Research Archives - Page 4 of 7 - Ontario Physiotherapy Association

June is Pride Month

May 31, 2024

June is Pride Month, and we celebrate 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Ontario and in our physiotherapy community. OPA continues to work towards ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression this Pride Season and throughout the year. At InterACTION 2024 we were proud to welcome the Queer Physiotherapy Collective and include education on sexual identity and expression for PTs, PTAs and students.

The Queer Physiotherapy Collective (QPC) is a community of practice that strives to centre the voices of 2SLGBTQIPA+ students, residents, and physiotherapists.

QPC on LinkedIn

QPC on Instagram

Get involved this month in your local area and celebrate Pride Month!

Destination Ontario – Check out Events

Canada’s Pride Season Toolkit

Introducing OPA’s New CEO, Sarah Hutchison

March 19, 2024

I am excited to introduce Sarah Hutchison to the OPA family as our next Chief Executive Officer. She assumes the CEO role on April 22, 2024.

Below is a short summary of Sarah’s vast experience. She will be joining us at InterACTION and l hope that those who are there will join us in saying “welcome.” – Oren Cheifetz, OPA President (in 2024)

About Sarah Hutchison

Sarah is an accomplished health care executive with over 30 years of leadership experience. She brings to the role of CEO of OPA a very unique combination of health professional regulatory and professional association experience in health care, along with a strong results focused experience in member advocacy, strategy, policy, and program and service delivery.

In addition to her consulting practice which most recently concentrated on innovation and entrepreneurship education in health technology, she is also active in the community as a volunteer Director. Her prior experience as the CEO of OntarioMD, a subsidiary of the Ontario Medical Association, focused on supporting and enabling digital transformation working with clinicians, the government, Ontario Health and key stakeholders across the province. She has demonstrated experience and success in results-oriented delivery with strategic partnerships across Canada. She is passionate about people and enabling organizational excellence and is regarded as a transparent and authentic leader.

Sarah holds an MHSc (University of Toronto), an LL.M in Health Law (Osgoode), along with her ICD.D designation as a corporate Director.

“I am truly excited to continue the excellent work that has been accomplished by the Association and to contribute to the mission of improving health for Ontarians by expanding and streamlining access to physiotherapy services.

I am passionate about accessible, integrated health care and very committed to advancing the practice lives of physiotherapists and the patients they serve.” – Sarah Hutchison

Member Spotlight – Robert Cusinato, ‘You Are Not Alone’

October 18, 2022

Robert Cusinato is a long-standing physiotherapist member and dedicated volunteer who won OPA’s Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2019.

“In June, 1997, my dream came true. I graduated from the University of Western with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and within days I began my career as a physiotherapist at a local hospital in Windsor. Over the years I would have the privilege of assessing and treating individuals of all ages, in several settings and with various diagnoses. This served to strengthen my own knowledge base and more importantly my compassion for others.

In January 2016 my nightmare came true when I was diagnosed with a progressive, chronic condition- Multiple Sclerosis. Initially it was business as usual. However, the disease chipped away at me first physically, then mentally, then emotionally. I was defeated…until I accepted my reality and realized that I could still be of service as a physiotherapist to those in need. My clients and I shared a common link. As much as I was there to help them, they were helping me. We were pushing each other. In addition to maintaining full-time employment at the hospital and contributing to a family, I began to write. This was meant to be a therapeutic endeavour but it evolved into something else.

“Mending Nerves: An Empathetic Journey with Multiple Sclerosis” is my story. It follows the journey of an individual with a chronic and potentially disabling condition. The intersection of his worlds as both practitioner and as patient was unavoidable. Like his clients he needed to live in the present (“what is now”) and not in the future (“what could be”). I hope that the book will provide an avenue for others dealing with chronic diseases such as MS to relate. The main message is that, “you are not alone.”

Since my diagnosis I have become an advocate for those living with MS. I have joined a local MS community group as well as our local Beyond Disability Network group. My family and I have participated in the MS Walk sponsored by the MS Society of Canada where we formed the largest team and raised the most money as a team each year that we participated. I have had the honour of guest lecturing about MS at my alma mater, Western University, to first year Physical Therapy students. Most importantly I have become a resource not only to my clients but also to the clients of my colleagues, particularly those with MS. We are in this fight together. Finally, I have served as the Treasurer for the last 20+ years to the Windsor District of OPA.”

