Dr. Alvin Pettle is an icon in the practice of integrative medicine and regarded as a pioneer in Canadian gynecology and obstetrics. He graduated from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1969 and received his fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1974.  For 26 years he practiced at the Etobicoke General Hospital in Toronto, completing his tenure there as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Twelve years ago Dr. Pettle became convinced that traditional medical doctors needed to work closely with other “alternative” health care providers in order to provide the best possible care for their patients. Since then, his practice has centered on the treatment of menopause, PMS and other women’s health issues using a natural approach involving herbs, vitamins and minerals. He believes that women can treat their symptoms, as well as maintain optimum breast health, naturally and effectively. Years of clinical experience have proven the success of these natural treatments.

Dr. Pettle is in demand for radio, TV and print media interviews as an authority on natural hormone and integrative medical therapies for women. He lectures to doctors, nurses, and the public on the integrative management of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause, and is the preeminent specialist in natural hormone replacement therapy for women. He has appeared on several radio and television shows across the country including the Women's Television Network, Michael Coren Live, Diagnosis MD, TV Ontario, Erin Davis Live and Canada AM.

Dr. Pettle has published numerous papers on the subject of women’s health and natural treatments, and has written articles for such distinguished publications as the Canadian Family Physician Journal, MacLeans Magazine, and the Medical Post. He is also a contributor to the Women's Wellness Network on the Internet. In addition, Dr. Pettle is the author of “My Prescription for Life” and the co-author of “Natural Remedies & Supplements” and the newly released “Sexy Hormones”.

Dr. Pettle’s Medical and community affiliations include the American College of Infertility, Canadian Medical Association, Physicians for Peace, Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Canada), Ontario Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Canada) and Doctors without Borders.

Dr. Pettle is Chief Medical Officer of femMED, and the voluntary Chair femMED’s Medical Advisory Committee.  Dr. Pettle was the primary contributor and advisor in formulating the femMED suite of products for women.

Dr. Pettle is joined in his Wellness Centre practice by his wife Carole, a registered nurse. He is the father of 5 children and the grandfather to 6 grandchildren.

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Fay Weisberg is a graduate of the University of Manitoba School of Medicine. Her postgraduate training was at the University of Toronto, in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Subsequently she spent 6 months at the Houston Medical Centre doing further post-graduate work in laparoscopic surgery.

Dr. Weisberg is an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. She is the Division Head, Continuing Medical Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is an active staff physician at the Sunnybrook & Women’s College Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Weisberg has an active private practice with a special interest in menopause, contraception and infertility. Dr. Weisberg has extensive training in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility and is actively involved in the academic and research communities.

Dr. Yoel Abells is the Medical Director of the Forest Hill Family Health Centre. He provides comprehensive medical care with a focus on women and children. Dr. Abells is on staff at Mount Sinai Hospital (where he delivers babies) and the Humber River Regional Hospital (also working in the Emergency Department). In addition to his Medical Degree (from McMaster University), he has a BSc. in Psychology and a MHSc. in Health Administration from the University of Toronto. He did his residency training in Toronto. Dr. Abells is a Certificant and Fellow of the Canadian College of Family Physicians and a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is also on the faculty of the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine and is very involved in undergraduate and graduate teaching.

Dr. Abells has served (and continues to serve) on a variety of hospital and community-based boards, committees and working groups. Additionally, he has lectured at various venues, has appeared on a variety of radio and television shows, including a regular segment on Global Television. He most recently began a regular column in the National Post.

Dr. Yoel Abells appears Tuesdays on Global Morning News and Wednesdays on the Body & Health page of the National Post.

Dr. Janet Frank is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.S in Social Welfare and a M.S. in Gerontology. She continued her education at the University of California where she received her doctorate in Public Health.

Janet Frank currently holds a number of senior positions on the faculty at the UCLA School of Medicine as the Director for the California Geriatric Education Center and the Director of the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research.

