Meet Our Team
Dr. David Alter
MD, PhD, FRCPC
Dr. David Alter is the founder of My Heart Fitness (MHF). He is a practicing Cardiologist, research scientist, and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Alter’s research spans across many disciplines including cardiovascular health services and outcomes, population health, health systems research, cardiac rehabilitation and prevention. Dr. Alter brought over 25 years of clinical and research experience, and created, validated, and implemented MHF within a learning health management ecosystem. As a musician and songwriter, Dr. Alter has incorporated music into medicine through the application of rhythmic music auditory stimulation - - a technique which has been implemented within MHF learning digital platform to improve exercise behaviours and performance. Dr. Alter has published approximately 200 scholarly peer-reviewed papers, and has held research chairs with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the University of Toronto
Dr. Ravi Bajaj
*Bio coming soon*
Joanne Berardi
Registered Kinesiologist (R. Kin)
Joanne is a Registered Kinesiologist, Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist with over 20 years of clinical experience in chronic disease management. With a professional background and focus in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation as well as working with high risk patients, Joanne has a deep passion in helping patients improve their health and manage their chronic condition(s) through evidence-based exercise treatment plans. Joanne has obtained her Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology degree from McMaster University and her Exercise Physiologist certification through the American College of Sports Medicine. She has also completed her Diabetes Educator certification program from the Michener Institute, and Training Enhancement in Applied Cessation Counselling and Health certification program from the University of Toronto (Faculty of Medicine). Outside of work, Joanne is a passionate soccer mom! She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and hitting the trails on her bike.
Karma Gajjar
Registered Kinesiologist (R.Kin)
Karma graduated from the University of Waterloo with a B.Sc. in Honours Kinesiology. She then went and pursued a post graduate certificate in Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management at Humber before becoming a Registered Kinesiologist. Kinesiology was the choice for Karma as she always enjoyed playing sports growing up and gained further interest in the science behind it! In 2016, Karma began her career at a private physiotherapy clinic and continues to teach therapeutic exercise to those with musculoskeletal injuries alongside the physiotherapists. She then joined My Heart Fitness in 2018 where she educates on the importance of exercise and provides exercise prescriptions for primary and secondary prevention of chronic diseases. In this role, Karma has also gained further interest in Diabetes Management and Education and hopes to pursue further in this area. Karma enjoys helping people achieve their fitness goals and to help people become more active throughout the day. After work, you can find Karma at the gym so she can end her day on a strong note! During the summer months, she enjoys biking, playing recreational sports outdoors and enjoys the local trails. However, as the weather cools down, the oven heats up and Karma starts on her baking!
Andrew Serediuk
Registered Kinesiology (R.Kin)
Andrew graduated from Ontario Tech University with a Bachelors degree in Health Science in 2015 and a postgraduate certificate Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management from Humber College in 2017. Andrew’s interest in Kinesiology stemmed from the support he received from many different physical therapists throughout his life due to injuries while playing sports. He started his career in private clinics and a hospital setting where he gained experience training and rehabilitating all different types of clients and patients.
Andrew has been working in cardiac rehabilitation and prevention for chronic conditions for 5 years and Orthopaedic rehabilitation for 3 years.
Andrew’s passions include travelling, playing soccer and broadening his professional skill set.
Sophia Hatzis
Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Diabetes Educator
Sophia is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, and been with My Heart Fitness (MHF) since 2023. She completed an Honours Bachelor of Science, with a specialization in Foods and Nutrition, from Brescia University College in 2017, followed by a dietetic practicum with London Health Sciences Centre. Since then, Sophia practiced as a dietitian in diabetes education for two years with the Brant Community Health Care System, which sparked an interest in chronic disease prevention and management. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition degree with the University of Guelph, where her research focusses on sugar intake during pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and birth weight. Sophia has a passion for teaching, nutrition research, and helping people make sustainable and balanced changes to their nutrition. In her free time, Sophia enjoys swimming, reading, choral singing, and traditional Greek dance.