Meet Our Team

From initial contact through to rehabilitation, our knowledgeable and caring team will provide you with a full circle of care

Kelly Johnston, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Johnston received his medical degree at the University of Alberta in 2001 and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Calgary in 2006. Following his residency, he pursued subspecialty training in adult hip and knee reconstruction, hip joint preservation, and trauma. He completed fellowships in adult reconstruction and trauma at the University of Auckland in New Zealand in 2007 and adult reconstruction and hip preservation at the University of California, San Diego in 2008.

Dr. Johnston is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Calgary and has practiced in Calgary since 2008. He is an attending orthopaedic surgeon at the Rockyview General Hospital and has acted as the head of the section of hip and knee reconstruction at the University of Calgary since 2014. His practice focuses on adult hip and knee reconstruction and hip preservation, including hip arthroscopy.

Dr. Johnston is active in the research activities of the Division of Orthopaedics at the University of Calgary and has published in a number of peer reviewed journals. He has held a number of peer reviewed grants and is reviewer for multiple journals including the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.

Ian Lo, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Lo received his medical degree and Orthopaedic surgical residency from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

After completing his surgical residency, Dr. Lo spent two years as a clinician-scientist of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research studying soft tissue healing at the University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.

Dr. Lo then began his sub-specialization in the treatment of shoulder conditions studying under Dr. Stephen Burkhart (University of Texas, San Antonio, TX) and Dr. Evan Flatow (Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY).

Since returning to Canada, Dr. Lo has dedicated his practice solely to the treatment of shoulder conditions and has helped improve the quality of life of thousands of patients across Canada. He currently practices in both Alberta and British Columbia. He is the Chief of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Lo specializes in the arthroscopic treatment of shoulder conditions and has pioneered several arthroscopic shoulder procedures. He holds multiple patents for innovative products designed to improve shoulder surgery.

Dr. Lo lectures nationally and internationally and has presented and published hundreds of papers. He has served on the committees of several distinguished organizations including the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) and the Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA).

Dr. Lo has twice been awarded the ASES Neer Award, the organization’s highest distinction for shoulder research. He is the recipient of the AANA Stephen Burkhart Award, COA Founder’s Medal, and Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation Legacy award, all for shoulder research.

He co-authored “A Cowboy’s Guide To Advanced Shoulder Arthroscopy,” which was recognized for its ingenuity by the British Medical Association and is now considered a classic text.

Dr. Lo continues to serve as a Shoulder Consultant to the National Hockey League Players’ Association and is the Chairman of the Rocky Mountain International Shoulder Symposium. He was recently recognized as one of the Top 20 shoulder surgeons in North America (the only Canadian Surgeon named) by Orthopaedics This Week.

When he is not working, Dr. Lo spends his free time with his wife and four children. He enjoys skiing, snowboarding, and fitness training.

James MacKenzie, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Mackenzie completed his medical school at the University of Alberta, followed by his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery in Calgary. He went on to complete a fellowship in Iowa in total joint arthroplasty (joint replacements) with one of the pre-eminent hip surgeons in the United States, Dr. Richard Johnston, as well as Drs. John Callaghan and Richard Brand.

As one of the first in North America to perform Birmingham Hip Resurfacing, Dr Mackenzie has extensive experience performing this procedure. He was among a small number of surgeons involved in training other North American surgeons on this technique. He continues to have the largest volume of Birmingham Hip Resurfacing cases of any Canadian surgeon.

He has had a longstanding public practice in Orthopaedics in Calgary, with a focus on hip and knee arthroplasty, hip resurfacing and partial knee replacements. He practices at the Alberta Hip and Knee Clinic at the South Health Campus. He offers the Direct Superior Approach and SuperPath technique, innovative muscle sparing techniques for hip replacement.

Dr. Mackenzie has been actively involved in research through his career and was awarded The Hip Society’s Frank Stinchfield Award for his work on acetabular cup fixation.

Dr. Mackenzie has held a faculty position in the Department of Surgery at the University of Calgary for the majority of his career and is the former head of the arthroplasty division. He also served as the one of the team physicians for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League for 25 years.

Adam Hart, MD, BEng, MASc, FRCSC

Dr. Hart is an orthopaedic surgeon dedicated to excellence in hip and knee surgery. He completed his undergraduate degree in Honours Electrical Engineering at McGill University followed by a master’s degree in applied science at the University of Toronto. He completed his medical and orthopaedic training at McGill University. After completing his residency training, he pursued a prestigious fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota alongside world leaders in the field of hip and knee arthroplasty. He is now an academic surgeon and assistant professor of surgery at McGill University.

Dr. Hart performs a large volume of hip and knee replacements, leads the hip preservation unit at the McGill University Health Centre, and is among Canada’s highest volume surgeons in complex and revision arthroplasty. Facile in partial and total knee replacements as well as the direct anterior, anterolateral, and posterior approaches to the hip, Dr. Hart tailors his reconstruction to the needs and anatomy of each patient.

Committed to improving the outcome of joint replacement surgery, Dr. Hart is deeply involved in research and education. He is co-director of the Jo Miller Orthopaedic Research Lab, fellowship director of the Montreal General Hospital Arthroplasty program, and faculty member of the international AO Recon Education Forum. He has published over 45 peer-reviewed articles, written 6 book chapters, and holds two patents. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences. He is an active member of the Quebec Orthopaedic Association, Canadian Arthroplasty Society, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Devin Lemmex, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Lemmex completed medical school and his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Calgary. He continued his training by completing a Sports Medicine fellowship at Duke University in North Carolina, followed by another year of subspecialty training in Nice, France with the renowned Prof. Pascal Boileau. Dr. Lemmex has dedicated his clinical practice to arthroscopic reconstruction of the lower extremity. In particular, Dr. Lemmex has a special interest in hip arthroscopy and treating young adults with hip pain.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Lemmex has experienced academic success with various research endeavours. He has published many journal articles, book chapters, and clinical commentaries on various topics in both national and international publications. Dr. Lemmex is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba where he is part of the Pan Am Clinic Foundation research team. His academic efforts currently focus on improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing arthroscopic reconstruction of the hip, knee, and ankle.

Dr. Lemmex currently works in both Winnipeg, MB and Calgary, AB. He is the co-Head team physician for the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League. He previously served as an assistant Team Physician in the NCAA for Duke University and has experience caring for athletes from the recreational to professional level.

