The Cedars Team, knowledgeable, highly-trained professionals to help you

The team at Cedars at Cobble Hill is a diverse group of knowledgeable, highly-trained and compassionate individuals from varying professional and educational backgrounds. Many members of Cedars staff have had first hand-experience with addiction and are not afraid to share their personal experiences with honesty, empathy and humility.

At Cedars, our approach is invitational, instead of confrontational. We foster connections and establish trust with our patients by being transparent and involving them in their own individualized treatment process. By courageously sharing our stories, we can create the authentic connection that is essential to healing from addictions.

We believe that it truly “takes a village” to create an environment for individuals to grow and thrive. Regardless of their particular area of expertise, each team member is united in their goal of helping each individual find success in long-term recovery. Each staff member has their own unique skillset and our team is proud of our collaborative approach to treating addictions. Our entire complement of multi-disciplinary staff form an integral part of what makes Cedars one of the premier recovery centres across the country.

Below, we invite you to learn more about our incredible team members at Cedars.

Leadership

Dr. Carson McPherson

Managing Director

As Managing Director, Carson is responsible for all operations at Cedars Cobble Hill and Acorn Recovery ensuring all patients receive high quality, evidence based, patient-centred ...

Lisa Shields, BA, MC

Director of Operations

As the Director of Operations, Lisa is responsible for ensuring quality, safety and efficiency at all operational levels of the organization. Lisa is excited about the possibilitie...

Dr. Gerrit Prinsloo, MD, MbChB, CCFP, DABAM

Medical Director

In addition to his prominent role at Cedars, Gerrit is an Addiction Medicine Research Fellow with the BC Centre on Substance Use and a UBC Clinical Instructor on the Addiction Medi...

Ethan McCandless

Director of Admissions

Ethan showcases his enthusiasm for recovery and provides genuine compassion for individuals and families suffering from addiction disorders. Ethan is grateful for the opportun...

Elizabeth Loudon, MA

Clinical Director

With 17 years of experience in the addictions and recovery field, Elizabeth has had a lengthy clinical career working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Prior to joining th...

Patrick McNary

Director of Finance

Patrick grew up in Edmonton, followed a girl to Vancouver in 2009, married her in 2011, and settled with her and his two wonderful kids in Chemainus in 2017. He ...

Medical

Dr. Pouya Azar

Addiction Psychiatrist

Dr. Azar, is a physician specializing in psychiatry and addiction medicine. He attended medical school at University of British Columbia where he also completed his psychiatry resi...

Dr. Ian Forster

Physician

Dr. Ian Forster, is a key member of the Cedars team as well is a consultant for Addiction Medicine at Edmonton’s Life Mark Health Institute. Currently a member of the American So...

Nicholas Fitterer, MN, NP(f)

Nurse Practitioner

Nicholas came to Cedars with a wealth of experience as a Nurse Practitioner and provides patients with holistic medical support. He plays an integral role within the Medical team, ...

Tania Kirby

Nurse

Tania is a Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator. Tania studied at the University of British Columbia as well as the British Columbia Institute of Technology. She provid...

Tyler Huston, LPN, Nurse

Nurse Team Lead

Tyler is a Licensed Practical Nurse who has brought a wealth of knowledge from previous years of working in the addiction field. He relies on his experience and specialized addicti...

Janine Olivier

Nurse

Janine originates from Calgary and moved to Vancouver Island in September of 2017. Since her move to the island, has been an integral part of the Cedars team as a Registered Nurse....

Coleen Baclig

Nurse

Coleen moved from the Philippines to Vancouver Island eight years ago. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Philippines and completed the Licensed Practical Nur...

Meghan Weir

Nurse

In addition to being a nurse and certified life coach, Meghan is a Kundalini Yoga and meditation instructor. She has always been extremely passionate about mental health and addict...

Amber Bumbacco

Nurse

In addition to nursing, Amber is a flight attendant with WestJet. She attending Sault College in Ontario for nursing and now resides on Vancouver Island. She provides Cedars patien...

Jamie Looten, LPN

Nurse

Originally hailing from Alberta Jamie relocated to Vancouver Island in 2002. Jamie attended Camosun College training first as a Registered Care Aide and later as a Licenced Practic...

Clinical

Anthony Cafik

Counsellor

Anthony's broad educational background includes certifications in philosophy, Pastoral Psychology, Theology and addiction counseling. Anthony has worked in the addiction field sinc...

Jo Dumont, MA

Counsellor

Jo comes to Cedars with three generations of recovery in her family, including her own. She worked as an adult educator, paramedic, and first aid trainer for 25 years until an inju...

Dana Kistemaker

Counsellor

Dana was born in Ontario, and spent ten years living in the Yukon before settling in British Columbia. Dana completed a history degree with a focus on First Nations Peoples, and is...

Terry Ketteringham, MA, RCC

Counsellor

Terry joins the Cedars team with an impressive educational background and Master's Degree in Arts of Counseling Psychology. He has acquired fast knowledge from previous work experi...

Joe Petriccione – M.Ed, LPC

Counsellor

Joe is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 36 years of experience working in psychiatric, dual diagnosis, and chemical dependency programs. Graduating from George Washingto...

Leah Saari

Counsellor

Leah grew up in Bamfield, a small remote community on the west coast of Vancouver Island. She spent time living in both Northern Alberta and Yukon as a heavy duty equipment operato...

