We believe in living a life without limits. Simply put, your life is too wonderful to be held back with aches, pains, and conditions that can easily be treated. Our team’s goal is to get you back to better than before with a body that empowers you to live.
Advanced Health + Sports Clinic was launched by Jake Lussier and Anika Miehe, fully certified physiotherapists. Under their guidance, they have built a team of expert clinicians on a continued pursuit of education and excellence. The Advanced Health + Sports Clinic team values the opportunity to learn and grow as much as possible within their professional scopes to maximize the value they can bring to the community.
Physiotherapists
Jake Lussier
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
MPT, IMS, CCM
Jake is a fully certified Physiotherapist who obtained a Master’s of Science Degree from McGill University in 2015. Jake then studied at the Evidence in Motion Institute of Health Professionals in the United States where he completed his diploma of Musculoskeletal Management in 2017. Jake was born in Nanaimo and has spent most of his life growing up in the Harbour City.
Anika Lussier
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
MPT, BSc, IMS
Anika is a physiotherapist that graduated with a Masters of Physical Therapy from McGill University. With a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Therapy as well, and years of experience as a certified massage therapist, she offers a well rounded physiotherapy experience.
Sara Kloosterschmuck
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
MPT, BHK (HONS), IMS
Sara is a licensed Physiotherapist who empowers her patients overcome their injuries. She is a strong believer in individualizing her treatments, working alongside her patients to attain their personal goals and helping them to lead healthy lives.
Sara utilizes a combination of manual therapy skills, IMS, manipulation, and individualized exercise prescription to enable injury healing and injury prevention.
Brandon Butt
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
MPT, BKin, FCAMPT, IMS
Brandon completed a bachelor in Kinesiology in 2000 at Simon Fraser University. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Toronto with a Masters in Physical Therapy. In 2006 Brandon traveled to West Australia for post graduate training in spinal and peripheral joint manipulation, completing a Masters in manipulative Therapy in 2006 at Curtin University.
Over the last four years Brandon has traveled with the Canadian National Alpine Ski team playing the role of Sports Physiotherapist treating Olympic athletes and getting them ready for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics which he attended this season.
Kevin Hayes
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
MPT, Phed, IMS, CSCS
Kevin is a physiotherapist who was born and raised in Duncan, BC. He complete his bachelor’s degree in Sport, Health, and Physical Education at Vancouver Island University in 2015. He then obtained the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (C.S.C.S.) certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. In 2019, Kevin graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia with a Masters in Physical Therapy.
Kevin’s treatment philosophy involves incorporating manual therapy, soft tissue techniques, and individualized exercise prescription to meet the specific needs of each client.
Kevin has completed several continuing education courses in his physiotherapy career thus far including: Complete Concussion Management, Vestibular Rehabilitation, IMS/Dry Needling, and Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Golf Rehabilitation.
Cole Hogarth
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
MPT, BKin, IMS
Cole is one of the few Certified Sports Physiotherapists on Vancouver Island. He relocated to Nanaimo in 2019 after earning a Master’s in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta. Before pursuing physiotherapy, Cole gained extensive experience as a Personal Trainer, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Kinesiologist. His background working with high-performance athletes has shaped a dynamic treatment approach that integrates hands-on techniques with individualized rehabilitative exercise.
Cole is committed to meeting people where they are in their physical journey and working with them to achieve their goals. When he’s not in the clinic, Cole can be found exploring the outdoors, lifting weights in the gym, climbing in the mountains, or running the trails. His passion for family, fitness, adventure, and human performance drives both his personal and professional pursuits.
Janine Webber
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
MPT, BSc, IMS
Janine graduated with a degree in Physiotherapy from the University of the Witwatersrand Physiotherapy in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is well experienced in treating pain and sports injury.
Janine is passionate about seeing patients fully recovered and reaching their goals!
Isabelle Poulin
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
MPT, BSc, IMS
Isabelle is a physiotherapist who obtained a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Queen’s University. Isabelle understands the importance of a holistic approach, and really works to find a treatment plan that treats the individual as a whole.
Isabelle enjoys being active and spending time outside. She particularly enjoys hiking, yoga, camping, paddle boarding, participating in triathlons and spending quality time with her family, friends, and animals.
Corey Goldberg
Physiotherapist
MPT, BCom, IMS
Corey graduated with a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from McMaster University. He combines hands-on techniques with education and therapeutic exercise to help his patients get back to the activities that are important to them. When he’s not in the clinic, you may find Corey hiking, biking, paddling, or running his way across the island.
