WARD CLERK
Rita Aurelio

Rita Aurelio has been working in health care for the past 20 years. She
began in the Purchasing Department at the Doctors Hospital, and has
worked with in-patients in the Medical Day Unit, on patient care
floors, and the Pain Management Clinic. In 1998 when the Doctors
Hospital closed, its ambulatory programs were transferred to the
Toronto Western Hospital and Rita moved from the Pain Management Clinic to the Seniors Wellness Clinic. She has been with the Chiropody Clinic and the Artists' Health Centre since 2002.

Rita enjoys dealing with clients from all walks of life. Her trade mark
is her wonderful sense of humour, contagious laughter and collaborative
team work spirit. She is the proud mother of two boys.

SHIATSU THERAPIST
Leisa Bellmore

Leisa graduated with honors from the Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo's 2200 hour program and has been practicing shiatsu since 2001. Her first career was in theatre, and she has a great respect and love for the arts and an understanding of the commitment and discipline required to live and work as an artist. Leisa works with a wide range of clients with diverse health conditions, including musicians and other performing artists, focusing on overcoming stress and strain on the body and mind to help achieve peak performance. She has been working regularly with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since 2002 and is currently working on a book on self-care for musicians.

Passion for her work and the natural healing professions led Leisa to volunteer with the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC), of which she is a member. She served on the NHPC Board of Directors from 2004-2008, serving as President from 2007-2008. She also volunteers at Toronto's Ronald McDonald House where she offers short shiatsu treatments to the families who stay at the house. This has provided her with valuable clinical experience in working with severely stressed individuals and children coping with life-threatening illnesses. Leisa believes that we all must take an active role in our health, and she enjoys helping her clients attain their health goals while increasing health awareness. She regularly presents workshops focusing on self-care.

NURSE PRACTITIONER
Ruth Bittorf RN, BScN, PHCNP

Ruth is a primary health care nurse practitioner with over 30 years of varied multicultural nursing experience in Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and the Yukon Territory. She has been a valued member of many interprofessional teams, most recently in Stratford as an integral part of a Family Health Team, which included exposure to the local artist community.

Ruth has a long-standing interest in classical music, and has recreationally played the clarinet, saxophone, piano and drums as well as occasionally singing in choirs. She is passionately committed to providing holistic client centered health care in collaboration with a team of health care providers. She is a life long learner who loves to combine humour with a great sense of adventure in her personal and professional life. Ruth feels that maintaining a stable work-life balance is critical to good health, and is diligent to consider all aspects of wholeness to balance the physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual needs we experience as individuals.

AHC MEDICAL CONSULTANT
Dr. Jeff Bloom MD, CCFP, FCFP

Dr. Jeff Bloom, who is Boston-born and New York raised, is a graduate of the University of Toronto and did graduate work in health administration for two years. After working in the hospital and academic sector, he was heading towards a career in photojournalism when he was accepted into the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

Upon completion from medical school, Dr. Bloom returned to New York to undertake his residency in Family Medicine. He joined the University Health Network at the Toronto General site in 1986. His clinical practice encompasses the complete spectrum of family medicine from care for those with HIV to complete maternity care to end-of-life care for his patients.

Dr. Bloom has a life long interest in the arts and in 2000 he assumed the role of staff physician for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In this role he has traveled with the Symphony to Europe, Ottawa and Quebec as well as attending to the medical needs of visiting artists and members of the orchestra. Dr. Bloom is currently the Family Physician-in Chief at the University Health Network and a medical consultant to the Al and Malka Green Artists' Health Centre.

AHC COORDINATOR
Katherine Carney

After completing a Master’s Degree in Counselling, Katherine Carney continued with post-graduate training as an Art Therapist and obtained her certificate in Relational Psychotherapy. For the past seven years, she has worked as an Art Psychotherapist both at Sunnybrook Hospital and in private practice, with a wide variety of clients including artists from different disciplines such as music, visual arts, dance and writing.

While at Sunnybrook, Katherine’s career evolved into a leadership role as she became Professional Practice Leader for Creative Arts Therapies as well as Project Coordinator for the Professional Advisory Committee. These experiences helped to further enhance her communication, organization and team-building skills. She is passionate about the arts, inter-professional collaboration, education and outreach.

Katherine has a strong connection with the arts, enjoys photography and painting, and has always surrounded herself with creativity. Although she can’t play any instruments herself, music seems to follow her wherever she goes and many of her close friends are performing musicians.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Family Health Team/AHC
Lara de Sousa, B.Sc.OT (R), MHSc(c)

Lara de Sousa is an Occupational Therapist who has worked both in community and hospital sectors. Her clinical experience has focused primarily on working with people with serious mental illness to support them to live in their communities. Lara also has a Masters in Health Administration from the University of Toronto.

