Meet Dr. Helen Dion: A compassionate approach to family medicine in Calgary
Deeply committed to a thoughtful, research-informed practice, Dr. Dion welcomes new patients in Calgary.
With a decade of experience in family medicine and a passion for health-care sustainability, Dr. Helen Dion has built a reputation as a compassionate and knowledgeable physician. Now practicing at Medicentres Panorama Hills in Calgary, she continues to provide high-quality, patient-focused care while also contributing to health-care research. In this interview, she shares insights into her journey, expertise and commitment to advancing both clinical practice and medical research.
A passion for medicine and patient care
Q: Dr. Dion, can you tell us about your background and journey in medicine?
A: “Absolutely! I’m a dedicated and compassionate physician with over a decade of experience in the medical field. Medicine has always been my passion, and after completing my medical education I pursued a path that allowed me to develop strong clinical expertise in both acute and primary care,” says Dr. Dion.
“I am a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) and hold an active permit to practice in Alberta, where I am registered as a physician. I also completed a postgraduate certificate in family medicine and a postgraduate diploma in pediatric emergency medicine from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, United Kingdom, which has further strengthened my ability to provide high-quality patient care.”
Rigorous licensing processes in Alberta
Q: What was the process like for integrating into the Alberta health-care system?
A: “As part of Alberta’s rigorous and comprehensive licensing program, I successfully completed both the Preliminary Clinical Assessment (PCA) and the Supervised Practice Assessment (SPA),” says Dr. Dion.
“My PCA was conducted in rural Alberta and involved a broad scope of practice, including emergency, inpatient, acute and subacute care, long-term care and community clinic settings, where I worked under direct observation. My SPA involved independent practice in a rural Alberta community, where I was responsible for patient care, with regular supervision and chart reviews ensuring compliance with Alberta’s high medical standards.
“These assessments provided a thorough evaluation of my clinical skills, professionalism and ability to practice independently, reinforcing my qualifications to serve patients in Alberta.”
Expanding patient care in Calgary
Q: How has your practice evolved over the years?
A: “Early in my practice in Alberta, I worked in rural communities, where I provided medical care across various settings, including hospital-based care, emergency coverage, inpatient, acute care, long-term care and community clinics. This experience allowed me to develop a strong foundation in managing a wide range of conditions across all patient age groups,” says Dr. Dion.
“More recently, I transitioned to urban practice in Calgary, where I am currently a physician at Panorama Hills Medicentres Family Health Care Clinic. I continue to provide comprehensive, patient-focused care to individuals from pediatrics to geriatrics. While I have interests in women’s health, pediatric care and minor procedures, my practice encompasses the full spectrum of family medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and attentive care tailored to their unique needs.”
Dr. Helen Dion continues to serve the community with a focus on both patient well-being and long-term healthcare sustainability.
Bridging research and clinical practice
Q: Your expertise in clinical practice is well established, but you’ve also contributed to health-care research. Can you tell us about your academic work and how it relates to your approach as a physician?
A: “In addition to my clinical practice, I have a strong interest in health-care sustainability and hospital management. My research focuses on enhancing energy efficiency and improving health-care governance to create better health-care environments for both patients and practitioners,” Dr. Dion shares.
“I have co-authored peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals, including Benchmarking: An International Journal and Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, on topics related to sustainability and governance in health-care facilities.”
Comprehensive care at Medicentres Panorama Hills
Q: Can you share more about the medical services you offer at Medicentres Panorama Hills?
A: “At Panorama Hills Medicentres, my focus is on providing accessible, high-quality medical care to patients of all ages. I offer primary and preventive care, including visits for routine health concerns, annual checkups and comprehensive family care across all age groups — infants, children, adults and seniors. I also provide chronic disease management for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma,” says Dr. Dion.
“Women’s health is a significant part of my practice, and I provide comprehensive reproductive health care, including Pap smears, contraceptive counselling, IUD removal and hormone therapy management. I also advise on all aspects of pregnancy, perform regular checkups and support postnatal care to ensure both mother and baby remain healthy. I have a special interest in mental health, helping patients manage anxiety, depression and stress-related conditions through a holistic and patient-centred approach.
“For those requiring minor procedures, I perform mole removals, skin biopsies, ear flushing, wound suturing and other routine treatments. Additionally, I provide medical reports, insurance forms, Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) assessments and driver’s medical examinations. When necessary, I also offer consultations for complex conditions and facilitate specialist referrals to ensure my patients receive the advanced care they need.
“My practice is open to all patients, including men’s health, pediatric and newborn care, senior wellness and mental-health support. I am currently accepting new patients for meet-and-greet appointments and consultations. Walk-ins are welcome, and existing patients can schedule routine checkups and follow-ups as needed, ensuring that those in need of care can access timely medical attention.”
Commitment to professional growth and advanced training
Q: How do you ensure that your medical knowledge and skills remain up to date?
A: “I am committed to lifelong learning and continuing medical education to provide my patients with the most up-to-date and effective treatments.
“I have completed Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) as well as the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) clinical workshop at Hamilton Health Sciences in Ontario,” Dr. Dion continues.
“Additionally, I have advanced training in orthopedic care, pain management and contraceptive methods, including hands-on training at the University of British Columbia in long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) and IUD insertions. My expertise also extends to joint and soft tissue injections, enhancing my ability to manage musculoskeletal conditions comprehensively. This allows me to take a complete and well-rounded approach to patient care.”
Book your appointment today
Dr. Dion is now welcoming new patients at Medicentres Panorama Hills. Walk-ins are welcome and existing patients are encouraged to book routine check-ups, follow-ups or consultations as needed. Patients are welcome to visit Panorama Hills Medicentres at 1110 Panatella Blvd NW #510, Calgary, AB T3K 0S6.
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Visit medicentres.com/panoramahills or call 403-274-9712 to schedule a meet-and-greet or other appointments. For updates, medical insights and additional patient resources, Dr. Dion also encourages people to connect with her at drhelendion.ca and Facebook and Instagram.