She is a member of the American Public Health Association, the Task Force on Health and Aging, the Association of Schools of Public Health and sits on the Board of Directors for the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics.

Dr. Pugen is a graduate of University of Toronto, Medical School and is presently the director of his own anti-aging clinic for men and women. He specializes in menopause and andropause treatments using anti-aging treatments which include natural bio-identical hormone replacement, neutraceuticals and injection therapy.  

Dr. Pugen has been involved in numerous phase three clinical trials for a number of major pharmaceutical manufacturers. He has been expertly trained in injection therapy in Canada and abroad, as well as being trained in sclerotherapy and mesotherapy. He is the physician trainer in Canada, for Silimed Cosmeceuticals, based in France and Switzerland.

Dr. Pugen brings an integrative approach to his practice, combining elements of allopathic and natural medicine.

Dr. Sonja Kustka is a graduate of the University of Toronto Medical School and has been in private practice since 1987.   

Through her own personal experiences and journey, she decided in 1997 to alter the course of her practice to incorporate an integrative approach that would utilize both traditional allopathic medicine and complimentary natural medicine. This healing-oriented approach to medicine takes into account the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), including all aspects of lifestyle, emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.

Dr. Kustka has seen wonderful results working with this integrative approach with her patient base, who have benefited from her dedication and commitment to integrative medicine.  

Dr. Bryn Waern completed his Bachelor of Science at Laurentian University. He furthered his studies at the University of Toronto where he earned a medical diploma from College of Physicians & Surgeons. In 1971 he completed a 3-year study at the University of Toronto, receiving his Diploma in Psychiatry. And in 1982, after 4 years of study, Dr. Waern earned a Certificate in Bioenergetic Analysis from the International Institute for Bioenergectic Analysis in New York.

In 1991 Dr. Waern became the Vice-President of the Canadian Holistic Medical Association. In 1996 he earned a diplima from The American Academy of Preventive Medicine where he studied with Dr. Majid Ali.

Bryn has been in private practice for 37 years with a primary focus on psychotherapy, psychiatry and nutritional medicine.

Dr. Mark Lindsay is a Chiropractor and Soft Tissue Specialist and one of the most sought after therapists amongst NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, Professional, World and Olympic Athletes. He is a Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer Chiropractic College, Davenport, Iowa and a graduate of Guelph University where he earned a Bachelor of Science and Kinesiology.

He is a Certified Active Release Techniques Instructor and Provider. Dr. Lindsay has received awards for his outstanding work in the area of Sports Chiropractic and was name the “Outstanding Field Doctor” by the Canadian Chiropractic Sports Fellowship in 1996.

This award was presented to Dr. Lindsay following his intensive work with Olympic Champion Donovan Bailey who set a World and Olympic record in the 100 meters and the Canadian Olympic Relay Team who won Gold in the 4 x 100 meter relay at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Lindsay has consulted with the following professional teams: the Oakland Raiders (NFL), Denver Broncos (NFL), Cleveland Browns (NFL), Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Pittsburgh Penquins (NHL) and Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL).

He was named as a Canadian Olympic Committee Team Doctor at five Olympic Games in Albertville, France (1992), Lillehammer, Norway (1994), Atlanta, Georgia (1996), Nagano, Japan (1998) and Sydney, Australia (2000).

Dr. Lindsay was named the Team Doctor for “Athletics Canada” for their Olympic Teams in Sydney, Australia and Atlanta, USA; their World Championship Teams in Gotenburg, Sweden; Seville, Spain; Athens, Greece; and Edmonton, Canada; their Commonwealth Games Team, Victoria, Canada, and Goodwill Games Team in New York, USA.

Dr. Lindsay was also a Team Doctor for “Alpine Canada” for their Olympic Team in Nagano, Japan and their World Championship Teams in Vail, USA, Sestriere Italy, and Sierra Nevada Spain.

Mark was also named the Team Doctor for “Canada’s Short Track Speed Skating” Teams at the Olympic Games in Albertville, France and Lillehammer, Norway. He was also the Team Doctor for their World Championships Teams in Seoul, Korea; Beijing, China; Denver, USA, and London, England.