Thank you, Robert, for all that you do for patients, the profession and your community in Windsor District and beyond!

Member Spotlight – Jennifer George, ‘Communication is Care’

November 23, 2022

Jennifer George is an OPA member, podcaster, author and Physiotherapist.

“I’ve been a practicing Physiotherapist (PT) since 2007, which is when I also became a caregiver to my chronically ill father. Throughout my career and caregiving, I saw both sides of the healthcare system – as a clinician and as a family member & caregiver – and I witnessed the gaps in communication between providers and patients. Walking into a medical appointment with my dad was always a psychological experience and quite often, his healing and our outlook was mainly impacted by the quality of the interactions.

When my dad died in 2018, I was inspired to write my first book, Communication is Care: 9 Empowering Strategies to Guide Patient Healing, published in June 2019. I wrote this book with the intention to help healthcare providers enhance their communication skills and be able to communicate with patients in such a way that it would help their patients achieve their highest level of function, recovery, and independence. My book has received a few awards and was an Amazon Bestseller upon its launch.

In October 2019, I further launched my podcast, The Healthcare Provider Happy Hour. The purpose of my podcast is to support the well-being of healthcare providers so that they may create the best patient experiences and minimize their risk of burnout. I’ve released nearly 200 episodes to date and have had the opportunity to chat with like-minded people on a similar mission over the past three years from all over the globe.”

Follow Jennifer on social: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

Buy Her Book

Member Spotlight – Amanda Morin, ‘Move with Nature’

December 13, 2022

Amanda Morin is an OPA member, Physiotherapist, and now children’s book author.

‘Last year I published a children’s book ‘Move with Nature’. It is an exercise routine from head to toe to have children develop their gross motor skills! The entire story was inspired by my work in South Africa where I provided exercise therapy to several children with neurological conditions.’

‘Each page features stimulating and inclusive illustrations by Hannah Bursey. The diverse imagery simplifies movement, and normalizes exercise for children of all ages and abilities…all while having fun!’ – from Civil Sector Press

Buy her book

Member Spotlight – Tiffany Tiu, Pain Podcast Developer

April 4, 2023

Tiffany Tiu is a student, researcher and Paincast podcast developer.

“I am an enthusiastic physiotherapy student at the University of Toronto (UofT). Apart from enjoying my studies, I am passionate about evidence-based practice and pain advocacy. I co-chair the Pain Science Division (PSD) Student committee and conduct research at the Biomechanics of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Lab at UofT. I spearheaded the development of Paincast, the official podcast of the Pain Science Division at the CPA, on Spotify! Pain and Physiotherapy are so intricately connected, so there is no more reason than that to follow Paincast. We will continue to produce insightful and engaging episodes with amazing guests, so make sure you stay tuned. I will also be contributing to the May 2023 issue of Physiotherapy Practice Magazine discussing pain management.

Being the only student physiotherapist researcher at the Biomechanics of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Lab, I advocate for physiotherapist inclusion in orthopeadic research. Currently, I am finishing up a study on the Star Excursion Balance Test, and will be starting another project. An episode by the RehabINK Podcast is featuring the lab in May so stay tuned to the podcast to listen.”

Connect with Tiffany

Member Spotlight – André Riopel – Viscus Device Developer

June 5, 2023

André Riopel is a physiotherapist, competitive cyclist, and inventor of the ViscusTM.

André Riopel, BSc PT invented and perfected a momentum propelled therapeutic pedalling device called Viscus TM. Combining two of his passions – cycling and physiotherapy – Riopel’s device, and its development was featured in Northern Ontario Business.

André says “the concept for this machine came 40 years ago based on the work of Dr. Salter, the inventor of Continuous Passive Motion (CPM), and its effect on articular cartilage”. As a competitive cyclist, former bike shop owner and orthopaedic physiotherapist he says “in the cycling world, we call them “fixies” which are bicycles used for track racing and unlike standard bicycles, can’t coast”. A “fixie” bike is a lot smoother and comfortable to use because momentum helps your legs around the dead points of the pedalling motion. Furthermore, circular motion (as opposed to linear), eliminates joint forces caused acceleration/deceleration forces present in linear exercise like the CPM machine. This is ideal for arthritic joints as circular motion is far more comfortable than the back and forth of the CPMs.

