PHYSICIANS

Medical Director & Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Marc Sherkin

Dr. Sherkin graduated from medical school at University of Toronto. He subsequently completed a respirology fellowship which included sleep medicine at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Sherkin brings over 35 years of respirology and sleep medicine experience to Hospital Alliance Group as its Medical Director.

Psychiatry Fellowship Director

Dr. Michael Mak

Prior to transitioning to Toronto, Michael Mak was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine (cross-appointed) at Western University in London, Ontario. He received his MD from Queen’s University in Kingston, and subsequently completed his Psychiatry residency and fellowship in Sleep Medicine at Western University. He worked in the Sleep Medicine Clinic at London Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Mak is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and an Adjunct Research Professor at Western University. He serves on the Education Committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Sunil Bhalla

Dr. Bhalla is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians s Internal Medicine training in Chicago, Illinois at the University of Illinois Chicago. He later trained in Nephrology at Memorial University in St. John’s Newfoundland. After working in the field of Nephrology for a number of years he pursued an interest in Sleep Medicine and did a yearlong fellowship at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  Dr. Bhalla joined Hospital Alliance Group in 2018.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Laura Goode

Dr. Laura Goode graduated from medical school at University of Toronto. She subsequently completed residency in internal medicine followed by subspecialty training in respirology also at the University of Toronto. She completed a one year academic sleep medicine fellowship through the respirology division of the University of Toronto.  Dr. Goode is a staff respirologist at Humber River Hospital, with an associated outpatient practice, seeing general respirology and sleep medicine patients. She joined the Hospital Alliance Group in 2015.

Respirology & Sleep Medicine

Dr. Christopher Humphreys MD, FRCPC, DRCPSC

Dr. Christopher Humphreys received his medical degree from McMaster University and completed his Internal Medicine residency training at The University of Calgary. He completed his Respirology fellowship at the University of Toronto. He is a RCPSC specialist in Internal Medicine and Respirology. He completed his sleep fellowship at McMaster University and is a diplomate of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Sleep Medicine. Dr. Humphreys also practices at Toronto Grace Hospital, with a particular interest in Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and serves as the president of the Toronto Grace Medical Association.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Joanna Zurawska

Dr. Joanna Zurawska graduated from medical school at Western University. She subsequently completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of British Columbia, followed by Respirology subspecialty training at the University of Toronto. She is a staff respirologist at Mackenzie Health hospital in Vaughan and Richmond Hill. She also has an outpatient practice, seeing general respirology and sleep medicine patients. She joined the Hospital Alliance Group in 2020.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Chris Chan MD, FRCPC, DABIM, FACP, FCCP

Dr. Chris Chan, MD FRCPC DABIM FACP FCCP, is a sleep medicine specialist recognized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. He is also a general internist, intensivist, and pulmonologist.

Dr. Chan completed his post-graduate training at the University of Toronto and Saint Louis University in the United States.  He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. In addition, Dr. Chan holds board certifications by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, and Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Chan is an active staff physician at William Osler Health System and Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) in the Division of Critical Care at McMaster University.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Ravinder Mankoo

Dr. Mankoo received his Doctor of Medicine (MD), Grace University School of Medicine, Belomopan, Belize in 2004 where he was also Medical student advisory committee member co- chair and Vice president of academic affairs. He did his Residency for Family Medicine and psychiatry at the University of Ottawa. He did his Sleep Medicine Fellowship at University of Toronto.

Dr. Mankoo is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada since 2014 and is Certified for Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Primary Certificate Practicum and is Certified, Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Heather Racz

Dr. Heather Racz graduated from medical school at Queen’s University. She subsequently completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Western University followed by subspecialty training in Respirology. She completed fellowships in Sleep Medicine at Western University and Adult Cystic Fibrosis at St. Michael’s Hospital. Dr. Racz is a staff respirologist at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener and London Health Sciences Centre. She joined the Hospital Alliance Group in 2020.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Arina Bingeliene, MD, FRCPC

Dr. Arina Bingeliene is an Adult Neurologist and Sleep Specialist, with an interest in the overlap between Neurology and Sleep Disorders.
She received her medical degree from Riga Stradins University in Latvia. She completed Adult Neurology residency program, including two years of training in Pediatric Neurology in her alma mater before moving to Canada.

