MTAM Instructors and Facilitators
JUMP TO: Glen Bergeron | Sheila Bergman | Shelly Bauer | Paul Kohlmeier | Susan Kos-Whicher | Deborah Romeyn | Nikita Vizniak | Tori Webber | Pamela Fitch | Tricia Weidenbacher | Ruth Werner | Dawna Smith | Jordan Pierson | Jeffery Dalhouse | Denise Drisdelle | Lincoln Lau | Brenda Romas | Alyson Shane | Steven Greyeyes | BetsyAnn Baron | Robert Libbey | Byron Bahniuk | Kerry Carlson | Tera Mezynski | Vaneethy Tumolva | Cindy McNeely | Iain Kemp | Anna Hovland | Jason Moniz
Tori Webber started 1st Choice First Aid and CPR in 2004 after working as a paramedic and seeing the need for the public to be able to respond to emergency situations before professional help arrived. "There were many calls that I went to that bystanders, if they had been trained and felt comfortable would have helped the person in need especially when it was a family member or a friend and they felt helpless not knowing what to do."
My goal for my company is to provide the best training experience possible!
Nikita Vizniak
Dr. Nikita Vizniak (aka ‘Dr. Nik’), BSc, DC, ERYT, RMT is an author, clinician and professor of clinical cadaver anatomy, exercise therapy, orthopedics and a globally recognized subject matter expert. He is a practitioner at prohealthclinics.com and has authored many texbooks, youtube videos and CE courses used around the world; including the best-selling Muscle Manual, Orthopedic Assessment Yoga Book, among others. Dr. Vizniak loves teaching and empowering students with results based practical content – Anatomy is the foundation of his work.
Sheila Bergman, RMT
Sheila’s advancement of the massage therapy field began at graduation in 1995, when she started instructing at Wellington College of Remedial Massage Therapies Inc. In 2000, her efforts were awarded with an honorarium from the College for her dedication and devotion to the field of massage therapy.
In 1999, Sheila’s passion for working with the elderly began at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg Inc. where she gained invaluable experience working with residents of the home until 2009. During her time at Middlechurch, she represented massage therapy on the Palliative Care Team from 2001 - 2007 and was the Chair from 2005 – 2007. Sheila continued to present and educate many medical professionals at events such as the Hospice & Palliative Care Annual Conference, the Long Term Care Conference as well as many individual personal care homes.
Her love of the massage therapy field goes well beyond her personal practice. Sheila served on the Board of Directors for MTAM from 2007 – 2009 and sat on the Education Committee. In 2012, Sheila was presented with the Award of Merit from the MTAM, for her contribution to the massage therapy field and continues to wholeheartedly advance and educate the entire medical field with her palliative care and education expertise. In 2016, Sheila was a part of the Standards Advisory Committee for the development of the standards for the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation, and went on to join the team of site surveyors to accredit massage therapy schools across Canada.
Shelly Bauer RMT
Shelly Bauer is a Registered Massage Therapist and former massage clinic owner. Her education began with earning a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg in 1998 and graduating with first-class standing from the Massage Therapy College of Manitoba (Evolve) in 2004. In 2005, she purchased a small 3 room massage therapy clinic. Over the next ten years Shelly grew her business to include two thriving massage clinics. In 2013 Shelly's hard work was recognized by the business community, and she was a finalist in the Women's Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Shelly has been a volunteer on the MTAM Board of Directors and was an instructor at Robertson College for 5 years. Today Shelly is the Education and Practice Coordinator for the MTAM and maintains a small home based massge practice.
Jordan Pierson, CPA, CA
Jordan is a Chartered Professional Accountant and the Director of Education at Jensen CPA. In 2020, he co-founded the Online Wellness Institute with his wife Melissa. The Online Wellness Institute is an online platform containing evidence-based resources and online courses dedicated to the professional development of registered massage therapists (www.onlinewellness.ca). Jordan has been working with RMTs for more than 10-years. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Royal University, and his designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant from CPA Alberta. For 6-years he worked as an auditor and forensic accountant for one of the big four accounting firms. Prior to becoming a professional accountant, Jordan worked for 7-years at a major financial institution, where he gained extensive knowledge about banking and personal finance. He enjoys running marathons and spending time with his wife and 3 kids.
