Our Team

Massage Therapy

Rick Tkach, R.M.T., Managing Partner

Rick has been practicing massage therapy since 1990.  Rick practices deep tissue therapy and earned his ART (Active Release Technique) Provider certification in 2002.  He has always had an interest in working with athletes and sports teams, and has been the massage therapist for the Canadian Wrestling Team since 2000.  Rick has travelled with the team to many competitions, including the Olympics in Athens and Beijing, the Commonwealth Games in India, as well as the World Championships in Moscow.  Rick is also the massage therapist for several nationally ranked track and distance runners.

Rick has completed 14 Ironman triathlons, and over 100 triathlons of varied distance.  He has also completed 12 marathons.  Rick’s many years of training for triathlons and marathons has given him a wisdom and insight that can only come with experience.  Friends and acquaintances wishing to compete in triathlons began contacting Rick for training advice.   Rick’s motto of quality over quantity has proven its effectiveness in not only getting his athletes to the starting line, but also has guided several of them to their best times.

Rick still trains for triathlons, and now occasionally competes in sprint or Olympic distance races.  Rick also enjoys downhill and cross-country skiing, reading mystery novels, and spending time with his family.

Jeanie Bezdan, B.A., R.M.T., Managing Partner

Jeanie graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Communications and a minor in Kinesiology.  After graduation she travelled to Japan and spent 9 months there travelling and teaching English.  Upon her return to Canada, Jeanie worked as a senior's recreation coordinator at a community center and commenced studies at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy.

Jeanie has been practicing massage therapy since 1995.  She has an interest in prenatal massage, and is also a certified infant massage instructor.  Her skills include treatment for TMJ  dysfunction, and pelvic alignment disorders.  She is also clinic manager.

Jeanie has been a competitive runner in 5k – marathon distances since 1985, and switched to track several years ago.  She now competes at the master’s level in the 800m and 1500m.  Jeanie’s interests include downhill skiing, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Mandeep Thind, R.M.T.

Manny is an Alumni of the 3000 hour Registered Massage Therapy program at West Coast College of Massage Therapy. Manny is trained in treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including but not limited to, postural dysfunction, whiplash, migraine, tension headaches, tendonosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and various sports injuries.

Manny assesses and treats soft tissue injuries using manual therapy techniques, with a special interest in myofascial release, joint mobilization, trigger point release, muscle energy techniques and rehabilitative exercise. Through stretching, strengthening, postural exercise, and patient education, Manny effectively manages pain and stress with his clients.

He is currently in pursuit of completing ART (Active Release Technique) certification to expand his massage therapy practice.

Manny’s extensive knowledge in musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries stem from his current athletic endeavors. He is an avid athlete and enjoys recreational and competitive sports. From training for 10Km and half marathon running races, snowboarding, and mountain biking to name a few, his interest in competitive sports allows him to relate to his patients and their injuries.

“The groundwork of all happiness is good health.”   

Mike Grewall, R.M.T.

Mike had started his post secondary career with an Associates degree in Sciences.  He was completing his 3rd year of the Bachelor of Kinesiology program at the Simon Fraser University, when he was first introduced to massage therapy and has sparked his interest.  He then attended West Coast College of Massage Therapy in New Westminster, from where he graduated and has been practicing as a Registered Massage Therapist since 2009.

His treatments consist of fascial work, muscle energy technique, Swedish deep tissue massage techniques, joint mobilizations, passive & active muscle stretching, along with various other techniques.  Mike’s focus is to help patients through assessment and treatment, along with preventative and rehabilitative goals.

Mike’s personal interests include volunteering his time with minor hockey, spending time with family and friends, refereeing and playing hockey, participating and watching many other sports.  Mike also fluently speaks Punjabi.

 Lisa Wall

Lisa's interest for Massage Therapy started at a young age, when she was a competitive gymnast receiving Massage Therapy from Rick. She completed the 3000 hour program from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2002. In the last 9 years Lisa has had the chance to work in both spas and chiropractic clinics, giving her valuable experience working with a variety of conditions and patients.

