Patrick McGowan, PhD
Professor, University of Victoria School of Public Health and Social Policy
Patrick
joined the University of Victoria in January of 2002 and directs
Self-Management BC. His background experience has been in health
promotion research, administration, social planning and consulting.
During the last 30 years, his main focus has been on investigating the
implementation of best practices and effectiveness with health education
programs for persons experiencing chronic health conditions,
particularly self-management programs and strategies.
Email: pmcgowan@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-3574 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Curriculum Vitae
Jagdev Bains, MPE, MA, BSc
Coordinator, South Asian Self-Management Programs
Jagdev
(Jay) joined the University of Victoria in May of 2009 and coordinates
South Asian Self-Management Programs. His background experience has been
in employment counseling, job mentoring, recruiting and training
volunteers. He is a professional immigrant from India with background
experience in the field of sports science and coaching focussing on
health education and skill training. Currently, Jay is pursuing doctoral
studies at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, India.
Email: jaybains@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 763-6523 (cell), (604) 940-8967 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Christine Bramwell, BA
Coordinator, Interior Self-Management Programs
Christine
joined the University of Victoria in November 2010. She brings many
years of administrative experience from her time working in the
insurance industry. Christine is a graduate of the University of
Victoria and has a Bachelor of Arts. She oversees the Interior region of
the province.
Email: bramwell@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 946-0521 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
June Clearsky, Associate of Arts, Institute of Indigenous Government
Coordinator, Indigenous Provincial & Fraser (North) Self-Management Programs
June
joined the University of Victoria as a volunteer leader in 2009 and
began working as the Indigenous Liaison in July of 2010. She has worked
in Indigenous communities for the past 20 years and has extensive
knowledge of Indigenous peoples in Canada. June has a passion for
achieving wellness through the Lomilomi Massage (Hawaiian Massage) and
is currently pursuing further education.
Email: clearsky@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-6950 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Mark Davies
Coordinator, Northern Self-Management Programs
Mark
was initially involved with the University of Victoria’s
Self-Management Programs as a volunteer Leader. He has been a
Coordinator since 2000, in the Vancouver Coastal, Interior, and Fraser
Health Regions, most recently, for over 13 years, in the Vancouver
Island region. As of January 2020, he is the part-time Coordinator for
the Northern BC region. As a Master and T-Trainer, he has delivered
numerous trainings throughout BC and across Canada and the US. His
previous background experience includes 20 years of administrative
banking, along with over 33 years of volunteer sports coaching.
Email: mvdavies@uvic.ca
Phone: Toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Julieta Gerbrandt, MSc
Qualitative Researcher
Julieta
joined the University of Victoria in September of 2014 and is the
Qualitative Researcher. Her graduate thesis focused on human nutrition
and food security of people living with disabilities. Her background
experience has been in health promotion research projects that focus on
gender or economic status as social determinants of health. Julieta is
currently providing program support for the Self-Management Health Coach
Program.
Email: julietag@uvic.ca
Phone: 604-940-9424 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Brenda Gyurkovics
Project Support
Brenda
joined the University of Victoria in October of 2019, and provides
administrative support to our Program Coordinators. She brings several
years experience in the health care sectors.
Email: selfmgmt@uvic.ca
Phone: 604-940-1273
Karen Hanna h, BA, BSW
Lead, Pairing and Support, Self-Management Health Coach Program
Karen's
initial involvement with the University of Victoria's Self-Management
Programs was as a participant, volunteer Leader, and Master Trainer. Her
experience includes coordinating the Vancouver Coastal and Northern
health regions.As a T-Trainer for self-management programs and has
delivered trainings across Canada and in the US. Her previous experience
includes 20 years of community resource development and delivering
health and social service programs in remote and culturally diverse
communities.
Email: klhannah@uvic.ca and smhcoach@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-3573 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Suzanne Harmandian, RSA Dip Bus Studies
Program Assistant, Research
Suzanne
joined the University of Victoria in 2009 after 20 years of working in
legal offices in British Columbia and England. Suzanne offers an
extensive background in administrative skills and is currently working
as a Research Assistant as well as providing administrative support for
all aspects of the office.
Email: suzanneh@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 946-0195 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Fran Hensen, RN, BScN, MAL/Ed
VADAC Project Lead, Clinical Nurse Specialist
Fran
is the Project Lead for the Victoria Assistive Devices and Coaching
(VADAC) Study taking place in Victoria. Fran's previous professional and
personal experiences consist of working in several Health Authorities
in multidisciplinary environments that support Health Prevention and
Promotion initiatives (Public Health and Primary Care) and support
collaborative team approaches involving interdisciplinary projects and
program redesign. Her dedication to involvement in peer coaching for
chronic diseases strengthens her ongoing practice and commitment towards
initiatives that promote the development of informed and activated
patients in managing chronic health conditions on a daily basis.
Email: fhensen@uvic.ca
Phone: (250) 516-5742
Lisa Herriot, BA
Program Assistant, Self-Management Health Coach Program
Lisa
joined the University of Victoria in 2013. She provides administrative
support to the Self-Management Health Coach Program. Lisa brings to this
role many years of experience working in a non-profit environment. She
is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts
in Urban Planning.
Email: smhcoach@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-8973 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Navah Jacobs, CDA, DipDH, BScDH
Research Assistant and Data Coordinator
Navah's
experience in the health science field over the past 30 years has
included clinical practice and teaching undergraduate students. Navah's
degree included a focus on statistics, epidemiology, and public health
programs. Previous volunteer experience includes a focus on the
geriatric sector where Navah provided cognitive support and music
therapy to non-ambulatory patients in care.
