About

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Dr Alex Omelchuk MD

Dr Alex Omelchuk, Cert. Ed, Dip. Ed., MD., LMCC, CCFP, FCFP

Partial list of association memberships and accomplishments

  • Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine U of A (Alberta, Canada) 1962. Alex Omelchuk practiced Medicine for 25 years.
  • Was president of College of Family Physicians Alberta Chapter. Chief of staff at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton.
  • Teaching staff Faculty of Medicine University of Alberta.
  • British Airways Medical Officer for Alberta Region. Member of NASA, North American Aerospace Medical Association, and the Canadian Society of Aviation Medicine.
  • Has extensively studied recent progress in Brain injury.
  • Listed in the “International Who’s Who of Medicine” 1987 edition.

My Story

I once worked 80 hours a week, plus on-call time (nights, weekends and holidays) I saw upwards of 30 patients per day in my main office, plus I did hospital rounds, hospital emergency work, nursing homes and care facility visits, obstetrics as well as hospital administrative duties, and I was one of the few doctors who made house calls on a regular basis. (Yes, I have a very understanding wife!!)

My wife and I also ran a satellite office – evenings, weekends and emergencies.

I exercised regularly… racquet ball, ran my dog and squeezed in as many “mini holidays” as I could, often combining business and pleasure trips. I took time for myself. So, it was with great surprise and shock that I found myself cut down by a massive cerebellar aneurysm.

I was perfectly healthy by all outward appearances, and didn¹t feel tired. In fact I was invigorated by work and my desire to help people was strong.

However, I forgot the Cardinal Rule: Just because you have no symptoms, it doesn’t mean you are perfectly healthy.

On Nov. 5, 1987 at 10:44 pm I was perfectly fine.

At 10:45 pm, literally one minute later, I was virtually dead.

I suffered a ruptured aneurysm of the right middle cerebellar artery with a massive intracranial bleed. Literally, my head “exploded” with unbelievable pain, and I was on the verge of death.

Before I passed out I was able to tell my wife what was happening and what she could expect to happen next. Orissa called an ambulance and got me to my hospital ASAP.

In the Hospital Orissa said that because I was Chief of Staff it was like a scene from ER. All of the best surgical, emergency and medical specialists (doctors and nurses) were awaiting my arrival in the ambulance bay. I received immediate critical care I was extremely lucky to have survived.

Physicians and nurses in the US and Canada do an excellent job in acute and trauma care . They are the best in the world and I owe my life to their expertise.

As soon as I was stabilized (approximately twenty-four hours later) , I underwent nine hours of delicate brain surgery to repair the aneurism and restore the blood circulation to my brain.

I was comatose and on life support in the ICU for a number of days. Things did not look good for my ultimate survival. In fact, I found out later that the bulletin board in the doctor¹s lounge posted a update of my condition, which read “In coma. Near death. Not expected to survive”.

I eventually woke up but was totally incapacitated . I could not walk, talk or feed myself, or function in any other capacity. I underwent all types of rehabilitation therapies; speech, occupational, physio, and psychotherapy. This continued in the hospital for months, and I maintained self-therapy at home for years. Eventually I was functional and gradually improved over the years. But after twelve years, I was still considered totally disabled. I was told to ³get used to it because you’ve recovered as much as you ever will.

My most persistent disabilities were:

  • Severe impairment of short term memory and cognitive ability –
  • Severe fatigue, I could only function for about two hours between naps -my day pretty well went something like this: Get up, eat breakfast, have a nap, eat lunch, have a nap, eat dinner, have nap and then go to bed.
  • Balance problems.
  • I couldn’t feel my feet from the knees down and subsequently fell down a lot.
  • I had persistent, unrelenting head pain, which is a significant complication of brain injury
  • I would wake up in the middle of the night, moaning and crying in pain
  • I had to take all types of pain medications, including Demerol, Toradol, 292, Tylenol 3, Fiorinal, Fiorinal-C.
  • My wife would sit up, to make sure I was still breathing because I took so many pain killers, I was in danger of overdosing. She was always afraid that when I took a shower that I would fall and injure myself, and that she wouldn¹t be able to pick me up again.

I lived with pain and fatigue for twelve years. Every day, all day, and all night.

I was alive, but I had no quality of life.

I tried to volunteer, just to keep active and feel useful.

I was becoming extremely depressed with my lot.

I am a doctor, and I couldn’t fix myself.

I was introduced glyconutrients in the spring of 2000. At first, because I am a doctor, I was extremely skeptical of Glyconutritionals and how they are able to help your body heal itself.

I spent hours at the computer, researching the glycoscience.com website, Medline, Medscape, and other internet sites. My thoughts were… ”Well, if this product does what it claims to do, I want it. NOW!”

