About

Dr. Darren J. Holub, MD, BSc, FRCPC, FASAM, DABAM, CCSAM

Medical & Research Director, Psychiatrist and Addiction Medicine Physician

Dr. Darren Holub was initially trained in biochemistry, he obtained his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 2001, and completed his psychiatry residency through McMaster University.  Through his experiences, Dr. Holub developed a keen interest in the field of addiction, along with a strong passion, empathy, and desire to serve those individuals and families affected by this devastating disease.  For ten years he served as the Lead Psychiatrist of the Concurrent Disorders Program (combined mental health and substance use disorders) at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.  He has taught medical students and residents, and has trained staff and consulted at ADAPT and CMHA in Halton.  He was board certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine in 2012, and is a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and a Certificant of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine.  Dr. Holub co-founded the Halton & Mississauga Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic in 2019, where he serves as Medical Director & Research Director and practices community-based Addiction Medicine. He is also a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) practitioner and researcher.

Nino Parunashvili, BScPA, CCPA

Physician Assistant, Senior Researcher, TMS Program Lead

Nino obtained her Physician Assistant Degree from the University of Toronto in 2018 and has been working in addiction medicine since then.  Prior to her PA training, Nino graduated from medical school in Eastern Europe and has served in numerous areas of medicine in Canada.  While working in pain management, she developed a special interest in Addiction Medicine.  She is actively involved in teaching and has a major interest in research and medical outreach programs for those in need.  Nino is a valued foundational member of our RAAM Clinic team. In addition, she has obtained training, experience, and credentialing for the provision of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a groundbreaking and Health Canada-approved non-invasive treatment for mental health and addictive disorders. 

Lana Phemister, BSc (Hon), BHSc (PA), CCPA

Physician Assistant

Lana completed the Physician Assistant Education Program at McMaster University. She is a member and Certificant of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA). Prior to becoming a PA, she studied Psychology at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. Lana’s interest in the field of addiction medicine stems from her background in psychology, as well as from witnessing the prevalence of the disease in our communities – from growing up in Toronto to living in a small town on the East Coast. Her great sense of humour and empathy make her a valuable addition to our clinical team.

Lakshmi Mudunuri, RN

Registered Nurse

Lakshmi is a Registered Nurse at the RAAM Clinic, joining the team in October 2024. She completed her Bachelor of Nursing degree at McMaster University and is passionate about supporting individuals on their health and recovery journeys with compassion, empathy, and respect. Her interest in mental health developed through volunteer work at youth shelters and during mental health placements throughout her undergraduate studies. Lakshmi hopes to further her education in the future by completing her Nurse Practitioner degree to continue expanding her ability to support patients within our community.  

Manpreet Kaur Tagger, RPN

Registered Practical Nurse

Kathy Nguyen, BScN, RN

Registered Nurse

Kathy Nguyen is a Registered Nurse trained through the Mohawk College/McMaster University collaborative program. She began her career in the NICU and now works in Addiction Medicine, combining clinical skill with deep compassion. Outside of nursing, Kathy trains neurodivergent youth in fitness and advocates for accessible sports programs for low-income youth, reflecting her lifelong commitment to inclusive, community-based healthcare.

Lisa Faulkner, BHSc (PA), MPH, CCPA

Physician Assistant

Lisa graduated from the Physician Assistant Education Program at McMaster University in 2024. She is a member and Certificant of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA). Prior to her clinical studies, Lisa completed a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences and a Master of Public Health, both at Brock University. Her interest in addiction medicine stemmed from past volunteer work helping unhoused individuals facing substance use disorders. Lisa is very passionate about the continuously evolving world of addiction medicine and providing safe access to substance use treatment.

Devon Miller-Scott, BA (Hon)

Clinic & HR Manager

Devon holds dual positions as Clinic and HR Manager at the Halton & Mississauga RAAM Clinic. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from McMaster University, and has twelve years’ experience working in the addiction field in administrative and counselling roles, along with previous work in criminal justice. Her positivity and friendly nature make every patient feel welcome and valued, and her organizational skills and substantial experience strongly benefit our clinic’s operations.

Evita Jayathilake 

Clinic Coordinator

Evita began her professional journey in the field of Optometry in 2018. Her enthusiasm for the medical field and her natural ability to connect with patients propelled her forward, leading her to transition into Ophthalmology in 2020. In 2022, driven by a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the lives of those facing addiction, Evita made a significant career transition into addiction work. Embracing her newfound focus, she has become an active participant in Burlington/Hamilton’s addiction and homeless community, advocating for individuals grappling with substance use disorders. She recognizes the multifaceted challenges faced by this population and approaches her work with compassion, empathy, and a strong determination to facilitate positive change. Evita’s active involvement in community outreach initiatives showcases her commitment to raising awareness about addiction and fostering a sense of belonging among those in need. Evita hopes to further her skills by pursuing a post secondary degree at McMaster University.

Noor-Kiran Dhillon, BSc

Clinic Coordinator 

Noor-Kiran graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from York University, where she developed a solid understanding of human movement, physical activity, and health promotion. Her passion for enhancing patient outcomes drives her diverse skill set. She is committed to the clinic’s mission of delivering outstanding patient care and dedicated to empowering individuals to live healthier, more active lives.

Symone Archer, BSocSc

Clinic Coordinator 

Symone is a dedicated healthcare professional, having completed her Medical Technologist program following studies in Criminology, which combines her interest in science and human behavior to bring a well-rounded perspective to her work. Her healthcare career began during the pandemic, where she gained valuable frontline experience working on a mental health unit, strengthening her passion for supporting patients through empathy, understanding, and professionalism. She has continued to gain expertise across various healthcare settings, consistently demonstrating adaptability, attention to detail, and a deep commitment to patient care. Symone is passionate about improving patient experiences and fostering a compassionate, inclusive care environment. Her professionalism, strong interpersonal skills, and dedication to helping others make her a valued and respected member of the RAAM team.

Promise Okomayin, BA 

Clinic Coordinator 

Promise is a valued Clinic Coordinator primarily based at our Mississauga location. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication degree from York University and a diploma in Advertising and Marketing Communications from Humber College. Her passion for healthcare began when she worked as a Client Care Coordinator at Helping Hands Healthcare, where she discovered her love for supporting patients and working closely with a clinical team. Promise takes pride in being the first point of contact for patients and families, ensuring every interaction is met with compassion, professionalism, and warmth. She enjoys using her communication skills and empathy to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who comes to the clinic.

Waleed Riaz, BSc (Hon), MACP

IT Consultant

Waleed earned his Bachelor’s Degree with Double Majors in Biology for Health Sciences and Psychology from University of Toronto, and completed his Master’s Degree in the field of Counselling Psychology. Waleed has been entrusted with various roles in the healthcare industry, including residential counselling, neurofeedback training, and implementation of Health Information System (HIS) in hospitals. 

Louisa Holub, BASc, MEng

Executive Director and President of Dove Medical Services

Louisa is the President and Co-Founder of Dove Medical Services, the parent company which operates Halton & Mississauga RAAM Clinic, and Executive Director of the clinic. An engineer by training, Louisa worked in the fast-paced software industry as a User Experience Designer/Researcher, Team Lead, and Project Manager for multi-national high-tech companies prior to entering the medical field.  She has a passion for helping others, and is committed to creating clinic environments and processes that optimize care and make patients feel comfortable and valued.