Skip to main content

RHL Community

RHL Community

Learn more about our RHL DSc students and alumni

Our Students

We admit 10-12 students each year (May start). Our students work in a mix of hospital settings, community settings, the health service planning sector and the health regulatory sector. All of our students are based in Canada, from Whitehorse and Vancouver in the west, to St. Johns and Halifax in the east, and many points in between. The program is available to international students.

Below you will find our student profiles.

 

Name: Sabrina Adair
Advisor: Dr. Nicole Bobbette
Position at Application: CEO/Founder
Place of Employment: Enabling Adaptations Inc.
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University
Name: Juvy Alix
Advisor: Dr. Afolasade Fakolade
Position at Application: Clinical Resource Coordinator
Place of Employment: Providence Healthcare - Unity Health Toronto
Academic Background: Masters of Applied Disability Studies, Brock University
Name: Rhona Anderson
Advisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson
Position at Application: Occupational Therapy Academic Clinical Educator & Education Lead for Toronto Rehab
Place of Employment: 
University Health Network
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University
Research Proposal Title: Creating a high performing healthcare system by preparing future health professionals to lead
Name: Teresa Avvampato
Advisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson
Position at Application : Accreditation Lead and Program Coordinator for OTA & PTA Program
Place of Employment: Durham College
Academic Background: MSc, Occupational Therapy, University of Western
Research Proposal Title: Supporting Intraprofessional Collaboration Preparation for Occupational Therapist (OT) and Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) Students in Ontario: A Three Phase Mixed Methods Study
Name: Nagham Azzam Iqbal
Advisor: Dr. Janet Jull
Position at Application: Outpatient Social Worker - Developmental Pediatrics & Rehabilitation
Place of Employment: Hamilton Health Sciences - Ron Joyce Children's Health Centre
Academic Background: Master of Social Work, McMaster University 
Name: Faith Balshin
Advisor: Dr. Mohammad Auais
Position at Application: Associate Clinician
Place of Employment: Reflection Centre
Academic Background: Master of Science, Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University & Master of Arts, Counselling Psychology, Yorkvillle University
Name: Lindsay Beavers
Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Nixon
Position at Application: Manager, Simulation Program
Place of Employment: Unity Health Toronto
Academic Background: Master of Science,  Physical Therapy, Western University
Name: Jessica Bergevin
Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Norman
Position at Application: Physiotherapist and Physiopilates Instructor
Place of Employment: Synergy Physiotherapy and Pilates
Academic Background: Master of Science, Physical Therapy, Queen's University 
Research Proposal Title: Pushing for Prenatal Care Change by Delivering Physiotherapy Reccomendations
Name: Mary Bertone
Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Norman
Position at Application: Director and Associate Professor
Place of Employment: 
University of Manitoba, School of Dental Hygiene
Academic Background: Master of Public Health, University of Manitoba
Name: Jennifer Bertoni
Advisors: Drs. Nicole Bobbette & Marcia Finlayson
Position at Application: Interprofessional Educator (Adult and Forensic Mental & Health Addications)
Place of Employment: Thunder Bay Regoinal Health Sciences Centre 
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, Queen's University & Master of Public Health, Lakehead University 
Research Proposal Title: Mental Wellness through Culture, Equity, and Justice
Name: Archana Bhuvitharan
Advisor: Dr. Dorothy Kessler
Position at Application: Occupational Therapist/Case Manager-Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Program
Place of Employment: Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, D'Youville University
Name: Kimberly Bitz
Advisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson
Position at Application: Occupational Therapist
Place of Employment: Saskatchewan Health Authority 
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta
Research Proposal Title: Missed Opportunities: Advancing Canadian Occupational Therapy Practice for Harm Reduction Among Women Who Consume Alcohol
Name: Lorin Brathwaite
Advisor: Dr. Nicole Bobbette
Position at Application: Instructor/Coordinator Rehabilitation Therapy Technology
Place of Employment: Barbados Community College
Academic Backgroud: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, Brunel University
Name: Katelyn Bridge
Advisor: Dr. Dorothy Kessler
Position at Application: Occupational Therapist
Place of Employment: Modern OT Therapy Services
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, Queen's University
Research Proposal Title: Factors Influencing Recovery Following Non-Catastrophic Injury in a Motor Vehicle Accident: An Interpretive Descriptive Study
Name: Sarah Burt-Hawco 
Advisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson
Position at Application: Occupational Therapist
Place of Employment: Eastern Health 
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, Queen's University
Research Proposal Title: Empowering Community-Dwelling Older Adults to Become Self-Advocates for Health Care Services 
Name: Arwen Caines
Advisor: Dr. Megan Edgelow
Position at Application: Clinical Director
Place of Employment: Society for Autism Support and Services
Academic Background: Master of Science,  Occupational Therapy, McMaster University
Name: Shawn Carter
Advisor: Dr. Heidi Cramm
Position at Application: Executive Director
Place of Employment: Edgewood Health Network
Academic Background: Master of Science, Applied Disability Studies, Brock University
Name: Cortney Clark
Advisor: Dr. Janet Jull
Position at Applicaiton: Indigenous Access and Recruitment Coordinator
Place of Employment: Queen's University, Faculty of Health Sciences
Academic Background: Bachelor of Arts, Social Sciences & International Relations, Western University 
Research Proposal Title: Reconciling Indigenous Health through Research Relationships and Storytelling.
Name: Kristin Collins
Advisor: Dr. Dorothy Kessler
Postion at Application: Occupational Therapist
Place of Employment: North York General Hospital
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, Queen's University