Email: navahj@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-8926 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Courtney Kang, MD, MPH
Coordinator, Chinese Self-Management Programs
Courtney
has been working in this position since September 2010. Her previous
training and working experience were mostly around health care, health
research and higher education. After years of researching on the
measurement of health-related quality of life, Courtney now enjoys
implementing self-management programs among Mandarin/Cantonese-speaking
people in the Lower Mainland as these evidence-based programs are truly
effective in improving people's health and quality of life.
Email: ckang@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-8967 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Naida Khan, BBA, MBA
Office Manager
Naida
joined the University of Victoria in June 2017 and works as the Office
Manager. Her background in the non-profit sector includes resource
development and coordination for social service and health promotion
organizations. Naida has volunteered with legal, sport and education
organizations and enjoys working with others who are passionate about
creating positive change.
Email: nkhan@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-9796 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
David Langer, BA
Coordinator, Vancouver Coastal Self-Management Programs
David
joined the University of Victoria as a volunteer Leader in 2013 and he
later became a Master Trainer. In 2019 he took on the role of
Coordinator of Programs for Richmond. David has extensive experience in
social services, working mostly in supervisory capacities. David's prior
experience includes working with at-risk youth in emergency receiving,
being a child care counsellor in the school system, and working with
adults who have developmental delays. David has a Bachelor of Arts in
Psychology from UBC and he is certified in Reality Therapy.
Email: ddlanger@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-3568
Charles Labun, BSc (HON)
Coordinator, Fraser (South) Self-Management Programs
Charles
joined the University of Victoria in April 2016. His background
experience includes adult and medical education, career and health
coaching, concept development for research and development, training and
Board work for non-profit organizations. Over the last 20 years, his
main focus has been on working in an educational capacity with
physicians and patients and volunteering as a Board member in the
charitable and non-profit sector. Charles oversees the communities of
White Rock, Surrey, and Delta.
Email: pclabun@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-6585 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Sherry Lync h, BA, MSW
Research Associate
Sherry
joined the University of Victoria in September 2003 and works as a
Research Associate. Her background experience is in psychology and
social work. Prior to joining the University of Victoria, she had 14
years of experience with non-profit societies and health care agencies,
specifically in the area of volunteer management. Her involvement in
self-management programs began in 1989 with the implementation of the
Arthritis Self-Management Program in Canada.
Email: slynch@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-3572 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Norma Mah, BComm
Project Support
Norma
joined the University of Victoria in April 2018. She provides
administrative support to the Coordinators and manages inquiries and
registrations for our programs. Norma brings several years of experience
managing workshops and courses throughout BC through her previous work
with a provincial outreach program. She is a graduate of the University
of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and is a
firm believer in life-long learning and growth.
Email: selfmgmt@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-1273 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Ginette McLennan, BA, BEd
Project Support
Ginette
joined the University of Victoria in September 2008 and is primarily
responsible for maintaining an inventory of program materials, and all
shipping and receiving throughout the province for self-management
programs. Ginette brings several years of experience coordinating
community volunteer activities throughout the province.
Email: ginettem@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-8924 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
John Murphy
Coordinator, Fraser (East) Self-Management Programs
John
joined the University of Victoria in April 2015 and coordinates
programs for the Vancouver Coastal region. His professional background
includes 30 years of senior management, business systems, and technology
experience with major corporations and consulting firms. John also has
20 years of varied volunteer experience with non-profit organizations
that includes 3 years as a volunteer Chronic Pain Self-Management
Program Leader and Master Trainer prior to joining the University of
Victoria as a staff member.
Email: jamurphy@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-3568 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Leah Otsig, Diploma - Financial Mgmt, BA, BEd, GCID
Coordinator, Vancouver Island Self-Management Programs
Leah
joined Self-Management BC in January 2020 as Coordinator for the
Vancouver Island Health region. She trained as a Health Coach in 2019 so
that she could spread the word to others about positive health via
self-management and has a passion for life-long learning as well as
helping others through community service. Leah has a background in
Accounting/Finance/Instructional Design as well as Adult and Public
Education teaching K-12 students in the areas of ESL, French Immersion
and Special Education.
Email: lotsig@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-3580 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Louise Rolland, DCH, AIEHP, DBA
Coordinator, Vancouver Coastal & Sunshine Coast Self-Management Programs
Louise
joined the University of Victoria as Office Manager and Program
Coordinator for the Sunshine Coast Region in 2011. She had been a
Volunteer Leader and Master Trainer since 2006. Her background in health
care, the criminal justice system, and social programs have proven to
be an asset. Focusing on healing arts, self-management concepts and the
opportunity to administer our programs fulfill her lifelong passion to
help others.
Email: lrolland@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-8945 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Shayan Shakeraneh, BMLSc, MPH
Research Assistant
Shayan
joined the University of Victoria in August 2007 as a Volunteer Leader
for various self-management programs and began working as a research
assistant in October 2017. A graduate of UBC's Master of Public Health
Program, Shayan brings to his role many years of research experience in
infection control, breast cancer, and undergraduate research program
development.
Email: sshakeraneh@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-9424 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Greg Veltman, MA
Program Assistant, Self-Management Health Coach Program
Greg
joined the University of Victoria in May of 2020. He is passionate
about the power of education, learning, and behavioural change theory
and strategies in bringing about positive behaviour change. In addition
to a background in post-secondary education, Greg is keenly interested
in the unique life learning that takes place outside the formal
educational environment and is eager to engage his critical thinking and
collaborative skills to enhance the health and quality of life of
persons experiencing chronic health conditions.
Phone: Toll-free 1-866-902-3767
Email: gveltman@uvic.ca