Dr. Quincy Almeida, is a world-renowned Parkinson’s and neurodegenerative disease expert with a double Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience and Kinesiology. As a Full Professor, Dr. Almeida founded the internationally-recognized Movement Disorders Research & Rehabilitation Centre, has won several awards including the Polanyi Prize for Physiology and Medicine, the Queen’s Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal, the Franklin Henry Young Scientist Award for Motor Control, and North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity Early Career Distinguished Scholar Awards. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications in journals such a Lancet Neurology, Movement Disorders, and Neurorehabilitation & Neural Repair, Dr. Almeida focuses on underlying mechanisms of the symptoms of Parkinson’s and then translating them into therapeutic interventions for those living with neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, such as the popular and evidence-based SAFEx exercise programs to slow the progression of neurodegenerative disease. His research has been funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Dr. Almeida was also a site leader for the Canadian Consortium for Neurodegeneration and Aging SYNERGIC trial and COMPASS-ND which focuses on memory, cognitive and movement disorders. Dr. Almeida brings access to an integrated health care team of specialists, as well as some of the most innovative assistive devices, inventions and novel therapeutics for the management of motor, cognitive and pain disorders.

Dr. Quincy Almeida, is a world-renowned Parkinson’s and neurodegenerative disease expert with a d... Read More

Zafira earned her Master of Health Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Indianapolis in 2017. She then spent five years honing her skills at an Orthopedic and Sports Medicine clinic in Maryland, followed by two years in outpatient clinics in Halifax, Nova Scotia. During her career, Zafira has worked with a diverse range of patients, from youth to older adults, treating orthopedic and sports injuries. She has had the privilege of assisting athletes at both recreational and professional levels, crafting challenging and effective exercise routines to support their recovery.

Her journey in physiotherapy began with a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy, which she completed with honors in India in 2014. After graduating, she spent a year at an orthopedic and sports outpatient clinic in Mumbai, where her passion for orthopedic and sports therapy truly flourished.

Zafira has extensive training in various manual and exercise therapy techniques, including Kinesio and rigid taping, Pilates, Dry Needling, and the Mulligan concept. She is a strong advocate for evidence-based care and is committed to continuously expanding her expertise through ongoing education. Zafira is dedicated to providing high-quality care by conducting thorough evaluations and creating personalized treatment plans that align with each patient’s goals. Her greatest joy in her profession comes from helping people regain their daily functionality and return to the activities they love.

Outside of work, Zafira enjoys traveling and outdoor adventures like hiking and rock climbing. She also loves reading, listening to music, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Zafira earned her Master of Health Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Indianapolis i... Read More

Noel graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Biology in 1994. Prior to returning to school for massage therapy he worked as both a Physiotherapy assistant and research assistant for the Physiotherapy department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, ON for three years. He earned his diploma in massage therapy (honours) in 1999 and was awarded at graduation Exceptional Academic/Clinical Performance in the Faculty of Massage Therapy.

He has been working in a multidisciplinary clinic setting for the past 20 years and most recently moved to private practice, with experience as an independent medical examiner for the auto insurance industry, as well as working with WSIB, extended health insurers and Department of Veteran Affairs and is a member in good standing with both the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and with the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario.

Noel’s practice focuses on rehabilitative therapeutic massage and has furthered his practice for the benefit of client care with professional development courses in acupressure, myofascial release, scapular stretch/rotator cuff release, as well as certification in the use of ultrasound and electrotherapy.

Noel graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Biology in 1994. Prior to returning to s... Read More

Devanshi Patel has a strong background in physiotherapy, with a diverse and well-rounded educational and professional trajectory. She earned her Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree from CHARUSAT University, India, in December 2019, which equipped her with the foundational skills needed for the profession. She then pursued advanced education with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Healthcare Management from Northern College and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Exercise Science for Health & Performance from Niagara College. Devanshi has built up extensive experience in managing a wide range of conditions across Orthopedics, Neurology, Rehabilitation, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, and Gynecology. Her practical knowledge is further supported by certifications in Functional Movement Screening, Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Dry Needling, and Pelvic Floor Level 1, Yoga Teacher Training - 200 hours with a continuing commitment to advancing her expertise in pelvic floor therapy and acupuncture. She has refined her clinical skills in multiple settings, including private practices, rehabilitation centers, and geriatric facilities, where she learned to provide individualized care. Devanshi adopts a patient-centered approach, ensuring that treatments are tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals, and she relies on evidence-based practices to achieve the best outcomes. Outside of her professional endeavors, Devanshi enjoys spending time in nature, reading, practicing yoga, drawing, and dancing. Her diverse interests reflect her holistic approach to health and well-being, both for herself and for her patients.