Within weeks I started to notice improvements in my energy levels, short term memory, cognition, and I began to feel fantastic. I no longer had to nap, I could feel my legs from the knees down and I didn’t fall anymore.

In about four months, I was totally pain free.

I have not had to take any tranquilizers, pain pills or anti-depressants since July 2000.

All aspects of my life have improved.

  • I can function effectively all day without resting
  • I teach Anatomy and Physiology to students at a private college.
  • I used to give public lectures on the science and benefits of nutrition products

Glyconutrients have given me my life back.

Tell people of the wonderful things that Glyconutrients can do. Nutrition is so important.

  • When your cells are healthy, you are healthier
  • Your cells can repair themselves, given the proper missing nutrients.

Curriculum Vitae

ALEX OMELCHUK, Dip. Ed., M.D., L.M.C.C., C.C.F.P., F.C.F.P.

  • Born in Bloomsbury, Alberta, Canada: July 24, 1935.
  • Married to A. Orissa Paley in 1985.

High School

  • Strathcona High School, Edmonton, Alberta. ( Academic )
  • Graduated with senior matriculation 1952

University

  • University of Alberta (Calgary) – Diploma of the Faculty of Education 1956
  • Alberta Department of Education – Certification in Education & Industrial Arts1956
  • University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine: M.D. (Physician & Surgeon ) 1962
  • Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada – L.M.C.C. 1962
  • College of Family Physicians of Canada – Certification – C.C.F.P. – 1970
  • College of Family Physicians of Canada – Fellowship – F.C.F.P. – 1979

Professional Organizations: Membership

  • Canadian Medical Association
  • Alberta Medical Association
  • College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
  • College of Family Physicians of Canada
  • Edmonton Academy of Medicine
  • Aerospace Medical Association (USA)
  • Canadian Society of Aviation Medicine
  • Edmonton Medical-Legal Society

Appointments:  Academic and Professional

  • Internship and Post Graduate training – Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta.
  • Active Staff: Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta. 1963 – 1987
  • Glenrose Provincial Hospital (Rehabilitation Hosp.), Edmonton, Alberta
  • Norwood Auxiliary Hospital (Chronic Care Hosp.), Edmonton, Alberta
  • Dickensfield Auxiliary Hospital (Chronic Care Hosp.), Edmonton, Alberta
  • Dr. Angus McGugan Nursing Home
  • Examiner for Certification Examinations of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. 1971-1976
  • Clinical Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine-University of Alberta, Edmonton. 1967-76
  • President, Kingsway Emergency Services. 1972-75
  • Founding Member: World Organization of National Colleges and Academies of Family Medicine ( W.O.N.C.A. ). 1976
  • President, College of Family Physicians of Canada – Alberta Chapter. 1976
  • Appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee on Comprehensive Cardiac Care in Alberta – by the Minister of Hospitals and Medical Care of Alberta. 1977
  • Alberta representative to the National Board of Directors, College of Family Physicians of Canada. 1977
  • Canada Ministry of Civil Aviation, Medical Examiner, appointed 1981
  • British Airways Medical Officer ( Alberta Region) 1981-82
  • Vice President, Royal Alexandra Hospital (1000 beds), Edmonton, Alberta.1981
  • President, Royal Alexandra Hospital (1000 beds), Edmonton, Alberta. 1982-83
  • Member of the Committee on Patterns of Practice and Health Care Delivery, College of Family Physicians of Canada. 1979-82
  • Alternate Chief, Department of General Practice, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta.1985
  • Chief, Department of General Practice, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta. 1986-87
  • Instructor-Anatomy & Physiology, Summit Career College, Kelowna, B.C.,2000
  • Director of Research – Canadian Nutrition For Kids. Appointed July 2001

Appointments & Membership: Non Academic

  • Secretary-Treasurer of St. Anthony¹s Parish, Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. 1979-80
  • President of St. Anthony¹s Parish, Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada 1980-81
  • Member of The Order of St. Andrew (Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada)
  • Member of the Ukrainian Professional & Business Men¹s Club of Edmonton
  • Member of the Model A Ford Club of America (Edmonton branch)
  • President of the Model A Ford Club of America (Edmonton branch) 1976-79
  • Member of the Laurier Heights School Parent – Teacher Association. 1979
  • These accomplishments are documented in part by the following publications:
  • Who¹s Who – Province of Alberta, Canada. 1980
  • International Who¹s Who in Medicine. 1987
  • International Book of Honor 1987
  • Retired from the Practice of Medicine in 1987
  • Toastmaster¹s International member 1997 club treasurer 1999-2000 received CTM in 2000 President, club #872 – 21, 2000-01
  • University of Victoria – guest lecturer, psychology & sports clinics May 31 & June 1 / 01