Meet the Team at Urban Health Group
Get to Know Us
Dr. Stephanie Gaston
Dr. Stephanie Gaston, a Toronto native, has been a chiropractic patient since she was 5 years old. Unlike many chiropractors who had some childhood experience where chiropractic care saved them from a debilitating injury or some chronic condition, chiropractic was introduced to Dr. Stephanie as a normal part of life. Her mother, a very progressive woman, simply saw the value of preventive healthcare and began taking her children for monthly maintenance checkups and adjustments.
“Chiropractic has always been a part of my life,” says Dr. Stephanie. As a teen exploring her options for a career, becoming a chiropractor seemed a natural way to mesh the views she’d developed regarding health with her love for math and science…
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Dr. Christina Mallinos
Dr. Christina Mallinos was first introduced to chiropractic at a young age. Growing up a competitive gymnast, Dr. Christina chose chiropractic care as a safe and natural way to support proper function throughout her development, and manage her injuries. In receiving regular adjustments, Dr. Christina noticed a substantial improvement in her chronic headaches, which sparked her early interest in manual therapy, wellness, neurology and anatomy.
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Dr. Alessia Stefenatti
Dr. Alessia Stefenatti, born and raised in Toronto, has always had an interest in helping people reach their optimal well-being as a health care practitioner. With inspiration from her own chiropractor, she was motivated to study the science and master the technique of chiropractic care. After many years of competitive figure skating and running; receiving regular adjustments has helped her to continue to participate in her favourite activities. She wants to show people how chiropractic care can make a difference in their lives.
Katie Blundell
Katie completed her Chiropody studies at the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences in 2013. Prior to that, she studied Human and Animal Physiology and History at the University of Toronto. Katheryn has a special interest in treating children and biomechanical issues. Katheryn was the first Chiropodist in over 10 years to be granted an observership at the Hospital for Sick Children in the orthopaedics department.
Kaitlyn Wengler
Kaitlyn graduated from the massage therapy program at The Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning and has completed an advanced training certification in the Dr. Vodder method of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT). Drawn to the profession for its healing capabilities, she believes that massage therapy presents a foundation for rehabilitation, exercise education, health maintenance, and wellness. Through soft tissue manipulation, trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage, and manual lymph drainage, she works to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded treatment specific to each individual.
Brenda De Silva, RMT
Brenda has over 10 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. Having worked through her own personal struggles through exercise, nutrition, and meditation, she experienced first-hand the impact a healthy lifestyle can have on an individual’s overall well-being. She decided to combine her love of health and fitness with her passion for self-development and spiritual growth.
Salvatore Spatafora, B. Arch, RMT, VCSB
Salvatore unofficially began to care for people as a young Architect. He completed a Bachelor of Architecture Degree in 1998. Improving the lives of people, he designed interior spaces, custom furniture and industrial design objects for a decade. At midlife, Salvatore received a dream that changed everything. He answered the call and returned to school as an adult. In 2009, he received a Diploma in Massage Therapy from Kikkawa College. Artful hands transitioned into therapeutic hands and at last, design found its maturity in the Architecture of the body.
Urvashi Krishnan
Urvashi loves sharing her enthusiasm for healthy living and fitness. With a passion to educate and inspire her clients, Urvashi’s goal is to make lasting changes in her patients’ lives and empower them to achieve their goals. Her focus is to uncover the origin of the problem, address the issue and attain the highest level of function possible. She believes in providing her patients with the confidence to take ownership in their recovery.
Elia Darazi
Elia’s aim is to create a meaningful therapeutic connection with every person seen by working with each patient to build a strong alignment with the goal to pinpoint and address the root cause of the problem.
Elia is a resident PT in Ontario, and a licensed PT in multiple states in the USA. In 2017, he received a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of New England in Maine. Elia practiced for years before coming to Canada in 2022. He has vast clinical experience in a variety of health settings including general outpatient therapy, orthopedic rehabilitation, and vestibular balance rehabilitation.
Fani Peker
With a deep passion for and intrigue in the mind-body connection, holistic healing, and intergenerational trauma, Fani always knew she was meant to support others in creating authentic well-being. She focused her efforts, while accomplishing her Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Psychology at the University of Guelph-Humber, to research neuroscience, mindfulness, and strength-based approaches for emotional well-being.
Salvatore Spatafora, B. Arch, RMT, VCSB
Salvatore unofficially began to care for people as a young Architect. He completed a Bachelor of Architecture Degree in 1998. Improving the lives of people, he designed interior spaces, custom furniture and industrial design objects for a decade. At midlife, Salvatore received a dream that changed everything. He answered the call and returned to school as an adult. In 2009, he received a Diploma in Massage Therapy from Kikkawa College. Artful hands transitioned into therapeutic hands and at last, design found its maturity in the Architecture of the body.
Dr. Emily Howard, ND.
Dr. Emily Howard graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and is a registered member of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO). Originally from Arizona, Emily studied biochemistry and human biology at Northern Arizona University where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree before attending naturopathic medical school in Toronto, ON. She also completed a year internship at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic and the Brampton Naturopathic Teaching Clinic where she focused on primary care and chronic disease management before starting her private practice.