Our doctors
General practitioner
Dr. Samantha Balass
(BSc | MDCM | CCFP | PgDip)
A family physician passionate about dermatology, Dr. Samantha Balass has expertise in practical dermatology and dermoscopy. She is also interested in mentoring future physicians.
Dr. Samantha Balass is a family physician with a special interest in medical dermatology. A 2014 graduate of McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine, she completed her residency in family medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2016.
Driven by a lifelong passion for dermatology, she earned a Diploma in Practical Dermatology from Cardiff University in 2018 and completed HealthCert’s Dermoscopy Masterclass in 2021. Dr. Balass enjoys mentoring medical students, especially as an Osler Fellow at McGill University since 2020.
General practitioner and Emergency physician
Dr. Julien Barolet
A general practitioner with solid experience in emergency medicine, Dr. Julien Barolet combines expertise in acute care, minor surgery, orthopedics, and sports medicine. His approach is distinguished by his pragmatism and humanity.
Dr. Julien Barolet is a general practitioner with an extensive background in emergency medicine. A graduate in family medicine and advanced skills in emergency care, he worked from 2014 to 2023 in the emergency department of Hôpital Pierre Le Gardeur and with Airmédic since 2021. Since 2023, he has been practicing family medicine, integrating his acute care background.
Dr. Barolet is renowned for his humane, down-to-earth approach, as well as his versatility in minor surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine.
Gynecologist
Dr. Karen Buzaglo
Dr. Buzaglo is an obstetrician and gynecologist specializing in fertility, with expertise in fertility preservation, in vitro fertilization, menopause, and sexual health. She supports women with a proactive and personalized approach.
Dr. Buzaglo graduated from McGill University’s faculty of Medicine and pursued her residency at McGill in Obstetrics & Gynecology. She became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2011, then completed a fellowship in Gynecologic Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (GREI) at l’Université de Montréal with Royal College certification in 2013. She completed a certification by the European Society of Aesthetic Gynecology in 2018 is an active member of the Internatinal Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health.
Dr. Buzaglo is actively involved in medical research, and has presented her work nationally at the Society for Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS), and internationally at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), the Journées des Techniques Avancées (JTA) as well as the International Society for Fertility Preservation (ISFP). She is immediate past chair of the Fertility Preservation special interest group of CFAS and vice-president of Fertile Future, a non-profit organization that offers financial assistance for fertility preservation for cancer patients.
Dr. Buzaglo’s main areas of expertise include egg freezing and in vitro fertilization (IVF), menopause and women’s sexual wellness. Dr. Buzaglo promotes active optimization of women’s reproductive and sexual health by providing the most advanced technologies in these areas. She is a passionate advocate for women being proactive with their health throughout their lives.
General practitioner
Dr. Vanessa Chabot
A family physician, Dr. Chabot favors a human and personalized approach. She is particularly interested in prevention, mental health, and musculoskeletal disorders, which she supports with rigor, attentiveness, and empathy.
Dr. Chabot graduated from Université Laval in 2017 and completed her Family Medicine residency at the Université de Montréal in 2019. She then began her practice as a family physician in a Family Medicine Group (FMG) and as a hospitalist physician in an intensive rehabilitation setting. In 2022, she joined the RocklandMD team.
Preventive medicine, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health are among Dr. Chabot’s broad areas of interest. She is dedicated to guiding her patients throughout their healthcare journey, combining clinical excellence with compassion, attentive listening, and empathy to provide personalized, patient-centred care.
Gastroenterologist
Dr. Philippe Coussa
A gastroenterologist specializing in advanced endoscopy, Dr. Philippe Firas Coussa treats digestive and hepatopancreatic pathologies, with expertise in the prevention and treatment of colorectal and biliary tract cancers.
Dr Philippe Firas Coussa is a distinguished gastroenterologist with a subspecialty in advanced endoscopy.
He offers his patients minimally invasive procedures for the prevention of colorectal cancer, the treatment of pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions of the colon, as well as certain cancers of the bile ducts.
A graduate of the Université de Sherbrooke, he has been practicing for nearly ten years and is widely recognized for his dedication to his patients’ well-being, his ability to listen attentively and his great patience. These qualities make him a physician who is particularly appreciated and respected by patients and colleagues alike.
