Welcome! Active Alignment has merged with Ortho-Kinetics to expand our service area. While Brad Gibbs remains on as a Pedorthic Consultant, Jen Gulas C. Ped (C) and Patrick Purves C. Ped (C) will be providing pedorthic care in the Cambridge and Oakville locations in addition to the existing Active Alignment locations in Waterloo, New Hamburg, and Stratford. Ortho-Kinetics patients, please click here to learn more.
ABOUT
Why See a Pedorthist?
Here’s How We Can Help
A Canadian Certified Pedorthist C. PED (C) is a lower-limb anatomy expert. We are one of the very few healthcare professionals educated and trained in how to assess, modify, design, and fit custom-made foot orthotics, footwear modifications, and footwear. We treat a wide variety of patients with concerns ranging from pre-existing conditions like arthritis and diabetes to sports injuries and bunions.
Through a consultation and assessment, we analyze your gait, examining your posture and joint mobility. We also take into consideration your lifestyle and activities in order to design a personalized treatment plan to decrease your pain and keep you active.
Our Pedorthists
Jennifer Gulas – C. Ped (C)
Canadian Certified Pedorthist
Jennifer is a Kitchener native and has been practicing Pedorthics in the KW and surrounding areas since 2007. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education from Wilfrid Laurier University. In her 3rd year she initiated her steps into the Pedorthic profession through a mentorship with a local Pedorthist. She went on to complete the Diploma in Pedorthics program and graduated with distinction through Western University. In 2007 she completed her National Certification and received her designation of C. Ped (C), Canadian Certified Pedorthist.
Jennifer’s clinical approach is to provide and assist with the body’s “foundation” for optimal joint, muscle and supporting soft tissue function. No matter the reason, whether it be injury related, dysfunction and compensations, chronic presentations or neurological complications, Jennifer’s goal is to improve comfort and mobility for each patient. Each pair of custom foot orthotics is specifically designed by Jennifer, and fabricated in house.
Patient education plays a vital role in Jennifer’s practice. Feeling confident in understanding the assessment and treatment plan are essential pieces in the overall experience, but also in the success outcomes.
Jennifer continues to educate and mentor new Pedorthic students as a supervisor to Pedorthic candidates who are enrolled in the Pedorthic program through Western University.
Jennifer served on the Ethics Committee and Continuing Education Committee for the College of Pedorthics of Canada for a number of years before being nominated and elected by her peers to serve on the Board of Directors for The College of Pedorthics of Canada. She did so for 6 years, and during that time gained valuable insight, knowledge and experience in the realm of public protection, business and board organization.
In her spare time Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, fitness training, cooking, and wine pairing.
Patrick Purves – C. Ped (C)
Canadian Certified Pedorthist
Patrick is a Wingham native and has been practicing Pedorthics in KW and surrounding areas since 2011.
Patrick obtained his undergraduate degree, Bachelor in Human Kinetics with Honours in Movement Science from the University of Windsor. Following graduation, Patrick pursued his passion in the health and fitness industry working as a Kinesiologist and personal trainer before entering and completing the post graduate Pedorthics Program at Western University.
As an avid athlete in high school, Patrick developed an interest in the field of sports medicine. He was first introduced to Pedorthics when his family doctor referred him to a local pedorthist for an assessment and a pair of custom foot orthotics. Patrick’s successful experience and the ability to return to sport gave him a true understanding of what the Pedorthic profession had to offer.
Patrick is the Co-Owner of Active Alignment and is the fabrication specialist/master builder of all the custom-made foot orthoses for the company. Patrick has a deep interest in research and design and is constantly looking for ways to improve patient outcomes. He continues his education not only from a patient/clinical perspective, but also the manufacturing side of Active Alignment.
In his spare time, Patrick loves spending time outdoors, enjoys woodworking, and treasures time spent with his family.
Sharon Brophy RPN, AFCN
Basic, Advanced and Diabetic Foot Care Nurse
Sharon is a Wingham native and graduated in 1981 from the Registered Nursing Assistant Program at the Wingham and District Hospital. Sharon has practiced nursing in Wingham, London, and Stratford areas since that time. She has completed several continuing education courses and specialized training courses over the years to enhance her nursing education.
Sharon has worked in various acute hospital and long-term care nursing settings over the past 40 years both rurally and in the city.
Over those years she has collected a vast amount of nursing knowledge that she shares with newly graduated nurses on a regular basis. She continues to learn and develop her skills within the medical field. Sharon also has vast experience working with people with mental, physical, and developmental challenges. She has a passion for providing care to these populations taking into account their individual needs.
Sharon recently retired from her full-time RPN position within the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance. As an experienced RPN Sharon developed an interest in the need for foot care in the community. She was seeing patients coming into hospital with severe nail issues as well as other foot ailments. At times patient’s nails were so neglected and long that staff would call in a doctor that had special training and proper tools to complete footcare on the patient.
Sharon discussed possible long-term, outpatient care for these patients’ feet and discovered that options were limited in the area. It became clear that there was certainly an unmet need in various communities for foot care nurses to help deal with this ongoing problem. Consequently, she made the decision to become a foot care nurse.
In preparation to open her own nursing foot care business Sharon completed the Basic, Advanced, and Diabetic footcare nursing education certificate courses at the Footcare Academy in Pickering Ontario. She has also completed both the Level One and Level Two courses with the Art and Science of Burring, a division of Feet First Footcare Inc., with Krisztine Grad RN and foot care nurse educator. Furthermore, Sharon has participated in a Mentorship Program with the Aldershot Foot Care Clinic in Burlington Ontario.
In her spare time Sharon enjoys gardening, reading, and swimming. Sharon is also an avid fan of theatre, baseball, and hockey. Her favourite pastime however is spending time with her family. Sharon particularly enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and playing with her dog.
Mairi Raebitt
Clinic Manager & Coordinator
Mairi Raebitt is originally from the Island of Mull in Scotland. She moved to Canada in 2015 with her husband. She has been working in Pedorthic Clinics since 2018 and is the clinic manager and coordinator of all Active Alignment offices.
In addition to her managerial skills, Mairi is fully qualified and trained in compression therapy and its applications in the management of chronic venous disorders. Outside of work Mairi enjoys watching Formula 1, soccer and gardening.
Brad Gibbs, HBSc (Kin)
Canadian Certified Pedorthist
Brad Gibbs has been providing custom foot orthoses (Orthotics) and high quality pedorthic services since 1988.
As a Canadian Certified Pedorthist, Brad is an expert in lower limb biomechanics, and the design, manufacture and fit of custom foot orthoses (orthotics), footwear and footwear modifications.
Brad is a human movement professional. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Kinesiology (University of Waterloo), Brad has an extensive understanding of the biomechanics and anatomy of the human body and the factors that affect human locomotion (how we walk).
In 1990, Ortho-Kinetics Inc. was established in Cambridge Ontario and has developed a strong and effective partnership with physicians and allied healthcare professionals to provide excellent service, products and advice to improve the health and lifestyle of the people in the community.
In 1995, Brad established a satellite clinic in Oakville, working with family physicians and orthopaedic surgeons. Since 1998 he has partnered with Oakville Sports Medicine Centre in providing comprehensive and complementary healthcare services to the Oakville community personal trainer before entering and completing the post graduate Pedorthics Program at Western University.