Meet Our Clinicians! Back Row from left: Dr. Roop Conyers; Dr. Simon Bonnington;
Dr. Bob Barkwell. Front Row from left: Dr. Caroline Hancock; Dale Young, Nurse
Practitioner; Dr. Jennifer Cram; Beth Bent, Family Practice Nurse. 

Beth Bent, Family Practice Nurse

In 1995 Beth graduated from UNB Fredericton with a Bachelor of Nursing.  Following graduation, she worked in Long Term Care for 5 years and taught a course for Home Care Nova Scotia.  In 2000, she started working in the ER/Short Stay Unit at ACHC where she worked until September 2011.  At that time Beth joined the Annapolis Collaborative Practice Team to work as a Family Practice Nurse.

As a Family Practice Nurse, Beth works collaboratively with the clinicians in the office to better serve our patients and community.  She has thoroughly enjoyed the change in career path that she has chosen and looks forward to future growth.

Simon Bonnington, Physician

Having moved to Annapolis Royal from England in 2010, Dr. Simon Bonnington and his family are delighted to have been welcomed so warmly into this vibrant and stimulating community. Building upon thirteen years as a GP in the UK and with time spent in rural hospitals in Zambia and South Africa, he finds that the holistic and comprehensive Office based, In Patient, Emergency Room and Multidisciplinary care available at ACHC offers the best of all worlds. As a Champion for the advantages of Electronic Health Records to support effective consulting and chronic disease management, his insight into the foreknown challenges of modern medical care has helped to model a locally collegiate response to healthcare delivery.

This heritage heart of Canada provides the opportunity for a wonderful work-life balance – Dr. Bonnington is an enthusiastic member of the local theatrical group and mid-week soccer sessions, assists youth soccer coaching, as well as being an emerging gardener and fly-fisher. His two children are thriving at our local schools; the family lives in the picturesque village of Granville Ferry and are in fellowship at Parkers Cove Baptist Church. They enjoy the fine dining and widely varied cultural opportunities of the area.

Roop Conyers, Physician

Originally from Toronto, most would think the move to the Annapolis Valley would be quite an adjustment for Dr. Roop Conyers.  Fortunately, he and his family have adapted to the rural life of Annapolis Royal nicely.  Dr. Conyers loves that the small community acts like a family, where everyone is invested in not only knowing who you are and what you do, but also being genuinely concerned about your well-being.  Professionally, Dr. Conyers keeps busy with his clinical duties as a Family Physician, his work in Emergency Medicine and administratively as the Site Director of Dalhousie University Annapolis Family Medicine Program. 

Despite his busy work schedule, Dr. Conyers manages to find time to indulge himself in rural life by taking hikes with his family, playing golf, cross country skiing, gardening, wood working, and caring for their chickens, horses, dogs and cat. 

Colin Newman, Physician

Dr. Newman is originally from Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland. He completed medical school at Memorial University in 2010 and residency training in family medicine in 2012.  Since then he has been working in a rural hospital in Twillingate, Newfoundland where he did a mix of outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitalist care, emergency medicine, minor procedures, and house calls.Colin was attracted to the Annapolis Collaborative Practice because of the modern design of the practice which incorporates comprehensive, patient focused medical care.

In his free time, Colin likes to camp, hike, kayak, and snowboard. Colin, his wife (Anna Kate, a native Nova Scotian) and two daughters (Grace and Sadie) are excited to join the beautiful community of Annapolis Royal. 

Hillary Lavelle, Physician

Dr. Hillary Lavelle is originally from Revelstoke, BC who completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Victoria and went on to work in community and vocational support for adults living with brain injuries.  Here she was struck by the positive benefits of collaborative an interdisciplinary care for patients - these principles are alive and well at the Annapolis Collaborative Practice. 

Hillary attended medical school in Cork, Ireland and completed her family medicine residency at the Annapolis Collaborative Practice from 2017 to 2019.  Upon completing her residency she decided to stay in the area and join the Annapolis Collaborative Practice in September 2019, where she has proven to be a welcome addition to the team.  

In her spare time, Hillary enjoys travelling, hiking, kayaking and camping.  A former alpine ski racer, Hillary has now switched her downhill skis for cross-country skis! 

Caroline Hancock, Physician

Dr. Hancock moved from the UK to Annapolis Royal in 2002, at which time she joined the Annapolis Collaborative Practice.  After working as a physician for almost 35 years, she closed her family practice effective 10 August 2021.

During her semi-retirement, Caroline continues to work on a casual basis providing primary care to patients. 

 Ingrid MacLean, Nurse Practitioner 

Ingrid MacLean is originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. She completed an undergraduate degree in Biology at Mount Saint Vincent University in 2010. She then went on to Dalhousie University where she completed her BScN and became a Registered Nurse (RN) in 2013, going on to work at the IWK Children’s Hospital in Mental Health and Addictions. Her sense of adventure and love of travel brought her to Brisbane, Australia where she worked as a RN in various community and hospital based Mental Health and Addiction programs.

After living abroad, she returned to Canada and laid roots in Calgary, Alberta. She continued to pursue her passion and grow her skills in Pediatric Mental Health. After greatly missing her Maritime roots and living by the ocean, she moved back to Nova Scotia and was ready for a new challenge and to advance her career. She applied to Dalhousie University’s Nurse Practitioner Program, where she completed her Master of Nursing (MN) in May of 2022.

In June 2022, she joined the Annapolis Collaborative Practice and is excited and grateful to be part of the team.  She looks forward to exploring a beautiful new part of Nova Scotia. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her rescue puppy Breaker, hiking, traveling, and playing her bagpipes for family and friends.

