Our Practice

Dr. Heather Cowie received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo and most recently completed her Masters in Public Health at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Heather is the most extroverted person you will probably 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 5ft 1inches 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 far past 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 Doctor of Optometry degree. She recently completed her certification in Vision Therapy and is one of a small group of Optometrist who specialize in this field within the Calgary area.

Cristy excels at everything! Seriously, we don’t think there’s anything she’s not good at! She’s an amazing 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, she can even sing! The list is endless, but her best quality is her desire to help. She’s always willing to lend a hand for anything and we all adore her and all of her magical powers.

Dr. Leanne Joly graduated from the University of Waterloo with her Doctor of Optometry degree. Dr. Leanne is the sweetest human being that has ever graced the earth. She is kind from thetips of the 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 the days you leave the office feeling full of goodness; goodness that’s spilled over from her endless supply. It is 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. Jessie Ryan graduated from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico with his Optometry degree. While Dr. Ryan may look far too young to be making jam & working in his garden, he in fact is a wiz in the kitchen & a master with plants. Dr. Ryan is a wonderful resource for great recipes & road trip suggestions. He also has a keen sense of style and an eye for decorating & finds beauty in unexpected things. Dr. Ryan’s old soul keeps him calm in tough situations & he has an amazing ability of viewing each situation from different angles & coming up with the most positive solutions. Dr. Ryan has a beautiful peace about him, almost as if he’s lived far more life than he has. He is a rare & wonderful old soul.

Dr. Brandea Balcomb graduated from the University of Waterloo with her Doctor of Optometry degree. Dr. Brandea has lived a life so interesting 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 a confidence that is infectious. She 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. She’s encouraging to everyone around her, and when she joined our team, she fit in seamlessly. 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 & full of energy & a complete joy to be around. Have you ever met someone and felt like you’ve known them forever? That’s what it’s like for everyone that has the pleasure of being in her presence. Dr. Kanji feels like your long lost best friend or favourite cousin, she has the most beautiful way of genuinely feeling excited for the people around her. Everyone she meets feels this instant comfort, she’s just someone that you’re always glad you met. She is truly gifted when it comes to making others feel comfortable & we’re so proud to have her as part of our team.