Kelowna Staff

Occupational Therapists

Monika Axwik

Born and raised in Peachland, BC, Monika now lives and works in Kelowna. Monika first joined the Meridian Team as an OT student while completing her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at University of Alberta. Monika has also completed her Bachelor of Human Kinetics through University of BC-Okanagan. Monika enjoys how diverse her days can be – whether working with clients with chronic pain or helping her smallest clients with with printing and play, no two clients or programs are alike. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and going camping.

Qualifications and Memberships

Bachelor of Human Kinetics – University of British Columbia (Okanagan campus) 

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy – University of Alberta 

Member of the British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists

Member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists 

Registered Autism Service Provider for children under 6


Areas of Practice

Case Management

Chonic Pain Rehab

Community Rehabilitation 

Job Sit Visits and Job Demands Analysis 

Post-Concussion Rehab

Return to Work Coordination 

BC Transit assessments 

Pediatric Services

Autism Services

Lindsay Kavanaugh

Lindsay comes to us with her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, a Bachelor of Education, and a BA in history with a minor in Cultural Studies. Lindsay has a special interest in working in mental health including PTSD, depression and anxiety. She’s also experienced in return to work programming and post-concussion assessment and treatment. Lindsay believes it’s important to have a solid foundation of wellness skills in our “toolbox” before tackling big projects and responsibilities. A fun fact about Lindsay: She did musical theatre for many years and has a minor in theatrical performing arts! Outside of work, you can find Lindsay hiking, relaxing at home watching a movie, or island hopping on her latest travels! Her favourite islands so far? Sardinia, Tasmania, Le Mont Saint Michel! 

Qualifications and Memberships

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy – University of Toronto
Bachelor of Education 
Bachelor of Arts (History/Cultural Studies) 
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists 
Ontario College of Teachers 


Areas of Practice

Case Management 
Community Rehabilitation 
Post-Concussion Rehab 
Seating Assessments and Prescription 
Brain Injury Rehabilitation 
Return to Work Coordination 
Ergonomic Evaluations 
Mental Health and Mental Wellness 
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety and Depression

Dana McKie

Dana was born and a raised in Northwestern Ontario on the rocky and lake-filled Canadian shield. She obtained a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of Manitoba and spent several years working and traveling to places like South Korea, China, Central America, and Borneo. Dana returned to school in 2016 to earn a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta. She enjoys working with a diverse population of clients, with a focus on pediatrics. Dana works from a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming perspective. 

Qualifications:
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Bachelor of Social Work 

Member of British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists
Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) for children under 6
SOS Feeding Approach
SCERTS Model
Motivational Interviewing Level 1
 
Areas of Practice:
Pediatrics
Autism Spectrum Disorder
 
Community Rehabilitation
Post-Concussion Rehab
Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Work Hardening and Work Conditioning Programming
Job Site Visits and Job Demands Analysis
Return to Work Coordination
Ergonomic Evaluations
Megan Peterson

Megan grew up un Smiths Falls (home to the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario!).  She graduated with her Masters in OT from the University of Manitoba.

Megan likes that the OT scope of practice is so broad and she loves having the freedom to be creative with each therapy session. She loves that no two days are alike and that she can even head to the ski hill or a hike at the end of the day.

Outside of work, Megan enjoys reading or listening to audiobooks, hiking, canoeing, paddleboarding, backcountry camping, gardening and being a plant mom, travelling in Canada and abroad, working out early in the morning, and going on adventures.

Qualifications

 

Master of Occupational Therapy School from the University of Manitoba

Master of Arts in Disability Studies from University of Manitoba

 

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Health Studies (major) and Psychology (minor) from Queen’s University

Member of the British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists

Member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

Areas of Practice

Functional Capacity Evaluation and Critique

Post-Concussion Rehab Stroke Rehabilitation

Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Life Skills Programming & Vocational Programming for Adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities

Return to Work Coordination

Sabrina White

Sabrina joined the Kamloops team in 2015 and is now the Kelowna office manager. After graduating from University of Victoria with an undergraduate degree in Psychology, she set her sights on completing the Master of Occupational Therapy program at UBC. Sabrina is experienced in medical-legal functional capacity evaluations for both Plaintiff and Defence, and she’s been accepted to provide expert witness testimony in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Sabrina is also experienced in Return to Work services, equipment assessment and prescription, exposure therapy treatment for clients with PTSD and anxiety, as well as treating clients with chronic pain. Sabrina keeps active all year round with running, squash, curling, softball, golf and hiking with her family. 

