Alex is one of our administration assistants at the Medication Assessment Centre USask Chronic Pain Clinic. She is working on her Bachelor of Science in Animal Bioscience degree at the University of Saskatchewan. Alex enjoys being outside in nature with her two dogs, and photography by the river.
Bree Rutten graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Physical Education in 1998 followed by a degree in Physical Therapy in 2001. Since graduation, she has focused on treatment of pelvic disorders, with advanced training focusing on concerns of the bladder, bowel, pregnancy and pelvic pain. Currently, she works in the area of chronic pain concerns at the MAC USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC) program. The focus of treatment is creating balance and strength to create a strong base for everyday life activities and fitness. This applies to anyone, of any age, gender or activity levels. In addition to clinical treatment, Bree also participates in workshops, conferences and groups to provide education on pelvic and core function throughout the province.
Carrie is a registered dietitian with the MAC and MAC USask Chronic Pain team. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Saskatchewan in 2008 and during that time was a member of the Huskie Volleyball team. Carrie is also the Director of the Eat Well Saskatchewan service that provides free nutrition advice to residents of Saskatchewan. Since graduating in 2008 she has worked in many areas including over ten years' experience in the area of Indigenous nutrition with the Saskatoon Tribal Council as well as working in the areas of chronic disease management, prenatal and sport nutrition. Carrie is a mother of two boys, loves to garden, and cook. Whenever she is not busy with her family, she can be found on the golf course, enjoying the fresh air and competing in tournaments across Saskatchewan.
Christelle Lazurko is a recent addition with the Medication Assessment Centre (MAC), USask Chronic Pain Clinic. She recently moved back to Saskatchewan to Saskatoon, after spending 16 years in Calgary. She convocated from the University of Saskatchewan in 2000 and has been a practicing Pharmacist since then working in four different provinces. While in Calgary, she primarily worked in a primary care setting within a PCN (Primary Care Network) where she enjoyed working collaboratively with her colleagues to support people living with diabetes, chronic pain, and other chronic conditions. Within MAC, she continues to pursue her special interest of chronic pain within our chronic pain clinic while supporting students within their experiential learning opportunities. She is newly married, enjoying life with her husband and being closer and spending more time with her extended family. You may catch her and husband during the Major League Baseball season cheering excitedly for her Blue Jays or also cooking new recipes while enjoying eating them too!
Derek is the director of both the Medication Assessment Centre (MAC) and the USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC). He is a licensed pharmacist who participates in patient consultations in the MAC and is the clinical co-lead of MAC UCPC. Derek is also a professor in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition. He is a father of two teenage boys and likes to travel, read, fish, and run in his spare time.
Eric received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BSP) in 2011 from the University of Saskatchewan. He went on to complete a Hospital Pharmacy Residency with the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region in 2012. Following residency, Eric worked as a hospital pharmacist at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, before taking a position with the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition as coordinator of the Medication Assessment Centre. In his role, Eric facilitates experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate pharmacy students in which they provide individualized care to patients who are referred to MAC. He is also a clinical pharmacist with the new USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC) team. Eric has a special interest in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) and has seen this aspect of practice grow in recent years. Eric has recently completed his Master's in Education Administration with a focus on teaching and learning in post-secondary education. In his free time, Eric joins his wife Chelsea in chasing after their 5 kids.
Isobel Johnston has been a physical therapist in Saskatoon since her convocation from the University of Saskatchewan in 2008, and currently is the physical therapist with the MAC USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC) team. She had worked exclusively in private orthopaedic practice until the opportunity to join MAC UCPC presented. Isobel's interest in chronic pain stemmed from her exposure in private practice to many amazing patients who struggled with chronic pain. These interactions led her career down a path of education focused on pain science. In 2020, she earned a Graduate Certificate in Pain Management from the University of Alberta. Isobel likes being outdoors and values physical activity. She participates in triathlon, but also enjoys canoeing and camping, as well as cross-country skiing and the odd snowboarding trip with friends. Isobel has an energetic dog and an equally energetic toddler and is lucky enough to have a spouse that helps her navigate through it all!
Jennifer is a social worker with MAC USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC). She completed her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Regina in 2003 and a Master's in Health Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan in 2021 with a special interest in the role of social work in bleeding disorders and pain management. She has a particular curiosity in helping regulate the central nervous system through counseling strategies to change the experience of pain. In her free time she enjoys homeschooling, being in the kitchen, cultivating house plants, and going on outdoor adventures.
Johnna is one of the Medical Office Assistants at the MAC and USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC). She completed her Medical Office Assistant Diploma in 2003 and has been working in the medical field since. Johnna enjoys thrifting, reading and chihuahuas.
