PRESENTS CHEQUE FOR $25K TOWARDS THE SENIORS CARE FACILITY IN SURREY
SURREY, B.C, CANADA: Members of the Fiji Canada Business Association (FCBA) presented a cheque for $25k to the seniors’ care facility in Surrey B.C on June 15th, 2022.
The money raised through a Gala evening hosted by FCBA on May 7th at the Bollywood Banquet Hall, is a partial contribution of $100K pledged from the local Fijian community towards a new $85M care facility built by Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) in Cloverdale B.C.
“The new facility will have one of the many hallways named as a Fijian landmark” said Kavin Chand, President of FCBA.
He further added “There’s urgent need for facility expansion as our Fijian population in the Metro Vancouver and Surrey area are aging rapidly”.
At present, PICS is home to more than 50 percent elders of Fijian ethnicity residing full-time at the care facility.
A renowned Fiji born Canadian Businessman and Philanthropists Mr. Peter Raju, who operates Duty Free stores at the Canada/US border, contributed fifty percent ($12,500) of the funds raised from May 7th Gala event.
Mr. Raju has further pledged to contribute and match the amount raised by the Fijians in the future amounting to $100k required towards the new PICS home.
FCBA was formed in 2017, its members are mainly of the Fijian ethnicity associated with Businesses in the Metro Vancouver and Surrey area.
By: Irshad Khan
Picture caption: Members of the FCBA and some of the Fijian community members presenting cheque to PICS CEO Mr. Satbir Cheema and Manager Inderjeet Hundal.
MEET DR. ALMA BARRANCO-MENDOZA
I grew up in Mexico City, Mexico, with my 2 younger sisters and my parents, who are both retired college professors. Since I was young, I have had a very entrepreneurial spirit. By age 14, I was giving piano lessons and selling musical arrangements to my sisters’ gymnastics team. By 17, I had my first significant entrepreneurial venture developing the first Spanishlanguage Legal Management System, bought by some of the largest law firms in Mexico and Latin America.
I immigrated to Canada in 1990 on a scholarship to study at Trent University, in Peterborough, ON, where I obtained a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Mathematics and Computer Sc. and a M.Sc. in Applications of Modelling in the Natural and Social Sciences.
In 1996, I moved to Burnaby BC to study at Simon Fraser University (SFU), where I obtained a PhD in Computer Science, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Health Informatics. I received multiple scholarships, grants, and awards for my research on intelligent risk assessment systems for cancer diagnosis.
While still a doctoral student, I joined 3 other entrepreneurs as Chief Knowledge Engineer and Director of R&D at Knowledge Junction Systems where I designed the first Intelligent Guided Selling Web-based System for the Telecommunications industry, called ConciseMatch. The company grew from 4 to 150 employees with offices in Canada and the USA.
After our twin boys were born, I decided to take a couple of years off from industry to focus on our family and complete my doctoral dissertation.
In 2004, I joined the Computing Science and Biotechnology departments at Trinity Western University (TWU), in Langley, BC, where I founded the Health Informatics Research Group and also co-founded the Gender Studies Institute and the Institute of Chronic Conditions and Aging. In 2008, I obtained tenure and was promoted to associate professor. This same year I became Chief Information Officer (CIO) at TWU, a role I held until 2012. Over the years, I have also taught at SFU and the University of the Fraser Valley. After TWU, I served as COO of Nerdforce Canada and as CIO by the Canadian Space Society. In this last role, I was awarded the 2015 Frost & Sullivan CIO Impact International Award and was nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in Research, Science, and Technology.
In 2006, Deryck and I founded Infogenetica Bioinformatics, which then focused solely on R&D and scientific consulting. However, by 2016 we had a patented Health Canada approved marketable product, NeuroActiv™ Oil, so we decided to switch our focus to manufacturing. We incorporated, founded Infogenetica Solutions Ltd., and I took
MEET DR. DERYCK PERSAUD
I was born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago I was granted a full scholarship to Trent University (Peterborough, ON) so I immigrated to Canada in 1989. I graduated with a BSc (Hons.) in Biochemistry in 1993. For my undergraduate thesis (supervisor, Dr. Alicja Zobel), I performed research on natural anticancer and antimitotic compounds and their effect on cell membrane and structure. After that, I obtained another full graduate scholarship to continue my studies at the Guelph-Waterloo Center for Graduate Work, (GWC2) at the University of Guelph, where I graduated with a MSc in Biochemistry (emphasis on Food Biochemistry) in 1995. My masters research (supervisor, Dr. Douglas G. Dalgleish) focused on oil-water food emulsions and their stability based on fatty acid composition, surfactants, and protein and peptide stabilization.
