Sally first joined the Kootenay Health Services team in 2003 and after taking a few years off, she found she couldn’t stay away from the fun and returned in 2011. Come into the office and you’ll find Sal’s smiling face behind the front desk, where she makes sure that clients get connected to the right services from KHS’ professional practitioners when they need them most.

When she’s not at the office she can be found on the slopes with her family, or discussing the qualities of a good bottle of wine, or, a great book, with her book club.

Dr Kyle is a fellowship trained sport and exercise medicine physician with expertise and
experience in sport injury assessment, diagnosis and treatment, performance athletics
and injury prevention strategies through physical activity. She has extensive experience
in this capacity from working with professional, national and Olympic athletes as well as with people of all types of athletic backgrounds and abilities.

With expertise in acute sport injury, overuse injury management, optimizing
performance and injury prevention; she is well versed in current management of these
conditions and continues to evaluate new evidence-based treatments.

Bridging treatment with physiotherapists, kinesiologists, occupational therapists, athletic therapists, chiropractors and other skilled health care professionals as well as other physicians provides optimal multidisciplinary care for you. Your family physician remains the cornerstone of your care coordination and every effort is taken to keep your family physician involved in your care.

She has experience in specialized areas of athlete care, including:
• Non-operative management of sport injuries
• Overuse injuries
• Acute injury diagnosis and management
• High performance athletics
• Stress fractures
• Concussions
• Exercise in pregnancy
• Female athlete triad
• Aging athletes
• Team sport health and performance concerns
• Pre-participation physical exams
• Return-to-play decisions
Appointments Dr. Sharisse Kyle requires a referral from your family doctor or another
physician, and the fees for most services are covered under the Medical Services Plan
(MSP).

After finishing her Bachelor of Arts psychology degree at UBC in 2005, Karin spent an immensely rewarding five years supporting individuals with physical and developmental challenges in a variety of settings. Along the way she was inspired by occupational therapists (OTs) that used client-centered and evidence-based approaches to understanding and supporting clients – thus began her pursuit of a higher education. She is now a registered OT (UBC master of OT graduate) with experience in acute care, mental health, community outreach, paediatric, occupational rehabilitation and stroke rehabilitation settings. She believes that participation in one’s chosen activities is vital to health and well-being and is thrilled to be part of the KHS team! In her spare time she loves to socialize, dance, create, and get outside as much as possible to enjoy beautiful Kootenay experiences on the mountains and waters.

Jen McNutt grew up in Calgary, Alberta where she was very active in figure skating, gymnastics, snowboarding, hiking and running. She completed her Masters in Physiotherapy at the University of Alberta in 2009, after which she moved to Nelson, BC to start a career and family. Jen is committed to enhancing the overall physical health, fitness and quality of life of her clients through one-on-one, individualized physical therapy programs focused on a client’s goals. She is a life-long learner and continues to expand her knowledge base. Over the last decade, she has completed courses in muscle mobilization, Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative physical therapy, GunnIMS, and functional movement. She has also completed her certification in Hand Therapy. Most recently, Jen has embarked on pursuing education in pelvic floor therapy and has completed courses in urinary incontinence.

In her life outside of Kootenay Health, Jen also does canine physiotherapy. Additionally, she loves to spend time hiking with her family and dogs, trail running, figure skating, snowboarding and discovering all the beauty the Kootenays has to offer.

Jane Byers has been an ergonomist since the mid-1990’s. She is a full member of the Association of Canadian Ergonomists as well as the Vocational Rehabilitation Association. She competed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (Hon) in 1990. She has prevented injuries and facilitated return to work with firefighters and construction labourers, truck drivers and office clerks. She is focused on injury prevention through ergonomic design and fostering resilience in workers with disabilities. Jane is passionate about her family and writing poetry. She loves hiking, road cycling and Nordic skiing.

Emma Haley was born and raised in Nelson, B.C. After graduating from L.V. Rogers’s high school, she attended Selkirk College for two years before moving to Vancouver to finish her undergraduate degree in Human Kinetics at the University of British Columbia. She then went on to achieve a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Since graduating with her MSc. OT, Emma has been working in private practice since 2015. Emma is committed to providing client-centred care and believes that education and building self-management strategies are key components to a client’s recovery from illness or injury. Emma was drawn to Occupational Therapy largely in part because of the holistic approach taken to restoring client’s function and increasing independence in daily activities through evidence-based practice.

Emma’s practice interests include cognitive assessment and intervention, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, mental health, return to work, functional and cognitive capacity evaluations, cost of future care, medical-legal and concussion management. Emma is committed to professional growth and continuing education in order to provide the most relevant treatments to her clients and feels fornature to be a part of an innovative and forward thinking team of clinicians at KHS.

Emma is passionate about skiing, paddle boarding, travelling, hiking, running and gardening. She loves laughing with her fiance and spending time with her two cats.

Devon was heavily influenced to pursue a career in health and fitness by her love of running cross country and track in high school. She graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree in 2005 and has since worked in numerous capacities. She started as a brace fitter and orthotic technician in Vancouver. After a move took her to Victoria, she pursued personal training and soon settled into the kinesiology role. Charmed by the Kootenay lifestyle, Devon moved to Nelson in 2013. She has since worked with clients in occupational rehabilitation programs, injury rehabilitation, and fitness assessment. With a focus on correcting biomechanics, injury prevention, and functional fitness, Devon loves working one-on-one with clients and has motivated many to great results.

Devon joined Kootenay Health Services in 2018. As a kinesiologist, she provides exercise programming and education for the Worksafe Occupational Rehabilitation program, which operates at the clinic. Devon also offers private kinesiology sessions, guided by the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and corrective exercises. Breathwork, Movnat and Strongfirst kettlebell disciplines strongly influence her programming.

