Meet the CORE Team

Samantha holds a Bachelors of Science (Biology) from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelors of Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Western Ontario. She is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy (CAMPT) and is the founder of CORE Sports and Manual Physiotherapy. As an FCAMPT, Samantha has attained the highest level of academic preparation offered to orthopedic physiotherapists. She is a mentor for physiotherapists wanting to complete their manual therapy designations and has been a clinical supervisor for many physiotherapy student placements. Samantha was also a member of the FIFA medical team for the Women’s world soccer in Ottawa in 2015 and the Canada vs Brazil women’s soccer friendly in 2016.

With 20 years of clinical experience in private practice and within hospital settings, Samantha uses her expertise in manual therapy and dry needling to treat a variety of injuries. She believes that physiotherapists have a vital and important role in the rehabilitation of injures. For Samantha, her passion is helping people and there is nothing more rewarding to her than figuring out a patients problem and seeing them return to their activities of daily life, sport or activity pain free!

Rahim is an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist and holds a Master of Clinical Science in Advanced Health Care Practice from the University of Western Ontario. His research included Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Acute Knee Injury exercise and care protocols (http://www.fowlerkennedy.com/health-care-professionals/treatment-protocols) as well as cervicogenic headache (headache caused by neck dysfunction). He also is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (https://manippt.org). Prior to becoming a physiotherapist, Rahim obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University in 2002 while also getting a certification as a personal trainer and Exercise Physiologist. Rahim then worked as a Kinesiologist for 4 years in multiple physiotherapy clinics. Rahim went on to do a Master in Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland in Australia.

Rahim is a bilingual Registered Physiotherapist certified in Bike Fitting, manual therapy, acupuncture Gunn Intra Muscular Stimulation (IMS/dry needling), with specialized training in TMJ and Vestibular Rehabilitation for concussions, dizziness, balance and vertigo.

Rahim’s sports and rehabilitation background includes playing hockey, soccer, skiing, cycling, running, yoga, pilates and weight training. Rahim played football at St. Francis Xavier University, coached track and field at Gloucester High School, coached football in the National Capital Amateur Football Association including 3 All-Star teams and in the Ontario Varsity Football League.

In Australia, Rahim was the team physiotherapist with East Brisbane Tigers Rugby Club, Western Taipans Australian Rules Football Club, South United and Belbowrie Soccer Clubs. Locally, Rahim has been involved with La Cite Collegiale Basketball, and multiple NCAFA and OVFL football clubs. Upon returning to Ottawa Rahim worked in Medicine, Oncology, Thoracics, Rehabilitation and the Orthopaedic departments at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus as well as at the Riverside Campus Rehabilitation Department. Rahim is a practical component examiner for qualifying physiotherapists in Canada.

Rahim’s approach to rehabilitation is evidence based practice that involves an emphasis on a biopsychosocial perspective. This includes improving function through manual therapy, motor control and function exercise and IMS/dry needling. Rahim works part time with the Ottawa Hospital in the Total Joint Assessment Clinic.

After completing an honours degree in Life Sciences from Queen’s University, Caitlin graduated with a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from Queen’s University in 2012. Since then she has taken a specific interest in orthopaedics and manual therapy.

Caitlin has taken numerous continuing education courses in manual therapy, TMJ assessment and treatment, acupuncture, dry needling, and soft tissue release. She is certified in Functional Dry Needling (Kinetacore Level 1 and 2) and as a Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) practitioner. She has also received a Masters of Clinical Science in Manipulative Therapy from the University of Western Ontario in 2016 certifying her as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT).

Caitlin believes in a client-focused “hands-on” approach to assessment and treatment, and emphasizes exercises to help her clients return to their functional goals.

Outside of the clinic, Caitlin stays active playing volleyball, running, hiking, and cycling.

Lorraine is happy to provide fully bilingual care.

As a graduate of the University of Toronto with her Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, Lorraine continued her studies while working in the field of orthopaedics, manual therapy, sports physiotherapy and paediatrics. She then completed a Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy in 2017 through Andrews University in Michigan, U.S..

Lorraine taught Sports Physiotherapy for 10 years in the Physiotherapy Program at the University of Ottawa and she has also been an instructor in the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association for 30 years.

She is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manual Physiotherapy (FCAMPT)—the highest level of orthopaedic training in Canada. She is also Titleist Performance Certified (TPI), Level 2 Medical for the evaluation and treatment specific to golfers.

Lorraine has provided sports injury coverage through the years, particularly in support of figure skating, diving, golf, and tennis athletes. She believes clinical diagnosis, manual therapy, exercise and education are the focus of a thorough evaluation and hands-on treatment of spinal, peripheral, sports injuries, and concussions for patients of all ages.

Tamara graduated with honors from McMaster University in 2014, with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. During her time at Mac, she discovered her passion for rehabilitation, and graduated in 2016 with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Queen’s University. Graduating at the top of her class, Tamara was awarded with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Award, as well as the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (CAMPT) Award.

Tamara has completed several additional courses including: Orthopaedic Division Manual Therapy Level 3, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Chronic Disease Prevention, and several courses in Osteoarthritis Management. In 2016, she attended the Ontario Physiotherapy Association InterACTION Conference where she co-presented an original research project reviewing wearable technology for use incardiac rehabilitation.

