Removing barriers, building futures

The Bridge is investing in mental health and clinical education through the Dr. Judy Chepeha Physical Therapy Endowment for Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund

For The Bridge Sports Therapy and Training, breaking down barriers to professional education is just as vital as breaking down barriers to physical rehabilitation. Accessibility isn’t just a buzzword for this Alberta-based company — it is a defining principle. 

With strong clinical and alumni ties to the University of Alberta, The Bridge supports future clinicians as they enter the profession. Described as a one-stop shop, The Bridge is an integrated team of physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and strength coaches collaborating under a unified vision to eliminate plateaus and accelerate recovery. This approach is rooted in the conviction that empowering clinicians through education leads directly to better patient outcomes. 

“Every year our leadership team at The Bridge comes together to plan our courses for the upcoming year, and one of the things we consistently reflect on are the barriers people face in accessing continuing education,” says Bridge Director, Melissa Prokop, MScPT, who has been part of the team for almost 20 years. “A topic that always comes up is the financial barrier for students and new graduates. We never wanted cost to be the reason someone could not access our courses.”

By shifting away from a profit-driven structure, the new model ensures high-quality, interdisciplinary learning remains accessible to all healthcare professionals, regardless of their financial situation.

Following last year’s successful campaign offering entirely free courses to mark its 40th anniversary, and aiming to make an even bigger impact, The Bridge is introducing a "pay-what-you-can" model for its upcoming curriculum. Every dollar raised through the program will be donated to support future clinicians via the University of Alberta’s Dr. Judy Chepeha Physical Therapy Endowment for Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. 

The fund — established in 2025 by long-time U of A professor and physiotherapy researcher Dr. David Magee — reflects Chepeha's unwavering dedication to her students. Once Magee’s student and now his colleague, Chepeha is a three-time U of A graduate known for providing a safe, stabilizing presence for students carrying significant personal and financial burdens. 

“I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Judy Chepeha as a professor during my master’s program,” says Prokop, adding that she was also her project supervisor. “She is so deeply respected within the profession not only for her contributions as a physiotherapist but also for her commitment to supporting others. She was always so incredibly kind, willing to help whenever she could and just listen when needed. Learning that she was one of the founders of this fund, which is focused on mental health and wellbeing, made the connection especially meaningful.” 

Healthcare is an exceptionally rewarding field, but Prokop points out that the emotional toll can be heavy, especially early in a clinician’s career. From burnout and compassion fatigue to the pressure of building confidence and establishing a practice, mental health challenges are a reality many face.

“That’s what makes this fund really important,” she says. “Supporting mental health and wellbeing acknowledges that developing excellent clinicians is not just about technical skills and knowledge. It's also about helping people thrive personally and professionally. Acknowledging that we all go through our ups and downs and that we can talk about it and support each other is important.”

Over years of offering continuing education courses, The Bridge has built a network of clinicians (class participants) with shared interests and a genuine commitment to learning, explains Prokop. One of the most rewarding aspects, she adds, has been hearing from participants after a course, whether it's an email sharing how something they learned helped them manage a patient case, or a follow up question about a scenario they are working through. 

“Education doesn't end when the course is over and the created opportunities for learning also created connections and further mentorship, which I value and find rewarding.”

Whether it's offering scholarships, reduced cost learning opportunities, mentorship programs, or charitable initiatives tied to education, there are many ways organizations can help remove barriers while still creating meaningful learning experiences, Prokop says.  

“Judy Chepeha's legacy reflects many of the values that attracted us to this initiative, supporting students, strengthening the profession and recognizing the importance of caring for the people who provide care to others,” she explains. “Education and mentorship have played a huge role in my own career, and contributing to students entering the profession aligned closely with the values of our clinic and what we wanted these courses to represent.”

Prokop is quick to share the credit, emphasizing the initiative is a true team effort. "The leadership group and our entire team made this possible — and the instructors who created the content and donated their time deserve all the recognition."

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, Prokop says, adding that she hopes that the students who receive support from this fund know that the donation was made because the team at The Bridge believes in them and the future of the profession.  

“Starting as a physiotherapist can be exciting, but it can also feel extremely overwhelming,” she says. “If this support helps reduce even a small amount of stress or creates an opportunity that otherwise might not have been available, then it has achieved its purpose. My hope is that this support gives them a sense of encouragement and that one day when they are able, they can find their own ways to pay it forward.”

Help remove barriers and support the next generation of rehabilitation professionals. Donate today!