About Us

Umbrella Medical Clinic (UMC) provides sexual health and gender affirming care to Thunder Bay and the surrounding area. The clinic was founded in 2018 by the late Dr. Annabella Zawada. Dr. Zawada opened the clinic after seeing an enormous gap in sexual health services in the community. Umbrella Medical Clinic provided these valuable services until her tragic passing in October of 2021, which led to the closure of the clinic.

View our memory page in honour of Dr. Annabella Zawada.

The loss of the clinic and continued demand for services that Umbrella Medical Clinic provided had reaffirmed the need for the clinic’s presence. Dr. Zawada’s colleagues worked over the following months to re-open the clinic and carry on her legacy. Janice, Aldona, and Hillary were thrilled to be able to begin providing services again in August, 2022. With reopening, they were excited to welcome Dr. John Robrock to the Umbrella Medical Clinic team.

Janice began her career as Clinic Administrator with Umbrella Medical Clinic during the early stages of development. She was excited to play a role in building Dr. Zawada’s dream of a non-judgemental and compassionate sexual health clinic for the community. Janice brings with her a Bachelor of Arts degree and 20+ years of valued knowledge managing medical clinics. She has considerable experience in office management, organization, and most importantly, client relations.

Janice is passionate about sexual health, meeting new people, and volunteering. She values the rapport she has built with clients and clinic associates. Janice is thrilled to serve her community by providing excellent client care in an inclusive atmosphere at UMC. Janice spends a lot of time at her family camp, loves the outdoors and enjoys endless hours with family and friends. She survives on coffee and avocados.

Hillary is a Registered Nurse who received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Lakehead University. She started her nursing career on 3A at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. In 2019, Hillary began working at Umbrella Medical Clinic and has not looked back since! Hillary’s favourite thing about working at UMC is the interactions that she has with clients – she goes to work every day excited to make a difference in their lives.

Hillary loves all things sexual health and will talk about it for hours with anyone who will listen. Hillary was born and raised in Thunder Bay and loves the abundance of trails and lakes in the region. If you are looking for snacks or Diet Coke, check Hillary’s desk drawers.

Aldona was born and raised in Thunder Bay and graduated from Lakehead University in 2011. Aldona has worked in a diverse number of clinical settings including hospitals, clinics, and in the community. She has gained experience across the province before moving back to Thunder Bay where she found her passion as a sexual health nurse in a public health role. This position introduced Aldona to Dr. Zawada, where their mutual passion for sexual healthcare developed into the dream that became Umbrella Medical Clinic.

Aldona thrives on bettering her community by providing essential health services for all. She enjoys the range in outdoor activities that Thunder Bay has to offer.  She can be found mountain biking in Shuniah mines, sailing Lake Superior, and camping with her family and friends.

John obtained his doctorate in medicine in Dayton, Ohio and has been working as a physician for 30+ years. John brings with him vast experience working in both hospital and clinical settings. He previously provided medical care in various locations across the state of Minnesota before moving to Thunder Bay, where he started his own practice. John has a passion for family medicine and teaching. He enjoys working in the role as a preceptor and is an Assistant Professor at NOSM. John saw the value in the services Umbrella Medical Clinic was providing and enthusiastically wanted to join the team.

When John is not providing health care for the community of Thunder Bay, he spends his time at his lake house. John is passionate about anything on the water from swimming to sailing. He loves to travel and spend time with his family on the shores of Lake Superior.