Our Staff - ACCEL Physiotherapy & Sport Performance Centre

Karen Decker BScPT, BScKin, FCAMPT, Diploma Sport Physiotherapy, Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy, Registered International Sports Physical Therapist, Physiotherapist and Clinic Owner

Location: Dartmouth, Halifax

Karen graduated from the Dalhousie University School of Physiotherapy in 1991 and also completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. She attained the post-graduate specialization Diploma in Sport Physiotherapy in 1997 and the Diploma of Manual and Manipulative Therapy in 2003.

Karen has worked in private practice, treating orthopedic and sports injuries since graduating. She works with athletes at local to international sports events. She has travelled with many national teams. Karen attended the Olympic Games in Athens (2004), Beijing (2008), PyeongChang (2018) and the Commonwealth Games in Scotland (2014) as part of the Canadian Health Care Team.

She has a special interest in pediatric sports injuries. Karen has attended six Canada Games and worked with Hockey Nova Scotia, Hockey Canada and Soccer Nova Scotia. She was the Polyclinic Manager and Lead Physiotherapist for the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax.

Jodie Terrio BScPT, BScPsych, FCAMPT, Certificate Candidate Sport Physiotherapy, Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy, Physiotherapist

Location: Halifax

Jodie graduated from the Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy in 2000. She has advanced credentials in manual and manipulative therapy. Jodie has also completed her Level 1 acupuncture, dry needling and is a Sport Physiotherapy certificate candidate.

Jodie worked in private practice/sports medicine clinics in Barrie and Toronto before joining the Medicine in Motion team in 2006. She has an interest in treating orthopaedic and sports injuries. Jodie has provided medical coverage for regional and national sporting events, including soccer, ringette, figure skating and gymnastics. She also volunteered at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax.

Monique Arsenault MClSc, BScPT, FCAMPT, Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy, Certificate Sport Physiotherapy, Physiotherapist

Location: Halifax

Monique graduated from the University of Ottawa with Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy in 2003.

Monique has also pursued further focus on manual therapy skills by completing her Certificate in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy in Australia. In 2015, she completed the Masters of Clinical Science (Manipulative Therapy) program at Western University and became a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy.

Monique has taken several courses related to functional movement screening/assessment, acupuncture, dry needling and is also a STOTT PILATES trained instructor.

Monique has also provided medical coverage for various sporting events including hockey, ringette, soccer, gymnastics, and ski patrol.

Monique speaks both English and French fluently.

Cynthia Shupe BScPT, Certificate Vestibular Rehabilitation, Physiotherapist

Location: Halifax

Cynthia graduated from University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy in 1982.

Cynthia's background in orthopaedic and sport medicine allows her to use her hands-on skills and exercise prescription to maximize each patient's rehabilitation goals.

The main focus of her treatments includes manual therapy, exercise prescription, acupuncture and kinesio taping. She also has advanced credentials in Vestibular Rehabilitation.

Meredith Waisman MScPT, BKin with Nutrition, Diploma Sport Physiotherapy, CCM Practitioner, Physiotherapist

Location: Dartmouth

Meredith graduated from the Dalhousie University School of Physiotherapy program in 2012. She previously completed a double major in Kinesiology and Nutrition at Acadia University in 2010.

Meredith has extensive experience in sports and has obtained her Diploma in Sport Physiotherapy. She has completed courses in Acupuncture, Dry Needling and the Complete Concussion Management program.

Meredith has worked with Hockey Nova Scotia's high performance provincial teams, Hockey Canada national training camps, Chief Therapist Canadian National Skating Championships, Halifax Rainmen, 2011, 2017 and 2019 Canada Games, and the Acadia and Dalhousie University soccer teams. She is currently the Physiotherapist with the Dartmouth Whalers Major Midget Hockey team.

Meredith enjoys going for walks with her dog and spending time at her fathers farm.

