Kelli Berzuk

BMR-PT, BA, MSc, PhD

Post-Grad Certification in Continence & Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation—University of Melbourne
Canadian Physiotherapy Association: Clinical Specialist Certification - Women's Health
Past-President of the Women's Health Research Foundation of Canada
Canadian Acupuncture Foundation Certification
Physiotherapist & Clinic Owner

Education

Dr. Kelli Berzuk is a physiotherapist and the owner of Nova Physiotherapy and founder of its divisions; IPPC-Incontinence & Pelvic Pain Clinic, and Nova Physiotherapy & Women's Health Centre. She received her post-graduate pelvic floor education through the American Physical Therapy Association, Certification in Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation & Continence through the University of Melbourne, Australia, a Master of Science in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and her PhD Doctorate in Urogyne-Colorectal Medicine at the University of Manitoba. She obtained her acupuncture certification through the Canadian Acupuncture Foundation.

Areas of Practice

For over twenty-five years she has focused her clinical practice to pelvic floor physiotherapy and the treatment of bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain and pelvic organ prolapse. She is an advocate for the prevention and correction of pelvic floor dysfunction in women, men and children and has presented at hundreds of functions to raise awareness to the importance of pelvic floor health. Kelli is the author and publisher of the self-help book, “I Laughed So Hard I Peed My Pants! A Woman’s Essential Guide for Improved Bladder Control.” (www.ilaughedsohard.com).

She is also active in scientific research and in 2008 was the recipient of University of Manitoba Research Development Award. Kelli is published in internationally respected pelvic floor medicine journals, and in 2013, the University of Manitoba awarded her with the Distinguished Dissertation Award for her ground-breaking research thesis, “Effects of Increasing Awareness of Pelvic Floor Muscle (PFM) Function on Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD).”

Kelli sits on provincial, national and international Boards and Committees, acts as a journal reviewer for various international urogynecology journals for the promotion of research in pelvic floor health, and sits on the editorial board of the Current Sexual Health Reports Journal.

Awards & Recognition

In 2009, Kelli was awarded the Leonore Saunders Mentorship, and the Robert A. Macbeth Traveling Fellowship awards. In 2012, she was nationally recognized within the first-ever graduating class of Canadian Physiotherapy Clinical Specialists and remains the sole physiotherapist in Manitoba with this distinction, with only 4 in the field of Women’s Health in Canada. The same year she was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for her lifetime dedication to education, research and clinical practice in the field of Women’s Health.

Why does she do what she does?

Kelli has treated thousands of patients (men, women and children) suffering with pelvic floor dysfunction and the successful results obtained over the years supports her belief that much of this can be improved, resolved, and even prevented. She is passionate about raising awareness toward the importance of pelvic floor muscle health and how neglect and injury to this muscle can lead to challenging issues with bladder, bowel and sexual health, and pelvic pain. She works toward correcting erroneous information regarding exercise for the pelvic floor muscle and why proper exercise prescription following a thorough pelvic floor examination by a qualified clinician is critical. By raising awareness and knowledge toward this important health topic, much pelvic floor dysfunction may be prevented!

Katie Braun (nee Dalmaijer)

MPT, BSc

Physiotherapist working in the area of neuromusculoskeletal (orthopedic) and pelvic floor physiotherapy

Certified in Acupuncture

EDUCATION

Katie graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2017 and a Master of Physical Therapy degree in 2019. Katie places a lot of value in continuing education. She has taken numerous courses in Orthopedics and Pelvic Floor and plans on continuing to further her education in both. Katie completed her Acupuncture certification through Acupuncture Canada in 2021. She began the pelvic floor residency program at Nova in January 2020 where she’s had invaluable mentorship and learning opportunities. 

 

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Katie practices in the areas of both orthopedic and pelvic floor physiotherapy, where she enjoys using therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and education to empower her patients. Katie’s passion for pelvic health began well before entering the physiotherapy program, and it continues to grow. She now treats bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction, supportive dysfunction, and pelvic pain disorders in men, women, transgender, and gender diverse people. She also does prehab and rehab for an array of differing procedures and sees people in the pre and post-partum periods. Whether she is treating a sprained ankle, a painful jaw, or a pelvic issue, she is excited to continue learning from each of her patients. 

 

WHY DOES SHE DO WHAT SHE DOES?

Katie has always been fascinated by the human mind and body. Through her undergraduate studies she began to better understand physiotherapist’s depth of knowledge of the body and the impact they could have on the body’s biomechanics, pain, function, and quality of life. Katie is passionate about helping people achieve their best physical health and is a big advocate of physiotherapy. She enjoys her pelvic floor practice, broaching potentially uncomfortable or painful topics with compassion and empathy. Her goal is to educate her patients well, making known how common these potentially debilitating issues are, and that physiotherapy can help!