In 1996, I started my doctoral studies at the department of Biological Sciences at SFU, under the supervision of Dr. Norbert H. Haunerland. The focus of my research was understanding the mechanism of action of fat body (fatty acid storage cells) membrane bound receptors. I obtained my PhD in Biological Sciences in 2002. Later that year, I started working as an Industrial Scientist at Active Pass Pharmaceuticals (Vancouver, BC), where I did research on membrane bound protein purification and drug binding studies. An important component of the research was to determine how drug delivery is facilitated by membrane bound proteins and fatty acid composition on the cell membrane. The importance of these studies was to facilitate better drugs and drug delivery systems to aid in the development of improved medications for age-related macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease. A year later, I joined Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Science Centre as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow developing new methodologies for the physical mapping of cancer genomes and determining the function of novel stem cells genes. I worked there until 2006.
In 2006, motivated by my son’s symptoms and their correlation with my 20 years of research on fatty acids, I cofounded Infogenetica Bioinformatics, later becoming Infogenetica Solutions Ltd., and have been working there ever since. I have always been intrigued with fatty acids and their importance in the maintenance of general health and their relationship with human ailments.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND LAUNCHING INFOGENET
In 2006, one of our sons got diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Atte Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and craniosynostosis (premature fusion o skull bones, which causes pressure on the brain and prevents it from expanding as it g His fine and gross motor skills were very challenged, his developmental progres significantly delayed: he couldn’t perceive pain, couldn’t sleep, had no use of lang experienced severe sensory hypersensitivities, had serious gastrointestinal issues, sh no interest in social interactions, showed constant self-stimulating movements, s anxiety, had a lot of difficulty regulating his emotions, was very hyperactive, couldn’ care of his most basic personal needs, didn’t play appropriately, etc.
To address the craniosynostosis, our son required a reconstructive skull surgery that take over a year to fully heal. For a hyperactive kid unable to follow instructions a immigrants with no other family around, this meant that he would require supervisio for an entire year and it had to be done by one of us. We also realized that, at the time little research had been done on autism from a biomedical perspective. So Deryck decid leave BC Cancer and focus on caring for our son and researching his condition.
The surgery was successful and it helped address the fine and gross motor skills and lack of pain perception issue. However, it didn’t address any of the other symptoms. Upon observing the remaining symptoms, Deryck realized that some were similar to those affecting people suffering with advanced Alzheimer’s: inability to sleep, disorientation, anxiety, uneven energy management, sudden mood changes, etc. he determined that a natural diet containing the full spectrum of fatty acids could possibly help him.
After a long and extensive search for such a complete supplement, we realized it didn’t exist in the market. The best we could find was Omega 3-6-9 supplements, which is a very small fraction of the complete fatty acid spectrum. This is what led to the starting of the research on fatty acids at Infogenetica Bioinformatics.
Using Deryck’s extensive knowledge and years of research on fatty acids and Alma’s biomedical modelling experience, we developed models and researched the different natural sources and combinations of fatty acids until we developed a formulation that was 100% natural, stable enough on its own and wouldn’t oxidate rapidly. Hence, there wouldn’t be a need for artificial stabilizing additives or preservatives. This new formulation wouldn't require refrigeration, and it would include all the many fatty acids required by the body in the appropriate ratio for the optimal absorption into the human cell.
Once we had a finished product candidate, we did what many scientists have done in the past: we first tried this supplement on ourselves. These first observations were really exciting! We noticed, after a few weeks on the supplement, that Alma’s memory, which had suffered significantly after giving birth to the twins, returned to prepregnancy efficiency, her anxiety levels had decreased, and her energy had improved. Also her hair, skin, and nails were healthier than ever. Deryck also noticed improvement in his memory, anxiety and energy levels, and his diabetes medication became more effective and required less dosage to maintain his glucose at acceptable levels. We then gave it to our twins and the outcomes, after a few weeks, surpassed our expectations: our son, who had never been able to have more than 2-3 hours of continuous sleep started sleeping full nights. Many of his ticks diminished, his anxiety was significantly reduced, he was calmer and more able to focus. He started to become more interested in learning and in other people. All these years later, the boy whom we were told would never speak or be able to care for his most basic needs, is now about to graduate from high school, cooks, cares for his personal needs, and has a YouTube vlog where he talks about movie reviews. He still needs some support, but it’s minimal compared to what we were originally told. He will be able to become a productive member of society.