Pamela Fitch, M. Ad. Ed., RMT
For more than thirty years, Canadian massage therapy educator, writer, researcher and long-time practitioner, Pamela Fitch, has explored professional, ethical and communicative challenges faced by manual therapists. She remains particularly interested in how massage therapy affects clients who have experienced trauma, post-traumatic stress and complex pain conditions. A committed educator, she has been recognized with several awards for teaching.
Pam brings her commitment to client centered care into the classroom as a faculty member of the massage therapy program at Algonquin College. She has received several awards including the Laurent Isabelle Award for excellence in teaching, and the President's Star Award from Algonquin College. She was awarded the Ontario Massage Therapist Association the Meritorious Service Award and the President's Award of Merit. Pam has taught across Canada, the US and Hong Kong. Her workshops explore ethical challenges, the massage therapeutic relationship, massage therapy and trauma, and the treatment of scars.
Tricia Weidenbacher, RMT
Tricia Weidenbacher is a Registered Massage Therapist and entrepreneur who has run a successful health care practice for over 20 years. Tricia cultivated her leadership and professional skills in food service management before making the jump to massage therapy in 1996. In 2013, Tricia decided to enhance her business health care career accepting the position of Education Coordinator for the Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba. She elevated and expanded this role to Education & Event Manager, managing the professional development program for over 1100 massage therapists across Manitoba and developing education courses that are relevant for health care practitioners. In 2018, Tricia completed the Advanced Program in Management, Leadership and Strategy through the University of Manitoba Asper School of Business Executive Program. Most recently, she has earned the position of Executive Director of the MTAM and is currently responsible for the daily operations of the organization.
Ruth Werner, BCTMB
Ms. Werner is an educator, writer, and retired massage therapist with a passionate interest in massage therapy research and the role of bodywork for people who live with health challenges. Her groundbreaking textbook, A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology was first published in 1998, and is now in its 7th edition, published by Books of Discovery.
Ruth is a columnist for Massage and Bodywork magazine and Massage New Zealand. She serves on several national and international volunteer committees, and teaches continuing education workshops in research and pathology all over the world. Ruth was honored with the AMTA Council of Schools Teacher of the Year Award for 2005. She was proud to serve the Massage Therapy Foundation as a Trustee from 2007 to 2017, and as President of the Foundation from 2010-2014.
Jeffery Dalhouse RMT
After completing his studies at Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy in Toronto, and becoming a certified RMT in Ontario, Jeffery moved to Winnipeg in 2006 to begin clinical treatment. In 2010, Receiving Advanced Myofascial treatment from a colleague changed the course of Jeffery’s therapeutic career, and since then he has been practising Jenings Myofascial Release having completed his Jenings Masters Series training by the end of 2012.
Jeffery joined MTAM's Research committee in 2013 in a continued pursuit to understand the complexities of connective tissue through Fascia Research. Since 2016 he has integrated Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) ProStym Stainless Steel Tools into his practise, with outstanding results, honing his skills by Volunteering as an RMT for the athletes in the 2017 Canada Summer Games, hosted by Winnipeg.
Now in his 15th year of practising Massage Therapy, Jeffery is the Chair of the Research Committee and sits on the MTAM Board of Directors, and has spent the past few years promoting Massage Therapy research literacy to other RMTs in Manitoba. Jeffery’s practise involves a safe, welcoming space to anyone, regardless of colour, race, gender preference or creed.In his spare time Jeffery can be found cooking in his kitchen for his family, tugging on socks with his dog Ruby, and exploring ancient cultures and civilizations.
Denise Drisdelle BA, RMT
After graduation from Massage Therapy, Denise enrolled in the advanced MLD with the Dr. Vodder School. Soon after, She was approached by InspireHealth, an integrative cancer centre run by medical doctors. Since 2008 She has been working as an associate practitioner and does staff education and monthly presentations to the members on how to manage Lymphedema. In 2008 I started as an assistant teacher with the Dr. Vodder School, and in 2012, I became a Certified Teacher at the Basic level. Her patients have taught her to live life to the fullest, appreciate every day, and live in the moment. She is so grateful to have a career where she can continue to learn and grow.
