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About Our Clinic
We believe in empowering individuals, through open discussion and providing sound medical information, to make choices about their bodies and their reproductive health that are in line with their needs and goals.
We believe in autonomy of body and choice and work to fiercely protect this!
We respect our patients' preferred pronouns and provide pap tests for anyone with a cervix and hormonal birth control for anyone with a uterus looking for birth control.
We pride ourselves in providing inclusive, friendly, patient-centred care. We maintain our clinical expertise by staying up to date with the latest developments in our areas of practice.
Check out the article the Spec published about our clinic.
Our Story
Like most matches these days, Ashleigh and Avery met online on a Facebook group for physicians. It started as an idea and a coffee date at Democracy. We were like-minded in our passion for providing patient-centered sexual health services. We both had experience from working in different regions in similarly-focused clinics, and saw there was a need for this type of service in Hamilton.
We opened our doors in May 2022, offering clinic once a week on Wednesdays. With your support, we have grown and now offer clinic Monday to Friday with a dedicated staff of physicians and a supportive admin team.
Our vision: To become a centre of excellence regionally for the services we provide.
Our mission: To provide timely access to high-quality reproductive healthcare services in our region, in particular long-acting methods of contraception, as these have been shown to be most effective at preventing pregnancy. We are reproductive healthcare advocates, providing both patient-centred early prenatal care and abortion services up to 10 weeks.
To remove barriers to accessing care by encouraging self-referrals at a time when so many patients do not have family doctors.
To train other doctors who wish to work in this field.
Our
Mission & Vision
Our Promise
At Connection Medical, we are committed to protecting your privacy by following all regulations governing patient confidentiality. All information about your visit is strictly confidential.
We will not disclose any information to family members, partners, or medical professionals outside our clinic without your expressed consent.
We provide services without parental/guardian consent.
Our Providers
Meet Our Team!
Ashleigh McCullagh-Cheung
Lead Physician, birth control /virtual clinic
(she/her)
Dr. Ashleigh McCullagh-Cheung developed an interest in women’s health while living in England, where she completed a Diploma in Sexual and Reproductive Health alongside her family med training. She relocated to Hamilton in 2014. Her favourite areas of practice are contraception care and reproductive health. Ashleigh also has a Travel Health Clinic. She lives in Hamilton, and is married with 2 young kids.
Avery Gudgeon
Lead Physician, birth control clinic
(she/her)
Dr. Avery Gudgeon has long had an interest in women’s health, providing care to teens and young adults at Vancouver Coastal Health’s Youth Clinics, followed by working at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto in the Special Treatment Clinic and the Bay Centre for Birth Control, providing sexual health testing, treatment, contraception counseling, IUD insertion, and medical abortion care. Avery has since moved to the area with her husband and young daughters, and is excited to provide these services to the women of Hamilton and the Greater Hamilton Area.
Tasha McNamara
Physician, birth control clinic (she/her)
Dr. Tasha McNamara is a Family Physician in Brantford, who enjoys practicing the full scope of family medicine, and in particular woman’s health. Her training (both undergraduate and residency) included an additional focus on obstetrical care, as well as providing long-acting reversible contraception options.
She has a passion for accessible care and is excited to be working alongside the other physicians at Connection Medical, which offers women with or without family physicians to access needed contraceptive and early pregnancy care.
Work aside, she enjoys hiking with her Australian Shepherd and husband, travelling and cheering on the Toronto Raptors.
Marla Prager
Physician, virtual clinic (she/her)
Dr. Marla Prager completed her medical training and family medicine residency at the University of Toronto. She was practicing in Halifax, Nova Scotia the last few years, where she had a family practice and worked at the Halifax Sexual Health Centre. Since moving to Hamilton and joining our team in 2023, she has continued to enjoy providing contraceptive care and sexual health services. Outside of medicine, Marla enjoys travelling, hiking and spending time with her family and Bernedoodle, Hazel.
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Linda Wong
Physician, virtual clinic (she/her)
Dr. Linda Wong received her medical degree from the University of Toronto and completed her training at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto where she began working at the Bay Centre for Birth Control many years ago. She continues to practice there providing contraceptive and abortion care. She began providing virtual abortion care during the Covid pandemic and continues to feel passionate about extending this access of care to all patients who may need it.
Karen Selwyn
Physician, STI clinic (she/her)
Dr. Karen Selwyn completed her medical training and family medicine residency at McMaster University. She has practiced for over 35 years in full scope solo family practice and during that time has developed special interests in women's health sexual health and newborn care. She has worked with Public Health in their clinics for over 25 years and provides newborn care at St. Joseph's Hospital. She is an associate professor of Family Medicine at McMaster University and is involved in training family medicine residents in both newborn care, sexual health and family medicine.
