Advisory Board

Dr. Tom Kinahan is a practicing urologist in Kelowna, B.C., and staff surgeon at Kelowna General Hospital, as well as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Urologic Sciences at UBC. He received his undergraduate medical degree at the University of B.C. in 1984, and went on to general surgery and urology specialty studies in Vancouver and Toronto. Dr. Kinahan has recently been granted an M.Sc. degree in Health Informatics through University of Victoria. His search for intelligent solutions to managing the overwhelming overload of data facing clinicians today is the basis and impetus for the founding of Optimed. He has assembled a team of advisory physicians with vision and experience in health information technology, and has brought Optimed to the forefront in the development administrative and medical data management.

Dr. Stan Valnicek is a practicing Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon in Kelowna, BC, originally from Saskatchewan, where he held an academic appointment with The University of Saskatchewan Medical School. He has 8 years' experience in physicians' data management and electronic medical records design and implementation. He has a special interest in the Physician-data interface using wireless technology.

Dr. Ron Baldassare received his medical degree in 1989 from McGill University. He completed his Ophthalmology training at McGill in 1994. He began private practice in Kelowna in 1995 and has embraced technology from the start. In 1999 he developed an Access-based paperless system for his office, and was in the process of developing a Java based paperless system, until learning of Optimed. He has a busy surgical practice, operates the Kelowna Vision Correction Centre, and continues to be involved in clinical research. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, the British Columbia Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.

Dr. Michael Carter is a practicing Urologic surgeon in Kelowna, BC, specializing in male infertility and female incontinence. Dr. Carter has authored many publications and considered a leading infertility specialist in Canada. He has a wealth of knowledge relating to our products, and is an innovator in the implementation of hospital information systems. We are pleased to have his expertise on our Advisory Board.

Dr. Adrian Bak is a Gastroenterology specialist in Kelowna.

Dr. Steven Krywulak has been working as on Orthopedic Surgeon in Kelowna since 2002. He has fellowship training in joint replacement and sport medicine. Areas of interest include knee ligament reconstruction and shoulder surgery.