Kari graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and in 1994, she became an owner of Bonavista Physical Therapy Clinic. She has taken numerous post-graduate courses, getting her Certificate of Medical Acupuncture (University of Alberta) in 1998, and the Intermediate Diploma of Advanced Manual and Manipulative Therapy (Part A) in 2005. She became credentialed in the McKenzie Method (MDT) in 2008, and has been doing orthotics for 12 years. Years of competitive mountain bike racing, recreational cross country skiing, swimming and running have made Kari all too familiar with many of the injuries she treats on a daily basis!
Audrey is kindly referred to as the “back (or neck) lady”. She received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Western Ontario in 1984, has since practiced in many different settings and has had exposure to a wide variety of conditions. She especially enjoys the challenge of sorting out neck and shoulder problems, or back and hip problems using the McKenzie Method (www.mckenziemdt.org). In 1993 she traveled to New Zealand to attend the advanced McKenzie course earning a Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment. Audrey now teaches courses on this method to therapists across Canada and in the United States. She has published two research papers in the journal Spine and continues to be involved in clinical research.
Audrey has been officially recognized by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association as a Clinicial Specialist in MSK (Musculoskeletal). She is among the first group in Canada to receive this designation. Audrey is also qualified to order X-Ray, MRI and Ultrasound studies for her clients if indicated. Combined with her expertise as an instructor in the McKenzie Method (MDT), Audrey is an invaluable member of our team. Audrey has recently become a running specialist with www.therunningclinic.ca. She has been a recreational runner for decades. Her goal is to not let her age stop her from enjoying her morning jogs. She enjoys helping runners overcome current injuries and /or prevent those recurrent problems that some runners experience.
Gord graduated in 1989 from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Medicine (Physical Therapy) with Distinction. His areas of clinical specialization include Sports Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Intra-Muscular Stimulation (I.M.S.), and McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of Spine Disorders. Gord’s career highlights to date include Men’s National Team physiotherapist with Hockey Canada from 1992-94, 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, and 1994 World Ice Hockey Championships in Milan, Italy. He spent three years in Sweden working for Leksand Stars in the Swedish Elite Hockey League from 1995-98. Gord is currently part-owner in Bonavista Physical Therapy and Massage.
Merrylee graduated in 2009 from the University of Alberta with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy with Distinction. She has pursued advanced training in several areas and has attained the highest level of accreditation (Diploma) in Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (McKenzie Method), travelling to Scotland to complete her training. Merrylee is also trained in Acupuncture through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute (CAFCI)and has also been trained in treating vestibular conditions which result in dizziness and balance disorders. She is able to cast orthotics to help with foot issues and various postural issues. With a Bachelors of Kinesiology from the University of Calgary and a long history of competitive athletics including figure skating and track and field, she loves to work with athletes on rehabilitating and preventing injuries. However no matter what type of injury or condition being treated, Merrylee is most passionate about educating individuals on what is causing the injury, how to rehabilitate it and how to prevent it from happening again.
Rachelle graduated with a Master’s of Physical Therapy from the University of Saskatchewan in 2014 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2012. She is currently training in the McKenzie Method having completed all four courses and now prepping for the Credentialling Exam. She also plans to pursue further education in manual and manipulative therapy and to complete her certification in acupuncture. Rachelle enjoys collaborating with her patients to develop an individualized treatment plan to help reach their rehabilitation goals and improve their quality of life. She believes in an exercise-based approach to therapy, as this allows her patients to become actively involved in their care. When Rachelle is not at work, she enjoys snowboarding, travelling, playing sports and watching the NFL.
Sarah graduated in 2013 with her Masters of Physical Therapy degree from Western University in London, Ontario. Prior to this, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Mary’s University in her hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Sarah is a driven and compassionate therapist who strives for excellence in all areas of patient care. She aims to give her patients the tools, education and motivation to recover and thrive after any injury. Since taking her first Mckenzie course in 2015, she has been hooked, and has since completed the courses in the Mckenzie Method and is pursuing her certification this year. She has also completed other post-graduate training that includes Manual Therapy level one, Mulligan techniques for the lower extremities, and plans to do further training in Functional Movement Systems in the near future. Although Sarah grew up by the Atlantic Ocean, she has settled nicely in Calgary and enjoys exploring the mountains, the city, and doing some yoga along the way!
Pedro graduated from Makami College in 2015 with 3000 hours of training for his Massage Therapy Diploma.
Pedro is from Colombia and came to live in Calgary in 2010. He studied massage therapy because he is passionate about helping people recover from pain/injuries and regain their optimal physical state. Pedro's specialties are: Sport Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and Therapeutic Massage for Musculoskeletal Injuries. Pedro individually assesses each client to determine specific treatments and massage techniques recognizing that everyone is different and has different needs.
Currently Pedro is completing his training in Manual Osteopathy to server his clients better.
Francy is from Colombia, she moved to Calgary in 2010 with her husband and two kids.
Francy is a Registered Nurse with 14 years of experience helping people recover their health in Colombia. When she first arrived in Canada it was difficult to continue working as a Nurse, she decided to study massage therapy so she could continue helping those in need. She likes massage because it gives her the opportunity to help patients recover their physical and emotional balance.
Francy graduated from Makami College in 2014 with a Massage Therapy Diploma and 3000 hours of training. She also worked for two years as a tutor in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology and Massage Techniques as she also loves to teach!
Francy offers a variety of techniques including Deep Tissue, Sport Massage, Pregnancy Massage, and Therapeutic Massage catering to the specific needs of her clients.
Sharon began her massage career about 25 years ago after working as an Athletic Therapist. She graduated from the Massage Therapy Program at Mount Royal College in 1992 and has been working in the field ever since.
She continued with her training while the massage program was evolving and is 2200 hour compliant and a member of the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada. Some of the additional modalities she is trained for include Reflexology, Raindrop Therapy, Thai Massage, Thai Hot Stem, Reiki, Cranial Sacral, Hot Stone, Myofascial Release, Myofacial Cupping and Active Isolated Stretching.
Sharon's specializes in therapeutic massage and will customize every massage to her clients needs and pressure tolerance. Sharon possesses exceptional massage skills and you will find her to be very friendly, caring and compassionate.
Sherrie graduated from the Mount Royal Massage Therapy
Program and has been a registered member with the Natural Health Practitioners
of Canada (NHPC) since her graduation in 2007. Sherrie has extensive experience
in treating a wide variety of conditions including whiplash, headaches,
repetitive strains, sports injuries, and a variety of postural related
symptoms. She enjoys treating clients across every age group, from children to
those suffering with arthritis and other age related conditions. Since joining
the team at Bonavista Physical Therapy in 2010, she has enjoyed collaborating
with the Physical Therapists to ensure a consistent therapeutic treatment for
each client. Sherrie knows no two people are the same and will adapt every
treatment to the individual needs and comfort level of each client. Whether it
be to find relief from pain or simply to have a relaxing massage, Sherrie is
passionate about the positive effects of massage therapy, both physically and
emotionally.
Our friendly front office staff work hard to ensure your appointments and billings are efficiently taken care of. They can assist you in negotiating your way through extended health benefit insurance, WCB claims, section “B” claims, auto insurance claims, Blue Cross, and Calgary Health Region funding.
We are located at 739 Lake Bonavista Dr. SE., Calgary in the lower level of Bonavista Medical Clinic, across from Safeway in Lake Bonavista.
Appointment Hours Available: Monday -> Friday, 7:30 am -> 7:30 pm and 9:00am – 2:00pm Saturdays (except summer) by appointment only, call 403 278-0705 to book.
Our clinic is wheelchair accessible and there is ample free parking.