Katelyn is the clinical co-lead for MAC USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC). She completed her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at the University of Saskatchewan in 2012 and her Hospital Pharmacy Residency in Regina in 2013. In 2015, Katelyn completed the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of British Columbia. Katelyn is board certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy. Before returning to Saskatchewan, Katelyn worked as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Vancouver General Hospital in the areas of neurology and psychiatry. In December 2018, Katelyn accepted the position of Assistant Professor in the areas of mental health, addictions and neurology with the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan. She also works as a consultant clinical pharmacist in psychiatry and addictions with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. In her spare time, Katelyn can be found training for her next triathlon race, enjoying nature, listening to music and baking.
Marissa is one of our administration assistants at the Medication Assessment Centre and USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC). She completed her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree at the University of Saskatchewan and is currently completing her Master's degree, also at the University of Saskatchewan, with a focus on Indigenous and queer health. Marissa enjoys cooking, watching movies, and playing sports with family and friends.
Michael is a recent addition to the Medication Assessment Centre, USask Chronic Pain Clinic as one of our pharmacists. Michael was born and raised in Saskatoon. After a winding journey, stopping along the way at fruit groves in Australia, classrooms in China, and kitchens in Saskatchewan, Michael convocated from the University of Saskatchewan in 2012. Since then he has practiced as a community pharmacist in and around Saskatoon, with areas of focus including harm reduction and treatment for substance use disorder. Michael enjoys music, sports, and spending time outdoors.
Dr. Marwah is our consultant physician on the MAC USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC) team. Although you will not see her in person, she works behind the scenes with our pharmacists and team to help provide you with the best care. As a physician consultant on the team, she is involved in discussions revolving around running our MAC UCPC as well as participating in case conferences. Radhika completed her medical schooling in India and was trained as an anesthesiologist. She then moved to Canada where she completed a Master's degree in Community Health with a specialization in Addictions and Mental Health from Dalla Lana School of Public Health in Toronto. After, she moved to Regina where she worked as a primary healthcare physician with the Saskatchewan Health Authority for 5 years. During her time in Regina, Radhika led an interdisciplinary team comprising of family physicians, a nurse practitioner and pharmacist to deliver care to marginalized and high needs communities in Regina. Meadow Chronic Pain Clinic, led by Radhika, is a leading site in providing optimum and evidence-based care of chronic pain and opioid dependence. Currently, Radhika is working as a physician with the Interprofessional Pain and Addictions Recovery Clinic at the Centre of Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) at the University of Toronto. In her spare time, Radhika enjoys regular workouts to maintain her fitness, nature walks, and spending time with family. Radhika also enjoys traveling and connecting with family overseas as well as watching crime shows and reading.
Shannon is a Medical Social Worker with the UCPC team. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in psychology at the University of Saskatchewan in 1993 and went on to complete a Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of Calgary in 1996. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Shannon has worked in a variety of social work fields throughout her career including mental health counseling and workshop facilitation (through the health region as well as operating her own private practice), direct service and volunteer coordination for RCMP Victim Services, and holding counseling, consulting and outreach positions in several School Divisions. She has always had a passion for helping people understand how their brains and bodies are connected and that learning ways to take care of our mental health can have a significant positive impact on our physical health – including our experience of pain. Shannon loves yoga, reading, gardening, travel and spending time with her friends and family. She, her husband Greg and two children love music – listening to it, playing it, and especially going to live music events.
Tanis is one of the three social workers working at MAC USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC). She is originally from Alberta but has lived in Saskatoon for 25 years. She completed her Bachelor of Social Work in 1999. She has worked as a social worker at all three Saskatoon hospitals, was a counselor at the University of Saskatchewan Student Health Centre, led groups and provided individual counseling with Mental Health Services at the Anxiety and Mood Disorder Clinic, and provided individual counseling and helped run groups at Community Services. On the MAC UCPC team, Tanis is interested in supporting clients as they develop and use non-pharmacological ways to help reduce pain and to cope with its impact on their lives. In her free time, Tanis enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys, having friends and family around their table (go away COVID!!), reading, being outside in nature with her dog (and whomever else wants to join), painting and watching standup comedy.
Tracy is the Associate Director for the Medication Assessment Centre and USask Chronic Pain Clinic (UCPC). Tracy has her Masters Certificate in Project Management and is working on her BComm (Human Resources and Management) degree at the University of Saskatchewan. Tracy has worked in various administrative positions during her working career including administrator of a rural health centre and quality care advisor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan. In her spare time, Tracy can be found spending time with her large, blended family, in her sewing room quilting and making clothes and other items for her grandchildren, and spending time with her husband and pets.
