vestibular rehabilitation and TMJ diseases. He also has a certificate in Acupuncture and Dry Needling and is certified in custom orthotics. His research and publications deal extensively with ACL injuries and rehabilitation.
Sharon Farquharson
Registered Physiotherapist, NZPT, CCTT
Sharon completed her Physiotherapy degree at the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. She has experience in orthopedics as well in geriatrics and pediatrics. Through years of experience, Sharon has developed her own unique treatment philosophy. This approach combines patient education and exercise prescription with dedicated, hands-on interaction using a whole-body approach.
She has a keen interest in Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) and is a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. TMD is the second most common source of musculoskeletal pain, and its symptoms include Headaches / Face pain / Neck pain / Jaw pain / TMJ clicking / Locking jaw or limited jaw movement / Earaches / Dizziness. Sharon is always looking for avenues to expand her knowledge base and techniques. For instance, she has been exploring Osteopathy and Craniosacral Therapy to better serve her patients.
Sharon has completed the certification examination offered by the Physical Therapy Board of Craniofacial and Cervical Therapeutics (PTBCCT) and is a Certified Cervical and Temporomandibular Therapist (CCTT). She has also completed her training with Joy Moeller in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and is now qualified to treat orofacial myofunctional disorders. She is also a Certified Buteyko Breathing Instructor. The benefits of Buteyko breathing include enhanced breathing control and can be used to manage a variety of medical conditions including asthma, sleep concerns, and anxiety.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, Sharon can use Headworks Physiotherapy Treatment to help you find relief at PolyCan.
Glenn Steele
Registered Massage Therapist
With 32 years of experience as an RMT, I bring an eclectic background of influences to my work. Academically, I have an Associate in Music, and an Associate in Biochemistry Technology. I have 25 combined years of training in martial arts, dance, and fitness/weight training. I am a well-rounded therapist, always thinking in the big picture of health. I am writer and a composer. I have facilitated many seminars in massage therapy; of which I am open to offering further classes. My practice revolves around rehabilitation and wellness, apropos sports, work, and injuries. In common language, my practice involves deep tissue/structural-alignment massage. I conceive massage in the light of art and science, all to the practical end of embracing health and vitality.
Farrah Patrick
Registered Massage Therapist
Farrah started her journey into massage therapy in 2001 and greduated from West Coast College of Massage Therapy in August of 2007. After greduating, she worked at a large spa on the North Sore. For the last two years, Farrah practiced spa techniques involving hot stone, pregnancy, sports and all the treatments related to musculoskeleto dysfunction.
Patrick O’ Flaherty
Sport Physiotherapist, Rehab Specialist
Patrick is an experienced clinical and sports physiotherapist having graduated from the University of Bradford in 2012. Since then, he has gained experience working pitch side with professional athletes in rugby and gaelic football in the UK and Ireland. His clinical experience includes working with a wide range of orthopedic and neurological patients. He has extensive training and specialization in concussion treatment, dizziness, vertigo and vestibular rehabilitation.
Patrick has recently completed his MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of British Columbia where he undertook research examining the influence of exercise on functional brain measures in concussion. He has presented and attended at national and international conferences in concussion and continues to keep up to speed with the latest research and evidence-based practice.
Patrick follows a holistic approach to treatment with a focus involving a biopsychosocial approach to improve outcomes and safely return patients and athletes to their chosen activity or sport. He incorporates a variety of therapeutic interventions such as manual therapy, intramuscular stimulation and exercise prescription. Patrick is a strong proponent of patient education and believes in empowering patients through effective communication.
Patrick is very active in his spare time and plays rugby and gaelic football competitively, as well as enjoying running, weight lifting and playing his guitar.
