Our 2023 Speaker List
Zeina Abu-Jurji, BHSc, MScPT Candidate
Zeina is an MScPT candidate at McMaster University and her research interests include exploring justice-driven and anti-oppressive initiatives within physiotherapy as well as exploring access to Activity Based Therapy (ABT) in non-specialized SCI settings. Zeina is the co-chair of the BBIPOC Student Collective and the Education Lead of the Physiotherapy Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias, Anti-Oppression committee at McMaster.
Brenda Mori is a physiotherapist and is the Director of Clinical Education and Community Affairs at the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto where she leads the clinical education curriculum for the entry level MScPT degree program. Her research areas of interest are in education, primarily learner assessment, curriculum development and faculty development.
Brenda Mori, BSc PT, MSc, PhD
Brian is a registered physiotherapist working in primary care at Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre in Toronto. His primary practice focus is orthopaedics with a keen interest on management of knee and hip osteoarthritis.
Brian Pearce, PT, MScPT
Lynne is a physiotherapist and the Senior Consultant: Partnerships & Innovation at the Centre for Advancing Collaborative Healthcare & Education, University of Toronto (UT). She holds an Assistant Professor appointment and was the former Associate Chair for the Department of PT at UT. Lynne was one of the founders of the UT Centre for IPE and sits on the Board of the Can IP Health Collaborative.
Lynne Sinclair, MA(Ad Ed), BSc PT
Emily is a registered physiotherapist and Community Rehab Lead for the West Toronto Community Health Services. She supports the implementation and evaluation of physiotherapy services across primary health care teams in the Toronto region.
Emily Stevenson, RPT
Dr. Tawiah is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Term Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University. He teaches in the Physical Therapy and Rehab Science programs. His research focuses on developing interprofessional models of care to improve outcomes, access and contain costs for patients with MSK conditions. He is supported by the Queen’s Postdoctoral Research Fund.
Dr. Andrews Tawiah, PhD, MSc, BScPT
Philemon (Phil) Tsang works at Inner City Family Health Team with homeless or previously homeless patients with hopes to impact care through evidence-informed practice. Also, being a clinician-scientist, my hope is to advance physiotherapy through thoughtful knowledge translation and rigorous clinical research.
Philemon Tsang, MSc, MPT, PhD
Logan is a physiotherapy resident and recent graduate from the University of Toronto. She currently working at in musculoskeletal private practice at HealthOne Toronto, as well as LabX. In her spare time, Logan enjoys exploring the outdoors, spending time with family, friends, and of course, her cat Oliver.
Logan Weigel, MScPT, BSc
Rob is an APP at LHSC with the Rapid Access Clinic for Low Back Pain. He has a BSc PT and MSc from Western in 2001 and 2010 respectively, finished a DPT program in 2017 and is currently engaged in an MBA program. He is a past Chair of the Orthopaedic Division and is a Past President of the CPA. Rob has taught over a hundred courses in MSK, APP and Manipulation through Key Clinical Skills Inc.
Rob Werstine, BA, BSc, MSc, DPT, FCAMPT- Advanced Practice Physiotherapist
Sarah Wojkowski (she / her) is a registered physiotherapist, the Assistant Dean (Physiotherapy) and Director, Program for Interprofessional Practice Education and Research (PIPER) in the Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster. Sarah’s areas of interest include integration of health justice concepts into physiotherapy curricula; student evaluation during clinical placements; and IPE.
Sarah Wojkowski, MScPT, PhD
Faryal Zahir (she/her) is a physiotherapy resident at William Osler Health System and a graduate from the McMaster physiotherapy program. Faryal’s professional areas of interest include finding innovative ways to support underserved populations, optimizing patient centred care, and knowledge translation.
Faryal Zahir, MScPT
Pegah Akbari is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto’s physiotherapy program. Prior to this degree, she completed her Masters at the University of Ottawa studying the impact of pregnancy on thermoregulation during exercise. Combining her passions for women’s health and physiotherapy, she practices as a pelvic health therapist in Ottawa while continuing her involvement with research.
Pegah Akbari, MScKin, MScPT
Lina (she/her) completed her Bachelor’s in Physiology in 2019 from McGill University and her Master’s in Physiotherapy in 2022 from McMaster University. Currently, she works in both inpatient acute and rehab settings in William Osler Health System.
Lina Al-Habyan, MScPT
Kim (she/her) is a 2022 graduate from McMaster University. During her time there, she was a member of the Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias and Anti-Oppression Committee and cultivated an interest in health justice within the physiotherapy profession. Currently, she works in an orthopaedic setting.
Kimberly Aranas, MScPT
Lindsey graduated from the physiotherapy program at McMaster University in 2022 and is currently practicing as a physiotherapy resident in Nova Scotia. She has a strong interest in paediatrics and is currently working with Kids Physio Group in Halifax. Lindsey’s research interests include pre- and post-partum physiotherapy and she is excited to contribute to this emerging body of evidence.
