Inclusion. Care. Support
Oceanview Paediatrics
Meet The Team
Dr. Rajesh Alphonse, FRCP(C)
Dr. Alphonse is an enthusiastic paediatrician with a special interest in newborn care. He is especially dedicated to supporting children with complex medical and mental health needs, bringing both clinical expertise and genuine warmth to their care.
He completed his medical training at the University of Alberta (Stollery Children's Hospital) in Edmonton. He then spent four years practicing as a hospitalist and community general pediatrician in Regina, Saskatchewan, building a strong foundation in both acute and everyday paediatric care.
Dr. Alphonse is drawn to a mixed practice model that combines hospital, community, and NICU care, allowing him to support children and families at every stage of their health journey. He has a particular interest in serving Indigenous and immigrant/international patient populations, offering culturally sensitive care tailored to each family's needs. In addition to English, he is fluent in Tamil and Hindi, helping patients and families feel understood and at home. Known for his family-centered approach, he believes every child deserves care that feels personal and genuine.
Dr. Michelle C Francis, MSc, FRCP(C)
Dr. Francis is a Royal College Certified Paediatrician who provides consultation and ongoing care for children and youth with neurodevelopmental conditions including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, FASD, Intellectual and Learning Disorders, Tic and Tourette Disorders, and Developmental Coordination Disorder.
She is also the Consultant Paediatrician on the Nanaimo Vancouver Island Child Assessment Network (VICAN) team and a Qualified Specialist for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in British Columbia.
Dr. Francis is a tireless advocate for neurodivergent children and families, encouraging the world to see them for their strengths and learn how to support their stretches in a neuroaffirming way. Her primary goal is for the children she cares for to understand how their brain works so that they can find their passion to live a fulfilling life.
Robyn Mor-Bagshaw, MEd (Counselling Psychology), BEd (Learning Assistance)
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Robyn is a teacher specialising in working with children and youth with learning differences. She has taught in the public school system and as a remedial teacher for over 20 years. She is also a certified Orton-Gillingham tutor.
Her focus is on helping students fill the gaps of their literacy development (reading, writing, mathematics) through remedial learning activities and other missing links such as physical, sensory, and cognitive skills for the whole brain development.
By addressing these underlying skills, in combination with remedial educational therapy, sessions focus on retraining the brain to allow learning to be more effective and longer lasting. Activities in sessions are always geared towards increasing self-esteem and making learning fun.
For further information and to book an assessment or remedial education therapy session go to: www.smartmoveslearning.com.
Michelle A. Surtees, M.Ed, BA CYC
Michelle brings specialised expertise in supporting neurodynamic children, youth, and families, translating complex concepts into practical, empathetic, and relationship-centered support for caregivers, educators, and professionals.
She is a university instructor in the field of child and youth care and holds a British Columbia Independent School Teaching Certificate and Level B Assessment Certification. Combining academic knowledge with extensive frontline experience, Michelle helps individuals and families better understand neurodivergence and navigate its accompanying opportunities and challenges.
As a mother of three, she brings warmth and authenticity to her work, alongside lived experience that deepens her understanding of the stressors often experienced by neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Sandy Taylor, MOA
Sandy has 21 years of Medical Office Assistant experience, with 16 of them in Paediatrics.
She has lived in Nanaimo most of her life and has two grown daughters. She welcomed her first grandson in 2020, her granddaughter in 2025, and a second grandson in 2026.
In her free time, Sandy enjoys spending time with family and friends.