Health Care Professionals

Tori Smith - Physiotherapist/Owner

Tori graduated from Curtin University in Perth, Australia in early 2010 with a Graduate Entry Masters in Physiotherapy. After exploring as much of Australia as she could, Tori returned to live in the Beaverlodge area and work in Grande Prairie. She returned to Australia to complete her Clinical Masters in Manipulative Physiotherapy once again from Curtin University while her husband supported her pursuits from home.

Tori and her husband are often out enjoying the outdoors and local wildlife and with their two girls and dog Dug. Tori loves to be busy at work and stays active after work sharing her love of Pilates with others. She always strives to be better at her pursuits and displays this with a multitude of postgraduate courses which enhance her physiotherapy practice.

Tori has special interest in treating complex pain conditions, pelvic health, dancers and anyone who wants to move better and feel better. She also has a passion for advocating the use of physiotherapy services to the public who might not know there is help for them.

Brian Sherk - physiotherapist/owner

Brian graduated from the University of Alberta in 2011 with a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy. After graduation Brian and his wife moved to Grande Prairie and he has been serving the people of the Peace Country ever since. Brian continues to pursue his love for knowledge by taking many postgraduate courses that help him to assist people to achieve better health.

Brian continues to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle and believes that this is the single most important thing anyone can do to live a more vibrant and adventurous life. Brian's favourite thing to do is explore the outdoors with his wife and four children. 

Brian has special interests in sport, emergency service, and pelvic health populations.

Eilee Repka - Physiotherapist

Born and raised in Grande Prairie, Eilee is an alumna of Ambrose University (Calgary, Alberta – Bachelor of Arts, Behavioral Science, Class of 2018) and the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta – Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Class of 2021).

 Eilee has specialized largely in pelvic floor conditions (especially prenatal/postpartum and menopausal women) and has received extra training in pessary fitting and management for individuals with Pelvic Organ Prolapse. She also has a special interest in pediatrics of all ages and chronic/complex pain conditions.

 Eilee is passionate about weightlifting, HIIT, and has a love-hate relationship with running. She also tries to find time to foster her creative side through reading (mostly fiction), creative writing, and adult coloring book.

 Eilee is proud to be one of the physiotherapists working with the Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves athletes. Eilee also serves as a member of The Nurtured Baby alongside Tori and Kayla.

Joenard Macasaet - Physiotherapist

Joe was born in the Philippines. He grew up with his grandparents and is an only child. He is fond of different sports such as basketball, table tennis, ultimate frisbee and computer games.

Joe went to take his Bachelors Degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Sto. Tomas, Espana, Manila in 2014. During his internship he went to different clinics that specilizes on Cardiac rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports, Neurologic rehabilitation, Pulmonary rehabilitation and Community Based rehabilitation. He really liked his rotation in orthopedics which pushed him to apply at Philippine Orthopedic Institute, Inc. (POI). A well known private clinic in the Philippines that focuses on different surgeries of the spine, knees, shoulder, hip and foot. 

Joe has worked for 8 years in POI and was the assistant chief PT for 3 years. In the future, he plans to take courses that would help develop his understanding of the human body and its injury prevention. He desires to explore Canada and to learn more about it.

Julie Mendoza - Physiotherapist

Julie completed her bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy at Pines City Colleges in 2011 in her hometown, Baguio City, Philippines. In her fifth year in college, she rotated in different hospitals and clinics specializing in Child Development Conditions, Orthopedics, Neurologic Rehabilitation and Community Based Rehabilitation. Immediately after passing her local board exam, she volunteered as a physical therapist and gained more confidence at her chosen career. Eventually, she became a staff member at Saint Louis University, Hospital of the Sacred Heart (SLU-HSH) in the Philippines for a total of four years. Working at SLU-HSH, allowed her to have formal and informal training in Manual Therapy Approach which is one of the most common treatments they offer their musculoskeletal patients.

Julie is happily married and enjoys exploring the world with their three kids through walks, having picnics and doing visits to family and friends. At the moment, Julie is in the process of cultivating her new skills as she loves to give the best she can to help her patients.

