Optimum Wellness Centres: Trans Canada

Dr. Salem Fares was born and raised in Calgary, AB. At a young age, Dr. Fares knew that he wanted to help people through the healthcare profession.

After completing his undergraduate studies in human anatomy and physiology, Dr. Fares travelled to Kansas City, Missouri, where he completed his chiropractic degree.

Dr. Fares diagnoses and treats the body’s underlying conditions by creating a personalized treatment plan according to his patients’ individual needs. Following the initial phase of care, Dr. Fares educates his patients on the importance of preventative and wellness care. Dr. Fares uses a variety of techniques from traditional manual techniques to low force instrument adjustments.

Dinika earned her bachelor’s degree from the KLE Institute of Physiotherapy in 2011. She completed her master’s in obstetrics and gynecology from KLE University of Physiotherapy in 2013. In the same year, she migrated to Canada with her family.

In Canada, she started her journey with Optimum Wellness Centres as a clinic assistant and then a team member in the head office while completing her credentialing process. She is now part of the Optimum team as a physiotherapist.

She has gained experience in musculoskeletal, neuro, pediatrics, women’s health, and various other branches during her internship and post-graduation.

She provides an individualized treatment program and works towards the goals of the patient. She works mainly on educating and empowering patients to participate in their recovery to maximize and improve quality of life.

In her free time, she loves spending time with family, writing poems, cooking, and listening to music.

Merlin Susan Philip is originally from Kerala, the southernmost state of India and came to Canada in 2007 after graduating with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from K. G. College of Physiotherapy, India.

She is currently a Registered Physiotherapist with Physiotherapy Alberta – College + Association since 2015.

Merlin has vast experience, including working as the PT in Charge at a hospital rehabilitation department for nearly 2 years in India. She treated a variety of cases referred to her. Once coming over to Canada, she has worked initially as a therapy aide and later as a PT intern at an old age home caring for senior patients until fully licensed.

Since being licensed in 2015, she has worked at a couple of clinical settings providing care for clients, which she continues to do so especially in Optimum Wellness Centre (Trans Canada).

Merlin keeps upgrading with various advanced techniques in Physiotherapy and is currently certified with Physiotherapy Alberta for administering Dry Needling and is a Certified Manual Therapist. She has also taken courses as well got certified in Peripheral Manipulative Therapy, Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation, Graston Technique M1 Training and Running Injuries of The Foot. Currently she is taking various parts in McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) and plans to get certified in 2021-2022.

At the Optimum Wellness Centre (Trans Canada), Merlin will be providing an individualized and personal assessment and providing treatment based on their evaluation and later developing rehab/exercise programs aimed at remedying the client’s issues and helping them back on track to lead a healthy life over the time of treatment. She will also be willing to answer any questions the client has regarding their case or rehabilitation plan.

In her leisure time, Merlin loves to spend her time with family, singing, or in the garden during summer.

Terry Quach graduated from Mount Royal University in 2017 in the 2200 hour Massage Therapy program.

Terry believes in the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy. His goal is to educate and provide each individual with a treatment plan suited for their specific needs and concerns. He utilizes a mixture of relaxation and therapeutic techniques during his treatments. These include deep tissue, myofascial release techniques, trigger point therapy, hydrotherapy, etc. With plans on taking extra courses to expand his knowledge.

Terry grew up in the NE district of Calgary, enabling him to be immersed in a multicultural community. He enjoys speaking to all of his clients, ensuring that they all feel comfortable at all times.

He is motivated and passionate about helping people to the best of his abilities!

Menchie Dino started her career in health care as a Registered Nurse in the Philippines. She took her training to be a Registered Massage Therapist in Calgary and has certification in cupping and orthopedic massage. She offers myofascial and trigger point release, pediatric massage, pre and post natal massage and hot stone, deep tissue, relaxation and sport massage.

Menchie worked as a Registered Nurse in Canada starting in 2005 before she became a massage therapist. She was assigned to surgical and psychiatric wards. The reason she stopped working full time as a nurse was because her son needed one-on-one care and therefore decided to work less hours.

Her son, was diagnosed with autism, he had massage therapy treatment when he had funding for his gross motor problem, she saw how it relaxed and calmed him. That is why she studied to become a massage therapist, she wanted to be able to help her son.

When she is not working, Menchie enjoys working out, weight lifting, singing in the church every Sunday and going out with her family every other weekend.

Anthony is a Registered Massage Therapist, who graduated with a 3000 Hour Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy Program, at MaKami College.

Confident in his work as a Massage Therapist, Anthony effectively relieves pain and stress from patients through the use of massage therapy. He is experienced in a wide range of modalities such as Deep Tissue, Swedish, Pre-natal, Hot Stone, and much more. Anthony ensures that a client is always treated with care and comfort. He is exceptional in reading his clients and finding the right approach throughout each of his sessions. Anthony believes that creating a positive environment, and having communication with his clients is essential to Massage Therapy.

Anthony remembers to keep a balanced lifestyle. always acknowledging the importance of keeping up with your own physical, and mental health, but still having a good time and enjoying life.

Stanley has been treating patients in the medical profession for 30 years and started in the custom foot orthotic field 20 years ago. His passion for pedorthics drives his ability to find helpful solutions and to share educational information with his patients. He strives to provide the best possible experience in foot care. His patients regularly comment on his thoroughness and attention to detail in his assessments which include an analysis of posture, biomechanical gait movement patterns and lower extremity musculoskeletal function. Video gait analysis provides the ability to visually show patient exactly when and where their imbalances occur. He encourages his patients to participate in their own recovery by taking the time to educate them about their medical condition, footwear selection, orthotics and home rehabilitation programs.

Stanley graduated with a Diploma in Sports Injury Management (Athletic Therapy) from Sheridan College in 1991 after completing a Bachelor of Physical Education from Brock University. He subsequently became a Certified Athletic Therapist in 1992, a Canadian Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder Instructor in 2000, a Certified Pedorthic Technician in 2002 and a Certified Pedorthist in 2003. Stanley has been a member of the Canadian Athletic Therapist Association since 1990, a Canadian Red Cross Training Partner since 2000 and a member of the College of Pedorthics of Canada / Pedorthic Association of Canada since 2002.

Stanley recharges his energy by engaging in outdoor pursuits, especially on a sunny, warm Alberta day. To keep active, Stanley currently participates in camping, white water river kayaking, alpine skiing, mountain biking, jogging, martial arts as well as weight and cardio training. Stanley also enjoys riding his motorcycle in the mountains during the warmer months of the year.