Devon currently uses kettlebells to strength train and keep up with her two little girls. She and her family are passionate about nutrition and enjoy reaping the nutrient dense foods they grow in their garden. Devon also loves knitting, sewing, sunshine and her Bengal cat.

Nicolas grew up in St-Malo, a small town south of Winnipeg, Manitoba. While growing up, he regularly saw Massage Therapists as he was very active in the dancing community.

Ukrainian dance, Ballet, Ballroom, Latin, and Swing were styles he practiced and required many visits to his practitioners. It was due to these appointments which inspired him to follow a career in Massage Therapy. He truly believed in their many benefits.

In the spring of 2013, Nicolas finished a Bachelor of Science at the University of Manitoba. He then moved to Vernon for the Massage Therapy program at the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy. Having become an RMT, he is now able to utilize his skills of treatment, as well as his knowledge of body movement, to help his clients move pain-free.

During your treatment, Nicolas utilizes Myofascial Release Techniques, Joint Mobilizations, Trigger point release therapy, Visceral manipulations(working on organs), Cranial Sacral techniques, and Deep Tissue techniques.

A self-care plan is also given to help continue the progress at home, understanding that the most effective therapy is a team effort.

In addition to working in a clinic, Nicolas also loves to teach. He has taught dancing for many years, and taught at the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy for two years.

In 2018, he joined the teaching staff at the Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative Health Sciences as an instructor for the RMT program and as a supervisor for the clinic.
He looks forward to working with you to develop a pain-free state of health.

Hannah grew up in Summerland and Victoria, BC, where she developed a passion for being outdoors through backpacking and rowing. In 2014 she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph, then took a year off to travel and hike in New Zealand. She completed her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta in 2017.
After graduation, Hannah moved to Kamloops where she worked in community mental health and substance use services, as well as in tertiary psychiatric care. She has completed additional training in motivational interviewing, concussion management, suicide intervention skills, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She is passionate about the integration of mental and physical health practices to enable clients to engage in meaningful daily occupations. Hannah is delighted to be working with the team at Kootenay Health Services to assist in providing quality and holistic health care services to individuals on their recovery journey.

In her spare time, Hannah spends her time rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, knitting, and trying to pet as many dogs as possible!

Travis Hauck is a dedicated cyclist whose passion for the sport and multiple achievements have given him international recognition. When he’s not participating in events, Travis trains hard and likes hanging out in the “pain cave”. Don’t be intimidated by his personal pleasures. He’s a friendly guy who is excited to motivate and inspire people during spin class.

Adding to Travis’s credibility he instructs mountain biking in the summer, cross country skiing in the winter and is a RAD Dad all year round!

“The reward for hard work is…more hard work”
~ Grandfather Dickson.

Jaime Frederick is an avid road cyclist and amateur endurance athlete with a lifetime of cycling experience. Over the last several years, he has completed numerous one-day rides of more than 200km, many century rides (162km), and even an “Everest” (8,848 m of elevation gain in one ride). He has also completed long-distance bike tours in Canada, the U.S. and Italy. On the spin bike, he likes big beats, tough climbs and all-out sprints. Jaime enjoys motivating riders to be their best and helping them achieve their health and fitness goals. He lives in Nelson, where he loves to be outdoors with his family, exploring all the splendour the Kootenays offer.

Joanie graduated with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Montreal in 2011. With a strong interest in Women’s health and pelvic floor rehabilitation, she completed her diploma of the post-graduate program in perineal and pelvic rehabilitation of the University of Montreal in 2014. In September 2020, she completed her PhD in Women’s health physiotherapy. She has studied the effects of a pelvic floor exercises program on perineal symptoms of menopause, which obtained encouraging results.

During her PhD studies, Joanie has worked in a private clinic and a research centre, mostly with women affected by pelvic floor issues. She was also lecturer in the post-graduate program in perineal and pelvic rehabilitation of the University of Montreal from 2014 to 2020, teaching on the subject of urinary incontinence assessment and treatment. Joanie’s areas of practice include: urinary incontinence, pelvic and sexual pain, diastasis, genital prolapses and anorectal disorders. She also does pre and post-partum follow up to prevent problems during pregnancy and delivery as well as to return to activities safely.

Joanie grew up in Valleyfield, a town close to Montreal, Quebec where she had to drive long distances to reach small mountains for snowboarding. She fell in love with Nelson and his community four years ago, during a road trip adventure with her husband. Joanie loves to spend time hiking with her family, snowboarding and enjoying everything the beautiful surroundings of Nelson has to offer.

Lauren grew up in the vibrant town of Stratford, Ontario and chose to pursue a career as a Registered Massage Therapist. She studied at ICT Kikkawa College in Toronto, where she gained evidence-based knowledge and skills in various massage modalities. Not long after graduating the program, she decided to relocate to the Kootenays to enjoy all the beauty the area has to offer.

She strongly believes in a client centred practice where together you create the best treatment plan to suit your needs, whether it’s to reduce pain, injury, help regain mobility or to relax your mind and body.

Lauren is trained in a range of therapeutic massage techniques such as Swedish massage, joint mobilization, myofacial release and trigger point therapy. She believes in the power of intuitive and intentional touch as a crucial part of wellness, and knows that massage therapy is a key element in overall health.

In Lauren’s spare time she enjoys exploring her new surroundings, practicing yoga and meditation, spending time with friends, paddle boarding and more. She looks forward to helping you achieve your wellness goals and getting on a path to rehabilitation.

Ash is a spunky member of the KHS team! She is full of energy and always ready for a good time! Her favorite activity is running through the forest trails with her family! She can also be found curled up by a roaring fire after a full day of romping in the snow!