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meet our team!
HEATHER GILLIS
Heather Gillis is an owner of Physiotherapy Alliance. She works at the Stratford and New Hamburg locations. She is a national examiner, senior instructor and education chair with the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and a professor at the University of Western Ontario. Heather graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a professional degree in Physiotherapy and completed her Masters in Clinical Anatomy in 2010. Heather also completed her Diploma in Manipulative Therapy in 1999 and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. Heather has completed training in intramuscular dry needling. She volunteers her time and clinical insights to physiotherapists looking to advance their skills and is actively involved in various community events.
In her spare time Heather enjoys spending time with her two daughters and participating in Canadian stepdancing and clogging.
DARCY TREFIAK
Darcy Trefiak is an owner of Physiotherapy Alliance. He works at the Stratford, and New Hamburg locations. Darcy graduated from the University of Alberta with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Zoology and then graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1994. He completed his Advanced Diploma and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. He has also fully completed the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course. Darcy has extensive experience in sports physiotherapy and has provided physiotherapy services to a wide range of sporting events at local and national levels. Darcy has donated his expertise to our community working with the Stratford Black Swans Rugby teams, Stratford Warriors Junior B hockey team, St. Mary’s Lincolns hockey team and multiple OFSSA tournaments to ensure the safety of our local athletes.
In his spare time Darcy enjoys spending time with his two daughters. Darcy likes to stay active by playing hockey and squash. He also enjoys running and cycling.
JENNIFER HARWOOD
Jennifer Harwood is a physiotherapist and the clinical practice leader with Physiotherapy Alliance. She works at the Stratford location. Jennifer graduated from the University of Guelph with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science in 2000 and from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 2003. She has continued her studies taking numerous post-graduate courses in manual, sports and orthopaedic physiotherapy as well as vestibular rehabilitation and intramuscular dry needling. Jennifer has completed her Advanced Manual and Manipulative Physical Therapy Diploma and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy and a credentialing instructor with the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. She has also pursued post-graduate education in evidence-based physiotherapy practice and treatment of knee osteoarthritis through tele-health physiotherapy. Jennifer has provided physiotherapy consultation and education to industrial and service sectors and to various community organizations. She has donated her time and skills to provide physiotherapy coverage for numerous local and provincial sporting events.
In her spare time Jennifer loves playing with her two sons, running, biking, hiking, swimming and skiing.
JENNIFER MASSE
Jennifer Masse is a Physiotherapist, who has been working at Physiotherapy Alliance since 2008. She works in the New Hamburg and Stratford locations. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in 2005 and a Master of Physical Therapy in 2007. Over the years, Jennifer has continued her studies completing numerous post-graduate courses in orthopaedics, as well as the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course in 2012. She has developed a passion for pelvic health physiotherapy, which has led her to additional courses to help patients with incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, rectus diastasis, pelvic girdle pain, pre and postnatal care, sexual dysfunction, as well as various pelvic pain conditions.
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, watching movies, reading books, and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
ROBERT DOCKING
Robert Docking is a Physiotherapist with Physiotherapy Alliance. He works in the Stratford and Milverton locations. Robert graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology in 2007 and a Master of Physical Therapy in 2009. Post-graduate education includes courses in manual therapy, McKenzie mechanical diagnosis and treatment of the spine, intramuscular dry needling and acupuncture. He completed the Advanced Manual and Manipulative Physical Therapy Diploma and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. Robert has provided physiotherapy services at a range of sporting events, including coverage of Black Swans Rugby and Stratford Warriors Junior B hockey and various local highshcool sports.
In his spare time, Robert enjoys playing and watching several sports, especially hockey and soccer.
JILLIAN VANHEVEL
Jillian Vanhevel is a Registered Physiotherapist at Physiotherapy Alliance, and the on-site clinician at the Grand Bend location. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and an Honours Specialization in Rehabilitation Sciences, in 2011. Jillian graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 2013. She has taken many post-graduate courses in manual therapy and orthopedic physiotherapy, acupuncture, dry needling, athletic and kinesio taping, McKenzie method, soft tissue release and more. She is a life long learner and plans to continue taking courses in the future. Jillian is passionate about helping her patients achieve their own goals and is dedicated to providing care to her local community.
