Dr. Andreo A. Spina
B. Kin, DC, FRCCSS(C), CPT
Director of SPC
Dr. Spina holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from McMaster University. He later graduated with summa cum Laude and clinic honors from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College as a Doctor of Chiropractic and subsequently completed the two-year post-graduate fellowship in sports sciencesM. Following his graduation Dr. Spina created, and became the head instructor of the Functional Anatomy Seminar series which are a popular educational seminar series offered at to Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Medical Doctors, Massage therapists, etc. He has also authored chapters in sports medicine textbooks, is a published researcher, and international speaker. Although he is very experienced in treating professional, Olympic, and amateur athletes of various sports disciplines, Dr. Spina takes special interest in the management of athletes from combat sports as he is an experienced mixed martial artist himself with over 21 years experience.
Dr. Scott D. Howitt
BA, MSc, DC, RKin FRCCSS(C), FCCPOR
Director of SPC
Dr. Howitt holds an Honors Baccalaureate degree in Physical Education from the University of Western Ontario and a Masters degree in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences from the University of Guelph. He graduated from Chiropractic at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, and has since completed a two-year post-graduate residency in Sport Sciences, a three-year post-graduate program in Rehabilitative Sciences, and a two-year course in acupuncture. Dr. Howitt has been a member of the Canadian core medical team for the Canada Summer Games and Pan Am Games, as well as numerous professional, Olympic and amateur sports including rugby, soccer, bobsled/skeleton and triathlon. He has had the privilege to travel both nationally and internationally for bobsled/skeleton, triathlon and soccer events.
Dr. Jason Su
B.Sc. Pharm, MD, CCFP, Dip. Sport Med.
Sports Medicine Physician
Dr. Jason W. Su is our in house Sport Medicine Specialist at SPC Vaughan. He has extensive experience with athletes and non-athletes in their various conditions and injuries. Dr. Su also does consulting work for various National/Professional teams, governing sport bodies, governmental agencies (eg. Department of Defense, Ontario Athletics Commission as ring/cage side physician, RCMP) and various corporate firms. He is involved in cutting edge clinical trials of potential new diagnostic tools and treatments on the horizon. Dr. Su holds hospital privileges and is a Sport Medicine consultant at the Rouge Valley Health Centre.
Because Dr. Su is a M.D. licensed in Ontario, all essential medical services are covered under the provincial Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) for those that have valid provincial health insurance in Ontario.
Please feel free to book your next consultation and assessment with Dr. Su at SPC Vaughan.
Dr. Michael D. Chivers
BPhE (Hons), DC, FRCCSS(C)
Kinesiologist, Sports Specialist Chiropractor
Dr. Chivers holds a Honours Bachelor of Physical Education from Brock University. Upon graduation he entered the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College where he graduated with cum laude and clinical honours. He has just recently completed a two year post graduate fellowship program in Chiropractic Sports Sciences. Dr. Chivers has traveled throughout Canada as the team doctor for a variety of elite amateur and professional soccer clubs. He has also worked with national and provincial martial artists, elite triathletes and golfers. As the team doctor for Team Ontario Baseball, he has a special interest in working with and developing elite amateur pitchers in helping them get to the next level. Dr. Chivers also has published papers in peer reviewed scientific journals.
Dr. Jason Izraelski
BSc, DC, ART, FRCCSS(C)
Chiropractor, ART Practitioner
Dr. Jason Izraelski is a Sports Specialist Chiropractor and leading authority on sports injury management, strength & conditioning and long-term athletic development. A lifelong learner, he has completed a Doctorate of Chiropractic, a Master’s of Science Degree focused on concussions and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada). Dr. Izraelski has worked as a Sports Specialist Chiropractor and Strength & Conditioning Coach with some of the best in the athletic world including professional hockey, football and basketball players. For the past 6 years he has served as the Team Doctor and Strength & Conditioning Coach for the North York Rangers Jr. A team
Mr. Rolland Heider
RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
After competing in Rugby at Wilfrid Laurier University and rowing competitively at both Laurentian University and the University of Victoria, Rolland pursued a professional career in Massage Therapy. Working as a Registered Massage Therapist, Rolland has garnered clients including national track and field team members, national team rowers, top tri-sport athletes, top rock climbers, top golf professionals, NCAA and professional basketball, CIS football, and national level gymnasts, as well as a host of amateur sports participants. He has also worked at a variety of events such as the Canadian National Track and Field Championships, OFSAA Basketball Championships, the Canadian Masters Tennis Tournament, and the Canadian Senior Men?s Soccer Championships.
Nik Komarov
Hons BA Kin, MScPT, CAT(C), MCPA
Physiotherapist, Athletic Therapist, Kinesiologist
Nik studied Kinesiology and Health Education as well as Athletic Therapy at York University. He went on to become a certified Athletic Therapist through the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association (CATA) in 2009. Nik completed his physiotherapy degree at McMaster University in 2011 and is currently pursuing continuing education towards his specialty in sport and orthopaedic physiotherapy.
Atila Balaban
B.Sc., M.Sc.
