Dr. S. M. Allison
Dr. C. Balfour
- Bachelor of Science – majoring in Zoology and Comparative Physiology. University of Cape Town 1971
- Bachelor of Medicine and Batchelor of Surgery (Medical Degree) – University of Cape Town 1976
- Member of the Faculty of General Practice (Specialty qualification in Family Medicine) – College of Medicine of South Africa 1981
This was followed by 16 years in Family Practice in South Africa, while pursuing an interest in acute medicine. In 1997 I spent a six-month sabbatical in Cambridge (England), where I did The Certificate of Equivalent Experience in Family Medicine (Royal College of General Practitioners), and the Diploma in the Faculty of Family Planning (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists). From that time, I worked and trained in Emergency Departments in Cape Town and the UK, while doing all the Advanced Life Support courses, and the Diploma in Primary Emergency Care (College of Medicine of South Africa) 2001.
Fellow of the College of Emergency Medicine – College of Medicine of South Africa. 2004.
I was Head of the department of emergency medicine at the University of Cape Town from 2001 until 2006.
In October 2006, after a visit to Vancouver Island, we decided to immigrate to Canada, and began the process. I started at the Medical Arts Centre in May 2007.
Dr. Marcus Barron
Dr. B. Calvin
- Bachelor of Science University of Victoria
- Medical Degree from UBC
- Rotating Internship through Dalhousie University
- Certificant of The Canadian College of Family Practitioners
- Extra training in Palliative Medicine through the University of Toronto
- Started doing ER and General Practice locums in Prince Edward Island and Williams Lake before settling in Nanaimo in 1992
E. Clark - Nurse Practitioner
My role as nurse practitioner allows me to see patients independently, order labs and radiology, write prescriptions and make referrals to specialists or other GPs if needed. I have been at Medical Arts Centre since 2007.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, a Masters of Nursing, Athabasca University, Alberta and am Registered as a practicing Nurse Practitioner, family stream with the CRNBC (College of registered nurses of BC).
Dr. C. Collins
I moved to The Medical Arts Centre in October 2008 and enjoy all aspects of family practice. I am passionate about teaching and using information technology to improve modern health care. I am the Family Practice Resident co-ordinator for the practice, I am a founding board member of the Nanaimo Family Practice Division and am a member of the Steering Committee for the BC governments’ Electronic Medical Record adoption program (PITO).
I enjoy spending time with my young family, woodworking, camping and being outdoors, I’m currently learning to play hockey!
Dr. A. Kaban
- Undergraduate Degree Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) University of Manitoba 1975
- Pharmacist 1975 – 1978
- Doctor of Medicine Degree University of Calgary 1981
- Family Practice Residency Program Calgary General Hospital 1981 – 1983
- General Practice including Obstetrics and Emergency Grande Prairie, Alberta 1983-2003
- Locum Physician Nanaimo, B.C. Aug. 2003 – June 2006
- Family Physician at Medical Arts Centre, Nanaimo, from June 2006 to present with hospital privileges at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital
- Fellowship, College of Family Physicians of Canada since 2004
Dr. D. Kazanowski
Dr. J. Mander
Dr. I. Montgomery
Worked in rural Ontario, Interior British Columbia , Yellowknife, and Iqaluit NWT before settling in Nanaimo with Medical Arts Clinic 1991.
Dr. J. O'Farrell
Dr. R. Janse Van Rensburg
- Qualified as MD In South Africa in 1985(MBchB)
- Moved to Canada 1997 and currently hold LMCC and Canadian College of Family Physicians license (CCFP)
- Special interest in general family medicine and obstetrics
- Hobbies is camping, fishing and everything outdoors.
Dr. Shaun van Pel
Dr. H. Visser
Dr. Stuart Ockelford
My wife, 2 children, 2 dogs and I wanted adventure and the opportunity to live in a beautiful country with mountains and oceans. After discovering Nanaimo we moved ourselves here.
My passions include mountain biking and hiking. We have started kayaking and now we have bought a canoe and are truly settling to life on Vancouver Island.
Dr. Aaron Sobkowicz
Dr. Charlotte Breakey

Dr. Aaron Long
Born in Victoria but raised in Nanaimo. I feel like I’m only a stone’s throw away from the neighbourhood I grew up in. No matter where you go, you can’t seem to escape the beauty and hospitality island life has to offer. It was while obtaining my bachelor’s of science degree at Vancouver Island University that I developed my passion for medicine. Prior to attending medical school I had the opportunity to travel to various parts of the world to participate in humanitarian work, which allowed me to be absolutely certain that medicine was the career for me. After graduating from the UBC Island Medical Program, I knew family medicine was the perfect fit. You will most likely bump into me at the various parks and trails around town with my new puppy, or hear me laughing at Nori Sushi on a Friday night. I am honoured to be working alongside the staff and physicians at the Medical Arts Centre and look forward to serving my fellow islanders.
Resident Physicians
Medical Arts is passionate about teaching and medical education, we have (currently) 6 residents at our clinic. These residents are fully qualified medical practitioners with an MD degree.
They spend 2 years doing advanced medical training with the preceptor physicians at the Medical Arts Centre to ensure they are ready for full independent practice. We have both first-year and second-year residents.
Dr. Ryan Danroth
I grew up between the Comox Valley and Edmonton. I completed my undergrad at SFU in molecular biology and biochemistry and my MD at UBC.
Professionally, I’m interested in early disease prevention, prison health, and addictions. You can find me on the weekends fly or spin fishing, target shooting, exploring, or doing anything that involves working with my hands. I always have a new project of some sort on the go.
I’m a big fan of hard work and doing the best possible job while still trying to strike a balance between work and play. My medium-term personal goals involve my partner Ciara, a puppy, a few well-guarded fishing spots, and whatever surprises Nanaimo and Medical Arts have in store.”
Dr. Colin Tan
Grew up in Surrey until heading out east to study health sciences in child health at McMaster University. It took less than half a winter to realize how fortunate we are here in BC (among many other reasons!), and I returned home for medical school at the UBC Vancouver-Fraser site. Since then I’ve developed too many professional interests in addition to non-professional ones such as the outdoors, board games, and narrative medicine. One longitudinal integrated clerkship in Chilliwack and a few rural electives later, I found out how awesome family medicine is and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to train here at Medical Arts.
Dr. Matthew Webber
I was raised in Terrace, British Columbia and have spent much of my life in northern-ish British Columbia. I moved to Prince George after high school and have since completed my undergraduate degree in Health Sciences, worked in student life, and completed my medical training in the Northern Medical Program – all at the University of Northern British Columbia! I am very excited to move to Nanaimo, as is my partner, cat, and dog (Kelsey, Chunk, Ravioli respectively). In my spare time I love to play a variety of musical instruments, play board games, and be aggressively mediocre at many sports instead of being good at one.
I am very excited to train to become a Family Physician and am excited to explore the diversity the specialty can bring. I have finished medical school with interests in emergent care, psychiatry, and addictions, though I am open to the fact this may change in the context of residency! I am thrilled to be a part of the Medical Arts team and cannot wait to see what is in store for the next two years.
Dr. Katherine Coupland
I was raised in Nanaimo and attended the University of Victoria where I received my undergraduate degree in biology. I then went on to study medicine at the University of Limerick, Ireland. My partner Trevor and I both grew up in Nanaimo and we look forward to settling down on the Island. In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, playing board games and going to paint-nights.
Professionally, I am interest in women’s health, palliative medicine and disease prevention. I am very excited to be joining the team at Medical Arts for my family medicine residency and look forward to the learning opportunities these next two years will bring.