In her spare time Lisa loves to spend time with her family at their cabin, water skiing, and gardening.

Physiotherapy

Sanjeev Bodwal, B.Sc., Kin., B.Sc., PT.

Sanjeev is a graduate from the University of Western Ontario Physical Therapy program. Complementing his Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Therapy, Sanjeev also holds a degree in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University. Accordingly, Sanjeev's studies have given him a sound manual therapy and exercise prescription background.   By regularly enrolling in continuing educational courses, Sanjeev remains current with the latest treatment options that are supported in the literature.

Sanjeev's treatment philosophy includes actively involving his clients in the rehabilitative process, combining a hands-on manual approach with injury-specific exercise programs.

In his free time, Sanjeev plays competitive soccer and enjoys participating in recreational volleyball and squash.

Nick Duran B.Sc., (Kin), M.Sc.,PT.

In 2006 Nick completed his BSc in Kinesiology and received his health and fitness certificate at SFU. In 2008 Nick completed his Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Alberta. Post graduate training includes level I orthopaedic manual therapy, mulligan mobilization training,  completing the sports first responder course, and completing his certificate in myofascial trigger point and proprioceptive therapy.

Nick is very interested in sports physiotherapy and has worked with various sports teams at the high school, provincial, and college levels, including Douglas College soccer, New West Hyacks football, and BC Soccer and BC Field Hockey. Nick was a member of the Simon Fraser University soccer team from 2000-2002 and currently plays for the Norvan soccer club of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League.

Louise Kerridge-Judd, B,Sc. PT. Orthopaedic Div. Level 3. GIMS, AFCI. Cranial Sacral Therapy

Louise Kerridge-Judd completed Undergraduate Studies at the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Sciences (1994 – 1998) with a major in Genetics & Evolutionary Biology and a minor in Anthropological Archaeology. In the years 1998 – 2001 she attended the School of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of British Columbia and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. Ms. Kerridge-Judd's post-graduate clinical accreditation includes the Level 3 Diploma of Advanced Orthopaedic and Manipulative Therapy, Anatomical Acupuncture Certificate (CAFCI), and Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (GIMS) Certificate. She completed IMS training under Dr Chan Gunn who received the Order Of Canada for his work worldwide in the study and treatment of chronic pain. She has practiced osteopathic approach Craniosacral Therapy for the past 10 years.

Ashley Plough - Physiotherapist

Ashley received her Master of Physical Therapy from Queen Margaret University in 2010, and has since completed her Orthopaedic Level 1 for the Diploma of Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Therapy.

When treating patients, Ashley uses an integrative approach of client education, manual therapy, and activity-specific exercise prescription. Her clinical interests include hand therapy, shoulders, post-orthopeadic surgery rehabilitation and stroke therapy.

In her spare time, Ashley keeps active by swimming, skiing and running, and she is also working her way through the karate belts.

Sarah Kennedy - BHSc Physiotherapy

Sarah Kennedy has been working as a physiotherapist for 7 years. She graduated from Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand in 2004. Sarah is a Level III Orthopaedic Division manual therapist. She has also completed continuing education in Women's Health, TMJ disorder management and Sports Physiotherapy. Sarah is working towards becoming a Certified Cervical and Temporomandibular Therapist through the American Academy or Orofacial Pain. She is also currently pursuing training in Vertibrobasilar Dysfunction.

Sarah has provided education lectures at Century House community center for seniors, and has provided on-site physio for the Douglas College soccer teams and the New Westminster Hyack’s football team.

Outside of work Sarah keeps active with yoga, ultimate frisbee, cycling and a gym membership. She is also a performing jazz vocalist and has studied vocal jazz at Vancouver Community College and Capilano University.