Our other twin had been diagnosed with unicameral bone cysts in his femur (holes in his thigh bone filled with liquid instead of solid bone) and required several surgeries and a bone graft at age 6, which caused him to be in a wheelchair for almost a year. In spite of all the surgeries, his bone still remained porous.
However, after a year on the supplement, his orthopaedic surgeon told us that his bone cells had finally started to fill in the holes. He also had been identified as needing education assistance as he had a lot of difficulty focusing when he started elementary school. However, after some time on the supplement, he was able to focus better and started significantly improving his academic performance to the point of being in the honour roll from grade 3 onwards. Last year, he graduated from high-school with distinction, obtaining a full ride scholarship to study Psychology at UBC. Alma’s mom, who had recently undergone breast cancer treatment when we started doing the initial testing of NeuroActiv Oil, decided to try it too and she noticed her energy levels and overall well-being improved significantly, as well as her skin, hair, nails, and joints felt healthier and younger. She was the one who inspired us to develop the NeuroActiv™ Anti-aging Oil as she started putting it on the wrinkles and age spots around her eyes and face, we saw the amazing improvement it made. Alma’s dad started taking it too and he also noticed improvement in energy and cholesterol levels and his diabetes medication also seemed to become more effective
Our flagship product is NeuroActiv Oil, a full-spectrum fatty acid supplement, which comes in 2 formats: 225 ml and 450 ml. It comes in an anise-flavour liquid format as it is the most effective delivery system for fast cellular absorption.
We also have skin products based on the NeuroActiv full-spectrum fatty acid formulation, but optimized for skin absorption, with natural source vitamin D, and scented with natural essential oils like vanilla, lavender, and sandalwood : NeuroActiv Anti-aging Oil, NeuroActiv Skin Moisturizing Oil, and NeuroActiv Skin Mom and Baby Oil. These come in 10 ml format, with a metallic roll-on applicator that provides the exact small amount needed for the skin while providing localized massage to the area to increase circulation and improve absorption. These are great to moisturize and reduce skin damage due to eczema, dryness, irritation, mild burns, scarring, and signs of aging.
NeuroActiv™ Oil is a natural supplement that incorporates a patented optimized balanced formulation of fatty acids. Fatty acids are an important part of the cell membrane of every cell in our body: skin, brain, bones, hair, nails, blood, eyes, and other organs. They are involved in the protection, nutrition, and detoxification of the cells. They also are an integral part of the connectivity and communication between cells, particularly in the neurons. They are also the “transporters” of the body, assisting important signalling components like enzymes, hormones, etc. to reach receptors in the brain and other organs and trigger important metabolic processes and functions of the immune system.
A balanced and wide range of fatty acids is required in many metabolic and structural processes that are responsible for the healthy functioning of cells, including those in your brain, heart, eyes, bones, and skin.
NeuroActiv™ Oil goes well beyond the typical Omega 3-6-9 supplements in that it incorporates over a dozen additional important fatty acids and some vitamins, including vitamins D, E, A, and K, fundamental in brain function, immune system, and emotional well-being. Fatty acids, when present in a suitable mixture at the appropriate ratios, can be easily absorbed by the human body. This reduces waste and overloading of the wrong type of fatty acids that occurs when consuming only one or few individual fatty acids.
NeuroActiv Oil is developed with 100% natural organic ingredients without the addition of artificial flavours or preservatives.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF NEUROACTIV OIL?
There is no other product in the market like NeuroActiv Oil that provides the entire balanced full spectrum of fatty acids. As mentioned before, products like omega 3-6-9 provide only a small fraction of the benefits NeuroActiv Oil provides. All of our products are made from 100% organic, cold-pressed natural oils, without any artificial additives, preservatives, scents or flavours. We also make sure to source from suppliers that follow ethical trade and sustainable practices and do not do animal testing. Our NeuroActiv Skin Mom and Baby Oil is made with ingestible natural ingredients so that nursing moms can use it to sooth and prevent cracked nipples and it can also be used on babies’ sensitive skin and feel safe that babies won’t be ingesting harmful chemicals if they suck their skin. We also make sure to avoid using in all our products the 10 most common food allergens such as milk, gluten, wheat, shellfish, eggs, peanuts, soy, sesame seeds, and other nuts. We manufacture all our products exclusively in our own facilities in Coquitlam, BC, so there is no risk of cross-contamination with other products.