“When people think of “exercise”, they think about muscular contraction and don’t appreciate all the value of just moving with minimal muscular contraction. The often-overlooked benefits of relatively passive exercise include neurological input, venous return and articular nutrition. The objective in the Viscus design was to create a user-friendly, simple machine that utilized the momentum of a high velocity flywheel to produce a smooth, relatively effortless circular motion that could be performed for long durations. Clinical applications included osteoarthritis, peripheral edema, hemiparesis, spasticity etc. The machine needed to be durable and non- motorized with a stable foot platform and easy access from a wheelchair or couch.”

Viscus Moves You

Member Spotlight– Charlotte Anderson- Leading, Teaching and Promoting Physiotherapy

July 6, 2023

Charlotte Anderson is a practicing Physiotherapist, researcher and CEO of Alpha Health Services, a multi-site clinic in Toronto. On June 5, 2023 she was a guest on Zoomer TV with a panel of health experts, answering questions from the live audience. Charlotte explained the benefits of physiotherapy, how physiotherapists can help prevent injury, keep adults active, prevent falls and recover from pain or injury.

Charlotte was also recently elected to OPA’s Board of Directors, and is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream in the University of Toronto Physical Therapy Department. She has worked as an embedded Research Fellow conducting research for Ontario Health, specifically on the implementation of clinical care pathways for Ontario Health Teams.

Check out Charlotte on Zoomer TV:

Segment 1 – (Charlotte at 1:50 onwards)
Is there a connection between glaucoma and pancreatic cancer?

Segment 2 – (Charlotte at 4:40)
Answering questions on stem cells, cholesterol and how arthritis is linked to food

Segment 3 – (Charlotte from beginning and from 4:15)
What are the best methods for fall prevention as we age?

Segment 4 –(Charlotte from 2:20)
Could DNA testing help treat diseases as we age?

Segment 6 – (Charlotte from 2:20)
Advice on staying healthy as you age

Alpha Health Services

Member Spotlight- Sharon Switzer-McIntyre- President’s Teaching Award

September 27, 2023

Congratulations to Sharon Switzer-McIntyre on receiving the University of Toronto President’s Teaching Award, the university’s highest honour for teaching (University of Toronto, 2023).

This Award is in recognition of Sharon Switzer-McIntyre’s ongoing contributions to educational leadership and innovation and her sustained excellence in teaching. During her 25 years in the department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto, Sharon Switzer-McIntyre has been deeply involved in innovative curricular design, development and delivery, learner assessment, mentorship, administration and leadership activities. Her students consistently praise her engaging style and interactive teaching approach.

She has also been directly responsible for leading a team of faculty in the development and implementation of the Ontario Internationally Educated Physiotherapy Bridging (OIEPB) Program, which has successfully prepared internationally educated physiotherapists for practice in Canada.

Sharon has been a Physiotherapist leader for many years and an active supporting member of the Association, volunteering for projects and groups nationally and provincially. She is also a previous Chair of the Canadian Council of Physiotherapy Programs.

“Sharon is truly an exceptional educator and mentor who is passionate about teaching and improving the lives of all students. She is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in everything that she does. I can think of no one more deserving of this award,” says Susan Jaglal, Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy.

Reference

University of Toronto, (2023, May 29). Sharon Switzer-McIntyre receives 2023 President’s Teaching Award. Department of Physical Therapy.

Member Spotlight – Trent Health In Motion’s Innovative Program Wins Community Spirit Award

November 27, 2023

Trent Health in Motion’s Seniors in Motion program recently won a Community Spirit Award from the Older Adult Centres Association of Ontario. This news was covered in the Peterborough Examiner. To date, there have been over 200 participants go through the program, and the team at Trent Health in Motion is working to secure more funding so that the program can continue to be offered to participants free of charge.

“This program was an innovative idea that was physiotherapist developed and led. We have been working with research partners to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and found positive health impacts across a range of areas. As we have accepted new clients into the program, additional news outlets have invited us to share more about the program. Check us out on the morning show on Global News.” – Michael Williams

Trent Health in Motion on Facebook

Trent Health in Motion on Instagram

Trent Health in Motion