About Us

Dr. Jaelene Mannerfeldt

Jaelene was born and raised in Alberta and studied medicine at the University of Calgary. This was a time when being a wife, mother, and medical student was not well supported or encouraged. From this beginning, she did a residency in Family Medicine and then, after a few years of rural practice, went on to study Obstetrics & Gynecology. She has been involved in medical education throughout her entire career.  In her role in PGME, she is a strong advocate for Residents, their learning, and their health and wellness. 

Dr. Paula Pearce

I trained in the UK at the University of Nottingham Medical School and completed PGME training in General Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine in the UK and New Zealand before working as a Geriatrician at York District Hospital. Despite having taken time off in residency to travel, I still had itchy feet and so made the decision to move to Canada. I emigrated with my husband, Liam, in 2010, to work as a Geriatrician in the Department of Medicine, with an interest in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. I was program director for geriatric medicine for 9 years, where I consider the graduating residents, now colleagues and friends, to be my greatest professional accomplishment. In 2022, I joined the Office of Resident Affairs and Physician Wellness as the inaugural Director of Wellness Programming. My portfolio includes developing PGME-wide programming to support wellness for learners and faculty. Recently, I have worked on a collaboration with Well Doc Alberta that resulted in the launch of a Peer Support Program – Peers CARE – earlier this year.   

I live with Liam, who is now retired, and our Bernese mountain dog Hettie on an acreage outside Cochrane, where I enjoy spending my time walking, skiing, camping and kayaking. I have taken a year off on sabbatical to go back to school to do a Master of Health Sciences Education where I am excited by better understanding the learner perspective, as well as proving to myself that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks! 

Andrea Brose

I have a holistic view of health and wellness and believe that it is influenced by a variety of factors including health, relationships, finances, self-care, connection, and community. In my role, I strive to ensure the offerings of the Office of Resident Affairs and Physician Wellness are coordinated and align with the needs of Residents and Fellows. I encourage Residents and Fellows to reach out at residentwellness@ucalgary.ca or 403-210-6525 with any ideas of how the Office can best support you. 

Sarah Ashton 

With a background in teaching and social work, I have a passion for supporting learners and helping communities become more resilient. I have worked with learners of all ages, teaching elementary school, middle school and high school, and for many years I supported university students through a department within Student Wellness Services that focuses on the spiritual and cultural aspects of mental health.  

I value anti-oppressive, holistic, community health and I strive to create a welcoming, non-judgemental space where residents can heal, grow and find success. I am excited to work in an environment that supports the well-being of those whose job it is to heal other people. Please feel welcome to drop into the office at any time! 

Julie Munch 

I am a registered occupational therapist working with the Office of Resident Affairs and Physician Wellness. I have been practicing in various settings over the last 11 years, and can provide support and strategies to residents as well as program directors/supervisors.  

I practice holistic care, and focus on the wellbeing of residents and supporting them as they navigate through their residency program.  

Some areas of expertise I have include:  providing strategies for managing increased workload, overnight call, sleep hygiene, energy conservation, nutrition, stress management, task grading/prioritization.   

I also provide supportive counselling to residents and can assist when personal and interpersonal challenges may arise. If you are interested in a consultation to discuss how I can better assist you during your program please reach out. 

Michelle Keough 

I am a Registered Social Worker with a Masters in Clinical Specialization.  I joined the Office of Resident Affairs and Wellness early Fall 2020 and have thoroughly enjoyed supporting residents and programs. I recognize what a key part of the journey residents are in and feel so honored to be invited into that part. 

For the last 15 years I have provided individual and couples therapy to clients from different demographics. Relationship therapy is a big area of focus in my clinical practice, along with workplace stress and burnout, anxiety, and depression. I practice mostly from an emotionally focused therapy and attachment frame. In addition, I utilize mindfulness, solutions focused therapy, Gottman methods and cognitive behavioural therapy approaches.   

When I am not in the counselling room, I am savouring every moment with my family and finding balance where I can through yoga and exercise, golfing and being out in the sun! 

Melanie Anglin 

I approach therapy with a compassionate lens and genuine care in hearing about the mind, body, and heart. As a Registered Psychologist, I have experience working with adults across the lifespan through trauma, feeling stuck, down, unworthy, grief, burnout, anxiety, and life transitions. I meet clients wherever they are in their experiences with non-judgement and intentionality. I value collaboration, and strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space for meaningful change to happen, and where all parts of a story are welcome - a space to be human. 

My experience in the mental health field includes post-secondary wellness, community mental health, primary health care, and private settings. I value therapy that is trauma-informed and inclusive and draws on therapeutic modalities such as solution-focused therapy (SFT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), internal family systems(IFS), attachment-informed, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and narrative therapy. 

Ruthanna Okorosobo 

As a Registered Social Worker, I bring a unique blend of experiences to my practice. Originally on the path to becoming a physician, I made a pivotal shift to social work. My journey has equipped me with a deep understanding of the human condition, resilience, and the intricate interplay of physical and emotional well-being. My passion lies in working with youth, young adults, and families, guiding them through life’s challenges with empathy and compassion. I am committed to providing trauma-informed care, recognizing that past experiences shape our present. Whether supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, eating disorders, or depression, or assisting various life transitions, I am committed to nurturing an environment towards healing and self-discovery, recognizing that mental health intersects with various stages of life. My therapeutic approach draws from principles of such modalities as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Structural Family Therapy. Whether supporting individuals in crisis or helping them navigate life transitions, my commitment remains unwavering: To empower individuals to navigate life’s complexities and find their own path to resilience and growth.  

Beyond my professional endeavours, you will find me immersed in the pages of novels or capturing serene and poignant moments through my landscape photography that reflect the beauty of our shared world.