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Garry is the founder of Bridges Health and has been the President and CEO since the organizations inception in 1997. Prior to launching Bridges, Garry worked in the insurance industry as a bodily injury case manager, adjudicator and supervisor for 18 years. Throughout the duration of his career, he has excelled in the vocational rehabilitation field; attending to long and short-term disability claims, case management, return to work coordination, vocational evaluations, transferable skills analyses, labour market surveys and mental health claims. He has served on several boards, including Saskatoon Health Authority. He is the only member to serve two consecutive terms as President of VRA Canada. He also sat on the board for VRA Saskatchewan society and served on the board of Saskatchewan Association for the Rehabilitation of Brain Injured. With Garry’s diverse and extensive career history in the health and wellness sector, he has evolved Bridges Health to be one of the leading service providers in Western Canada.
Laurie earned her BAC from the University of Saskatchewan – Edwards School of Business while raising a family and working full time. In 2002 she chose to pursue her longtime goal and was successful in obtaining a position in the Accounting Department for a Government Agent Property Management Company. Laurie brought 17 years’ accounting and system software experience with her when she joined the team at Bridges Health in June 2019. With strong communication skills and personality, she acts as an excellent liaison with Bridges Health customers and partners. She oversees all areas of the Financial Accountability and Reporting for Bridges Health.
Deepak joined Bridges Health in 2022 as Chief Technology Officer. He was born and raised in Saskatoon and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering. Escaping the winters here, he then spent 16 years in Silicon Valley in California working in software in the hi-tech industry for Cisco and spent 2 years working for a Wall Street firm as a Senior Equity Analyst. Since moving back to Saskatoon, Deepak has helped numerous startups and has provided consulting services to many large organizations including the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, SIGA and many more. Deepak has a unique ability to bridge conversations between business and technology teams that are crucial in the implementation of innovative solutions.
Bonnie is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional (CVRP), Return to Work Disability Manager (RTWDM), & Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP) Clinician. She holds Diplomas in Corporate Wellness Coaching, Psychology, Workplace Wellness and Mental Health Mentoring, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Grief and Bereavement Counselling.
Bonnie joined the team at Bridges Health in 2023 bringing 23 years of professional work experience in Vocational Rehabilitation Counselling, Disability Management, Return to Work Support, and Team Leadership in both private and public sectors. She is experienced, strong, collaborative, and methodical in her approach producing meaningful outcomes and sustainable resolutions for all stakeholders.
She is a member in good standing with the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA) of Canada, the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals, and currently sits on the Board of Directors with CVRP
Lilly Sweet earned her Bachelors Degree in Law and Society at the University of Calgary. Her speciality is Central and East European Studies. She has over 25 years of experience in sales, contracts, and sales team management. She is very goal-oriented, driven and engaged in maintaining relationships for business development. Lilly also received her financial sales insurance certification which complements her skills of multi-tasking, prioritizing, engaging customers, and sustaining those relationships.
She is fluent in two languages and enjoys taking long walks, gardening and camping. A passion that Lilly pursued is becoming certified to teach English online and meeting others from around the world. She served as Board Chair for the Local Air Cadets and is currently engaged with the Local Army Cadets.
Kyle Anderson has earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counselling. By learning about the significant link between physical and mental wellness, Kyle utilizes a holistic approach towards overall health. Kyle’s professional experiences include providing individual and group counselling, working in the fields of substance use, eating disorders, crisis intervention, and mood and anxiety disorders. Working with Bridges Health has allowed Kyle to facilitate workshops with organizations and communities to increase awareness and knowledge surrounding mental health and wellness. He has worked in the field of mental health and performance psychology in Chicago and Victoria before returning to his hometown of Saskatoon.
With Bridges Health, Kyle wears multiple hats, working primarily on the business development side of the organization. He is a facilitator of mental health workshops as well as content developer in the Psychological Health and Safety Program. Kyle also performs ergonomic assessments and return-to-work assistance through Bridges’ digital ergonomic assessment program called ErgoWorks.