In her administrative role, Lara has worked at the Canadian Mental Health Association to manage and develop various community programs. In addition, she has worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in the Schizophrenia Program to support case management and rehabilitation programs. She joined UHN in 2008 as the Executive Director of the Family Health Team and Artists’ Health Centre. Lara has a particular interest in program outcomes that support consumer satisfaction, positive health outcomes, and team-building.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Jean-Jacques Dugoua, HBSc ND PhD (cand.)

Dr. Jean-Jacques Dugoua, or Dr. JJ as he is affectionately known, is a licensed naturopathic doctor and the first ND to practice at the Toronto Western Hospital as well as the Artists' Health Centre, where he practices naturopathic medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture and herbal medicine. Dr. JJ has given a number of workshops throughout Ontario specifically focused on artists and their health care, and has given presentations internationally, including the World Health Organization in Washington DC. He is also a researcher at the Motherisk Program at the Hospital for Sick Children and the Clinic Director of the Liberty Clinic in downtown Toronto.

Dr. JJ is a co-author of "Herbal Medicines in Pregnancy and Lactation - An Evidence-based Approach First Edition" (Taylor & Francis, 2006), which is a collection of 75 systematic reviews, and he has over a dozen peer-reviewed scientific publications published or in press. A leading expert on natural health products, pharmacology and pregnancy safety, Dr. JJ is currently working on his PhD in Pharmacy Sciences at the University of Toronto. As part of his PhD research, he continues to investigate the safety of natural products during pregnancy and lactation at Hospital for Sick Children and is currently conducting a clinical trial on the effects of cinnamon on type 2 diabetes at the Toronto Western Hospital.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Phil Ellison MD, MBA, CCFP, FCFP, DOHS

Dr. Philip Ellison is a staff physician in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University Health Network. He is director of its Family Medicine residency program and Family Medicine In-patient Service. He joined the Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre in April 2005, acting as a Medical Advisor. Dr. Ellison is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Chapter of the College of Family Physicians.

Dr. Ellison has been a practicing family physician in downtown Toronto since completing his undergraduate and postgraduate training at the University of Toronto. He has been associated with academic family medicine at the University of Toronto, first joining the Toronto General Hospital in 1980. At varying times his professional practice has included obstetrics, inpatient medicine, emergency medicine, long-term care, and occupational medicine.

Dr. Ellison in his previous role as Family Physician-in-Chief assisted with the planning and initial implementation of the Artists' Health Centre at the Toronto Western Hospital. He returned as its Medical Director in the fall of 2008.

PHYSIOTHERAPY
Ginette Hamel, BSc PT
Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy,
Certified Mat Stott© Pilates Instructor

Ms. Ginette Hamel is a physiotherapist with more than 23 years experience who has treated dancers, actors and musicians of all types in the clinic setting, backstage, and on movie sets. She has been working with the Artists' Health Centre since it opened in 2002. During her early career as a sports physiotherapist she worked with elite and amateur athletes in Canada and at international games. Ms. Hamel holds, among other certifications, a specialist certification in sports physiotherapy and is also a Certified Mat Pilates Instructor. She does acupuncture and has taken an extensive training in manual therapy, Feldenkrais technique, and taping including kinesiotape. For the past nine years, she has been one of the few physiotherapists worldwide working almost exclusively with ballet dancers and over the past five years has also developed a specialty in the treatment of musicians.

Ms Hamel's approach and methodology for injury prevention and treatment is unique, highly effective, and sought after by dancers and musicians in Canada, the United States and parts of Europe. Clients include principal dancers and performers in Canada's most elite ballet companies and orchestras, and dance and music school students. Clients include performers from: National Ballet of Canada, National Ballet School, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Canadian Brass, and the stage show Dirty Dancing. She has also done work with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, as well as ballet schools in Paris, Stuttgart and Copenhagen, and she has presented at international dance medicine conferences. Ms. Hamel's work extends into the film and motion picture industry and her most recent screen credit is for the movie Blindness, which opened the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. Ms. Hamel has recently developed a DVD series called "Stability with Mobility" for dancers and musicians.

www.stabilitywithmobility.com

REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST
Murray Howerth

Murray is a registered massage therapist (RMT) and director of Essential Kneads Inc. who graduated at the top of his class and has been practicing since 2000. His passion for human anatomy has focused his private practice of 10 years in the areas of rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries, cancer care, neurological disorders, pregnancy and sports massage. He works at The Sports Medicine Specialists clinic and is an RMT for the National Ballet of Canada. For the past two years Murray has also enjoyed teaching anatomy/physiology and massage techniques at the holistic school, Transformational Arts College.

