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Meet the Team at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation

Get to Know Us

Dr. Rich Raigoza, Chiropractor

About Me I am the owner/founder of Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation and one of the chiropractors of the team. My vision for OHPR is to become a pioneer in the way that physical therapy and rehabilitation is offered. My approach to therapy is heavily based on functional and essential movements which can be improved by focused and targeted manual therapy in addition to exercise. I am the primary lead on performance testing through cutting edge technology such as VO2 max and metabolic rate testing. We are one of the only facilities in all of Ontario with the assessment tools to offer these assessments in order to achieve better athletic performance and the prevention of disease.

I was originally born in Medellin, Colombia and can offer my services in both English and Spanish.

Education & Certifications

  • University of Waterloo B.sc Kinesiology and minor in Cognitive science
  • Doctor of Chiropractic – Canadian memorial chiropractic college
  • Neurofunctional acupuncture – McMaster University
  • Additional certifications and education including athletic movement assessment upper limb, lower limb and clinical applications, functional range release therapy, rock tape beginner and advanced.

Read more about Dr. Rich »

Clinical interests & Expertise

  • Personal and professional experience with mixed martial arts: jui jitsu and May Thai, baseball, soccer, and over 10 years experience in powerlifting.
  • Sport injuries, return to play sport, human performance
  • Physiology interest and director of our metabolic testing department.

Hobbies

  • Physical activity and anything that elevates the heart rate but a big chunk of time spent on weight lifting
  • Spending time enjoying the beauty of Ottawa with his partner Dr. Rad and dog Trenbolone (Tren)

Fun Fact

Has been able to squat and deadlift >2.5x his bodyweight on the same day.

Favorite Quote

He who treats the site if pain is lost – Dr. Karel Lewit

If you have the aspiration of kicking ass when you’re 85, you can’t afford to be average when you’re 50
– Dr. Peter Attia

Awards & Recognitions

  • Ontario Chiropractic Association Recent chiropractic graduate award 2020
  • CMCC president’s award 2019
  • Governor’s club Award 2019

Dr. Christine Rad, Chiropractor

About Me 

Growing up, Dr. Christine experienced her fair share of sport- and dance-related injuries, including a fractured ankle. Having a Chiropractor on her team kept her playing and performing for many more years! This became a strong influence for Dr. Rad; she developed a desire to also help people continue doing the things they love. Currently, she enjoys exploring new trails here in Ottawa and spending time outdoors with her fiancé Dr. Rich and their husky Tren.

Dr. Christine is able to provide treatment in both English and Ukrainian.

Read more about Dr. Christine »

Education & Certifications

  • Doctor of Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC)
  • Registered chiropractor in Ontario and a member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario
  • Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Toronto
  • Contemporary Medical Acupuncture from McMaster University
  • Research with the Toronto Fire Service members on injury prevention
  • Peripheral Neural Dynamics: Upper Limb course during her clinical internship at CMCC with Dr. Brad Muir
  • Concussion: prevention, detection, and management course by the University of Calgary & Université Laval collaboration
  • OPDL soccer league on-site therapist in the Ottawa region
  • Rehab-U Movement Optimization for Prehab and Performance Certification
  • GLA:D Canada’s exercise therapy for hip and knee osteoarthritis management program

Clinical interests & Expertise

  • Sport- and dance-related injuries
  • Headache and concussion management
  • Exercise therapy for arthritis management
  • She also has a special interest in helping Ottawa’s tactical athletes: firefighters, paramedics, police officers, armed forces, etc. whose work demands a higher level of physical fitness
  • Dr. Rad is running the GLA:D Canada program for those experiencing pain and/or limitations due to hip or knee osteoarthritis

Hobbies: After taking a woodshop class in high school, she enjoys the creative aspect of small DIY projects. From Muskoka chairs, to wreaths and home decor, to an outdoor dog house for her husky… creating something beautiful out of nothing is time well spent. She also relishes the calm stillness of a summer Sunday morning with a coffee and good book.

Fun Fact: Dr. Rad and her older brother share an uncanny ability to memorize movie lines. They will often speak in their own language composed of quotes from their favourite comedy movies and stand-up comedians.

Favourite Quote:

“Pursue what is meaningful, not what is expedient.” Dr. Jordan Peterson

Awards & Recognitions

  • President for the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Ottawa (previously VP Operations 2020-2022)
  • Graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (2019)
  • Guest Speaker for various workplaces and organizations on health-related topics
  • Dr. Christine Rad is a registered chiropractor in Ontario and a member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario.

Stephanie

Dr. Stephanie Hemstock, Chiropractor

About Me 

Growing up in Ottawa, being active and playing competitive sports was always a part of my lifestyle. This passion for health and fitness flourished into a desire to learn more about how the human body adapts to different activities and overcomes injury. Once I discovered how chiropractic care can have such a meaningful and positive impact on individuals, I couldn’t possibly imagine myself doing anything else.