Bani earned her degree in Business Administration-Accounting from Sheridan College Ontario. She has 2 years of experience in the retail industry, assigning tasks, auditing, and meeting production targets. Bani is goal-oriented, motivated, highly professional, skilled in prioritizing and completing tasks independently. She has extensive experience with Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of spreadsheets, databases, accounting, web designing and personal income tax software programs such as Sage 50, MS Access, and Profile.
Bani joined Bridges Health in March 2021 as an administrative assistant and currently works as our Executive Assistant & PH&S Coordinator. Supporting Mental Health workshop facilitators & clients. Additionally, she oversees the Bridges Health website.
Nancy joined the Bridges Health Team in November 2022 following a thirty-one year career in the hospitality industry, in the hotel sector, primarily in Human Resources. She has extensive experience in benefits, recruitment, facilitation and employee relations. Nancy earned her diploma in Business Administration from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), with a focus on HR. Nancy is the recipient of the 2016 Tourism Ambassador Award by Tourism Saskatchewan.
Mr. Willis has ten (10) years’ experience in human resources, risk management, disability management, and adjudication of short-term and long-term disability claims. Mr. Willis has conducted multiple assessments of injured/ill employees and has assessed and evaluated claims for benefit entitlement by reviewing contractual, objective medical, functional, and occupational information. Mr. Willis has extensive experience reviewing and assessing appeals for assigned policies, determining and evaluating both medical and non-medical influencing factors that affect the duration of claims, developing and maintaining outcome-focused case management plans. Mr. Willis has expertise in engaging claimants throughout the claim process by communicating in a sensitive, tactful and respectful manner to further understand the medical, social and personal aspects of their absence.
Stephanie has over eight years of experience in the fields of disability management and vocational rehabilitation. Additionally, she has experience working in a management, leadership and quality assurance role. Stephanie’s experience as a Consultant has included managing STD, LTD, absence management and injury management files. In her role, she has assisted individuals with functional, cognitive, psychological and developmental impairments and health conditions to overcome barriers to return to employment and/or quality of life. Stephanie holds her Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP) designation through the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA) of Canada. She has a 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in Psychology from the University of Saskatchewan.
Russ has been with Bridges Health since 1999, specializing in administering vocational testing, conducting Transferable Skills Analysis and Labour Market Surveys. He is a member of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRAC) and has attained his RRP designation (Registered Rehabilitation Professional). He assists clients with job coaching, interview techniques, and job placement. Russ has 6.5 years experience as an Employment Counselor, assisting social assistance recipients to find suitable employment. Russ has extensive experience in resume creation, teaching job search techniques, conducting mock interviews, and job placement.
As a veteran consultant with Bridges Health, Lesley has extensive experience working with individuals who suffer from mental health, acquired brain, and physical injuries. Completing her degree in Psychology, and minoring in Indian Studies, she also possesses the Registered Rehabilitation Professional designation through VRA Canada where she spent two terms as President. Most recently, Lesley completed her Cognitive Behavior Therapy Certificate and is currently working toward certification with the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists. Areas of expertise include vocational testing, job search and interview skills, labour market studies, and returns to work.
Catherine has 6 years of experience in the fields of disability management and rehabilitation consulting with both STD and LTD files. Additionally, she has a combined 6 years’ experience working in medical education and health and fitness training and consulting. Proficient in solution-focused and motivational interviewing skills, critical and creative problem-solving, and vocational goal setting, Catherine has successfully supported individuals with physical, psychological, cognitive, and functional impairments, illnesses, and injuries in their recovery and return to work. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Psychology from Athabasca University, and a Diploma in Human Kinetics from Langara College.
Danyae is a vocational rehabilitation professional with over 15-years of experience in the private and public sector. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Lethbridge. Over the years she have had the opportunity to work directly with major insurance companies as well as contracted to a variety of insurers as a vendor in the space of disability management. She has previous work experience in heavily unionized environments managing all employees occupational and non-occupational medical leave of absences, experience creating a robust absence awareness programs, and supported Human Resources in rolling out several health and wellness initiatives. Additionally, she is Matheson trained in FCE (advanced) and Cognitive Functional Capacity Evaluations. She currently in pursuit of obtaining certification in Cost of Future Life Care Planning. She is also trained and experienced in delivering Progressive Goal Attainment Programs.
