Staff

The Atlantic Balance and Dizziness Centre was founded in 2008 by Susan Ehler and Steven MacNeil with the vision of creating a physiotherapy practice that treats every client with respect and expertise. The professionals and office staff at the Atlantic Balance and Dizziness Centre are highly trained and exceptionally friendly.

Susan Ehler, PT

Susan Ehler graduated with a BSc in Physiotherapy from Dalhousie University in 1987. She worked at the NS Rehabilitation Centre for 4 years before moving to private practice in Dartmouth in the area of neurology for 2 years. She then spent 4 years working at a Community Health Centre in Barrie, Ontario specializing in the development of community-based programs for individuals with neurological disorders. She returned to Nova Scotia in 1997 to resume private practice in neurology. At this time, she pursued post-graduate training in Vestibular rehabilitation and began seeing clients on a regular basis. Susan passed her competency in vestibular rehabilitation through Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She has continued with this combination of neurological and vestibular rehabilitation in a private practice setting, working in close collaboration with local hospitals, health care centres and community agencies.

Sarah Gaudry, PT

Sarah began her career in the Canadian Armed Forces immediately after high school. She completed Air Traffic Control Officer training in Nav Canada Training Institute and a BSc (Kinesiology) from Dalhousie in 2001. Although she enjoyed her time working in Air Operations, she always wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. In 2008, she returned to Dalhousie to complete a MSc in Physiotherapy. She worked in many practice areas within the military and at the QEII, but was drawn to her work with seriously ill and injured members, especially those suffering from neurological trauma. Upon retirement she has worked in both the public and private practice, with a special interest in neurological conditions and vestibular rehabilitation. She has been a lab instructor at Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy since 2016. She has completed many post graduate courses, including a Masters In Education at St. FX in 2024. Sarah stays active, both physically and creatively. She loves to make handmade pottery and natural soaps.

Anita Hoelzel, PT

Anita graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 2003. She began work in Calgary, Alberta after graduation, concentrating on private practice orthopedics. In 2007, Anita began her training in vestibular rehabilitation and soon after started pracitce in this area of physiotherapy. Later she passed her competency in vestibular rehabilitation through Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Then in 2010 Anita relocated to Bridgewater, Nova Scotia where she has continued to practice orthopedics with a special interest in vestibular rehabilitation. She joined the team at Atlantic Balance and Dizziness Centre in 2013 and is the main therapist at our Bridgewater location.

Dan McDonald, PT

Dan initially trained as a physiotherapist in the UK, graduating in 2001 with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Huddersfield. He has worked in the UK, Australia and Canada in both the public and private healthcare settings. He has worked in neurology, cardiorespiratory and orthopaedics but in 2007 completed his master's degree in manual therapy from the University of Western Australia and also gained fellowship to the Canadian Academy of Manual Physical Therapists. Upon return to Canada, he worked in British Columbia in private practice. He and his family moved to Nova Scotia in 2019 and joined The Atlantic Balance and Dizziness Centre in 2022. Dan initially trained in vestibular rehabilitation in 2016 in Vancouver but is excited now to be making that the sole focus of his practice. Dan is also certified in acupuncture and Gunn intramuscular stimulation and is a certified Mulligan practitioner.

Awab Hamodat, PT

Doctor of physical therapy Awab Hamodat has completed a Bachelor of neuroscience at Memorial University. He later completed his Master of Scientific in Physiotherapy from Dalhousie University. He later pursued his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU). His these compared the effects of rest and early intervention with patients with post-concussive syndrome. Awab has advanced training in vestibular rehabilitation. He has experience treating concussion and vestibular conditions and has worked with patients with various neurology disorders such as Parkinson, stroke and multiple sclerosis. Fleet in Arabic, Awab uses evidence-based practices in his rehabilitation approach.

Steven MacNeil, PT

Steven began his education at St. Francis Xavier University, where he graduated in 2001 with a BSc in chemistry. Steven later completed Dalhousie University’s BSc physiotherapy program in 2004. He began to work in Halifax and Dartmouth after graduation, concentrating in private practice orthopedics. In 2005, Steven began his training in vestibular rehabilitation and soon after started practice in this area. Since this time, Steven has undergone post-graduate education in both vestibular rehabilitation and orthopedics. He completed his competency in vestibular rehabilitation through Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. In June 2008, Steven completed his Intermediate Diploma of Manual and Manipulative Therapy and his Advanced Diploma in 2011. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (CAMPT). Steven’s expertise is in the combination of vestibular rehabilitation and orthopedic manual physiotherapy.

Call Us: (902) 462-8589