The Langley Rivermen are proud to announce Dr. Gulzar Singh Cheema as the official doctor of the Rivermen. Dr. Cheema role is to help Rivermen players with injuries that require a doctor’s attention during non-game days and support in the rehabilitation process. Karen Reader, the team’s Medical Service Coordinator will oversee the game-day medical operations for the team.
Dr. Cheema is a family doctor in Surrey and has also practiced medicine in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba. Currently, Dr. Cheema is also a clinical instructor for the Department of Family Practice at UBC. Dr. Cheema received his Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery from India’s Punjab University and interned at the University of Newfoundland and was a resident at Saskatoon’s University Hospital. To promote community health, Dr. Cheema also participates on weekly local multicultural radio talk shows and local multicultural TV.
“I am excited about my role with the Rivermen; I see sports as a way to remind our children what can be accomplished by living a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise. I see young athletes like the Rivermen Players as a key to help promote a healthier lifestyle in our communities and it is my pleasure to make sure they keep healthy and playing this great sport” said Dr. Cheema
Dr. Cheema has also made history by being the first Indian born to be elected to as Member of a Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Canada. Dr. Cheema served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1988 to 1993 and later as Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 2001 to 2004. While serving as a MLA under Premier Gordon Campbell, Dr. Cheema was the Minister of State for Mental Health and the Minster of State for Immigration and Multicultural Services.
“Dr. Cheema is a community leader in every respect; he has donated countless hours to sporting events around the Lower Mainland as well as serving our province as a MLA. By having a predominated physician like Dr. Cheema as member of our organization it only helps build the Rivermen program and help recruit potential players to the organization. The Rivermen would like to welcome Dr. Cheema to the team” said Taylor Henderson the Rivermen’s Director of Operations
Along with Dr. Cheema, Brayden Tonogai the team’s Certified Athletic Therapist, Karen Reader (Paramedic) and Dr. Shafiq Kara of Willow Dental Clinic will make up Rivermen’s medical team.
