Dr. Pouya Azar, MD, FRCPC, DABAM, is a distinguished physician specializing in psychiatry and addiction medicine based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He leads the Complex Pain and Addiction Service (CPAS) within Vancouver Coastal Health's Department of Psychiatry, providing integrated care for patients with concurrent pain, mental health, and substance use disorders across Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. His innovative research focuses on developing novel opioid agonist treatment protocols and medical devices to enhance health outcomes for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. In September 2024, his work received significan recognition through a $5 million anonymous donation to establish the Innovations in Menta Health, Addictions, and Pain Program (IMAPP), Canada's first translational research hub dedicated to these intersecting fields. Beyond his clinical and research endeavors, Dr. Azar contributes to academia as a Clinical Instructor at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine. He also serves as the Addiction Lead at Foundry Vancouver Granville, a provincial clinic for youth and adolescents dealing with addiction and mental health challenges, and consults on adolescent addiction medicine at BC Children's Hospital. His commitment to advancing treatment for concurrent disorders has positioned him as a leading figure in mental health and addiction medicine, both nationally and internationally. Along with all this lies a background in skateboarding, which he gives partial credit to, in harnessing his ability to approach these treatments methods from unconventional angles.
Chris Haslam, a professional skateboarder from Vancouver, British Columbia, is celebrated for his creativity and innovation in the skateboarding world. Though born in Canada, Haslam spent much of his youth in Singapore, where he was first introduced to skateboarding. In 1998, he returned to Vancouver and immersed himself in the local skateboard scene while attending the University of British Columbia. By 2001, Haslam had firmly integrated himself into the Canadian skateboarding community. That same year, he received an invitation to Los Angeles to skate with Daewon Song and the riders of Deca Skateboards. This pivotal moment not only connected him with Daewon but also introduced him to skateboarding legend Rodney Mullen, setting the stage for a professional career spanning over two decades. In 2003, Haslam joined forces with Rodney and Daewon on their new venture, Almost Skateboards. His standout video parts in "Almost: Round Three" and "Cheese and Crackers"| showcased his technical ability and originality. His contributions earned him the Reader's Choice Award at the 2005 Transworld Skateboarding Awards. Beyond his video parts, Haslam became a fixture in skateboarding culture Throughout his career, he worked with some of the most iconic brands in skateboarding, consistently pushing the boundaries of what was possible on a skateboard. Even as he approached the later stages of his career, Haslam continued to make an impact. In 2019, he released a collaborative video part for his newly founded company, Brainchild Skateboards, in partnership with Independent Trucks and Thrasher Magazine. Brainchild Skateboards was created as a brand dedicated to supporting mental health initiatives through a portion of its proceeds. It reflects Haslam's commitment to social causes. He has grown to become widely respected for pushing the boundaries of what is possible on a skateboard, bringing unparalleled creativity and technicality in the way.