In her spare time, Jillian enjoys spending time with her family and friends and being active outdoors.
AMY VANSCHYNDEL
Amy VanSchyndel is a Physiotherapist at Physiotherapy Alliance, who primarily works in the New Hamburg location. She is also one of two Physiotherapists at Knollcrest Lodge in Milverton, providing physiotherapy care to long-term care residents. Amy graduated from Western University with an Honours Bachelor of Medical Science in 2011, a Master of Science in 2013 and a Master of Physical Therapy in 2015. Her areas of interest and post-graduate education include concussion management for athletes and those suffering from post-concussion syndrome, as well as vestibular rehabilitation including treatment for vertigo. Ongoing education includes courses in manual therapy and dry needling, which are both part of her treatment repertoire. In addition, Amy is well-versed in the dance industry and has experience treating various dance-related injuries and dysfunctions. In the future, she aspires to teach injury prevention workshops to dancers and instructors alike.
Amy dedicates her spare time to the art of dance, inspiring young dancers to discover their creative passion through both choreography and performance. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, especially at the cottage!
DAGNY KANE-HAAS
Dagny began her post-secondary educational journey in 1987 when she graduated with a Fitness Specialist Certificate from George Brown College. Next, she received her Diploma in Honours Standing in Physical Education from the University of Western Ontario in 1994. She continued with the first of a two-year Master’s degree in Philosophy of Sport, and subsequently transferred to the B.H.Sc. in Physiotherapy program at McMaster which was completed in 1997.
Since working as a physiotherapist, Dagny has continued to upgrade skills and knowledge by taking a variety of physiotherapy continuing-education courses. In 2014, she completed her Master’s in Clinical Science in Manipulative Therapy at Western University. She is also Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy (FCAMPT).
Dagny also uses Deep Needling in her repertoire of treatments.
Dagny is part owner of Physiotherapy Alliance’s Goderich location.
She has been living and working in the Goderich area for many years. Her family is made up of two very active boys, husband and their menagerie. She enjoys staying physically fit and living an active lifestyle. When not at work she can be found kiteboarding or snowboarding with her family.
MELAYNA SAGER
Melayna Sager is a Physiotherapist at Physiotherapy Alliance, working in the Goderich location. She graduated from Laurentian University with an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology in 2014, and then went on to Western University where she graduated her Master of Physical Therapy in 2016. Melayna has completed post-graduate courses in management of post-concussion syndrome, and she plans to continue to pursue education in this area. She has also completed additional training in assessment and treatment of vestibular dysfunction. In addition Melayna has completed courses in acupuncture and manual therapy and plans to continue with dry needling and more manual therapy courses in the near future.
In her spare time, Melayna enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys staying active especially with outdoors activities.
LEAH DE CORTE
HEATHER BERTRAM
NANCY LOUWAGIE
MARIANNE WAGLER
Marianne Wagler is a Registered Kinesiologist at Physiotherapy Alliance. She works primarily at the New Hamburg clinic. She graduated from the University of Waterloo with an honours Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology in April 2007.
In her spare time, Marianne enjoys playing volleyball and soccer as well as volunteering at her church.
ALEX LEBOLD
Alex Lebold is a Kinesiology Graduate at Physiotherapy Alliance in New Hamburg. She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in April 2013 with honours Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Physical Education.
In her spare time Alex enjoys figure skating, spending time outdoors, camping, and spending time with friends and family. Alex also enjoys being a member of her synchronized skating team and volunteering at her church and other community events.
SABINE FLOOD
Sabine Flood is a Physiotherapist Assistant who works primarily at Knollcrest Lodge in Milverton. She graduated from Conestoga College in 2014 from the Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist Assistant program with high distinction and achieved an award for academic excellence.
In her spare time Sabine likes spending time with her family gardening, reading and walking.
ALEISHA WIENDELS
Aleisha Wiendels is a Physiotherapist Assistant who works primarily in the Goderich clinic. She graduated from St. Clair College in 2016 from the Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist Assistant program where she achieved academic excellence.
