SPORT MEDICINE PHYSICIAN TEAM

Dr. Karen Ballinger, MD FRCPC, Pediatrician

Dr. Ballinger is a pediatric sport and exercise medicine specialist. She joins the Sports Medicine Centre from Toronto, Ontario after stops in Winnipeg and Philadelphia for her medical training. Her clinical interests include acute and chronic musculoskeletal concerns in active children and adolescents, as well as youth concussions. During her sports medicine fellowship she worked with the Philadelphia Flyers, University of Pennsylvania varsity athletes and was the team physician for two local high schools. 

Outside of work, she has been involved in synchronized skating for more than twenty years as a skater, coach and official. She also enjoys running, hiking and triathlon and is looking forward to exploring the Rockies. 

Education: Dr. Ballinger has an Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from McMaster University and received her medical degree from the University of Toronto. She did her Pediatrics residency at the University of Manitoba and completed her Primary Care Sports Medicine fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

Dr. Paige Demong, MD, CCFP, Dip Sport Med

Stay tuned for biography. 

Dr. Veronique Huot, MDCM, CCFP (SEM), Dip Sport Med

Dr. Veronique Huot is a sport and exercise medicine physician as well as a retired Canadian long track speed skater. As a former coach and personal trainer, she has a passion for helping her patients live an active lifestyle. She supports organizations that promote health and wellness through physical activity. She looks forward to helping you with any musculoskeletal issues. She can also provide services in English and French.

Dr. Huot was born and raised in Quebec City and chose to settle in Calgary for her love of the mountains. She is an avid cyclist, mountain biker and hiker, and enjoys downhill and cross-country skiing. She is also part of a Latin dance team and has performed at multiple events around Calgary, including the Calgary International Salsa Congress.

Education: She completed a degree in Kinesiology in 2014 at the University of Calgary while pursuing her speed skating career. Once retired from skating, she completed one year of Physiotherapy training at Laval University, Quebec before starting medical school. She graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine and Master in Surgery (MDCM) from McGill University in 2019. She then completed her Family Medicine residency in Calgary, followed by a Sport and Exercise Medicine fellowship. Dr. Huot has a diploma in Sport and Exercise Medicine from the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM). 

Dr. Hafeez Kurji, MD, CCFP (SEM)

Dr. Hafeez Kurji's clinical interests includes treating both children and adults with acute, subacute, and chronic musculoskeletal complaints. He is a team physician with the UCalgary Dinos football team, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Calgary Colts. The highlight of his career to date was providing medical coverage for the 2019 Vanier Cup Champion Dinos football team.

Outside of clinic practice he enjoys travelling with his wife and living an active lifestyle, playing hockey, golf, and softball, as well as going to the dog park with Fawkes his Entlebucher mountain dog.

Education: Dr. Kurji completed a Bachelor of Science in Physiology, one year of the Master of Physiotherapy and became a Doctor of Medicine all at the University of Saskatchewan. He completed his Residency training in Family Medicine and Sport and Exercise Medicine Enhanced Skills at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Victor Lun, MD, CCFP, Dip Sport Med

Dr. Victor Lun is a sport medicine physician and the medical co-director of the Sport Medicine Centre. He is the team physician for the University of Calgary Dinos football and Canadian national long track speed skating.  He is also a consulting physician for Canadian Sport Institute Alberta. He provided medical coverage at the 2003 Pan Am Games, 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games, 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. 

At UCalgary, Dr. Lun is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, and a lecturer for Cumming School of Medicine. He is also a Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Committee member. When not working or teaching, you can find him participating in triathlon, cross-country skiing and pickleball.

Education: Dr. Lun received a Bachelor of Science (Honors) and a Master of Science (Kinesiology) from Simon Fraser University. He received his medical degree from the University of British Columbia and completed his family medicine residency at Dalhousie University. He completed his Sport Medicine Fellowship here at UCalgary.

Dr. Ryan Shields, MD, CCFP, Dip Sport Med

Dr. Ryan Shields is the team physician for varsity wrestling at the University of Calgary and provides coverage for men’s hockey, women’s rugby and men’s football. At the Sport Medicine Centre, he provides care in the Acute Sport Concussion Clinic, Shoulder Clinic, and Acute Knee Injury Clinic in addition to his own sport medicine practice.

Dr. Shields has provided medical coverage for Soccer Canada; Skate Canada; Red Bull Crashed Ice; National Track and Field Championships; Canada Summer and Winter Games; and national and international speedskating. He currently has a mixed practice of sport medicine, family medicine and surgical assisting.

Education: From Oakville, Ontario, Dr. Ryan Shields earned an undergraduate degree in Human Kinetics and a graduate degree in Nutrition, Exercise, and Metabolism at the University of Guelph. He completed medical school at the University of Calgary, and attended Queen’s University to complete his residency in Family Medicine. He went to the University of Ottawa to complete his fellowship training in Sport and Exercise Medicine and ultimately acquired his Diploma in Sport Medicine from the Canadian Academy of Sport Exercise Medicine.

Dr. Trevor Trinh, MD, CCFP, Dip. Sport Med

Dr. Trevor Trinh is a sport medicine physician at the Sport Medicine Centre and a family doctor at the University of Calgary Student Health Services. He is currently the head physician for Dinos Men’s hockey as well as a team physician for Calgary Stampeders football. He has provided medical care for U SPORTS varsity football; hockey; rugby; national and Canada West wrestling; national and world competitions for short and long track speed-skating; Calgary Hitmen WHL hockey; Cirque Du Soleil performers in Amaluna and Kurios; and the 2014 Iron-man World Championships.

Outside of work, he enjoys weight training, martial arts, dragonboating, volleyball, hiking, travelling and spending time with his family.

Education: Dr. Trevor Trinh has an Honours degree in Cellular Molecular and Microbial Biology at the University of Calgary and later completed his medical school training at the University of Alberta. He returned home to Calgary to complete his Family Medicine Residency and Sports and Exercise Medicine Fellowship programs.

Dr. Preston Wiley, MD, CCFP, Dip Sport Med

Dr. Wiley is a sport medicine physician in the Sport Medicine Centre. His interests include the assessment and treatment of overuse injury (particularly tendons) of the musculoskeletal system. This includes ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging of tendons to quantify disease/injury process. He is a researcher and a Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Kinesiology at UCalgary where he taught medical aspects of sport medicine.