Dr. James R. Gray, FRCP(C), Gastroenterologist CSIR Vice President
Dr. James Gray is a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, and performed his internship at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. After operating a successful family practice, he completed his residency in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UBC and was subsequently awarded a research fellowship at the University of Edinburgh. He is currently Clinical Assistant Professor of gastroenterology at the University of British Columbia and is also president of the BC Society of Gastroenterology.
Dr. Bill Salh, MBChB, MRCP, FRCP(C)
Dr. Salh is a gastroenterologist at Vancouver General Hospital and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. His main research interests lie in the field of gastrointestinal inflammation and cancer.
After completing his medical degree at the University of Leeds in England, Dr. Salh trained in Internal Medicine at National Health Service hospitals located in Hull, Manchester, and London. He spent 2 years as a clinical research fellow in the field of Cystic Fibrosis in Manchester, where he worked with Dr. Kevin Webb and Dr. Joan Braganza on several clinical projects. He completed his gastroenterology training at the University of British Columbia, and subsequently did MRC-funded basic science training in Dr. Steven Pelech's laboratory in the field of signal transduction.
He has published several academic articles in this area, and has received both local (including from CSIR) and national funding support for his research. He currently holds a VCHRI In-it-for-life Clinician-Scientist Award.
Louella Sequeira, MBChB, MRCP, FRCP(C)
Louella is a self-employed Information Technology (IT) consultant, providing a full range of management and IT consulting services to a diverse group of companies in the Lower Mainland. Louella immigrated to Canada in the late 60s with her family and has spent most of her life in Vancouver. Louella completed her technical education at the BC Institute of Technology and enhanced her management experience with a Masters of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.
Louella is keenly interested in contributing her time and resources to making the Society a national entity. She sees the value of its mission in educating and researching the broad spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders that affect millions of Canadians, including her friends and loved ones. Louella lives in Burnaby, BC with her husband.
Dr. Frank H. Anderson, FRCP(C), Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist Honorary Chair
Dr. Frank H. Anderson established the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research in 1976. He is a graduate of the University Of British Columbia School Of Medicine, and completed a rotating internship and residency training in both Medicine and Pathology at Vancouver General Hospital. Throughout his career he has held a number of prominent positions within the UBC faculty of medicine as well as serving as the Head of the Division of Gastroenterology for 15 years. He was instrumental in establishing the Chemical Dependency Resource Team at Vancouver General Hospital, as well as the Provincial Home Enteral and Parenteral Feeding Program. Dr. Anderson is now associate Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia. He has both a clinical and research practice specializing in the areas of inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease. Dr. Anderson has authored numerous research papers, has spoken nationally and internationally at conferences, and taught postgraduate and continuing medical education courses. You can find more about Dr. Anderson on his website www.laircentre.com, for The Liver and Intestinal Research Centre.
Catherine Rocheleau , MBA, RD
Catherine Rocheleau is an experienced professional, non-profit executive and business owner. She has held senior management and executive positions, leading in organizational change, growth, and development. She operates a thriving professional practice and consulting business (Ignite Solutions Consulting) and regularly mentors business owners.
Catherine is a Registered Dietitian. She earned an MBA in Managerial Leadership and Project Management from City University (Bellevue, WA). She is a Certified Executive & Business Coach, a Master Coach Trainer and an Organizational Change Professional.
Catherine's pleasures in life include golf, Pilates, walks, reading, good food, and memorable times with family and friends.
Cathy Wong , BSc
Cathy Wong completed her Bachelor of Science, majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. Soon after concluding these studies, a newfound interest led her into the accounting field, where she is now working as a corporate accountant while studying toward acquiring a CGA designation.
In addition to her interest in accounting, Cathy has always had a passion for health science and is on her way to completing Certificates in Health and Fitness Studies and Applied Human Nutrition, also through Simon Fraser University. She is eager to contribute her time and knowledge to both the Gastrointestinal Society and the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research. Cathy's passion is to further the Societies' mandates by raising awareness about various gastrointestinal diseases within communities all across Canada.
