Our Team
Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren
MD, CCFP, FCFP
Born and raised in Claresholm, Alberta, Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren has practiced rural family medicine in Sundre since 1999. Michelle has provided service at the Sundre Hospital for over 25 years providing low risk intrapartum care until its loss in 2020, acute care, and emergency care services. She is a clinical associate professor at the University of Calgary and a clinical assistant professor at the University of Alberta. In addition, she is the co-owner of the Moose and Squirrel Medical clinic in Sundre.
From September 2021 to 2023, she served on the Board of the Alberta Medical Association as President-elect, President and Past-President! In January 2023, she received a Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal recognizing her work in Health Care in Alberta during her time with the AMA. She is currently involved with the AH-AMA Alternative Relationship Plan Working Group (ARP WG) helping to create new and improved funding models for physicians in Alberta to ensure we are competitive and able to provide quality care in our province.
The Moose & Squirrel Medical Clinic has a collaborative, team-based approach to the provision of primary care, and includes preventative medicine as well as the usual medical care expected in a family physicians office. The Moose & Squirrel Medical Clinic is recognized as the leading “Patients Medical Home” and was awarded the Alberta College of Family Physicians Patient’s Medical Home award for Outstanding Family Practice for 2017. Michelle is also a provincial Physician Champion, and is working along with the clinic team to modernize primary care based on team based approach – which allows more patients to have a family physician and access to care when they need it.
Michelle has been awarded a Fellowship by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for her dedicated service and commitment to lifelong learning. She is a PALS, ACLS and ATLS instructor and enjoys bringing team-based teaching to both her own facility as well as other communities. In 2016 she was recognized as the recipient of the RPAP Rural Alberta Physician Award of Distinction, for bringing superior medical care to her community. She was also awarded the prestigious Dr. Hal Irvine Community Focus Award in 2015 by the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine for her dedication, through service and personal commitment, to improving the quality of life in her community. She was recognized for her commitment to rural medicine by the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada along with her husband, Rob Warren as they received the 2021 Rural Service Award.
As an educator with a strong passion for educating teams in their local environment, she travels around Alberta delivering Heart and Stroke ACLS, PALS and PEARS courses as well as RhPAP Care Courses. She is an EDE-1 with Chest certified physician so she can teach learners Point of Care ultrasound and certify their scans when they are training. Michelle was chosen as the 2021 recipient of the Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta’s Clinical Teaching Award which recognizes and celebrates physician preceptors who have shown excellence in resident physician education. In 2021 both Drs Warren were recognized by the University of Calgary Family Medicine program as the Rural Preceptors of the year for 2023-2024 for their commitment to resident education and wellbeing.
Michelle has had the joy of raising three children in Sundre with her husband, Rob. As an adult she began running as a means of helping maintain health, and has successfully completed several half marathons and 2 marathons – often finishing in the top 25% of her age group. She is now focusing on hiking and active travel adventures with her husband, while also travelling to keep in touch with her children as they ‘migrate” to follow their passions.
Dr. Robert G. Warren, JD (Dist), MD, CCFP, CPoCUS
Born and raised in Calgary, Dr. Rob Warren has called Sundre home since 1999 and has practiced family medicine since 2011. Before becoming a family physician, Rob was a lawyer for five years practicing in Edmonton and Calgary, and also worked as an EMT for Mountain View Emergency Medical Services for several years.
Rob brings his passion for collaboration and teamwork to the MSMC, along with his enthusiasm for medical education – he is actively involved in training medical students and family medicine residents, and has delivered workshops at a number of medical education conferences for physicians across Alberta. Rob is certified as a Master Instructor by the Canadian Point Of Care Ultrasound Society and has participated in training, evaluating and certifying over 500 Canadian and internationally-based physicians as Independent Practitioners in the Core elements of Emergency Ultrasound, as well as achieving CPoCUS certification as an Independent Practitioner in Resuscitation Ultrasound. Rob was honoured by the Alberta College of Family Physicians as Alberta’s 2015 Outstanding New Professional for his dedication to patients, family, colleagues and community in his first five years of practice. He has also been recognized for leadership in family medicine on multiple occasions by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Alberta Medical Association.
Rob is passionate about serving his community, and has been the driving force behind the creation of several non-for-profit organizations that serve the health needs of the Sundre community, including the Sundre Health Professionals Attraction and Retention Committee, the Moose & Squirrel Home Palliative Care Program, and Sundre Play 4 Kidz, which raises funds to assist local children in participating in sport, play and activity programs.
In addition to his work as a rural family physician, Rob is the Assistant Program Director (Rural) for the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta, responsible for the administration of the Rural Family Medicine residency training programs at the Grande Prairie, Red Deer and Yellowknife sites.
Rob enjoys distance running and is a five-time marathoner, including the New York City Marathon and the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge. Rob also enjoys recreational hockey and is a long-time member of Snake Plissken HC, playing right wing, left wing, centre and defence, often all in the same shift.
Long Term Physician
Dr. Erin K. Kelly MD, MSc, CCFP
Erin knew she wanted to be a doctor since she was five years old. Born and raised in Lethbridge, AB, she began her path to medicine at the University of Lethbridge, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biochemistry. During this time she also participated as a teacher and mentor for iGEM, an international genetic engineering machine competition, helping hone her scientific and educational skills. Days after defending her graduate thesis, Erin moved to Calgary to begin her formal medical education at the University of Calgary.
