Panther Sports Medicine is moving forward after the devastating death of beloved chief physiotherapist Ralph Manning.
The entire UPEI community was rocked when Manning died following a heart attack on Oct. 15, 2015 after playing a recreational hockey game in Cornwall and being airlifted to a Saint John, N.B., hospital.
"It has been a challenging few months for all of us (coaches, athletes and staff) as we have grieved Ralph's death and tried to carry on without his services,’’ said UPEI director of athletics and recreation Chris Huggan.
Huggan announced today that Marc MacDonald has taken over as the new operator of Panthers Sports Medicine.
“We are so pleased that Marc MacDonald acquired Ralph’s business in December and welcome him and his reactive health team to the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre,’’ said Huggan.
“I know they are excited about the opportunity and are committed to providing high quality services at the clinic and for our student-athletes."
MacDonald is a registered physiotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience. He and his wife Lana, also a registered physiotherapist, worked throughout Florida for many years with one of the largest healthcare companies in the United States focusing primarily in sports orthopedics and rehabilitation.
The couple and their two children returned to P.E.I. in 2009 to be closer to family, choosing to open their private practice here.
Marcel MacDonald, a UPEI alumnus, joined the pair in 2012 as a partner. His first position as a registered physiotherapist was at the UPEI Sports Centre.
Resident physiotherapist Trevor Dunphy is also a UPEI alumnus and former varsity athlete who will begin work at Panther Sports Medicine as part of the reactive health team.
“We all have a deep respect for Ralph Manning and what he contributed to the scope of our profession as well as to the Panther community,’’ added Marc MacDonald.
“We hope to build upon his legacy.”