Personal Training

Jon-Erik Kawamoto, B.Sc.(Kin-Coop), CSCS, CEP

Jon graduated from Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada in the fall of 2005 with a Kinesiology Cooperative Education degree and certificates in Health and Fitness Studies and Applied Human Kinetics.  He also graduated with Dean’s Honor Roll Status. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) He is a Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP) with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)

Jon has written running related articles for Canadian Running magazine (4 times plus an article coming out in March 2011), IMPACT magazine (3 times) and for the BC Coaches Perspective, a quarterly magazine for the Coaches Association of British Columbia. He has presented to several running clubs and personal trainers about the methods behind strength and conditioning middle-to-long distance runners. Jon ran for thmargine Varsity Track and Field and Cross Country teams while attending Simon Fraser.  He also ran for an elite track club when his colligate career ended.  His personal bests include 15:13 and 32:15 for the 5km road and 10km road races respectively.

Dietician Services

Ali J. Chernoff is a Registered Dietician who has taken the initiative to be part of the 11% in BC to operate a private practice. Since 1993 she has been involved in numerous activities related to the field of nutrition. She's provided dietician services at numerous sporting events and for pharmaceutical companies that includes conducting educational sessions to groups and individuals on healthy fats, healthy snacks and basic eating principles. Chernoff started a second company called Energy Essentials 24-7 to develop healthy whole foods such as 7% M.F. cheese, Essential. Recently, she co-authored a book called Good Food Baby.

Brittany Thomas is a Registered Dietitian who graduated from the University of British Columbia. She works as a clinical dietitian at Vancouver General Hospital, counselling in heart health, weight loss, and diabetes education. She is passionate about preventing chronic diseases and improving overall well-being. Britanny is an athletic enthusiast who runs half marathons, participates in triathlons and practices yoga. In 2011, she joined the Nutrition At Its Best team.

Receptionists

Joniel Beaudoin, Office Manager

Joniel took the Medical Office Assistant program at Douglas College and graduated in January 2010. By taking the program, Joniel received training in medical office procedures such as scheduling appointments, patient records, filing and medical billing, which are skills used on a daily basis at the clinic. In addition, she received knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and medical terminology, with human anatomy as the topic she was most interested in. She also received hands-on training in clinical skills used in the medical office. Joniel really enjoys working at Burnaby Square Orthopaedic & Sports Centre because of the professional and friendly atmosphere from the staff and patients.

In her free time, Joniel enjoys being outdoors, especially camping and hiking. A special cause that she supports is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as someone she cares about was diagnosed with Leukemia. She has fundraised and has participated in the Light the Night Walk annually in the past three years to help find a cure for blood cancers. She looks forward in continuing with her involvement with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and be more involved with the many different events held each year to help bring awareness to blood cancers.

Jennifer Salazar, Reception

Jennifer is a graduate of Computer Secretary in the Philippines and completed Medical Office Assistant at CDI College Surrey and graduated on May, 2010. As a member of staff at Burnaby Square Orthopaedic and Sports Centre, Jennifer endeavours to acquire more knowledge, expertise and skills to competently be of service to clients. She has a high regard for efficiency and quality work.

Raquel Atienza, Reception

Raquel has a nursing degree  in the Philippines and completed Graduate Nurse, Internationally Educated Re-entry at Kwantlen Polytechnic University on June 2010. With her education and work experiences, Raquel was hired as Medical Office Assistant and has been in this profession for three years. As a new member of the team at Burnaby Square Orthopedic and Sports Centre, she looks forward to impart her skills and extend her service to clients.

Maria Theresa Cristobal, Reception

Maria graduated as a Medical Office Assistant and received numerous honors as being one of the top student s at Douglas College in April 2005.  Since graduating, she has gained extensive medical office experience working at a walk-in clinic and a general practitioners office.  She joined Burnaby Square Orthopaedic & Sports Centre Inc. in August 2005 and has thoroughly enjoyed working here since.  The friendly staff, therapists, owners and most especially patients have made it a very pleasant atmosphere to work at.  She is currently studying the BSN program at Douglas College because helping those in need is what drives her to be her best.

On her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, walking her puppy, going out with friends, and watching hockey.

Amar Kaur Sohi, Reception

Amar is currently enrolled at Simon Fraser University in the Department of Criminology. She is currently in her third year and hopes to complete a Bachelor's Degree. With this degree she hopes to find a career within the Canadian Criminal Justice System.

In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and reading.