Vernon Staff
Occupational Therapists
Aaryn completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Waterloo before going on to do her Masters of Occupational Therapy at UBC. She is also a manager in the Vernon office. She loves clients discover their strengths, accomplish meaningful goals, and realize their potential. She’s also part of the medical-legal team and enjoys completing Functional Capacity Evaluations, Cost of Care Reports and Document Reviews. When not in the office, Aaryn loves getting outside in the beautiful Okanagan lakes and hiking trails with her husband and young daughter.
Qualifications and Memberships
Masters of Occupational Therapy – University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Science – University of Waterloo
Member of the British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists
Member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
Matheson Functional Capacity Evaluator; Certified Work Capacity Evaluator with Matheson
Certified Driving Instructor
Courses:
Concussion Management Workshop Levels 1 and 2 Functional Capacity Evaluations and Return to Work with Mental Health Conditions
Use of Standardized Assessments in Post-TBI Treatment Planning
Prolonged Exposure Training Motivational Interviewing Training
Pain Foundations
Seating and Positioning
Aurora obtained her Bachelor of Human Kinetics at UBCO before completing her Master of Occupational Therapy at UBC. Aurora started with Meridian as a Kinesiologist and has returned as a full fledged OT in our Vernon office. She has an interest in pediatric and mental health work, and loves that Meridian provides the flexibility to work within many different areas and no two days are the same. Aurora grew up as a local to the Okanagan, and loves hitting the slopes, biking, climbing, or basically any outdoor activity!
Qualifications and Memberships
– College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia
– Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
– Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training
– Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
Areas Of Practice
Occupational Therapy
Chronic Pain Rehab
Autism Services
Pediatric Services
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
Emily loves the diversity of her job, and making the seemingly impossible, possible. Key passions include our ageing population, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wheelchair seating, assistive technology and home modifications. Emily acts as our contract lead on both the WorkSafe BC Community OT contract, and our contracts with Extended Care facilities. As an avid outdoor enthusiast and triathlete, when Emily is not working you can find her on a bike, on trails, up a mountain, or on the water with her partner and their young son.
Qualifications and Memberships
Master of Occupational Therapy – University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Science– Integrated Science Biochemistry & Physiology – University of British Columbia
Member of the British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists
Ride Custom Seating Certified Therapist
Wheelchair seating and positioning in the community: Practical applications Certificate
Dysphagia Assessment and Management Certificate
P.I.E.C.E.S Certificate (Adult mental health)
Home Modification and Universal Design CAOT Workshop Certificate
Practical Approaches to Preventing and Managing Pressure Ulcers Certificate
Concussion Management Certificate
Comprehensive Automotive Mobility Solutions Certificate (presented by NMEDA)
Published researcher on power scooter use and training (Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2016; 11(4):289-94)
Certified Driving Instructor
Areas of Practice
Case Management
Community Rehabilitation
Dysphagia
Driving Evaluation and Rehabilitation
Post-Concussion Rehab
Seating Assessments and Prescription
Spinal Cord Rehabilitation
Stroke Rehabilitation
Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Work Hardening and Work Conditioning Programming
Job Site Visits and Job Demands Analysis
Return to Work Coordination
Ergonomic Evaluations
Universal Home Design
Older Adult Services (Assessment, consultation intervention/therapy and education)
Liz holds her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Dalhousie University and is a senior manager at Meridian. Her therapy interests include brain injury, chronic pain management, sensory regulation, mental health and functional capacity evaluations. She calls herself a “Pain Champion” and uses her Pain BC and PGAP training to help clients live fulfilling lives alongside their pain. Liz is passionate about working with clients experiencing chronic pain, mental health difficulties, and brain injuries. She enjoys spending free time with her husband on their hobby farm where they keep busy with their dog, Carlos, as well as their chickens, cat, and her kids, Blake and Malcolm.
