Alexandra Friel MSc., RD
Registered Dietitian

Alexandra completed Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Nutrition at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Alexandra loves to travel and in addition to Canada and the U.S. she has also lived in Scotland, Ireland, and Turkey. She is an avid runner and enjoys encouraging people to lead healthy lifestyles.

Rachel Hannah
Registered Dietitian

Rachel completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Rachel is a member of the Dietitians of Canada, and is a Registered Dietitian with the College of Dietitians of Ontario and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Rachel motivates individuals to reach their goals by encouraging a balanced approach to weight loss and adopting an overall healthy lifestyle.

Ashley Comstock BSc.
Nutritionist

Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics at Middle Tennessee State University located just outside of Nashville. Her enthusiasm for health was sparked by a competitive background in distance running. She now enjoys helping others reach their fitness goals and find a balance in life. Ashley spends her free time outdoors or with a good book. She is interested in different cultures and loves to travel.

Serena Archie RN
Post Op Support Nurse

Serena is an experienced triage and ambulatory care nurse, and has worked in the areas of oral surgery, endoscopy and clinical education. She is also a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario, and the Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates. She also conducts fill adjustments for our patients.

Sharon Sonnilal RN, Bscn.
Post Op Support Nurse

Sharon has had many fruitful years of float nursing, working in trauma, medical-surgical, operating room, maternal, pediatrics, critical and palliative care. She is a current member in good standing with the College of Nurses and Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. Sharon is dedicated and committed to excellence in patient education and protection. Her passion for the profession is exhibited in her delivery of patient care.

Joanna Hollie Yu
Post Op Support Nursing Associate

Joanna graduated with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biology along with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the Philippines. She also has 2 years of nursing experience in the Philippines in surgery and ultrasound imaging. Joanna also has experience in customer service. She is a very cheerful, positive, and personable.

Nancy Coulombe RN
Sr. Fill Adjustment Specialist

Banded in October 2006, Nancy understands the process of achieving the right restriction level for optimal weight loss and has maintained her goal weight since 2007. Originally from Quebec, with four years of experience in post-partum and pediatric care, Nancy decided to turn to this field of nursing. She conducts fill adjustments for Slimband patients and trains all Slimband Fill Adjustment Specialists.

Angele Belsham RN
Fill Adjustment Specialist

Angele comes to Slimband with over 8 years of nursing experience in the fields of cosmetics and plastic surgery. She brings valuable knowledge in pre and post-operative care. Angele is a member of the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta, and works at both the Calgary and Edmonton Slimband offices.

Kevin Brown RN
Fill Adjustment Specialist

Kevin has been in the healthcare profession since 1976. He became a registered nurse in 1991 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital School of Nursing. He worked with Canadian Blood Services for 12 years as supervisor of the Plateletpheresis and Plasmapheresis programs. He comes to Slimband with a strong background in regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and quality control environments.

Joy Dhanoya RN, Bsn.
Fill Adjustment Specialist

Joy completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Langara College in Vancouver, BC. She works as a surgical nurse as well as a fill nurse for the Slimband fill clinic in Burnaby. Joy is a member of the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia.

Debbie Balsor, RN
Fill Adjustment Specialist

Debbie has a passion for nursing and is truly excited to be working with Slimband to help patients in the Atlantic provinces attain their health and weight loss goals. She graduated from Dalhousie University's School of Nursing in 2007, and has since had the privilege of working as a Registered Nurse with patients and families in a variety of settings, including women's health, oncology, and pediatric emergency.

Imeritz Reyes
Patient Support Specialist

Imeritz holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. She has over seven years of experience in administration and customer service in telecommunications, construction, and the food & beverage industries. She loves movies, travelling, and playing volleyball. Imeritz is an enthusiastic, compassionate hard worker.

William Loftus
Patient Support Specialist

A Toronto native, William graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor's Degree in English. Bringing his extensive 20 year career in customer service and retail management, he enjoys aiding Slimband patients in achieving their goals. William's interests include acting, writing, and travel.

