Our Team Members

At HUM, we are an integrated health care team so you will receive health care services from a number of different health care providers, such as nurses, physicians, and  psychologists, based on your needs. We take a holistic approach to health; therefore we will be exploring biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions, rather than looking at health issues or diagnoses in isolation.

Dr. Raju Hajela

Dr. Raju Hajela, MD, MPH, CCFP (AM), FCFP, President, Medical Director

Raju is a co-founder and principal of Health Upwardly Mobile Inc.  He received his MD from Dalhousie University in 1982 and his Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health in 1988. He has practiced Transcendental Meditation since 1986, completing his training in Maharishi Ayurveda in 1994 and has provided continuing medical education programs for physicians regarding the benefits of this form of meditation.

Raju served in the Canadian Forces from 1979 to 1995, reaching the rank of Major in 1987. His assignments included Field Medical Officer, Flight Surgeon, Staff Officer-Occupational Health/Surgeon General’s Office and Director, Addiction Rehabilitation Centre in Kingston, Ontario. Raju is a Certificant of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), as well as the Canadian (CSAM), American (ASAM) and International Societies of Addiction Medicine (ISAM). He is a Certified Medical Review Officer and has been a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner in the past. He is a Fellow of the CFPC and ASAM; and a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM). He has held faculty appointments in Family Medicine and Psychiatry at Queen’s University (1992-2001) and has taught medical students and residents at the University of Toronto, Queen’s University and the University of Calgary. He has held leadership positions in national and international medical organizations. He has received numerous honours and awards for his leadership and community work. He has academic publications and numerous invited conference plenary presentations and workshops to his credit. He routinely provides training for health care professionals and does presentations for corporations, government and the general public.

Ms. Sue Newton | Health Upwardly Mobile Inc. | Addiction and Mental Health Counselling Team | CalgaryMs. Sue Newton , BA, BSCN, MN, RN, Vice President, Operations Director

Sue is a co-founder and principal of Health Upwardly Mobile Inc.  She completed both her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Lakehead University in 1988 and received her Masters Degree in Nursing from the University of Calgary in 1996. She has been nursing for 35 years in Calgary, Alberta. Sue worked for Alberta Health Services for 19 years in both acute care and public health in a number of clinical and management roles. Since completing her Masters, Sue was involved with several new health initiatives with Alberta Health Services as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Researcher and Project Coordinator dealing with very low birth weight infants and their families. In 2001, Sue was one of the investigators in a randomized clinical trial funded by the Federal Health Transition Fund.

In 2008, Sue left Alberta Health Services to work as the nurse manager for Sykes Assistance Services, an integrated health and wellness company in Calgary focusing on Occupational Health and EFAP. Her key roles included overseeing daily operations and the delivery of integrated occupational health services for individuals and client organizations. She was also involved in disability case management for several companies. Sue’s clinical role at HUM includes nursing assessments for both new clients and independent medical evaluations (IMEs) and group therapy co-facilitation.  Sue’s other roles includes Operations Director, presenter and facilitator for educational workshops and training. She also practices Transcendental Meditation having completed the course in 2011.

Sue is a certified CAT (Critical Alignment Therapy) yoga teacher and completed her 200 hours of yoga teacher training in 2015 before specializing in CAT and Yoga Nidra. Sue has a regular yoga practice and integrates her teaching in the IOP as one of the IOP activities. 

In 2021, Sue completed her certification in Neurofeedback Training. This modality of treatment uses technology to assess brainwave and brainwave patterns. Neurofeedback uses real-time digital technology to measure electrical activity of the brain EEG (electroencephalography) and a mind-based (cognitive) training technique that teaches you how to identify counterproductive brain activity patterns so you can consciously disrupt and replace them with healthier, more balanced brain activity patterns. The goal of neurofeedback is to help re-establish neural equilibrium, diminish unhealthy thought patterns, and help you retrain your mind. In short, it helps you and your brain self-regulate more efficiently and effectively. 

Mike Davies | Health Upwardly Mobile Inc. | Addiction and Mental Health Counselling Team | CalgaryMike Davies , RSW, BSW, MSW, Registered Social Worker

In addition to being a member of the counselling team, Mike is also a HUM alumnus and a person in long term recovery from addiction and related mental health issues. His life experience and education help him share a different perspective and approach to treating and supporting people through their recovery journeys.