Jarret Woodmass, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Woodmass completed medical school at the University of Manitoba followed by residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Calgary. He then completed two years of subspecialty training including Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and complex shoulder reconstruction at the Boston Shoulder Institute, Harvard Orthopaedic Program in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Woodmass has dedicated his practice to the treatment of complex shoulder and knee pathologies with specific interests in rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, knee ligament injuries and cartilage restoration.

In addition to his clinical excellence, Dr. Woodmass is an established researcher with over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and national or international presentations. He has been the recipient of multiple research awards including the 2018 Dr. Robert Cofield Award and the 2019 Stephen Burkart Innovation Research Award. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba and has focused his academic efforts on improving patient outcomes following surgery. He is the Director of Quality Assurance & Outcomes through the Pan Am Foundation and launched the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement (PROM) registry. He is a member of the Provincial Standards Committee, the Quality Improvement, Innovation and Implementation (QI3) Surgery Council and the Arthroscopy Association of Canada (AAC) executive committee.

Dr. Woodmass currently splits his practice between Winnipeg, MB and Calgary, AB. He is the team physician for the Winnipeg ICE Western Hockey League junior team. He previously served as the assistant team physician for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball League. When Dr. Woodmass is not working he enjoys playing hockey, mountain biking and downhill skiing.

Charles Nelson, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Nelson completed his medical school and Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Alberta.  He went on to complete his Arthroscopic Surgery and Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Fowler Kennedy Clinic in London, Ontario with one of the true giants in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Dr. Peter Fowler, along with his team including Dr. Ned Amendola, Sandy Kirkley and Bob Litchfield.

Dr. Nelson’s subspecialty interest is in knee surgery and he has a very high volume ACL practice and routinely manages multiligamentous knee injuries, meniscal tears and patellar dislocations.  His practice also includes knee realignment and  cartilage restoration procedures along with partial and total knee replacements at the other end of the spectrum.

Dr. Nelson has been practicing in Victoria, British Columbia for over 20 years and has looked after a number of National team and Olympic level athletes involved in rugby, soccer, field hockey, rowing, cycling and triathlon on Vancouver Island.  He is a frequent speaker at the local Juan de Fuca Orthopaedics meeting and the Fowler Fellow meetings and regularly teaches Island based medical students and residents.

In his free time, Dr. Nelson likes to play the piano and practice and perform with his rock band, which is comprised mainly of a number of other local physicians.  He also enjoys skiing, road cycling, mountain biking and spending time with his wife and family.  He feels blessed to have four wonderful children that give him an enormous sense of pride and admiration regarding their academic and athletic successes.

Justin LeBlanc, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Dr. LeBlanc received his medical degree from the University of Calgary in 2006 and completed his Orthopaedic Residency at the Cummings School of Medicine (Calgary, AB) in 2012. During his residency he also received his Master of Science in Medical Education. Upon completion of his orthopaedic surgery residency, Dr. LeBlanc began his sub-specialization training in shoulder surgery. He completed the distinguished Shoulder Surgery Fellowship at Western University (London, ON) in 2013. His training then took him to Melbourne, Australia, where he completed the Shoulder-Research Fellowship with the Melbourne Orthopaedic Group (MOG) in 2014.

Dr. LeBlanc’s practice mainly focuses on shoulder reconstruction and upper extremity surgeries, ranging from soft tissue repairs (instability, rotator cuff, AC joint, biceps, etc.) to shoulder replacements. He primarily operates at the South Health Campus is Calgary, Alberta. Dr. LeBlanc is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and a Preceptor for the Senior Sport Rotation, teaching residents advanced arthroscopic techniques. His passion continues to be medical education and you will often find Dr. LeBlanc teaching students at the Advanced Technical Skills Simulation Laboratory (ATSSL – Cumming School of Medicine), during his clinics at Access Orthopaedics and in the operating room.

Dr. LeBlanc was the Program Director for Surgical Foundations for the University of Calgary’s Department of Surgery for 4 years and is currently a member of the Alberta Medical Association, the Canadian Shoulder and Elbow Society, the Arthroscopy Association of Canada, the Canadian Orthopaedic Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is also fortunate enough to work with an amazing group of researchers and has been co-published in several peer reviewed journals.

Dr. LeBlanc considers himself a true Calgarian. He is an avid Calgary Flames and Stampeders fan and enjoys spending time with his friends and family in the city and mountains. During his free time he enjoys travelling, hiking, snowboarding, a good book and enjoys seeking out new adventures with his wife, young son and his rambunctious sheepadoodle.

David Cinats, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Dr. Cinats completed both medical school and orthopedic surgical training at the University of Calgary. He went on to pursue advanced surgical training at the University of British Columbia Orthopaedic Trauma fellowship at the Royal Columbian Hospital, followed by a fellowship in hand, upper extremity, and reconstructive microsurgery at SUNY Upstate Medical University in New York.

Dr. Cinats started his practice at Virginia Commonwealth University where he founded the Limb Reconstruction Program and served on both the orthopaedic trauma and hand fellowship programs. He recently relocated back to Canada and joined the Fraser Orthopaedic Institute in New Westminster, British Columbia as a Clinical Assistant Professor with the University of British Columbia. His focus is on complex upper extremity reconstruction with a special interest in nerve conditions.

Dr. Cinats is a both a fellow of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery as well as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is an active researcher in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of British Columbia with numerous peer-reviewed publications and active research grants.

Cory Cundal, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Cundal received his medical degree from the University of Alberta in 1993. He completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Alberta, and then obtained fellowship training in adult and pediatric spine surgery at the Rocky Mountain Spine Clinic in Denver, Colorado.

After returning to Canada, Dr. Cundal started an orthopedic surgery practice and became the chief of surgery at the QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie, Alberta. He relocated to Calgary in 2003 and joined the University of Calgary Orthopedic Surgery Division as a Clinical Lecturer. Currently, Dr. Cundal practices at the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary, and is the Site Chief of Orthopedic Surgery.

Dr. Cundal specializes in the treatment of degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine and has over 20 years of experience in adult lumbar spine, and hip & knee arthroplasty surgery. When he is not working, Dr. Cundal enjoys mountain biking, tennis, golf, and ice hockey.

Ahmed Aoude, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Ahmed Aoude is an assistant professor in orthopaedic surgery at McGill University. He completed fellowships in orthopaedic oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto and spine surgery at Foothills Medical Center in Calgary.  His spine training was completed with orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons in Calgary where he became proficient in complex spine surgery and degenerative disease in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. His practice includes complex oncology resections and spine reconstructive surgery.