Qualifications and Memberships

Master of Occupational Therapy– University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of Victoria
Member of the British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists
Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP)
Matheson Functional Capacity Evaluator
P.I.E.C.E.S Certificate (Adult mental health)
Concussion Management


Areas of Practice

Case Management
Community Rehabilitation
Chronic Pain Rehab
Dysphagia
Functional Capacity Evaluation & Critiques
Cost of Future Care Assessments & Critiques
Post-Concussion Rehab
Seating Assessments and Prescription
Spinal Cord Rehabilitation
Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Work Hardening and Work Conditioning Programming
Job Site Visits and Job Demands Analysis
Return to Work Coordination
Ergonomic Evaluations
Progressive Goal Attainment Program Services (PGAP)
Residential care contract services
Exposure therapy (Anxiety/PTSD)
Orthopaedic

Allyson Dyck

Allyson was born and raised in Kelowna. After moving to Ontario to complete her masters, she couldn’t be happier to be back on the West Coast. Allyson loves all things outdoors – hiking, biking, skiing, running – you name it! She is excited to be joining the Meridian Rehab team and to grow in her skills as an Occupational Therapist. 

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology (major) and Mathematics (minor) from the University of British Columbia – Okanagan 
 
Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Queen’s University 
 
Member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
 

Member of the British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists 

Kelly Moslenko

Kelly grew up in rural Manitoba which she left after high school to spend time backpacking across Europe. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from University of Calgary then moved to Australia and enjoyed spending time travelling and living in the sun. Kelly returned to Manitoba where she completed her Master of Occupational Therapy at University of Manitoba. She recently moved to Kelowna to enjoy all the sights and activities beautiful BC has to offer.

Kelly is passionate about supporting children and their families using a strengths-based, neurodiversity affirming approach.

Outside of work, you can find Kelly hiking, travelling, spending time with friends and family or at the beach!

Qualifications

 

Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Calgary

Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Manitoba

Member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

 

Areas of Practice

 

Pediatrics

Latesha Roberts
Latesha was born and raised on the beautiful and unique island of Newfoundland, where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Memorial University. Following the completion of her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at Dalhousie University, Latesha now calls Kelowna home. One of Latesha‘s favorite things about working as an Occupational Therapist is getting to work with all of her lovely clients to help them work toward their goals centered around their meaningful daily activities. 
 
When Latesha isn’t at work, she enjoys spending time her partner exploring their new home in the Okanagan and all it has to offer 
Qualifications:
 Master of Science (Occupational Therapy) – Dalhousie University
 
Bachelor of Science
(Kinesiology) – Memorial University of Newfoundland
 
Member of the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia
 
Member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
Laura Gini

Laura earned her Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences in Athletic Therapy at Sheridan College, before going on to complete her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at Western University in London, Ontario. Growing up in Kelowna, Laura was excited to move back with her husband to the Okanagan after living in the greater Toronto area. As an OT, Laura loves being in a position where she can work with a variety of different client groups and get to help empower and enable each of them to make changes in their lives, big or small. She also loves that she works with such a great, supportive team that always makes coming to work so much fun. In her spare time, Laura loves to play and watch basketball, tennis, and pickleball, spend time with her family and unwinding with a great movie.

Qualifications and Memberships

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy – Western University


Honours Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences (Athletic Therapy) – Sheridan College


Member of the British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists


Member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists


Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) Certificate


ANOVA: Trauma and Sexual Assault Disclosure Certificate


Areas of Practice

Case Management
Community Rehabilitation
Chronic Pain Rehab
Post-Concussion Rehab
Seating Assessments and Prescription
Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Ergonomic Evaluations
Long Term Care and Complex Care contract services
Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) for children under 6

Jessica Novecosky

Jessica earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Brock University before completing her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Queens University. Originally from Vancouver Island, she loves to be outdoors doing activities such as hiking, cross country skiing and swimming. Jessica loves that being an OT allows her to build meaningful therapeutic relationships with her clients and help empower them to achieve their goals!  