Matthew Sinclair, 2nd Year Resident

Dr. Matthew Sinclair is happy to be completing his Family Medicine Residency with the Annapolis Collaborative Practice for the next two years, July 2022 - June 2024. 

While Matthew was not raised in the Maritimes, he considers it his second home, having spent most summer and winter breaks in Cape Breton with family. It is also where he chose to make his home before commencing his medical training in Ireland, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery in 2022. 

For two years, he lived in L’Arche Cape Breton, a small rural community where individuals with and without intellectual disabilities share life. He chose to live in L’Arche as he felt it would challenge him to grow. Unexpectedly, it also fostered personal values that guide his patient interactions and provided insight into obstacles of medical access faced living rurally.  His experience living in community further opened him up to the gift of mutual relationships and affirmed his desire to practice as a person-centered family medicine physician in the Maritimes.

In Matthew's spare time he enjoys soccer, hiking, sailing, yoga, reading, creative writing, poetry, stand-up comedy, and cooking.

Sona Ebadi, 1st Year Resident

Dr. Ebadi is thrilled to have her residency at the Annapolis Collaborative Practice for the next two years. She completed her medical school at Urmia University and gained experience working as a general practitioner in both rural and urban areas in Iran.  She then began working in Hematology in-patient at QE2 in Halifax, where she provided care for cancer patients and developed strong skills in in-patient and critical care. However, her passion for primary care and guiding patients through the healthcare system led her to pursue a degree in Family Medicine at Dalhousie University.

During her personal time, Sona derives immense joy from the art of oil painting. She also enjoys spending time in nature and reading.

Cindy Young, Social Worker 

Cindy joined the Annapolis Collaborative Practice in Nov 2023, after moving from Vancouver, B.C.  Cindy completed her Bachelor of Social Work from UBC in 2019. Cindy initially worked a short stint at Surrey Memorial Hospital before switching to social work in a long-term care setting. Within a year, Cindy became a Site Leader for 2 Long-Term Care homes in Agassiz, BC which she did for 3 years before her decision to relocate to Nova Scotia and move closer to family.

Cindy completed a Death Doula Certificate from the Conscious Dying Institute in Denver, Colorado in 2018, and volunteered in various hospices for 6 years.  Cindy finished a two-year spiritual practice under contemporary spiritual teacher, Thomas Hubl. Upon completion of the Timeless Wisdom Training, Cindy continues to be a senior student where the focus is on healing collective trauma.

Prior to life as a Social Worker, Cindy worked as a Human Resources Manager for 15 years in various industries such as, Mining Engineering, Glass Manufacturing, Food Logistics and Airline catering.  In 2006 Cindy graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley with a major in Psychology.  Previously, Cindy enjoyed being a Stay-at-Home mom for 16 years raising her three children. This has been the most rewarding part of her life and family continues to bring her much joy.  When not working, Cindy enjoys traveling, reading, creative writing, time with her grandson, time with friends, and playing with her two kittens.

 Karen Bent, Secretary

Karen has been a valued member of the Collaborative Practice Team since November of 2006.  She came to the team with many skills and qualifications, including 29 years experience as Administrative Assistant at Britex. Karen’s primary role at the practice is chart management, although she contributes to the team in a variety of ways.  She is always willing to help out the team wherever needed.

Shannon Kay, Secretary

Shannon joined the Annapolis Collaborative Practice full time in February 2019 after working in healthcare at Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Annapolis Community Health Centre and Digby General Hospital. She is an honour graduate from the Medical Office Assistant program in June 2015.

Shannon grew up in Hillsburn, attended the local high school and is so thrilled to be able to work in her hometown.  She loves to travel, read and spend time with her family at the lake. Most of all, Shannon loves to spend any of her free time playing with her son, Oliver and daughter,Lila.  She is excited about her career here at ACP.

Ariana Lindale, Secretary

Ariana moved from Ontario to Nova Scotia and quickly fell in love with Annapolis Royal.  She has a strong love for the arts, and some of her hobbies and interests include; travelling, gastronomy, history, and writing.  It has been a dream come true for her to live in such an enchanting town, with lovely people, rich in history, and with its breathtaking scenery.  She occupies her time with learning new things, enjoying the company of family and friends, cooking, reading, gardening, and long walks with her dogs.

Ariana started working at the Annapolis Collaborative Practice in June 2022 and has been a welcome addition to the team.  She looks forward to utilizing her many years of experience in healthcare to assist our clinic and clients.

Sarah Young, Office Clerk

Sarah joined our team to cover a maternity leave in March 2023. She graduated from the Medical Office Administration program with Honours in 2016 and has a varied background in customer service that eventually led her her to the Annapolis Collaborative Practice. Sarah grew up in Bridgetown and is happy to be back in the area supporting her community. 

In her spare time, you can find Sarah running around with her 3-year-old daughter and her dog or whipping up a new sourdough recipe.

Donna Trimper, Administrative Assistant

Donna joined the Annapolis Collaborative Practice (ACP) in May 2018 and brought with her 30 years experience in the administrative field.  After obtaining her business administration certificate, she began her career working at the military hospital at CFB Cornwallis, where she provided administrative support to the physicians and support staff.  With the closure of the military base in 1994, Donna obtained work at the Pearson Peackeeping Centre (PPC), as Administration and Services Manager where she provided corporate oversight to various departments and support services.  Following the closure of the PPC in 2011, Donna worked at Acadian Seaplants Ltd providing general administrative and financial services to a very busy manufacturing plant.

Since joining the ACP, Donna has found the position to be very rewarding with completing a variety of administrative tasks, tackling new challenges, and supporting the team with various projects as needed (even providing some basic IT support). 

Outside of work, Donna enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and her precious poodle, Miss Molly.