Erik Merchant Physiotherapist

Location: Dartmouth

Erik graduated from Acadia University in 2013 with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. He was a member of the varsity soccer team.

Erik graduated with a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from Dalhousie University in 2016. He excelled in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and has a specific interest in sport related injuries.

From 2016-2018 Erik worked at the Acadia Sports Therapy Clinic and has just moved back home to Halifax to continue his career with the ACCEL team.

Outside of work Erik continues to play soccer year round, loves to ski in the winter and also enjoys playing guitar and country music.

Nick Russell Physiotherapist

Location: Dartmouth

Bio and picture coming soon

Dr. Ashley Lilly DC, BSc, Active Release Technique Provider, CCM Practitioner, Chiropractor

Location: Halifax

Dr. Ashley Lilly completed the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.

She completed the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program at McMaster University and is a Sport First Responder. She is a Complete Concussion Management practitioner and has taken several courses focusing on concussion management.

She has worked with the ACCEL Hawks Major Bantam hockey team, Metro Boston Pizza Female Midget AAA hockey team, Hockey Nova Scotia High Performance Program and covered numerous local sporting events.

Dr. Lilly will perform an initial assessment to help determine the site and source of your injury. From there, she utilizes a variety of techniques including soft tissue therapy, acupuncture/electro-acupuncture, laser therapy, joint mobilization and manipulation, rehabilitative exercises and electrotherapies to help you get back to your activities.

Dr. Rebecca Wynn DC, BKin, Active Release Techique Provider, CCM Practitioner, Chiropractor

Location: Dartmouth

Dr. Rebecca Wynn completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Acadia University before graduating in 2014 from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). Dr. Wynn is certified in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture, Sport First Aid and Complete Concussion Management.

Dr. Wynn has worked with several sport teams and events (including football, hockey, soccer and rugby).

She utilizes a variety of treatment techniques such as soft tissue therapy, active release techniques, instrument assisted soft tissue therapy, electrotherapies, laser therapy, acupuncture, joint mobilizations and manipulations, as well as exercises in her practice.

Tina Melanson Registered Massage Therapist

Location: Halifax

Tina graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a Bachelor of Education. In 1999, she received her diploma in Massage Therapy from Sault College and is currently a Sports Massage Therapist candidate with the CSMTA.

Tina is passionate about sports - as an athlete and as a volunteer. She has volunteered at the Canada Winter Games, World Junior Hockey Championships, World Junior Volleyball Championships and many other sporting events in the Maritimes.

Tina specializes in Myofascial Release, Sports and Deep Tissue massage, and repetitive strain injuries.

Yvette Considine Registered Massage Therapist

Location: Dartmouth

Yvette graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Physical Education. In 2007, she graduated from ICT Northumberland College, with honours, in Massage Therapy. Yvette has advanced training in Sport Massage, Fascial Stretch Therapy, Myofascial techniques and Cupping.

Yvette recently returned to Nova Scotia after living and working in Alaska for four years. While in Alaska, Yvette had the opportunity to work with a few professional hockey players from the Alaska Aces hockey team as well as Iditarod world class dog sled mushers.

Crystal Stewart Registered Massage Therapist

Location: Halifax

Crystal graduated with a diploma in Massage Therapy from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2013. She graduated with a joint major in Psychology and Sociology from St. Francis Xavier University while also playing Varsity Women's Hockey.

Crystal participated in the Sports Massage Outreach while attending CCMH and treated a variety of ailments from muscle strains and sprains to whiplash and preventative care of not only athletes but the general population. She has specialized training in deep tissue, cupping massage and fascial stretch therapy.

Crystal stays active by playing ball hockey, ice hockey, hiking and stand up paddle boarding.

Jacqueline Odle Registered Massage Therapist

Location: Halifax

Jacqueline graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2013.

Jacqueline specialized in Chronic Pain and Neurological based disorders. She is versed in numerous musculoskeletal conditions both chronic and acute. She is also experienced with ALS, CP, whiplash and back injuries.

