Meet the Team

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Meet the Team at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation Get to Know Us

Dr. Rich Raigoza, Chiropractor

About Me
-I am the owner/founder of Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation and one of the chiropractors of the team. My vision for OHPR is to become a pioneer in the way that physical therapy and rehabilitation is offered. My approach to therapy is heavily based on functional and essential movements which can be improved by focused and targeted manual therapy in addition to exercise. I am the primary lead on performance testing through cutting edge technology such as VO2 max and metabolic rate testing. We are one of the only facilities in all of Ontario with the assessment tools to offer these assessments in order to achieve better athletic performance and the prevention of disease.

I was originally born in Medellin, Colombia and can offer my services in both English and Spanish.

Clinical interests & Expertise

Personal and professional experience with mixed martial arts: jui jitsu and May Thai, baseball, soccer, and over 10 years experience in powerlifting.
Sport injuries, return to play sport, human performance
Physiology interest and director of our metabolic testing department.

Hobbies

Physical activity and anything that elevates the heart rate but a big chunk of time spent on weight lifting
Spending time enjoying the beauty of Ottawa with his partner Dr. Rad and dog Trenbolone (Tren)

Fun Fact

Has been able to squat and deadlift >2.5x his bodyweight on the same day.

Favorite Quote

He who treats the site if pain is lost – Dr. Karel Lewit

If you have the aspiration of kicking ass when you’re 85, you can’t afford to be average when you’re 50 – Dr. Peter Attia

Awards & Recognitions

Ontario Chiropractic Association Recent chiropractic graduate award 2020
CMCC president’s award 2019
Governor’s club Award 2019

Dr. Christine Rad, Chiropractor

About Me:
Growing up, Dr. Christine experienced her fair share of sport- and dance-related injuries, including a fractured ankle. Having a Chiropractor on her team kept her playing and performing for many more years! This became a strong influence for Dr. Rad; she developed a desire to also help people continue doing the things they love. Currently, she enjoys exploring new trails here in Ottawa and spending time outdoors with her fiancé Dr. Rich and their husky Tren.

Dr. Christine is able to provide treatment in both English and Ukrainian.

Education & Certifications

Doctor of Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC)
Registered chiropractor in Ontario and a member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario
Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Toronto
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture from McMaster University
Research with the Toronto Fire Service members on injury prevention
Peripheral Neural Dynamics: Upper Limb course during her clinical internship at CMCC with Dr. Brad Muir
Concussion: prevention, detection, and management course by the University of Calgary & Université Laval collaboration
OPDL soccer league on-site therapist in the Ottawa region
Rehab-U Movement Optimization for Prehab and Performance Certification
GLA:D Canada’s exercise therapy for hip and knee osteoarthritis management program

Clinical interests & Expertise

Sport- and dance-related injuries
Headache and concussion management
Exercise therapy for arthritis management
She also has a special interest in helping Ottawa’s tactical athletes: firefighters, paramedics, police officers, armed forces, etc. whose work demands a higher level of physical fitness
Dr. Rad is running the GLA:D Canada program for those experiencing pain and/or limitations due to hip or knee osteoarthritis

Hobbies: After taking a woodshop class in high school, she enjoys the creative aspect of small DIY projects. From Muskoka chairs, to wreaths and home decor, to an outdoor dog house for her husky… creating something beautiful out of nothing is time well spent. She also relishes the calm stillness of a summer Sunday morning with a coffee and good book.

Fun Fact: Dr. Rad and her older brother share an uncanny ability to memorize movie lines. They will often speak in their own language composed of quotes from their favourite comedy movies and stand-up comedians.

Favourite Quote:

“Pursue what is meaningful, not what is expedient.” Dr. Jordan Peterson

Awards & Recognitions

President for the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Ottawa (previously VP Operations 2020-2022)
Graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (2019)
Guest Speaker for various workplaces and organizations on health-related topics
Dr. Christine Rad is a registered chiropractor in Ontario and a member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario.

Jenny St Jean, Nurse Practitioner

About Me: Jenny graduated from nursing in Ottawa 2009 and shortly after began to specialize in skin and wound healing. In 2013, she completed a Master of Clinical Science in Wound Healing which led her to provide consultations and education, interprovincially and internationally.

In 2017 she completed her Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner degree to help increase access to primary care.

Jenny’s goal is to work with patients to achieve a mutual goal by helping to guide care with evidence-based practices and guidelines. She can provide care in English and French.

Education and certifications:

Bachelors of science in nursing-2009
Master of Clinic Science in wound healing-2015
Master of Nursing-Nurse Practitioner-2017
Medical Aesthetics certification- 2021

Clinical interests and expertise:

Hyperpigmentation, acne, eczema, anti-aging, non-healing chronic wounds
I enjoy office procedures: stitches, skin lesion removal, hip injections, nail extractions.
Concussion management
Chronic Migraine and hyperhidrosis management
Osteoporosis management
Women’s health such as: menopause, vulvodynia, contraception management
PCOS

Hobbies:

Dancing, yoga, music festivals, triathlons and obstacle course competitions, exploring new environments and cultures, extreme sports, being in nature, learning

Fun fact:

I survived Tough Mudder! and I am a big kid at heart.

