Medicine

Dr. Rusk started his training in South Africa as a veterinarian at the University of Pretoria.  After graduation, he came to rural Canada for an adventure and has been here ever since.  He lived in rural Alberta and Manitoba for 8 years practicing as a cattle veterinarian before moving to Winnipeg to do his medical degree.

Dr. Rusk trained in Preventative and Family Medicine at the University of Manitoba for medical school and residency.  He completed the Public Health and Preventative Medicine residency, with a focus on primary and secondary prevention of infectious and chronic diseases.

Dr Rusk has worked in Concordia Emergency Department, community family practice and with the Ministry of Health focusing on developing preventative programs and addressing the emergence of infectious diseases.  He has also been instrumental in advancing the One Wellness framework and concept that focuses on the wellness of humans and animals and takes into consideration the health of the environment.

He is very passionate about his career which he demonstrates by sharing his knowledge and expertise by teaching medical students and residents on the benefits of focusing upstream with prevention before disease. He too believes in a multidisciplinary approach and collaborates with physiotherapists, athletic therapists, kinesiologists and teaches continuing education courses in Manitoba and Canada.

Dr. Rusk strives to provide and expand Preventative Medicine in Manitoba. He believes that patients can prevent many conditions through careful consideration to their nutritional and mental diet, through participating in physical and social activities, and thus preventing disease and promoting wellbeing. Through the multi-disciplinary team of Pure Wellness, we have a unique opportunity to improve each and everyone that participates in care from this team.

In his spare time, he has competed for Canada in the Age Group World Triathlon championships, has bicycled to Everest base camp and has run the Hypothermic Half Marathon as only a true Manitoban could.

Education

Community and Family Preventative Medicine Physician
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc)
Medical Doctor (MD)
Certificant of the College of Family Physicians (CCFP)
Diploma of American Board of Preventative Medicine (Dip ABPM)
Masters of Public Health (MPH)

Dr. Katz is a locally trained physician, specializing in sport and exercise medicine. He completed his medical school training at the University of Manitoba in 2015. After completing his family medicine training at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Katz went onto obtain a certificate of added competence in sport and exercise medicine from the University of Manitoba and Legacy Sport Medicine Clinic.

Dr. Katz currently is employed at Pure Lifestyle, Legacy Sport Medicine and Pine Falls Primary Health Clinic where he focuses on patient with common musculoskeletal conditions such as rotator cuff disease and osteoarthritis. He also is one of the consulting physicians for FC Valour of the Canadian Premier League.

Education

Bachelor of Sciences, University of Winnipeg, BSc
Doctor of Medicine, 2016, University of Manitoba, MD
Certificant of the Family of College Physicians, CFPC
Certificate of Added Competence 2019, Sport and Exercise Medicine

Dr. Katrice Kazmerik graduated from Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba in 2014 completing a biomedical specialization, then going on to pursue medicine. She completed both medical school and a Family Medicine residency in Winnipeg and included placements in northern Manitoba, Nova Scotia and a medical mission to the Philippines. She has incorporated an Integrative Medicine in Residency program remotely through the University of Arizona, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine to further appreciate the breadth of medicine. Dr. Kazmerik enjoys working with patients of all ages, and has particular interest in women’s health and geriatric care.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Kazmerik prioritizes spending time with family and friends, and is often outdoors enjoying the lake, fishing, running, swimming or skiing in the winter time.

Dr. Burron holds a Doctor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (physiotherapy), both from the University of Manitoba. Dr. Burron is certified in both Family and Emergency Medicine through the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP).   Dr. Burron’s areas of practice interest include emergency medicine, musculoskeletal and rehabilitation medicine, occupational and insurance medicine and, obesity and exercise medicine.

Occupational and insurance medicine, musculoskeletal /rehabilitation medicine

In addition to training and previously practicing as a physiotherapist, Dr. Burron completed Occupational Medicine training through the University of Alberta (Foundation Course Occupational Medicine Part A and B) and completed the examination for Associate status with the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine (ACBOM). Dr. Burron is a Certified Independent Medical Examiner (CIME) through the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME). Dr. Burron is a medical consultant for the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba and has provided Non-Treating (independent) medical exams and overseen rehabilitation programing for Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Teachers Society, Health Employee Benefits Branch. Dr. Burron has provided consultation to Industry on Occupational health and workplace injury prevention and management.

Exercise and Obesity medicine

Dr. Burron strongly believes in the importance of lifestyle modification and exercise for the prevention and treatment of all medical conditions. He is Board Certified in Obesity Medicine through the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Dr. Burron performs and interprets Cardiac stress testing and electrocardiograms (EKG) for diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions, exercise assessment and prescription.

Emergency medicine

Dr. Burron is a practicing emergency physician at Selkirk Regional Health Center and was the Director of Emergency Medicine at Selkirk Regional Health Center from 2015-2020. Dr. Burron sits on the Manitoba Emergency Medicine Specialty Privileges Committee.

Dr. Du Preez was born in Zimbabwe. At age 16, his family immigrated to South Africa, enabling him to pursue his passion of becoming a medical doctor. He joined the South African military, through whom he completed his degree in medicine and surgery at the University of Pretoria in 1990.

