I was born in Welland, Ontario on
October 10th 1950. Living on the family tobacco farm near Otterville, Ontario was my life. My goal was
to get off the farm. Mom was a grade-school teacher and teaching interested me.
Graduating from grade 13 in 1969 at Norwich
District High School (NDHS) prepared me for university. HIGH SCHOOL PROFILE
In 1977, I obtained my MD from The University of
Alberta 
in Edmonton.
Our Med Class of 1977
will recognize 35 years September 21-23, 2012.
After completing Family Medicine Residency II at Dalhousie, my goal was to be helpful to patients and to teach.
Judy and I were married in 1983. James was born in 1985. He now has a webpage of his own called James and Julie. In 1987 we were blessed with a daughter, Jenna. (Family photos linked here and also at page bottom.)
An opportunity to spend a year in Halifax
became available June 1989. I welcomed the change after a decade of private
practice in Edmonton. Our family agreed and I assumed the teaching and practice
responsibilities of Dr. D. C. Brown (my teacher 10 years previously) at Dalhousie during his sabbatical. I learned how to
teach, cook lobster, and sail that year. We returned to Edmonton, I joined the Department of Family Medicine at The University of Alberta , advanced to the level of associate professor, enjoyed patient
contact, teaching medical learners, and editing the Department
Newsletter. I was a participant in the renovations at the Grey Nuns Family Medicine
Centre in 2000 that included ideas from Dr. Janice O'Hara in the area of HOPE. My interests in
innovation and interpersonal communication led to involvement in the launching of Alberta
Collaborative Health Interdisciplinary initiative, currently named Health Sciences Students' Association. In
addition to my Mom being a teacher, my temperament type is eNFj (The Teacher Style). Check
out your own at the Keirsey temperament evaluation link.
My initial approach to midlife adjustment included connecting with my Lithuanian roots. I became very active as president of the Canadian Lithuanian Society of Edmonton and involved as Lithuania, my Dad's homeland, redeclared independence 11 March 1990.
From 1995 to 1997 I studied with my friend Algimantas to improve my Lithuanian grammar/vocabulary, visited my ten paternal cousins in Lithuania, and put together a family tree. Opportunities to post to an online Lithuanian discussion group, review No Salutes for Your Surrender, a novel about Lithuania written by Antanas of Edmonton, and launch our family MyFamily.com website kept me busy. I still connect to Lithuanian Home Page and Lithuania On Line, and listen to Lithuanian music.
I started the practice of Qigong in 1996
and continue to appreciate the benefits of meditation. I revisit the 15 Companion Films to 8th
Habit by Stephen Covey to maintain the benefits. Contact with Friends of Bill and
Fellowship or just listening to Oldies
Music or Bob Dylan or
playing online chess 
also gives me serenity.
January 2002 marked the awakening of my passion for stage acting. What a joy it was for me to be amongst non-judgemental, supportive individuals in a criticism-free environment! Read all about my ongoing adventure at my Acting Biography.
Acquiring new skills and improving old skills continues to be a priority for me as I
aim for optimal patient outcomes. Learning at workshops of The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis since joining in
1980 has allowed me to incorporate clinical hypnosis into patient-centered care. Since
1979, I have maintained my connection with the Canadian
Federation of Clinical Hypnosis-Alberta Society including annual participation in the
May Workshops.
2009 provided amazing opportunities to learn new skills at The International Society of Hypnosis World
Congress, September 2009 and the Evolution
of Psychotherapy Conference, December 2009. I am eager to put the new skills into
practical practice.
February 2004 marked my departure from family medicine and teaching so that I
could focus on my interest in psychotherapy. I currently provide services at Suite 3B13 -
11111 Jasper Avenue by appointment (please telephone 780-430-8784).
More time with family, fellowship, traveling, and acting continues to enrich
my life.
In May 2010 I fractured my left radius (bicycle mishap) and performed Master of Ceremonies duties at the Wedding of James and Julie.
My journey through 2011 continues to be the participation described in mindfulness practice as it is described variously in a diverse number of resources - linked at Many Resources for Mindfulness, Healing, Personal Growth.
„iki pasimatymo“, Lithuanian greeting for "until we meet".
