Meet Your Zen Team!

Meet Our Team

At Zen Physiotherapy there is no one size fits all model to health & wellness. Each client receives an individualized assessment and rehabilitation program to improve their general wellness. Zen’s Wellness team of qualified physiotherapists, massage therapist and yoga instructors offers our community expertise to help each client obtain their goals. Our 627Dudley Ave. team offers a special interest in vestibular physiotherapy and pelvic health. Our 1700 Corydon location has a special interest in pelvic health, yoga and massage therapy. Both locations work with all general physiotherapy conditions!

Rhea Tomlinson

Owner/Physiotherapist

(BMR-PT, BA)

Rhea Tomlinson (née Rhea Dufort) has a 3-year BA in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from the University of Winnipeg, and is a graduate of the School of Medical Rehabilitation Physiotherapy program at the University of Manitoba. Rhea has a special interest in Pelvic Health and now dedicates the majority of her practice to helping people of all genders find pelvic wellness. Rhea has completed her Pelvic Health levels 1, 2 & 3 with ongoing education in topics such as Pregnancy, C-Section Considerations, Male Pelvic Pain Conditions, Endometriosis, Menopause, Rectal Pain Conditions, Yoga 200 hr RYT, Yoga Therapy Foundations, Acupuncture, Functional Dry Needling, Specific Functional Movement Assessment, Functional Movement Screen, Functional Capacity Evaluations (Metriks), Kinesiotape, Sport First Responder and much more.

Rhea completed her 200-hour teacher training in Ashtanga Yoga in Goa, India and has completed her Yoga Therapy Foundations course. This allows her to offer a yogic approach in her physiotherapy and pelvic health practice. Rhea has a strong background working with athletes on various platforms such as Fifa World Cup, the Canada Summer Games and MMJHL and is passionate about promoting return to activity & function.

Rhea offers a unique approach to her practice which includes breath analysis, functional movement screens, pelvic floor physiotherapy, one on one yoga therapy sessions and group rehab yoga classes. With her blended trainings, Rhea feels she offers something truly unique to the Winnipeg Rehabilitation market.

When Rhea is not working, she loves to spend time outside hiking, golfing, running and spending time with her two little boys playing or camping!

Please note that Rhea is currently not accepting general physiotherapy initial assessments. Rhea is prioritizing pelvic floor physiotherapy assessments and return client initial assessments or specialist referrals only at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience and highly recommend the rest of our amazing Zen Team for your orthopedic needs!

Nicholas Chiu

Owner/Physiotherapist

(BMR-PT, BSc)

Nicholas is a graduate of the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation with a degree in Physical Therapy. Nicholas is certified in acupuncture from the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute and is bilingual in both English and Cantonese.

Nicholas has a special interest in vestibular rehabilitation and has completed up to Level 3 Upper and Lower Manual therapy levels with the goal to complete his Fellowship of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapists (FCAMPT) in the future. Nicholas has also completed courses in Vestibular Rehabilitation, Specific Functional Movement Assessment, Functional Dry Needling, Mackenzie Part A, Paris Custom Orthotic workshops, attended the PanAm wrist and hand symposium course, and various other courses. With his experience towards holistic healing systems and advanced manipulative therapy, Nicholas feels ready to pursue his own practice, and bring Winnipeg a unique approach to healing.

Nicholas is an advocate for active based rehabilitation programs, prescribing exercises for all his patients to promote healing, improve strength, and educate the body. Nicholas is also trained in functional capacity evaluations and reconditioning programs.

Nicholas’s passion is physiotherapy, family food! He loves to cook and if he isn’t practicing physiotherapy or spending time with his family, he is trying new recipes to nourish the body and satisfy the soul.

Aynsley Fraser Kiernicki

Physiotherapist

(BMR-PT)

Aynsley Fraser Kiernicki graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Medical Rehabilitation in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy. Since that time Aynsley has worked in private practice treating individuals with a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. In 2015 Aynsley began pursuing further education in Vestibular Rehabilitation and quickly developed a passion for this area of practice. She has completed competency exam-based, and advanced training under leading Canadian Physiotherapists, as well as advanced training in Concussion Management and Cervicogenic Dizziness and Headache. In the fall of 2020 Aynsley was honored to have the opportunity to take over the Physiotherapy ‘n Balance practice from her mentor, Karen Reimer.

Throughout her career Aynsley has completed further training in the areas of Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Oncology Rehabilitation, Parkinson’s Disease management, TMJ disorders and Neurogenic Pain Management and enjoys helping individuals in all of these areas of practice. Aynsley has served on committees for the Manitoba Physiotherapy Association and the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba. Outside of the clinic she is a busy mom to two fantastic kids and enjoys time spent at the family cottage, hiking, kayaking, reading and cooking. She’s always up for a chat about a great new restaurant or the Winnipeg Jets.

Janice Huang

Physiotherapist

(MPT, BSc)

Janice Huang graduated from The University of Manitoba with a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. Having rehabilitated from sports-related injuries as a teenager, Janice developed a strong and passionate interest in helping people to enjoy an active physical life.

Janice believes in a client-centered approach to physical therapy, and takes the time necessary to understand her client’s injury and the challenges in the rehab journey. Based on all the information gathered, she designs a customized exercise program to facilitate the clients in achieving their goals. Janice provides her clients with education, guidance in short-term management, long-term maintenance programs, injury prevention, and performance enhancement.