Devanshi Patel has a strong background in physiotherapy, with a diverse and well-rounded educatio... Read More

Maureen is a seasoned registered physiotherapist with plenty of clinical experience in both the public and private health care sectors. A graduate from the University of Toronto just over 30 years ago, she maintains faculty status in U of T’s Physiotherapy Department where she strives to lead new physiotherapists into providing excellent evidence-based care using a holistic approach with empathy and compassion for each individual patient. She is also the elected council member for the central region of The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.

Maureen owned and operated her own clinic in Brampton for 14 years where she provided one-on-one care to patients of all ages for any injury, illness, or condition, before needing a change after a family tragedy. For 10 years, she consulted within the schools of Peel and York regions providing physiotherapy to children with various special needs and exceptionalities. She continues to work with children with various challenges such as torticollis, Juvenile arthritis, Leg Perthes, decreased muscle tone such as children with Down Syndrome, poor postural control, and developmental delays.

These past 16 and a half years, Maureen has worked at the Brampton Civic Hospital, within all of the inpatient units, including the inpatient paediatric and the inpatient mental health units, before finally transferring to outpatient orthopaedic physiotherapy. There she treated patients with more complicated musculo-skeletal injuries and conditions including but not limited to, post-surgical repairs, non-surgical fractures, significant sprains and strains, post-cancer surgical patients, torticollis, hip dysplasia, osteomyelitis, and brachial plexus injuries. She was also one of the few physiotherapists to provide extensive physiotherapy services to the inpatient mental health units. It continues to be a great passion of hers to work with people with various mental health challenges who are so often misunderstood, and under-served by the health care system. She also consulted at the Peel DAC to assess whether patients required further rehab services beyond the typical 3 months after their MVA.

As an ADP Authorizer, Maureen performs mobility assessments for patients that would benefit from using a walker, rollator, cane or crutches on a more permanent basis.

Maureen holds a special interest in working with athletes of all levels to rehabilitate back to their maximal functional level. This follows her many years serving as the physiotherapist on the bench for men and women’s semi-pro soccer teams and competitive basketball players in Ontario, providing physiotherapy at provincial and national level gymnastic competitions in Mississauga and Brampton, and for female players on the Canadian Women’s Futsal World Cup team who won the silver medal in 2022. As an athlete herself, she truly appreciates what it takes to recover from an injury sustained in any athletic activity.

Recently moving to Hamilton, Maureen joined Thrive Physio’s team to continue her last chapter of providing physiotherapy to the public and encourages direct, one-on-one, individual, holistic, client-centred care. She believes in always practicing one-on-one care and provides everyone with an individual comprehensive treatment plan driven by client-centered goals.

She enjoys providing care to those who have sustained any type of injury to the bone, soft tissue, or joint dislocation, and assists in recovery after any surgical procedure such as a joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery, fractured/broken bone repair, spinal surgery, and any soft tissue repair, and works with individuals coping with any illness or condition such as:

• Arthritis
• MS
• Parkinson
• Osteomyelitis
• Osteoporosis
• Cancer
• and more.

Maureen is a seasoned registered physiotherapist with plenty of clinical experience in both the p... Read More

Valerie is a physiotherapist who believes that in order to take care of yourself, a holistic approach to treatment is required. She does this by looking at the whole person and assessing the biology, psychology and social elements that surround a person. Each element creates a unique dimension to the individual and affects how we function and respond to pain.

Valerie focuses on helping people who desire to stay mobile and independent and have been let down by previous physiotherapy treatments, doctors or other treatments. She believes all active adults should have the confidence in knowing that their body can stand up to any task and stay mobile without the worrying of lingering injuries slowing them down.

Valerie completed her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology at Brock University and went on to Queen’s University for her Master’s of Physical Therapy. She has completed numerous courses following her schooling, including acupuncture and pelvic health to name a few.

When Valerie is not working or spending time with her family, you can find her outdoors spending time in nature, painting or going for a long walk.

Valerie is a physiotherapist who believes that in order to take care of yourself, a holistic appr... Read More