Prior to pursuing medicine, Dr. Aoude obtained degrees in biomedical engineering and electrical engineering at McGill University. He also was a project manager designing and developing computer assisted surgery equipment and techniques for orthopaedic surgery prior to pursuing his MD at University of Montreal.

To date, he has multiple orthopaedic surgery patents and many peer reviewed publications in orthopaedics. His research interests include clinical outcomes, surgical techniques as well as medical device development and design. He is also the director of the Orthopedic Research Lab at McGill University which focuses on biomechanical testing and innovation in Orthopaedics.

Dr. Aoude’s expertise in spine surgery includes the latest techniques for treating spinal deformities, degenerative disc disease, and spinal cord injuries. He has a deep understanding of the complex anatomy of the spine, and works closely with his patients to develop customized treatment plans that take into account their unique needs and goals.

Eric Schlader, BScPT, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Schlader completed his physical therapy, medical and orthopaedic surgery training at the Université de Montréal in Quebec. After completing his residency training, he visited Gilles Walch in Lyon, France and Pascal Boileau in Nice, France, undertaking further training in shoulder replacement surgery. Both Walch and Boileau, world renowned thought-leaders in shoulder replacement surgery, had a major influence on Dr. Schlader’s practice, especially in relation to the reverse shoulder replacement, which was pioneered in France.

Dr. Schlader has developed a large practice in primary and revision shoulder replacement surgery, including complex revision procedures for patients with prior failed surgery for rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, and shoulder arthritis. He was an early adopter of three-dimensional surgical planning for shoulder replacements. He also uses a patient specific approach that accounts for a patient’s unique anatomy when performing a shoulder replacement.

Dr. Schlader in one of the highest volume shoulder replacement surgeons in Quebec and has been asked to present his experience at provincial and national conferences. His surgical philosophy when performing shoulder replacement surgery is to maximize bone preservation using shorter uncemented implants or grafting techniques to optimize future options should a revision be required.

Dr. Schlader performs private shoulder surgery at the Centre D’excellence en Orthopédie de Montréal while working publicly at the St-Eustache Hospital on the north shore of Montreal. His team can perform shoulder surgery without the need for general anesthesia, using a nerve block with sedation, limiting the need for narcotics following surgery.

Dr. Schlader believes in a holistic approach to managing shoulder conditions, leveraging his past physical therapy training. He emphasizes the importance of core strength, postural control, and shoulder blade muscle coordination to address scapular dyskinesis during preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation. He also emphasizes the importance of nutrition, mindfulness meditation, and physical exercise on musculoskeletal pathology and pain. When not working, he enjoys multiple sports including skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, yoga, gymnastics, and calisthenics, which allow him to practice the techniques emphasized in his rehabilitation approach.

Philippe Magown, MDCM, PhD, FRCSC, CIME

Dr. Magown obtained his medical degree from McGill University in Montreal and completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of Dalhousie in Halifax. He received his fellowship and specialty certificate from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2015. He concomitantly obtained a Ph.D. in Anatomy and Neurobiology from Dalhousie University for his work on stem cell-derived motoneuron reinnervation and muscular optogenetics.

Dr. Magown also holds a Clinician Investigator certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He pursued two additional years of subspecialty fellowship training in Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery at the University of Calgary and the Oregon Health and Science University. He sub-specialized in surgical treatments of movement disorders, facial pain, and chronic pain during those years.

Dr. Magown has been in independent practice since 2017. He holds an appointment as an attending neurosurgeon in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the Health Sciences Centre. He joined Access Orthopaedics in 2020, where he provides care in adult spinal disorders and chronic pain. His interest is in neuromodulation, especially for the treatment of chronic pain.

Outside of work, Dr. Magown enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and skiing with his wife.

Nicholas Desy, MD, FRCSC, FAAOS

Nicholas M. Desy, MD, FRCSC, FAAOS is a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Cumming School of Medicine as well as the Program Director for the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program at the University of Calgary. Dr. Desy completed his medical school and orthopaedic surgery residency training at McGill University. He subsequently pursued a postdoctoral research fellowship within the Department of Neurologic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. This was followed by fellowship training in orthopaedic trauma at the Foothills Medical Centre and University of Calgary as well as in adult hip and knee joint reconstruction at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Desy also recently completed the one-year Surgical Leadership Program from Harvard Medical School at Harvard University.

His clinical practice and research interests focuses primarily on adult hip and knee joint reconstruction. He has been the recipient of several teaching and research awards. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications as well as six book chapters. His research has also led to numerous podium and poster presentations at national and international conferences.

Brad Weening, BScH, BPHE, MD, FRCSC

With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Weening is a licensed Orthopaedic Surgeon and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada practising in Oakville, Ontario. He has also completed an Honors Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Physical Education.

Dr. Weening is actively involved in medical education and clinical research and was formerly involved in humanitarian work including medical mission trips to Haiti.

Throughout the years, he performed thousands of surgical procedures including total hip and knee replacements, osteotomies, arthroscopic procedures, and musculoskeletal trauma surgeries.

Dr. Weening provides peri-operative support to patients in southwestern Ontario as part of Gateway’s national network of surgeons.

Paul Zalzal, MD, MASc, FRCSC

Dr. Zalzal is an Orthopaedic Surgeon with a Master of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at McMaster University.

Dr. Zalzal has been performing adult reconstructive and ambulatory trauma surgery for over twenty years. He practices in Oakville, Ontario at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital where he is the Chair of the Research Ethics Committee.

He has pioneered computer assisted surgical techniques in these areas. His list of publications includes topics relevant to clinical outcomes, biomechanics, tissue engineering, and computer assisted surgery.

He has been employed as a consultant to several biotechnology companies. He is regularly involved in medical-legal consultations. He has been an active member of design teams producing successful commercial products in the fields of computer assisted surgery and therapeutics. He is the co-founder of Talking With Docs, a YouTube channel that provides free, accessible medical information with over 10 million views in over 90 countries.

Dr. Zalzal provides peri-operative support to patients in southwestern Ontario as part of Gateway’s national network of surgeons.

Matt Mastel, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Mastel completed medical school, followed by his residency in orthopaedic surgery, at the University of Saskatchewan. He subsequently completed a hip and knee reconstruction fellowship at the University of Calgary, which included complex primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty; significant exposure to the direct anterior, anterolateral, and posterior approaches to the hip; Birmingham hip resurfacing; along with a tailored focus on hip preservation surgery including hip arthroscopy.

