Faculty & Staff

Faculty & Staff


Puneet Arora, MBBS, MS, MS (Hons), PG Dip, MBA
Dr. Puneet Arora is a foreign trained medical doctor and a forensic expert. He has been teaching basic medical sciences including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology. He is also a business entrepreneur in the medical esthetics industry. Puneet has been teaching at MRU since 2013 in the Personal Fitness Trainer diploma and the Massage Therapy diploma.

Instructor of: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology

Education:
Anglia Ruskin University (UK) - Master of Business Administration
London School of Marketing (UK) - Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management
New York Chiropractic College (USA) - Master of Science in Human Anatomy & Physiology Instruction
Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (IND) - Doctor of Medicine in Forensic Medicine
Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (IND) - Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery

Benita Baker, MT
Benita has been a practicing massage therapist since graduating in 2014. She has had a multifaceted career, working at Naturopathic clinics, gyms, and therapeutic clinics. She is a devoted instructor, providing her students with the assurance that they can accomplish what they set out to do. Benita has been teaching at MRU since 2014.


Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor


Education:
Mount Royal University - Massage Therapy Diploma


David Balfour, MT
Coming soon


Instructor of:


Education:


Jessica Brancaccio, MT
Coming soon


Instructor of:


Education:


Kristy Collard, Bsc, MT

Kirsty has been a practicing massage therapist since 2014 and graduated from the Mount Royal Massage Therapy 2200 Program in 2015. She has advanced training in RAPID neurofascial reset and myofascial cupping.

Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor, Teaching Assistant

Education:
Mount Royal University - Massage Therapy 2,200 Diploma
University of New South Wales - Diploma of Education (Secondary)
Univeristy of New South Wales - Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Microbiology)

Michelle Conger, MT
Michelle has been a practicing massage therapist for 20 years and has been instructing in the massage therapy programs since 2000. She has been teaching at MRU since 2009.

Instructor of: Regional Anatomy, Therapeutic Exercise I, Outreach I - III

 

Education:
Remington College of Remedial Massage Therapies - 2,200 hour Massage Therapy Diploma


Lauren Dickey, MT
Coming soon


Instructor of:


Education:


Chantelle Drobot, BPE (Hons.), ND

Chantelle has been a practicing Naturopathic Doctor for over 15 years. Chantelle teaches courses in both the Massage Therapy and Personal Fitness Trainer programs and has been teaching at MRU since 2006.

 

Instructor of: Massage Concepts & Terminology, Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Pathology I, Therapeutic Exercise II

 

Education:
University of Calgary - Bachelors of Physical Education (Honours)
National College of Naturopathic Medicine - Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)


Laurie Fisher, PhD, MKin, MT, SMT (cc)
Laurie holds a PhD in clinical research focused in myofascial dysfunction, is a biomechanical kinesiologist (M. Kin.) and is an honours graduate of the 2200 hour massage therapy program at Mount Royal University. She is an advanced orthopedic muscle therapist and enjoys working with athletes (and weekend warriors) at all levels. She specializes in kinesthetic therapeutic massage, sport massage, deep tissue, trigger point, rehabilitation, and pre/post-surgical treatments. Currently Laurie, is part of the medical teams as a massage therapist for both the Calgary Stampeders and Calgary Roughnecks and has previously worked with the Calgary Hitmen. In 2018, Laurie earned her PhD in Myofascial Tissue Dysfunction with a focus on non-surgical intervention of Dupuytren's Contracture. Laurie is a current member of the Massage Therapy teaching faculty at Mount Royal University and an active member in good standing with the Canadian Sport Massage Therapist Association and the Remedial Massage Therapy Association.