Areas of Practice:

Autism Services

Pediatric Services

Qualifications: 

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy – Queens University 

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Brock University 

Member of Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) 

Member of the British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists 

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Certification 

Motivational Interviewing Level I Certification 

Kelly Robbins

Coming from the most easternly point in Canada, Kelly was born and raised in the beautiful province of Newfoundland. After High School, she completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology with Honours at Memorial University. She then moved to Halifax to complete her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at Dalhousie University. Kelly seeked a new and exciting adventure and drove across Canada to now live in the active city of Kelowna. In her pass time she now enjoys running, skiing, exploring the Okanagan, finding new coffee shops, and facetiming with her cat, Frank!

 

Kelly is passionate about working as an Occupational Therapist and enjoys collaborating with her clients and their families to support them achieve their goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Master of Science – Occupational Therapy (MScOT) at Dalhousie University

 

Bachelor of Kinesiology (BKIN) (Honours) at Memorial University of Newfoundland

 

Member of the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC)

 

Member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)

 

AREAS OF PRACTICE

 

Pediatrics

Speech-Language Pathologists

Meagan Almond

Meagan grew up in a small rural town in northern Alberta before moving to the big city to complete both her Bachelor in Recreational Therapy and her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology. Meagan has lived and studied abroad in both the UK and Japan. Her love of language has led her to study French, Spanish, Japanese, and most recently, sign language. She loves celebrating growth in her clients and building relationships with the families she treats. Outside of work, she can be found spending time with her son. She also enjoys keeping busy with martial arts, dance, yoga, and fitness.

Qualifications and Memberships

Bachelor Degree in Recreational Therapy, Concordia University, Montreal
Master Degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax
Certification in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL)
Member of College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC
Member of Speech and Audiology Canada
Member of American Speech and Hearing Association
Concussion Management Workshop
Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) for children under 6

 

Areas of Practice

Pediatric Services
Autism Services
Speech sound therapy (articulation, phonology, apraxia of speech)
Language therapy (expressive and receptive language skills)
Social skills training
Reading and writing therapy
Fluency / stuttering therapy

Brook Dorin

Brook comes to us from Grimsby, Ontario and has her Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science of Language from McMaster University and her Master of Health Science from University of Toronto in Speech Language Pathology.

In Brook’s spare time, you will find her shopping, watching the Toronto Raptors or taking ballet classes. Brook enjoys building lasting relationships with clients and families and seeing clients develop their skills in a way that allows them to do the things they want to do every day. 

Qualifications & Memberships

Honours Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science of Language from McMaster University 
Master of Health Science from University of Toronto in Speech Language Pathology  
Member of the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC 
Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) for children under 6 (supervised)

 

Areas of Practice
Pediatric Services 
Speech sound therapy (articulation, phonology, apraxia of speech) 
Language therapy (expressive and receptive language skills) 
Stroke and brain injury rehabilitation 
Dysphagia assessment and intervention 
Cognitive communication intervention (conversational topic maintenance, attending to others, memory, solving problems, planning etc.) 
Social skills training 
Reading and writing therapy 
Voice therapy 
Fluency / stuttering therapy

 
Clare Miller

Clare grew up in central Alberta and has a degree in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from the University of Calgary. She completed her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Alberta.

She enjoys supporting children and families in building skills and fostering growth and independence. Clare works from a strengths-based lens and is committed to neurodiversity affirming treatment.

Outside of work, Clare enjoys spending time with her family, cross-stitching, and going for walks with her dog, Clover.

Qualifications and Areas of Practice

Therapy Assistant Diploma- Speech Language Pathology from MacEwan University

Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from the University of Calgary

Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Alberta

Member of the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHBC)

Certified Member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada

Member of Speech and Hearing BC

Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) for children under 6

 

Areas of Practice

Pediatric Services/Early Intervention Speech sound therapy (articulation, phonology, apraxia of speech) 

Language therapy (expressive and receptive language skills)

Alternative and Augmentative Communication

Cognitive communication and executive functioning intervention (conversational topic maintenance, attending to others, memory, solving problems, planning etc.)