His meticulous approach and attention to detail have earned him a reputation as a physician who is both competent and humane. After a decade of practice in the public sector, he chose to move into the private sector to offer more patient-centred, quality care, while taking the necessary time for each and every one of his patients.
Passionate about gastroenterology, Dr. Coussa also provides personalized care for all digestive and hepatopancreatic pathologies.
Urologist
Dr. Geneviève Desbiens
A urologist since 2003, Dr. Desbiens is invested in comprehensive and inclusive health. A pioneer in laparoscopic surgery and uro oncology, this dedicated specialist now offers personalized and complete support in private practice in Montreal.
Dr. Desbiens is originally from the Saguenay region. She completed her medical studies at the Université de Montréal from 1993 to 1998, followed by her specialization as a urological surgeon from 1998 to 2003. Concurrently, she earned a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, allowing her to deepen her knowledge in fundamental research. She holds a certification in laparoscopy, a form of minimally invasive surgery, from IRCAD Strasbourg.
She has practiced in numerous hospitals across the Greater Montreal area: initially at the Valleyfield Regional Hospital for five years, then at Fleury Hospital as Head of the Department and President of the CMDP (Council of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists), and at Santa Cabrini Hospital, before joining Notre-Dame Hospital to direct and restructure its urology department.
Passionate about improving clinical practices in healthcare institutions, she made this cause her primary focus and the subject of her PhD thesis in Administration, obtained from HEC Montréal in 2017. She has acquired extensive experience in general urology, both in hospital settings and in private practice with Concorde, Brunswick, and RocklandMD medical clinics, all of which sought her expertise.
In 2017, she opened her own specialized urology clinic across from Notre-Dame Hospital, where she provided personalized care to her patients, many of whom were dealing with cancer. Driven by a desire to make a difference by spending more time with each patient, Dr. Desbiens decided to dedicate herself exclusively to private practice by joining the RocklandMD clinic full-time in 2021, becoming the first private urologist in Quebec.
Her attentive listening, scientific rigor, clear and precise explanations, humanity, and integrity ensure that you will feel treated like a member of her family. She does not hesitate to use humor to break taboos and values diversity without judgment, leading many LGBTQI patients to consult her. She is a founding member of Puamun Meshkenu. On a daily basis, she draws inspiration from her Indigenous daughter and her European partner. Her passions are reflected in a variety of hobbies that share common themes of cultural diversity and change.
Dr. Desbiens was also a pioneer in synthetic sling urethropexy techniques starting in 2001, as well as laparoscopic renal surgery techniques beginning in 2003. She has performed numerous open radical prostatectomies, radical nephrectomies, and radical cystectomies, alongside a vast number of urological endoscopic procedures including rigid and flexible ureteroscopies, monopolar and bipolar transurethral resections of the prostate (TURP), vasovasostomies, and complex scrotal surgeries.
Dr. Desbiens has also developed expertise in community uro-oncology and established a support framework to help attending physicians manage patients requiring advanced local care. Finally, Dr. Desbiens is recognized in the private sector for her expertise in managing complex pain cases and her compassionate approach to patient care.
Dr. Desbiens is a member of the Canadian Urological Association, the American Urological Association, and the Association de médecine sexuelle du Québec. She regularly participates in numerous courses and conferences to deepen her areas of interest and provide her patients with evidence-based practice grounded in the latest scientific research.
General practitioner
Dr. Magali Diotte
A family physician for 14 years, Dr. Magali Diotte favors a human and accessible approach. She has varied experience in clinics, hospitals, and palliative care, with an interest in prevention, women’s health, and mental health.
For the past fourteen years, Dr. Magali Diotte has practiced family medicine with a passion that has led her to work in a wide range of healthcare settings, including private practice, hospitals, and palliative care. A graduate of the University of Montreal, she has developed a compassionate and patient-centered approach, always focused on meeting the unique needs of those under her care.
In her daily practice, Dr. Diotte cares for patients of all ages, providing both ongoing management of chronic conditions and assessment of more acute health concerns. Curious and dedicated, her areas of interest include preventive care, mental health, women’s health, musculoskeletal conditions, and minor emergencies.
