JULIA PERESS B.SC.- Clinic Manager

Julia completed the Exercise Science program at Concordia University where she also played varsity soccer. She has worked in the fitness industry since graduating. Prior to coming to Neurocircuit, Julia worked at the YM-YWHA where she managed the basketball program and membership department. Julia has 14 years of coaching experience at the elementary, high school and collegiate level.   Recovering from a concussion requires focus, commitment and determination. Julia’s background in coaching has proven invaluable in helping guide patients and their families through the recovery process. Her knowledge of sports has allowed her to develop a sports vision training program unlike any other in the city. She has designed protocols to help athletes improve decision making, peripheral awareness, reaction time, sustained and divided attention. Julia uses the tools at Neurocircuit to prepare her athletes for competition.

ORA LOEUB, B.SC., CAT(C), D.O. – Clinic Director

Ora Loeub is the an Athletic Therapist and Osteopath with a tremendous amount of experience having worked with the Cirque du Soleil for four years and at the National Circus School for nine years. She is the coordinator and head therapist for rhythmic gymnastics in Quebec and has organized and managed the therapy program for two world cup events in Montreal. Ora graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a Specialization in Athletic Therapy. She also studied at the Collège d’études ostéopathiques where she defended her thesis and won the Sutherland Award for clinical research.

VANESSA AMAR, M.SC., CAT(C) Athletic Therapist

Vanessa is a Concordia University graduate with a Masters in Exercise Science, specialization Athletic Therapy. She wrote her Master’s thesis on the “Development of a Fear-Avoidance Scale for Athletes.” Armed with this knowledge, she provides a comprehensive approach to sports injuries with a multifaceted treatment plan for a return to play and work. She has a passion for manual therapy and Active Release Technique (A.R.T). A.R.T. is a soft tissue release technique that activates or releases muscles by breaking down adhesions to restore optimal function. It can be used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions such as strains, sprains, tendonitis, chronic back pain, etc.  Vanessa designed a protocol combining manual therapy and exercise for rehabilitating neck injuries and presented it at national and international conferences for her peers. Vanessa has experience working with the general population, recreational athletes and professional athletes (MLS, USSDA, USL-Pro and NHL).

JESSE WHYE, B.SC., CAT(C) Athletic Therapist

Jesse is an athletic therapist who has worked with some of the most interesting athletes in the world. Instead of running away with the circus he spent 4 years as head therapist at the National Circus School in Montreal and one year with the Cirque du Soleil. There he developed a concussion rehabilitation protocol specific to circus arts. Since then he has dedicated himself to the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients whom have had mastectomies and reconstructions. An avid rugby player in his younger years Jesse now enjoys cycling, triathlons and any outdoor sports. Jesse holds a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science specializing in Athletic Therapy at Concordia University and starts his Masters of Science in Exercise Science this fall.

Samantha Halfyard:  B.SC., CAT(C) Athletic Therapist

Samantha is an Athletic Therapist who graduated from Concordia University in 2016 with a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science, specializing in Athletic Therapy. She was awarded with the CATA Annual Scholarship and Concordia’s AT Award of Excellence throughout her studies. Her passion for athletic therapy stems from her own experience with an injury that ended her varsity athletic career and is deeply rooted in the influential role she can have in the management, rehabilitation and prevention of sports injuries. Her diversified experience working with athletes ranging from varsity and collegiate levels, to provincial teams and elite development camps has allowed her to gain extensive experience in a wide array of sports at many different age levels. Her passion for this evolving healthcare profession is apparent in her continuous interest to learn as well as share her knowledge with those around her.