Qualifications and Memberships
Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy – Dalhousie University
Honours Specialization in Health Sciences – University of Western Ontario
Member of the British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists
Member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
Matheson Functional Capacity Evaluator
Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP)
Areas of Practice
Mental Health and Wellness
Chronic Pain
Brain Injury rehabilitation
Post-concussion rehabilitation
Functional Capacity Evaluations
Lars is Meridian Rehab’s functional driving evaluation master. He recently left his own private practice to head our driving rehabilitation program at Meridian Rehabilitation. He finds fulfillment in seeing clients he has guided in the use of adaptive driving equipment and on-road rehabilitation successfully regain control of this very important “freedom” in their lives. Lars, himself, has been driving professionally with hand controls for 25 years and was the first adaptive driver in BC to qualify for a driving instructor’s license in 2006. He is enjoying working with the Meridian team after years of working solo. Outside of the office, Lars enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, Arlana and their dog.
Qualifications & Memberships
Occupational Therapy – University of British Columbia
ICBC Licensed Driving Instructor
Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Diplomas – BCIT
Trades Certificate in Mechanical Drafting Technologies – BCIT
Areas of Practice
Driving Evaluation and Rehabilitation
Geriatric Rehabilitation
General practice
Sarah obtained her Bachelor of Science at the University of Alberta before heading to Ontario to complete her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at McMaster university. She has experience working with clients who have complex physical and neurological conditions in various settings including hospital, long-term care, and community. Originally from Edmonton, she was drawn to the beauty of the Okanagan and all the possibilities for outdoor activities that the area has to offer! Sarah loves to spend her free time skiing, hiking, doing agility with her dog, and has recently taken up golf.
Qualifications:
– Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy McMaster University
– Bachelor of Science University of Alberta
– Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment
– Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
– Seating & Mobility for Adult and Geriatric Populations
– Member of the British Columbia College of Occupational Therapists
– Member of Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy
Areas of practice:
– Chronic Pain Rehabilitation
– Concussion and Brain Injury Rehabilitation
– Mental Health
– Geriatrics
– Job Site Visits
– Hospital discharge support
– Neurological Rehabilitation
Johanna earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology at Simon Fraser University, before going on to complete her Master of Occupational Therapy at UBC. Johanna’s interest in vocational health and wellness, ageing in place, accessible design, restorative care and community activation brings an exciting outlook to her addition to the team! She also enjoys spending her free time out in nature hiking or on the water, working on home projects, spending time with her dachshund Cello, and is always up for a lively game of Euchre!
Qualifications and Memberships
Masters of Occupational Therapy – University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) – Simon Fraser University
Registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of BC
Member of the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists
Certified Canadian Life Care Planner
Certified Catastrophic Impairment Evaluator – Functional Observation
Areas of Practice
Case Management
Community Rehabilitation
Chronic Pain Rehab
Functional Capacity Evaluation and Critique
Cost of Future Care Assessments and Critique
Return to Work Coordination
Progressive Goal Attainment Program Services (PGAP)
Universal Home Design
Kinesiologists and Rehab Assistants
Jan is Meridian’s RA/Kinesiology Practice Lead and Ergonomic Assessor. Her talents are infinite and stretch from recreation therapy to sawmill ergonomics. Other areas of expertise are traumatic brain injury, and vocational rehabilitation.
Qualifications and Memberships
Leisure Services Recreation Therapy Diploma – Mt. Royal College
Community Brain Injury Service Certificate – Okanagan College
PGAP – Progressive Goal Attainment Program Certificate
Matheson Work Hardening/Work Conditioning Course
Exercise and Fibromyalgia – DSW Fitness
BCRPA Weight Training Instructor
Matheson Ergonomic Evaluation Certificate Program
Matheson Essential Job Functional Analysis
Areas of Practice
Work Hardening and Work Conditioning Program
Job Sit Visits and Job Demands Analysis
Ergonomic Evaluations
Gym-Based Exercise Programs
Aquatherapy
Post-Concussion Exercise Programs
Traumatic Brain Injury Programs
Lifeskills & Return to Homemaking Programs
Walking programs
Progressive Goal Attainment Programs
Lawrence graduated from University of BC Okanagan with his Bachelor of Human Kinetics. Lawrence’s interests include sport specific training, strength & conditioning, nutrition, rehabilitation, and is excited to provide support and oversee the progress clients make towards their goals. Outside of the office, Lawrence is an avid hockey player, playing for 15 years, and a “below average” golfer; however, he still loves to play frequently. If you’re also ever looking for a competitive crib match, Lawrence is your guy!