 

Instructor of: Fundamentals of Research, Case Study Literature Review & Lab

 

Education:

University of Southern California - PhD, Clinical Research Myofascial Dysfunction

Mount Royal University - 2,200 hour Massage Therapy Diploma


Kelly Golbeck, MT
Kelly has been a practicing massage therapist in Calgary since graduation from Mount Royal University in 2012. Kelly specializes in Relaxation, Deep Tissue, Therapeutic, Pre/Post Natal, Glass/Fire Cupping, Silicone Cupping, Hot Stone, Aromatouch and Raindrop Massage. Throughout her career she has worked in Chiropractic offices, Massage studios, high-end spas and independently as a Mobile therapist. Kelly has had the opportunity to work on many conditions, injuries and people from all works of life; even including celebrites! Kelly places a high importance on health and offers additional support to her clients in the form of remedial exercises, stretching and self-care.

Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor

Education:
Mount Royal University - Massage Therapy 2,200 Diploma

Mariah Hankinson, MT

Mariah has been practicing massage since graduating from Mount Royal University after completion of the 2200-hour massage therapy program in 2020. Mariah works in a chiropractic clinic where her treatments are primarily focused on deep tissue work,as well as sports massage and working on specific injuries to help clients attain relief & healing. Mariah has been an outreach supervisor since 2021.

 

Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor

 

Education:

Mount Royal University- 2200 Massage Therapy Diploma


Kirsten Hartman-Taylor, MT

Kirsten is a registered massage therapist, practicing since 2015 with a primary focus on injury recovery, TMJD and whiplash. She has been working with students at Mount Royal since 2015.

 

Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor and Teaching Assistant

 

Education:

Mount Royal University - 2,200 hour Massage Therapy Diploma

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology - Emergency Medical Responder (Honours)


Nolan Hayduk, BFA, MT

Nolan has been a practicing therapist since graduating from Mount Royal University in 2015. Nolan has completed Level 2 Manual Lymphatic Drainage with the Chikly Institute. He has been mentoring and supervising students through various outreaches and teaching opportunities with Mount Royal University since 2015.

 

Instructor of: Musculoskeletal Anatomy Lab, Treatments I, Practicum I-IV, Outreach Supervisor

 

Education: 

Alberta College of Art & Design Calgary - Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree

Mount Royal University - 2,200 hour Massage Therapy Diploma

Chikly Institute - Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Level 2


Tracy Hodgson, MT

Tracy has been a practicing massage therapist since graduating in 1996 from CCMH in Ontario. She has been an instructor at MRU since 2014.

 

Instructor of: Ethics & Communication I, Massage Techniques I, Remove Clinical Practicum I, II, II, & IV

 

Education:
Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy - 2,200 hour Massage Therapy Diploma


Mike Horne, MT

Mike has been practicing massage therapy for more than15 years and has over 13 years of teaching experience from Nova Scotia and Alberta. He has had a multifaceted career, from cruise ships to therapeutic clinics and spas. Mike has been integral in setting up a training academy in the UK for a large cruise ship spa company, and has also helped create regulatory exams. Mike has been teaching at MRU since 2010.

 

Instructor of: Fundamentals of Massage, Orthopedic Assessment I, Orthopedic Assessment II, Treatments III, Business of Massage Therapy, OSCE

 

Education:
ICT Northumberland College - Diploma in Massage therapy


Kenneth King, MBA, BPHE
Kennith has been a varsity sport coach and instructor in the post secondary community for over 8 years. In addition to instructing in the Massage Therapy program, Kenneth is the Assistant Coach with MRU's Women's Basketball team. He is a devoted coach providing his athletes with continued support into developing their skills. Kenneth is a passionate instructor and with his combined background in business, consulting, and physical education, he creates a learning environment that boosts his students experience. Kenneth has been teaching at MRU since 2020.


Instructor of: Therapeutic Exercise I & II


Education:
Seth Godin Business School - altMBA, Leadership and Management

Laurentian University - BPd, Bacherlor of Physical and Health Education


Maria Krumpalova, MT
Coming soon


Instructor of:


Education:


Mat Langley, BA, MT
Mat has been instructing and mentoring students in a variety of capacities for over 10 years. Mat has been a practicing massage therapist since graduating from the Mount Royal Massage Therapy Program in 2020. He has been a part of the MRU Massage Therapy instructional team team since 2020.

Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor, Teaching Assistant

Education:
Mount Royal University - 2,200 Massage Therapy Diploma
University of Calgary - Baccalaureate Degree (BA)

Deanne Mansfield, MT

Deanne has been a practicing massage therapist for over 15 years. She specializes in cancer and chronic illness care. In addition to massage, Deanne is a practicing hydrotherapist and aromatherapist. She creates individual blends and products to aid her clientele. Deanne has been teaching at MRU since 2013.

 

Instructor of: Massage Techniques I, Regional Palpations

 

Education:
Foothills College of Massage Therapy - 2,200 hour Massage Therapy Diploma
Wildrose College of Natural Healing - Herbology Certificate
Wildrose College of Natural Healing - Aromatherapy Certificate


Maryanne McDonald, MT
Maryanne has been a practicing Massage Therapist since graduating in 2017. She has been mentoring students through outreaches and teaching assistant opportunities since 2018.

Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor, Teaching Assistant

Education:
Mount Royal University - 2,200 hr. Massage Therapy Diploma
ALTR Yoga - 200 hr. Yoga Teacher Certificate

Maggie McFarlane, MT, CIMT, CPMT
Maggie has been practicing massage out of a multidisciplinary clinic since 2016. After finishing school Maggie found a passion for working with children. She continues to work with athletes, children, prenatal client's, and the general population. Maggie enjoys the challenge and reward of working with the students at Mount Royal University.

Instructor of: Practicum I-IV, Outreach Supervisor

Education:
Mount Royal University - 2,200hr Massage Therapy Diploma
Liddle Kidz Foundation - Certified Infant Massage Teacher
Liddle Kidz Foundation - Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist
Liddle Kidz Foundation - Advanced Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist

Rihana Middleton, MT
Rihana graduated from Mount Royal University's 2,200-hour Massage Therapy Program in 2019. She enjoys working and collaborating with other health professionals in multidisciplinary clinic settings. Rihana has taken additional courses in intraoral TMJ massage, and is certified in myofascial cupping and pre/post-natal massage.

Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor, Teaching Assistant

Education:
Mount Royal University - 2,200hr Massage Therapy Diploma

Sarah Orton, PhD

Dr. Orton studied pharmacology (BSc) at McMaster University in Ontario, then completed her PhD in Clinical Medicine at the University of Oxford, UK. Her research interests focus on the genetic and environmental causes of Multiple Sclerosis, with a particular interest in susceptibility factors such as vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D-related genetics. She joined MRU in 2012 and teaches various Anatomy, Physiology and Biology courses in Continuing Education and Biology departments as well as MCAT courses outside of MRU. She has always been passionate about and excelled in teaching and this is her current academic focus.

 

Dr. Orton received the 2018 Distinguished Teaching Award in the non-credit category for her excellence in teaching and dedication to students.

Instructor of: Human Physiology

 

Education:
McMaster University - BSc, Biology & Pharmacology
University of Oxford - PhD, Clinical Medicine (Neurology)


Leah Queen, MT, ERYT500
Leah has been practicing massage therapy since graduating from Mount Royal in 2019. She is dedicated to utilizing her experience teaching yoga, training yoga teachers and supervising Outreach at Mount Royal to educate and mentor other passionate members of the health and wellness industry.

Instructor of: Fundamentals of Massage, Outreach Supervisor, Teaching Assistant

Education:
Mount Royal University - 2,200 Massage Therapy Diploma
Back to Mobility - 300 Hour Yoga Certification
Yoga for Life - 200 Hour Yoga Certification

Tony Southwell, BSc., EMT-P, DC

Tony has been educating students in healthcare for over 35 years. He has a wide variety of experiences to draw from starting with his career as an athletic therapist, to paramedic, to paramedic instructor, and currently a chiropractor. Tony has been teaching at MRU since 2015.