Dr. Lindsay also worked as the Team Doctor for “Bobsleigh Canada” at the Olympic Games in Albertville, France, and Lillehammer, Norway and was their Team Doctor for the World Championship Teams in Innsbruck Austria, and Altenburg, Germany.

Dr. Mark Lindsay is the President of Lindsay Sports Therapy Inc. and runs a private practice and consulting business in Toronto, Ontario. Dr. Lindsay is married to Kate Pace Lindsay (World Champion and 2 x World Cup Gold Medalist in Alpine Skiing and Canadian Female Athlete of the Year (1994).

Bryn has been in private practice for 37 years with a primary focus on psychotherapy, psychiatry and nutritional medicine.

Mr. Garshowitz graduated in 1955 with majors in drug manufacturing and hospital pharmacy administration. He is the President of San Pharmacy Limited. Mr. Garshowitz's pharmacies specialize in the compounding of sterile injectable medications, natural hormone replacement therapy medications and the preparation of allopathic medications -- integrating mainstream and complementary medicine including natural supplements, enzymes and homeopathic remedies. These pharmacies are information centers for the community, and internationally, for health practitioners concerning drug/drug, drug/herb and herb/herb interactions.

Mr. Garshowitz is a member of the following professional pharmaceutical organizations: Professional Compounding Centers of America, Fellow American College of Apothecaries, American Nutraceutical Association, American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine, Ontario College of Pharmacists, Ontario Pharmaceutical Association, Canadian Pharmaceutical Association, Drug Information and Research Center, Metro Toronto Pharmacists Association, and the Rho Pu Phi International Pharmaceutical Fraternity.

Dr. Michael Rahman completed his Bachelor of Science with an emphasis on biology at McMaster University in 1993. He furthered his studies at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and completed a four-year doctorate program in Toronto. He is licensed to practice in both Ontario and British Columbia.

Dr. Rahman is an avid lecturer and author. He has lectured at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine for five years. He has taught microbiology to second year students and has educated student clinicians in their fourth year.

He has also spoken at healthcare professional conferences throughout Canada and the United States on topics ranging from first aid to homeopathic medicine, and from fibromyalgia to cancer care.

Membership in professional organizations is important to Dr. Rahman. He is an active member of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors, the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Medicine and the British Columbia Association of Naturopathic Physicians. His practice interest lies in biological medicine and its treatment of chronic disease. He frequently travels to Europe and the United States to stay current in this exciting field.

He has principally written technical information for other healthcare professionals. He has also written for local public health publications. Dr. Rahman is currently in the process of authoring a book for publication.

Dr. Giacomina Gucciardi-Mercurio is a licensed Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and has a family practice in the Toronto Annex district. She is interested in all aspects of family health with a particular interest in infertility and women’s health issues. Her goal is to assist patients to achieve optimal health by addressing the underlying causes of disease. She believes patients need to be educated so that they become active participants in their own health. Dr. Gucciardi–Mercurio integrates her training in nutrition, homeopathy, herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture to develop individualized treatment plans for her patients.

 Dr. Gucciardi-Mercurio completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto in the Bachelor of Science program with a major in biology. An additional two years were spent studying in the Food and Nutrition program at Ryerson University. In 1997, she completed a four-year doctorate program and earned her diploma at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She continues her education and has completed courses in detoxification and drainage, infertility and traditional Chinese medicine, including modules 1 and 2 in Body Talk.

Dr. Gucciardi-Mercurio believes in educating the public on Naturopathic medicine and has been invited to speak on the subject to local groups, schools and corporations such as Seneca College and the Royal Bank of Canada.

Dr. Gucciardi-Mercurio is an active member of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors and the Canadian Naturopathic Association.

BA-BPHE, ND, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Dr. Stephanie Porter is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and is a licensed member of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND), the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy (BDDT). She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Physical & Health Education and Psychology from Queens University.