She previously did Clinical and Research work at the Sleep and Mood Disorders Research in 2012-2014 at Sleep and Alertness Clinic, Toronto, Canada. She then completed a 3-year Neuropsychiatry and Sleep Fellowship program at Toronto Western Hospital – University Health Network, 2014-2017, followed by the completion of a 5-year Adult Neurology residency training program, 2017-2022, both at the University of Toronto. She has extensive experience in Sleep Medicine, looking after pediatric and adult population patients. She started her independent practice in Canada in 2022 with focus on pain and sleep medicine.

She practices a holistic approach to medicine and patient well-being, focused on the connection between body, mind, and mood, believing that our dreams can be key to understanding and healing many neuropsychiatry issues.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Alia Kashgari

Dr. Kashgari obtained her Medical Bachelor and Basic Science (MBBS) degree from King Abdulaziz Medical School in Saudi Arabia. She joined the internal medicine program at Western University in 2006, Respirology in 2011 and Sleep Medicine in 2012. Dr. Kashgari joined Hospital Alliance Group in January 2019.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Punam Mony Nimchonok

Dr. Nimchonok graduated from medical school at University of Calgary. She subsequently completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Western Ontario followed by a respirology fellowship at University of Toronto. Dr. Nimchonok joined Hospital Alliance Group in January 2019.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Alan Lowe

Dr. Alan Lowe graduated from medical school at McMaster University. He subsequently completed residency in psychiatry, followed a neuropsychiatry and sleep medicine fellowship at the University of Toronto. Dr. Lowe brings over 20 years of psychiatry and sleep medicine experience to Hospital Alliance Group.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Akash D. Saxena MD, FRCP(C), BSc

Dr. Saxena graduated with his medical degree from McMaster University (Class of ’98) and completed postgraduate training in Internal Medicine from the University of Saskatchewan before returning to McMaster (2001-2003) for his fellowship in Respiratory Medicine. Thereafter, Dr. Saxena completed a fellowship in Sleep Disorders from Western Ontario University (2003-2004).

Dr. Saxena has served as a Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care attending for the Rouge Valley Health System. Also, he has been involved as the Medical Director and/or as a consultant physician for several Sleep Clinics in the GTA/Golden Horseshoe area over the past 10 years. Publications: Saxena et al. (2005), Sleep and Motor Performance in On-call Residents, Sleep (28):11.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Azmeh Shahid

Dr. Shahid is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Sleep Medicine Specialist with over 15 years of experience. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, Dr. Shahid specializes in both adult and pediatric sleep medicine, focusing on the complex relationship between sleep and mental health.

Passionate about medical education, Dr. Shahid has been actively involved in teaching medical students, residents, and fellows. To further this commitment, she completed the Education Scholars Program at the Centre for Faculty Development, University of Toronto. Dr. Shahid’s research interests include the impact of sleep disorders on mental health and developing strategies to improve sleep habits. Her work has been presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Believing in a holistic, trauma-informed approach to patient care, Dr. Shahid integrates physical, emotional, cultural, and spiritual aspects into her practice. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, reading, and spending time with family.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Ali Malik

Dr Ali Malik completed his medical training in Cork city, Ireland before returning to complete his Residency and Respirology Fellowship at University of Western Ontario. He has additional training in Interventional Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine. His special interest includes sleep disorders and thoracic oncology. In his spare time, Dr Malik enjoys spending time with his family, including two cats and one dog. He hopes to travel at least twice a year to explore different parts of the world and experience various cultures and cuisine. Other interests include basketball and golf.

Hospital Alliance Group Physician

Dr. Shayan Kassirian MD, FRCPC, FCCP

Dr. Kassirian completed his medical school, internal medicine, respirology, and sleep medicine training at the University of Western Ontario. His research interests focus on improving the efficiency of health care delivery to patients and is published in high impact journals. Having previously worked as a chef abroad, Dr. Kassirian has a passion for cooking for his family and friends and traveling the world in search of new culinary experiences. In his spare time, he can be found buried in a book and lounging with his dogs.