Exercise Physiologist
Atila is an Exercise Physiologist specializing in Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the U of T and a Master of Science in Exercise and Health Science from York University. His research at York focused on mitochondrial adaptations to endurance exercise (Hood, D. A. et al, 1994 – Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology 19:(1) 12-48).While at York University, Atila also worked as a Research Assistant to Dr. O. Bock who developed experiments for the Neurolab, used in NASA’s Space Shuttle program, and for the International Space Station.
He has extensive background in the fitness field including: personal training; fitness club management; corporate fitness; and adult education instruction for Seneca College in the Fitness Leadership Program. Over the past 22 years, his focus has been rehabilitation and his experience includes: cardiac rehabilitation; orthopaedic rehabilitation/exercise therapy; being Clinic Director of a multi-disciplinary rehab clinic; and performing FCEs. During this time, he has performed approximately 1200 FCEs
He has been qualified as an expert witness in Functional Capacity Evaluations and has given expert testimony in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He has also given testimony at the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) Arbitration Hearings and CPP Tribunal Hearings.
Atila continues to pursue his interest in resistance training and is an avid canoe tripper traveling through Algonquin and Killarney provincial parks with his son and daughter.
Andrew Wadhwa
BSc.(Kin), MScPT.
Physiotherapist
As a Masters graduate in Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland (2008) of Queensland, Australia, Andrew had the chance to practice/work on some of Australia’s up and coming athletes while also collaborating with some well known Manual Physiotherapists from the Physiotherapy world. Andrew has always been a helping hand to the elite athlete even before his venture into Physio while serving for a period as the head athletic trainer for the University of Waterloo Men’s Varsity Soccer team while he completed his Honours Kinesiology Degree also at Waterloo. Andrew looks forward to furthering his manual skills by working his way up through the various specialized levels of the Manual Physiotherapy world. As an avid athlete Andrew is no stranger to the sports world enjoying many different sports activities including but not limited to: Rock Climbing, Road/Mountain Cycling, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Golf & Snowboarding. Andrew is an extremely positive person and this is always clearly on display whether on or off the job with everyone around him. Andrew is always looking to towards new and challenging experiences so that he can bring his best to help everyone he comes into contact with.
Frank Manzo
RMT
Frank Manzo is a graduate of Sutherland-Chan School and has been a registered massage therapist since 1993. He is a member of the CSMTA and is a certified sport massage therapist and acupuncturist. He continues to upgrade his skills in massage and manual therapy. In addition to his work at Sports Performance Centres, Frank works at The University of Toronto as the MacIntosh Clinic and has worked as a member of the Canadian Medical Team at various major events, including the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia, the 2001 Canada Summer Games in London, Ontario, and the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Greece. Frank has gained knowledge and experience by working with amateur, professional athletes and teams
Dr. Melissa Corso
BSc, MSc, DC
Chiropractic Sports Resident
Dr. Corso holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and a Masters degree in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences from the University of Guelph. While she was a student at Guelph, she played Varsity soccer and continues to play competitively. Dr. Corso is also involved in the soccer community as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Unionville Milliken Soccer Club.
Dr. Corso recently graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) with Summa Cum Laude and clinical honours. She is currently in the process of completing the two-year post-graduate fellowship program in Chiropractic Sports Sciences. While Dr. Corso enjoys working with athletes of all levels, she has a special interest in working with youth soccer players in preventing injuries and optimizing performance.
Nicole Korodetz
MSc, RD
Consulting Dietitian
Nicole Korodetz, Registered Dietitian (RD) graduated from Western University with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. Following that, she attended McGill University to do her Masters of Applied Science in Human Nutrition, and accredited dietetic internship. Her master’s research focused on the behavioural reasons why bariatric surgery patients don’t meet their estimated protein requirements. Nicole’s main goal as a dietitian is to empower her clients to live their healthiest and happiest life through nutrition education, counselling, skill development, goal setting, and behaviour change. Nicole has experience with healthy lifestyle eating, weight management programs, meal planning, chronic illness, sports nutrition, allergies/intolerances, and more. She would love the opportunity to embark on your health journey with you, and looks forward to supporting you along every step of the way!
Laura Pimm
RMT
Laura graduated with honours from York University with a Bachelor of Science specializing in Kinesiology. She later studied at the Canadian Therapeutic College for Massage Therapy to become a Registered Massage Therapist and a member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. She has also completed courses in Hot Stone Therapy (Level 1 & 2), Therapeutic Modalities, and Active Release Technique (A.R.T). In 2010, she graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Sports massage is Laura’s specialty and she has worked closely with elite and recreational athletes. Her clientele includes, marathoners, triathletes, cross fitters, body builders, rowers, golfer’s and cyclists. In 2010 she was the Massage therapist for Team Canada at the World Triathlon Championship in Australia. Her goal is to keep her clients injury free and help them recover from training
Administrators
Rosalind Emmanuel, Andrea Buritica & Sarah Huynh
Our friendly and courteous administration team have been the face of SPC since our inception. Their experience in health and fitness organization will ensure scheduling and billing questions are handled both efficiently and expeditiously.