We put together the best team of caring, skilled individuals to form the Pursuit Team. Our Drive is giving you quality care, leading to a quality life.

The combination of therapists and support staff at Pursuit Physiotherapy work together to provide skilled and compassionate care. We have some similar skill sets and personality traits and some very different ones but together we feel we can offer our clients exceptional physiotherapy.  We take the time that is necessary to fully assess an injury and give you options on how to best deal with the problem. 

Leanne Schlachter and Nicki Julien are the owners of Pursuit Physiotherapy. We opened Pursuit Physiotherapy in September 2006 after seeing a need for a better delivery of care in Red Deer. Booking adequate time for comprehensive assessments allows us to formulate an individualized treatment plan.

We believe that a high level of skill through post graduate courses and clinical experience allow us to provide first class physiotherapy services.  We are always on the look out for motivated and energetic therapists with the same philosophy who may be interested in joining our team.

Leanne, Physiotherapist and Owner
leanne@pursuitphysio.com

Leanne Schlachter is a graduate of the University of Alberta and has been practicing in Red Deer since 1992. Leanne has obtained her Advanced Diploma in Manual Therapy from the Canadian Association of Manual Therapists. Leanne is certified in Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation. Leanne enjoys mixing her expertise in manual therapy with needling to provide patients with the optimal combination of joint and muscle treatment. Not one to back down from a challenge, Leanne enjoys problem solving to offer assistance in even the most complex injuries.

Leanne is a Red Deer native and resides with her husband Jim, her children Alison and Andrew.  She stays busy with family and kids’ activities.

Nicki, Physiotherapist and Owner
nicki@pursuitphysio.com

Nicola (Nicki) Julien is one of the owners of Pursuit Physiotherapy. She is a graduate of the University of Alberta and has been practicing in Red Deer since 1997. Nicki has her Intermediate Diploma in Manual Therapy from the Canadian Academy of Manual Therapists. Nicki is certified in Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS/ Dry Needling).

Being a weekend warrior herself, Nicki is sympathetic to those who enjoy participating in a high level of activity even without the optimal level of fitness! She is happy to guide those who are recreational or elite athletes to optimize their abilities and reduce the risk of injury. Injuries from soccer, volleyball, basketball, and swimming are all too familiar. Nicki also has a particular interest in persistent injuries that have not responded well to previous treatment or chronic myofascial pain that is limiting quality of life. Her focus is on posture and muscle balancing to decrease joint strain.

Nicki is a Red Deer native who resides with her husband Peter, her children Everett and Natalie, and her dog Elsa.

Bryan, Physiotherapist

Bryan Boorman is also a graduate of the University of Alberta. He has been working in Red Deer since 2004. He has a strong interest in manual muscle mobilization which involves deep myofascial release techniques. More recently, Bryan has been studying specific control of stabilizing muscles. Their will improve postural stability and correct movement dysfunction patterns in all areas of the body.

Bryan is an avid hockey player and Oilers fan and enjoys treating the sporting population. He also enjoys tennis and golf to shorten the long months between hockey seasons. Bryan is pleased to share his knowledge of shots and swings with people interested in optimizing their sporting performance.

Originally from Dawson Creek, BC, Bryan lives in Red Deer with his wife Erin and son Liam.

Mary, Physiotherapist

Mary Wong Colebrook graduated from the Physiotherapy program at the University of Alberta in 2001. She worked in Calgary for several years before joining the Pursuit Physiotherapy team in 2007. She has taken various post-graduate manual therapy courses and is certified in acupuncture through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute. Mary enjoys the diversity of people and conditions encountered in a clinic setting.

Mary dabbles in all things active, which gives her an appreciation for sports related injuries. She has participated in soccer, rock climbing, yoga, running, hiking, tennis and hockey (defense of course!). In her previous life she even competed in weightlifting! Currently, the main form of exercise Mary gets is running after her two young boys.