Lincoln Lau BSc, RMT
After Lincoln Lau began his career in the health care field when he graduated in 1995 from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in Vancouver BC. Lincoln is also a graduate of Brandon University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
He completed the Structural Integration training at the Northwest Centre for Structural Integration in Portland, Oregon. He did Neuromuscular Therapy training first at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and also at St John Neuromuscular Therapy Seminars. He is also certified in Esalen massage, having completed the certification program at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. Lincoln took his Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage training at the Shamanic Bodywork School in Vancouver, BC an did his Traditional Thai Massage training with Jasmine Mah at the ORganic Therapy in Winnipeg. Lincoln is the developer of Manupractice massage.
Brenda's education started with a Diploma in Business Administration followed by completing 4th level of Certified General Accountant Program and eventually a Certificate in Human Resources and attaining her CHRP (Certified Human Resources Professional) designation in 2009. She very soon discovered that her “personality and people orientation” did not suit the career of an Accountant – however, this education has exposed her to an understanding of business from a level that most HR people have not attained.
Alyson is a writer and digital marketer with +20 years' experience publishing content online. She directs our strategy, handles client relations, and develops the processes that help our clients see success.
Steven Greyeyes is an Indigenous educator and a member of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. Steven lives in Winnipeg and has worked in public education and corporate training for over fifteen years. Thanks to his background as a history and native studies teacher, his presentations allow room for conversations and diverse views. Steven shares stories with audiences from across Canada as the Education Coordinator at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. When not at work Steven can be found gardening, harvesting food in his treaty area, and dragging his bored children though museums.
BetsyAnn Baron is a Board Certified Structural Integrator and massage therapist. Prior to becoming a massage therapist, structural integrator and instructor, BetsyAnn spent fifteen years with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal as soloist. This gave her a unique, first-hand experience with the body, its movements and its injuries. BetsyAnn is highly regarded and appreciated as both a therapist and a teacher. She is a member in of the FQM ( Fédération Québecoise des Massothérapeutes) and the IASI (International Association of Structural Integrators).
Robert has been a Canadian Registered Massage Therapist for over 28yrs and an educator for over 22yrs. Robert believes manual therapists have a great opportunity to improve the quality of life of their patients. He has always felt that our understanding of the ligamentous articular system has been insufficient.
As science and medicine advanced, Robert recognized that some medical research, perceptions, narrative and principles may seem out of touch with today’s knowledge, while others maintain the test of time.
Robert has spent his career researching, learning, developing, expanding and updating the narrative for Ligamentous Articular Strain Technique by incorporating the most current research and understanding of neurophysiology, biopsychosocial and contextual factors, pain science, fascial research and the neurophysiological model for referral pain.
Robert maintains a full-time practice while he continues researching, developing, training and educating.
Byron is a graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Physical Education (1998). He became a Certified Athletic Therapist in December, 2000, then attended the Wellington College of Remedial Massage Therapy Inc. (2002), and completed the Basic Remedial Massage Program. Byron was the first person in Manitoba that held certification in Athletic Therapy and Massage Therapy. To complement these certifications, Byron has also obtained additional education and skills in Muscle Energy Techniques, Soft Tissue Release, Neuroproprioceptive Taping Technique, Integrated Fascial Release and Functional Movement Screens. Most recently, Byron has obtained his Master Science at the University of Manitoba.
Currently Byron is a clinical Certified Athletic Therapist and Registered Massage Therapist at the Bison Athletic Therapy Centre. He is also an Instructor for the Athletic Therapy Program within the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management.
Kerry has 25 years of experience in all areas of physical therapy including injury rehabilitation and health promotion. Prior to physical therapy, she was a research assistant in the Physiology department at UBC. Kerry is also a BCRPA certified Trainer of Fitness Leaders and her passion lies in promoting active lifestyles for all ages. She believes a little movement throughout the day goes a long way and that small changes can dramatically improve our health outcomes. Kerry believes that movement needs to be for all ages and in the power of habit.