With the experience that she has outlined over the course of her career she has well-honed skills to support individuals with exposure therapy, behavioral activation programs, transferable skills analysis/job search services and labour market research, cognitive rehabilitation, work-site evaluations, ergonomic assessments (both office and industrial), and physical demands analysis.
Melissa is a Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant who joined Bridges Health in 2023. Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (with honours) from York University and achieved her Diploma in Social Work (SSW) at Seneca College. She is also a Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP). Melissa brings 12 years of combined experience working in the field of disability case management, employment consulting, facilitation and job development. She specializes in career assessment, transferrable skills analysis, job matching, resume writing, interview strategies, job development, and career counselling, Melissa has successfully assisted hundreds of individuals with barriers in achieving their employment goals & returning clients back to their jobs. Melissa has extensive knowledge and interest in assisting individuals facing employment barriers, including those living with a disability and she believes that given the right support & tools, there is a job for everyone. Not surprisingly, her optimistic nature energizes our team in a positive way and her clients always remain her primary focus.
Christa completed her Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Occupational Therapy at the University of Manitoba. She has worked in community mental health, acute care, and long-term care settings. She has experience working with adult learners at SIAST, University of Regina, and University of Saskatchewan.
She grew up in rural Saskatchewan and is now living the city life. Her varied experience helps her to provide services on a contract basis – providing occupational therapy assessments for a variety of clients.
Corey has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education at the University of Saskatchewan before completing his Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Occupational Therapy at the University of Manitoba in 2000. Corey joined Bridges Health in 2003. He is a certified Matheson Functional Capacity Evaluator, and has extensive experience in performing home and personal care assessments and farm assessments to identify potential barriers and make recommendations for clients returning to pre-disability home activities or employments.
Ellen is an occupational therapist who joined the Bridges Health team in 2016. Ellen completed a 4-year Psychology Degree at the University of Winnipeg, before graduating with her Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Manitoba in 2016. Ellen has since completed additional training in the areas of ergonomics, mental health, low vision and pediatric practice. Ellen has more recently ventured into pediatric occupational therapy service provision with a school board in Calgary, Alberta. However, Ellen continues to enjoy working alongside Bridges Health colleagues in a consultant role, completing home assessments, work-site assessments and providing return to work support.
Erin is a licensed Occupational Therapist with Bridge’s Health in Regina, where she is responsible for completing home and worksite assessments, as well as office ergonomics and job site monitoring. She also works for the Saskatchewan Health Authority in a community mental health role. She received her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Regina in 2014, and a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of British Columbia in 2016. She has experience working in acute care, in a community setting in mental health, as well as working with automobile insurance, and office ergonomics in a private setting.
Erin has been working with Bridges Health over the last 5 years, beginning with full-time and moving into a casual position. Erin is interested in helping clients function at their highest level to achieve a better quality of life, both inside and outside the home. She uses a holistic and client-centered view when working with clients and understands that there are multiple areas of life that contribute to overall wellbeing.
Carly Wilson is a registered Occupational Therapist and a graduate from the Masters of Occupational Therapy program (2021) and a undergraduate Psychology degree (2013), both from the University of Manitoba. With experience working with clients in a variety of settings including acute medicine, chronic care and community care, Carly has extensive experience working with client populations with a variety of physical, cognitive, perceptual, and mental health impairments. Carly has recently joined Bridges Health as an independent contractor and is passionate about applying her holistic occupational therapy skills to assist with helping client’s return to their meaningful, pre-disability activities including employment.
Lisa is a physiotherapist who graduated from the School of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in 2000. In her 23 years, she has worked primarily in multidisciplinary settings, performing multidisciplinary assessments, managing occupational rehab programs at secondary and tertiary levels, managing long term disability files, working in mental health programming, and has special designation for pelvic floor therapy, having worked extensively in Women’s Health. She is a certified Matheson Functional Capacity Evaluator and has her Level III Orthopedic Manual and Manipulative Therapy Certification. She has extensive training and experience in managing chronic pain conditions. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and has training in cognitive behavioural therapy for allied professionals.