Recognized for her commitment to continuity of care and the trusting relationships she builds with her patients, Dr. Diotte approaches every consultation with professionalism, compassion, and deep respect for each individual’s experience.
Dermatologist
Dr. Lise Faucher
MD CSPQ, FRCP(C), FAAD
A dermatologist with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Lise Faucher practices medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. She notably has expertise in skin surgery, photodynamic therapy, injections, and laser treatments.
Dr. Lise Faucher is a dermatology specialist (having completed 5 years of specialization following her medical degree), certified in Quebec, Canada, and the United States, with over 25 years of experience in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology.
She has expertise in various areas of dermatology, including phototherapy, patch testing (skin allergies), and Mohs surgery for non-melanoma skin cancers.
Furthermore, for at least 20 years, she has been continuously practicing:
- Skin surgery for benign lesions (nevi/moles, seborrheic keratoses) and malignant lesions (skin cancers)
- Photodynamic therapy for precancerous skin conditions (actinic keratoses)
- Neuromodulator and dermal filler injections for wrinkles and other indications
- VBeam Perfecta pulsed-dye laser treatments for rosacea and angiomas
Dr. Faucher is highly regarded for her attention to detail, her dedication to making every effort to find solutions for her patients’ skin conditions, and her commitment to ensuring that the treatments she offers utilize the latest cutting-edge techniques while delivering highly natural and satisfying results.
General practitioner
Dr. Alexandra Lesieur
A family physician, Dr. Lesieur has solid experience in emergency medicine and hospital settings. She cares for patients of all ages and offers consultations in French and English.
Dr. Lesieur earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Université de Montréal and completed her Family Medicine residency at St. Mary’s Hospital, affiliated with McGill University.
She then practised for two years in various regions of Quebec, including Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Outaouais, where she worked primarily in the Emergency Department and inpatient hospital care. She subsequently joined RocklandMD Clinic, where she has been practising for over three years.
Dr. Lesieur provides care to patients of all ages and tailors her approach to each individual’s needs. Known for her attentive listening, compassion, and patient-centred approach, she offers consultations in both English and French.
General practitioner
Dr. Geneviève Ostiguy
(M.D., CCMF, FCMF, LMCC, Certificate in Travel Health)
A family physician since 2001, Dr. Geneviève Ostiguy has expertise in travel health, mental health, occupational health, and general care. Her approach is distinguished by her versatility, rigor, and commitment to her patients.
Dr. Geneviève Ostiguy has been practicing family medicine since 2001. Prior to joining the RocklandMD clinic in 2009, she acquired diverse experience in hospital care, home care, family medicine units, private practice, CLSCs, research, and academia.
Working in the field of travel health since 2003, she is also certified by the International Society of Travel Medicine (Certificate in Travel Health). Versatile in her approach, her other areas of interest and practice range from general medicine (children, adults, athletes, and artists) to mental health (particularly ADHD), as well as occupational and public health. According to her patients, she is appreciated for her dedication to investigating the root cause of their symptoms and her long-term commitment to their care.
Dr. Ostiguy assesses fitness for duty for employees across several Quebec companies, as well as fitness for deployment for future volunteers affiliated with humanitarian organizations. She actively participates in developing corporate guidelines and occupational health and safety research projects for major corporations in the energy, financial, pharmaceutical, and sports sectors.
Involved in continuing medical education, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Occupational and Environmental Medical Association of Canada (OEMAC) and oversees the organization of its webinars. In addition, she regularly shares her knowledge and vision of healthcare as a guest speaker.
Dr. Ostiguy is also the founding secretary of the Utility Threshold Initiative Consortium (UTIC), dedicated to international research on electromagnetic fields specifically the neurophysiological effect thresholds of high electric and magnetic fields, as well as interference thresholds with active medical implants.
Believing in the importance of helping train the next generation of physicians, she remains active in medical education, particularly with medical clerks and residents. She serves as a clinical teaching attending in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Université de Montréal School of Public Health.
General practitioner
Dr. Samuel Pirau
A family physician since 2014, Dr. Samuel Pirau cares for pediatric and adult patients. He has been practicing at the RocklandMD clinic since the beginning of his career.