Nicole McEwen, MA

Counsellor

Nicole was born in British Columbia, and grew up in Alberta before making her home here on Vancouver Island. Nicole achieve her Baccalaureate in Psychology (University of Alberta) ...

Yin Yee Yip

Counsellor

After 20 years of military service, including a tour in Afghanistan, led Yin Yee to pursue her Masters degree in Counselling Psychology, wanting to translate her passion for helpin...

Asheleigh Narey

Clinical Coordinator

Asheleigh comes to Cedars with a diverse background in nursing, has a Diploma in Counseling, and Certification in Addictions. She plays an instrumental role in helping individuals ...

Ann Sullivan

Somatic Therapist

Ann is a Somatic Experience Practitioner. Before joining the team at Cedars, Ann was a counsellor at Edgewood treatment centre in Nanaimo for five years, both as an inpatient and ...

Bruce Dumont

Indigenous Program

Bruce grew up in central Alberta in a small rural town. He completed his Red Seal Apprenticeship in Electronics at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton. He has ...

Mohammed Elewonibi

Counsellor

Nigerian born and Vancouver Island raised, Mohammed brings a breadth of skills and compassion to his work at Cedars. Mohammed’s varied career began in professional sports includ...

Wellness Team

Amanda Graham, BA

Yoga Instructor

Amanda joined Cedars in the first year of operation as a Support Staff team member. In February 2007, she became an integral member of the Cedars Discovery Family Practice and has ...

Lilian Bianchi

Yoga Instructor

Lilian is registered with the Yoga Association of British Columbia as a senior teacher and has been teaching Yoga since 1982. She first became involved with the practice in he...

Greg Darjes

Spiritual Advisor

As one of Cedars' spiritual advisors, workshop facilitators, and lecturers, Greg creates a safe container for our patients to explore their spirituality. He is an ordained minister...

Tim Kearney

Personal Trainer & Group Fitness

Tim is Cedars' one and only personal trainer and group fitness instructor. With over 20 years of involvement in the fitness industry, he teaches patients about the importance of ph...

Rev. Pierre Leroux, CACII

Spiritual Advisor

Rev. Pierre Leroux is an Ordained Minister with the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada and holds a certification of Addiction Counseling (CACII) with the Canadian Council of Profe...

Robert George

Indigenous Program

Robert grew up in the Duncan area where he mentors youth in his community and participates in cross cultural workshops. He joined the Cedars team after assisting his brother who wo...

Community Care

Jake Sombrutzki BSc.

Community Care Counsellor

Jake graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Health Science and specialization in Addiction Counseling. He officially joined the Cedars team in 2013...

Facilities

Toni Hulan

Facilities Supervisor

Originally from Alberta, Toni moved throughout Alberta and BC before residing on Vancouver Island. She joins us in the housekeeping department at Cedars. Toni is a very warm and fr...

Patrick Beaulieu

Second Cook

With nearly 20 years of experience in the culinary field, Patrick says that Cedars is by far the job he has enjoyed the most. He brings creativity, humour, responsibility, and a ha...

Chrissy Wilson

Second Cook

Chrissy may be new to the staff at Cedars but she quickly became a treasured member of the team with her compassionate and humanistic nature. With ten years of experience under her...

Reg Wall

Maintenance

Reg first discovered Cedars at Cobble Hill when he was visiting a co-worker in early 2016. With the surrounding lush forest and friendly atmosphere, he instantly fell in love with ...

Keeley Morey

Housekeeping

A life-long resident of Chemainus, Keeley was drawn to Cedars for it’s natural beauty and atmosphere. Having completed training as a Registered Care Aide, Keeley hopes to someday...

Maria Wilson

Housekeeping

Maria hails from the rocky shores of Salt Spring Island, but traveled extensively throughout her childhood. She discovered Cedars online and was drawn by the natural beauty of the ...

Alex Beel

Cook

Alex was born in the Cowichan Valley and travelled much of the Canadian West before returning to his hometown of Duncan. Alex’s diverse skills training includes everything from J...

Brandon Elderton

Food Services Manager

Brandon is our new Food Services Manager and newest culinary team member. Brandon has 15 years of professional experience with his most recent role as a Culinary Director for Amica...

Administration

Aidan Hughes-Toal

Admissions Lead

After the overdose-related loss of his twin brother, Aidan decided to attend Cedars as a patient in 2014 and has since applied his personal experiences to connect with patients. As...

Aaron McCluskey

Special Projects Lead

Aaron began his own recovery from addiction through our programs at Cedars. Before joining the staff, he was a very active member of the Cedars Alumni network and volunteered on th...

Maria Clancy

Administrative Support

Born and raised in Ireland, Maria moved to Canada in 2012 and currently resides in Cobble Hill. She attended school in Ireland in the healthcare and special needs fields. Before jo...

Meaghan Roberge

Administrative Support

Meaghan was born and raised in Calgary, AB and moved to Victoria to pursue her undergrad in psychology, where she graduated in 2016, then moved up island, to Duncan. Meaghan’s wo...

Lisa Colbourne

Accounting Lead

Lisa was born in Calgary and raised in Toronto but has been living on Vancouver Island since the age of 11. Animals and accounting are her passion which carried through to her prev...

Chelse Upton

Accounting Assistant

Hailing from Southern Vancouver Island, Chelse was born in Victoria, and spent most of her life in Deep Cove before settling into the Cowichan Valley. Chelse spent time attending C...

Support Staff

We Support Inclusion