Our Team
Dr. Erika McDonald
ND Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Erika McDonald is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and member of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario. She attained an Honours Degree in Behavioural Neuroscience from Laurentian University in Sudbury Ontario, where she performed biomolecular research at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine during her thesis year. Recognizing the need to reconcile her passion for the health sciences with a personal, holistic approach, Dr. McDonald enrolled at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. During her fourth year, she completed a 12-month internship at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic. She also had the opportunity to intern at the Brampton Naturopathic Teaching Clinic, the first Naturopathic Clinic to be located in a hospital in Canada, where she collaborated with other health care practitioners to offer improved patient care. Dr. McDonald was part of a team providing free naturopathic health care at Anishnabe Health Clinic, Toronto.
A native Sudburian, Dr McDonald is proud to be able to return to her hometown to practice naturopathic medicine. She has a special interest in healthy aging, the mind-body connection and mental health, further inspired by her background in neuroscience. When she is not at the clinic, she enjoys spending time at the family camp on Kukagami Lake, traveling with friends and family and hiking with her dog Jack.
Dr. Sarah Tkachuk, DC
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Sarah Tkachuk attended Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC), in Toronto.
During her clinical internship, Dr. Tkachuk had the opportunity to treat many different populations. She practiced at the CMCC Campus Clinic, treating individuals of all ages for acute, chronic, and athletic related injuries. She was privileged to treat children at the APTUS Centre for Complex Disabilities, in Toronto. Additionally, she was selected as 1 of 13 interns that travelled to volunteer abroad in Dominican Republic. While participating in the outreach, she had an unforgettable experience providing chiropractic care, and basic health services to underserviced communities.
Dr. Tkachuk has always had a true passion for helping others, which lead her to this profession. Returning home to Sudbury, she is excited to educate her patients, and empower them with the tools they need to optimize their health, wellness and function. Dr. Tkachuk is certified in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture from McMaster University, and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue therapy. She has also taken courses in Active Release Therapy, and Mental Health First Aid.
Dr. Tkachuk is a proud member of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, Ontario Chiropractic Association, and is registered with the College of Chiropractors of Ontario. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys being active, travelling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Jason Brandow, DOMP
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Originally from beautiful Manitoulin Island, Jason Brandow began his education by attaining a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from LSSU. This program gave him great insight into the functions of the body, the interrelationships between its systems, and how to design therapeutic programs to treat a wide variety of muscular and skeletal injuries and diseases.
With the determination to be able to help more people with various conditions and injuries, he then began the Osteopathic Manual Practitioner program at the Canadian College of Osteopathy (CCO) in Toronto, adding another 5 years to his education and hands-on training. Jason also added an additional 3 years of research in osteopathic principles, and was awarded the coveted A.T Still Award for his excellent work after successfully defending his thesis in November 2012. Along with working here at our clinic, Jason is also a professor at the Canadian College of Osteopathy and works as a student clinic monitor to help prepare the future generation of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners here in Ontario.
Jason has no specialty in any one area of the body and considers himself a “global” Osteopathic Practitioner, meaning he can assess and treat any part of the body brought to him. 80% of Jason's clients come in for low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, or headache pain. The other 20% is Jason's sub-specialty of Prenatal and Postnatal care of pregnant women, new mothers, and newborn babies. Jason has taken years to develop his skills in order to successfully treated a wide variety of infant issues with early intervention of newborns with colic, breathing issues, poor digestion, latching difficulty, chronic ear or chest infections, jaundice, and gas issues. The youngest baby ever brought in for treatment was only 2 days old.
Jason has most recently completed new courses on the treatment of Post Concussion Syndrome. By improving the circulation of the brain and brain stem, Jason has already had great success in treating many post concussion syndrome patients, as well as vertigo, and migraines.
Simon Fraser
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, M.O.MSc, BSc. (OSTCAN Certified)
Simon graduated from the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy where he completed a Master in Practice Diploma of Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences (M.OMSc). This classical training grants students an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology, so they can treat the layers of bodily structure on a personalized, individual level.
Sébastien Leroux R.Kin, B.Sc, M.H.K
Osteopathic Student (CCO)
Born and raised in Sudbury, Sébastien also completed his undergraduate program at Laurentian University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Fascinated by the human body, he successfully defended his thesis comprised of exercise physiology and received a Master’s in Human Kinetics from Laurentian University. His interest in the human body derived from playing various sports growing up, notably hockey. He played for the local Jr A team and proceeded to play for Laurentian’s varsity hockey team all while completing his undergrad and master’s, respectively. Sébastien is now a registered Kinesiologist, which aims to evaluate and restore movement to the body. His academic eagerness continues as he enters his 3rd year at the Canadian College of Osteopathy.
Sarah Lalonde - BA, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy is “the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissue and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain.”
- Massage Therapy Act, 1991
Sarah Lalonde was born and raised in Sudbury and is thrilled to work as a Registered Massage Therapist in the community in which she grew up.
Sarah is an Honours graduate from Georgian College’s accredited Massage Therapy program where she learned to treat a broad clientele with a variety of conditions.
Sarah employs a number of techniques throughout the massage according to client need and presentation. Trigger point release, Swedish or Petrissage techniques, deep tissue massage, PNF stretching, and joint mobilization are some examples of her skill set.
Sarah is friendly and professional and involves her clients in their own health and wellness journeys through education and client home-care programs. She is ready to learn about your therapeutic treatment goals and concerns. Let her work with you to tailor a treatment plan according to your specific health and wellness goals.
Jennifer McKechnie, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Jennifer graduated from Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2007. She is an active member with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO).
Jennifer works with clients of all ages, from infants to seniors and has treated a wide range of conditions/ complaints. She has expanded her knowledge and skill set with training in pre and postnatal care, myofascial cupping, craniosacral therapy and reflexology. She enjoys supporting her clients with their health and wellness.
Outside of the clinic, Jennifer likes spending time in nature, being with loved ones and learning something new.