Marita Deschiffart
Physiotherapist
MPT, BKIN
Marita graduated with her Master’s of Physiotherapy Studies from the University of Queensland, Australia in 2022. She has moved back to Vancouver Island to build her career in health rehabilitation and enjoy the island’s natural beauty.
Marita grew up running track and competed internationally in 2012 at the World Youth Track and Field Games in Donetsk, Ukraine. As a former professional athlete, Marita is very passionate about sport rehabilitation and understands the impact that injuries can have on everyday life. She welcomes any opportunity to help support patients to overcome adversities and get them back to the activities that are important to them.
Laura Churchill
Physiotherapist
MPT, MSc, PhD
Laura is a physiotherapist with clinical and research expertise in the rehabilitation of athletes and active adults. She completed her Master of Physical Therapy and PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University, followed by a Post-doctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Colorado. She conducts research at the University of British Columbia and is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Physical Therapy.
Laura combines her expertise, research and experience as an athlete to support patients along their own journey.
Thalia Pisaric
Physiotherapist
MPT, BKIN, IMS
Thalia is a physiotherapist with a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from McGill University, and previously completed a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from McMaster University.
Thalia is passionate with her treatments and wants to help community members participate in the activities that are most important to them, with the goal of providing tools to live a healthy lifestyle.
Bella Starr
Physiotherapist
MPT, BSC
Bella graduated from her Master’s in Physiotherapy in Ireland, where she developed special interests in neurological rehabilitation, geriatric care and work related injuries in first responders.
Bella is passionate about helping her clients safely achieve independence and function through patient-centered, evidence-based physiotherapy.
Jannel Flores
Physiotherapist
BScPT, IMS
Jannel has been a physiotherapist since 2017 with her main focus being sports and orthopedic physiotherapy. Her love for sports medicine was sparked by her childhood participation in a variety of sports, including softball and volleyball and has inspired her through her career thusfar.
Chiropractors
Dr. Joe Foglia
CHIROPRACTOR
DC, BHK (Hons), CSCS, FR®, ART®
Dr. Foglia specializes in the thorough assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients’ injuries to the muscular, skeletal and neurological systems. Dr. Joe prides himself on utilizing a constantly progressing system of the most evidence-based chiropractic techniques available, while working towards the goal of injury recovery and prevention.
Dr. Sarah Shepherd
CHIROPRACTOR
DC, BSc
Dr. Shepherd thoroughly assesses her patients before communicating a diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. She focuses on uncovering and understanding the root cause of her patients’ injuries and pain. Dr. Shepherd uses a diverse range of treatment techniques which includes chiropractic adjustments, mobilizations, cupping, soft tissue therapy, orthotics, shockwave, laser, rehabilitative exercise and patient education.
Dr. Erica De Schiffart
CHIROPRACTOR
DC, BSc
Erica De Schiffart has earned her Doctor of Chiropractic at the University of Western States with the goal to get people moving and feeling better. Her passion and involvement in athletics has driven her to help people get back to the activity level they desire.
Erica believes in an evidence-informed approach and the value behind each patient receiving individualized treatment.
Athletic Therapists
Dana Lainchbury
ATHLETIC THERAPIST
BAET, CAT(C)
Dana is excited to help individual’s reach their peak performance level no matter what their occupation, activity, or sport may be through prevention, rehabilitation, and sound return to play (activity) planning. She believes her experience as an athlete herself helps her to be the Athletic Therapist she is today.
Admin Team
Tara Hannibal
RECEPTIONIST
Tara was born and raised in Nanaimo. She has been married for close to 25 years and has two grown children. Tara has always been involved in the local sporting community with her children from gymnastics, baseball, synchronized swimming and hockey.
Nicole Davis
RECEPTIONIST
Joelle Ellis
RECEPTIONIST
Kayleigh Botero
RECEPTIONIST
Our Mission
Our mission is to redefine “whole health” for the greater Nanaimo area. We strive to offer a human approach to physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and wellness. We combine clinical reasoning, medical research, and a patient-centred, one-on-one practice that makes you feel confident about the care you are getting and the results you will see.
We are driven to deliver superior quality sports medicine services for the elite athlete and the general population alike. We are dedicated to achieving our clients’ goals by delivering the highest quality of orthopedic, pelvic floor, and concussion rehabilitation that empowers our patients with the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain ideal function in life and activity.