Even though our products are of the highest quality, we try to make them as affordable as possible to the public. Raising children with chronic health conditions and suffering them ourselves, we understand the economic strain families living with these conditions face. Each daily dosage of NeuroActiv Oil supplement costs less than a daily cup of coffee.
ARE THESE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN CANADA, NORTH AMERICA AND/OR WORLDWIDE?
Canada is our primary market but we have had clients from several other countries through our online store. We are in the process of further developing our US and Mexican market through local distributors in those countries.
ARE THEY ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE OR IN-STORE AS WELL?
Our products are currently available online through our online store on our website www.infogenetica.com/shop and through some spas and alternative health providers like dietitians, naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors, etc.
The last couple of years we have been working with veterinarians in Mexico who have been using some fatty acids to treat cancer in dogs and cats. When they heard of our product, they started using NeuroActiv Oil as their source of fatty acids. Based on their feedback, we are in the process of developing a new product specifically customized for veterinary use.
Even though liquid format is the most effective supplement delivery method for cellular absorption, based on customer feedback, we plan to release a capsule format in the near future.
We are also working on two other research initiatives in Mexico on the use and effect of NeuroActiv™ Oil: a multi-year longitudinal study with an NGO that provides behavioural, occupational, educational, and psychological therapies to low-income children with ASD and another study with the OB/GYN department of a Mexico City hospital, where they are introducing the initiative to include fatty acid supplementation as part of the standard prenatal supplementation protocol in addition to folic acid and prenatal vitamins. A fraction of every sale of our online store goes to fund all the products donated for these studies.
Our future plan is to be able to offer our products through new channels both online, like Amazon, and physically, like health food stores and pharmacies.
We plan to continue our research initiatives and develop new products. We also hope to solidify our presence in the entire North American market with distributors in Mexico and the USA and would like to expand our market through other distributors worldwide.
Phone: 604-288-7051
Website: infogenetica.com
Jas Hundal is a Registered Social Worker and the owner of Jasbir Hundal Counselling Services Ltd (JHCS). She has her Masters of Social Work from the University of Victoria and a Certificate in Advanced Facilitation & Consultation from the Justice Institute of BC. In her career she has worked predominantly with South Asian men and woman, and provided essential services in the Punjabi language. Jas is also the president of the Fraser River Branch of the BC Association of Social Workers.
JHCS is a rapidly expanding clinical practice with a number of independent clinicians who utilize a strength-based and anti-oppressive lens. Jas also provides clinical supervision to students from Yorkville University and Sprott Shaw College who in turn provide free counselling to clients. She is trained in a range of treatment modalities (EMDR, CBT, DBT, Mindfulness) and has worked diligently in the field of mental health and addictions since 2006.
“My vision is to guide clients, so they are empowered to make positive decisions in their life. I am committed to fostering a safe, confidential, and trusting therapeutic alliance with clients so they can start on their journey of healing. I strive to honor each client’s story and experience by providing counselling that is specific to individual needs”.
I competed at a national level in field hockey and table tennis. I also excelled in Cricket and Badminton. My friend’s father was a medical doctor, and he would never be home and seldom able to spend time with his family. What a dreadful life I thought, not realizing what destiny had in store!
What inspired you to pursue a career in Medicine?
How did you get the name “The Magic Doctor’?
“Magic Doctor, can you do some more magic?” laughed the little guy after he had been poked thirty times for his allergy test! Looking at him in amazement was his mother, who had brought him to the office protesting and crying at being dragged to the office. It is time to go home now, exclaimed his mom. “No, no mom, I want to see more magic”, he protested. After some more magic, it was time to bid adieu for another year. We waved and he left. “Thank you, Doc!” His mother was delighted at the amazing transformation in her child. That is how I came to be called the Magic Doctor by my little patients. Little did I realize that my training in magic during my teenage years would be incorporated in my medical assessment and provide joy to thousands of children since 1973. My patients have been coming to my office for their M&M’s Medicine and Magic tricks! Back in time...1971...growing up, becoming a doctor was not on my radar. Sports was my first love.