He holds certificates in supportive counselling and addiction studies, a diploma in social work, as well as a bachelor’s and clinical master’s degree in social work. In addition to extensive psychological and sociological education and training, Mike has experienced inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment as both a patient, and as a counsellor.

Since 2010 Mike has held or still holds practicum placements, internships, staff, committee, and board positions at the Aspen Family Matters Society, the Calgary Alpha House Society, AHS – Adult Addiction Services, AHS – Calgary Eating Disorder Program, the Sunrise Healing Lodge Society, the Calgary Counselling Centre, the Foundation for Addiction and Mental Health, and Calgary Recovery Day.

Kaylie Rodriguez | Health Upwardly Mobile Inc. | Addiction and Mental Health Counselling Team | CalgaryKaylie Rodriguez , MA, RPsych, CCH, Registered Psychologist

Kaylie Rodriguez is a Registered Psychologist with an extensive background in addiction and mental health. Kaylie possesses additional credentials and certifications that reflect her expertise in the Addiction field.  Kaylie integrates biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of an individual utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Kaylie completed her Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She began her career as a clinician in the EFAP (Employee and Family Assistance Programming) industry conducting generalized counselling. She transitioned to the role of National Coordinator of Substance Assessments and Fitness-to-Work Assessments. In this role, she oversaw hundreds of assessments. Kaylie then worked for an Intensive Outpatient Treatment Facility. She provided individual and group-therapy services. At this point, she also acted as a consulting psychologist to a men’s residential treatment facility. Kaylie has also worked in a private firm where she consulted to other psychologists, corporate teams of occupational health nurses, human resource managers, and supervisors regarding substance issues as it related to the safety sensitive industries. In conjunction with consultation, she conducted assessments and provided psychotherapy to individuals and couples.

Kaylie completed her Clinical Certification in Hypnotherapy in 2014. Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool that helps to align the conscious and subconscious minds so they work collaboratively to achieve a goal. Kaylie uses hypnotherapy as a complement to the recovery process in areas such as depression, anxiety, stress management, tobacco cessation, and pain management. 

Kaylie is also a Basic ART Certified psychologist.  She completed this certification in 2020. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an evidenced based form of psychotherapy that utilizes back and forth eye movements. It is not the same as EMDR, however they both use eye movements.  A goal of ART is that in experiencing the therapy, you may find that you connect pieces of information that are already stored in your memory to help you resolve your issues. The brain, while focused on a problem and concurrently using eye movements, makes new connections with a person’s strengths and problem-solving abilities. ART works to reprogram the way which distressing images and memories are stored in the brain so they no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions.

In 2021, Kaylie completed her certification in Neurofeedback Training. This modality of treatment uses technology to assess brainwave and brainwave patterns. Neurofeedback uses real-time digital technology to measure electrical activity of the brain EEG (electroencephalography) and a mind-based (cognitive) training technique that teaches you how to identify counterproductive brain activity patterns so you can consciously disrupt and replace them with healthier, more balanced brain activity patterns. The goal of neurofeedback is to help re-establish neural equilibrium, diminish unhealthy thought patterns, and help you retrain your mind. In short, it helps you and your brain self-regulate more efficiently and effectively.  

Joining the team in August 2013, Kaylie provides psychotherapy, ART Therapy, hypnotherapy, as well as assessment services. She also is a group therapy co-facilitator, as well as a facilitator in our Intensive Outpatient Program and Intensive Outpatient Program Continuing Care.

Dr. Janette HurleyDr. Janette Hurley, MD, CCFP, Physician, Integrative Medicine

Janette was born and raised in Grenada, West Indies. She immigrated to Canada and earned a B.Sc. (Biology, Honours) and her medical degree from Dalhousie University, 1981 and did her residency at the University of Calgary, Internal/Family Medicine. Janette has been practicing family medicine in Calgary for the past 30 years. She is a graduate of the Fellowship Program in Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona (2006) and is a recipient of the prestigious Bravewell Fellowship Award, 2004 – 2006. In 1999, Janette was the recipient of the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex/ AMA Scholarship which allowed her to pursue further studies at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, addressing the health care needs of the underserved.

