SKIN CARE WEST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Medical Office Administrator
Job Titles:
- Medical Office Administrator
Job Titles:
- Family Medicine Specialist With a Focus in Skin Cancer
I was drawn to medicine as it was a career that I could engage in my community in a long term meaningful way. I was born local, right here in Nanaimo. I completed a BSC in Biochemistry at McGill and returned to beautiful BC for my medical training, completing MD CCFP(EM) in 2005. I have spent 17 years as an Emergency Room/Urgent Care physician. The marriage of procedural skills and pathophysiology of cutaneous cancers continued to hold my curiosity. I have recently received my Diploma in Skin Cancer Medicine from the University of Queensland and am excited to have joined the wonderfully collaborative group of providers at Skin Care West.
In 2003 I started my Dermatology practice in Nanaimo. My academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in Biology at Waterloo followed by a PhD in physiology research at UBC. I completed medical school at McMaster University and then a 5-yr residency training program at UBC Dermatology. As an Assistant Instructor at UBC Dermatology, medical education of new trainees is a dedicated focus at our clinic.
What I enjoy about working on central Vancouver Island is the range of skin conditions I see as a consultant. Dermatology is a highly academic and broad speciality. My focus is on general medical and surgical dermatology with some cosmetic treatments. Many patients have skin cancer concerns and others have inflammatory disorders for which we now have modern therapeutics. Phototherapy for psoriasis and eczema is a busy part of my practice and I am committed to offering optimal care of these and other complex diagnoses.
Job Titles:
- Family Medicine Specialist With a Focus in Skin Cancer
I grew up in Edmonton, where my family arrived as refugees from the Soviet Union in the late 1970's. I completed a BSc and MD at the University of Alberta, followed by a residency in Family Medicine at Dalhousie University. I then returned to the U of A for additional training in Emergency Medicine. Afterwards, I spent over a decade working as an ER Physician and Trauma Team Leader in Edmonton, Thunder Bay, and Nanaimo. In Thunder Bay, I served as the Emergency Department's Medical Education Director, and held an academic position at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. I did the same in Nanaimo and was appointed a Clinical Assistant Professor in the UBC Department of Family Medicine.
In 2015, I started doing surgical procedures at Skin Care West. It allowed me to cut back a bit on hospital-based work, while also providing a much-needed service, due to a backlog of skin cancer cases in the community. I enjoyed the work, and I was comfortable with the technical aspects of basic skin surgery, but I recognized that I had a knowledge deficit about skin cancer itself. The following year I started a master's degree in Skin Cancer Medicine through the University of Queensland (Australia), which I completed in 2019.
I now focus exclusively on providing comprehensive skin cancer care. That includes high level diagnosis using handheld microscopy and imaging, along with both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Since many of my patients are high risk, I work closely with local specialists and providers at the BC Cancer Agency. I continue to teach through my position at UBC and in supervising medical trainees at Skin Care West. I've also been an invited speaker at the national conference of the Primary Care Dermatology Society of Canada, served as Medical Director for Healthcert International's first Canadian ‘Advanced Skin Cancer Procedural Skills' workshop, and assisted with online training courses for health care providers sponsored by the Melanoma Network.
Outside of the clinic I love spending time with my wife and two daughters. I enjoy cycling, mountaineering, windsurfing, and skiing. I also have an interest in Wilderness Medicine, have completed a Diploma in Mountain Medicine, and volunteered for many years as a ski doctor at Mt. Washington Alpine Resort. As an avid outdoor athlete, I have a keen interest in the importance of sun protection while maintaining an active lifestyle. My mantra is ‘keep doing the things you love but protect your skin and make it last'.
Job Titles:
- Family Medicine Specialist With a Focus in Skin Procedures
I have been a physician in Nanaimo since 1999, starting out as a Family Physician, and eventually focusing on Hospital Medicine. My surgical and wound care skills have been honed with ongoing work in the Emergency Department at NRGH, as well as previous tenure with the hospital wound clinic. Procedural skills have always been my interest, as I find I learn best by doing.
I can't imagine a more convivial clinic, and I'm proud to lend my skills to Skin Care West.
Dr. Noiles is thrilled to be back at Skin Care West. She completed her undergraduate studies at Queen's University, medical school at McMaster University, and Dermatology Residency at U.B.C. She is a board certified Dermatologist and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Dermatology).
Job Titles:
- Family Medicine Specialist With a Focus in Skin Disorders
Dr. Belisle was born and raised in the province of Quebec. She completed her medical degree at McGil University, then moved across the country to do her Family Medicine residency in Victoria, BC. She pursued further training in Emergency Medicine in St. John's, NL. Since then, she has been working as an Emergency Physician on Vancouver Island. She recognized the lack of access to dermatological services on the island, and so she decided to enroll in the Diploma in Practical Dermatology from Cardiff University (Wales, UK) and graduated with Distinction in June 2020. She was also awarded a Fellowship in the Canadian College of Family Physician in 2020.
When not at work, Dr. Belisle keeps pretty busy with her three young kids and husband. They enjoy spending time at their cabin in the Cowichan Valley.
I am thrilled to be back home on Vancouver Island working with the amazing team at Skin Care West. After completing my combined MD/PhD at the University of British Columbia, followed by dermatology residency at UBC's Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, I am now proud to hold dual board-certification in both Canada (Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, FRCPC) and the United States (Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, DABD). I believe the team-based approach at Skin Care West is ideally suited to the specific needs of dermatology patients and I am honoured to be able to practice with such competent and collegial colleagues. As a clinical instructor for UBC's Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, I am passionate about dermatology education and frequently teach both medical students and residents. While I find all aspect of dermatology fascinating, I have a particular interest in skin cancer, autoimmune diseases of the skin and telemedicine. I look forward to seeing you at Skin Care West!
Job Titles:
- Family Medicine Specialist With a Focus in Skin Disorders
Dr. Yana Simice is a Family Medicine Specialist with a Focus in Skin Disorders. She has been consulting at Skin Care West since 2013. She received her Diploma in Practical Dermatology with Distinction from Cardiff University in 2013. She was awarded a Fellowship in the College of Family Physicians in 2014. In addition to direct patient care, she enjoys teaching medical learners and is a Clinical Instructor at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Simice is President of the Primary Care Dermatology Society of Canada.
"In addition to dermatology being a fascinating and personally fulfilling field of medicine, I sincerely enjoy meeting the people who comprise my patient population. I believe my previous background as a Family Physician and Emergency Physician helps me address multifactorial skin problems with creative patient-centered solutions. I am passionate about the team we are building here at Skin Care West. I hope that through this progressive collaborative model, we will continue to provide excellent dermatological care to our community in a timely manner."
Job Titles:
- Medical Office Administrator
Job Titles:
- Medical Office Administrator
Job Titles:
- Clinical Trials and Complex Case Manager
Michele Gammie is an essential member at Skin Care West. She has the challenging role of integrating the needs of the patient community, supporting our physicians in delivering optimal care, providing nursing expertise and managing her team of medical office administrators. Michele's passion and commitment to her role personifies our mission: to improve quality of life through exceptional patient-centered dermatological care.
Job Titles:
- Medical Office Administrator