Outside of medicine, she has been blessed with a family of 8 children and 14 grandchildren whom she loves to spend time with. Her free time is spent with her husband or working outside in her garden.
John Vincent
Physician, STI/Gender Affirming Care clinic (he/him)
Dr. John Vincent completed his medical training and family medicine residency at McMaster University. John has a special interest in sexual health and gender-affirming care, working as both a family physician and in specialized sexual health clinics. Outside of medicine, John enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, tending to his many plants, and spending time with a good book. He is excited to join the Connection Medical team!
Hamidah Meghani
Physician, STI clinic (she/her)
Dr. Hamidah Meghani is a public health physician with an interest in sexual and reproductive health. She received her medical degree from McMaster and completed her residency at the University of Toronto. She has worked in STI clinics for over a decade, including at the Hassle Free Clinic in Toronto and Hamilton Public Health Sexual Health Clinics. She is excited to provide both cervical cancer screening to women and STI care to all. In her spare time, Hamidah loves to spend time with her family, read fiction, and eat good food.
Laura Marshall
Physician, virtual/birth control/Gender Affirming Care clinic (she/her)
Dr. Marshall is a family doctor trained at McMaster University. She is one of the physicians who will be working in the Gender Care clinic. She previously worked at Sherbourne Health gaining valuable experience in gender affirming care, and now works in various family medicine settings including Emergency Medicine, and remote work in Northern Ontario. When not working she enjoys visiting local coffee shops and hiking with her family and dog.
Alka Sood
Physician, Birth Control/Menopause/STI clinic (she/her)
Dr. Alka Sood is a family doctor who provides comprehensive care in her Toronto clinic, but has a special interest in women's health. She completed her Women's Health fellowship training at Queen's University after completing her family medicine residency in the USA. She is happy to share her expertise in the matters of family planning (both pregnancy care and contraception counselling, including IUD and Nexplanon insertion), sexual health and screening (paps, STD screen and treatment), and also care for those dealing with menopause. She is passionate about care access and health education, and is happy to be working at Connection Medical providing this to those who need it.
Sarah Hutchings
Physician, virtual/Birth Control clinic
(she/her)
Dr. Sarah Hutchings has a long standing and strong passion for women's health. Her clinical expertise spans contraception counselling, IUD insertion, and sexual health. With a warm and compassionate approach, she is committed to delivering personalized care to her patients.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Hutchings values family time with her husband and three young children, who share her love for the outdoors. She is thrilled to join the Connection Medical team and is eager to serve the healthcare needs of those in Hamilton and the surrounding region.
Sarah Warden
Physician, virtual clinic (she/her)
Dr. Sarah Warden has always had a special interest in sexual and reproductive health care. She completed a Master’s degree examining the sex difference in response to medications. She completed her medical degree at the University of Calgary and her residency in Family Medicine from the University of Toronto. Sarah spearheaded and is
the lead physician for the Medication Abortion program at the Bay Centre at Women’s
College Hospital, and she holds a Focused Practice designation in Gynecology. Sarah is also a staff physician at the University of Toronto Health and Wellness Clinic where she has a general practice with a focus on sexual health and gender affirming care.
In her leisure time, Sarah enjoys gatherings with close friends and spending time with
her husband, two teens and her beloved Labradoodle Charlie.
Jennifer Owens
Physician, virtual Birth Control clinic
(she/her)
Dr. Jennifer Owens completed her medical degree at the University of Toronto and family
medicine residency at Western University. She first became interested in the area of contraception during her Masters Degree in Public Health, while working as a peer counsellor in sexual health. Jennifer strives to be a clinician to whom patients feel comfortable asking difficult questions. Time has flown by working in this field in Southwestern Ontario for over twenty years. She enjoys travelling and raising two young adult sons with her husband she met in first-year university. In her spare time, she works on turning her yellow gardening thumb into a green one.
Céline Sayed
Physician, Birth Control/Menopause clinic (she/her)
Dr. Céline Sayed is a Canadian-trained family medicine physician with a special interest for
medical gynecology. She is bilingual in French and English.
She previously completed medical school and Family Medicine Residency at the University of
Ottawa, followed by an enhanced skills year in women’s health affiliated to
both the University of Ottawa and Queen’s University. During her dedicated
training, she travelled across Canada to work with experts in women’s health in centers such as
Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, BC Women’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC and HSC
Women’s Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She worked alongside multiple pioneers in Canada’s
menopause medicine landscape like Dr. Wendy Wolfman at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, as
well as Dr. Alison Shea at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (Ontario, Canada).
