About Our Eye Care Practice
in Airdrie

Dr. Heather Cowie received her Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Waterloo and, most recently, completed her Master’s in Public Health at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Heather is the most extroverted person you might ever encounter!

She hugs strangers like they’re long lost family members, and while she is the smallest member of our team, coming in at a whopping 5 feet and 1 inch tall if she stands up super straight (her words), she has dreams taller than the clouds. She loves her fellow humans, and her desire to make a difference in the world expands beyond optometry. 

Heather’s determination to help people is awe-inspiring. She always says, “love is action,” and truly lives by that statement.

Dr. Cristy Franco graduated from the University of Waterloo with her Doctorate of Optometry. She recently completed her certification in vision therapy and is one of a small group of optometrists with a special interest in this field within the Calgary area.

Cristy excels at everything! Seriously, we don’t think there’s anything she’s not good at! Dr. Franco is a fantastic baker and keeps our tummies blissfully content with cupcakes. She can fix computer issues (even the tough stuff that turning it on and off and banging on it won’t fix). She can make an Excel spreadsheet like nobody’s business, and she can even sing! The list is endless, but her best quality is her desire to help. Dr. Franco is always willing to lend a hand with anything, and we all adore her and all her wonderful, magical powers.

Dr. Leanne Joly graduated from the University of Waterloo with her Doctorate of Optometry. Dr. Leanne is one of the sweetest human beings who has ever graced the earth. She is kind from the tips of her hair on her head right down to her toes. She brings a feeling of peace that follows her wherever she goes. 

The days we are privileged enough to get to work with her are when you leave the office feeling full of goodness that’s spilled over from her endless supply. It’s very evident that her greatest joy lies in the tiny humans that she follows to hockey practice, and a close second is the people she helps on a daily basis.

Dr. Brandea Balcomb graduated from the University of Waterloo with her Doctorate of Optometry. Dr. Brandea has lived a life so interesting that it inspires the people around her. She’s worked in 4 provinces in Canada and loves to travel. Dr. Brandea is always up for trying new things and is literally always registered in a fitness class, education class, triathlon, or race. While her list of accomplishments is super impressive, what we find most inspiring is her ability to do all of this with confidence, which is infectious. 

Dr. Balcomb would never describe herself as bold or fearless, but we watch her in awe as she sets goals and smashes them. Her only competition is surpassing the girl she was yesterday. Dr. Balcomb is encouraging to everyone around her, and she fit in seamlessly when she joined our team. It feels like she has always been a part of our family!

Dr. Salina Kanji graduated from the New England College of Optometry with her optometry degree and did her residency in ocular disease. Dr. Kanji is fairly new to our practice, and she is the perfect fit. She’s fun and energetic and brings complete joy to the office. 

Have you ever met someone and felt like you’ve known them forever? That’s what it’s like for everyone who has the pleasure of being in her presence. Dr. Kanji feels like your long-lost best friend or favourite cousin, and she has the most beautiful way of genuinely feeling excited for the people around her.

Everyone she meets feels this instant comfort, and she’s someone that you’re always glad you met. She is truly gifted when it comes to making others feel comfortable, and we’re extremely proud to have her as part of our team.

Dr. Hannah Taylor received her Doctorate of Optometry from Pacific University College of Optometry. During her time at Pacific University, she became well-versed in binocular vision disorders and treatment. Upon graduation, she was presented with the Donald A. Bybee Memorial Award for best performance in vision therapy. Dr. Hannah believes that everyone should be given the opportunity to experience their full visual potential.

She completed her clinical rotations at multiple locations, including a private practice vision therapy clinic in Bozeman, Montana, where she treated patients of all conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, eye turns, learning disabilities, and stroke. Dr. Hannah also trained at a private practice in Calgary, Alberta, where she enhanced her contact lens skills. While at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Salt Lake City, she strengthened her knowledge of ocular disease and took the opportunity to train at the Moran Eye Centre, focusing on specialty contact lenses. Lastly, she trained at a high-volume private practice in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she became highly skilled in dry eye therapy and myopia control and performed emergency eye care on a regular basis. Throughout this training, she has acquired a great deal of experience in treating the visual needs of patients of all ages.

Dr. Hannah’s compassionate and caring manner builds solid relationships with everyone she crosses paths with. You are guaranteed to be greeted with a smile each and every time she walks into the room. Her zest for life and passion for adventure have taken her to great heights, such as hiking the “Big 5 in Utah” to the beaches in Bali and kayaking the Algarve in Portugal.

Dr. Hannah’s number one priority has always been helping people, whether it was volunteering at the hospital, being there for family and friends, or providing eye care to those in need in the Portland area on the travelling EyeVan. You are sure to feel welcomed and cared for when attending an appointment with Dr. Hannah.

Dr. Yammine is from the East Coast of Canada. She graduated from the University of Waterloo with her Doctorate of Optometry. After graduation, Dr. Yammine practiced in rural Nova Scotia, where she expanded her clinical knowledge and patient experiences.

Dr. Yammine welcomes patients of all different ages. She has a special interest in myopia control and dry eye disease.

Dr. Yammine’s upbeat, friendly and compassionate personality will make you feel welcome and comfortable. In addition to her passion for providing comprehensive care, she enjoys cooking, reading and travelling. Her personal goal is to visit 50 countries before she turns 50!