Meet the Welcome Back Centre Team
 Dr. Richard Brownlee, Neurosugeon Director, Welcome Back Centre |
Dr. Richard Brownlee is a neurosurgeon who is registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1985, a Master’s degree from the University of Toronto in 1991, a medical degree from the University of Calgary in 1990, an internship at the University of British Columbia (St Paul’s Hospital) in 1991 and completed a Neurosurgery training program at the University of Calgary in 1996. He received certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) in 1996 and American Board Certification in Neurosurgery in 2002. He has provided neurosurgical services at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops since 1996. Dr. Brownlee has a special interest in back and neck pain. He has attended many training courses in spine surgery techniques to keep abreast of technological advancements in the treatment of spine pain. He offers expedited services at the Kamloops Surgical Center for clients with surgically treatable conditions. Dr. Brownlee also endorses a multidisciplinary team approach to the diagnosis and treatment of clients with pain conditions. He works with the other health care professionals at the Welcome Back Centre to establish a diagnosis and create treatment plans for patients with non-surgical pain conditions. The ultimate goal of the team is to reduce or eliminate pain, restore function and improve the quality of life for our clients. |
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Dr. Michael Kowbel, Anesthesiologist Director, Welcome Back Centre
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Dr. Michael Kowbel is an anesthesiologist and pain management physician. He graduated medical school in 1986 from the University of Saskatchewan. After working in family practice for a number of years he obtained his fellowship in anesthesia in 1995 at the University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He has been practicing acute, chronic, and palliative pain medicine since 1986. Dr. Kowbel has an extensive history working in a multi-disciplinary setting. He has spent many years working with physiotherapist Richard Bourassa’s exceptional team in Saskatchewan where Dr. Kowbel’s pain management skills were an integral part of their multidisciplinary rehabilitation services. At the clinic, his role is to diagnose and treat patient's (client's) pain problems in a timely fashion. Pain management and functional rehabilitation will be obtained for patients (clients) through consultation, diagnosis of pain management problems, counseling on medications and nutrition, and treatment through various injection and other invasive techniques. |
 Michael Koehn Director, Welcome Back Centre |
Michael holds a Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology (MACP) and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) who specializes in pain psychology. As a holistic practitioner, he assists clients to maximize function despite chronic pain and disability. When a person is emotionally and mentally healthy their ability to cope with pain and unpleasant symptoms is greatly enhanced. He assists clients to incorporate adaptive stress management strategies into their recovery planning. He provides assessment and treatment services customized to the individual needs of his clients. Michael is a certified provider of the Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP), a psychosocial risk management program aimed at reducing the barriers to recovery following injury or chronic disease. His preferred treatment methods include biofeedback, mindfulness psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy. He firmly believes that an interdisciplinary approach which treats the entire person offers the best opportunity for a meaningful and sustainable return to health, wellness, and function.
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 John Howick, BScPT, FCAMT Registered Physiotherapist |
John Howick is a physiotherapist registered with the College of Physiotherapists of British Columbia and a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. John received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of British Columbia in 1989. In the nearly 20 years since graduation he has taken extensive advanced post-graduate education. This culminated in obtaining his Advanced Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy in 1996 and becoming a Fellow of the Academy of Manipulative Therapy (FCAMT). Other areas of interest have included muscle balance, neural mobility and spinal instability. In 2005 John obtained training and completed a residency in the use of ultrasound imaging of the deep core muscle of the trunk and its role in treatment of dysfunction of the hip, pelvis and spine. In 2006 John received his certification in Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS). This technique is also known as trigger point dry needling and it is extremely effective to reduce pain, tightness and over activation of muscle throughout the spine and limbs. John rounds out his extensive set of skills with an advanced knowledge of pain science and the physical and psychosocial effects of chronic pain.