Life was humming along and I was all set to become a Civil Engineer like my father. Fate made me join the Civil Defence in Mumbai in my final year of High School. We were a group of one hundred teens and of these, twenty of us became good friends. Once in University, we tended to “hang out” at one house, that of my current spouse, as her parents were great fun and intelligent conversationalists. One day, as I pursued my Engineering studies, I happened to see her dissecting a frog for her practicals and the magic happened. I switched to ‘B’ group which in those days led to a career path in medicine and wrote the coveted nationwide selection medical exams. I am grateful for that major fateful change in direction when I was placed with a top rank half a century ago. The rest is History! I successfully completed my medical as well as postgraduate training in Pediatrics in India placing with a University rank. My postgraduate training in Bombay was absolutely hectic, but rewarding. We were titled, RMO or resident medical officers and had to be available 24/7 on the campus, except for a couple of hours in the evening for 3 days. Our day started at 5 am (if you had been fortunate enough to sleep for a couple of hours if you were not
on call) doing rounds on the admitted patients, reading their charts, talking to the parents if they were around, examining the children, developing a plan for their investigation and treatment. It would take 3 hours to finish the rounds by ourselves. Following this, rounding was done with the Registrar, the Lecturer and then with the Honorary Consultant of Paediatrics. We therefore were familiar with each patient in the ward and learned differential diagnostic and treatment modules from Senior Doctors. The Honorary Consultant of my unit was well known in the field of Respiratory Medicine. Additional to our regular outpatient clinics, we also managed the Asthma and Allergy clinic once a week. This was at a time when this field was in its infancy. My guide for MD (Postgrad degree) was a famous Neonatologist and therefore my research thesis was on neonatal infections.
The Journey
Despite all this training at a top institution, upon moving to Canada
Dr. Bhui
in the heart of winter (from +30C in Bombay to -30C in Canada) snow was not the only challenge. Not only was the weather cold, but so were the people in the medical field except for a few. Eventually, I found and reached out to them for guidance. To practice, I had to write exams and repeat my postgraduate training. After successfully writing the exams, when I approached the program director, I was told not to even bother applying for a residency despite my postgraduate training and to look for other non medical jobs or better return home! Those were cloudy days (and I do not refer only to the weather) with no signs of sunshine. We lived in an apartment downtown with a pub below. Several times every night, someone totally drunk would pull the fire alarm and we had to climb
to the lobby downstairs with our two-month-old newborn. Finances were stretched as I did not have a job. I looked for jobs in any field and even advertised that I would be willing to babysit. No offers then, but ironically, have received several to do so now! For our grocery shopping I would walk down 17 blocks in the freezing, snowy Edmonton winter, pick up the groceries and wait at the bus stop. My better half would take the transit and with the baby, reach the bus stop an hour later, pick up the groceries and take the transit back and I would get my exercise walking back. Most days in the first few months we survived on two peanut butter sandwiches. A peanut butter - banana sandwich was a special treat!
My first job eventually was as a research assistant for Alberta Health working part time. After a few research publications I entered a Fellowship in Neonatology at the University of Alberta Hospitals. Early in my Paediatric career in Canada, during Residency and Fellowship at the University of Saskatchewan, I had to transport extremely sick babies from remote prairie areas in tiny planes, diagnose and stabilize them medically enroute and bring them to the University Hospital units for further treatment. Having done my job diligently and well, thanks to my rigorous training in India, I was
unanimously given the privilege of serving as the Chief Resident of Paediatrics. This responsibility was a big honour in those days for any physician and unheard of, for a new immigrant. After writing my fellowship examinations, as a backup, I also wrote the American Board of Pediatrics examinations and was successful in both. Next, I worked as a full time Academic Faculty at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa and as a Paediatric Emergency Room Doctor. As a trailblazer, I opened the doors for other South Asian doctors!
During that time, I wrote and travelled to present research papers at International Conferences. Thoroughly enjoying the clinical and teaching aspects of the job, there were no plans to move. We trained the first Pediatric Emergency medicine fellow at CHEO, was involved in outreach education, local CME and teaching resident physicians from all over Canada. One of them eventually became an astronaut and was a mission specialist on two space shuttle missions.
