OUR STAFF

Our Staff

We are a small team of talented professionals with a wide range of skills and experience. We love what we do, and we do it with passion. We look forward to working with you.

Staff Members

Bob Maudie

Lynn Ferguson

Rachel Cline

Jordan Vanderkelen

Jennifer Delich

Laura Rankine

Stephanie McDowell

Catherine McLellan

Nicole Arthur

MADI MELNICK

Haley Guttin

Stephanie Fraser

Deanna Zelinka

Alexa de Jong

Physiotherapists

Bob Maudie

Physiotherapist; Orthopaedics, Sports Injuries, Active Release Techniques (ART), Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation, Owner

With his background as a professional hockey player, and over fourteen years of clinical practice in both Canada and Australia, Bob brings a wealth of experience and knowledge into the profession of Physiotherapy. He graduated with a Bachelors of Kinesiology from the University of Calgary in 2005 and a Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of British Columbia in 2007.

Bob is the owner of Fernie Physiotherapy and takes pride in the ongoing development of his clinical skill set for the benefit of his patients. Of note, in 2014 Bob became a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapists (FCAMPT), thus giving him the highest recognized level of manual therapy training in Canada. In 2016 he become a Gunn IMS Certified practitioner. Of recent Bob has taken courses in bike fitting and running gate assessment, which he finds very useful with the active population we have in Fernie.

His treatment style focuses on correcting biomechanical faults through manual therapy, dry needling (Gunn IMS), and soft tissue techniques in order to address the cause of the injury, as well as progressive strength training to get the patient back to better than ever! He believes strongly in empowering his patients through education and exercise. In addition to his clinical practice, Bob is a mentor for UBC Physiotherapy students. When not at work, he enjoys skiing, mountain biking, triathlons, hiking, and climbing in the mountains around Fernie with his family.

Lynn Ferguson

Physiotherapist; Women’s Health, Orthopaedics, Sports Injuries, Functional Dry Needling Level 2, Occupational Rehabilitation

Lynn has over 20 years of experience as a physiotherapist and has been a dedicated associate of the clinic since 2005. After graduating in 1994 from Queen’s University she expanded her experiences down the Bayou in Louisiana and New Orleans. She worked in a variety of healthcare settings including acute, short, and long-term care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health, outpatient and private clinics. Finally settling down to start a family here in Fernie, Lynn has been focusing her work on orthopedics, sports injuries, Occupational Rehabilitation, and Women’s Health. Lynn has a large toolbox of treatment techniques she has accumulated over the years, most recently she has attained advanced Dry Needling training, obtaining her Functional Dry Needling Level 2 Certificate.

 

Rachel Cline

Physiotherapist; Orthopaedics, Ergonomics, Women’s Health, Acupuncture

With a background in musculoskeletal, Rachel has a particular interest in working with the senior population. Combining her physiotherapy skills with her doula training and experience, Rachel also has an interest in women’s health, pregnancy, and postpartum care. Rachel’s post-graduate training in ergonomics has given her an opportunity to work with industry in the fields of occupational health and injury prevention. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys biking, and time with her family, she is also attempting her second triathlon. She also has a passion for reading, cooking, and getting involved in community projects.

Jordan Vanderkelen

Physiotherapist; Orthopaedics, Sports Injuries, Vestibular Rehab

Jordan graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport & Exercise Science. Following this, he completed his Masters in Physiotherapy Studies at the University of Queensland in 2012. He has worked extensively in private practice and sports physiotherapy over the past 7 years in both Australia and Canada.

He has undertaken postgraduate training in dry needling (IMS) / western acupuncture and further training in the management of shoulder conditions, as well as headache and migraine. He has worked extensively with athletes who have undergone ACL reconstructive surgery and has developed significant experience with this patient group. Jordan has also completed further training on physiotherapy management for powerlifting and other lifting athletes. Jordan likes to combine patient education with exercise prescription, manual therapy, and needling to help his patients get back to doing what they love. Of recent, Joran has undergone additional professional development in the assessment and treatment of vertigo and dizziness conditions relating to dysfunction of the vestibular system.

Being from the Sunshine Coast, he spent the majority of his youth in or around the ocean. He played competitive soccer throughout his life and competed at a state and national level in sprinting and triple jump. Since arriving in Canada, snowboarding has provided an excellent substitution for the lack of surfing. Jordan also has a passion for photography, hiking, and watching Liverpool Football Club play

Laura Rankine

Physiotherapist; Orthopedics, Sports Injury, Acupuncture, Dry Needling

Laura graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelors Degree in Human Kinetics. She then went on to pursue her physiotherapy career at the University of Toronto where she obtained her Master of Science in Physical Therapy Degree. Laura has extensive knowledge in the assessment and treatment of orthopedic injuries and diseases and believes strongly in collaborating with her clients to ensure they reach their therapeutic goals. She takes a multimodal approach to her practice, utilizing a variety of different treatment techniques, including manual therapy, acupuncture, exercises prescription, electrophysical modalities, and pain management.

