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.

Pauline Kalisa (PHYSIOTHERAPIST) -on leave

Pauline graduated from the University of Alberta in 2014 with a Masters in Science in Physiotherapy. After completing her studies she moved back to Grande Prairie, using her skills to help people improve their well being. Since graduating, she has gained a wealth of knowledge that has sharpened her key skills, allowing her to become more efficient as a therapist.

Pauline is currently learning new life skills, juggling her responsibilities as a mother and returning to work after being on maternity leave. Pauline has a special interest in serving the pelvic health population of Grande Prairie and is excited to rejoin the work force as a member of the Adventure Physiotherapy team.

Eilee Repka (Physiotherapist)

Born and raised in the Peace Country, Eilee relocated to Edmonton to pursue her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta as part of the class of 2021. Eilee returned to Grande Prairie following her graduation, and is looking forward to helping the people of the Peace Region region live their most active and pain-free lives.

Eilee has had a love-hate relationship with running since high school and enjoys staying active at the gym and going for walks and hikes in the short summer months. Eilee and her husband, Brady, enjoy spending time with friends and family and have a shared goal of finding the best brunch in the region.

In her free time, Eilee enjoys fostering her creative side through writing, photography, and has newly started exploring the world of cross stitch and water colour painting.

Eilee has a special interest in treating pelvic health conditions and working with pediatric populations, including children with neuromuscular conditions and infants with torticollis and head shape concerns.

Joel Mckinnon - Physiotherapist

Joel grew up in Calgary, attending Bearspaw Christian School and graduated in 2013. Throughout junior high and high school they played volleyball at both the school and club level, and simultaneously they furthered their musical education by continuing piano lessons and playing the guitar in a school band.

Joel attended Ambrose University in Calgary finishing their undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, in 2018. While studying they played for the Ambrose Lions men’s volleyball team for two years and as their statistician for one due to a knee injury.

After their undergraduate degree they pursued a certificate as an Emergency Medical Responder and worked at Winsport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary as a ski and mountain bike patroller for two years to indulge their love of the outdoors, skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and the associated rescue techniques.

Joel completed their Master of Science in Physical Therapy program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton at the end of 2021. They plan on pursing additional courses in concussion management, vestibular rehabilitation, and orthopedic exercise therapy and manual therapy. Joel is an active member of the Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine and Joel is looking forward to pursuing additional courses in mountain medicine and exploring the rehabilitation of outdoor injuries and returning to outdoor sports.

Joel likes helping people get back to what they love to do and making sure they can excel at doing what they love. They believe rehabilitation is a team effort and they strive to ensure people feel that they are a part of their rehabilitation team.

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 Richer - 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.

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