Our Staff

At Finlandia, you can find answers for your medical concerns and questions from our staff of highly trained specialists.
Our health professionals include pharmacists, herbalists, nutritionists, an aesthetician, naturopathic & homeopathic physicians and much more!
We are pleased to introduce you to some of our members below. 

Staff at Finlandia Natural Pharmacy (from left to right) Dr.Rikst Attema, Nesrin Altintas B.Sc. (Pharm.), Peter Lee, Rashmi Somvanshi, Scott Coutu, Yuki Takemura, Phil Larin, Maelon Ryane, Faustine Des Rosiers, Grace Matthews, Sarah Elliot, Dr. Karen Nguyen, Tanja Salewski, Joan Ullyett, Michelle Bonnie, Markus Guggenberger.

Harlan Lahti, D.N.M, B.Sc., Owner & Founder of Finlandia

 Finlandia Natural Health Centre and Pharmacy Founder & owner Harlan Lahti is widely recognized as the nation’s expert in natural health medicine. He and his highly qualified team have been integrating allopathic and natural medicine for over 30 years and their little pharmacy has grown into one of the most widely respected and trusted pharmacy natural health centers in the country

 Beth Lahti, B.ed, BPHE, Brain State Affiliate

Beth Lahti, holds a Bachelor Degree in Physical and Health Education ( University of Toronto), and a Bachelor of Education.
She was a Teacher in the lower mainland for 17 years and owned a small  fruit and vegetable business.
Growing her own organic vegetables for sale, Beth quips she ”Made about 5 cents an hour.” and as a result has a huge respect for today’s farmers.  

Working at Finlandia Natural Pharmacy for the past 8 years, Beth brings intricate knowledge of the many supporting services available to Brain State clients. Specialized state-of-the-art  services include Breast Thermography, Osteometer Bone Scan, ETA Bio-resonance Scan, and Heart Rate Variability Assessment.

Dr. Karen Nguyen, ND, BSc

Call 604.734.7760
or email knguyen@finlandiahealth.com  
to book an apointment.

Dr. Karen Nguyen has always had her interest in health and the various aspects that contribute to it.  Her focus is on women and children’s health and she offers natural treatment options to help her patients achieve their health goal.  Common concerns seen by Dr. Nguyen include hormone imbalances, digestive imbalances, skin health, and musculoskeletal pain. To provide comprehensive care, Dr. Nguyen has further certification in Pharmaceutical Prescription authority (including Bio-identical Hormones), Cold Laser Therapy, Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation, Psychosomatic Energetics (PSE) using REBA test kit

Dr. Ana Lopez, ND, BSc, CCT

Call 604.734.7760
to book an apointment.

Dr. Ana Lopez’s passion for naturopathic medicine began after her own experience with allergies and treatment by an ND.  She  fell in love with naturopathic philosophy and became naturopathic doctor. 

Dr. Lopez believes in empowering her patients through education, informed choice and working together to create treatment plans that patients can follow.  She uses treatment modalities like lifestyle and nutritional counselling, herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, vitamin injections, IV therapy, cold laser therapy and Bowen therapy.  Dr. Lopez has a general practice and enjoys working with everyone in the family.  She has a special interest in digestive conditions, women’s health, pregnancy and pediatrics.  Dr. Lopez provides a wide variety of laboratory tests including salivary hormone, food allergy, hair mineral analysis, conventional blood work and more.  She currently has  Pharmaceutical Prescribing authority.

In her spare time Dr. Lopez enjoys spending time with her daughter, testing out new recipes, and practicing yoga. 

Dr. Alexina Mehta, ND, BHK

Call 604.734.7760
to book an apointment.

Dr. Alexina Mehta is passionate about guiding her patients to harmony and health in the body, mind, emotions and spirit.  She has a special interest in women’s health concerns, detoxification and weight loss, as well as chronic health issues.  She uses the modalities of herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, nutrition, supplement counselling and lifestyle counselling and offers the full scope of testing offered at Finlandia. She has additional training in Bowen therapy, Craniosacral therapy, Biofeedback, Energy Medicine, Yoga and Meditation.
She also has Pharmaceutical Prescribing ability. 

Dr. Mehta also leads popular monthly Women’s groups in Vancouver and enjoys hiking, running, yoga, dance and music.

Dr. Rikst Attema, ND, MSc

Call 604.734.7760
or email drattema@gmail.com  
to book an appointment.

Dr. Attema completed her naturopathic education at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster, BC. She began her studies at the University of Ottawa where she completed her BScHon in Human Kinetics and then completed a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. During her graduate studies, she had the opportunity to work on a large clinical trial examining the effects of exercise on metabolic parameters in those with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Michelle Bonnie Medical Herbal Dispensary Manager

Michelle is a published research biologist, herbalist, sound healer and vibrational medicine practitioner. She began her 30-year journey into the healing arts with scientific research into human viruses. This led Michelle to the awareness that a more integrated approach was needed to better affect health at the cellular, emotional and spiritual levels.

Michelle subsequently studied phytomedicine (plant medicine), sound therapy, crystal and other forms of healing, vibrational medicine and yoga. She has lectured and facilitated studies on herbal pharmacy, marine mammal sound research, quantum physics, crystal therapy, natural skincare and yoga. Her work has been published in several North American journals of science and medicine, and in various scientific periodicals.

Michelle enjoys developing long-term relationships with pharmacy customers, allowing her to better understand their unique needs in all levels of healing.

“Understanding a person’s energy, knowing what makes them tick, is all part of the healing process,” she says. “I look forward to interacting with Finlandia’s customers and helping them improve their well being.”

Penny Povey, Medical Herbalist, Dip. Phyt. MCPP

It was in Africa as a child that Penny first witnessed the use of herbal medicine. She watched, fascinated, as Africans made their own medicines from flowers, leaves or barks. These memories formed the basis for her belief that what we eat affects our health.

When her mother had leukaemia, Penny’s family nursed her with nutrition and herbs, which gave her a further 8 happy months of life before she succumbed to the harsh side effects of chemotherapy. Her death affected Penny deeply and she decided to become a medical herbalist to help people stay healthy by using food and medicinal herbs when the body becomes diseased.

Penny completed a rigorous four years of training at the College of Phytotherapy in East Sussex (U.K). The course covered orthodox diagnostic skills combined with a holistic approach to illness and a comprehensive study of herbs and nutrition.

In 2000 she was introduced to bio-energetic medicine. This form of medicine uses ‘soft’ science as well as ‘hard’ science. Penny treats each person as unique, with their own set of requirements. Electro-acupressure defines these requirements and offers a safe, effective method of helping both acute and chronic health issues.

Juliette Woods, Brainwave Technologist, Reiki Master 

Juliette is a Ceritified Brain State Technician and as a Reiki Master & Shamanist she addresses and clears the energetic quality of the Brainwave Optimization Clinic before and after clients, while bringing experience tailoring and expanding the visualizations used during this holistic technique for balancing brain function.

Seryna Robertson, Brainwave Technologist, Energetic Support

Seryna is a Certified Brain State Technician and intuitive artist. Her passion for helping people is expressed through her work inside and outside of Finlandia. She acts as an anchoring presence as clients work through their challenges and assists with energetic balancing and personalized visualizations. Seryna’s use of crystals facilitates energetic balance in the office environment and for  individual clients.

For more information on Brainwave Optimization visit www.VancouverBrainHealth.com
To book an Intensive call 604.734.7760
or email brainstate@finlandiahealth.com