Grace Ni, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Physician
Dr. Ni is a licensed Naturopathic Physician practicing in British Columbia. She believes modern healthcare necessitates a blend of conventional medicine with evidence-based naturopathic medicine and she is committed to providing compassionate, attentive care. Dr. Ni encourages patients to take an active role in their health, and she is a strong believer in the body’s innate capacity to heal and adapt. Through the use of acupuncture, botanicals, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, intravenous vitamins, and injection therapies, she works with the body in order to restore optimal function and reduce pain. Her broad base of knowledge and varied toolbox allows her to create comprehensive treatment plans centered around the patient’s specific goals.
Prior to Naturopathic Medical School, Dr. Ni’s academic journey began at Simon Fraser University, where she received her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry. She was a member of SFU’s Div. 2 NCAA Varsity Swim Team and during that time, was named Most Valuable Player and achieved All-American Status.
Dr. Ni holds a general practice with a particular interest in a variety of myofascial conditions, chronic pain, and autoimmune conditions.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Ni enjoys an active lifestyle and one can often find her reading, spending time with friends and family, or indulging in desserts.
Dr. Ni is a member in good standing with the British Columbia Association of Naturopathic Doctors (BCNA), the College of Naturopathic Physicians in BC (CNPBC) and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND). She has pharmaceutical prescribing authority, and also holds certificates in acupuncture and intravenous therapies.
As a Naturopathic Physician serving the communities of Burnaby and the lower mainland, I acknowledge that the land on which I practice naturopathic medicine is within the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples.
Maria Angela Therese Bewcyk
Kinesiologist, Rehab Specialist, Personal Trainer
I have over 20 years experience in the health and fitness industry. I have a Bachelors Degree in Applied Science (Kinesiology) from UBC and Masters of Physiotherapy Degree from the University of Sydney. I specialize in sports injury rehab, post MVA rehab, pre/post operative rehab, and women’s health. Being a competitive athlete myself and bikini bodybuilder, I am passionate about helping clients achieve their personal best results, for their health and wellness needs.
Weidong Yu
Director of TCM, Registered Acupuncturist
Dr. Weidong Yu graduated from Shandong College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1983, where he studied both Traditional Chinese Medicine and western medicine for five years, to earn a Bachelor of Medicine degree.
In 1991, he earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from the School of Public Health, Free University of Brussels, Belgium.Dr. Yu has practiced both Traditional Chinese Medicine and western medicine at Binzhou Medical College Hospital as a resident physician.
He also worked as an Assistant Research Fellow at the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing, the best research institute in Chinese medicine in China.Dr. Yu is the author of more than 30 publications in both Chinese and English medical literature, and lectures internationally.
He is a Licensed Acupuncturist in the State of California, United States and a Registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
Jim Han, Ph.D
Registered Acupuncturist, Registered Herbalist
Dr. Jim (Jimiao) Han, Registered Acupuncturist and Herbalist of BC Canada, graduated from Shandong University of TCM as PhD, and has been practicing for over 20 years. He is an instructor of PCU college of holistic Medicine in BC Canada as well. In his practice, Dr. Han helped quite a lot of people become healthy again. His high-quality treatment and kindness are very welcomed by his patients.
As a holistic medicine doctor, he had helped people with different problems, such as physical pain, mental health, immunity disorder, fertility, digestive diseases, and cancer treatment.
Currently, he focuses on health problems as below:
- Body pain
- Depression, anxiety, insomnia
- Infertility
Grace Wang
Registered Acupuncturist
Specialize in:
– relieving and treating acute and chronic pain, musculoskeletal & soft tissue pain, as well as dysmenorrhea, headaches etc.
– Anxiety, insomnia
– Cosmetic Acupuncture: skin care, firmness, remove wrinkes, defer aging; weight control;
– Body disorders
Came from Doctors of TCM family for generations, start to learn TCM very early, for almost 20 years. Graduated from China Renmin university.
Graduated from Canadian public school, KPU for Acupuncture further study.