Jacqueline uses various treatment methods, including but not limited to myofascial techniques, trigger point therapy, shiatsu, cupping, hot stone massage, aromatherapy and deep tissue massage.

Her passion is in rehabilitative treatments, chronic pain and injury prevention.

Andrea Hachey Registered Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, Bone Fit™ Trained Professional

Location: Dartmouth

Andrea graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2018.

In her training as a Massage Therapist, Andrea focused her studies on sport injury, arthritis and pre/postnatal care. She also completed her certification in Cupping. As a Personal Trainer, Andrea has worked with client goals ranging from postural restoration to injury rehabilitation and sport specific training. She recently completed Bone Fit™ training.

In her spare time, she enjoys triathlon training. She is a 2x Ironman Finisher and a member of Team Canada for the 2016 ITU Long Distance World Championships.

Peter Ingram Registered Massage Therapist

Location: Dartmouth

Peter graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2018. He was involved in special clinics for athletes, arthritis and pregnancy as well as providing chair massages at an enhanced care facility.

Peter worked as a Personal Trainer and brings this experience into his practice to help aid recovery.

Peter is currently enrolled at the Canadian College of Osteopathy.

Stephanie MacDonald Registered Massage Therapist

Location: Halifax

Stephanie graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2013 and a Bachelor of Health Science with a focus on Neuroscience from Thompson Rivers University in 2017.

While working in Saskatchewan she has treated players from the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Regina Red Sox (WMBL) improving her skill working with athletes. Stephanie integrates a focus on the nervous system a key part of her treatments, using craniosacral therapy, neuruomeningeal therapy and RAPID neurofascial reset techniques.

Stephanie loves to travel and stay active by exploring new to her regions! She plays slo-pitch and hockey and is eager to get involved now that she is back in Halifax.

Kelley Hiltz Diploma in Sports Nutrition, Registered Dietitian

Location: Halifax, Dartmouth

Kelley graduated, with distinction, with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University. Kelley has been a Registered Dietitian since 1999.

Kelley completed a Diploma in Sports Nutrition through the International Olympic Committee's Medical Commission. She is one of a few Canadian dietitians with this qualification. Her experience as a competitive athlete allows Kelley to combine nutrition theory with real-life experience to provide meaningful nutrition guidance to athletes at all levels.

Kelley has worked with the Dalhousie Tigers Varsity Athletic program; specifically, the varsity soccer teams and the women's varsity volleyball team.

In addition, Kelley has a special interest in weight management and has completed the highly recognized Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management provided by the American Dietetic Association.

Sandra Gullion Certified Pedorthist; Certified Pedorthic Technician

Location: Halifax, Dartmouth

Sandra graduated from the NSCC in 1981 as an LPN and worked 10 years at the NS Rehabilitation Centre working with spinal cord, stroke, amputee and head injury patients.

For the next 5 years, Sandra was a Home Health Care Manager for Lawton’s Drugs. This involved educating clients about diagnostic equipment, mastectomy products, compression stockings, bracing and general health care products.

In 1996, Sandra worked as Bracing/Retail Specialist and became interested in pedorthics. She has obtained the Certified Pedorthic Technician and Certified Pedorthic designations. Sandra has been working as a Certified Pedorthist and has seen many clients with various foot and lower extremity conditions.

Sandra speaks both English and French fluently.

Shawn Smale

Location: Halifax, Dartmouth

Shawn is active in the sport community by volunteering to coach young athletes, work as an official, organize adult recreation programs. He attended the 2007, 2009 and 2011 Canada Games as a member of the Team Nova Scotia Mission Staff and was involved in the Jeux de l'Acadie in 2008.

He stays active playing hockey and as a triathlete, participating at local and international events, including two Ironman Triathlons.

His role at ACCEL Physiotherapy is to provide leadership for our sport event coverage and partnerships as well as finances and marketing.