One fateful day, a former colleague who had worked with me in Edmonton, called me in the ER and informed me of a vacancy in Surrey, BC. “No”, I said. “I am very happy and satisfied with my job.” He however persisted. To move or not to move, that was the question. I had never heard of Surrey in Canada (familiar with Surrey in the UK). Fortunately, there were a few resident physicians from the University of British Columbia who were doing their elective rotations in Ottawa and I sought their thoughts. “Surrey is a one horse town” and, “Surrey means
worry” is what I was informed. How the tide has changed - Now, I believe the mantra is “Hurry to Surrey”! In addition to the clinical and teaching responsibilities, I had administrative duties as the Chief of Pediatrics. Surrey was expanding fast and as one of the few Consultants of Indian origin, having seen first hand the hurdles facing immigrant doctors, provided suggestions and mentoring for future success and am happy that several are now successful practicing doctors. In Surrey Memorial Hospital for High Risk & Caesarean deliveries, I had to rush to intubate, resuscitate and perform spinal taps on newborn and premature babies under emergency situations. Twenty four hour calls could roll into thirty hour calls 3-4 times per week. For several years, getting 1-2 hours of sleep when on call was a treat. The hours were long and tiring, but the smile on the face of the parents and children was rejuvenating providing the fuel to carry on.
Having trained in India and in Canada, I was very aware of the cultural differences and strived to educate my colleagues on the richness and diversity of the South East Asian population. Many were not familiar with the differences in the religious practices as well as cultural norms. I also actively sought to educate the local population on various health issues via radio, television and print media in Hindi, Punjabi and English. More recently, I was fortunate to volunteer as an assistant field Hockey coach to young boys and girls for a couple of years, as well serve as the Team Doctor for competitions. I have volunteered at many health camps in both countries. I also continue to be active in education and serve on the Continuing Education Committee of the BC Pediatric Society. Having previously served as the Head of the Department of Paediatrics at Surrey Memorial Hospital, I am currently a practicing community physician and probably, the longest serving South Asian Paediatrician in Canada.
That’s almost five decades in a nutshell!
People will forget what you have said to them, they may forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
“I can vouch for that. Meeting my patients several years later they have fond memories of their office visit. Patch Adams was made in 1998. My magic with the patients has been since 1977. Healing the body and the mind with medicine and magic.”
Dr. P.S. Bhui
How important is it to find a supportive life partner when embarking on a career as a doctor?
A genuine doctor’s life is one of dedication. I am grateful to be blessed in having a supportive life partner. In such a career, one has to extend themselves well beyond their scope of duty. Certainly, with every new generation, scopes of jobs and levels of professional dedication are determined by social expectations. Yet, medicine at all levels needs a certain personality and dedication. The sacrifice is not the doctor’s alone but accommodation from the family, especially the spouse, is very important. This is probably why divorce is highly prevalent amongst doctors due to the lack of communication, co-operation and understanding. There are no substitutions for spousal support, unconditional love and trust in dealing with the extreme stress and long, irregular work hours.
Why did you choose to specialize in Paediatrics?
During internship there were several instances which made me realize that communicating with children was a special art to master. Children were the most reliable patients—younger ones could not often tell you what was wrong with them, but you could infer how they felt if you were patient and observed carefully. When they were sick their actions spoke louder than their words. I still recall a 9-month-old child who was brought to the ER severely dehydrated after a bout of gastroenteritis following infection with the measles virus. His eyes were sunken, breathing was rapid, pulse was weak, his skin hanging from his bones, and he could barely whimper. The sight of him and his mother who was equally distressed, tugged at my heartstrings. We worked hard to find his veins and infused fluid to rehydrate him followed by investigations and within 24 hours he was a different child! The sight of a nearly dead child bouncing back to life is a
reward unmatched. You witness a healing Power within them unlike any.
When the child is sick it affects the whole family. Children somehow did not appear to have too many advocates and I felt that I had been blessed with the ability to deal with them. Many such cases of children recovering successfully and bouncing back to health served to direct my choice to Pediatrics.
“Passion and Compassion are important in working with children. In addition to providing good medical care, I have attempted to take the extra extra time, patience and care to make every office visit a pleasant and unforgettable experience for the children.
