Meet Your Practitioners
Tana Shepherd, Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Educational Information:
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (Classical Osteopath), M.OMSc.
The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy, Hamilton, ON
Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences Graduate with Honours, Dean’s List
McMaster University (HBSc.)
Professional Affiliations:
Professional Member and Co-President of the Yukon Osteopathic Association (YOA)
2017-Present
Professional Member of OsteopathyBC (OBC)
2017-Present
Additional Professional Contributions
Professonal Advisory Council Member, HBSc Osteopathy Program, Sheridan College
Present
BOD Member for the Canadian Federation of Osteopaths (CFO)
2018 - 2022 (Secretary), 2023 (YT Representative)
Steering Committee Member, Competency Development Task Force, Meazure Learning/CFO
2024
Developer and Instructor for the Pre-Osteopathy Course, Canadian Academy of Osteopathy
2014 - 2016
Publications:
Assisted on An Approach to General Treatment by Robert Johnston (2016)
I've always loved to travel; during a volunteer trip to central America in my undergraduate degree, I recognized the need for a natural and sustainable way to provide healthcare to those in rural areas. My love for Osteopathy was born when I discovered some of the greatest tools I had to help my community: my hands. After a major switch in career paths from biochemistry and biomedical sciences to the world of holistic health care with Osteopathy, I found my calling at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.
My education was based upon learning the principles of patient-centered osteopathic care, which means I am constantly thinking through the anatomy and physiology of each individual in order to tailor my treatments based on what my patients need. I was privileged to be part of the CAO staff as an instructor and developer of several introductory anatomy and physiology courses. My love of teaching was born alongside my love of Osteopathy and because I believe that education about one's own body is vital to the healing process, I try my best to translate an educational experience into my treatments.
I have recently made an intentional shift in my practice towards infant care (0-12 months). Entering motherhood in 2025 invoked a desire to develop my clinical paediatric skills, which largely started for the purposes of knowing how to better treat my own baby. I assess and treat the baby from a framework of stabilization and movement, looking for structural dysfunctions that may be impeding ‘normal’ - aka reliable and predictable - milestone development in infants and try to alleviate these obstacles osteopathically.
I can see infants of any age, but it's my experience that earlier is better (before they are 8 weeks old) so that we can identify deviations within their kinetic milestone development. This helps them develop symmetrical control of their body rather than compensatory patterns within their central neuromuscular coordination system - in other words, it gets them on the right path, right from the start.
I am proud to be part of the Whitehorse community and honoured to have the opportunity to work with so many Yukoners on their healing journey. It is my goal to educate every Yukoner on the benefits of Osteopathic treatment, one patient at a time.
I look forward to the privilege of working with you.
Until then, I wish you the best in health.
- Tana
Julie Quilico, Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (Dip.Ost.)
Curious by nature, I spontaneously tend to observe, to listen and to understand people as well as my surroundings. Originally from Montreal, I started travelling on a journey that took me to different countries and different cultures. I was fascinated to witness how life expresses itself in different places on the planet, to experience the unique relationship between humans and their environment in each place and its consequences. During that life experience period, a new curiosity arose, a new quest: the desire of a better understanding of human beings, the interrelations between the physical, physiological, emotional and the spiritual. This led me to study shiatsu massage therapy based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and to engage thereafter into rigorous osteopathic studies. These tools allowed me to better understand myself in order to be able to help others on a healing journey of their own.
I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the Whitehorse community in English or French. My objective is to offer support to your healing process. As every story is unique, it will be together as a team, that we will find the right tailored path towards an improved balance, mobility and general health.
I looking forward to meeting you and working together!
Samantha Burgis, Student of Osteopathy, BSc Kin
Samantha Burgis is a born-and-raised Yukoner of Kaska and Tahltan First Nation. Sam graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan with a Bachelor degree of Human Kinetics and a minor in Psychology. She is currently in her third year at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy. Sam has always been fascinated by the body and mind and its incredible capabilities to heal and adapt to life.
While growing up in a smaller community, being active and participating in team sports was extremely important to Sam. She played high level soccer and has dealt with injuries her whole life. Throughout her undergraduate degree Sam had a passion in learning about Indigenous perspectives of health and wellbeing and gained a comprehensive insight into the complex social, cultural, historical, and economic factors that shape healthy living within communities. Osteopathy is a form of healthcare that she learned about through her own personal experience and interests her because it takes a whole-body, or 'holistic', approach. Using manual techniques, it aims to balance all systems of the body to provide overall good health and well-being.
Sam is excited for this opportunity to work with Whitehorse Osteopathy and looks forward to meeting and helping individuals in her community. Sam treats at Whitehorse Osteopathy as a third-year osteopathic student, practicing as a kinesiologist (registered with BCAK) providing general manual therapy sessions.
Sam's sessions are not eligible for coverage through osteopathy with extended benefit providers, but she is offering a reduced rate that may appeal to those without coverage.
Sam is taking on new clients and those who are looking for a general, whole-body session are recommended to book with Sam.
Kym Boissé, Osteopath
I am here in the Yukon today because I am an outdoors enthusiast and wanted to discover this magnificent territory and it’s friendly people.
I would like to present my self to you as an osteopath who offers you specific treatment, along with a global analysis of the human body through it’s different sphere.
My experience and my studies have always reflected my passion for the health field. I first studied and then worked for ten years in the area of veterinary medicine. Wanting to have a better understanding of the functioning of the human body through a global approach, I earned a Bachelors Degree from the University of Wales in Osteopathic Science, graduating in 2009. I then submitted a master’s thesis ‘’The Rider’s Lower Back Pain (lombalgies de la cavalière)’’ at the Collège d’Études Ostéopathiques of Montreal. After this I opened my own private clinic where I am working as an osteopath.
As I have a great curiosity with respect to scientific phenomena and I am always on the lookout for new research, I have completed several post-graduate studies in pediatrics, obstetrics, sports injury, running techniques, women’s health etc.
I like to understand different phenomenon and then approach them in a holistic way, taking into account the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of the person. In my practice I let myself be guided by my knowledge, by my touch and dialogue with the body itself.
I hope to have the occasion to offer you an experience of osteopathic treatment that is based on my expertise and that is adapted to your individual need.