Lindsey Coughlan, PT Resident, MScPT
Vince DePaul is a physiotherapist and Associate Professor with the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University. The overall aim of his research is to optimize mobility, function and participation in older adults, and individuals with stroke and other mobility-limiting conditions. He co-leads the Oasis Expansion and Evaluation Project.
Vincent DePaul, BHSc PT, PhD
Jasdeep Dhir (she/her) is the Director of Clinical Education for the MScPT Program and Assistant Professor at McMaster. She has practiced clinically for years and is a Clinical Specialist, Musculoskeletal. She is a Past-Chair of the Orthopaedic Division and has been awarded for excellence in mentorship and a Centenary Medal of Distinction by the CPA and for Innovation and Advancement by OPA.
Jasdeep Dhir, PT, MClSc(MT), TDPT, FCAMPT
Tom has over 16 years of clinical experience as a physiotherapist having worked in private and publicly funded clinics. For the past six years he has been enjoying working as part of the interdisciplinary team at the chronic pain clinic at Kingston Health Sciences-Hotel Dieu Hospital Site.
Tom Doulas, PT
Dr. Gabison’s interdisciplinary research focuses on the development of rehabilitation technology for the prevention of pressure injuries and the development of educational tools for caregivers and individuals at risk of developing pressure injuries. Her research is based out of Toronto Rehabilitation – University Health Network with the Home and Community Team.
Sharon Gabison, BSc, BScPT, MSc, PhD
Ian is a research physiotherapist working with Dr. Jordan Miller in studying the role of physiotherapy as a primary care service in emergency departments for patients presenting with musculoskeletal disorders. Ian completed his BSc (Hons Kinesiology) at the University of Waterloo, MScPT at Queen’s University, and PhD in Rehabilitation Science at Queen's University.
Dr. Ian A. Gilchrist, PT, PhD
Praful currently works in primary care as a registered physiotherapist at LAMP Community Health Centre. He is a graduate of the McMaster physiotherapy program with a post-graduate focus in orthopaedics and chronic pain. His past clinical experience includes roles in primary health care and private practice settings.
Praful (Binny) Handa, PT, MScPT
Stephanie Lurch is a contemporary educator who resists the traditional and in doing so stimulates critical thinking. She is a storyteller, activist, leader and physiotherapist. She currently works as the Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion at Children’s Treatment Network, and is an Assistant Professor at both McMaster University and the University of Toronto.
Stephanie Lurch, PT, BSc PT, M. Ed Adult Education and Community Development
Noah is a physiotherapy resident who graduated from the University of Toronto in 2022. He currently works at Push Pounds Sports Medicine, a multidisciplinary clinic in the heart of downtown Toronto, where he works with a mixture of athletes and the general population. He is passionate about evidence-based care and has special interests in osteoarthritis, ACL rehab, and chronic pain.
Noah Mandel, MScPT, BSc, CSCS
Conner is a second year MScPT Candidate at McMaster University, and his interests include promoting health justice and EDI initiatives. Conner is the Co-Chair of the BBIPOC Student Collective and McMaster’s PT Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias, and Anti-Oppression Committee. He is also a student partner on a research project mapping Health Justice and Indigenous Health concepts in McMaster’s PT curriculum.
Conner McQueen, BKin, MScPT Candidate
Jack trained as a physiotherapist at U of T and then spent six years in New Zealand and Australia where he completed a Diploma of Manipulative Therapy. He received a Master's degree from Western University and a Clinical Doctorate from the University of St. Augustine. He works as an advanced practice consultant in the Hamilton region.
Jack Miller, BScPT, Dip. MT(NZ), MClSc, DPT, FCAMPT
Jordan Miller is a physiotherapist, educator and health researcher. His research focuses on reducing pain-related disability by advancing models of care, self-management supports, and knowledge translation.
Jordan Miller, PT, PhD
Pat Miller is an Associate Professor (Part-time) in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University with teaching and research interests in professionalism and rehabilitation outcomes.
Pat Miller, PT, PhD
Mina is a physiotherapy resident who attained her MScPT from McMaster University in 2022, and is currently working in outpatient sport, orthopedic, and pelvic health physiotherapy in Ontario. Mina has a strong interest in low back and pelvic pain research and is eager to continue contributing to literature in this field.
Mina Mladenovic, PT Resident, MScPT
DATE
March 31 - April 1, 2023
LOCATION
Delta Hotels Toronto Airport & Conference Centre
655 Dixon Road, Toronto, ON M9W 1J3
© All Rights Reserved 2022
Our 2023 Speaker List
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Martine Quesnel is a physiotherapist, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Associate Program Director and Director of Clinical Education for the Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging Program in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto. She is passionate about education and mentorship in physiotherapy.
Martine Quesnel, PT, BSc, MScPT
Jenna Smith-Turchyn is a physiotherapist and Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. She is also an Associate Member in the Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research at McMaster University and elected board member for the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Oncology Division.