Kayla Gitzel - Physiotherapist

Born and raised in Grande Prairie, Kayla is elated to be working in her home town to provide services as a physiotherapist. At a young age, Kayla saw the impact physiotherapy had on improving her grandma’s quality of life, and from then on she couldn’t think of a more rewarding career to pursue. She also grew up as a gymnast and gymnastics coach, and this is where she discovered her love of helping others achieve their athletic goals. Today, Kayla stays active with cycling, HIIT classes, and pilates. 

Chukwuebuka Okeke - Physiotherapist

Ebuka completed his Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria in 2014. Following this, he worked in acute rotational roles, private clinics, National sports institute and also community settings. In 2017, Ebuka transited to a critical care physiotherapy role in a prestigious critical care center in Lagos, Nigeria. He also completed a master’s degree in orthopedics and sports physiotherapy during this period.

Ebuka’s passion for education led to a transition into an academic physiotherapy role at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2019. He was involved in lecturing, clinical tutoring and research mentorship for students in training. By 2021, he obtained a license to practice as a Physiotherapist in the United Kingdom. From this time, Ebuka worked with the National Health Service in the UK until decided to move over to Canada to practice in Alberta.

Ebuka is looking to contribute to quality healthcare by offering his Physiotherapy skills to the Canadian population. He would also be pursuing further professional development courses in musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Kashmina Shah - Physiotherapist

“Physical therapy is the journey to a pain-free life”.

Kashmina Shah is a registered Physiotherapist who graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and did a Master of Physiotherapy in 2013. Having worked over 10 years in a variety of settings: hospital based physiotherapy, outpatient orthopedic clinics, surgery, medicine, neuro and pediatric rehabilitation; she brings a multifaceted perspective to treatment. She also has a history of working with complex musculoskeletal conditions, athletes, post fracture and surgery.

She likes to incorporate a fun, playful atmosphere into her rehabilitation sessions. Outside of work, Kashmina is a very busy mother of two daughters – Eviana and Inaaya. She is dedicated to continuing her education and consistently strives to evolve her practice by integrating the most current, evidence-based literature with a holistic approach. She is passionate about her work and takes pride in connecting with her patients as they embark on their healing journeys. Kashmina enjoys balancing the responsibilities of being a wife, mother and physical therapist.

Edgar Chivunze - Physiotherapist

Leinani FUNA - Kinesiology

Leinani ("Lay-non-ee", aka Nani) was born in Hawaii and grew up in Lethbridge Alberta. Leinani was first introduced to the world of physiotherapy after she tore her ACL the summer before she started university. This injury changed the trajectory Leinani originally had envisioned for herself. At first she wanted to be a pharmacist so she started her studies at the U of L, majoring in biochemistry. She later switched gears, changing her major to kinesiology. Her plan was to complete a masters of physical therapy at the U of A once she earned her bachelor's degree.

While in school, Leinani met and married her husband who got a job in Grande Prairie. It was tricky navigating a long distance marriage, so once her degree was complete, Leinani moved up to Grande Prairie. It was here that she began working as a kinesiologist. She enjoyed the work and decided to work as a kin a little longer before continuing her studies. She was introduced to Stott pilates by Tori (yes, our Tori) and when the opportunity came for her to become a certified instructor, she took it. Leinani loves the added confidence and skillset she gained as a result of her pilates training.

In the meantime, Leinani and her husband have brought three children into the world: Astrid, Baden and Noa. Leinani loves her family and strives to maintain a balance between work life and mom life. And thanks to the skills that motherhood and her schooling have given her, Leinani feels well prepared to deal with whatever comes her way. 

Patient Care Coordinators

Rachelle Pedneault - Office Manager

Rachelle has been a Grande Prairie resident for the past 20 years and currently lives with her two children. Outside the clinic her passions for craftiness are evident with crocheting being her favourite pastime. Time with her family is Rachelle’s highest priority and they are most likely to be seen enjoying time outdoors.

Rachelle’s favourite sport is Volleyball which helps her find balance between her responsibilities at home and within the clinic. She is a valued member of the Adventure Physiotherapy team and is looking forward to help you navigate through the rehabilitative process.

MORGANNE GAMMEL - on Maternity leave

Morganne has called the peace country home for most of her life. She currently lives in Grande Prairie with her husband and dog Frodo. Morganne has a wide rage of interests including sewing, true crime podcasts, hiking as well as Yoga and Pilates. You will find Morganne at the front desk striving to make your visit to the clinic as painless as possible.

Shila Krisko