Janice is certified in cupping through Cupping Canada, as well as participated in the data analysis of a research project on long covid as part of her Masters program. Janice treats a wide variety of conditions including: motor vehicle accidents (MPI), work-related injuries(WCB), return to work programs, sports injuries, fall prevention for older adults, post hip/knee replacement, and long Covid management. Janice employs a variety of treatment methods including manual therapy, modalities, taping, cupping, and individual exercise programs. Janice will be pursuing further studies in the near future including acupuncture, dry needling, and pelvic floor physiotherapy.

Outside of Physiotherapy Janice is passionate about badminton and she established the Winnipeg Lucky Badminton Club. Janice is also actively involved in many outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and canoeing. Janice is fluent in English and Chinese and can provide treatment in Cantonese or Mandarin.

Alex Athayde

Physiotherapist

(MPT, BA)

Alex graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Masters of Physiotherapy upon completion of his undergraduate degree majoring in psychology and economics.

After taking an early interest in vestibular therapy, Alex pursued several related extensive post graduate courses and lectures in that field. Alex also has a strong interest in orthopaedic therapy, particularly relating to lower body injuries and post surgical rehabilitation. Alex endeavours to ensure that his programs complement his patient’s lifestyle and focus on a return to daily activity. He follows physiotherapy literature closely and is always looking for the latest evidence to inform his practice.

Outside of his practice Alex coaches boxing and group fitness classes, and enjoys hiking, cooking, travel and surfing.

Tracey Sayas

Massage Therapist (RMT)

Tracey Sayas is a graduate of the Massage Therapy program at Evolve College. Tracey has received training in relaxation, myofascial work, deep tissue, and sports massage, with clinical experience at the Evolve College Speciality Clinic, Sports Manitoba and Zen Physiotherapy. Tracey is passionate about helping clients’ in healing to ease their discomfort and promote their overall health.

In the future, Tracey has plans to attain ongoing education for certification in specialized modalities, including acupuncture, cupping, lymphatic massage, and pre and post-natal massage. As a growing Remedial Massage Therapist (RMT), she looks forward to expanding her knowledge and honing her practical skills to provide the best possible care for her clients.

When Tracey is not at the clinic, she loves spending time with her dog, Prince, and her family. She also enjoys staying active through sports and exercise, such as basketball, volleyball, and weightlifting.

Eric Wong Physiotherapist

(BMR-PT)

Eric graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy from Hong Kong in 2005. Eric is certified in acupuncture with Acupuncture Canada. He speaks fluent English and Cantonese and is conversational in Mandarin.

For the past 18 years, Eric has served his clients in various settings from acute in-patient hospitals to out-patient orthopaedic settings both in China and now in Canada. With his dedication to evidence-based practice, he has pursued additional training and certifications in Vestibular and Concussion Management, Kinesiology Taping, Sports and Exercise Nutrition and Acupuncture.

Eric’s therapeutic approach emphasizes a blend of manual soft tissue release, cupping, acupuncture, corrective taping, tailored therapeutic exercises and lifestyle modifications.

Outside of his professional life, Eric enjoys staying active through badminton, outdoor activities and experimenting with cooking different recipes with friends.

Marlee Gallagher Physiotherapist

(BMR-PT, BSc)

Marlee is a passionate physiotherapist with a focus on hand therapy and women’s health, encompassing treatment for pre/postpartum issues, incontinence, and pain management. As a mother of two, her drive to empower and care for women in healthcare is both personal and professional. She completed her Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (Physical Therapy) at the University of Manitoba in 2013, following her Bachelor of Science at Brandon University in 2009, where she majored in Developmental Psychology and minored in Zoology.

With more than a decade of experience, Marlee has worked across a spectrum of clinical settings, from emergency rooms to specialized private orthopedic clinics. Her certification as a Hand Therapist allows her to provide advanced care in upper extremity rehabilitation, ergonomic evaluations, and guiding patients back to work. She incorporates dry needling and acupuncture into her practice as complementary treatment to improve recovery and pain. Additionally, she has been a part of interprofessional teams, contributing to patient care plans and handling complex discharges while participating in workplace rehabilitation efforts.

Beyond patient care, Marlee is deeply committed to professional development and community service. She not only examines for The Art and The Science program but also coordinates the Practice Based Competency Assessment for the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba. She represents Manitoba in the Canadian Society of Hand Therapists and mentors future physiotherapists at the University of Manitoba. Her affiliations include long-time memberships in the Canadian Society of Hand Therapists and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association & Manitoba Physiotherapy Association. In her leisure time, Marlee’s interests span from dog training and reading to outdoor activities like hiking, with a keen interest in holistic health, geopolitics, finance, and the culinary arts.

Evan Connor

Massage Therapist (RMT)

As a dedicated Registered Massage Therapist, Evan takes a holistic and results-driven approach to pain management and overall wellness. A graduate of Wellington College’s intensive two-year Massage Therapy program, Evan combines Swedish massage, Deep Tissue techniques, targeted pressure points, and Relaxation Massage methods to cater each clients’ needs. Evan takes pride in helping clients with pain management to improve everyday movement, overall health and wellness.

With strong communication skills and a client-centered approach, Evan customizes each treatment to meet individual needs—whether for rehabilitation, stress relief, or general well-being. Evan is passionate about health and fitness, believing in the power of massage therapy as an essential tool for maintaining both physical and mental balance.

Nikki Donald

Physiotherapist

(BMR-PT, BSc)

Nikki Donald is a graduate of the School of Medical Rehabilitation Physiotherapy program at the University of Manitoba, and also has her Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences.

Nikki is certified in acupuncture from the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute, has her Diploma of Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy Courses – Level 2 upper quadrant completed. She has taken multiple other continuing education courses on the hip, shoulder, myofascial release techniques, and has taken additional training on the temporomandibular joint (jaw).

Nikki loves being active and plays competitive women’s volleyball, baking, and spending time with her family.