 

Lynne Gagnon

BSc-PT, BSc

Post-graduate certification: Pelvic & Perineal Rehab – University of Montreal

Education

Lynne received her first Bachelor of Science degree from the Collège Universitaire de Saint-Boniface in 2003 and went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Physiotherapy (with distinction) in 2007, from the University of Ottawa. In 2014 she completed the post-graduate pelvic and perineal rehab program offered through the Univeristy of Montréal.

Areas of Practice

Lynne joined the Nova Physiotherapy team in 2009 when she decided to focus her career in pelvic floor rehabilitation. She treats men, women and children for bladder, bowel, sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain, and pelvic organ descent. She is passionate about pelvic floor health and believes that raising awareness and preventative wellness is an integral part of her work. She has done presentations for mom groups around the city and for medical students, for education on prevention and correction of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Why she does what she does?

Raised in a French family and an active participant in the French community, one of Lynne’s goals has been to provide bilingual services. Passionate about pelvic floor function and dysfunction, Lynne is also aware that this is often a difficult subject to approach for patients. She strongly believes in active listening and a patient-focused approach to treatment, so that patients could feel comfortable in sharing their stories and receive the best treatment possible. She uses her skills as a physiotherapist to rehabilitate the pelvic floor for optimal health, but also loves to teach and educate patients on maintenance and preventative strategies in order to maintain pelvic floor health. She knows she has accomplished her goals in raising awareness when she hears her patients sharing the knowledge they have gained on pelvic floor health with their friends, family and/or coworkers.

Kim Hodges

BMR-PT

Post-grad Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physiotherapy-American Physical Therapy Association

Certified in Acupuncture

 

 

Education

Kim completed her physiotherapy degree from the University of Manitoba in 1996, and spent the next ten years at the Health Sciences Centre working primarily in out-patient orthopaedic physiotherapy. In 2007 she joined IPPC and has since concentrated her practice to the area of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Her post-graduate pelvic floor education was obtained through the American Physical Therapy Association, Canadian Physiotherapy Association, and Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia in conjunction with the University of British Columbia. She became certified to practice physiotherapy acupuncture in Manitoba in 2002. Kim continues to follow current research and participates in continuing education courses to enhance her expertise in treating pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.

Areas of Practice

Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and pelvic physiotherapy have been Kim’s focus of treatment since 2007. She treats men and women with bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain, women with pelvic organ descent, and children experiencing issues with bladder and/or bowel. Kim’s experience in orthopaedic manual physiotherapy and exercise instruction, along with her passion for sports, health and wellness have been invaluable to her practice.

Why does she do what she does?

PFM dysfunction can greatly impact psychosocial and physical health. Fortunately, physiotherapy can play a significant role in the prevention, improvement and often resolution of pelvic floor muscle related symptoms in both the male and female population through individualized education, manual therapy and active exercise.
 

Kaitlyn Joyal

MPT, BA

Canadian Acupuncture Foundation Certification & Certified in Dry Needling 

Physiotherapist working in the areas of neuromusculoskeletal (orthopedic) physiotherapy, as well as, pelvic floor physiotherapy.

 

EDUCATION

Kaitlyn graduated from the University of Manitoba's Masters of Physiotherapy program in 2016. That same year, she successfully challenged the Level One Diploma of Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy. Since then, she has completed both the Upper and Lower Quadrants of the Level Two Diploma of Advanced Orthopaedic Manual Manipulative Physiotherapy. In 2017, Kaitlyn completed her acupuncture certification through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute and in 2020 completed her dry needling certification through the same institute. In addition to her dry needling, acupuncture and manual therapy certification courses, Kaitlyn has taken courses on the Biomechanics of the Lower Quarter and Adaptations for Children with Disabilities. In 2019 Kaitlyn began the pelvic floor residency program at Nova. She has completed the level one Herman and Wallace course and is looking forward to completing the University of Melbourne pelvic floor certification in Australia.

 

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Kaitlyn has had a unique beginning to her career in physiotherapy that has given her the opportunity to help a variety of populations including athletes, seniors, adults and children. She enjoys using therapeutic exercise, education, dry needling, acupuncture and manual therapy to help her patients attain their goals. Her passion for movement and exercise inspires her to be creative when treating anything from a sprain, to post-op rehab, to pelvic floor issues relating to pregnancy, postpartum, and more. Kaitlyn approaches pelvic floor physiotherapy with a holistic perspective and often incorporates her orthopedic experience and exercise knowledge into assessment and treatment.  Kaitlyn offers physiotherapy services in both French and English languages. 

 

WHY DOES SHE DO WHAT SHE DOES?

From a young age Kaitlyn has been involved in a variety of recreational and competitive sports. Paired with exposure to the challenges and successes of physical disabilities and injuries--no other profession would satisfy her love of people and desire to help. As a principle, Kaitlyn's goal is to help her patients improve their quality and enjoyment of life--understanding that each individual has a unique set of goals to attain this. 

