MEET THE TEAM

As the Executive Director, Jason provides operational leadership and strategic oversight for all aspects of Raincoast’s services. After building a firm foundation in management and team leadership, Jason went on to obtain his law degree from the University of Ottawa and brings with him experience in litigation and administrative matters. Jason is dedicated to developing strong systems to improve service delivery and accountability, as well as provide high quality care to all of Raincoast’s clients.

Catherine graduated in 2004 from Brunel University, England and began at a maximum security forensic facility working specifically with female offenders. In 2007 Catherine moved to Vancouver and has worked within the private sector ever since. Her clinical experience includes occupational rehabilitation and return-to-work programs, chronic pain management, and medico-legal assessments(FCE, CFC) for survivors of physical and traumatic brain injuries. She has, for over five years, managed interdisciplinary teams within the context of occupational rehabilitation and pain management and has presented at the Trial Lawyers Association of BC. She has a particular interest in the optimization of clinical services to meet the needs of a varied clientele, as well as ongoing professional development.

Providing effective treatment for survivors of traumatic injury requires empathy and expertise in a wide range of therapeutic disciplines. Dr. MacDonald (Reg. Psych) comes to us with more than 30 years providing treatment to survivors of traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries, as well as other neurological and spinal cord conditions at GF Strong. He was the Practice Coordinator at GF Strong, and responsible for development of clinical services in the acute setting at Royal Inland Hospital for three years prior. Dr. MacDonald was instrumental in developing a highly effective self-management program for survivors of mild-moderate traumatic brain injury at GF Strong, and is committed to broadening the implementation of this program in the private sector.

Dr. Vafaei joined Raincoast Community Rehabilitation in early 2011 with a Masters in Physiotherapy and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. After graduating from the University of Tehran in 1989, Ata’s practice comprised treatment of patients experiencing orthopaedic and neurological conditions in various settings including hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and community environments. Since his registration with COTBC in 2007, Ata’s work includes treatment of physical dysfunction, ergonomic assessment, Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE), and the provision of medical-legal services in support of litigation. Dr. Vafaei currently manages our clinic in FCE’s, work conditioning/hardening, Return to Work (RTW) programs, and specific ergonomic assessments. He is also involved with Raincoast’s COT and CBIS clients.

Jessica graduated from the University of Alberta in 2007. She began her career in pediatric school-based therapy in Alberta, then moved to Victoria where she has spent the majority of her career working in acute neurosciences including stroke, TBI, spinal injury/surgery and other neurological diagnoses. Aside from experience working in inpatient and outpatient neurological rehabilitation, Jessica has recently focused on concussion rehabilitation and is a member of the Victoria Concussion Collaborative – a group with a goal of providing excellent, consistent, multi-disciplinary concussion care in Victoria. Jessica recently joined Raincoast and works with our clients on Vancouver Island.

Tamara brings over 10 years of experience working in community-based and hospital settings in the provision of neuro-rehabilitation services for adults living with traumatic brain injury and/or spinal cord injury. She received her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto in 2007, and went on to work as an interdisciplinary team member, researcher and preceptor at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, until 2012. Tamara then moved home to Vancouver, and brings with her a balance of cognitive, psycho-social, and physical rehabilitation experience including skills in advanced seating and mobility prescription, neurodevelopmental technique, dual injury (TBI and concurrent SCI) management, complex discharge planning, chronic pain self-management approach, mindfulness, and yoga therapy.

Julieanna graduated from the University of Manitoba with her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2010. She began her career working with orthopedic patients and patients with hip arthroplasty in an Alberta hospital. Since moving to Vancouver Island, Julieanna has worked as the sole occupational therapist in two long-term care facilities in Nanaimo. Julieanna appreciates and values the importance of client-centered care, and interdisciplinary collaboration where she can apply her knowledge to home safety, and seating and mobility assessments. She enjoys working directly with clients, identifying their challenges and goals, and helping them achieve maximum functional recovery in self-care, productivity, work, and leisure activities.

One of our newest members, Erin, graduated from the University of Alberta in 2016. During her training she was exposed to a broad array of practice areas including brain injury, adult addiction and mental health; acute medicine; and home care. Erin began her career in acute care within the public sector and acquired experience working within surgical, vascular, CCU/ICU, geriatric, and general internal medicine. Erin has focused on community health services and acute neurosciences and will soon be offering her services in Campbell River and surrounding areas.

Coming Soon!

Rhiannon completed her Kinesiology degree at UBC while competing on the varsity track and field team. Her passion for health and wellness, and numerous volunteer experiences led her to pursue a Master of Occupational Therapy at UBC. Rhiannon has experience working with individuals living with and recovering from acquired and traumatic brain injuries, neurological conditions, acute physical injuries, chronic pain and mental illness. She has completed continuing education courses in concussion management, cognitive rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, pain management, ergonomics, motivational interviewing, mental health interventions and wheelchair seating and prescription. She is motivated by empowering clients to re-engage in meaningful daily activities and return to work.

Rachal graduated with an Masters in OT from the University of Alberta in 2012 and recently moved to Vancouver to pursue graduate studies at the University of BC. Rachal has focused much of her career working in the federal women’s prison in Alberta, where she provided 1:1 and group psychotherapy, triage and mental health assessments. In addition, Rachal worked as part of a specialized chronic pain team where she worked alongside clients living with chronic pain to achieve their functional and vocational goals, including return-to-work.

Coming Soon!