Dr. Samuel Pirau completed his studies in family medicine at McGill University in 2014. He has been working at the Rockland MD medical clinic since then.
He wishes to provide longitudinal care to his pediatric and adult patients.
Family medicine provides a global approach to a patient’s health, which is very important to him
General practitioner
Dr. Leandra Rabinovitch
A family physician, Dr. Leandra Rabinovitch has particular expertise in nutrition and preventive health. A former dietitian and passionate triathlete, she integrates physical activity and nutrition into a comprehensive approach to care.
Dr. Leandra Rabinovitch has been a dedicated member of the RocklandMD family medicine team since 2021. She earned her medical degree and completed her residency training at McGill University.
Prior to her career in medicine, she studied nutrition and worked as a registered dietitian. This unique background deeply informs her approach to patient care, as she views exercise and nutrition as key parts of preventative healthcare and foundational to family medicine.
Outside of the clinic, she is an avid triathlete, spending her free time swimming, biking and running.
General practitioner and sports medicine physician
Dr. Aleksandar Sain
CCFP (SEM) (Dip. Sport Med.)
A family and sports medicine physician, Dr. Sain has expertise in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries related to sports and physical activity. He also performs ultrasound guided infiltrations.
Dr. Sain is a licensed Canadian Family Physician and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercice Medicine (CASEM) who practices both Family Medicine and Sports Medicine.
Dr. Sain graduated as a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Ottawa and then completed a Family Medicine residency and Sport Medicine fellowship at the McGill University. During his Sport Medicine fellowship, he has worked with various Mcgill University Varsity sports teams and with athletes of all ages.
Dr. Sain recognizes the importance of patient-centred clinical care and empowers patients to make decisions in their best interests.
He has expert knowledge in prevention, diagnosis and management of illness and injury related or affecting sport and physical activity.
Dr. Sain has also completed the Sport Medicine Ultrasound Canada course and performs ultrasound guided infiltrations of joints and soft tissues.
General practitioner
Dr. Alyssa Scheim
A family physician since 2007, Dr. Alyssa Scheim has additional training in geriatrics and a strong interest in women’s health and adolescent medicine. She has been practicing at the RocklandMD clinic since 2011.
Dr. Alyssa Scheim was born and raised in Montreal. She graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University in 2005 and earned her certification in Family Medicine in 2007. She has been practicing at the Rockland MD Clinic since 2011.
Dr. Scheim has also completed additional training in geriatrics. She has a particular interest in women’s health and adolescent medicine. She is committed to providing comprehensive, personalized primary care grounded in a compassionate, patient-centered approach, with an emphasis on prevention, attentive listening, and building trusting relationships with her patients.
Orthopedist
Dr. Chérif Tadros
An orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Chérif Tadros specializes in shoulder and knee surgery, with expertise in prosthetics and foot surgery. He also has solid experience in sports medicine and was the chief medical officer for the Rogers Cup.
Dr. Chérif Tadros graduated from the Université de Montréal Faculty of Medicine with a specialty in orthopaedic surgery. He went on to complete a sports medecine fellowship at the Toronto Orthopaedic and Arthritic Hospital, where he deepened his focus on shoulder and knee surgery.
Dr. Tadros began his career at the Cité-de-la-Santé Hospital in Laval and at the St-Eustache Hospital in 1992, after returning to Quebec. Two years later, he became Head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Cité-de-la-Santé Hospital in Laval, and in 2004, he was named Head of the Department of Surgery. In 1993, he was appointed Chief Medical Officer for the Rogers Cup International Tennis tournament, a position he held until 2007. Dr. Tadros is the author of numerous articles published in journals such as l’Actualité médicale. He has participated in over 20 conferences on sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery.
And has presented his findings on shoulder and knee pathology to many audiences. He has served on several committees, such as the Board of Directors of the Association québécoise des médecins du sport (Quebec association for sports medicine physicians), for which he also served as President, and the sports medicine editorial board for l’Actualité médicale.
He held the title of President of the Laval regional round table for specialised medicine (ministerial appointment) from 2004 to 2006. Dr. Tadros specialises in shoulder and knee surgery, has extensive experience with prostheses, and also performs foot surgery.
He is licensed to practice in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta.