Melissa Deonaraine B.Kin AT, CAT(C)
She / her / hers
Graduate from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Kinesiology - Athletic Therapy; completing her national certification the following year with the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association in 2010. Melissa is also certified as a First Responder with CPR-HCP training.
Melissa was appointed as lead therapist of the athletic therapists, physiotherapists, and sport physiotherapists selected through the NOC for FIFA Women’s World Cup providing therapy and emergency coverage for visiting international/high profile teams during their stay in Winnipeg. With job titles of medical practitioner for; Pan Am Games, Parapan Am Games and Manitoba Games or Provincial Medical Liaison / Team Manitoba mission staff / athletic therapist for Canada Winter Games, Western Canada Summer Games, Soccer Nationals and countless provincial /national / international events; Melissa's responsibilities has always been to ensure optimal performance and function for patients/athletes and facilitate ease of recovery in a reduced amount of time.
Melissa's interest in sport peaked when she became a member of the Provincial field hockey team; competing at the 2001 Canada Summer Games, numerous U18, U21 and Senior Women indoor and outdoor national tournaments across Canada and has been a mentor to the younger provincial athletes and high school students as a level 2 provincial coach with technical training.
On a personal note...
Anyone who knows Melissa, knows that she works hard but she also makes the most out of life. Melissa loves traveling especially when it comes to exploring new places. When she's not working, Melissa is devouring books and enjoys exercising (seems obvious since she's an athletic therapist, right?), attending galas and looks forward to discovering black & white classic movies she's yet to watch. You may have also seen her performing at the Caribbean and Indo-Tropical Pavilions in the past at Folklorama.
Finding what makes you shine and keeps you challenged
There's a lot more involved to become a certified athletic therapist and maintaining that professional designation. In order to complete her studies at the University of Manitoba, students are required to obtain 600 clinic hours and 600 field hours which are needed to apply for the national certification exam through the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association twice each year.
Education
2009 - University of Manitoba
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Bachelor of Kinesiology: Athletic Therapy
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Manitoba Athletic Therapists Association (MATA): Recipient of Morris Stampede Scholarship (2007)
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AT2 rep
2004 - Red River College
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Culinary Arts, Chef Training
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Dean's List
Awards
2023 Community Votes Winnipeg - Platinum
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Physiotherapists & Rehab Clinics
2022 Community Votes Winnipeg - Platinum
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Physiotherapists & Rehab Clinics
2021 Community Votes Winnipeg - Gold
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Physiotherapists & Rehab Clinics
2019 Community Votes Winnipeg - Platinum
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Physiotherapists & Rehab Clinics
2018 Guiness World Records Certificate
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Participant: The Longest Line of Ice Skaters Consists of 395 People, Achieved by Change for Change (Canada) at The Forks, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on 4 February 2018
2017 Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA)
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NATM Greatest Impact Award
Languages
English
Some French
Some Spanish
Some Japanese
Some Italian
Being an athletic therapist isn't as easy as we make it out to be
Graduating from university was just the beginning for the world of athletic therapy. Before Melissa applied for the athletic therapy program at the University of Manitoba, she was advised that 12 hour days were typical. Makes sense when each day is jam packed with patients, dealing with insurance companies, traveling, keeping up with current techniques, completing continuing education units, attending membership association meetings, connecting with peers across the nation and learning from each other, oh the list goes on.
Major Games & Events
Sports Certifications & Courses
Certificates
2023 - Canada Winter Games: Charlottetown, PEI
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Canada Games Sponsored Medical - AT
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Badminton. boxing, curling, fencing, gymnastics, karate, polyclinic, ringette, squash tampoline & wheelchair basketball.