Dr. Mastel is an attending orthopaedic surgeon in Saskatoon, SK. His practice is focused on hip and knee arthroplasty, as well as young adult hip preservation surgery including hip arthroscopy. He is an Assistant Professor of orthopaedic surgery at the University of Saskatchewan, and actively involved in resident physician and undergraduate student teaching. He is passionate about improving post-operative patient outcomes and has published in a number of peer reviewed journals.

Dr. Mastel provides peri-operative support to patients in Saskatchewan as part of Gateway Surgery’s national network of surgeons.

Jennifer Leighton, MD, FRCSC

Biography to follow.

Joe Amirault, MD, FRCSC

Biography to follow.

Aaron Hartley, MD, CCFP​

Biography coming soon.

Philip Matejko, MD, CCFP​

Biography coming soon.

Colleen Kuntze, PT, MScPT, BKin

Colleen graduated with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta. She also holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Calgary. 

Pulled by a great interest in post-graduate education, Colleen has completed training in manual therapy through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Orthopaedic Division. She has also attended several courses on shoulder assessment and rehabilitation. Her qualifications include traditional dry needling and ordering of diagnostic imaging.

Colleen is deeply involved in physiotherapy research. Her contributions have been presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. 

She was involved with the Banff Sports Medicine group on a research initiative on functional outcomes following knee ligament reconstruction. She has also worked as a physiotherapist for the Worker’s Compensation Board of Alberta Shoulder Surgical Review and Integrated Shoulder Rehabilitation programs.

As the co-lead of the Alberta Health Services Bone and Joint Strategic Clinical Networks’ provincial initiative, Colleen helps develop clinical care pathways for assessment and management of shoulder disorders. She wholeheartedly believes in the importance of a multidisciplinary treatment approach. Colleen is building universal shoulder post-operative protocols for the Calgary area by utilizing her robust experience working alongside orthopaedic shoulder surgeons. 

An active individual, Colleen recognizes the importance of getting her clients moving and returning to their activities. As a result, her physiotherapy practice focuses on manual therapy and functional exercise to address non-optimal biomechanics. 

Colleen grew up in Invermere, BC, where she built a love for the outdoors from a very young age. She spends most weekends in the mountains spending time with her family and friends going hiking, skiing, and biking.

Laura Hartley, PT, MScPT, BScKin

Laura is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s Master of Science of Physical Therapy program from 2013. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Since beginning her physiotherapy career, she has practiced in a variety of settings including private practice, inpatient hospital, the emergency room and a preschool. From this varied experience, she has treated patients of every age and a vast array of physical limitations.

Laura has participated in many post graduate courses focusing on manual therapy, exercise prescription, and pain management. She is a certified manual therapist through the Swodeam Institution. She is also authorized to provide dry needling and uses this as an additional technique to aid in reducing pain and restoring function.

Laura enjoys working with her patients to create collaborative and functional treatment plans. She knows every patient has different goals and integrating a physiotherapy program can look quite different from one individual to the next. During her sessions, there is a large component of education to provide her patients with the tools to be able to take control of their own recovery.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys participating in outdoor adventures with her husband and two young children. This includes regular zoo visits, bike rides, beach exploration, and tobogganing depending on the season.

Jack Whiting, PT, MScPT, BScKin

Jack graduated from the University of Calgary in 2014 with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology with distinction, and then from the University of Alberta in 2017 with a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy. He has practiced in Alberta since graduating in both Calgary and Edmonton. He has primarily worked in private practice with a keen interest in shoulder and lumbar spine injuries.

Jack collaborates with his patients to attain a specific treatment plan including tailored exercise prescription, education and intramuscular stimulation. He employs a collaborative approach with his clients to identify specific goals and activity preferences in order to get the most out of each treatment.

Jack has completed multiple post graduate courses in intramuscular stimulation, concussion rehabilitation and peripheral manipulations.

When Jack is not in the clinic you will probably find him rock climbing at one the many indoor bouldering walls, cycling or hiking.

Nicole Gardner, PT, MScPT, BScKin

Nicole graduated in 2013 with a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Alberta. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with distinction from the same institution.

As a registered Physiotherapist, Nicole has spent her career practicing in orthopedics, gaining experience in treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
She has a passion for learning and has completed post-graduate training in manual and manipulative therapy, and obtained her certification in functional dry needling (IMS). Other completed courses include advanced assessment and treatment for the shoulder, and mobilization with movement techniques.

Nicole has taken a special interest in shoulder injuries and non-operative shoulder rehabilitation. She takes an active approach to rehabilitation and works collaboratively with her patients to develop a goal oriented customized treatment plan to assist in maximizing function and returning to activity.

As a mother of two small children, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, running, golfing and practicing yoga.

Caitlin Fredericks, PT, MScPT, BKin

Caitlin graduated with a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Alberta and holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology with a major in Athletic Therapy from the University of Calgary. 

Her treatment focus consists of therapeutic exercises, education, and manual therapy to support her patients during recovery. Caitlin has previously worked with the Banff orthopedic surgeons for research after knee (ACL and MPFL) surgery and has a keen interest in sporting injuries and injury prevention. [Her main areas of specialization are knees, hips, shoulder and ankles.] 

Caitlin is a born and raised Calgarian with previous athletic experience in gymnastics and springboard diving, and is currently involved in running, climbing, weight training, biking and hiking with her dog. 

Emma Aucoin, PT, MScPT, BScKin

Dana Jacobs, PT Intern, MScPT, BScKin

Twyla Vogt

Check back soon to learn about Twyla!

Barb Mackay

Check back soon to learn about Barb!

Jennie Carson

Jennie joined Gateway Surgery in 2020 bringing a wealth of experience to our team. She has previously worked in administrative roles in Family Medicine, Nephrology, Pediatrics, Respirology and Orthopaedics.

In her role as Surgical Care Coordinator at Gateway Surgery, Jennie assists patients through the process of booking their private surgery. She is passionate about ensuring a seamless journey for each of her patients.

Outside of work Jennie enjoys spending time with her family in the outdoors.

Taylor Steffensen

Taylor has 4 years of clinical experience gained from employment as a physiotherapy assistant and medical office assistant here in Calgary, AB. Taylor endorses the importance of education, and is always aiming to expand her knowledge to best assist the guidance of our patients within the private health care system. Aside from her experience in a clinical setting, Taylor also brings 9 years of customer service skills to our team. Taylor has also been recognized by clients and colleagues in previous employment and was nominated for two awards recognizing her dedication to providing outstanding kindness and attendance to patients.

Outside of office hours Taylor enjoys spending time with her significant other, their dog hazel and kitten Luna. Often this time is spent at the dog park, with friends or family.