Zhi Li Guo (Julia), Ph.D
Registered Acupuncturist
Dr. Zhi Li Guo graduated from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1982 with a degree in Chinese Medicine, from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Graduate Program in Acupuncture in 1988, and from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Clinical Medicine Graduate Class with a doctoral degree in acupuncture in 2002. Dr. Zhi Li Guo has worked in various hospitals in China. She worked in the clinical forefront of a Grade II Level A western hospital and three Grade III Level A Chinese medicine hospitals. She has worked extensively in the fields of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Emergency Department, Nephrology, Cerebrovascular Medicine and Medical Examination.
Before immigrating to Canada, Dr. Zhi Li Guo was the Deputy Chief Physician and Deputy Chief Pharmacist of the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine of a Grade III Level A Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a part-time Adjunct Professor of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dr. Zhi Li Guo is a member of the Chinese Acupuncture Society, the Executive Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine and the Executive Director of the Jiangsu Society of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Cosmetology and has a rich understanding of clinical knowledge and skills.
Dr. Zhi Li Guo was the Deputy Editor-In-Chief of the editorial board and participated in authoring various Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture related books. She is also author to more than 10 published articles in national and provincial journals. With her own theoretical understanding of health management, Dr. Zhi Li Guo clinically specializes in the traditional Chinese medicinal and acupunctural treatment of emergencies and difficult and complicated diseases, including bronchial asthma, various pain disorders, chronic insomnia, hypertension, diabetes, sequelae of stroke, Parkinson’s syndrome; impotence and premature ejaculation; irregular menstruation, prostatic hypertrophy, and climacteric syndrome.
Florence Bruskiewich
Registered Nurse
Originally a B.S.N. Registered Nurse from the Philippines then studied and upgraded at Kwantlen College University to practice as a RN in British Columbia. She subsequently worked at St Paul’s Hospital Vancouver in the Rehabilitation Department and Orthopaedics Ward for 8 years, with additional experience elsewhere, in Gerontology and as a PAR nurse in a cataract surgical day care clinic.
Registered Nurse in UK and worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, NHS Cambridge England for 2 years. Took Masters of Nursing in Toowoomba Australia.
Lylan Phan
Director of Laser Aesthetics
Licensed Aesthetician
Lylan Phan has been a licensed aesthetician and laser technician for 5 years. She has established a successful laser studio in Surrey. Her expertise and passion for teaching has landed her a position as Director of Laser Aesthetics at Polycan Heath Centre.
She specializes in skin health and medical laser treatments.
Mana Charkhandeh
Registered Clinical Counselor
Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) approval
Dr Mansoureh Charkhandeh (RCC) holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with over 15 years of clinical experience in mental health centers. Dr Mana works with a variety of concerns, including mood disorders, personality issues such as postpartum depression, anxiety, eating & sleep disorders, suicide ideation, self-injury, relationship and family issues, grief and loss, domestic violence, sexual assault, pain & anger manager, blood pressure issues, drugs and addiction disorders, adjustment issues for new immigrants and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), OCD & ADHD for children and adults.
When you’re feeling stuck and hopeless, it’s especially hard to feel compassion for yourself. One of the beautiful things about counselling therapy is that it is a space where someone else can hold compassion and hope for you until you are able to hold it for yourself. She has a passion for supporting people in working through complex trauma, anxiety, and family of origin issues. If you are finding yourself living life on autopilot or perhaps at a crossroad or dealing with difficulties in your relationships, you are not alone. Every year thousands of individuals and families seek the assistance of professional counsellors to help guide them in creating healthy change in their habits, careers, goals, relationships, and life.
Dr Mana draws from many therapeutic modalities, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for trauma (EMDR), Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), Hypnosis and Mindfulness approaches.
She uses spiritual healing that involves finding balance in your soul or inner spirit; essentially, spiritual healing is reconnecting with your true self, offering yourself a chance to grow and transform, and shift your perspective to removal of barriers to help you get in tune with your spirituality again.