Favorite quote
“Life changes. You get it all lined up just the way you like it and then something beyond your control comes along and bumps you off center. Nothing stays the same. You grow up, make friends, lose friends, lose track of people, meet new ones and sometimes you ask yourself why. But all I can tell you is that every single experience you go through changed you in some way. Every new person who comes into your life changes you. Every moral dilemma or emotional experience you come up against changes you. It’s your job to decide how.” -unknown

Awards or recognitions

I received an Honours award in Pre-Nursing at Algonquin College
I was a stakeholder in: RNAO Best Practice Guideline (BPG) “Assessment and Management of Foot Ulcers for People with Diabetes”
I was published in the Ottawa Citizen and the Registered Nurse Journal for advocating hand sanitizers on OC transpo buses in 2009
I volunteer with Project Medishare in Haiti at Hospital Bernard Mevs to educate nurses and doctors about wound care

Taofiq Aziz, Registered Physiotherapist

About Me Taofiq completed his Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of Ottawa, where he developed a passion for orthopedics and sports rehabilitation. He uses a patient-centered approach to guide and educate his clients so that they understand the rehab process and can self-manage in the future. Taofiq is devoted to helping his clients reduce their pain and improve their functional measures such as strength, mobility, and endurance to support his clients in their rehab and fitness goals.

Taofiq is very passionate about leading a physically active lifestyle, which originally sparked his interest in exercise science, leading him to pursue a B.Sc. in Kinesiology at Western University. During this time, he had the opportunity to work as a varsity strength and conditioning coach and later as the athletic therapist for the men’s and women’s varsity soccer team, which helped him gain invaluable experience treating sports related injuries and developing preventative rehab programs to keep his athletes healthy and performing at a high level.

Taofiq can practice physiotherapy in English and French, and is currently learning Spanish!

Education and Certifications:

M.Sc. PT – University of Ottawa
B.Sc. (Hons) – Western University

Clinical interests and Expertise:

Sport and fitness-related injuries
Running gait analysis
Injury prevention
Strength and conditioning/running coaching
Seniors fall prevention and arthritis management

Fun Fact: During his free time, Taofiq loves to stay active by strength training, running and playing spikeball. The next big challenge is training for his first marathon in the spring! He also enjoys exploring new parts of the city for the scenery and the local cafés, always searching for the next aromatic bag of espresso beans to make at home.

Favorite Quote: Exercise is medicine for the body, mind and soul.

Abdallah Najem

Abdallah Najem is a highly accomplished and experienced trilingual physical therapist with over 9 years of clinical experience in the field. As a dedicated and compassionate healthcare professional, Abdallah takes a holistic approach to patient care, considering not only their physical health but also their emotional and psychological well-being. He works closely with patients to understand their needs, goals, and concerns, and develops individualized treatment plans tailored to meet their unique needs. Abdallah is excited to bring his expertise to Ottawa Health: Performance & Rehab, where he will continue to provide high-quality and comprehensive care to patients of all ages and backgrounds.

Abdallah can practice physiotherapy in English, French as well as Arabic.
Education & Certifications

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Lebanese University, Beirut – Lebanon

Master en Physiothérapie – option : activités physiques et sport
Master of Science in Physical Activity and Sports Rehab (MScPT)
Université Saint Joseph, Beirut – Lebanon

Diplôme de physiothérapie

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BPT)
Université Saint Joseph, Beirut – Lebanon

Fitness Nutrition Certification
INTERNATIONAL SPORTS SCIENCES ASSOCIATION

Certified Fitness Trainer
INTERNATIONAL SPORTS SCIENCES ASSOCIATION

Clinical interests and expertise

Sports Physiotherapy
Orthopedic Physiotherapy
Geriatric Physiotherapy
Workplace and Occupational Health
Pain Management
Manual Therapy
Injury prevention

Hobbies

Fitness and Exercise
Outdoor Activities
Billiardo
Continuing Education
Farming
Traveling

Favorite Quote:

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Benjamin Franklin, 1735.

Robyn MacRae

About Me I remain very active throughout the year with my family. You can find us doing anything outside from skiing, playing hockey, fishing and paddling. My favorite way to spend time alone is doing yoga either in a studio, a park or on a paddleboard in the summer.

Clinical interests & Expertise I incorporate various massage techniques to help rehabilitate clients to their optimal functionality. I try to accomplish these outcomes by the use of Deep Tissue, Trigger Point work, and fascial release. In order to allow for the effects of the treatment to last, I educate my clients on the importance of hydration, stretching and strengthening areas of imbalances. I have experience working with sports injuries, stress release, trigger points, tendonitis, sprain/strains, head, neck and shoulder issues, limited range of motion and chronic pain.

Education & Certifications

Kine Concept College, Ottawa, ON. 2007

Fun Fact: I can bake like Martha Stewart!