She is a member of the Canadian Menopause Society, The Menopause Society (formerly known
as the North American Menopause Society), The International Society for the Study of
Vulvovaginal Disease, and The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health.
She obtained her Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) credential in the summer of
2024.
Her scope of practice at HBCC includes menopause and vulvar medicine, abnormal uterine
bleeding (such as PCOS), dysmenorrhea (i.e. painful periods), heavy menstrual bleeding,
contraception/family planning, assessment and management of dyspareunia (i.e. painful sex)
and low libido. She is trained to perform PAP tests, IUD insertions/removals, hormonal implant
insertions/removals, endometrial and vulvar biopsies.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Sayed loves to take part in yoga classes, travel, bike and eat good food.
Justin Huang
Physician, STI clinic (he/him)
Dr. Justin Huang completed his medical school training at the University of Toronto followed by a family medicine residency in McMaster University. He is also affiliated with the Shelter Health Network to provide primary care and transitional care services to individuals experiencing homelessness and/or with addictions in Hamilton. He has an interest in medical education, sexual health, gender-affirming care and he brings along his experience in providing care to individuals with intersecting social determinants of health. He is looking forward to being a part of Connection Medical to reinforce having timely, accessible care.
In his downtime, he enjoys taking care of his two Shiba Inu puppers, playing board games, and working out at the gym. Every year he endeavours to try learning a new skill - in 2024 this has been snowboarding and 3D printing!
Emily Mardian
Physician, Birth Control/Menopause clinic (she/her)
Dr. Emily Mardian completed her medical training at the University of Ottawa followed by residency at McMaster University. She has a strong passion for women’s health, sexual health, and abortion access. At HBCC, she will be providing contraception counselling, IUD and nexplanon insertions and removals, cervical cancer screening, STI counselling, abortion care and menopause counselling.
Dr. Mardian lives in Dundas with her husband and two daughters. Outside of being a physician, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family as well as hiking local trails and reading a good novel.
Mengchen Xi
Physician, Menopause clinic (she/her)
Dr. Mengchen Xi completed her medical training and family medicine residency at McMaster University. She has a strong interest in women's health, sexual health, and menopause.
In addition to her work in family medicine, for the last few years, she has been providing additional services in the Niagara region to help patients access timely cervical cancer screening. At HBCC, she will be providing contraception counseling, IUD insertions and removals, cervical cancer screening, and menopause counselling.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with her three cats.
Liz McClemont
Registered Practical Nurse, she/her
Liz is a Registered Practical Nurse who completed her nursing education at Mohawk College, beginning her career in bedside nursing where she developed a strong foundation in patient care and a deep appreciation for supporting individuals through vulnerable moments. Liz has always had a passion for helping others, which continues to guide her approach to care every day.
Liz' long-standing interest in women’s health led her to pursue an opportunity in a sexual health clinic, and she feels incredibly grateful to be part of such meaningful and empowering care. Liz prides herself on being adaptable and always eager to learn and grow within her profession. Outside of work, she values spending quality time with her family and enjoy relaxing at home with her two cats.
Eden VanDevanter
Physician, Birth Control/Menopause Clinic (she/her)
Dr. Eden VanDevanter (she/her) is a family doctor in Hamilton who joined the Connection Medical team in 2026.
Originally from Seattle, she completed medical school at McGill University and residency at McMaster University. Eden has focused her medical career on advocating for inclusive and comprehensive care for gender-diverse and intersex individuals. Her clinical interests include sexual and reproductive health, abortion, adolescent care, and working with structurally vulnerable populations.
Eden is also an associate clinical professor within McMaster’s Department of Family Medicine, where she has a focused practice in gender-affirming care, and provides comprehensive primary care to Northern communities through Sioux Lookout, Ontario. In her free time, Eden enjoys playing volleyball, gardening, and hiking with her partner and two dogs.
Dalya Cohen
Physician, Birth Control/Menopause Clinic (she/her)
Dr. Dalya Cohen completed her medical training at McMaster University. She has long had a strong interest in women’s and sexual health. She strives to provide inclusive and comprehensive care to all of her patients. Her clinical interests include contraceptive care, abortion, menopause, and dyspareunia.
Dalya is also an associate clinical professor with McMaster’s Department of Family Medicine. Through this, she provides comprehensive primary care to members of the Hamilton community. Outside of medicine, Dalya is a voracious reader, loves to cross stitch and spend time doing pilates.