Jasmine Luinenburg

MPT, BKin

Physiotherapist practicing in the area of Orthopedics and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Acupuncture Certified
Functional Dry Needling

Education

Jasmine graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Kinesiology in 2013 and a Master of Physical Therapy in 2015. Jasmine continued her education by obtaining her Level 1 Manual Therapy through the Orthopedic Division and has taken several post graduate courses including Myofascial Release, Acupuncture, Functional Dry Needling, as well as Pelvic Health.

 

Post-Graduate/Continuing Education

  • Level 1 Orthopedics
  • Myofascial Release
  • Acupuncture (The Art and Science of Acupuncture)
  • Level 1 Functional Dry Needling (KinetaCore)
  • Level 1 Pelvic Health Course (Pelvic Health Solutions)

 

Areas of Practice

Jasmine’s practice at Nova Physiotherapy is focused in the area of Pelvic Health where she enjoys treating a variety of bladder or bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, and pre- and post-natal patients. Jasmine is looking forward to further education in the areas of pre and post-prostatectomy and gender-affirming care. Jasmine has eight years of experience in the area of Orthopedics treating the general population, with special interests in Older Adult rehab, and Pre/Post Op Total Hip and Knee Replacements. Jasmine provides thorough assessments, custom-tailored treatment, exercise, and rehabilitation to each individual.

 

Volunteer Work

  • Complaints Committee (College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba)
  • Clinical Supervisor for Master of Physical Therapy students (U of M)
  • Clinical Supervisor for Kinesiology Students (U of M)
  • Clinical Supervisor for MITT Rehab Aide Students

 

Why Does She Do What She Does?

As a competitive athlete, Jasmine’s passion for physiotherapy was established at a young age. Having encountered caring, compassionate therapists who facilitated her return to the sports she loves guided Jasmine toward her physiotherapy career. Jasmine holistically believes in a custom-tailored client approach with an emphasis on exercise-based rehabilitation. As Jasmine entered motherhood, she was astounded by the pre- and post-natal pelvic floor education and care she received from Dr. Kelli Berzuk which inspired her to pursue further education in Pelvic Health. Jasmine hopes to bring education, prevention, and rehabilitation to all individuals she sees in a safe and welcoming environment. She hopes to empower patients to play an active role in their journey with health and wellness.

Chris Vergata

BMR-PT, BA

Physiotherapist practicing in the area of Orthopedics

Acupuncture Certified

 

EDUCATION

 

Chris graduated from the University of Manitoba, Physiotherapy program in 2011. Since then, he has completed a wide variety of post-graduate Ortho related courses including some within the Advanced Orthopedic Division. In 2014 he completed his Acupuncture training and is certified across Canada. More courses to come!

 

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Over the past 12 years Chris has been working hard, treating a wide variety of clients with orthopedic conditions and injuries. He has an abundance of experience working with WCB and MPI claims as well as post-operative rehabilitation programs, including total hip and knee replacement clients. Chris has worked with people of all ages and demographics but is never surprised when a new challenge comes his way. Prior to private practice, Chris began his physiotherapy career working within hospitals in acute care, post-op hip and knee surgeries as well as geriatric rehab. Currently his practice is heavily based on "hands-on" manual therapy as well as dynamic/functional strength training.

 

WHY DOES HE DO WHAT HE DOES?

Complimentary to manual therapy, Chris aims to empower his clients through education and advice on their issues as well as exercise/physical self-care practices. For Chris, seeing his clients improve fuels his practice. Providing the client with the tools to improve is a key part of his approach. He has a passion for problem solving and enjoys challenges.

Lesia Yereniuk

BScPT, MPhysio (Women's Health & Pelvic Floor Physio)

Post-grad Certification in Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation-University of Melbourne

Education

Lesia Yereniuk has practiced as a physiotherapist in the field of pelvic floor physiotherapy at the Incontinence & Pelvic Pain Clinic for over 15 years. She received her post-graduate pelvic floor education through the American Physical Therapy Association, a Certification in Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation through the University of Melbourne, Australia and a Masters degree in Women's Health and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation also through the University of Melbourne, Australia. 

Areas of Practice

Over the past 15+ years Lesia has practiced in all areas of pelvic floor pre and rehabilitation including: bladder and bowel dysfunction, supportive dysfunction, pelvic pain syndromes and sexual dysfunction educating, treating and empowering women, men and children of all ages.  She has spoke and continues to speak to various prenatal and postpartum women's groups focusing on educating on the importance of pelvic floor health during these stages of a women's life in prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Why does she do what she does?

Lesia is passionate about educating, motivating and empowering all individuals of the importance of pelvic floor health. Much of her practice focuses on preventative education but also sharing responsibility with the client to actively treat the dysfunction.  Following a period of active treatment she provides guidance to patients to effectively manage symptoms independently.  Her practice is compassionate and respectful in assessment and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction. She feels a critical part of being a medical professional is to provide accurate research-based information and for clients to be assessed and treated by a qualified professional. To be part of this type of rehabilitation is very gratifying as a professional as these types of dysfunction significantly reduce quality of life.