Stroke Rehabilitation

Neurodiversity-affirming social communication therapy

Reading and writing therapy

Sara Kean
Sara comes to us from Saint John, New Brunswick. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of New Brunswick and her Master of Science from Dalhousie University in Speech Language Pathology. 
 
Outside of work, Sara enjoys reading, running and relaxing with family. She can also be found spending lots of time outdoors with her dog, Tetley.
Mackenzie Lee
Mackenzie grew up in the Lower Mainland before moving to Vancouver to complete her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine. She has lived in Italy where she was a nanny and English support teacher. Following a year working with teens and adults with acquired brain injuries, she now calls Kelowna home and is excited to work with people of all ages. Mackenzie is passionate about inclusive therapy and promoting individualized client and family centred care. She has interest in literacy, voice treatments, and working with adults with swallowing, and communication disorders. 
 
Outside of work, Mackenzie can be found on the water swimming and kayaking, or training in powerlifting. She loves movies and making playlists themed to quotes from the show The Office. Additionally, Mackenzie has two cats that she loves cuddling with.
Qualifications:
 
Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of British Columbia.  
Bachelor of Arts in Speech Sciences from the University of British Columbia. 
Speech and Hearing BC member
Registered member of the College of Speech and Hearing BC (CHSBC) 
Certified member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada
 
Areas of Interest:
 
Acquired brain injury – stroke rehabilitation, motor speech disorders, aphasia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), apraxia of speech
Cognitive communication and executive functioning intervention (conversational topic maintenance, attending to others, memory, solving problems, planning etc.)
Literacy – phonological awareness, reading, writing
Voice – gender affirming, voice rehabilitation
Paediatric Services/Early Intervention Speech sound therapy (articulation, phonology, apraxia of speech)Language therapy (expressive and receptive language skills)
Neurodiversity affirming social pragmatic therapy

Kinesiologists and Rehab Assistants

Mandy Burton

Mandy has always had a passion for working with people, and received her Rehabilitation Aide Certificate in 1997. Over the last 20 years she has worked with people of all different ages and abilities as an Education Assistant, Community Support Worker and Long term Care Aide. She also took her passion for people to the United States and Zambia where she did volunteer work for 1 year. Mandy also works as an rehab assistant and SLP assistant on our pediractic team, helping children meet their goals and reach milestones. In her free time Mandy enjoys playing soccer, doing Zumba and spending time with her husband and children.

Qualifications and Memberships

Rehabilitation Aide Program –
Development Instructor Training Program
BCRPA Fitness Theory course
Occupational First Aid
Non-violent crisis intervention

Areas of Practice

Work Hardening and Work Conditioning Programming
Gym-Based Exercise Programs
Aquatherapy
Community Integration Programs
Post-Concussion Exercise Programs
Traumatic Brain Injury Programs
Complex TBI and orthopedic rehabilitation
Lifeskills & Return to Homemaking Programs
Walking programs

Speech Language Areas of Practice:

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Pediatric services (autism services, early language development etc.)
Speech sound therapy (articulation, phonology, apraxia of speech)
Language therapy (expressive and receptive language skills)
Stroke and brain injury rehabilitation
Dysphagia assessment and intervention
Cognitive communication intervention (conversational topic maintenance, attending to others, memory, solving problems, planning etc.)
Social skills training

Charlene Sullivan

Charlene grew up in Trail, BC and has recently joined the Kelowna team as a Rehab Assistant. She enjoys being able to work with a variety of clients, each with unique needs and goals. She finds helping people overcome their specific challenges rewarding. Charlene loves to get outside and enjoy all the Okanagan has to offer. You can often find her hiking, camping, swimming, or relaxing with family and friends.

Qualifications & Memberships

Therapist Assistant Diploma – Okanagan College

 

Areas of Practice

Pediatric Services
Occupational Therapy Programs
Speech Therapy Programs

Angie Lubinich

Angie recently joined the Kelowna team as a Rehab Assistant. She has spent the past 10 years teaching at Mountain View Preschool in White Rock, along with coaching girls youth soccer. She enjoys working with children and families to reach their goals. Angie is excited to jump in and experience all that the Okanagan has to offer.