Michelle Tangen

Check back soon to learn about Michelle!

Kelly Johnston, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Johnston received his medical degree at the University of Alberta in 2001 and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Calgary in 2006. Following his residency, he pursued subspecialty training in adult hip and knee reconstruction, hip joint preservation, and trauma. He completed fellowships in adult reconstruction and trauma at the University of Auckland in New Zealand in 2007 and adult reconstruction and hip preservation at the University of California, San Diego in 2008.

Dr. Johnston is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Calgary and has practiced in Calgary since 2008. He is an attending orthopaedic surgeon at the Rockyview General Hospital and has acted as the head of the section of hip and knee reconstruction at the University of Calgary since 2014. His practice focuses on adult hip and knee reconstruction and hip preservation, including hip arthroscopy.

Dr. Johnston is active in the research activities of the Division of Orthopaedics at the University of Calgary and has published in a number of peer reviewed journals. He has held a number of peer reviewed grants and is reviewer for multiple journals including the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.

Ian Lo, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Lo received his medical degree and Orthopaedic surgical residency from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

After completing his surgical residency, Dr. Lo spent two years as a clinician-scientist of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research studying soft tissue healing at the University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.

Dr. Lo then began his sub-specialization in the treatment of shoulder conditions studying under Dr. Stephen Burkhart (University of Texas, San Antonio, TX) and Dr. Evan Flatow (Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY).

Since returning to Canada, Dr. Lo has dedicated his practice solely to the treatment of shoulder conditions and has helped improve the quality of life of thousands of patients across Canada. He currently practices in both Alberta and British Columbia. He is the Chief of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Lo specializes in the arthroscopic treatment of shoulder conditions and has pioneered several arthroscopic shoulder procedures. He holds multiple patents for innovative products designed to improve shoulder surgery.

Dr. Lo lectures nationally and internationally and has presented and published hundreds of papers. He has served on the committees of several distinguished organizations including the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) and the Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA).

Dr. Lo has twice been awarded the ASES Neer Award, the organization’s highest distinction for shoulder research. He is the recipient of the AANA Stephen Burkhart Award, COA Founder’s Medal, and Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation Legacy award, all for shoulder research.

He co-authored “A Cowboy’s Guide To Advanced Shoulder Arthroscopy,” which was recognized for its ingenuity by the British Medical Association and is now considered a classic text.

Dr. Lo continues to serve as a Shoulder Consultant to the National Hockey League Players’ Association and is the Chairman of the Rocky Mountain International Shoulder Symposium. He was recently recognized as one of the Top 20 shoulder surgeons in North America (the only Canadian Surgeon named) by Orthopaedics This Week.

When he is not working, Dr. Lo spends his free time with his wife and four children. He enjoys skiing, snowboarding, and fitness training.

James MacKenzie, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Mackenzie completed his medical school at the University of Alberta, followed by his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery in Calgary. He went on to complete a fellowship in Iowa in total joint arthroplasty (joint replacements) with one of the pre-eminent hip surgeons in the United States, Dr. Richard Johnston, as well as Drs. John Callaghan and Richard Brand.

As one of the first in North America to perform Birmingham Hip Resurfacing, Dr Mackenzie has extensive experience performing this procedure. He was among a small number of surgeons involved in training other North American surgeons on this technique. He continues to have the largest volume of Birmingham Hip Resurfacing cases of any Canadian surgeon.

He has had a longstanding public practice in Orthopaedics in Calgary, with a focus on hip and knee arthroplasty, hip resurfacing and partial knee replacements. He practices at the Alberta Hip and Knee Clinic at the South Health Campus. He offers the Direct Superior Approach and SuperPath technique, innovative muscle sparing techniques for hip replacement.

Dr. Mackenzie has been actively involved in research through his career and was awarded The Hip Society’s Frank Stinchfield Award for his work on acetabular cup fixation.

Dr. Mackenzie has held a faculty position in the Department of Surgery at the University of Calgary for the majority of his career and is the former head of the arthroplasty division. He also served as the one of the team physicians for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League for 25 years.

Adam Hart, MD, BEng, MASc, FRCSC

Dr. Hart is an orthopaedic surgeon dedicated to excellence in hip and knee surgery. He completed his undergraduate degree in Honours Electrical Engineering at McGill University followed by a master’s degree in applied science at the University of Toronto. He completed his medical and orthopaedic training at McGill University. After completing his residency training, he pursued a prestigious fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota alongside world leaders in the field of hip and knee arthroplasty. He is now an academic surgeon and assistant professor of surgery at McGill University.

Dr. Hart performs a large volume of hip and knee replacements, leads the hip preservation unit at the McGill University Health Centre, and is among Canada’s highest volume surgeons in complex and revision arthroplasty. Facile in partial and total knee replacements as well as the direct anterior, anterolateral, and posterior approaches to the hip, Dr. Hart tailors his reconstruction to the needs and anatomy of each patient.

Committed to improving the outcome of joint replacement surgery, Dr. Hart is deeply involved in research and education. He is co-director of the Jo Miller Orthopaedic Research Lab, fellowship director of the Montreal General Hospital Arthroplasty program, and faculty member of the international AO Recon Education Forum. He has published over 45 peer-reviewed articles, written 6 book chapters, and holds two patents. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences. He is an active member of the Quebec Orthopaedic Association, Canadian Arthroplasty Society, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Devin Lemmex, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Lemmex completed medical school and his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Calgary. He continued his training by completing a Sports Medicine fellowship at Duke University in North Carolina, followed by another year of subspecialty training in Nice, France with the renowned Prof. Pascal Boileau. Dr. Lemmex has dedicated his clinical practice to arthroscopic reconstruction of the lower extremity. In particular, Dr. Lemmex has a special interest in hip arthroscopy and treating young adults with hip pain.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Lemmex has experienced academic success with various research endeavours. He has published many journal articles, book chapters, and clinical commentaries on various topics in both national and international publications. Dr. Lemmex is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba where he is part of the Pan Am Clinic Foundation research team. His academic efforts currently focus on improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing arthroscopic reconstruction of the hip, knee, and ankle.

Dr. Lemmex currently works in both Winnipeg, MB and Calgary, AB. He is the co-Head team physician for the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League. He previously served as an assistant Team Physician in the NCAA for Duke University and has experience caring for athletes from the recreational to professional level.