I want to share this passion with as many people as I can and help them to be the best version of themselves through a healthy, active lifestyle.

Read more about Stephanie Hemstock »


Education and Certifications

  • Doctor of Chiropractic, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
  • Master of Professional Kinesiology (Musculoskeletal Health and Concussion), University of Toronto
  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Dalhousie University
  • Certificate in Disability Management, Dalhousie University
  • Neurofunctional Acupuncture, McMaster University
  • Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, National Strength & Conditioning Association

Clinical Interests and Expertise

  • Injury rehabilitation
  • Strength and conditioning
  • Concussion management

Hobbies

Anything that keeps me active or outdoors; you can still catch me on the soccer field, at the gym, running, hiking, or trying to cross-country ski. When I’m not at work you can find me planning my next adventure or cuddling with my cat, Potato.

Fun Fact

I used to be a competitive trampolinist!

Favourite Quote

Life is like riding a bicycle. To stay balanced, you must keep moving. –
Einstein


Christina Mercier, Nurse Practitioner

Greetings! I am Christina Mercier, a dedicated and compassionate Nurse Practitioner at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehab. With a passion for healthcare and patient well-being, I’m committed to delivering personalized care that places your needs at the forefront.

I am a dedicated Nurse Practitioner who is committed to providing a unique style of healthcare that puts quality and personalized attention above all else. At Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehab, we understand the importance of individualized care, and that’s exactly what I offer to every patient. With a strong background in nursing and a passion for improving patients’ overall well-being, I am looking forward to helping you achieve your health goals.

Education & Certifications

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Graduate Diploma in Primary Health Care for Nurse Practitioners – University of Ottawa
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – University of Ottawa
  • Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification – CNO

Read more about Christina Mercier »


Clinical Interests & Expertise: 

I believe in empowering patients to take control of their health and well-being through education and personalized care. My focus revolves around the following:

  • Primary Care
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Health Promotion
  • Patient Education

Hobbies:

Outside the clinic, I’m an avid hiker, which helps me relax and stay grounded. I find that pursuing my passions outside of work keeps me energized and better equipped to provide the highest level of care to my patients.

Fun Fact:

In my spare time, you might catch me horseback riding. It’s an unexpected aspect of my life that adds a touch of uniqueness to my character.

Favorite Quote:

Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted. Unknown

This quote encapsulates my approach to healthcare, emphasizing the importance of individualized care and personal connection.

Awards & Recognitions:

  • Merit Scholarship, 2016
  • TOH Gradian angel pin, 2018
  • Entrance scholarship, 2021

I’m truly honored to be a part of Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehab, and I look forward to working with you to enhance your health and quality of life.


Taofiq Aziz, Registered Physiotherapist

taofiq azizTaofiq completed his Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of Ottawa, where he developed a passion for orthopedics and sports rehabilitation. He uses a patient-centered approach to guide and educate his clients so that they understand the rehab process and can self-manage in the future. Taofiq is devoted to helping his clients reduce their pain and improve their functional measures such as strength, mobility, and endurance to support his clients in their rehab and fitness
goals.

Taofiq is very passionate about leading a physically active lifestyle, which originally sparked his
interest in exercise science, leading him to pursue a B.Sc. in Kinesiology at Western University.
During this time, he had the opportunity to work as a varsity strength and conditioning coach
and later as the athletic therapist for the men’s and women’s varsity soccer team, which helped
him gain invaluable experience treating sports related injuries and developing preventative
rehab programs to keep his athletes healthy and performing at a high level.

Taofiq can practice physiotherapy in English and French, and is currently learning Spanish!

Education and Certifications:

  • M.Sc. PT – University of Ottawa
  • B.Sc. (Hons) – Western University

Read more about Taofiq »


Clinical interests and Expertise: 

  • Sport and fitness-related injuries
  • Running gait analysis
  • Injury prevention
  • Strength and conditioning/running coaching
  • Seniors fall prevention and arthritis management

Fun Fact: During his free time, Taofiq loves to stay active by strength training, running and playing spikeball. The next big challenge is training for his first marathon in the spring! He also enjoys
exploring new parts of the city for the scenery and the local cafés, always searching for the next
aromatic bag of espresso beans to make at home.

Favorite Quote: Exercise is medicine for the body, mind and soul.


Robyn MacRae

I remain very active throughout the year with my family. You can find us doing anything outside from skiing, playing hockey, fishing and paddling. My favorite way to spend time alone is doing yoga either in a studio, a park or on a paddleboard in the summer.

Clinical interests & Expertise
I incorporate various massage techniques to help rehabilitate clients to their optimal functionality. I try to accomplish these outcomes by the use of Deep Tissue, Trigger Point work, and fascial release. In order to allow for the effects of the treatment to last, I educate my clients on the importance of hydration, stretching and strengthening areas of imbalances. I have experience working with sports injuries, stress release, trigger points, tendonitis, sprain/strains, head, neck and shoulder issues, limited range of motion and chronic pain.

