Meet The Team
Docs on the Bay, Horseshoe Bay’s medical and wellness centre, is community oriented. We are sensitive to the needs of people surrounding us whatever health challenges they face. We strive at being implemental towards the comprehensive health and wellness of our community.
Our team consists of various health professionals with valuable experience, knowledge and expertise. Together we are serious in our commitment to make the basic wellbeing of any individual person our concern.
Dr. Wilhelm Hofmeyr
Family Medicine
Wim has been living and working in Horseshoe Bay since 2008. With Heleen and their three boys, fell in love the west coast living. 'I still pinch myself every day...'
Dr. Colleen Lawlor
Family Medicine
Dr. Lawlor has been with Docs on the Bay since 2017.
She has been practicing in West Vancouver for over 13 years,
with a BA in Psychology, MSC in Nursing, MD from the University of Texas, San Antonio, we consider ourselves so very lucky to have had her choose Docs to continue serving her patients from.
Dr. Jay Wortman
Family Medicine
Dr Jay Wortman studied Biology and Chemistry at the University of Alberta and Medicine at the University of Calgary. He completed the Family Medicine residency at UBC before starting private practice in Vancouver. He began combining that with part-time clinics at the STI/HIV the BC Centre for Disease Control where he eventually became the full-time Associate Director. He moved on the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada where he held senior management positions in Ottawa and Vancouver.
In 1992, he developed type 2 diabetes and quickly discovered that it could be controlled by restricting dietary carbohydrates. He went on to do clinical research on low-carbohydrate diets and became a little bit famous for a study he did in the Namgis First Nation of Alert Bay which was the subject of the CBC documentary film, "My Big Fat Diet". His research interest in the dietary management of obesity, pre-diabetes and diabetes led him back into clinical practice where he is now.
His approach to medicine is based on the extensive knowledge of the power of nutritional interventions he has acquired through clinical research over the past decade. He offers nutritional advice and coaching together with conventional medical approaches for patients who are suffering from common chronic conditions. He also spends part of each week practicing addictions medicine in Surrey, East Vancouver and the Downtown Eastside.
Dr. Angela Joannou
Family Medicine
Dr. Joannou joined the team at Docs on the Bay in the summer of 2023. She completed her medical school training at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She then completed her Family Medicine residency training at the UBC Coastal Program at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver.
Dr. Joannou is passionate about working as a full scope family physician. She is particularly interested in women’s health, dermatology, mental health and preventative medicine.
Having been born and raised on the North Shore, she is thrilled to serve her community.
Dr. Katie Beamish
Family Medicine
After a long search, we finally found Katie.
Graduating from McGill in 2003 (Microbiology and Immunology), then living in the Prairies from 2005-2011 where she completed her Family Practice residency. Katie involves herself with the full scope of Family Practice. Her smile and kind way is not only infectious, but also very reassuring.
Dr. Scott Besse
Family Medicine
Having provided locum and overflow coverage with Docs on the Bay since 2021, Dr. Besse made the decision to join the team full time in 2023. He completed a degree in Microbiology and Immunology at UBC prior to attending medical school in St. John's at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. He then completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
Having grown up in North Vancouver and spending much of his childhood in Horseshoe Bay with his grandparents, he is thrilled to be able to practice so close to home. When not spending time with friends and family on the North Shore, he also spends time working in the Northwest Territories providing locum coverage in rural communities.
Dr. Zahra Sharghi
Family Medicine
Dr.Sharghi started medical school at age 17 and has practiced as a general practitioner / emergency physician in rural and urban communities in Iran, Dubai and then multiple facilities in Newfoundland.
Prior to her residency in Newfoundland, she had further training in various hospitals and clinics in BC’s lower mainland including VGH Cardiology department, BC Women’s Hospital, BC Children’s Hospital and some family practice and sport medicine clinics.
In 2019 she started to dedicate her main focus to Family Medicine and built her practice in West Vancouver. During the pandemic she supported vulnerable communities. She also helped with orthopedic surgical assistance at St. Paul’s Hospital.
Dr. Sharghi is a firm believer in fundamental values of Family Medicine and its instrumental role an individual's day to day life.
She is a faculty member-clinical instructor with the UBC department of Family Medicine.
She joined us at Docs on the Bay as her main Family Practice clinic. She continues to be an active team member at North Shore Urgent Care Center.
Dr. Bob Wilson
Ph.D., R.Psych., FCPA
Over the past dozen or so years I have focused my practice on the following problems presented in no particular order:
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Dysfunctional relationships: marriages, co-workers, families or executives and boards
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Depression: co-morbid, grief, dysthymic disorder, suicidal ideation or personality disorder
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Anxiety: panic attack, phobic disorders, separation, post-traumatic stress or OCD
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Work-related stress disorders
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Retirement: planning and adjustment
If you have patients experiencing any of the above problems, I would appreciate an opportunity to work with you in helping them acquire a satisfactory level of adjustment.
For more information please visit: rfwilsonpsychologist.com
Phone : 604-831-7792
Janie Ticehurst
RN, M.Sc Com. Hlth
Nurse Janie has taken a new role as' Nurse in Practice' at Docs.
She has the focus of supporting patients and doctors in all areas, with the aim of improving patient care , especially those dealing with complex medical needs. Also adding services delivery on site ex. spirometry services, mental health support, vaccinations, allergy shots, diabetes care, foot exams and more to come...
WE are so fortunate to have her on the medical team!!
Thank you to VCH and the Divisions of Family Practice (Northshore) to make this possible.
Ella Solin, MSc.
Registered Clinical CounsellorCertified Hakomi Therapist
Over the last 15 years in my counselling practice I have worked with adults and adolescent girls, young women and their families. I’ve worked with issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma (e.g., PTSD, accidents, bullying, abuse), eating disorders, self-harm behaviours and parenting coaching. My practice is embedded in mindfulness and the latest research in neuropsychology, which shows we can “re-wire” our brains and change those in-grained patterns of thinking and behaving. I also draw on attachment theory and mindfulness-based cognitive-behaviour therapy. I assist my clients to identify their goals and provide a therapeutic roadmap to achieve them. With my gentle, experiential and mindfulness-based approach, I will support them to reevaluate and transform unproductive thoughts and beliefs, identify and appropriately express feelings, and heal past wounds which still influence (unconsciously) present day behaviours and choices. In turn, my clients learn new skills and discover a deeper sense of self and satisfaction with a wider repertoire of responses and choices. Outside of my work, you will find me outdoors being active with my family, doing yoga or sitting quietly with a book.
THERAPY MODALITIES
• Hakomi - www.hakomiinstitue.com
• EMDR - www.emdr.org
• Interpersonal-Neuropsychology
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy
• Attachment Theory AREAS OF PRACTICE
• Adults
• Teens and their families
• Stress, anxiety, depression (and postpartum depression), trauma/PTSD, eating disorders/disordered eating, self-harm behaviours, self-esteem, parent coaching, transitions, loss and grief.
Ella Solin, RCC
778-874-9270
Mary Coleman MSW, RSW
Compassion minded counseling
To inspire growth and connection in difficult times
Support for Individuals and couples living with:
Anxiety and depression
Relationship and family distress
Making meaning and purpose
Serious illnesses, loss and grief, caregiver stress
Traumatic experiences
See Bio
Please contact her at 778-233-4425 or compassionmindedcounseling@gmail.com
The Team That Keeps It Together
Patient Care Coordinators:
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Kelly
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Andrea
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Ellen
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Lisa
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Heleen
value. quality care. convenience.