Olympic and Paralympic sport partners to roll out new national high performance sport concussion strategy....
Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming.
National High-Performance Concussion Strategy
2 July, 2025
Kids Concussion Update
2 July, 2025
Perturbed Reach Response
2 July, 2025
Category Archives: Press Articles
Olympic and Paralympic sport partners to roll out new national high performance sport concussion strategy....
BCI is located in WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre. Parking is available free of charge on the south side of the building. Enter through the Markin MacPhail Event Centre doors and our clinic is immediately on your right hand side just past the elevators.
Mr. Rhodes is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Hearing Loss Clinic Inc. which has 10 clinic locations within Western Canada. Travis is Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences and is a passionate entrepreneur dedicated to the Audiology profession in Canada. He is an active member of both the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of B.C. and College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta. In addition to his business interests, Travis has been actively involved on several world-wide missions to bring the gift of hearing to thousands of children from impoverished countries and/or communities. Travis’ mix of business and philanthropic leadership assists BCI to create a world-class patient experience, as well as fundraising efforts for innovative clinical research that will significantly benefit the sporting community at large.
Mr. Reeves is a partner at the law firm of Tingle Merrett LLP. He has acted as corporate and securities counsel to numerous Canadian and International public and private corporations, including a large number of companies active in the medical industry. He has wide experience in private and public debt and equity offerings, corporate acquisitions of assets and/or shares, corporate structuring and debt financing and has extensive experience assisting issuers intending to list and operate on Canadian stock exchanges. Mr. Reeves has taught nationally in the areas of exempt markets and e-Commerce financing and is currently a director and/or officer of the several Canadian and U.S. public and private companies. Mr. Reeves has been with Tingle Merrett LLP since 2003 prior to which he was with the Calgary office of a major national law firm. Mr. Reeves has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta and is a current executive member of the Advisory Board of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Tom earned a BA in Political Science/Public Policy from The University of Calgary, and has been a long-time Alumni Board Member, University Senator and volunteer to the Alberta CPHR community. With a professional designation in Human Resources, Tom brings 25-years of experience in Human Capital management consulting as a leading advisor to the Canadian corporate and talent development landscape. Tom has led teams of professionals impacting hundreds of companies and worked with many of the globe’s iconic thought leaders in organizational behaviour, development and design. Tom helps BCI attract, retain and engage professional talent and drive culture that produces a world-class patient experience.
Natasha has worked with BCI since its inception. Working behind the scenes, Natasha is instrumental in shaping our corporate strategy and maintaining our operational focus. Natasha has a passion for process, efficiency and effective teamwork. Natasha believes in the power of the customer experience and that a true multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to sport medicine is what makes BCI world leading. Natasha holds a BA in English from St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, and certificates in Human Resources and Business Analysis from Mount Royal. Natasha has over two decades of experience in Business Administration and Operational Management in tourism, sport and healthcare industries.
Heather is the Clinical Manager and MOA at BCI. She has extensive customer relations experience as a realtor with Remax for 15 years and over a decade of management experience in the food and beverage industry.
Carolynn is involved in both front-end administrative and clinical assessments at BCI. She is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary, studying Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies at the Cumming School of Medicine. She intends to further her education in public health research before pursuing a medical degree.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Carolynn is actively involved in her school community, taking on various leadership roles in her clubs. Outside of school responsibilities, Carolynn also serves as a head coach for the Southern Alberta Volleyball Club and is an active member of the Volleyball Alberta community. Passionate about mentorship, advocacy, and making a meaningful impact, she strives to make a lasting difference in both healthcare and sports.
Brett is a former Junior ice hockey player, current senior undergraduate student in Business Economics at the University of Calgary, and aspiring entrepreneur. He has significant experience as a clinical research technician using traditional sport concussion assessment tools and is proficient with a multitude of advanced multi-modal neurological assessment techniques and technologies. Brett is also a neuro-rehabilitation technician at BCI experienced with advanced technology assisted vision therapy, dynamic neck strengthening, robotic sensorimotor, and other neuro-rehabilitation technology.
Dr. Butt holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and is currently a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Calgary. With a strong foundation in engineering, she has transitioned into data science and sport medicine, where she is passionate about applying advanced data analytics, machine learning, and AI techniques. Her research focuses on integrating clinical and sensorimotor data from technologies to develop predictive models and assess neurologic performance and sport-related concussion risk. Currently, Dr. Maryam is evaluating neurological deficits in post-concussion athletes using the Kinarm Robotic Platform, leveraging statistical approaches and ML/AI techniques to drive insights.
Dr. Dukelow is a Physiatrist, Professor and Head of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Calgary. He has an interest in the assessment of sensory, motor and cognitive impairment following neurological injury using robotic tools and other technology-based methods.
Kelly is a Sport Dietitian with the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary specializing in nutrition prescription for athletes from recreational to national levels throughout phases of training and competition. She is a recognized national leader within her respective field.
Dr. Kutlesa is a Registered Psychologist working collaboratively with athletes, teams, and coaches, including the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Her expertise is in post-concussion management, recovery from sports injuries, eating disorders, and other personal or mental health concerns that can interfere with athletic performance. Although she has expertise in working with athletes who are experiencing health or injury related challenges, she also helps athletes with other areas of sport psychology such as performance enhancement (e.g., visualization, self-talk, relaxation techniques, team dynamics, healthy body image, etc.), coping with the pressure of competitions (e.g., from parents, coaches, or athlete’s own expectations), or planning ahead for career after sport.
Dr. Weatherbee is a native Calgarian, and a newly graduated psychiatrist with a special interest in the emerging area of sport psychiatry. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree with honors, Medical Doctorate and FRCPC in psychiatry with the University of Calgary. Dr. Weatherbee currently works at the Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, running a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Informed Skills Group and consulting via the Urgent Psychiatric Consult Clinic for family physicians and Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) inpatient unit. Dr. Weatherbee worked with the former Matrix Clinic as a resident completing general psychiatric assessments. Her interest in sport psychiatry stems for recognition of the integral relationship between mental and physical health in optimizing performance and overall well-being in athletes of all ages. Dr. Weatherbee played collegiate basketball with the University of Calgary between 2003-2006 as a point guard and shooting guard. After collegiate basketball, she went on to work for the University of Calgary Students’ Union in a variety of capacities, including as the Vice President Academic and as an elected representative on the Board of Governors.
Dr. Finkbeiner completed his undergraduate degree with specialization in pharmacology at the University of Alberta in 2007, before moving to Calgary to complete medical school by 2011. Thereafter, he completed a psychiatry residency ending in 2016. In addition to being a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, Dr. Finkbeiner is also a member of the World Psychiatric Association Section on Exercise, Psychiatry and Sport, and the International Society of Sports Psychiatry. Since 2015, Dr. Finkbeiner has been involved as a consultant for a number of sports medicine physicians and clubs, including work with the Calgary Stampeders, University of Calgary, and Olympic athletes. You will otherwise find him at the Peter Lougheed Centre where he works on the inpatient unit for acute psychiatric stabilization, and in the Day Hospital Program for outpatient management. Growing up playing a variety of sports, including lacrosse, hockey, and rugby, Dr. Finkbeiner developed an interest in the unique mental health demands for athletes, as well as the growing awareness of concussions. During his training, Dr. Finkbeiner published a review in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry on the psychiatric outcomes following adult concussion in sport, and he is excited at the opportunity to further this understanding as well as provide mental health treatment and support to those athletes in need.
Brooklyn graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a minor in Biology. After competing at the NCAA Division 1 level for soccer, Brooklyn has continued her soccer career in the semi-professional UWS league in Calgary. She has significant experience as a clinical research technician using traditional sport concussion assessment tools and is proficient with a multitude of advanced multi-modal neurological assessment and rehabilitation technologies.
Ali holds an Honors Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a post-graduate diploma in Professional Kinesiology from Lakehead University. During her diploma, she completed a practicum at BCI, where she shadowed technicians, physicians, and researchers. Now a Professional Kinesiologist, Ali serves as the Medical Coordinator for the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta and Program Coordinator at BCI. She is trained and proficient in administering standardized concussion evaluations and has hands-on experience with BCI’s advanced assessment and rehabilitation technologies. Ali is also actively involved in research data collection and analysis.
Dr. Smith is an exercise physiologist and professor emeritus who brings over 35 years of experience in the testing and monitoring of physiological changes that occur in high performance athletes combined with the design of training programs. He is the former Director of Sport Science at the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta and has worked with several of Canada’s top coaches in sports including speed skating, swimming, volleyball, ice-hockey, track and field, cross-country skiing and track cycling. Dave also has extensive experience with sport-related concussion exercise stress testing, heart-rate variability, and individualized exercise prescription protocols.
Jalena obtained a Master’s of Science from the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Calgary studying the clinical utility of multi-modal assessment techniques and technology for acute sport-related concussion. She works as an exercise physiologist and sport scientist at the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta and Benson Concussion Institute specializing in autonomic nervous system function, exercise assessment, and individualized exercise prescription protocols.
Cierra completed her postgraduate Certified Optometric Vision Therapist (COVT) education through the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association (OVDRA). She is the only practicing COVT in Alberta, and one of only a handful in Canada. She sits as the COVT board representative in the Canadian Chapter of OVDRA and is a registered mentor for students completing their COVT process. She is also an Emergency Medical Responder registered with the Alberta College of Paramedics, furthering her understanding and experience with complex, direct patient care. Her background as a multi-sport athlete allows for a relatable approach to athlete motivations and an understanding of the need to tailor treatment plans to reach an individual athlete’s peak performance goals.
Dr. Wu is an Optometrist with an extensive background in vision therapy. His experiences include baseline and post-concussion vision assessments and rehabilitation.
Dr. Bryant holds a dual degree from Pacific University College of Optometry where she earned her Doctor of Optometry as well as a Masters in Vision Science, specializing in binocular vision disorders. Her educational and professional journey has taken her to diverse settings, ranging from rural to urban communities, where she has had the privilege of working with a wide spectrum of patients. This includes seniors, children dealing with strabismus and amblyopia, patients recovering from concussions, and both amateur and professional athletes seeking high-level eye care.
Dr. Luk is one of the few residency-trained and board-certified Developmental/Neuro-Optometrists in Canada to provide Vision Therapy. As part of her specialty training, Dr. Luk works with many high-performance athletes to provide Baseline Concussion Vision Assessment, Sports Vision Training, and post-concussion vision assessment and rehabilitation.
Jacalyn is a dual certified Physiotherapist and Certified Athletic Therapist. She holds a Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy, and is a Registered International Sport Physical Therapist through the International Sport Physical Therapy Association. She started her high-performance journey at McMaster University where she was a student Strength & Conditioning Coach. Jacalyn currently is the Return to Performance lead at CSI Alberta.
Kim has been a passionate physiotherapist for over a decade working for the general population and athletes of all levels. She values the diversity of working in private practice, and at the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta with national sport organizations including Canada Ski Cross, Curling Canada, Biathlon Canada and Nordic Canada. Her academic journey includes a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Queen’s University and a Master’s degree in biomechanics and neuroscience from the University of Guelph, along with many technical and professional development courses for continuing education. These have equipped her with specialized skills in manual therapy, soft tissue techniques, education, exercise, acupuncture and intramuscular stimulation (IMS). Kim is dedicated to helping individuals recover from injuries, optimize their performance, and achieve their full potential through personalized, evidence-based care.
Kerri completed a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree at the University of Western Ontario, Diploma in Sports Injury Management at Sheridan College, and is a Certified Athletic Therapist with extensive experience working with high performance athletes (football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and rugby). She has worked with University Varsity athletes since 2001 and was a member of the Waterpolo Canada Senior Men’s Integrated Support Team from 2011-2017. Kerri has extensive experience in musculoskeletal injury and sport concussion clinical assessment and treatment. She is a strong believer in addressing the body as a whole and has taken continuing education courses including Foundations of Reconditioning as well as manual therapy techniques including Neural Manipulation, Visceral Manipulation and Craniosacral Therapy to address the whole body when treating both acute and chronic injuries.
Brett is an experienced physiotherapist with a strong passion for supporting individuals in achieving their physical goals and maintaining optimal health. Originally from Fernie, BC, Brett enjoys an active lifestyle, which includes activities like snowboarding, golf, and strength training.
He earned his Master’s in Physiotherapy from the University of Alberta, where he received comprehensive training in injury rehabilitation, movement optimization, and musculoskeletal health. Brett’s educational background, combined with his hands-on approach, enables him to offer personalized care to patients, focusing on both recovery and long-term wellness.
In addition to his broad physiotherapy expertise, Brett has specialized training in concussion assessment, management and vestibular rehabilitation ensuring concussed athletes receive the highest quality of care tailored to their unique needs.
Kim is a physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience in vestibular rehabilitation. She has held key roles, including Director of the Neurovestibular Program at South Health Campus and Clinical Consultant at Panther Sports Medicine. She has also contributed to research at the University of Calgary and developed professional education programs. Currently, Kim focuses on vestibular rehabilitation as part of the concussion management team at BCI.
Lauren graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and went on to complete a Master of Science in Physiotherapy in 2010. She moved to Calgary shortly after graduation and has worked in private practice for the last 15 years. Lauren completed her advanced diploma in manual and manipulative therapy in 2015 and became a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy. She is licensed in medical acupuncture and a certified Gunn IMS practitioner through the University of British Columbia. Additionally, she has completed advanced training in vestibular rehabilitation, blood flow restriction training and worked as part of a multidisciplinary concussion clinic for 8 years, before joining BCI. Lauren was the first in Canada to graduate with a Sport Physiotherapy Diploma from the International Olympic Committee in 2018 and she obtained her Canadian Sport Physiotherapy Diploma in 2021. Lauren is a Registered International Sport Physical Therapist. She was a member of the Sport Physiotherapy Canada Executive Committee from 2018-2022 and is the current Women in Sport Science program lead on the HPAC Practitioner Pathway Council for Own the Podium.
Lauren has worked as a contractor for the Canadian Sports Institute Calgary since 2014. She was the paramedical lead for the Canadian National Luge Team from 2015-2018 and for Speed Skating Canada (Long Track) from 2018-2023. She is currently the Integrated Support Team (IST) Lead for Canada’s National Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team. In 2024, Lauren took over the Return to Performance Lead position at CSI-Alberta. The newly rebranded “Return to Performance R3 Program” provides carded athletes with a comprehensive multi-disciplinary injury assessment and a directed, coordinated rehabilitation program.
Possessing over 30 years of experience in high performance and elite sport, Kevin has worked with athletes and teams from the provincial and national levels, up to the professional level, spending time with organizations such as Hockey Canada, Canada Soccer, the Edmonton Elks, Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames. Kevin completed degrees at the University of Alberta in both Athletic Training and Conditioning and Physiotherapy, and is a Registered International Sport Physiotherapist and Certified Athletic Therapist. He has taken advanced training in many therapeutic skills including manual therapy, soft tissue techniques, acupuncture and Intermuscular stimulation. Kevin continues to pursue personal and professional development, recently completing a Post-Graduate Certificate in Global Leadership from Royal Roads University, as well as a Masters of Clinical Science in Advanced Health Care Practices at the University of Western Ontario.
Dr. Murani is the team physician for the Calgary Wild FC Women’s Professional soccer team. She was born and raised in Sherwood Park, Alberta and completed her BSc. in Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Florida while competing in NCAA division one soccer. She returned to Canada in 2012 to complete her MD at the University of Alberta. This was followed by a five-year specialization in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Calgary. While completing her training, she was able to continue to compete in soccer at the semi-professional level. She has obtained her certifications in Electrodiagnostics (CSCN), Sports Medicine (Dip. Sport Med.), and musculoskeletal ultrasound (RMSK). Dr. Murani’s clinical interests include acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions as well as interventional and diagnostic ultrasound.
