The Peter Stachnyk Merit Award (formerly the MTAM Merit Award) is named in honour of MTAM’s founding member. Peter has always believed in the highest standards for the massage therapy profession in Manitoba and created an Association which would help achieve that goal. This award recognizes an MTAM Member’s service to MTAM and the profession through strong leadership and the highest standards in the areas of integrity, professionalism, innovation, advocacy, accountability, and communication. 

Dana graduated from Wellington College in 2013, inspired by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives through therapeutic massage. Over the past 12 years, she has built a practice that supports clients in managing chronic pain, recovering from injury, and reconnecting with their bodies. Dana has a special interest in prenatal massage, providing compassionate, effective care to clients during the physical and emotional transitions of pregnancy.

During her time at Equilibrium, Dana feels privileged to be working alongside seasoned professionals and welcoming new RMTs into the profession. In addition to her clinical work, Dana has taken on efficiency roles within the clinic to help ensure smooth operations and a welcoming environment—whether that’s streamlining laundry systems or making sure colleagues feel celebrated on their birthdays.

When asked about her practice philosophy, Dana says, “I blend therapeutic depth with soothing comfort—often described as “hurt-so-good.” I work with the nervous system to release tension without overwhelming it, aiming to leave clients feeling both physically restored and mentally refreshed. Above all, I strive to meet clients where they are and create a space where they feel cared for, supported, and empowered.

Dana feels extremely honoured by this nomination from her colleagues at Equilibrium and being selected as the 2025 Peter Stachnyk Merit Award recipient.

The Educator of the Year Award recognizes an individual with a history of academic excellence. The award acknowledges Registered Massage Therapists or other Registered Health Care Professionals who are academic or clinical educators (teaching/supervising) in Manitoba. The nominees of this award should promote professionalism, excellence in learning, provide innovative teaching techniques, go over and above the normal requirements of an educator, and celebrate the successes of their students. 

Leilanie has been teaching for MTAM for 2 years now and has also been working at the University of Manitoba for just over five. She loves contributing extensively to anatomy education across multiple colleges and workshops. In addition to her academic role, she maintains a clinical practice at Kenaston Common Physiotherapy, a multidisciplinary clinic where she specializes in postural issues, spinal conditions, and head, neck, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions. She finds great fulfillment in this work, enjoying the opportunity to blend her anatomical expertise with hands-on care that supports her clients’ well-being.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Brandon University, a Master of Science from the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science at the University of Manitoba , a diploma in Remedial Massage Therapy from Wellington College and a Teaching and Learning Certificate from the University of Manitoba. Since then, she has cultivated a multifaceted teaching role that bridges traditional anatomical education with technology-enhanced, student-centered learning.

Leilanie teaches anatomy across several colleges within the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, including Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and the Physician Assistant Program. She is also a lead instructor in various interdisciplinary anatomy workshops. Her approach combines structured lab-based learning with modern visual tools, including photo and video editing for an anatomical image library, surgical camera demonstrations, and 3D dissection strategies. She is known for her dynamic teaching style and her commitment to respecting the donors while making anatomy engaging, interactive, and accessible.

Teaching anatomy to massage therapists holds a special place in Leilanie’s heart. It brings together her love of anatomy, her background in hands-on clinical practice, and her passion for helping others. She finds deep satisfaction in helping massage therapists toward a richer understanding of the human body and knowing that this knowledge will directly enhance the care they provide. For her, it’s a meaningful intersection of science, healing, and human connection.

As a massage therapist, Leilanie believes deeply in the spirit of lifelong learning a quality that defines the profession itself. Massage therapists continuously grow by learning from their clients, colleagues, and their own experiences in practice. Teaching anatomy to massage therapists is especially gratifying, as they approach their education with a genuine curiosity and ask insightful questions that reflect their dedication to understanding the human body. Their passion for helping others through touch and therapeutic care makes them an absolute pleasure to teach. Leilanie feels honored to support these future therapists in building a strong anatomical foundation that will serve their clients and communities for years to come.

The MTAM Massage Therapy Student Scholarship was established in 2021. It was created to contribute to the development of future Registered Massage Therapists in Manitoba. This scholarship is administered by the Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba (MTAM). It is awarded to a massage therapy student who is currently attending their second year of education in a recognized massage therapy program in Manitoba and who places a high priority on evidence-informed practice and ongoing professional development.

Feiya joined MTAM as a student member in 2024 and graduated from the Acupuncture College of Manitoba in 2025.

She is pursuing a career in massage therapy because she has a passion for helping others achieve physical and emotional well-being. With a background in biochemistry and a decade of experience in the healthcare industry, she has developed a deep appreciation for evidence-based approaches to treatment.

Now, Feiya is learning both massage therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). By combining these experiences, her goal is to provide holistic health and wellness services and to enhance the quality of life for her clients by offering personalized, compassionate, and attentive care that addresses the root cause of health concerns and promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.