Jarret Woodmass, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Woodmass completed medical school at the University of Manitoba followed by residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Calgary. He then completed two years of subspecialty training including Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and complex shoulder reconstruction at the Boston Shoulder Institute, Harvard Orthopaedic Program in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Woodmass has dedicated his practice to the treatment of complex shoulder and knee pathologies with specific interests in rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, knee ligament injuries and cartilage restoration.

In addition to his clinical excellence, Dr. Woodmass is an established researcher with over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and national or international presentations. He has been the recipient of multiple research awards including the 2018 Dr. Robert Cofield Award and the 2019 Stephen Burkart Innovation Research Award. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba and has focused his academic efforts on improving patient outcomes following surgery. He is the Director of Quality Assurance & Outcomes through the Pan Am Foundation and launched the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement (PROM) registry. He is a member of the Provincial Standards Committee, the Quality Improvement, Innovation and Implementation (QI3) Surgery Council and the Arthroscopy Association of Canada (AAC) executive committee.

Dr. Woodmass currently splits his practice between Winnipeg, MB and Calgary, AB. He is the team physician for the Winnipeg ICE Western Hockey League junior team. He previously served as the assistant team physician for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball League. When Dr. Woodmass is not working he enjoys playing hockey, mountain biking and downhill skiing.

Charles Nelson, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Nelson completed his medical school and Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Alberta.  He went on to complete his Arthroscopic Surgery and Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Fowler Kennedy Clinic in London, Ontario with one of the true giants in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Dr. Peter Fowler, along with his team including Dr. Ned Amendola, Sandy Kirkley and Bob Litchfield.

Dr. Nelson’s subspecialty interest is in knee surgery and he has a very high volume ACL practice and routinely manages multiligamentous knee injuries, meniscal tears and patellar dislocations.  His practice also includes knee realignment and  cartilage restoration procedures along with partial and total knee replacements at the other end of the spectrum.

Dr. Nelson has been practicing in Victoria, British Columbia for over 20 years and has looked after a number of National team and Olympic level athletes involved in rugby, soccer, field hockey, rowing, cycling and triathlon on Vancouver Island.  He is a frequent speaker at the local Juan de Fuca Orthopaedics meeting and the Fowler Fellow meetings and regularly teaches Island based medical students and residents.

In his free time, Dr. Nelson likes to play the piano and practice and perform with his rock band, which is comprised mainly of a number of other local physicians.  He also enjoys skiing, road cycling, mountain biking and spending time with his wife and family.  He feels blessed to have four wonderful children that give him an enormous sense of pride and admiration regarding their academic and athletic successes.

Justin LeBlanc, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Dr. LeBlanc received his medical degree from the University of Calgary in 2006 and completed his Orthopaedic Residency at the Cummings School of Medicine (Calgary, AB) in 2012. During his residency he also received his Master of Science in Medical Education. Upon completion of his orthopaedic surgery residency, Dr. LeBlanc began his sub-specialization training in shoulder surgery. He completed the distinguished Shoulder Surgery Fellowship at Western University (London, ON) in 2013. His training then took him to Melbourne, Australia, where he completed the Shoulder-Research Fellowship with the Melbourne Orthopaedic Group (MOG) in 2014.

Dr. LeBlanc’s practice mainly focuses on shoulder reconstruction and upper extremity surgeries, ranging from soft tissue repairs (instability, rotator cuff, AC joint, biceps, etc.) to shoulder replacements. He primarily operates at the South Health Campus is Calgary, Alberta. Dr. LeBlanc is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and a Preceptor for the Senior Sport Rotation, teaching residents advanced arthroscopic techniques. His passion continues to be medical education and you will often find Dr. LeBlanc teaching students at the Advanced Technical Skills Simulation Laboratory (ATSSL – Cumming School of Medicine), during his clinics at Access Orthopaedics and in the operating room.

Dr. LeBlanc was the Program Director for Surgical Foundations for the University of Calgary’s Department of Surgery for 4 years and is currently a member of the Alberta Medical Association, the Canadian Shoulder and Elbow Society, the Arthroscopy Association of Canada, the Canadian Orthopaedic Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is also fortunate enough to work with an amazing group of researchers and has been co-published in several peer reviewed journals.

Dr. LeBlanc considers himself a true Calgarian. He is an avid Calgary Flames and Stampeders fan and enjoys spending time with his friends and family in the city and mountains. During his free time he enjoys travelling, hiking, snowboarding, a good book and enjoys seeking out new adventures with his wife, young son and his rambunctious sheepadoodle.

David Cinats, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Dr. Cinats completed both medical school and orthopedic surgical training at the University of Calgary. He went on to pursue advanced surgical training at the University of British Columbia Orthopaedic Trauma fellowship at the Royal Columbian Hospital, followed by a fellowship in hand, upper extremity, and reconstructive microsurgery at SUNY Upstate Medical University in New York.

Dr. Cinats started his practice at Virginia Commonwealth University where he founded the Limb Reconstruction Program and served on both the orthopaedic trauma and hand fellowship programs. He recently relocated back to Canada and joined the Fraser Orthopaedic Institute in New Westminster, British Columbia as a Clinical Assistant Professor with the University of British Columbia. His focus is on complex upper extremity reconstruction with a special interest in nerve conditions.

Dr. Cinats is a both a fellow of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery as well as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is an active researcher in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of British Columbia with numerous peer-reviewed publications and active research grants.

Cory Cundal, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Cundal received his medical degree from the University of Alberta in 1993. He completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Alberta, and then obtained fellowship training in adult and pediatric spine surgery at the Rocky Mountain Spine Clinic in Denver, Colorado.

After returning to Canada, Dr. Cundal started an orthopedic surgery practice and became the chief of surgery at the QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie, Alberta. He relocated to Calgary in 2003 and joined the University of Calgary Orthopedic Surgery Division as a Clinical Lecturer. Currently, Dr. Cundal practices at the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary, and is the Site Chief of Orthopedic Surgery.

Dr. Cundal specializes in the treatment of degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine and has over 20 years of experience in adult lumbar spine, and hip & knee arthroplasty surgery. When he is not working, Dr. Cundal enjoys mountain biking, tennis, golf, and ice hockey.

Ahmed Aoude, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Ahmed Aoude is an assistant professor in orthopaedic surgery at McGill University. He completed fellowships in orthopaedic oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto and spine surgery at Foothills Medical Center in Calgary.  His spine training was completed with orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons in Calgary where he became proficient in complex spine surgery and degenerative disease in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. His practice includes complex oncology resections and spine reconstructive surgery.

Prior to pursuing medicine, Dr. Aoude obtained degrees in biomedical engineering and electrical engineering at McGill University. He also was a project manager designing and developing computer assisted surgery equipment and techniques for orthopaedic surgery prior to pursuing his MD at University of Montreal.

