Physicians
Dr. Bell graduated in Medicine from UBC in 1986. She completed her 1-year Rotating Internship at Victoria General Hospital in 1987 and attained her CCFP in 2000 and FCFP in 2011. She has lived in Comox since 1989, working in Cumberland from 1990 to 2007 at the Cumberland Medical Clininc followed by 3 years in Courtenay at ValleyCare Medical Clinic. Dr. Bell left the ValleyCare group in 2010 to build and run Southwood Medical Clinic which opened in June 2010. She continues to be the lead physician at Southwood.
Dr. Bell has been a full-time preceptor in the UBC Family Practice Residency Program (Strathcona site - Comox Valley) since its inception in 2013. You can; therefore, expect to see a resident working beside her in the office at most times of the year. Please be assured that Dr. Bell Personally reviews and approves all the residents' work.
Dr. Bell has resigned her Acute Care privileges at the Comox Valley Hospital but remains active in the care of elderly patients who are in the hospital and awaiting placement in a care facility. If you are in hospital, you may have a visit from Dr. Bell or one of her residents, but she will not be in charge of your care. Dr. Bell has also assumed the care of an increasing number of care facility patients in our community. She regularly sees patients at The Views at St. Joseph's, Glacierview lodge and the Comox Valley Senior's Village.
Dr. Bell enjoys music, swimming, reading and travel in her free time.
Dr. Abdulkader graduated in 1995 from Tikrit University College Of Medicine (TUCOM) in Iraq. She completed 2 years of post-graduate training and has worked as a GP since 1997. She has worked in Iraq, Sultanate in Oman, United Arab Emirates. She has a diploma in obstetrics and women's health from the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians in Ireland and is an international member of the Royal College of General Practitioners U.K. Dr. Abdulkader came to Canada in 2014 and has lived on Vancouver Island since 2017. She has full privileges at the North Island Hospital the Comox Valley Campus.
Dr. Abdulkader enjoys going for sea side walks with her family in her free time.
Dr. Chifor graduated for University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She completed postgraduate training UBC and a fellowship/R3 in geriatrics UBC. Dr. Chifor works as a family physician, Clinical instructor UBC, Medical Director Glacier View Lodge and Comox Valley Seniors Village, and WorksafeBC Medical Advisor.
Physician Care Network Staff
Sadie Quintal - PCN Primary Care Clinical Pharmacist
Sadie graduated from the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2010 and spent the next four years of her career as a Pharmacy Officer for the Canadian Forces. Working in Island Health since 2015, her varied roles have included ward-based clinical assignments, academic detailing, and temporary Pharmacy Site Coordinator.
Ashley Grybowski – PCN Registered Social Worker
I was born in Tkaronto (Toronto) and grew up there with my Polish and chosen family & friends. I began practicing social work with newcomers/immigrants and people experiencing housing and food insecurity. After a decade in both urban and rural community-based program management and direct service provision, I’m excited to learn from and work alongside PCN team members to support folks in accessing safe and supportive care.
I’m passionate about building connection and capacity with people as we collaboratively recognize their strengths and navigate services & supports to address their identified needs and goals.
In my spare time, I like spending time with loved ones and working with my hands. I’m often either gardening or fumbling my way through new recipes or a DIY project. I love exploring the backcountry. I am most at peace on the trails or sitting around a table or a campfire while in good company.
I look forward to connecting with you,
Megan Burton - PCN Mental Health Clinican
Lydia Powers, BSc, RD – PCN Dietitian
Lydia has practised dietetics since 2008 in both Alberta and BC with a focus on chronic disease prevention and management. Her experience comes from working in primary care, public health, kidney care and more recently in diabetes education in Campbell River. She has worked for Island Health for twelve years and lived in the Comox Valley for six years. She is working towards obtaining designation as a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). Lydia greatly enjoys supporting her clients and colleagues to achieve optimal health and when not working she loves cooking and spending time in her garden with her family. She is looking forward to developing and facilitating group nutrition education sessions and cooking classes for the PCN and working within the clinics with the multidisciplinary team.
Staff
Is our main receptionist who has been with us since the beginning. Her great sense of humour keeps the office laughing all day.
Is our billing clerk and looks after the paperwork in the office. She joined our team at the beginning of 2018. Her dry wit will keep you on your toes.
She joined the team in August 2018. She is easy going and always up for a good laugh.
Fax: 1-250-334-2213