Mary is also passionate about traveling. In 2004, along with her husband, she embarked on a year and a half tour around the world. They started with a brief working stint in New Zealand, traversed Asia and Africa, before finishing in Europe. After returning to Canada, Mary settled in Red Deer with her husband John, their two boys, Finn and Nico, and their three-legged cat Spitz.

Barb, Physiotherapist

Barbara (Barb) Kresowaty is a graduate of the University ofManitoba(1982), and has been practicing in Central Alberta/Red Deer since 1989. Barb is the Vestibular Physiotherapist on the team, having certified as a Vestibular Therapist in Atlanta, Georgia (Emory University), in 2002.

Working with patients struggling with vertigo and balance difficulties has become her passion. She has completed numerous courses in Vestibular care and rehabilitation of balance deficits since 2002, and enjoys the challenges this area of Physiotherapy can deliver!

Barb was born and raised in Winnipeg, but has called Red Deer “home” since 1990. She is married to a great fellow (John), and has three children (Leath, Jared, Marita), and a spoiled cat (Niki). She enjoys swimming, working out at the Collicut, sewing, and reading a good book.

Candice, Physiotherapist

Candice Penz is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan and has been practicing in Red Deer since 2003. She is registered on the spinal manipulation roster with the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta and has taken numerous furthering education courses to add treatment skills and manual techniques to her tool box. Candice strives to be meticulous and thorough with her assessments and treatments and has a strong desire to empower her patients to improve their lifestyles and quality of life.

With a background of varsity track and field/cross country, national level martial arts and competitive road racing; Candice is all too familiar with injuries herself over the years. She understands the rehabilitation process thoroughly as she has experienced it herself many times.

Candice resides with her husband Colin, daughter Chloe and her twins Jayna and Hudson.

Kara, Physiotherapist

Kara Claerhout is also a graduate of the University of Alberta, completing her degree in 1991.  After taking some time off to raise her family, she has returned to the field of physical therapy and she joined the Pursuit Physiotherapy team in April 2009.

Education, both of the people she is treating and to advance her own skills, is a high priority.  Previous courses include Cyriax based assessment principles and manual therapy.  More recently she has been studying motor control, proprioception, and primitive reflex retention and treatment.  This focus allows better outcomes for those who have not responded well to regular treatment and exercise.

Kara is a native of Central Alberta.  She and her husband have two sons, which keep them very busy and extremely happy.

Marsha, RMT

Marsha Metcalfe is a graduate of the Alberta Institute of Massage (A.I.M.) here in Red Deer.  She is the Registered Massage Therapist on our team.  Marsha has a Diploma with 2200 hours (2 year program) and her Sports Massage Level II.

Marsha offers a variety of treatments:

• Therapeutic Massage
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Sports Massage
• Myofascial Release
• Joint Mobilization
• Relaxation Massage
• Pre and Post Natal Massage

She has 30, 60 and 90 minute sessions available.  Marsha also has Saturday appointments available for her regular clients.

Originally from Manitoba, Marsha lives in Red Deer with her three children, Megan, Cassandra & Brenden and the family cat.  When she isn't busy running her kids around to their activities, Marsha enjoys reading a good book with a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Venus, Office Manager

Your first contact at Pursuit Physiotherapy is likely to be with the always energetic Venus Ludtke (Yes…like the planet). Venus has years of experience in supporting (we mean running!) physical therapy clinics and her input is always valued. You are likely to meet Venus’ witty sense of humour at the door. Venus is familiar with insurance companies and extended health benefit companies so if you have any questions regarding your physiotherapy coverage, please direct them her way.

Venus resides in Red Deer with her husband Gord. She enjoys traveling and socializing in her occasional down time.

Jade Kure, Assistant

Jade joined our team in June, 2009 and is our physiotherapy assistant/receptionist.  She attended SAIT Polytechnic in 2009 where she completed her diploma in the Health Information Office Assistant program.

Jade is a native of Central Alberta and resides in Red Deer.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Jared, friends, and family.  Her pastimes are snowboarding, working out, and shopping.