 

Instructor of: Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Human Anatomy

 

Education:
Sherman College of Chiropractic - Doctor of Chiropractic
Excelsior College - Baccalaureate Degree (BSL)
Southern Alberta Institute Of Technology - Diploma (EMT-P)
Canadian Forces Medical Services School - TQ 3 Medic Assistant


Rebecca Steele, MT

Rebecca has been practicing massage for over 15 years and has been instructing in massage therapy schools for more than 10 years. She has been instructing at MRU since 2012.

 

Instructor of: Fundamentals of Charting, Ethics & Communication II

 

Education:
Canadian College of Natural Medicine- 2200-hour Massage Therapy Diploma


Kaley Tumback, MT

Kaley graduated from the Massage therapy program at Mount Royal University in 2020. She has been working in a multidisciplinary clinic since then, and also focusing simultaneously on her own mobile massage business. Kaley is passionate about restorative, therapeutic work, with a focus on the shoulder girdle, head/TMJ, and glutes.

 

Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor

 

Education:
Mount Royal University – Massage Therapy 2200-hour Diploma

Medicine Hat College – Graphic Design

Robyn Uptigrove, MT
Robyn has been a practicing massage therapist in Calgary since her graduation from Mount Royal University in 2018. Since graduating, she has worked in both spa and mobile businesses. Robyn has been involved in the MRU program as an instructor and outreach supervisor. Her teaching style focuses on feedback and communication; and always aims to foster an environment of respect and learning above all else.

Instructor of: Massage Techniques II, Treatments II, Practicum I-IV, Outreach Supervisor

Education:
Mount Royal University- 2,200 hour Massage Therapy Diploma
Mount Royal University- Certificate of Curriculum Development and Instructional Design

Erin Vincent, BA, MT

Erin has been practicing in a variety of settings and has settled into a chiropractic clinic since graduating from the Mount Royal Massage Therapy program in 2014. Since leaving school she has continued her education with Lymphatic Drainage courses from the Chikly Health Institute. Erin enjoys helping students study and discover ways to make textbook knowledge applicable and relevant in the practical environment.

 

Instructor of: Musculoskeletal Anatomy Lab, Treatments I, Practicum I - IV, Outreach Supervisor

 

Education:

University of Calgary - Bachelor of Arts

Mount Royal University- Massage Therapy 2200 Diploma

Chikly Health Institute - Level 2 certification Lymphatic Drainage


Jocelyn Walker, MT

Jocelyn graduated from the Mount Royal Massage Therapy program in 2014. She has been passionately teaching and training students for the past 7 years. She specializes in dynamic/myofascial cupping and rehabilitation of the cervical spine. Jocelyn finds great pleasure in aiding clients to regain their mobility and get back to their activities of daily living.

 

Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor

 

Education:
Mount Royal University - 2,200hr Massage Therapy Diploma


Scott Wilson, BESS, Dip AT, MT, CATA(C)

Scott has been a Registered Massage Therapist for over 17 years and a Certified Athletic Therapist for over 5 years. Scott works in a multidisciplinary clinic and has focused his career in rehabilitation. He has been teaching at Mount Royal University since 2013.

 

Instructor of: Orthopedic Assessment I & II

 

Education:
Mount Royal University - Diploma Athletic Therapy
Mount Royal University - Massage Therapy Certificate
University of Manitoba - Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science


Alaura Wood, MT

Alaura has been practicing remedial massage therapy since graduating in 2015. Her training includes myofascial release, manual lymphatic drainage, and structural integration techniques. She has been mentoring students in the MRU diploma program through outreach and teaching opportunities since 2017.

 

Instructor of: Regional Anatomy Lab, Practicum I-IV, Outreach Supervisor

 

Education:

The Massage Therapy College of Manitoba - 2,200 hour Massage Therapy Diploma


Madison Zilkie, BSc., MT

Madison has been a practicing therapist since graduating from Mount Royal University in 2014. She has mentored students through outreaches and teaching opportunities. Madison is also trained in myofascial techniques and hot stone therapy. She has been teaching with Mount Royal University since 2016.

 

Instructor of: Outreach Supervisor

 

Education:
University of Lethbridge - Bachelor of Exercise Science
Mount Royal University - 2,200 hour Massage Therapy Diploma