Favorite Quote:

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of being uncomfortable” -David Goggins

Gloria Saikaley

About Me RMT with four years of experience providing effective and compassionate client care with complementary experience as a personal trainer. Experience treating a wide range of conditions successfully from simple to complex cases. Professional yet personable and empathetic manner; high level of discretion and confidentiality; strong work ethic and client focus; detail oriented; self-motivated and results driven. Made a career change from corporate administration to massage therapy due to a strong interest in learning about the body and a desire to help people manage or eliminate musculoskeletal pain. Personally experienced both acute injury and chronic compensatory pain from reinjuring joint tissue multiple times, which required seeking various manual therapies such as chiropractic care and physiotherapy. Having been on the receiving end of treatments, not only can I empathize with clients, but also appreciate what each type of practitioner has to offer and refer my clients to them when it serves their best interests. Since I strive to achieve a client’s treatment goal in the shortest time possible, working within a multidisciplinary clinic allows me to better serve clients with complex cases by working with a team of practitioners in complementary disciplines.

Education & Certifications

Registered Massage Therapist
Certified CanfitPro Personal Training Specialist
Massage Therapy Diploma, Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy, Toronto, 2018

Clinical interests & Eexpertise During the past 4 years, I have been able to utilize most of my massage therapy training to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions to help clients decrease or eliminate their pain or discomfort stemming from acute injury or chronic pain. I have been successful in achieving client treatment goals simply by applying my assessment and treatment planning skills, growing in my tissue palpation skills to achieve tissue change, and providing targeted homecare exercises, all of which are with the goal of restoring postural symmetry. When needed, I use IASTM (instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization) tools designed for massage therapy to release tissue adhesion that proves difficult to release with manual techniques. I also love helping clients narrow down their bad postural habits and aggravating ADL’s so that we can work as a team towards lasting treatment outcomes.

Hobbies: During the past 4 years, I have spent my free time on self-care, spending time with family and catching up with friends.

Fun Fact:

Many years ago, I learned how to drive a formula 4 race car at Mont Tremblant which was a lot of fun.

Favorite Quote:

I don’t have a favorite quote but I love any motivational quote that helps me achieve personal growth or get through a challenging time.

Nivin Sharaf, Cupping Therapist

About Me Nivin Sharaf Eldin is an Internationally Certified trainer and teacher for Hijama and cupping therapy. With 19 years of experience as a medical educator teaching anatomy, and medicine both nationally and globally, Nivin has a vast knowledge of the human body and its predicaments. She trains practitioners and practices in natural remedies to tackle resistant pain, terminal illness, and improve quality of life.

Education and Certifications:

Nivin is an Egyptian Physician who specializes in Pediatric Medicine. She began teaching Evidence Based Medicine at the University of Ottawa in 2011. Since discovering cupping therapy and personally experiencing the benefits herself, she has taken 14 certified courses in cupping, acupuncture, and myofascial release. She has trained over 100 physicians in Egypt to offer cupping as an adjuvant therapy.

Clinical interests and Expertise:

Now living in Ottawa, Nivin wants to bring this ancient modality to Ottawa. She hopes to teach physicians, physiotherapists, chiropractors, nurses and any medical therapist about the benefits of cupping.

Awards and Recognitions

Award of Excellence in teaching at the University of Ottawa
Certified International Coach and John Maxwell Certified team member

Isabelle Boutros , Clinic Assistant

About Me I am a current undergraduate Psychology student at Carleton U, hoping to pursue a Master’s in Psychotherapy/Psychology once I graduate. I enjoy learning new skills and activities in my free-time! I also really love animals.

Hobbies: I have a few hobbies that I like to do including singing, dancing, rock climbing, and working out.

Fun Fact: I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 10 years!

Favorite Quote: “I like getting older. I feel like I’m finally aging into my personality.” – Nick Miller from New Girl.

Corey Hazell, Clinic Manager

About Me I am the clinic manager at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation.

Education & Certifications

Registered Holistic Nutritionist

Hobbies Spending as much time as possible with my son! Working out, football, and hockey.

Fun Fact: There are ten times as many stars in the known universe as there are grains of sand in the world. Astronomers say that there are 70 thousand million million million stars visible from the Earth through telescopes.

Favorite Quote: “Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.”

Victoria Ortiz, Clinic Assistant

About Me I grew up in Ottawa and attended Algonquin College for Office Administration, my favourite view near the city is at the Pink Lake lookout.

Hobbies: Discovering new paths with my dog, I love all things aesthetic including hairstyling, nails, and makeup!

Fun Fact: I am bilingual in Spanish and English and love to listen to music in Spanish the most.

Favorite Quote: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” – Maya Angelou

Meet The Team at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation | (613) 728 9414

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2022, 2023, 2024

Meet the Team

Meet the Team at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation Get to Know Us

Dr. Rich Raigoza, Chiropractor

Dr. Christine Rad, Chiropractor

Jenny St Jean, Nurse Practitioner

Taofiq Aziz, Registered Physiotherapist

Abdallah Najem

Robyn MacRae

Gloria Saikaley

Nivin Sharaf, Cupping Therapist

Isabelle Boutros , Clinic Assistant

Corey Hazell, Clinic Manager

Victoria Ortiz, Clinic Assistant

Meet The Team at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation | (613) 728 9414

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