Since 1977, I have used magic while examining and treating patients. Healing the body and mind with medicine and magic takes time but, shows my caring respect for each child.”
What is the biggest reward dealing with children as patients?
The biggest reward is beyond doubt, a smile on a child’s face and true happiness which they genuinely express when they feel well. It’s a big relief all round when a normal night’s sleep is restored for a parent and child. A big factor for any parent and especially ones that would have to rely on school or daycare so that they can attend work.
Tell us of a proud moment in your career?
I have been grateful for the privilege and ability to treat over a quarter million children in two continents
during my career so far and easing the pain of a good many of them. Not everyone gets this opportunity. Yet, unless there is guidance from a superior power, we can achieve nothing. I am glad to have been able to serve. There are many instances but one that comes to mind, is of assisting a young athlete with a chronic illness consistently over several years and she ended up with an international medal on the podium and sent me her gratitude! I was pleased to have assisted her on her dream journey!
What
is your future vision and career goals?
As long as there is a need and I am able to, I wish to continue the service that I have been providing to my Paediatric patients and their parents and caregivers. There is no greater joy than to see a genuine smile on a child’s face!
Nalini Bhui
Tell us about your personal and professional background.
More than four decades ago, my career started in India as a pioneer
of Cardiac Rehabilitation working with the Senior Cardiologists from the Texas Heart Institute in USA as well as from the Cardio-Vascular Thoracic Center in Bombay. After years of research, I made extensive presentations at National and international Medical Conferences and on Television. I wrote several research papers and a post-graduation thesis and was specially invited to write a book chapter for General Practitioners as well. These lead to cash Research awards which were rare in those days and took my work to different dimensions of the topic.
I moved to Canada as a research scientist and tasted the rude shock of the cold Canadian Prairie winters of the eighties, totally opposite of the toasty warmth of Bombay. Being a pure vegetarian was surprisingly a big challenge where the staple food was meat and potatoes. Of course those were also days prior to the internet or cell phones! Travel to and from work was long and difficult. It involved taking two buses each way plus an hour’s walk (in almost -20 C) every morning to reach work by 6:45am and the reverse every evening. Additionally, I delivered our first born less than
two months after landing in Canada as it took 18 months to get our visa. It was a tough start. Simply put, only if I worked, there was food on the table! After paying the rent and our new baby’s basic needs, we could only afford to eat a peanut butter sandwich each. That and starting at the bottom rung in Canada although we were at the top professionally in India, was a new concept for us.
Fortunately, the quality of my work was eventually recognized and I received promotions. Later, I was the Head of Department and even worked at the Heart Institute in Ottawa. Following our move to BC, for thirty years, I have been managing the Paediatric practice of my husband Dr. Bhui and since we work well together, it has been despite the long hours, a cherished and rewarding experience.
As an extremely wellversed and accomplished woman in the medical field, how were you able to simultaneously raise a family? As a South Asian woman, how much did cultural traditions play a role in your career and family dynamic?
It is my simple belief that no matter what professional heights a woman achieves, the privilege of being the quiet, positive power behind your family as a mother gives one the greatest joy. Unconditional love has a different meaning as a parent. The important role of a woman as a wife and mother in Indian culture and tradition continue to be my moral compass. As well, I definitely believe in the strength and efficacy of prayer and meditation. Family value
systems played a major role in shaping my life. These have provided the best guidelines coping with the various roles that I have been called upon to play on a daily basis. I personally feel that being the wife of a Paediatrician is a very responsible privilege. All credit goes to my mother who told me at the outset, “ Dr. Bhui is very dedicated to his patients and your needs will come second. Marry him only if you can accept that fact and support him well.” Honestly, his level of dedication and service with humility and kindness is unparalleled. We have worked together almost every single day for three decades and are best friends to-date. Those who know me in the community have observed about us that, I choose to care and extend my support to my husband as well as to his patients and he cares for every patient as if they were his own child.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced juggling
personal life and professional goals?
The biggest challenge and source of stress has been the lack of reliable childcare. Certainly, the other one is that, when for no fault of your own, you or your teenage child is facing death. That’s a real reality check when you have responsible jobs that cannot be not performed even for a day additional to your family responsibilities and you are facing something so terrible and irreversible. How does one keep calm and never let your patients know of your personal distress yet, dispense duties and keep the positive spirit alive? Guess we are both blessed to be survivors. Prayer, faith and unconditional love conquers a lot of hurdles.