Qualifications and Memberships
Bachelor of Human Kinetics
Areas Of Practice
Work Hardening and Work Conditioning
Job Site Visits and Job Demands Analysis
Gym-Based Exercise Programs
Aquatherapy
Community Integration Programs
Speech-Language Pathologists
Kayla originates from Upper Stewiacke, Nova Scotia, and has been slowly moving west ever since! Kayla completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Dalhousie University, before achieving her Master of Clinical Science in Speech Language Pathology at University of Western Ontario. With a strong interest in Childhood Apraxia, Kayla is excited to work with a diverse group of clients and disorder areas, and to continue learning something new everyday along the way.
Kayla loves working with children on the spectrum and early intervention is a favourite part of her caseload. Kayla likes to take a coaching approach to help families build routines that are specific to their child’s learning and communication style.
In her downtime, Kayla loves to ski, play ultimate frisbee, water color, or spend time with her adorable senior cat!
Qualifications & Memberships
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dalhousie University
Master of Clinical Science in Speech Language Pathology from University of Western Ontario
Member of the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC
Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP)
Hanen: It Takes Two to Talk
Hanen: More than Words
Areas of Practice
Pediatric Services/Early Intervention (including Autism Spectrum Disorder)
Speech sound therapy (articulation, phonology, apraxia of speech)
Language therapy (expressive and receptive language skills)
Cognitive communication intervention / Executive Functioning (conversational topic maintenance, attending to others, memory, solving problems, planning etc.)
Social skills training
Reading and writing therapy
Fluency / stuttering therapy
Resonance Disorders
Vocational Consultants
Tami is Meridian’s Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant/Evaluator. Services she provides include: Vocational Assessments, Transfer Skills Analysis, Return to Work Preparation, Job Search and Studies Support Services. Tami also provides medical legal assessments and document reviews/critiques. Tami helps match clients of various abilities and backgrounds with employment best suited to their skills. Throughout Tami’s 15 years at Meridian Rehabilitation, she also completes Ergonomic Assessments, Traumatic Brain Injury rehabilitation and other rehabilitation programs as a rehabilitation assistant. In her spare time she loves camping, fishing and travelling.
Qualifications and Memberships
Canadian Vocational Rehabilitation Professional (CVRP)
Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator (CCVE)
Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP)
Member of Vocational Rehabilitation
Association of Canada
Bachelor of Social Work – Okanagan University College
STRONG Interest Inventory Certification
Mindfulness Approaches for Managing Chronic Pain
BCRPA Personal Training Certification
Areas of Practice
Vocational Assessment and Consulting
Voc-Legal assessments and reports
Career Exploration
Labour Market Analysis
Resume Development
Job Search Skills Education Supported Job Search
Study Support Services
Return to Work Coordination
Ergonomic Assessment
Work Hardening and
Work Conditioning Programming
Post-Concussion Rehab
Chronic Pain Rehab
Legal expert witness assessment and report
Administrative Staff
Karen grew up in Oakville Ontario and completed her Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Ontario. She then went on to complete here B.Ed from Canisius College and taught in a primary classroom for 9 years before making the move to the Okanagan. After Karen arrived in Vernon she decided to make a career change and started working part-time for Meridian 15 years ago. She is now our full time Human Resources Manager. Karen has been vital in helping build Meridian up to the expanding company it is now. When she’s not liaising with our staff or working out an IT issue, Karen enjoys swimming, travelling, hiking, snowshoeing and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Bachelor of Science – University of Western Ontario
The dictionary defines superlative as: of the highest kind, quality, or order, surpassing all else, or others. Supreme. We define it as Jeremy Gavel. As a Controller, as an Admin Team leader, as a man. He is of the highest kind, quality, or order, surpassing all else, or others. Supreme.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta
Areas of Practice
Time sheet shaming
Financial stuff
Coming Soon!