Crystal Khan
Patient Support Specialist

Crystal graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Her experiences include working in the field of mental rehabilitation, providing support to individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Crystal has also had the pleasure of working with autistic children, providing educational and behavioural intervention. She looks forward to continuing her work supporting individuals who are dedicated to achieving a happier and healthier lifestyle.

Karen Thompson
Patient Support Specialist

Karen comes to Slimband with an extensive background in pre-op and post-operative care in the field of oral surgery. For the past fifteen years she has worked as a Certified Dental Assistant, assisting in surgical procedures involving dental implants and periodontal surgery. She is also a member of the Dental Nurses and Assistants Association. Karen is enjoying the interaction with Slimband patients, and looks forward to helping them achieve their goals. She has a great interest in travel, maintaining optimal health, and enjoys working out at the gym.

James Toste
Patient Support Specialist

James arrived at Slimband with over 10 years of customer service experience in a variety of industries. He likes to remain active by playing tennis and enjoys going for a run first thing in the morning. James is also a graduate of the Trebas Institute's film program and has produced and written several films.

Christopher Rudd
Patient Support Specialist

A customer service champion with over 15 years of experience in a variety of industries, Christopher enjoys providing world-class service. A recent graduate of Seneca College's elite Office Administration-Executive program, Christopher is committed to providing Slimband clients with unparalleled service and support. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with friends and family, and is a self-proclaimed gadget guy.

Niki Spence
Slimband Consultant

Niki brings a variety of experience to the Slimband team. Her background includes experience in investment banking and real estate. She was banded in 2008 and has since successfully maintained her 80 pound weight loss. Niki lives in Toronto, enjoys long-distance running, writing her memoir, international travel and spending time with her partner and daughter.

Cindy Richards
Slimband Consultant

Cindy comes from a very small town in Northern Ontario. At Slimband she is happy to be able to help people understand that there is a safe, healthy, way to lose weight.

Belina Patini
Slimband Consultant

Banded in January 2001, Belina was among the first patients in Canada to get an adjustable gastric band (LAP-BAND®). This firsthand experience provides Belina with the understanding and knowledge necessary to offer support and advice to get people started on their weight-loss journey.

Brenda Bretzke
Slimband Consultant

Brenda studied psychology in university and has spent over 20 years in the customer service industry. She was banded over a year ago, and after losing over 100 pounds she feels like she is living the life she has always wanted.

Cheryl Pepper
Slimband Consultant

As a professional singer for 8 years, Cheryl was able to keep her weight under control. But after marrying and having three children, her weight ballooned. In 2009, after 15 years of struggling, Cheryl found Slimband. She lost 88 pounds, and is now glad to be helping others take charge of their weight as she was able to.

Kerry Hanlon
Slimband Consultant

Kerry always knew she wanted to have a career making a difference and helping people. This led her to the field of Radiation Therapy where she helped cancer patients for 8 plus years. She was banded in September 2009, and has lost 170 pounds since then. She is pleased to be able to share the sense of self confidence and wellbeing that Slimband has given her in the last year and a half. When not working in Slimband’s Halifax office, she can be found kayaking, jogging, or meditating.

Laurel Hurlburt
Slimband Consultant

Laurel is joining the Slimband team after a successful real estate career of 19 years. Recently banded, she has lost over 30 lbs., and is well on her way to reaching her goal weight. Laurel is happy in her new job as a Slimband Consultant helping people find a healthy and permanent solution to their weight problems.

Caryl Mostacho
Inbound Customer Service Manager

Caryl has been with Slimband since 2006. She’s currently the manager of our inbound customer service team and she works closely with the Slimband consultants. Often the first point of contact, Caryl gives prospective clients insightful information and listens closely to learn their precise needs. Based on those needs, Caryl ensures prospective clients speak to the appropriate Slimband experts.

Chris Daniels
Inbound Customer Service Supervisor

Chris is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer with over 16 years of experience in client relationship management. Chris is a proud father, an enthusiastic bass player and an excellent cook. He majored in Communications while attending university in England and looks forward to helping Slimband clients on their weight loss journey.