Dr. Porter designs individualized protocols for the treatment of diseases and employs the government-approved Naturopathic modalities: acupuncture, diet/nutrition, bodywork, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, homeopathy and IV therapy to facilitate the healing process.

Dr. Porter promotes and teaches the principles of healthy living. Her areas of specialization are the use of injection therapy in sports injuries and chronic pain, as well as parenteral/chelation (IV) therapy for the treatment of chronic diseases including cancer. She has extensive knowledge of thyroid conditions and is a registered physician for the treatment of Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome.

Dr. Porter is currently in private practice in Toronto (Puriste Integrative Medicine), a multi-disciplinary clinic specializing in anti-aging. The clinic combines naturopathic and allopathic medicines in order to provide optimum care for patients.

Dr. Porter also provides research and consulting services for nutraceutical companies.

Robert Rogers graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Botany, from the University of Alberta in 1971. Mr. Rogers is a registered Clinical Herbalist and a professional Aromatherapist. He consults on the formulation and use of nutraceuticals, functional foods and herbs. He also conducts 15-20 medicinal herb walks annually throughout western Canada.

Robert has served as a consultant for a number of organizations over the years. During his career he has authored studies on Feasibility of the Therapeutic Essential Oil Industry in Alberta, Natural Health Products Market Opportunity Identification for Herbs and Botanicals in Alberta, Identification of Echinacea angustifolia, Rhodiola rosea, Fenugreek and other botanicals for NHP market. He has won a Gold APPEX award and a Bronze Premier’s Award for his work, and has been a consultant and formulator for New Era Nutrition, Bioriginal Food and Science Corp., and Biopak.

Robert is an avid lecturer and author. He has been a guest lecturer in faculties of Medicine, Nursing, Anthropology, Pharmacy, Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science, and Continuing Medical Education at U. of Alberta. He has also performed medicinal herb talks and lectures for Science Foundation of Alberta and the Dominion Herbal College, Burnaby, British Columbia,National Coalition of Herb Spice and Natural Health Product and the XIIth Congress of the International College of Nutrition.

Over the years Robert has published a number of pieces: 6 volumes of Sundew, Moonwort Medicinal Plants of the Prairies, Herbal Drug Interactions  Capital Health, Prairie Plants for Profit. Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods and Medicinal Herb, Opportunities on the Canadian Prairies, Scents of Wonder, Essential Oils and Hydrosols of the Prairies, Rogers’ Herbal Manual, Karamat Wilderness Ways, and The Fungal Pharmacy, Medicinal Mushrooms of Western Canada.

He has participated in a number of presentations and proceedings including: Health Care Issues in the Canadian North - Boreal Institute Pub., Annual Prairie and National Medicinal Herb and Aromatic Conferences, First Natural Health Product Research Conference, Montreal, Developments in Nutraceuticals  and  Functional Foods, Saskatchewan Nutraceutical Network.

Mrs. Young earned her degree in occupational therapy in 1992 from the University of Western Ontario. She is registered as a practicing occupational therapist with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO). Since 1992 she has worked full-time in the Eating Disorders Program at the Toronto General Hospital where she provides group, individual, family and couple therapy.

Kelli Young has a diploma in group psychotherapy, earned in 1998 from the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association (CGPA) following a 2-year intensive training program. In 2005 she received a Master’s degree (M.Ed.) in Counseling Psychology from the University of Toronto. That same year, she earned a graduate certificate in Couple and Family Therapy Studies through the University of Guelph and the Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (OAMFT). Mrs.Young has extensive training in sex therapy, including a 250-hour practicum in the Sexual Medicine Counseling Unit at Sunnybrook and Women’s Health Sciences Centre. She has also completed the “Intensive Sex Therapy Training Institute” (2001); the “Advanced Training Program in Treating Female Sexual Dysfunction” (2002) and the “Sexual Attitudes Reassessment (SAR)” Institute (2006) through the University of Guelph. She has training and experience in a variety of couple and family therapy models, including Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy, and Feminist Therapy, which are approaches that she draws from extensively in her work. She also utilizes principles and methods of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