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 Natalie Saari, BSc(Kin), ACSM CCES Kinesiologist |
Natalie is a kinesiologist registered with the British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists. With ongoing post-graduate education, she has recently received designation as a Clinical Exercise Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Working in cardiac rehabilitation and vascular improvement within the community, she provides condition-specific exercise prescription for those with poor cardiovascular health, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Natalie has a wealth of experience in the areas of injury rehabilitation from athletic injuries to motor vehicle claims, as well as developing various health and fitness programs for the general public. Through the development and application of injury and disease specific exercise prescription, Natalie is able to provide individualized health and fitness recommendations to address the individual needs of each client. Her overall goals are to deliver education and motivational instruction, teaching the skills and tools necessary to exercise safely and effectively while improving physical function, and guiding each client toward a healthier lifestyle free from illness and injury. |
 Melissa West, BPE, RMT, MCMT Registered Massage Therapist |
Melissa is a registered massage therapist licensed with the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia since 1996. She is a graduate of the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and the University of British Columbia where she earned a degree in human kinetics. Melissa provides pain and injury management through rehabilitation and prevention with a multi-disciplinary approach. Professional growth and community involvement is a priority as Melissa continues to volunteer with various local sports teams providing injury assessment, management, and rehabilitation as needed. At the Welcome Back Centre, she provides an accurate assessment and differential diagnosis of specific soft tissue and musculoskeletal conditions and effectively rehabilitates the individual's muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems as well as providing evidence-based patient education and remedial exercise. Ultimately, Melissa strives to help patients manage injury and pain to achieve improved health and quality of life through drug-free therapy and rehabilitation. |
 Erna Stassen, BSc., PT Registered Physiotherapist |
Erna graduated from the University of Amsterdam in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinetic Therapy. She completed a second Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy in 1998 from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. She is registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia and is a member of the Canadian Association of Physiotherapy. She has served on multidisciplinary teams providing cognitive rehabilitation to patients with traumatic brain injuries. She is experienced in pulmonary rehabilitation, sports physiotherapy, neuro and orthopedic care.
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 Dr. Paul Ouimet, DC Chiropractor |
Dr. Paul Ouimet grew up in Kamloops and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from UBC in 1992. Dr. Ouimet completed his doctorate in chiropractic, followed by a diploma in sports injury and extremity rehabilitation in California in 1999. He now practices with a focus on acute care, sport related injuries, as well as the treatment of bulging or herniated discs using non-surgical spinal decompression. Dr. Ouimet participates in the initial orthopaedic, neurological and biomechanical assessment of patients at the Welcome Back MRI and Pain Management Center to aid in the development of an accurate diagnosis, treatment plan and prognosis for each individual. Chiropractic care is also provided if it is warranted by the diagnosis and prescribed in the treatment protocols. |
 Dr. Audrey Newhouse General Practitioner |
Dr. Audrey Newhouse is a general practitioner who has lived and worked in Kamloops for the past 33 years. She graduated from the University of Alberta and after 20 years of family practice, she now limits her practice to surgical assisting, both at the operating room at Royal Inland Hospital and the Kamloops Surgical Centre. She is certified as a PDP/PGAP clinician and her role at the Welcome Back Centre will be to guide clients through the 10 week PDP/PGAP program as prescribed by the multi-disciplinary assessment team. |
 Dr. Don Newhouse Sports Medicine Specialist |
Dr. Don Newhouse is a family physician with a Canadian Certificate in Family Practice (CCFP) as well as a residency in Sports Medicine from the University of Alberta and a Diploma of Sports Medicine from the Canadian Association of Sports Medicine (CASM) He brings over 35 years of experience in family practice, sports medicine, and rheumatology to the multidisciplinary team in providing a professional and compassionate approach to the patients attending the Welcome Back MRI and Pain Center. Dr. Newhouse participates in a multidisciplinary patient assessment by providing a full medical history and physical examination as well as a detailed medical musculo-skeletal history. This provides a detailed anatomical and medically based diagnosis and treatment plan from a physician’s perspective. Dr. Newhouse works cooperatively with the other medical professionals to arrive at a consensus on the best diagnostic and therapeutic plan for the Welcome Back Centre’s clients. |
 Randy Weiss Chief Technologist |
Randy graduated from BCIT in 1989 and has been providing imaging services at Royal Inland hospital for more than 19 years. He has extensive experience in x-ray imaging, as well as special procedures, CT scanning, and MRI. Randy is committed to providing a high quality imaging experience to all who pass through our doors. |
 Linda Stone Program Co-ordinator |
Linda Stone has a strong background in the medical field both in a hospital setting and for the last 17 years, as a medical secretary in a specialist’s office. She is a Medical Laboratory Technologist who has worked previously at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton and at Vancouver General Hospital. She is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science. Linda is a compassionate and caring person who brings a vast array of skills and experience to contribute to an efficiently run clinic.
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 Dr. Magdalen Mak Registered Psychologist |
Dr. Mak is a psychologist with over 20 years of experience providing psychological assessment, treatment, and counselling in a variety of settings, including private practice, health facilities, as well as public and government agencies. Dr. Mak’s practice follows a holistic approach, incorporating mental, physical, and emotional components to target outcomes, skills development, and positive change. Her treatment modalities include cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, coaching, and mentoring, and solution-focused counselling and problem-solving. She has worked with a great variety of issues, including trauma in the workplace, health management, conflict management and adjustment issues. Dr. Mak is a licensed practitioner of psychology, registered with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia, and is a member of the British Columbia Psychological Association. |