Board Advisors Doug Ford, BAppSc
Doug was born and raised in Vancouver and graduated with an engineering degree from the University of British Columbia in 1972. He subsequently settled in Australia where he began his career as a computer programmer in the days of punch cards. Since then he has specialized in application systems design and programming, and is currently focused on Microsoft Access database programming. His clients have included government institutions, businesses, and members of the healthcare field and non-profit sectors.
As a patient himself, and a long-time member and supporter of our Society, Doug understands keenly the need for patient resources and research in the field of gastroenterology. In addition to volunteering as facilitator of the Vancouver Inflammatory Bowel Disease Support Group for more than 6 years, Doug very generously donates his time and expertise to our office in database design, development, and maintenance.
Jo Hoeflok, RN, BSN, MA, ET, ACNP
Jo graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1986 with a Baccalaureate degree in nursing. She has been working in a Gastroenterology and General Surgery setting for more than twenty years, taking on various roles including staff nurse, educator, head nurse, and clinician. She completed her Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Education at Emory University, Atlanta in 1996, and her Masters of Arts (Liberal Studies) from Simon Fraser University in 1997. Since then she has worked as an Enterostomal Therapy Nurse in both Vancouver and Toronto.
Jo completed the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Toronto in 2003, and is currently working at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, as the Advanced Practice Nurse for the Gastroenterology and General Surgery Unit. She has a cross appointment to the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto, and regularly publishes and presents at national and international conferences.
Actively volunteering with CSIR for the past 4 years, Jo provides articles related to ostomy care, and is very proud to contribute to CSIR's valuable consumer resource related to gastrointestinal disorders.
Dr. Alan Low, BSc (Pharm), PharmD, RPh, ACPR, FCSHP, CCD
Alan is a registered pharmacist holding positions as Chief Operating Officer of Network Healthcare (www.networkhealthcare.ca), Clinical Associate Professor at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, and principal of Dr. Alan Low Pharmaceutical Consulting. Alan has held several prominent positions through his career, in addition to presenting at numerous national and international conferences, serving on many medical and pharmacy committees, regionally and nationally, and continuing active participation in several associations and societies. He is also a guest lecturer in the Gerontology Program at the Simon Fraser University.
Alan was conferred Fellow status by the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacy (FCSHP) in 2002, which is a recognition that signifies outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to practice excellence and professional growth.
Specialty areas include pharmacy care for geriatric patients, as well as particular interests in gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, Parkinson's disease, osteoporosis, menopause, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer's disease, hypertension, and multiple sclerosis. Alan has been involved with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia in establishing a credentialing program aimed at recognizing advanced practitioners to help in the promotion of pharmacists as effective professionals in healthcare delivery.
Are you taking prescription medication for any of the following stomach problems/symptoms:
Stomach pain or discomfort
Heartburn
Sour taste in mouth/acid regurgitation
Excessive burping/belching
Increased abdominal bloating
Nausea
Early satiety
If you answer yes to any one of the symptoms listed above then take this test to see if your current medication is adequately controlling your stomach symptoms.
The PASS Test
PPI* Acid Symptom Suppression Test
*PPI is short for proton pump inhibitor, a class of medication used to suppress the acid in your stomach. These include Losec®, Nexium®, Pantoloc®, Pariet™, and Prevacid®.
Dr. James R. Gray, FRCP(C), Gastroenterologist
Dr. Bill Salh, MBChB, MRCP, FRCP(C)
Louella Sequeira, MBChB, MRCP, FRCP(C)
Dr. Frank H. Anderson, FRCP(C), Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist
Catherine Rocheleau , MBA, RD
Cathy Wong , BSc
Doug Ford, BAppSc
Jo Hoeflok, RN, BSN, MA, ET, ACNP
Dr. Alan Low, BSc (Pharm), PharmD, RPh, ACPR, FCSHP, CCD