 

Name: Kaitlyn Dewhirst
Advisor: Dr. Rosemary Lysaght
Position at Application: Clinical Mental Health Program Specialist
Place of Employment: 
Government of Northwest Territories
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, Queen's University
Research Proposal Title: Are we ready for integrated service delivery (ISD)? Measuring the Organizational Climate for ISD: An explanatory mixed methods study
Name: Colleen Dunphy
Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Norman
Position at Application: Manager, Collaborative Practice & Education
Place of Employment: St. Michael's Hospital
Academic Background: Master of Science, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto
Research Proposal Title: Translating Cancer Rehabilitation Clinical Practice Guidelines into Competencies for Physiotherapists in Canada
Name: Heather Edward
Advisor:  Dr. Megan Edgelow
Position at Application: Deputy Chief Operations
Place of Employment:
 Frontenac Paramedics
Academic Background: 
Master of Arts,  Leadership, University of Guelph
Name: Julie Entwistle
Advisors: Drs. Megan Edgelow & Kathleen Norman
Position at Application: Deputy Registrar
Place of Employment: College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
Academic Background: Masters of Business Administration, Wilfred Laurier University
Name: Sandra Ezepue
Advisors: Drs. Afolasade Fakolade Setareh Ghahari
Position at Application: Health Promotion Specialist
Place of Employment: East Mississauga Community Health Centre
Academic Background: Master of Public Health, Brock University 
Research Proposal Title: Project Holistique: Developing and pilot testing an onilne stigma reduction education program to improve access to skin and soft tissue infections support and treatment for people who inject drugs
Name: Emily Gambling
Advisor: Dr. Heidi Cramm
Position at Application: Occupational Therapist
Place of Employment: Tall Tree Integrated Health
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, McMaster University
Name: Shannon Gravelle
Advisors: Drs. Beata Batorowicz & Sandra Fucile
Position at Application: 
Occupational Therapist
Place of Employment: 
St. Amant - Outreach Therapy
Academic Backgroud : Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, University of Ottawa
Research Proposal Title: Assistive Technology in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice: Exploring perceptions of practitioners and academic curriculum leaders
Name: Tabitha Hamp
Advisor: Dr. Setareh Ghahari
Position at Application: Patient Services Manager
Place of Employment: 
Home and Community Care Support Services
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, McMaster University
Name: Toni Harrington
Advisors: Dr. Megan Edgelow
Position at Application: Director, Complex Care and Specialty Services 
Place of Employment: Homewood Health 
Academic Background: Master of Applied Science, Occupational Health Science, McGill University & Master of Social Work, Memorial University
Research Proposal Title: An Expert and Evidence Informed Framework to Prevent Prolonged Absence from Work for Public Safety  Personnel with a Work Related Psychological Injury.
Name: Lauren Hershfield
Advisor: Dr. Sandra Fucile
Position at Application: Occupational Therapist
Place of Employment: 
BC Childrens Hospital
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto
Name: Sophie Labossière
Advisor: Dr. Vincent DePaul
Position at Application: Occupational Therapist
Place of Employment: Correctional Services Canada
Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, University of Ottawa

 

