While still in high school, Heather took an Athletic First Aid and Taping and Strapping course through the Sport Medicine Council of Alberta and used her new skills to help her high school women’s rugby team. She was hooked. ​ Heather has been a Certified Athletic Therapist (CAT(C)) since 2002 after completing a combined Bachelor of Physical Education/Advanced Certificate in Athletic Therapy degree program offered through the University of Alberta and Mount Royal College.

It was a dream come true to open Fernie’s 1st Athletic Therapy Clinic in the fall of 2006. Prior to moving to Fernie in 2005, Heather was working in Edmonton, AB as the Medical Coordinator for the 2005 World Masters Games and a clinical Athletic Therapist at NorMed Therapies in Sherwood Park, AB. Winter 2005 in Fernie she worked as a dispatcher at Fernie Alpine Resort and used her First Responder and Athletic Therapy skills to assess the carnage that rolled into the First Aid room.

Those who know Heather well, know that her favorite joint in the body to work with is the KNEE! She advanced her education and knowledge with online and in-person courses through MSK Masterclass: Acute Knee Injury Assessment and has also taken many courses in bracing. Heather has spent many hours observing knee surgeries and shadowing clinical appointments with various surgeons in Fernie, Banff, Cranbrook, Lethbridge and Edmonton. She has also taken courses in KinesioTaping, Custom Foot Orthotics, Soft Tissue Release (similar to ART) and Muscle Energy Techniques.

​Heather has spent many years “working on the sidelines/bench/deck” and consulting for numerous teams, clubs and events. Examples include Jr hockey, freestyle skiing and snowboarding, track and field, figure skating, rugby, gymnastics, football and lacrosse. More recently she started consulting with the Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club. Fernie Athletic Therapy provides Athletic Therapy game day coverage on the sidelines for the Elk Valley Rugby Football Club and in the past for numerous years with the Fernie Ghostriders.

As for her own active lifestyle, Heather grew up playing ringette, but now spends her spare time doing mountain lifestyle sports such as skiing and snowboarding, xc skiing, hiking, mountain biking, backcountry camping and cross training on a spin bike and throwing around a few weights. Heather is an avid worldly traveler and is so grateful to partake in many cultural, language, voluntourism and sport related adventures with her amazing husband and two school aged daughters.

I look forward to meeting you!

While still in high school, Heather took an Athletic First Aid and Taping and Strapping course th... Read More