Women tend to be the backbone in the family unit who support both husband and kids in their day-to-day lives. How was this reciprocated for you when pursuing your dreams and passions?
Let me tell you a story. I once attended a women empowerment workshop. During one session, there was a round table and each one spoke of how they wanted 50% status in their families. I was the only silent one. At the end, the moderator asked me why I had been quiet through the session. ‘Well,’ I said, “when I am blessed to have 100% support, love, respect and support of my family, why would I ask for only 50%? They are with me in all my ventures. Sure, the road has not always been smooth but they are there for me when I need them. Following certain incidents in our life for no fault of ours it’s a miracle that I am alive today and all credit is to God’s will and my husband’s support and love.
How has the COVID pandemic positively and negatively affected your life?
Covid’s impact has been felt by one and all. Ours is no different from other healthcare families.
Precautions such as a strict protocol upon returning home from work coupled with regular serious prayers for safety as the whole family has been involved in front line work to varying degrees have been onerous. Stress, repeat Covid testing and even isolation have been an undesirable parts of this lengthy process.
The main positive Covid spinoff for me personally, was an ‘Artists Talk’ program that I co-ordinated and conducted at the Surrey Art Gallery for six years which was moved online due to the pandemic. It turned out to be a huge success and was well received by the viewership. That was gratifying as the artists were happy to have a podium, publicity and some remuneration in tough times. I must admit that not having to drive or fly to meetings was a nice change. All the work was definitely completed. The minimum exposure and strict measures followed, aided in reducing infections in younger children. I sharpened my technical skills and had a different social life as I actively participated in and supported online singing competitions such as ‘Antakshari’ and international children’s events. I now have more international friends and have reconnected with family across the Globe.
Tell us about your extensive involvement in the community and some of the accolades you have received over the years?
My community involvement and achievements started when I won my first elocution and public speaking competition at age seven. Later, I went on to receive awards for writing and directing children’s plays; debating and public speaking competitions at medical school level; state level Sanskrit chanting and serving as Master of Ceremonies at the famous Shanmukhananda Hall in Bombay at Bharata Natyam performances and major dance drama events. I also performed small roles as an ‘extra’ in some documentary films. However, my pioneering work in
Cardiac Rehabilitation brought me major and National Research awards and TV presentations.
At a very young age, I could speak in eight languages as my mother a classical singer, sang in many of them. Along with my mother, I was a meditation and spiritual teacher for kids and did community seva even at a young age. I also taught Bharata Natyam to beginners and tutored school subjects free of cost. Life was busy!
In Canada, I have volunteered for three decades in all aspects of society. I was a reliable and consistently sought-after parent volunteer for sports, drama, math and science competitions and served at the District level. I was chosen to work in the Doping detection section at World Wrestling Championships; Winter Olympics; was Master of Ceremonies at major events and cultural programs in five languages, alongside my family, I volunteered at several health camps. It was fun to be a representative of Indian culture and dance at Intercultural events. I am an Independent Producer, Director and Media Host.
I ran a National TV show incorporating medical, cultural segments as well as on immigrant education. I have produced and hosted a radio show on Indian music for over a decade. Serving as the President of a non-profit organization in the 2000s was a unique experience, as was serving on the Board of Directors for a radio station. Philanthropically, I have donated and collected funds for various initiatives such as World Vision, University and Cultural Scholarships, Scholarships, Cancer, Operation Eyesight (surgery for the Blind in India but early detection of eye disease in Canada). I am grateful to have received several awards and accolades for Excellence in Community Service.
Of highlight, I’ve been told that I am the first South Asian woman elected as President of The Surrey Art Gallery Association, a forty-year-old dynamic NPO that facilitates and supports all projects and programs of the award-winning Surrey Art Gallery. I certainly enjoy the opportunity to open new doors and in being a community visionary.
What is your future vision and career goals?
I am still very active in the community and do media and MC work, which I love and enjoy. There are several organisations that I serve or am a part of. I enjoy public service and am involved in individual, local and national projects and hope to continue contributing to the greater good. Media work, Culture, Art, Music and Health are topics close to my heart and I enjoy opportunities to participate in them. I love people and am happiest when we all progress and move forward together on a positive and fruitful path in life.
The Nalini Bhui Show