Three years at the U of C taught her all about medicine and helped develop her love for rural medicine specifically. Working at a variety of rural sites during her med school and residency programs reinforced her desire to pursue rural medicine as a career, as it allows her to practice a variety of medicine. Though still new to practice, Erin is quickly becoming accustomed to her role and is loving the rural lifestyle.
When not working in clinic or the emergency room, Erin is spending time with her partner Dan and their dog Pippin. She enjoys reading, gardening, hiking, skiing, and occasionally playing the Legend of Zelda. Mostly, she enjoys not being in school and having an opportunity to live and work in an amazing place.
Long Term Physician
Dr Adam Penkul MD, CCFP
Adam was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario, and completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of Toronto. He earned his medical degree at the University of Ottawa, but decided to seek a new adventure by moving to Calgary to continue his training. During his residency he spent two months in Sundre at the Moose and Squirrel Medical Clinic, and enjoyed the experience and patients so much that he jumped at the chance to return! Beyond clinical responsibilities, he has an active interest in medical leadership, having served as a Chief Resident as well as a resident representative with the College of Family Physicians.
Outside of the clinic, you will likely find Adam either on the volleyball court or enjoying the Rocky Mountains. He is an avid skier in the winter, and enjoys a good hike in the warmer weather. He is looking forward to serving the patients of Sundre while exploring more of what Alberta and the Rockies have to offer over the coming years.
Long Term Physician
Dr. Isi Eyike
Originally from Nigeria, Dr. Isi completed most of her medical education there before moving to Canada with her family.
Her Approach to Care
Preventive health screenings and wellness checkups Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc.) Women’s health (contraception, prenatal/postnatal care, menopause management) Mental health support (anxiety, depression, stress management) Pediatric and adolescent care (growth monitoring, childhood illnesses, developmental milestones) Acute care (respiratory infections, musculoskeletal pain, minor procedures) Health education and lifestyle counselingBeyond medicine, Dr. Isi is a devoted wife and mother of four, balancing a busy professional life with the joys and challenges of parenting. She understands firsthand the importance of family-centered care and enjoys supporting families in their health journeys.
Long Term Physician
Dr. Erica Lindquist
Dr. Erica Lindquist was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. Prior to obtaining her medical training in Calgary, Erica obtained both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Animal Science in the Department of Agriculture at the University of Alberta. She then went on to obtain a Bachelor of Education, teaching high school math and science in Airdrie, Alberta, where she has lived and raised her family for the past 17 years.
Long Term Physician
Dr. Emma Loy
Short Term Physician
Dr. Sam Myhr
Sam was born and raised in Killam Alberta before migrating to the West Coast to study Philosophy and English Literature at the University of Victoria. After a few twists and turns she instead exited with an Honours degree in Microbiology and worked in research before heading to medical school at UBC’s rural program in Prince George. Sam returned to Alberta to complete her training through UofC’s rural residency in Medicine Hat. Since graduating in 2018, she has practiced full scope family medicine in Pincher Creek.
Inspired by the public stand Moose and Squirrel took for their patients in the face of government’s drastic changes to healthcare, Sam became involved in advocacy and ended up leading work that helped achieve the reversal of cuts made to rural doctors. Through this she realized her passion for leadership and took on the role of President for the Section of Rural Medicine through the Alberta Medical Association in 2020. She feels fortunate to work closely with Rob and Michelle at the AMA, and is excited to extend that teamwork to the clinical setting starting April 4th! She will be with Moose and Squirrel for the next seven months, but may consider staying longer if Rob can keep the short jokes to a minimum.
When not juggling her various roles, Sam is equally likely to be found indoors reading or playing board games as she is on an outdoor adventure. A true rural generalist, she is Jack (Jill?) of all hobbies and master of none. Two loves that have stood the test of time are basketball and fishing, while her more nascent hobbies include trail running, mountain biking, and skiing. She promises to uphold patient-doctor confidentiality regarding any fishing tips you may let slip during your appointment.
Sam looks forward to exploring the area alongside her canine companion Autumn, and the rest of her (human) family when they are able to escape the big city to experience the joys of rural life!
Physician Assistant
Rachel Prato
Born and raised in Tweed, Ontario, Rachel developed a passion for community and rural medicine. She earned an Honours degree in Biomedical Science with a minor in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and graduated at the top of her class from the University of Toronto’s Physician Assistant program in 2021. Since then, Rachel has worked at the Moose & Squirrel Medical Clinic where she provides comprehensive rural primary care, utilizing her full scope of practice to address diverse healthcare needs. She has a strong passion for women’s health and wellness.
In 2023, she received the DLRI Interprofessional Educator of the Year award and currently serves as the Clinical Skills Course Lead for the inaugural Master of Physician Assistant Studies program at the University of Calgary. A strong advocate for the Physician Assistant profession in Alberta, Rachel has shared her insights through interviews on the Cherry Live podcast and in the CPSA Annual Report, promoting collaboration and education in advancing healthcare.
When Rachel is not working you will find her back country camping, hiking, and traveling. Some of her past adventures include camping in Iceland, Wales, British Columbia, Alberta as well as the Yukon.
Nurse Practitioner
Amy Rainville-Bellemore
Amy was born and raised in Ontario. She completed her Nursing Degree in 2013 and worked as a community nurse until embarking on her new adventure of Masters of Nursing specializing as a Nurse Practitioner. Amy is very passionate about preventative health care, palliative care, and chronic disease management.
Amy enjoys everything outdoors, hiking and exploring this beautiful area with her furbabies and family.