James Dean

James Dean graduated from the University of  Alberta in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.

He worked for 2 years in home care in Beaver County and in St. Albert, while also working part time at Callingwood Physical Therapy and Central Rehabilitation Centre.

In 2001, he started St. Albert Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Clinic as a small 4 bed clinic in Tudor Glen.

It took some time and learning, but the clinic began to grow.  In 2004, James was awarded in the Young Entrepreneur Award of Distinction by the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce.

He then expanded his practice into Edmonton, where he was helping some clients with home visits. He along with fellow physiotherapist, Ed Shields, opened Kensington Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Clinic in 2004.  As St. Albert Physical Therapy grew, it moved across the parking lot and doubled in size.

In 2006, James was approached by some individuals and encouraged to bid for a space in Servus Credit Union Place.  In October 2006, James along with fellow physiotherapist, Kendra Wilson, opened up Dynamic Sports Physiotherapy inside St. Albert’s own Servus Place.

While very busy professionally, James had found the time to serve his profession through volunteer work.

He has served on the Alberta Physiotherapy Association private practice committee, the 2001 IAAF World Championships in Athletics as a physio, the 2004 Racquetball and Squash Nationals as a physio, an examiner since 2001 for the Physiotherapy National Competency Exam, as a Clinical Associate Professor with the Faculty of Rehabilitation, a 7 time  practicum supervisor for the Faculty of Physical Education, a physio for the St. Albert vs. England Rugby in 2009, a physio for the 2009 Roar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials, physio for the 55+ Alberta Winter Games.

Outside of the physio world, James sits on the Greater Edmonton Health Advisor Council for Community Engagement.  He volunteers as a Knight of Columbus with the local St. Albert Brother Anthony Council.  He is also the Chief Counsellor for the Annunciation Squires, a youth group in the west end of Edmonton.  He canvasses for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, is a donor with the Red Cross and volunteers for local events such as the St. Albert Kids of Steel Triathlon, the St. Albert Triathlon and the St. Albert 10 Miler.  He recently helped raise $50,000 and rode with 30 other riders, and Lance Armstrong, to raise over $2 million total for the Alberta division of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  Along with fellow staff members, Arri McWatt and Graham Glennie, he assisted in raising $34,000 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation while competing in the 125km Canadian Death Race in Grande Cache.

James also enjoys competing himself.  He is a 4 time Ironman finisher, with a personal best of 10:08 at the Ironman Couer D’Alene.  He is a current Olympic Distance National Triathlon Team member, training to compete in the 2012 World Championships in New Zealand.  He is a former Canadian Long Course Triathlon Team member and has also completed 18 marathons with a personal best of 3:03 in Birch Bay, Washington.  He is a Cat 4 cyclist, hoping to break into the Cat 3 scene.  James adventure races around the world and has found success in the City Chase, where he was the World Champion in 2006 (Chicago), 2007 (Rome, Italy) and runner up in 2008 (Marrakech, Morocco).  He is also 3 time National Champion and is the current Campus Chase Champion along with his wife, Dr. Celine Gannon.

James lives in St. Albert with his wife and 3 young children, Samuel (born July 2007), Zachary (born May 2009) and Zoe (born May 2011) along with his poodle Maximus who has done all the marathon training with James).

Professional

• Alberta Physiotherapy Association Private Practice committee
• Small Business Young Entrepreneur Award of Distinction in 2003
• 2001 IAAF World Championships in Athletics Physio
• 2001 to present Examiner of the Physical Therapy Competency Exam
• 2004 Racquetball and Squash Nationals Physiotherapist PCE Examiner 2001 to 2006
• Clinical Associate Professor with the U of A
• 2009 Physio for St. Albert vs. England Rugby
• 2009 Roar of the Rings Canadian Olympic Curling Trials Physio
• Owner of all 3 Clinics
• 2011 Recipient of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Award
• Owner of all 3 Clinics