Read more about Robyn »

Education & Certifications

  • Kine Concept College, Ottawa, ON. 2007

Fun Fact: I can bake like Martha Stewart!

Favorite Quote:

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of being uncomfortable” -David Goggins

Gloria Saikaley

RMT with four years of experience providing effective and compassionate client care with complementary experience as a personal trainer. Experience treating a wide range of conditions successfully from simple to complex cases. Professional yet personable and empathetic manner; high level of discretion and confidentiality; strong work ethic and client focus; detail oriented; self-motivated and results driven. Made a career change from corporate administration to massage therapy due to a strong interest in learning about the body and a desire to help people manage or eliminate musculoskeletal pain. Personally experienced both acute injury and chronic compensatory pain from reinjuring joint tissue multiple times, which required seeking various manual therapies such as chiropractic care and physiotherapy. Having been on the receiving end of treatments, not only can I empathize with clients, but also appreciate what each type of practitioner has to offer and refer my clients to them when it serves their best interests. Since I strive to achieve a client’s treatment goal in the shortest time possible, working within a multidisciplinary clinic allows me to better serve clients with complex cases by working with a team of practitioners in complementary disciplines.

Education & Certifications

  • Registered Massage Therapist
  • Certified CanfitPro Personal Training Specialist
  • Massage Therapy Diploma, Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy, Toronto, 2018
Read more about Gloria »

Clinical interests & Eexpertise During the past 4 years, I have been able to utilize most of my massage therapy training to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions to help clients decrease or eliminate their pain or discomfort stemming from acute injury or chronic pain. I have been successful in achieving client treatment goals simply by applying my assessment and treatment planning skills, growing in my tissue palpation skills to achieve tissue change, and providing targeted homecare exercises, all of which are with the goal of restoring postural symmetry. When needed, I use IASTM (instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization) tools designed for massage therapy to release tissue adhesion that proves difficult to release with manual techniques. I also love helping clients narrow down their bad postural habits and aggravating ADL’s so that we can work as a team towards lasting treatment outcomes.

Hobbies:
During the past 4 years, I have spent my free time on self-care, spending time with family and catching up with friends.

Fun Fact:

Many years ago, I learned how to drive a formula 4 race car at Mont Tremblant which was a lot of fun.

Favorite Quote:

I don’t have a favorite quote but I love any motivational quote that helps me achieve personal growth or get through a challenging time.


Nivin Sharaf, Cupping Therapist

Nivin Sharaf Eldin is an Internationally Certified trainer and teacher for Hijama and cupping therapy. With 19 years of experience as a medical educator teaching anatomy, and medicine both nationally and globally, Nivin has a vast knowledge of the human body and its predicaments. She trains practitioners and practices in natural remedies to tackle resistant pain, terminal illness, and improve quality of life.

Education and Certifications:

Nivin is an Egyptian Physician who specializes in Pediatric Medicine. She began teaching Evidence Based Medicine at the University of Ottawa in 2011. Since discovering cupping therapy and personally experiencing the benefits herself, she has taken 14 certified courses in cupping, acupuncture, and myofascial release. She has trained over 100 physicians in Egypt to offer cupping as an adjuvant therapy.

Clinical interests and Expertise:

Now living in Ottawa, Nivin wants to bring this ancient modality to Ottawa. She hopes to teach physicians, physiotherapists, chiropractors, nurses and any medical therapist about the benefits of cupping.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Award of Excellence in teaching at the University of Ottawa
  • Certified International Coach and John Maxwell Certified team member

Daniela photo

Daniela Lezama, Clinic Assistant

I am an undergrad student in criminology and law that is passionate about enriching myself with knowledge from all walks of life. I find fulfillment in helping others in any way I can.

Hobbies: In my spare time, I enjoy staying active through hikes and going to the gym. I also enjoy playing the flute and listening to true crime podcasts.

Fun Fact: I love languages and can speak English, Spanish and French

Favorite Quote: “Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it. The way it tunnels into you allows your soul room to grow. ” – Janet Fitch

Rachel Rolfe, Clinic Assistant

I am a former Fish and Wildlife Technician student and I am new to Ottawa! I love surrounding myself with friends and family, spending my time outdoors, and meeting new people! 

Hobbies: I’m a big fan of the Packers, and watching Formula One! I love keeping myself busy with sports, fishing, hiking, reading, and music.

Fun Fact: Japan has over 200 flavours of Kit Kats.

Favorite Quote: “TPWK…Treat People With Kindness” – Harry Styles 
Corey photo

Corey Hazell, Clinic Manager

I am the clinic manager at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation.

Education & Certifications

  • Registered Holistic Nutritionist

Hobbies Spending as much time as possible with my son! Working out, football, and hockey.

Fun Fact: There are ten times as many stars in the known universe as there are grains of sand in the world. Astronomers say that there are 70 thousand million million million stars visible from the Earth through telescopes.

Favorite Quote: “Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.”


Meet The Team at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation | (613) 728-9414