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Personnel of Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health – Ladner Office

University of Victoria Ladner Office

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

 

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 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767


Charles Labun, BSc (HON)
Coordinator, Interior 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. 
Email: pclabun@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 946-0521 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

 

David Langer, BA
Coordinator, Vancouver Coastal (Vancouver & Richmond) and Fraser (Delta) 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. 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 childcare 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

 
Fran Hensen, RN, BScN, MAL/Ed
Self-Management Health Coach Program Educator

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: 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

 

Gundeep Sidhu, BSc, MSc

Coordinator, South-Asian Self-Management Programs

Gundeep joined the University of Victoria as a volunteer leader in 2020 and began working as Coordinator, Sout-Asian Self-Management Programs in December of 2021. She is originally from India and has a background in the field of mental health nursing. Gundeep brings several years of health sector experience, including teaching, guidance and counseling, patient education, and skill training. 
Email: gundeep@uvic.ca
Phone:  (236) 858-9636 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767 

 

Gurpreet Sandhu, MPH
Frailty Coach Program  

Gurpreet started the position in February 2023. With a background in medicine, she brings vast experience of working in charitable hospitals and serving underserved populations. With graduation in public health from Walden University, she brings her experience and passion for working towards health promotion, health education, and research initiatives to address social determinants of health. Sitting as a volunteer member of DEI Committee of the Washington State Public Health Association, she has worked on several Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and hence aims to bring a positive change in the community. 
Email: gurpreetsandhu1@uvic.ca or frailtycoach@uvic.ca 
Phone:  (604) 946-0195 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) 603-8258

 

Julieta Gerbrandt, MSc
Program Support, Self-Management Health Coach Program

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 focusing on gender or economic status as social determinants of health. Julieta is currently providing program support for the Self-Management Health Coach Program.
Email: smhcoach@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-9424 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


Karen Hannah, 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, she 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

 

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

 

Lisa Herriot, BA
Program Support, 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

 

Louise Rolland, DCH, AIEHP, DBA
Frailty Coach Program 

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 or frailtycoach@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-8945 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767



Margaret Chernaske

Project Support

Margaret joined the University of Victoria in January 2022, and provides administrative support to our Program Coordinators. She has worked in the non-profit sector as administrative support for many years and brings a great deal of knowledge to her role as project support.
Email: selfmgmt@uvic.ca
Phone: (604) 940-1273 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

 

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



Sherry Lynch, 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. Before joining the University of Victoria, she had 14 years of experience with non-profit societies and healthcare agencies, specifically in 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: (236) 638-9011 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767