The philosophy Murray likes to bring to the table is one of complete focused care and dedication. Designing treatments, with the client, to meet the specific needs at that moment and to achieve desired long term goals. He is a firm believer in client education and self care.

MASSAGE THERAPY & PSYCHOTHERAPY
Susan Lucas, RMT Dip.CTP
Diploma Center for Training in Psychotherapy

Susan employs Swedish Massage Techniques to produce deep states of relaxation to relieve muscular pains & enhance well being. Her philosophy of massage is to use focused manipulations combined with integrative massage for the whole body. Susan recognizes that artists create using their whole body/mind/emotional/spiritual selves, and is passionate about a holistic approach to restoring and increasing the inner resources available to the creative artist.

Susan is also trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy, the 'talking cure' that uses the format of a relationship to address problems of living. She has recently trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Treatment of Trauma, which uses a body-centered approach to resolve traumatic memories trapped in the body/mind. She is currently President of the Board of CAPT, Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy.

PHYSIOTHERAPY
Nancy Occhipinti, Dip.P.T. MCPA AFCI
Registered Physiotherapist

Nancy Occhipinti is a registered Physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience as professional practice clinician in the Healthcare industry. In 2005, Ms. Occhipinti joined the practitioners at the AHC, bringing her strong clinical reasoning skills to help identify the rehabilitation needs of Performing Artists.

Utilizing treatment techniques such as Manual therapy, Acupuncture, Electrotherapy, biofeedback and therapeutic taping, Ms. Occhipinti is proud to assist Artists in designing individualized treatment plans. Artists’ values are incorporated into their treatment programs by integrating creative activities and movement therapies like yoga and Pilates into unique exercise prescriptions.

Committed to life long learning, Ms. Occhipinti has worked in a Paediatric Burn Unit, developed an integrated Hand Program at Toronto East General Hospital and worked in a variety of Rehabilitation and Sport Medicine clinics. Ms. Occhipinti has worked with members of the TSO, COC, National Ballet Orchestra, students and Faculty from U of T, Humber College, OCAD and York Fine Arts programs. Also, her clients have included many members of Independent Music and Dance groups. In addition to the AHC, Ms. Occhipinti works at a Sports Medicine and General injury clinic in downtown Toronto, has previous dance training and is married to a musician.

PSYCHOTHERAPY
Steve Schklar
CGP (Certified Group Psychotherapist)

Steve Schklar is a private practice psychotherapist treating individuals, couples and groups at the Artists' Health Centre. He has been the co-leader of the Addictions After Care Support Group and an addictions counselor for 2 years at the Toronto Western Hospital. Other professional experience includes: 10 years leading men's and mixed gender psychotherapy groups; consulting, designing and training programs for industry on interpersonal skills, personal development, personal responsibility, and team building; coaching for executives and professionals on interpersonal skills, goal setting, career, relationships, and has a full time private practice in psychotherapy.

Mr. Schklar has been married to an artist for 42 years, is a retired trumpeter himself and treats many people from the performing, visual, and creative arts segments of our community, specifically, painters, musicians, writers, actors. He has a published Chapter in "101 Interventions in Group Psychotherapy", 2008. Professional affiliations include; Ontario Society of Psychotherapists (President 1998-1999), American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), Certified Group Psychotherapist AGPA and the International Association of Group Psychotherapists.

CHIROPRACTOR, CRANIOSACRAL THERAPIST, ACUPUNCTURIST
Anita Shack, B.F.A., D.C., F.A.T.A.

Dr. Anita Shack is a chiropractor who uses an integrated approach in her work at the Artists' Health Centre. She combines chiropractic, craniosacral therapy, and acupuncture, customizing care to the individual artist's needs and goals. Fascinated with the relationship of physical structure to biomechanical, neurophysiologic and psycho emotional function, (body/mind/spirit connection), Dr. Shack is concerned not only with the relief of symptoms but with getting at the cause to facilitate change and healing, with the maintenance of good health. Dr. Shack has extensive experience working with artists from many disciplines, including: dance, theatre, film, visual arts, music, and writing. She performed as an independent dancer from 1974-1986 in Canada and the United States, and is sensitive to the specific stresses, and sensibilities of artists.

Dr. Shack was an original representative of the Health Care Practitioners meetings at the inception of the Artists' Health Centre. Very happy to be working with her colleagues at Artists' Health Centre, Dr. Shack is no stranger to collaborative care. She was founding director of Health Focus, an integrated multidisciplinary alternative health care center in downtown Toronto from 1992-2005. She remains committed to this kind of care to ensure a holistic approach to treatment. In her experience over the last 22 years she has seen how modalities enhance each other, maximizing the benefits of care and the achievement of wellness.