Dr. Bobby Homayoon is a Sport Medicine physician with experience working with Canadian national teams in judo, diving, bobsleigh, skeleton, ski cross, and boxing, as well as local amateur teams. He holds a Kinesiology degree and a Master’s in Public Health from UBC, where he also completed his Medical Degree before postgraduate training in Calgary and Ottawa. His diverse clinical experience across Canada has shaped him into a versatile practitioner. An avid athlete, he holds a black belt in taekwondo with international competition experience, has played provincial-level basketball, and is currently competing in triathlons.
Dr. Cameron is originally from Prince Edward Island and grew up playing competitive hockey and baseball. After obtaining a BSc from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2012, he completed his medical school and family medicine residency through Dalhousie University in 2016 and 2018 respectively. In 2018-2019 Ben completed his fellowship in Sport and Exercise Medicine through the University of Calgary, earning his CASEM Diploma in Sport and Exercise Medicine.
Dr. Cameron is the team physician for the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) and has worked with Hockey Canada at multiple levels (U17, U18, Spengler Cup, Women’s World Championships, National Para Hockey team, World Jr A Challenge). He has also provided sideline medical coverage for USport rugby, hockey, football, and wrestling, National and International short and long track speed skating competitions, professional boxing, hockey for the Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) and SAIT Trojans (ACAC), snowboarding, Indoor Field Hockey World Championships, and the LPGA. He also works with the Canadian Sport Institute (CSI) Alberta, Benson Concussion Institute and still practices some family medicine in addition to sport medicine.
Dr. Benson is a fellowship trained sport and exercise medicine physician with over two
decades of clinical and research experience in sport-related concussion and performance medicine. He is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta and Founder of the Benson Concussion Institute (BCI).
Dr. Benson completed a Bachelor of Physical Education (Hons) degree (Exercise Physiology), Master of Science degree (Epidemiology), Doctorate (PhD) degree (Epidemiology), Medical Degree (MD), Family Medicine Residency (CCFP) with an advanced certificate in Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM), and Sport Medicine Fellowship, all from the University of Calgary. He subsequently obtained a Diploma in Sport Medicine (Dip. Sport Med.) from the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine and High Performance Certification (Medicine – Leader) from Sport Scientist Canada. He has served and/or continues to serve as a member of several Regional, National and North American concussion and health safety executive committees, including the Canadian Hockey League’s (CHL) Concussion Management Committee, Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee (ADC) and Team Services Committee (Concussion), Own the Podium’s (OTP) Sport Medicine Advisory Council (SMAC), Sport Scientist Canada’s High Performance Practitioner Pathway Council, and Canadian National Sport Science / Sport Medicine Advisory Committees, Hotchkiss Brain Institute’s Traumatic Brain Injury NeuroTeam, Mayo Clinic’s Ice Hockey Concussion Summit, NHL – NHLPA Concussion Working Group (ex-officio), ThinkFirst Canada, Canadian Sport Institute Alberta’s Sport Science Committee, and the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM) Sport Safety Committee. Dr. Benson holds a Research Assistant Professorship in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Clinical Assistant Professorship in Family Medicine at the University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine.
Dr. Benson has extensive clinical experience in the high performance sport system, including Head Team Physician roles with Luge Canada, Canada Ski Cross, Alpine Canada, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, Wrestling Canada, University of Calgary Dinosaur Football team, Calgary Canucks Junior A (AJHL) Hockey Club, and several National Men’s Ice Hockey Teams representing Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, Under-18 World Championships, World Junior Championships, Canada vs Russia Super Series, Deutschland Cup, Spengler Cup, and Men’s World Championships. Dr. Benson has/had Sport Medicine Consulting roles with the Calgary Flames NHL Hockey Club, University of Calgary Varsity Hockey and Wrestling teams, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, Skate Canada, several National and Provincial Sport Organizations, and is a current member of the NHL/NHLPA Second Medical Opinion Physician List.
In-office optometric visual rehabilitation is conducted by a Vision Therapist under the supervision of a Developmental/Neuro-