Tamara believes in taking a multi-faceted approach to treatment with her clients, using a combination of exercise, manual therapy, and education.

Tamara is passionate about the outdoors, and likes to keep active. When she is not working, she can be found whitewater kayaking, cycling, downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, and practicing yoga.

Adam has a special interest in combining hands-on, manual therapy treatment with motor learning and strength and conditioning training to treat clients from all ends of the spectrum, ranging from high performance athletes to geriatric populations.

Adam likes to tailor his assessments and treatments specifically to the individual – everyone is unique and deserves an approach best suited to them to get to the root of the problem.

He has completed advanced training in the assessment and treatment of golfers, a specialized segment of the population he enjoys working with.

With a special interest in sports injuries and strength and conditioning training, Adam has completed a number of continuing education courses, most notably:

• Manual Therapy Level 3 – Orthopedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association
• Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) Levels 1 and 2
• Kinetacore Level 1 Trigger Point Dry Needling
• Acupuncture Canada: Foundations in Anatomical Acupuncture (AA1) Provider
• R2P Management of Post-Concussion Syndrome
• Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Medical Level 2 Provider

Minh obtained his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo in 2000 and went on to complete his Masters of Science in Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto in 2003. Minh has recently returned home to Ottawa after spending the past 5 years in British Columbia in the beautiful the Okanagan Valley. Previously he worked in Ottawa for more than 10 years at busy manual therapy and exercise based orthopedic clinics including here at Core Sports and Manual Physiotherapy. Just out of school, he worked in Toronto at a high performance sports medicine clinic, working with varsity and professional teams.

As a therapist with Canada Basketball, Minh traveled with the Junior Men’s Team to U19 FIBA World Championships and other tournaments in several countries including Argentina, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Serbia and the United States.

In addition to his experience in sports physiotherapy, he qualified for the Diploma of Advanced Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy in 2010 and was certified as a Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) practitioner in 2011. Minh has assisted in the instruction of the postgraduate manual and manipulative education program of the CPA Orthopaedic Division and continues to mentor fellow physiotherapists.

Minh believes in using manual therapy to address joint and soft tissue restrictions, while emphasizing patient specific exercises to address muscle imbalance and motor pattern dysfunctions. His goal is to optimize the recovery process for his patients and provide them with a foundation for injury prevention.

His personal involvement in sports and recreation include running, road and mountain biking, hockey, alpine and cross-country skiing.

Following a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Victoria, Iris graduated with a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from Queen’s University in 2014.

She has been practicing as a physiotherapist in a variety of settings including sports, orthopaedic and neurological.

Iris has completed the Advanced Lower Extremity Complex Certification from the Advanced Physiotherapy Education Institute, courses in level 3 of the Orthopaedic Division manual therapy program of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, and workshops in neurological rehabilitation from the Neuro-Development Treatment approach.

Outside of physiotherapy, Iris is an avid cyclist and has been doing recreational triathlons for over 15 years. To keep a balanced and active lifestyle, she also enjoys doing yoga, playing volleyball and getting out for a hike.

These activities have inspired her to work with athletes and individuals at all levels of activity. Her one-on-one individualized treatment approach aims to help each individual continue to participate in activity to improve quality of life.

Born and raised in Northern Ontario, Jean-François graduated from the University of Ottawa with an Honours Bachelor of Human Kinetics in 2014. He then went on to complete a Master of Health Sciences in Physiotherapy from the University of Ottawa in 2016.

As part of his Master’s degree, Jean-Francois completed placements in various healthcare environments including community, hospital, and private practice settings. He gained valuable experience in multiple disciplines including neurological, cardio-respiratory, and orthopaedic rehabilitation.

Prior to becoming a physiotherapist, Jean-François worked for several years as a Club Professional 1 tennis instructor. His long-time love of sports and his passion for helping others are two factors that played a key role in his decision to become a physiotherapist. Jean-François is dedicated to continuous learning and has completed several post-graduate courses since obtaining his degree, including acupuncture, dry needling, concussion and vestibular rehabilitation, and Sports First Responder training.

Jean-François is a proud Franco-Ontarian and is more than happy to provide fully bilingual care and services to all of his clients.

While attending York University and working towards her Kinesiology degree, Tanya began working as a Certified Personal Trainer. Tanya recognized that many of the clients had a variety of postural dysfunctions and overuse syndromes that needed to be overcome in order to achieve their goals. Her philosophy is to help clients reach their health and fitness needs safely while building a strong foundation.

After moving to Ottawa with her family, Tanya wanted to further her education in the treatment and assessment of soft tissue. She attended the International Academy of Massage and graduated with top honours. In addition to learning traditional Swedish Massage, which increases circulation and tissue health in a relaxing environment, she was educated in clinical assessment and advanced techniques for the treatment of soft tissue injury and dysfunction.

Heather is the Clinic Manager at Core Sports and Manual Physiotherapy and has been with Core since graduating from Algonquin College in 2016.

Heather has an extensive administrative scope of knowledge and has been an integral part of our team and community. Heather’s friendly nature and professional approach allow her to provide a high standard of patient-centered administrative support while also ensuring our patients feel welcome and comfortable from their first visit and onwards.

Heather strives to make a positive impact on each patient and is always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the patient experience at Core Sports and Manual Physiotherapy.