Tera has worked in a health industry for over fifteen years in settings that include hospital, private practice, and exercise rehabilitation. Prior to obtaining a master's degree in physical therapy, she worked as a kinesiologist. Tera has a variety of techniques in her toolkit including vestibular rehab, advanced exercise prescription, acupuncture, muscle energy, concussion rehab and postural analysis. Tera has extensive training in lower extremity arthroplasty and has helped to develop surgical pathways. Neuromuscular exercise, muscle patterning and exercise prescription are some of her areas of expertise and passion.
Vaneethy Tumolva is a graduate of the Massage Therapy College of Manitoba with over 10 years of experience as a Registered Massage Therapist. She majored in Kinesiology & Applied Health in Athletic Therapy at the University of Winnipeg and is a graduate of the College of Acupuncture and Therapeutics with a Certificate in Foundations of Acupuncture. In 2017 she began her Thai Massage studies with Banyan Thai Massage Academy. After several years of infusing the Thai Yoga Stretches and Thai Massage that she learned into her regular RMT practice, she began the path of pursuing more advanced studies and eventually completed the Teacher Training program using the renowned ‘ITM Thai Massage School’ of Chiang Mai, curriculum taught in Thailand.
Vaneethy enjoys taking on new challenges and has a passion to share her knowledge of Thai Massage with others. She aims to create an environment that is inclusive of all learning styles and encourages students to channel their inner explorer to enhance the exciting avenue for development and creativity that Thai Massage has to offer. She aims to create a space of awareness that is open and enjoyable for everyone.
Cindy McNeely, R.M.T (1985) is the owner of Trimesters: Massage Therapy Education www.trimesters.on.ca (created in 1995). The focus of Trimesters is to teach foundational and advanced perinatal massage therapy trainings throughout Canada. Cindy has taught in M.T. colleges, at conferences and for Associations throughout Canada since 1988. She has a diverse clinical practice including extensive work with pregnant, birthing, postpartum women, and their babies & children. Cindy created a Perinatal Massage Therapy program for Level III hospitals that focus on the most complex perinatal issues. She has also done research, written, and created visual contributions to this realm.
Iain has a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Manitoba. As a clinician, he has practiced in private practice, specifically in Orthopaedics, and has obtained certifications in Neruokinetic Therapy (NKT), Integrated Kinetic Neurology (IKN) and RockTape Functional Movement Techniques (FMT). As an instructor, he has organized and completed numerous public speaking events, and is now part of the Clinical Education Team for RockTape/RockTape Canada.
As a diligent study he is always looking to broaden his horizons and continue to challenge himself. He believes that learning is lifelong, but that that learning does not necessarily have to be through formal education. Books, journals, social media, podcasts, the internet, as well as genuine human experience form a large part of his
daily educational pursuits. Be it working with the general population, athletes, youth, the elderly or people with exceptionalities, his goal is to further his knowledge and experience in education, personal health, recreation, rehabilitation and the dynamic, interconnected nature of the human experience. He believes that everyone has the power to heal themselves through movement, and it's his goal to teach them how.
Anna Hovland is a Registered Massage Therapist. She owns and operates AH Massage Therapy in Winnipeg. Her practice focuses on getting clients back to normal, setting their own goals and taking control of their healing by trying new activities, building new habits and being self compassionate and patient during the healing process. She has a background in physical education, recreation, arts management, and community development. In her spare time, she pursues creative endeavours like writing, playing music, painting and drawing. If you catch her on a day off, she will likely be soaking up the sun on a local beach or hiking through the Manitoba wilderness.
Jason graduated with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science Degree in 2002 from the University of Manitoba and certified as an Athletic Therapist in November of the same year. Jason's work experience has been primarily in private practice starting at Eastman Therapy in Steinbach in 2003 up until 2005. In 2006 Jason opened South Sherbrook Therapy serving the community of Wolseley and River Heights and in 2018 opened Harbourview Therapy in Northeast Winnipeg.
Jason also has 10 years experience working at the Pan Am Clinic in the Minor Injury clinic where he assessed patients with the Sports Med physicians and later transitioned into the casting department. His clientele ranges from working with the general population dealing with musculoskeletal issues to higher end athletes, including athletes from the CFL and NHL, including our Winnipeg Jets.