2019 - Canada Winter Games: Red Deer, Alberta
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Canada Games Sponsored Medical - AT
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Men's hockey and snowboarding
2017 - Summer Universiade: Taipei, Taiwan
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Dedicated Athletic Therapist for Team Canada Men's Volleyball
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Training camp: Gatineau, Qc
2015 - Parapan American Games: Toronto, CA
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Field of play/clinic medical team- Athletics
2015 - Pan/Parapan American Games: Toronto, CA
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Field of play/clinic medical team - Swimming, modern pentathlon & fencing
2015 - FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada: Wpg, MB
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Lead First Aid/Athletic Therapist
2011 - Western Canada Summer Games: Kamloops, BC
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Team Manitoba Provincial Medical Liaison/AT
2011 - Canada Winter Games: Halifax, NS
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Team Manitoba Provincial Medical Liaison/AT
Manitoba Soccer Association
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2011 - All Star Nationals U16G - CAT(C)
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2010 - Prairie Invitational U15G - CAT(C)
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2009 - All Star Nationals U14G - Head Athletic Therapist Certification Candidate
2008 - Manitoba Summer Games
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Athletic Therapist Certification Candidate
2007 - CanWes Track & Field
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Athletic Therapist Certification Candidate
2001 - Canada Summer Games
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Field Hockey Athlete
British Association of Sport Rehabilitators & Trainers (BASRAT)
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Optimising care for asthma, exercise induced bronchoconstriction and disordered breathing patterns in athletes (2023)
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Sunshine and Skin Cancer- Dr Barry Monk (2021)
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Hamstring injuries and return-to-play following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair (ACLR) (2021)
Sports Medicine & Science Council of Manitoba
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How athletes can take care of themselves during a global pandemic
Manitoba Adult Concussion Network (MACN)
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My concussion patient is overwhelmed & so am I”: Now What? (2021)
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My Concussion Patient Complains of Dizziness & Blurry Vision: Now What? (2021)
Manitoba Sport Nutrition Network
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Can Nutrition be a Tool to Protect Against or Treat Concussions? (2018)
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Building an Integrated Performance Nutrition Program (2017)
Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport:
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The Role of Athlete Support Personnel
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True Sport Clean
2017 Facebook
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Boost Your Business: Winnipeg, MB
2015 - Para/Pan Am Games
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Worker Health & Safety Awareness (Ont)
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Role Impact - Medical
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Venue Impact - Aquatics Centre & Field House
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Venue Impact - Athletics Stadium
Certified Athletic Therapist CAT(C)
Personal Health Information Act (PHIA)
Arctic Star Level lll Industrial First Responder
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CPR: HCP + AED
Soft Tissue Release (STR)
Advanced Soft Tissue Release (STR)
Cervical Mobilization Techniques
Lumbosacral & Pelvic Mobilization Techniques
Facial Cupping Massage
Cupping Massage
Block Therapy
Gua Sha
Spider-Tech Taping
Hockey Canada Safety Program
National Coaching Certification Program
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Certified Level 1 National Coaching Certification Program (2005)
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Certified Level 1 & 2 Technical skills - Field Hockey Canada (2005)
Let's Talk Science Training Seminar
World Languages Diploma: English, French, Spanish, and Japanese
Presenter / Speaker
Guest Lecturer
University of Manitoba - Athletic Therapy Practicum Seminar course (KIN 4910):
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Medico-legal Documentation (2020)
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Business Planning & Tips for Opening a New Clinic (2015-2020)
University of Winnipeg - KIN2305 Issues in Health
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What should students know about a career in Athletic Therapy? (2020)
Undergraduate Healthcare Symposium
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Sports Medicine/Athletic Therapy workshop (2016-2018)
Inspirational Speaker
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Neighborhood Empowerment and Resource Centre (NEARC Inc.) for newcomer youth between the ages of 22 to 29 years of age with the majority new to Canada.
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Bravestone Centre - Speaker and Workshop Facilitator: Positive Effects of Physical Activity from an Athletic Therapist (2020)
Exhibitor
Athletic History
Pros Know Expo
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Bringing resources and help to our 55+ community (2021, 2023)
Manitoba Moose:
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Health and Wellness Showcase (2016)
CJNU 93.7FM
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LIVE on the Radio - Saturday Morning Potpourri with Trish Bennett and Rick Roschuk discussing the importance of taking care of your body with an athletic therapist (2019)
Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba:
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Wellness Fair - Service Provider (2011)
CATA National conference – Banff, AB
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Exhibitor for Diamond Athletic Medical Supplies (2011)
Athlete:
University of Manitoba/ University of Winnipeg Rowing Crew (2009)
Bison Junior Spring Classic Field Hockey Tournament (2004)
Team Mb Field Hockey Sr. Women Indoor/Outdoor Nationals U21 & U18 (2000-2007)
Team MB Canada Summer Games/Training Squad Field Hockey (2000 – 2005)
Team Captain - K.C.A.C Championship Field Hockey Team (2002)
Coach:
U12 Co-Ed & U15 Girls Provincial Field Hockey (2006-2007)
Miles Macdonell Collegiate Field Hockey Team (2003-2006)
Instructor:
Field Hockey Manitoba: field hockey school clinics (2007)
Field Hockey Manitoba: Junior Program (2006-2007)
Organizer:
Field Hockey Manitoba/Field Hockey Canada: Outdoor National Tournament – Wpg (2007)
Field Hockey Manitoba: Referee course (2007)