During his 11 years in the military, Dr. Du Preez trained and worked in both general and plastic and reconstructive surgery, obtaining the rank of Major. Later, he spent 5 years in private practice as a family physician, continuing his work in general and plastic surgery. He also worked in emergency medicine and addictions medicine through SANCA (South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence).

In 1999 he immigrated with his family to Canada to provide them with better opportunities. He started working as an ER physician in Selkirk Hospital -- a position he holds to this day. As a flight physician and Provincial Air Ambulance Medical Director with the Lifeflight Air Ambulance program, he provided critical care to remote Indigenous communities in northern Manitoba for almost 20 years until the program ended in December 2020.

Dr. Du Preez is thankful for the many learning experiences and opportunities afforded him through his career. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and expertise with paramedics, medical residents and international medical graduates. Dr. Du Preez is a founding member of the Department of Emergency Medicine at University of Manitoba and remains a member of the faculty. Since 2016, he has served as medical advisor for the Paramedic Program at Red River College.

Dr. Du Preez leads a minor surgical procedure clinic that focuses on providing an aesthetic result, whether dealing with cancers on the face, or lesions on the body. He is also trained in the use of fillers and laser therapy.

Dr. Du Preez enjoys an active lifestyle. He has competed in the Manitoba Half Marathon, and participates in both sprint triathlons and golf.

Dr. Maleen Avery is a sports medicine physician, born, raised, and trained in Winnipeg. Outside of medicine, she manages her dogs’ Instagram account, indulges in more coffee than she should, and probably watches too much Netflix.

Education

BSc. Hon. Biochemistry, McMaster University
MD, University of Manitoba
CCFP (SEM), FCFP, University of Manitoba
Fellowship in Sport and Exercise Medicine, University of Manitoba
Dip. Sport Med (CASEM)
American Board of Obesity Medicine

Dr Stephanie Johnston completed her medical degree at Dalhousie University in 2009 and her obstetrics/gynecology residency program at the University of Manitoba in 2014. She has a diverse practice consisting of low and high risk of obstetrics, preconception counseling, infertility, period management, contraception, endometriosis and menopause. She has a surgical practice focusing on laparoscopic and hysteroscopic techniques. She is able to provide care in French and English.

She completed her Masters in Health Professions Education in 2021 with a focus on mastery learning in laparoscopic surgery. She is the assistant program director for obstetrics/gynecology residency program at the University of Manitoba.

She is passionate about women’s health and enjoys empowering women to engage in their healthcare. When not working, she enjoys having an active lifestyle by training towards triathlons and working on improving her gardening and culinary skills.

Dr Ingrid Baragar (she/her) graduated from Biosystems Engineering with a biomedical specialization and a minor in Arts in 2014. Upon graduation, she entered medical school at the University of Manitoba in the bilingual (French/English) stream. Her medical training helped foster a special passion for women’s health and children’s health, and she completed numerous electives in these fields including studies abroad in Kenya and India. After completing medical school, she entered residency with the intention of becoming an obstetrician/gynecologist, completing 21 months of training before electing to transfer her skillset to family practice. She subsequently completed a Family Medicine residency program at the University of Manitoba in 2021.

In her spare time, Dr Baragar enjoys exploring the great outdoors, spending time at the family cabin, and making music. She is a skilled pianist and sings in a local women’s choir.

Dr Baragar welcomes patients of all ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds. In addition to her outpatient clinic at Pure Lifestyle, she is joining a team of family physicians who work in labour, delivery, and postpartum/newborn care at St Boniface Hospital.

Dr. Abbott grew up in rural Manitoba, from a farming background. During university, he held summer jobs in agriculture and agriculture related construction work.

Dr. Abbott holds a Doctor of Medicine degree, a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy) degree and a Bachelor of Science degree. Dr. Abbott holds Fellowship status with the College of Family Physicians of Canada and holds certificates in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Care of the Elderly. Dr. Abbott, having completed both University of Alberta Foundation courses in Occupational Medicine and having successfully completed the examination, is an Associate of the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine.

Dr. Abbott has experience in clinic and hospital settings as a physiotherapist, prior to studying medicine. After completing medical studies, Dr. Abbott practiced emergency medicine and provided critical care for patients in remote communities within the Lifeflight Air Ambulance program for 15 years, until the program closed. Dr. Abbott attends and consults in Geriatrics and Rehabilitation and is a hospitalist in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Orthopaedics Trauma program. Dr. Abbott serves as a medical consultant to the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba and formerly to Manitoba Public Insurance. Dr. Abbott is an assistant professor in the University of Manitoba Department of Emergency Medicine and regularly lectures on a variety of topics, including musculoskeletal medicine, emergency medicine and occupational medicine.

Dr. Abbott is a former Chief Medical Officer of a rural Manitoba hospital and is former President of Medical Staff at Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg. Dr. Abbott has participated on a number of medical standards committees and medical advisory committees, whose mandate has been to assure a high standard of patient care. Dr. Abbott currently acts as medical consultant to the Interlake Eastern Regional Authority, consulting on issues related to medical standards and patient safety.

When Dr. Abbott is not treating patients, consulting or teaching, he enjoys spending free time with his wife and three adult children, playing football and volleyball, boating and cycling.

Education

BMR(PT), B.Sc., MD, CCFP(EM)(COE), FCFP, ACBOM