Janette was the lead physician at the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre (DI), the largest homeless shelter in Canada. Janette was responsible for developing an Integrative Medicine program for the underserved. This is a unique societal service model to deliver Integrative Health Care services to the homeless, underserved and marginalized people in Calgary, involving both undergraduate and postgraduate medical students from the Faculty of Medicine at U of C. At the University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of family medicine, she acquires great joy in teaching undergraduate medical students. Among Janette’s most significant accomplishments has been her leadership in the development and supervision of The Student Run Clinic at the DI. Janette continues to be the lead physician for the Student Run Clinic at the University of Calgary, which now operates out of 3 sites. The first site is The Inn from the Cold Shelter. This is a family homeless shelter in downtown Calgary. Janette actively teaches and encourages her students to practice Integrative medicine with the families especially the children who present with numerous viral illnesses. The second site is Project Homeless Connect Medical Clinic. This medical clinic is under the auspices of Calgary Homeless Foundation and run twice yearly at City Hall. It is staffed with medical students and residents with Janette and colleagues as preceptors. The third site is The Alex Bus, a medical clinic on a bus providing service to marginalized and homeless men.

Janette provides clinical services in addiction medicine at Health Upwardly Mobile (HUM). This team approach care model provides integrative addiction services to the community using an integrative bio-psycho-social-spiritual model. Janette continues to co-chair The Healer’s Art program at University of Calgary for MS1& MS2 students. Janette is forever humbled by the multicultural and socioeconomic diversity of the people whose lives cross her daily path. She recognizes that by serving and advocating for the well being of her patient population and utilizing an Integrative Medicine approach she can contribute to making Calgary a better city for all.

Dr. Ishan Sharma | Health Upwardly Mobile Inc. | Addiction and Mental Health Counselling Team | CalgaryDr. Ishan Sharma, MD, CCFP, Physician, Family Physician

Dr. Sharma is a family physician with a special interest in addiction medicine and psychotherapy. Prior to pursuing medicine he completed a degree in kinesiology; immersing himself in exercise and nutritional science. While completing medical school and residency at the University of Calgary, Dr. Sharma focused his elective rotations in areas including solution-focused therapy, trauma therapy, addiction medicine, sleep medicine, forensic psychiatry, and inner city family medicine.
 
Originally having spent time with HUM as a second year medical student in July 2017, he returned as a resident physician in October 2019 and officially joined the HUM team as a staff physician in September 2021.
 
In his spare time, he enjoys weightlifting, hiking, learning new languages, and hosts his own mental health podcast, The Recovery Refresh. Feel free to listen along on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or YouTube! https://linktr.ee/ishansharmaMD
 
Dr. Sharma is available for appointments Monday through Wednesday from 9am-5pm at HUM.

Dr. Roman Reznikov | Health Upwardly Mobile Inc. | Addiction and Mental Health Counselling Team | CalgaryDr. Roman Reznikov, MD, CCFP, Physician, Family Physician

Dr. Roman Reznikov received his Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology and Neurobiology from the University of Toronto in 2012. His interest in brain science led him to complete a Masters degree in Neuroscience at the Institute of Medical Science (UofT) where he was investigating the effects of Deep Brain Stimulation in a preclinical model of PTSD. His work was presented internationally and has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals including Neuropsychopharmacology and the Journal of Psychiatric Research. Subsequently, he received his Medical Degree from McMaster University where he explored the fields of Psychiatry, as well as Family Medicine. Roman’s interest in a more balanced and holistic approach to health led him towards Family Medicine training which he completed at the University of Calgary in 2020. By chance (or Higher Power), he stumbled upon the HUM team and was exposed to the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual approach to mental health and Addiction. Witnessing the holistic nature and clinical effectiveness of this framework inspired him to pursue further training with the HUM team. Currently his professional time is split between working as GP in Airdrie and providing individual and group psychotherapy at HUM.
 
He is passionate about the outdoors, specifically Alpine Skiing and fishing, and enjoys reading various topics including philosophy, psychology, self-discovery, and science fiction.  He has a regular meditation practice which has made a very positive impact on his life. He is also the co-parent of a cat named Binx, which he shares with his fiancé, Sasha.