Laura likes staying active by staying outdoors. As an avid mountain biker, runner, snowboarder, and hiker she understands the toll an injury can take on one’s well-being. Therefore, Laura enjoys working with her clients to help them return to whatever it is they love doing as quickly and safely as possible.

Stephanie McDowell

Physiotherapist; Women’s Health Therapist, Orthopedics, Sports Injuries, Dry Needling

Originally from Edmonton, Stephanie graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2009. She then went on to complete her Master in Physiotherapy Studies in 2011 at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.

Since completing her physiotherapy studies she has worked in various private practices, which has led to developing a special interest in treating low back and pelvic conditions, along with treating headaches and migraines. She has completed post-graduate courses in Acupuncture & Dry Needling, Spinal Manipulation, Watson Headache Technique, Chronic Pain Management, and Clinical Pilates. Stephanie is a big fan of combining patient education, with exercise, manual therapy, and needling to help her patients return back to their happy active selves.

In 2014 she expanded her practice into Women’s Health, completing her training in Canada, the U.S., and Australia. As a Women’s Health therapist, she can treat symptoms of incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, sexual pain, and anorectal disorders, but she has a particular passion for prenatal and postpartum care. She feels that as a Women’s Health therapist you need to be holistic in your practice, and this is what drives her to continue to expand her knowledge.

In her spare time, you’ll find Stephanie keeping a keen eye on the weather report waiting for the next snowstorm, but in the off-season, she will be happy to hear your recommendations on hikes in the area.

Jennifer Delich

Physiotherapist; MPhty, BSc, GunnIMS, Cert. Sport Physio

Jennifer graduated from the University of Queensland with a Master of Physiotherapy Studies. She also completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of New Mexico. Since then Jennifer has furthered her training becoming the first Canadian to obtain her Sport Physiotherapy Diploma through the International Olympic Committee.

Jennifer has worked in multidisciplinary private practice and with the Canadian Sport Institute. Jennifer was the team physiotherapist with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team and the Canadian Long Track Speed Skating team. She traveled as the team physiotherapist on the World Cup circuit and to the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

Although Jennifer has a large background in sports she enjoys treating everybody. As a lover of the outdoors (especially the mountains!), Jenny knows the frustration that occurs when pain or an injury holds you back from your favorite activities. She knows how to help individuals rehabilitate after orthopedic surgery- in particular knee surgery. She can perform movement assessments and provide corrective home-based individual exercise programs. Jennifer is also a certified GLA:D provider, an exercise program for osteoarthritis and has successfully helped many individuals with osteoarthritis stay active with decreased pain. Her treatment approach incorporates therapeutic exercise, Pilates, manual therapy, acupuncture, Gunn IMS (dry needling), and myofascial release. She also teaches Pilates.

Nicole Arthur

Physiotherapist; Orthopedics, Sports Injuries, Work Place Injuries

Nicole graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2001 and began work in an orthopedic/sports clinic in Abbotsford. Four years later she moved to Quesnel where she worked in a variety of settings including home and community care, pediatrics, and private practice.

In 2013, she moved to Elkford with her family. She is currently our physiotherapist at our Elkford clinic, but you may also see her in Fernie periodically when she is providing holiday coverage.

Nicole is loving life in the Rockies and can be found enjoying the mountains from sledding to snowshoeing to hiking and quad biking with her family.

Catherine McLellan

Physiotherapist;

Catherine is a bilingual Physiotherapist whose passion for helping people improve their quality of life has taken an unusual path. Culminating in completing her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta, Catherine came to physiotherapy as a second career after retiring as a Major from the Royal Canadian Air Force. Having served her country for 21 years, Catherine’s passion to more directly help people brought her to physiotherapy where she can combine her teamwork and teaching experience with her interest in human kinetics and rehabilitation.

Over the course of her military career, Catherine both experienced first hand and saw the benefits of having dedicated physiotherapy services readily accessible. She was a member of several sports teams which competed at regional and national levels within the military as well as managing the daily requirements of a physically demanding job. Catherine is passionate about getting you back to whatever it is that moves you, whether it be rehab from an injury or managing chronic conditions. She strongly believes education and movement create the pillars of our practice, and that rehab should be both functional and fun. Life shouldn’t be painful.