Jenna Smith-Turchyn, PT, PhD
Charlotte Anderson, MScPT, PhD, Owner ALPHA Health Services
Charlotte Anderson is a practicing physiotherapist, clinic owner, and researcher. Charlotte has experience working in a number of different health care settings, but owns and operates several clinics in Toronto, Ottawa and Muskoka. Her clinical research work has focused on the role of rehabilitation in concussion management. She currently holds a Fellowship at U of T.
Katie is an Indigenous physiotherapist and worked in a leadership position with Six Nations Health Services on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Southwestern Ontario until 2021. Her clinical experience has mainly been in the public sector in small, rural or Indigenous communities in Ontario. She currently works at Healthcare Excellence Canada.
Katie Gasparelli, BSc PT
Gabrielle Sadler is a physiotherapist who works as a project manager with the Rehabilitative Care Alliance and is the current chair of CPA’s Seniors Health Division. She has completed a Masters Certificate in Health Care Management and is a certified LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt in Health Care Delivery. Gabrielle leads initiatives that support implementation of quality rehab care across Ontario.
Gabrielle Sadler, LSSBB, MScPT, BScPT, RPT
Professor of Ethics at Queen’s University (jointly appointed to the School of Religion and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy), specializes in theology, moral distress, technology, artificial intelligence, and aging adults. Trothen is the author or editor of numerous articles, chapters, and books. She is a Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR).
Professor Tracy J. Trothen, FISSR
Courtney Bean - Vice President, Strategic Solutions and Partnerships at VHA Home HealthCare is a past OPA Board Director and has been nominated as President-Elect for 2023. A graduate of U of T’s PT Department and Healthcare Excellence Canada EXTRA program, Courtney has also completed an advanced residency with the Ola Grimsby Institute where he is completing his doctorate.
Courtney Bean, BSc, BSc PT, DPT (cand)
Betty Carr-Braint is a wolf clan, member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and grew up at Tyendinaga. Betty has her Masters of Social Work, Indigenous Based from Wilfrid Laurier University. She holds a certificate in Traditional Healing & Counseling, and a certificate for the Indigenous Community Health Approaches program from FNTI. She is also certified as a Grief Recovery Specialist through the Grief Recovery Institute. She obtained her Indigenous Addictions Services Certificate from Nechi Institute. She worked in her community for over twenty-six years, in different roles including working as a Traditional Practitioner and as the Program Manager of the Enyonkwa’nikonhriyohake’ (Good Minds) Program.
She has worked at Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre at Queen’s University as the Elder-In-Residence and at Trent University in the role of Cultural Advisor/Indigenous Counsellor at First Peoples House of Learning.
Betty currently works at First Nations Technical Institute as a Program Advisor for the Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work program and at Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre as the Elder.
Betty Carr-Braint
Maria Tassone is the Executive Director, Education & Professional Development at the University Health Network (UHN). Her work focuses on the interface between education and practice, with particular attention to health human resource needs, team-based learning and care, and professional development across health care roles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maria was the Provincial Education Task Force Chair and Project Lead for COVIDcarelearning.ca, an online platform that supported over 17,000 health care workers for redeployment.
Maria holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from McGill University, a Master of Science from the University of Western Ontario, and she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.
Maria Tassone, MSc, BScPT
A sole practitioner physiotherapist and owner of Health First Rehabilitation & Consultants, Jim has provided treatment in clients' home/work/community settings (and even augmenting hospital care) for over 30 years, working across multiple systems including MVA, EHB, WSIB, and private payor arrangements.
Jim Foley, BHSc PT
Derek is a PT (MAC ’00) and owner of Manitoulin Physio Centre (MPC) working to integrate public & private outpatient access. Collaborating with local health teams, First Nations and regional organizations, MPC provides homecare & school health support. With special interests in governance and leadership, Derek has served on the Board of Directors for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, as former Chair of the National Aboriginal Health Organization, an elected councillor on his home First Nation’s governing council. He is currently a member of the private practice advisory committee of the OPA and as a Director on the Board for the local hospitals of Manitoulin. Mr. Debassige has contributed to research in First Nations people’s aging, policy development in First Nations homecare and school health support services sectors.
Derek Debassige, RPT, BHScPT, BKin
Nicole Gallagher is a physiotherapist who has worked as a clinician in acute care and specialized geriatric services. Her current role, of Senior Friendly Care Lead, supports the implementation of geriatric best practices within the North East.
Nicole, Gallagher, PT, BScPT
Susan Robarts developed the advanced practice role for physiotherapists at Sunnybrook that changed the status quo and led to Ontario’s implementation of over 50 physiotherapist-led Rapid Access Clinics for hip and knee arthritis. She has co-authored over 20 publications, is a regular speaker on advanced practice at Université de Montréal, and is a member of OPA’s Board of Directors.