In addition to her work at the Toronto General Hospital and her private practice, Kelli Young also facilitates support groups at Sheena’s Place, a support centre for people with eating disorders. Since joining Sheena’s Place in 2002, she has facilitated groups on topics such as Talking about Sex; Food, Body Image, and Sexuality; Connecting as Couples; and Adult Support. She is a registrant in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO), a member of the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association (CGPA), the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) and the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN). As well, she is an associate member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), an associate member of the Board of Examiners in Sex Therapy and Counseling in Ontario (BESTCO). Kelli also sits on the Canadian Advisory Board (Medical Advisor) of the Spinal Cord Tumor Association.

Kelli Young holds an academic teaching appointment (rank of Lecturer) at the University of Toronto, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy in the Faculty of Medicine.

Trina Lambe is founder, fitness success coach and the driving force behind Train by Trina. As a fitness expert and innovator in her field, Trina is a guest expert on Toronto’s CP24 TV’s Fitness Talk Show “Perfect Fit”. She has been featured on “The Art of Building Bodies” TV Show, is a weekly guest on AM740’s radio show “From a Women’s Perspective”, and contributed to Elle Magazine for Fitness Tips from the Trainers. She has co-authored “The No-Fail Diet” book with Leslie Beck, and speaks quarterly at Running Room Stores throughout the GTA.

Ms. Lambe is a Registered Massage Therapist, a certified ACE Personal Trainer and "Johnny G" Spinning Instructor. Trina has extreme athletic drive having been a Competitive Figure Skater for over 7 years, and she competed regularly on the Ontario and Canadian Cup Cross-Country Mountain Bike circuit.
Ms. Lambe has earned several awards. Most recently she was nominated as one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40. In 2007 and 2008 she was named Personal Trainer of the Year at the Idea Health and Fitness Inspiration Awards.

Ms. Lambe’s professional affiliations include: American Council of Exercise (ACE), Board Member of Canadian Association of Women Executive & Entrepreneurs (CAWEE), Idea Fitness Member and Ontario Massage Therapists Association. She also sits on the board for Cycle Challenge, a not-for-profit organization for Breast Cancer.

Heather Wilgar is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts. She is a Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner who graduated from The Institute of Holistic Nutrition with First Class Honours. Additionally Heather has been certified as a Colon Therapist and an Energy Medicine Specialist.

As an authority on nutrition and wellness, Heather is a highly sought after speaker whose dynamic and outgoing approach has inspired and educated audiences across Canada. She has partnered with companies such as GoodLife Fitness and The Sports Clubs of Canada to speak on health and wellness issues with their corporate partners and clients.

Heather has made several media appearances on radio and television including the Women’s Network, Breakfast Television, Perfect Fit, Global’s Body & Health, MoneyWise and City Pulse Health News. Heather has also been featured in articles in the Globe and Mail, The Star, The Metro, Toronto Business Times, and has been published in the Woman’s Post and the book The Courage to Succeed: Inspiring Stories from Enterprising Women.

Heather’s first business was conceived in 2002, a meal delivery service that delivered freshly prepared healthy meals to client’s doorsteps. In 2005, when she sold the business, Heather progressed further into the health and wellness industry and enhanced her knowledge base to encompass holistic nutrition.

After overcoming her own health issues, Heather is dedicated to helping her clients regain control of their health through personalized consultations and individualized diet and lifestyle protocols. Heather was a competitive figure skater growing up, and has become all too familiar with the role nutrition plays in sport. Heather empowers her clients through education to take charge of their health, and become an active participant in their healing process.

Heather balances her hectic schedule with humanitarian work abroad, and has spent time in orphanages in Ethiopia, where she is developing a nutrition program as well as working with authorities to facilitate adoptions from Ethiopia to Ontario.