The UBC Department of Orthopaedics is pleased to welcome six new staff members to our Administrative Team in May 2023. Our new team members bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to their new roles. Learn more about their responsibilities, and why they are excited to join the Department.
Heleena Mistry
Senior Education Assistant
Heleena is responsible for the overall administration, day-to-day planning, and delivery of the Department of Orthopaedics Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) Program and will support the delivery of the Department of Orthopaedics Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Program.
“I am excited to be a part of such a dynamic Department. I have been lucky enough to meet so many Department members already, and everyone has been very welcoming. I am really looking forward to working with the Orthopaedics admin team! A couple of fun facts about me: I have travelled to 34 countries (so far!) backpacking through many of them. I also always loved motorcycles but when I was in Vietnam a few years ago, I had the chance to ride in the mountains and I fell in love. I finally got my class 6 license last year and my first motorcycle!”
Thomas Coules
Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Coordinator
Tom is responsible for the administrative and operational day-to-day running of the Orthopaedic Surgery residency program within the Department of Orthopaedics. His main functions include planning, implementing, tracking, monitoring and evaluating the residency program activities and events as well as initiating and driving special projects.
“I am delighted to be joining a Department with such an excellent reputation. It is an exciting time to be arriving and I look forward to helping build and strengthen the Department alongside fantastic Faculty, Staff, and Residents. A fun fact about me is that I have a couple of listings on IMDB having worked in television for a couple of years and no it won’t be anything you’ve seen.”
Chloe Johnstone (replaced by Amanda Gamache, October 2023)
Human Resources Coordinator
(Mat Leave Replacement)
Chloe is responsible for the day-to-day HR operations for the Department of Orthopaedics. She is responsible for full-cycle human resource activities for all staff and students and select faculty groups. This includes: recruitment, appointment, reappointment, termination, leaves, and promotion.
“I am so excited to be joining UBC Orthopaedics at the advent of the new Strategic Plan, to be a part of a big time of growth for the Department. I look forward to supporting the many different individuals within the Department, and am just an email away if you’d like to say hi! A fun fact about myself is that I teach spin and strength classes in my spare time.”
Maneeta Janjua
UBC Global Orthopaedics Co-op Student
Maneeta will help coordinate and develop UBC Global Orthopaedic (UBC GO) projects and initiatives by collaborating with surgeons and research staff globally, creating surveys, and developing website/social media content. She will also work with the Hippy Lab to assist with their research activities and projects.
“As a co-op student for the UBC Department of Orthopaedics, specifically UBC Global Orthopaedics (UBC GO), I look forward to working with faculty members to get the GO initiative off the ground, as well as contributing to improving orthopaedic care around the world through GO projects. Most importantly, I’m excited to be working alongside so many passionate and hardworking individuals from this Department that will push me to grow and learn outside of the classroom! In my free time, I love to read and dance!”
Wendy Cheung
UBC Work Learn Project Assistant (Summer 2023)
Wendy will provide administrative and communications support to the Department’s Leadership and Administrative teams, and contribute to the roll-out of the Department’s refreshed strategic plan, with a special focus on wellness, inclusion, and education.
“I am super excited to join the UBC Orthopaedics team this summer. I’ve always wanted to see how the post-medical school process works in terms of residency and fellowships, both from the student and behind-the-scene perspectives, so I’m really looking forward to this great learning opportunity! A fun fact about me is I really like watching horror movies and am in the process of trying to write my own horror/suspense story!”
Kristina Kurvits
UBC Work Learn Project Assistant (Summer 2023)
Kristina will provide administrative and communications support to the Department’s Leadership and Administrative teams, and contribute to the roll-out of the Department’s refreshed strategic plan, with a special focus on wellness, inclusion, and education.
“I’m very excited to join the UBC Orthopaedics team and get the opportunity to learn more about the Department and to get to meet everyone. A fun fact about me is that I recently learned how to crochet!”
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