OKAPED was incorporated in Kelowna the summer of 1997. Clinicians and owners Andrew Godwin, Paul Rauhala and Jeff Fink each have been in practice for over 15 years and are involved in every aspect of their business from assessments to fabrication.
Due to the highly detailed assessment conducted on each client all of OKAPED's clinicians are able to offer expert advice and education with exceptional quality in products and services.
Andrew Godwin was raised on a farm in Surrey BC. While playing rugby and teaching skiing, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University in 1990. After University, while ski patrolling and still playing rugby, he developed an interest in seeing the other side of patient care and started his Pedorthic apprenticeship program in 1992. Opportunity knocked in 1997 and a move to Kelowna with business partner Paul Rauhala to start the first OKAPED clinic in the interior. Andrew is married with 3 children. Along with his family, his current passions are downhill skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. He is also the current Assistant Fire Chief for the McKinley Landing Volunteer Fire Hall.
Paul Rauhala was born and raised in Thunder Bay Ontario, attending Lakehead University with a Honours degree in Physical Education. Pedorthic apprenticeship began in 1993 in Vancouver where he met his present business partners Andrew Godwin and Jeff Fink. In 1997 a move to the Okanagan provided the opportunity to establish the first OKAPED clinic in Kelowna with the present partners, then expanding to Vernon, Penticton, and West Kelowna.
Paul is married and has two children whom he coaches in soccer and is an avid volunteer in alpine racing. Skiing is a passion in the winter and Kayaking in the summer. If your wondering about the nationality of his last name, it's not Hawaiian, it's Finnish.
Jeff graduated from the University of Western Ontario where he majored in Athletic Injuries and received a degree in Honors Physical Education. After Graduating he moved west and in 1991 started his Pedorthic training in Vancouver BC. In December of 1999 Jeff moved to Kelowna and joined OKAPED as a partner. He has been active in various sports all his life including downhill and XC skiing as well Road and Mountain bike racing. His current sporting itch is Outrigger Canoe racing. He is a past President of the Pedorthic Association of Canada and a previous chair on the College of Pedorthics of Canada. Jeff Works primarily in Kelowna but also sees clients at OKAPED's Vernon office.
Kirsten is a graduate of Laurentian University in Sudbury Ontario. She completed an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology in 2004. During her time in University she worked at pedorthic clinics both in Sudbury and Barrie which lead to her completing her C.Ped.(C) November 2004. Kirsten moved to Kelowna in 2006. She is an avid runner. As well loves skiing, cycling and swimming. Kirsten has had experience with a variety of clients of all ages and ailments. Kirsten has a keen interest in sport related clients.
Peter went to the University of Western Ontario and graduated with a B.A. Honours Specialization in Kinesiology. In his last year of school he did a field placement in Pedorthics and decided to continue his studies in the field. In 2008 he graduated with a Diploma in Pedorthics from UWO's continuing studies program and became a C Ped (C) later that year. After working in Toronto for a couple years, he took some time off to bicycle across Canada by himself. After seeing all 10 provinces, he decided to move to B.C. to work with OKAPED. He primarily works in the Salmon Arm office, and enjoys cycling, running, canoeing, soccer, and rowing. Peter realizes he needs to learn how to ski.
Davis has a Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Regina. He has completeted all his pedorthic training with OKAPED and sees patients in our Penticiton and Kelowna locations. Davis has chosen this career as he has always been interested and passionate about health and the human body. At the Kelowna clinic Davis helps all clients with products for every part of the body including, knee braces, ankle braces, wrist supports and shoulder supports. He enjoys competitive sports, especially soccer, also snowboarding, all outdoor activities and camping. He may very well be the Saskatchewan Roughriders #1 fan.