Christie Plathe
Inbound Customer Service Representative

Christie was born and raised in Bermuda. At the age of 15 she moved to Canada to attend Trinity College School. After graduating in 2005 Christie attended Western University. Although she missed her pink beaches and palm trees Canada had formed a special place in Christie’s heart, so she decided to continue living in Toronto to take advantage of everything the big city has to offer. Christie has worked in many different areas including banking and accounting, but has recently found her niche in customer service at Slimband.

Katherina Goldwarg
Inbound Customer Service Representative

Katherina comes to Slimband after working as a photographer for a plastic surgeon in Yorkville for the past three years. Before that she was a Senior Account Executive for nine years at a stock photo company. Katherina is also fluent in French. She's excited to be starting a new stage of her career as a member of the Slimband team.

Maricon Torres
Inbound Customer Service Representative

Maricon graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She also holds certificates in Public Relations and Crisis Intervention. In her free time, Maricon enjoys volunteering.

Kyra Yang
Inbound Customer Service Representative

Kyra earned her Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in Finance and Economics from the University of Toronto in 2011. Her love of travel has taken Kyra to Europe and the United States. With over 8 years of experience in the customer service and hospitality industries, she is excited to start her career at Slimband, educating people who are beginning their weight loss journeys. Kyra is one of the first people you speak to when you call Slimband.

Kris Borenstein
Administrative Secretary

After honing her administrative, organizational and communication skills working in an architectural office setting, Kris joined Slimband in 2010. With her energetic and personable approach, Kris, who holds a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Toronto, serves as the friendly first point of contact for anyone calling or visiting our clinic.

Toula Zootis
Clinical Manager

Toula graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Administration and Information Management. She has over 13 years of experience in medical clinic operations. Toula has a strong interest in preventative medicine and balancing a healthy lifestyle. She enjoys travelling and exploring new places.

Elisha Verbeek
Medical Administrator

Elisha completed her Bachelor of Health Science Degree at the University of Western Ontario. She has been working in Private Healthcare for the past 7 years. Elisha enjoys staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Stephanie MacQuarrie RN
Recovery Room Nurse

Stephanie is a registered nurse with 12 years of experience in the nursing field. She has experience with busy surgical floors, plastic surgery and gastric banding. Combined with her experience, energy and compassion this makes for a excellent recovery room nurse.

Bobby Tossios
Operating Room Assistant

Since 2006, Bobby has served as an Operating Room Assistant ensuring that all medical instruments are properly sterilized and readily available to the medical staff in the operating room. Upon completion of the procedure, Bobby assists in the transfer of patients from the operating room to the recovery area.

Grazyna Chomicz RN
Operating Room Nurse

Grazyna has been in nursing since 1982. She has extensive experience in plastic/cosmetic surgery, gastric banding and minor invasive surgeries. Grazyna is a team player and fun to work with. She is energetic, organized and professional.

Yolanda Albino RPN
Recovery Room Nurse

Yolanda has over 15 years of nursing experience. She is a hardworking, caring, compassionate nursing assistant for the Slimband recovery room.

Noreen Benedicto RN
Operating Room Nurse

Noreen has been a Registered Nurse for over 12 years. She has extensive experience in plastics, gastric banding, and internal medicine. Noreen has more than 10 years experience in the operating room. She is energetic, fun, a hard worker, and dedicated.

Dr. Patrick Yau is Canada's leading specialist in advanced laparoscopic surgery, and is the Medical Director at Slimband. He has over 11 years of gastric banding and gastric bypass experience, having performed over 5,000 gastric banding procedures in Canada alone. Dr. Yau also teaches laparoscopic gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery techniques for senior hospital residents in Toronto.

Dr. Yau has dedicated a significant part of his career to honing his skills as a bariatric surgeon. His commitment to his patients is demonstrated by his personalized approach to patient care by carefully addressing individual concerns in consultations and tailoring post-operative programs specific to a patient’s needs. Together with the rest of the team at Slimband, Dr. Yau provides valuable information about bariatric procedures and safe, sustainable solutions for permanent weight loss.

Dr. Yau completed his fellowship in minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery at the Royal Adelaide Centre for Endoscopic Surgery in South Australia. His credentials include training in general and bariatric surgery from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and the University of Toronto. He regularly contributes to peer reviewed medical journals.