To date, he has multiple orthopaedic surgery patents and many peer reviewed publications in orthopaedics. His research interests include clinical outcomes, surgical techniques as well as medical device development and design. He is also the director of the Orthopedic Research Lab at McGill University which focuses on biomechanical testing and innovation in Orthopaedics.

Dr. Aoude’s expertise in spine surgery includes the latest techniques for treating spinal deformities, degenerative disc disease, and spinal cord injuries. He has a deep understanding of the complex anatomy of the spine, and works closely with his patients to develop customized treatment plans that take into account their unique needs and goals.

Eric Schlader, BScPT, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Schlader completed his physical therapy, medical and orthopaedic surgery training at the Université de Montréal in Quebec. After completing his residency training, he visited Gilles Walch in Lyon, France and Pascal Boileau in Nice, France, undertaking further training in shoulder replacement surgery. Both Walch and Boileau, world renowned thought-leaders in shoulder replacement surgery, had a major influence on Dr. Schlader’s practice, especially in relation to the reverse shoulder replacement, which was pioneered in France.

Dr. Schlader has developed a large practice in primary and revision shoulder replacement surgery, including complex revision procedures for patients with prior failed surgery for rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, and shoulder arthritis. He was an early adopter of three-dimensional surgical planning for shoulder replacements. He also uses a patient specific approach that accounts for a patient’s unique anatomy when performing a shoulder replacement.

Dr. Schlader in one of the highest volume shoulder replacement surgeons in Quebec and has been asked to present his experience at provincial and national conferences. His surgical philosophy when performing shoulder replacement surgery is to maximize bone preservation using shorter uncemented implants or grafting techniques to optimize future options should a revision be required.

Dr. Schlader performs private shoulder surgery at the Centre D’excellence en Orthopédie de Montréal while working publicly at the St-Eustache Hospital on the north shore of Montreal. His team can perform shoulder surgery without the need for general anesthesia, using a nerve block with sedation, limiting the need for narcotics following surgery.

Dr. Schlader believes in a holistic approach to managing shoulder conditions, leveraging his past physical therapy training. He emphasizes the importance of core strength, postural control, and shoulder blade muscle coordination to address scapular dyskinesis during preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation. He also emphasizes the importance of nutrition, mindfulness meditation, and physical exercise on musculoskeletal pathology and pain. When not working, he enjoys multiple sports including skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, yoga, gymnastics, and calisthenics, which allow him to practice the techniques emphasized in his rehabilitation approach.

Philippe Magown, MDCM, PhD, FRCSC, CIME

Dr. Magown obtained his medical degree from McGill University in Montreal and completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of Dalhousie in Halifax. He received his fellowship and specialty certificate from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2015. He concomitantly obtained a Ph.D. in Anatomy and Neurobiology from Dalhousie University for his work on stem cell-derived motoneuron reinnervation and muscular optogenetics.

Dr. Magown also holds a Clinician Investigator certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He pursued two additional years of subspecialty fellowship training in Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery at the University of Calgary and the Oregon Health and Science University. He sub-specialized in surgical treatments of movement disorders, facial pain, and chronic pain during those years.

Dr. Magown has been in independent practice since 2017. He holds an appointment as an attending neurosurgeon in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the Health Sciences Centre. He joined Access Orthopaedics in 2020, where he provides care in adult spinal disorders and chronic pain. His interest is in neuromodulation, especially for the treatment of chronic pain.

Outside of work, Dr. Magown enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and skiing with his wife.

Nicholas Desy, MD, FRCSC, FAAOS

Nicholas M. Desy, MD, FRCSC, FAAOS is a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Cumming School of Medicine as well as the Program Director for the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program at the University of Calgary. Dr. Desy completed his medical school and orthopaedic surgery residency training at McGill University. He subsequently pursued a postdoctoral research fellowship within the Department of Neurologic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. This was followed by fellowship training in orthopaedic trauma at the Foothills Medical Centre and University of Calgary as well as in adult hip and knee joint reconstruction at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Desy also recently completed the one-year Surgical Leadership Program from Harvard Medical School at Harvard University.

His clinical practice and research interests focuses primarily on adult hip and knee joint reconstruction. He has been the recipient of several teaching and research awards. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications as well as six book chapters. His research has also led to numerous podium and poster presentations at national and international conferences.

Brad Weening, BScH, BPHE, MD, FRCSC

With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Weening is a licensed Orthopaedic Surgeon and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada practising in Oakville, Ontario. He has also completed an Honors Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Physical Education.

Dr. Weening is actively involved in medical education and clinical research and was formerly involved in humanitarian work including medical mission trips to Haiti.

Throughout the years, he performed thousands of surgical procedures including total hip and knee replacements, osteotomies, arthroscopic procedures, and musculoskeletal trauma surgeries.

Dr. Weening provides peri-operative support to patients in southwestern Ontario as part of Gateway’s national network of surgeons.

Paul Zalzal, MD, MASc, FRCSC

Dr. Zalzal is an Orthopaedic Surgeon with a Master of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at McMaster University.

Dr. Zalzal has been performing adult reconstructive and ambulatory trauma surgery for over twenty years. He practices in Oakville, Ontario at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital where he is the Chair of the Research Ethics Committee.

He has pioneered computer assisted surgical techniques in these areas. His list of publications includes topics relevant to clinical outcomes, biomechanics, tissue engineering, and computer assisted surgery.

He has been employed as a consultant to several biotechnology companies. He is regularly involved in medical-legal consultations. He has been an active member of design teams producing successful commercial products in the fields of computer assisted surgery and therapeutics. He is the co-founder of Talking With Docs, a YouTube channel that provides free, accessible medical information with over 10 million views in over 90 countries.

Dr. Zalzal provides peri-operative support to patients in southwestern Ontario as part of Gateway’s national network of surgeons.

Matt Mastel, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Mastel completed medical school, followed by his residency in orthopaedic surgery, at the University of Saskatchewan. He subsequently completed a hip and knee reconstruction fellowship at the University of Calgary, which included complex primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty; significant exposure to the direct anterior, anterolateral, and posterior approaches to the hip; Birmingham hip resurfacing; along with a tailored focus on hip preservation surgery including hip arthroscopy.

