Our Team-Practitioners
Bruce MacKay
Moving To Dockside Physiotherapy Mid October
Bruce loves his profession, loves his job, and it shows. Bruce is consistent (he’s had the same lunch for 20 years), while his treatments are nothing short of remarkable, and his humor, well, he keeps everyone laughing. Since graduating with distinction from the University of Alberta in 1992, he has continued his studies in order to achieve the very best results for all of his patients. His highlight reel includes the Part B level (the highest level available through the Orthopedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association), being recognized as a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapists, and becoming certified as a Chan Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) practitioner. Bruce is excited about his recent studies in the neurophysiology of pain, which have had an immediate positive impact on his patients, and, after 23 years, he’s “still excited to come to work every day and help people achieve their goals.”
Darren Zagrodney
Moving to Rise Health Sept. 19 2022
Darren is our resident chocolate addict. It fuelled him through his entire Bachelor of Physical Therapy from Queen’s University, and later his certification in Orthopedic Manual and Manipulative Therapy, IMS and acupuncture. Darren has matured as a practitioner by integrating his personal experience—as a patient while swimming at the national level during his teens, and his current athletic interests: running, cycling, rock climbing and martial arts.
He has worked extensively with WCB and ICBC patients and has taken a special interest in balance and movement impairment syndromes. Darren enjoys working with all levels of abilities and conditions, from highperformance athletes to those looking to improve their everyday agility. At home, Darren enjoys concocting healthy recipes and tending to his Kombucha culture, but he also loves to travel and dabbles in globetrotting feats during his time off.
Karolina Spiewak
New Location Island View Physiotherapy
Growing up Karolina participated in every sport under the sun and has scars to prove it! A passion for living an active lifestyle and a thirst for knowledge drove her to pursue a career in physiotherapy. She successfully completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Simon Fraser University followed by a Masters of Physical Therapy from the University of British Columbia. She is currently pursuing a Diploma in Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy. Karolina believes in an evidence-based holistic treatment approach; she recognizes each client is unique and tailors her assessment and treatment to each individual. Her goal is to optimize function and empower her clients to make a successful return to what matters most, whether it is a sport, hobby, career, or family! Outside of the clinic, you can find Karolina playing basketball, hiking, snowboarding, traveling the globe, or most recently attempting to stay on top of a surfboard.
Karla Marshal
No Longer Accepting Private Home visits. Employed with BC Health in the Hospitals.
Karla graduated in 2004 from UBC. She completed a master’s degree in 2014 – with a study looking at the effects of group-based exercise in older adults with Parkinson’s disease. She is returning to Olympic Physio and we are happy to have her back! Karla offers specialized assessment and treatment for older adults. She has 15 years of experience working in the hospital, clinic and community settings focusing on this dynamic age group. Karla offers assessments of balance, strength, mobility and fall risk. She uses exercise and movement-based treatments to improve mobility, fitness, and function and is licensed in acupuncture. She has specialized training in assessing and treating movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and fall prevention. She has a lot of experience working with clients with cognitive impairment and dementia. Karla is dedicated to helping older adults maximize their fitness and achieve their goals. Offering in-home visits, you will see Karla riding around town on her bicycle.
Spotlight
Karla is new to our clinic although she has been practicing physiotherapy in Victoria for 15 years. To get a better idea of who she is and what she has to offer you or an older adult in your life, watch her video!
Our Team-Office Staff
Ashley Gawiuk
Office Manager
Ashley is the ringleader here at Olympic physiotherapy. She has the good fortune of managing our clinic and working with all the amazing people who come through its doors. In her time spent out of the office, you can find her in a gym or with friends and family. She has a passion for wildlife and will fit volunteering with animals into her busy days whenever possible! Prior to Covid she worked in hospitality and tries to make everyone feel at home here. Opening the clinic most mornings as the DJ, admin, and physio wrangler she wears a few hats at Olympic. Her favorite part of working here is the friendly scale of the clinic and its local “mom and pop shop” atmosphere. The support and care cultivated here make it easy to come to work and to make everyone’s experience as painless as possible.
Natalie Welburn
Administrative Assistant
Natalie lucked out getting her first job in a medical office setting here at Olympic! You will most likely see her in the afternoons as she is out doing her side hustle (dog hiking) in the mornings. Working at Olympic has helped her grow in her passion for working with and helping people and it has given her the push she needed to go back to school to pursue becoming a Recreational Therapist. She appreciates getting to know all the clients that come through Olympic. She loves dogs and hiking (surprise, surprise), dancing, and board games. You can find her out on the water in her kayak, appreciating nature, exploring locally or around the world. Always up to try something new but also enjoys just layin’ around on the beach too.
Lexie Kroezen
Administrative Assistant
Lexie is our resident ray of sunshine! She began with Olympic as a Kinesiology student and has continued her education into athletic and exercise therapy. When she is not at school, working one of her many jobs, or studying she can be found adventuring outside, frolicking in the ocean, and participating in any activity that gets her adrenaline pumping (snowboarding, ziplining, surfing, etc.). To call her an adrenaline junky would be an understatement. It’s no surprise when she walks up to the clinic with a sling, cast, or crutches and a smile on her face with a story from her weekend. Lexie loves the feeling of community that the clinic has and that everyone that comes through the doors is treated as part of the Olympic family.
Veda Daunhauer
Administrative Assistant
Veda is the newbie at Olympic Physio. Coming from a hospitality background, she truly enjoys getting to know the clients personally. On her days off Veda can be found rollerblading along Dallas Road or cozying up with a book on a rainy day. On a slow day at the clinic our note pads will be decorated with her beautiful artwork and perhaps one day we will see her art in a gallery. Until then ask to see her latest and greatest at our front desk!