THE PRACTICE
Our Practice
Maple Leaf Health Centre is a modern FAMILY PHYSICIAN CLINIC located in the community of Fireside in Cochrane. The clinic offers primary health care for patients of all ages. Our team is focused on providing excellent, quality, evidence based patient care.
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Dr. Franco Du Preez, MD, Accepting new patients
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Dr. Franco Du Preez is a caring and approachable family physician with over five years of experience providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages. Raised in Northern Alberta, he completed medical school in Calgary before moving to rural Ontario, where he gained broad experience in family medicine, long-term care, emergency medicine and hospitalist medicine.
With a strong background in rural and community-based practice, Dr. Du Preez is comfortable managing a wide range of health concerns—from newborn and preventive care to chronic disease management and end-of-life support. He also offers joint injections and minor procedures, allowing patients to receive effective treatment close to home.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Du Preez enjoys snowboarding, hiking, swimming, and water sports, and plays both the piano and cello. He also loves working on leathercraft projects and spending time with his wife and two young daughters.
Dr. Du Preez looks forward to welcoming new patients and supporting the health and wellness of families in the Cochrane community.
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To book a joint injection or minor procedures, please visit your family doctor, who can refer you to see Dr Du Preez.
Adam Nielsen, MD - List Closed
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Dr. Nielsen was born and raised in Edmonton (don’t hold that or his choice of hockey teams against him). He was heavily involved in sports growing up and his first real introduction to the field of medicine was a serious leg injury sustained while playing hockey as a 14 year old. This piqued his interest and since that experience, he wanted to be a doctor.
He completed his Bachelor of Sciences degree at the University of Alberta. He attended the American University of Antigua for medical school and graduated Sigma Cum Laude. His clinical rotations took place in Brooklyn NY, Atlanta GA, Youngstown OH and Augusta GA. It was during that time that he developed an affinity for family medicine and he applied to family medicine residencies in both the USA and Canada. He was accepted to the University of Ottawa family medicine program where he was chief resident and voted most collegial and most outstanding resident. He really enjoys the variety of people and health concerns that family medicine lends itself to as well as the opportunity to form a close relationship with patients throughout their life cycle. After graduation, he worked as a family physician in Renfrew ON as their permanent locum, ultimately working for 13 local family doctors on a regular basis. He developed particular interests in care of the elderly and palliative medicine, working at the local nursing homes and retirement home as well as the local hospice. He always intended to move back to Alberta when it was time to start up his practice and it became pretty obvious early on that Cochrane would be the ideal spot.
When he’s not working, Adam and his wife try to keep up with their two young children. He still enjoys many sports and is looking forward to being close to the mountains and what they have to offer. He and his family are thrilled to be joining the community of Cochrane.
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Olga Konwisorz, MD, BSC Honours, PGdip Obesity Management - Accepting new patients (List closed at the moment )
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Dr Olga was born in Poland. As a child she emigrated to Canada and grew up in Calgary. From a young age Dr Olga dreamed of becoming a doctor.
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She finished her BSc Honours at the University of Calgary. In 2003 she returned to Poland to study medicine at the Jagiellonian Univeristy Medical College graduating in 2007. Dr Olga then moved to England where she completed 6 years of post graduate training. She initially was planning on becoming a psychiatrist but after a year of residency decided her interests were much broader and so chose to pursue Family Practice. Over years of practice Dr Olga has developed a keen interest in weight management and is pursuing an extra degree in this field. When not working she enjoys running and music.
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Tristan Pagan, MD- List Closed
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Dr. Tristan Pagan was born and raised in British Columbia. He spent most of his youth focused on hockey which led him to the opportunity to play in Saskatchewan in high school. After moving there, he pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of Regina before being accepted into the Medical School at the University of Saskatchewan. During his time there he found his passion for general practice and moved to Victoria, BC to complete his Medical Residency through the University of British Columbia. After locuming in rural areas throughout western Canada for some time he eventually landed in Calgary, Alberta doing a mixture of surgical work as well as family practice.
Now excited to start his practice in Cochrane, he is focused on providing comprehensive care to his patients in all fields of medicine. In his spare time, he can be found exploring the Alberta wilderness, playing hockey, and often, chasing after his two dogs.
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Glenda Schoombee, MBChB - GP Special Interest Dermatology
E-Consultations for Clinic Patients Only
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Dr Schoombee has closed her regular practice.
Dr Schoombee provides e-consultations (virtual clinical advice ) for patients who are registered with our family doctors.
Please note that this service is provided through your family doctor who will consult with Dr Schoombee regarding your skin concern.
When your family doctor checks a mole, lump or bump on your skin, they will assess whether an e-consultation is required. You are welcome to request this service.
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Dr. Glenda Schoombee studied medicine at the University of the Free State in South Africa. She graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree in 1997. This was followed with 2 years of postgraduate training, which included a year of pediatrics.
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She began her career as a general practitioner in South Africa and continued in this field after moving to Canada in 2007. After practicing family medicine in Alberta, she decided to pursue her interest in dermatology. She was awarded the Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dermatology (Queen Mary University of London) in 2016. She has received additional training and certification in the field of dermoscopy. She has also successfully completed a Professional Diploma in Skin Cancer Medicine and a Professional Diploma of Dermoscopy.
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Dr Schoombee has a special interest in skin cancer medicine and is passionate about the prevention and early detection of malignant melanoma and other skin cancers. She is pleased to be able to offer care in the field of skin cancer medicine to our community.
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Dr Schoombee has lived in Cochrane since 2011 with her husband and three children.
Dr. Ebtihal Ali Mersal, MD- List closed at the moment
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I am a Saskatchewan-born who had spent my formative years amidst the vast prairies and endless skies. My curiosity for different cultures led me on a global journey, where I immersed myself in diverse traditions and experiences.
After completing my medical education in Libya, I devoted a decade to practicing medicine in this vibrant country. However, my heart yearned to return to my Canadian roots. Eventually, I found myself drawn to the breathtaking landscapes of Alberta, specifically Cochrane, where I now serve as a family doctor.
In addition to my medical practice, I find joy in exploring the majestic mountains, embracing the great outdoors, and finding inner peace through the practice of yoga. Blessed with the ability to speak both Arabic and English, I am committed to serving and supporting my community in every way possible.
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