In her spare time, Aleisha enjoys spending time with her family and cats as well as reading, knitting and playing board games and volleyball.
KIMBERLY KUIPER
Kimberly Kuiper is a Physiotherapy Assistant who works primarily at the New Hamburg location. She graduated from the Occupational Therapy Assistant/Physiotherapy Assistant program from Conestoga College in 2018 where she was awarded the Highest Academic Achievement.
In her spare time Kimmi enjoys rugby, reading and rock climbing.
KRYSTA CLARKE
Krysta is a Physiotherapy Assistant who works primarily at the Grand Bend location. She graduated from the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program from Georgian College in 2018.
In her spare time, Krysta enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spending time outdoors.
STACY TIMMERMANS
Stacy Timmermans is a Registered Massage Therapist who works out of the Stratford and New Hamburg locations. She graduated from the Massage Therapy Program at Fanshawe College in April 2016.
Stacy is a member of the Stratford Blackswans Rugby team and enjoys other fun and challenging sports. She also enjoys camping, hiking and volunteering at her church.
SHANNON BUNNETT
Canadian Certified Pedorthist Shannon Bunnett is passionate about helping her patients get back to the activities they enjoy without being in pain.
As a provider of custom foot orthotics since 2001 she knows whether you need orthotics or whether a new, better fitting shoe is the first step. The biomechanical assessment she performs includes standing and sitting range of motion tests, a gait analysis, and if custom foot orthotics are required, capturing a 3D cast of your foot.
Recently, Shannon has volunteered with St. Louis RC and their Senior Visiting Program, as well as The Canadian Cancer Society’s Walking School Bus Program. As a member of the Northfield Racquet & Fitness Club, Shannon enjoys playing squash and sponsors club tournaments.
JEFF WALKER
Jeff graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in the spring of 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education. The following year, Jeff attended Western University where he completed the Pedorthic diploma program while completing the practicum portion of the program with SoleScience. Currently, Jeff operates clinics out of the South Huron Hospital in Exeter, Forest Physiotherapy in Mount Forest and Goderich Physiotherapy Alliance in Goderich. He also works within the SoleScience fabrication facility in London.
Outside of work, Jeff enjoys playing soccer, basketball, golf and is looking to return to coaching in the near future. He believes that living an active lifestyle is key to staying healthy. This mentality can be seen through the care and knowledge that he provides to his patients. He prides himself on sharing his knowledge and past experiences with individuals who are looking to become or maintain an active lifestyle as it is crucial when dealing with foot and lower limb problems. Jeff has had the privilege or participating in Operation Walk in recent years. This is an organization of medical professionals that travels down to Ecuador and Guatemala to provide knee and hip replacements for people needing the service. While down there, Jeff provides footwear and footwear modifications/lifts for leg length discrepancies.
DR. L. FISCHER
Dr. Fischer is highly regarded as a national leader and mentor in the field of sport and exercise medicine. She has vast expertise and experience in clinical care, advocacy, research and education and has provided medical coverage for numerous teams and events at the National and International levels. She is a Medical Doctor licenced by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, has a certificate of added competence (CAC) in SEM from the College of Family Physicians of Canada and holds the CASEM Diploma in Sport Medicine. She has previously served as the Chair of the Ontario Medical Association Section on Sport Medicine, President of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine and physician educator in competence for the CFPC. She has served on numerous provincial and national organizations, is widely published and has lectured nationally on various SEM topics. Dr. Fischer has been an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine and an assistant professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University.
LINDSAY KEFFER
Lindsay Keffer is the Administrative Business Leader at Physiotherapy Alliance. She primarily works in our Stratford location but may also be seen in our New Hamburg location on occasion. She graduated from the Medical Office Administration program at Mohawk College in April 2004.
In her spare time, Lindsay loves spending time with her family and friends, and staying active outdoors.
BRITTANY LUCKHARDT
Brittany is an Administrative Assistant who works at the Stratford location but may also be seen at our New Hamburg location. She graduated from the Medical Office Administration program at Medix College in October 2013.
In her spare time, Brittany loves spending time with her family and friends, as well as walking her three dogs, watching movies, dancing, and baking.