Catherine has experience working in a variety of areas including a sports injury clinic, spinal cord rehab unit, long term care center and hospital acute care. She has also spent time treating COVID patients and has an interest in helping to develop treatment plans for those struggling with Long COVID. Bringing care to all those who need it is one of her driving motivations.

Catherine and her family live in Fernie, choosing it as their forever home after having several homes over the years as a result of military service. Originally a native of Montreal, Quebec, she is happy to treat in either official language to promote a cohesive partnership.

When not working, you can find Catherine outside enjoying a variety of activities like rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, curling or playing soccer either in the community or with her family.

Areas of Practice: Sports and musculoskeletal Injuries, Post Surgical rehabilitation, Pediatrics, Management of chronic conditions (Arthritis, COPD, Hypertension, etc), Senior’s health concerns, Neurological injuries and conditions (Spinal cord injury, stroke rehab, etc), COVID rehab

BC Registered Massage Therapists

Madi Melnick

Registered Massage Therapist

Madi graduated from Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy in 2016. She recently moved from Vernon, BC. In her free time, Madi loves to ski, mountain-sled, and mountain-bike. As someone who loves the outdoors, Madi understands the wear and tear that can do to your body as well as the stresses of everyday life. Her goal is to facilitate pain-free healing and optimize function in the body. The main areas of focus that are addressed during treatment are biomechanical dysfunction, injury rehabilitation, and headaches. Madi uses neuromuscular therapy, fascial release, muscle energy technique, and joint mobilizations during treatment in conjunction with therapeutic exercise to treat a variety of conditions. She values the importance of each patient’s health journey.

Haley Guttin

Registered Massage Therapist

Haley graduated from the International Academy of Massage in Ottawa. Living an active life skiing, biking, climbing, and all that falls in between, Haley understands the role that massage, and proper education plays in your healing process.

She is excited to help clients achieve a greater sense of well-being through hands-on therapy and education on how to take an active role in their own health and wellness journey. Haley uses a variety of massage techniques, depths of pressure, and open communication to adapt treatment to clients’ individual needs. She believes that massage is a beneficial modality in the maintenance of a healthy and functional life and enjoys being immersed in multidisciplinary clinics where a variety of therapists and practitioners can work together to optimize client care.

Stephanie Fraser

Registered Massage Therapist

Stephanie has been a BC Registered Massage therapist since 2011. She has worked in a variety of settings, from 5-star spas to remote lodges to sports clinics. She has also spent two winters traveling as a massage therapist for the Canada Ski Cross Team, where she worked at World Cup Events with Olympic athletes.

Before becoming a massage therapist, Stephanie completed a BSc in Psychology at the University of Victoria. She also has an extensive background in first aid and has completed her 200hr yoga teacher training.

Stephanie has experience treating a wide range of conditions, from sports injuries to whiplash to headaches. She will cater each massage to the client’s needs using techniques such as myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, and trigger point release.

Outside of work, Stephanie can be seen spending time in the outdoors with her family, teaching her two young girls the activities that she loves.

Pedorthists

Deanna Zelinka

Kinesiologist & Certified Pedorthist

Deanna graduated with a bachelor of Kinesiology degree from The University of Western Ontario in 2003 as an Academic All-Canadian in varsity track and rowing. Deanna has over 13 years of experience in a spectrum of Kinesiology facets; from a physical therapy assistant working with the elderly and a sports performance training center NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist back in her hometown of London Ontario to 5 years as the senior Kinesiologist at the Kamloops Physiotherapy clinic, Deanna is passionate about helping people recover from injury and perform at their best.

Deanna is pleased to join the Fernie Physiotherapy clinic team to provide hands-on active rehabilitation training to patients, either in conjunction with their physiotherapy treatment or separately as one-to-one sessions following a full functional assessment. Deanna specializes in gait mechanics and biofeedback techniques which focus on the correction of asymmetries through exercise by re-booting injured motor pathways at a level the injured individual can tolerate, along with appropriate loading and stretching protocols.

OFFICE

Alexa De Jong

Office Supervisor

Alexa manages the front desk team, keeps the office running smoothly, and manages WSBC, AB WCB, ICBC and other insurance claims. She is a UCalgary Kinesiology graduate, relocated to the Elk Valley in the fall of 2022. 

Having grown up in Northern BC and Vancouver Island, she has fallen in love with the lifestyle that Fernie and surrounding areas have to offer. Her time is well-spent by hiking, camping, and running but you may find her relaxing at the riverside or reading a good book just as often.