Dr. Mastel is an attending orthopaedic surgeon in Saskatoon, SK. His practice is focused on hip and knee arthroplasty, as well as young adult hip preservation surgery including hip arthroscopy. He is an Assistant Professor of orthopaedic surgery at the University of Saskatchewan, and actively involved in resident physician and undergraduate student teaching. He is passionate about improving post-operative patient outcomes and has published in a number of peer reviewed journals.

Dr. Mastel provides peri-operative support to patients in Saskatchewan as part of Gateway Surgery’s national network of surgeons.

Jennifer Leighton, MD, FRCSC

Biography to follow.

Joe Amirault, MD, FRCSC

Biography to follow.

Aaron Hartley, MD, CCFP​

Biography coming soon.

Philip Matejko, MD, CCFP

Colleen Kuntze, PT, MScPT, BKin

Colleen graduated with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta. She also holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Calgary. 

Pulled by a great interest in post-graduate education, Colleen has completed training in manual therapy through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Orthopaedic Division. She has also attended several courses on shoulder assessment and rehabilitation. Her qualifications include traditional dry needling and ordering of diagnostic imaging.

Colleen is deeply involved in physiotherapy research. Her contributions have been presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. 

She was involved with the Banff Sports Medicine group on a research initiative on functional outcomes following knee ligament reconstruction. She has also worked as a physiotherapist for the Worker’s Compensation Board of Alberta Shoulder Surgical Review and Integrated Shoulder Rehabilitation programs.

As the co-lead of the Alberta Health Services Bone and Joint Strategic Clinical Networks’ provincial initiative, Colleen helps develop clinical care pathways for assessment and management of shoulder disorders. She wholeheartedly believes in the importance of a multidisciplinary treatment approach. Colleen is building universal shoulder post-operative protocols for the Calgary area by utilizing her robust experience working alongside orthopaedic shoulder surgeons. 

An active individual, Colleen recognizes the importance of getting her clients moving and returning to their activities. As a result, her physiotherapy practice focuses on manual therapy and functional exercise to address non-optimal biomechanics. 

Colleen grew up in Invermere, BC, where she built a love for the outdoors from a very young age. She spends most weekends in the mountains spending time with her family and friends going hiking, skiing, and biking.

Laura Hartley, PT, MScPT, BScKin

Laura is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s Master of Science of Physical Therapy program from 2013. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Since beginning her physiotherapy career, she has practiced in a variety of settings including private practice, inpatient hospital, the emergency room and a preschool. From this varied experience, she has treated patients of every age and a vast array of physical limitations.

Laura has participated in many post graduate courses focusing on manual therapy, exercise prescription, and pain management. She is a certified manual therapist through the Swodeam Institution. She is also authorized to provide dry needling and uses this as an additional technique to aid in reducing pain and restoring function.

Laura enjoys working with her patients to create collaborative and functional treatment plans. She knows every patient has different goals and integrating a physiotherapy program can look quite different from one individual to the next. During her sessions, there is a large component of education to provide her patients with the tools to be able to take control of their own recovery.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys participating in outdoor adventures with her husband and two young children. This includes regular zoo visits, bike rides, beach exploration, and tobogganing depending on the season.

Jack Whiting, PT, MScPT, BScKin

Jack graduated from the University of Calgary in 2014 with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology with distinction, and then from the University of Alberta in 2017 with a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy. He has practiced in Alberta since graduating in both Calgary and Edmonton. He has primarily worked in private practice with a keen interest in shoulder and lumbar spine injuries.

Jack collaborates with his patients to attain a specific treatment plan including tailored exercise prescription, education and intramuscular stimulation. He employs a collaborative approach with his clients to identify specific goals and activity preferences in order to get the most out of each treatment.

Jack has completed multiple post graduate courses in intramuscular stimulation, concussion rehabilitation and peripheral manipulations.

When Jack is not in the clinic you will probably find him rock climbing at one the many indoor bouldering walls, cycling or hiking.

Nicole Gardner, PT, MScPT, BScKin

Nicole graduated in 2013 with a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Alberta. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with distinction from the same institution.

As a registered Physiotherapist, Nicole has spent her career practicing in orthopedics, gaining experience in treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
She has a passion for learning and has completed post-graduate training in manual and manipulative therapy, and obtained her certification in functional dry needling (IMS). Other completed courses include advanced assessment and treatment for the shoulder, and mobilization with movement techniques.

Nicole has taken a special interest in shoulder injuries and non-operative shoulder rehabilitation. She takes an active approach to rehabilitation and works collaboratively with her patients to develop a goal oriented customized treatment plan to assist in maximizing function and returning to activity.

As a mother of two small children, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, running, golfing and practicing yoga.

Caitlin Fredericks, PT, MScPT, BKin

Caitlin graduated with a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Alberta and holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology with a major in Athletic Therapy from the University of Calgary. 

Her treatment focus consists of therapeutic exercises, education, and manual therapy to support her patients during recovery. Caitlin has previously worked with the Banff orthopedic surgeons for research after knee (ACL and MPFL) surgery and has a keen interest in sporting injuries and injury prevention. [Her main areas of specialization are knees, hips, shoulder and ankles.] 

Caitlin is a born and raised Calgarian with previous athletic experience in gymnastics and springboard diving, and is currently involved in running, climbing, weight training, biking and hiking with her dog. 

Emma Aucoin, PT, MScPT, BScKin

Dana Jacobs, PT Intern, MScPT, BScKin

Twyla Vogt

Check back soon to learn about Twyla!

Barb Mackay

Check back soon to learn about Barb!

Jennie Carson

Jennie joined Gateway Surgery in 2020 bringing a wealth of experience to our team. She has previously worked in administrative roles in Family Medicine, Nephrology, Pediatrics, Respirology and Orthopaedics.

In her role as Surgical Care Coordinator at Gateway Surgery, Jennie assists patients through the process of booking their private surgery. She is passionate about ensuring a seamless journey for each of her patients.

Outside of work Jennie enjoys spending time with her family in the outdoors.

Taylor Steffensen

Taylor has 4 years of clinical experience gained from employment as a physiotherapy assistant and medical office assistant here in Calgary, AB. Taylor endorses the importance of education, and is always aiming to expand her knowledge to best assist the guidance of our patients within the private health care system. Aside from her experience in a clinical setting, Taylor also brings 9 years of customer service skills to our team. Taylor has also been recognized by clients and colleagues in previous employment and was nominated for two awards recognizing her dedication to providing outstanding kindness and attendance to patients.

Outside of office hours Taylor enjoys spending time with her significant other, their dog hazel and kitten Luna. Often this time is spent at the dog park, with friends or family.

Michelle Tangen

Check back soon to learn about Michelle!

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