Name: Heather MacLeod
Advisor:
 Dr. Dorothy Kessler
Position at Application: 
Senior Geriatric Acessor/Clinical Team Leader
Place of Employment: 
Bruyere Continuing Care
Academic Background: 
Master of Science Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie Universtiy
Name: Sara MacNaull
Advisor: 
Dr. Heidi Cramm
Position at Application: 
Program Director
Place of Employment: 
The Vanier Institute of the Family
Academic Background: Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, Carleton University
Research Proposal Title: 
Understanding the Lived Experiences and Perceived Impacts of Incarceration on the Well-being of Adult Family Members
Name: Drew MacNeil
Advisor: Dr. Megan Edgelow
Position at Application: Director
Place of Employment: Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
Academic Background: Master of Science, Healthcare Quality, Queen's University & Bachelor of Science, Nursing, University of Windsor
Name: Katya Masnyk
Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Norman
Position at Application: CEO
Place of Employment: 
Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators
Academic Background: Master of Science, Maternal and Child Health, The John Hopkins University
Research Proposal Title: We need to talk; Incorporating the patient voice into a structured critique of the physiotherapy communication competency.
Name: Dianne Millette
Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Norman
Position at Application: Registrar and CEO
Place of Employment: 
College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia
Academic Background: Master of Health Science Health Administration, University of Toronto
Research Proposal Title: The "How and Why" of Continuous Professional Development Selection by Physiotherapists in Canada
Name: Shelley-Ann Morgan
Advisor: Dr. Setareh Ghahari
Academic Background: Master of Science,  Aging and Health, Queen's University, PhD in Cultural Studies, University of the West Indies & Master of Business Administration, Nova Southeastern University
Name: Linda Ngan
Advisors : Drs. Mohammad Auais & Janet Jull
Position at Application: Project Manager
Place of Employment: 
Toronto Acquired Brain Injury Network
Academic Background: Master of Science, Rehabilitation Therapy, University of Toronto
Research Proposal Presentation: Addressing Health Literacy in Practice: Physiotherapist's Knowledge and Perspectives
Name: Katrina Pollock
Advisor: Dr. Janet Jull
Position at Application: Manager of Research and Consultative Services
Place of Employment: 
Tlicho Government Hotiitseeda Program
Academic Background: Master of Arts, Public Administration and Public Policy, Concordia University
Name: Sharon Randhawa
Advisor: Drs. Setareh Ghahari & Heather Aldersey
Position at Application: Clinical Supervisor
Place of Employment:
Centre for Autism Services Alberta
Academic Background:
Master of Science in Behaviour Analysis, Simmons University 
Research Proposal Title: Exploring the decision-making experiences of providers and culturally and linguistically diverse caregivers in autism services: an interpretative description
Name: Josee Seguin
Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Nixon
Position at Application: Coordinator, Developmental and Rehabilitation 
Place of Employment: CHEO, Ottawa Pediatric Hospital
Academic Background: Master of Science, Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University
Research Proposal Title: Exploring How to Build the Capacity of Canadian Occupational Therapists for Engaging in "Anti-Oppressive Behaviour and Culturally Safer, Inclusive Relationships
Name: William Sevilla Myers
Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Nixon
Position at Application: Director of Operations
Place of Employment: Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Children and Family Development
Academic Background: Master of Arts, Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
Name: Avita Sharma
Advisors: Drs. Rosemary Lysaght & Megan Edgelow
Position at Application: Registered Clinical Counsellor
Place of Employment: 
Progressive Rehab
Academic Background: Master of Education, Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia
Research Proposal Title: Examining the relationship between vocational rehabilitation service provision and work outcomes for injured workers in British Columbia: An exploratory retrospective study
Name: Lisa Vaters
Advisor: Dr. Heidi Cramm
Position at Application: Family Coordinator
Place of Employment: 
Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services
Academic Background: Master of Science, Botany & Plant Physiology, University of Guelph
Name: Susanne Watson
Advisor: 
Dr. Janet Jull
Position at Application:
 Professional Practice Lead, Allied Health 
Place of Employment: 
Northern Health Authority
Academic Background: 
Bachelor of Health Science, Physical Therapy, McMaster Unversity
Name: Laura Williams
Advisor: Dr. Nora Fayed
Position at Application: 
Senior Director, Patient Experience and Engagement
Place of Employment: 
University Health Network
Academic Background: 
Master of Social Work, York University 
Name: Lawrence Yu
Advisors: Dr. Jordan Miller
Postion at Application: Senior Physiotherapist
Place of Employment: Adelaide Health Clinic
Academic Background: Master of Science, Physical Therapy, McMaster University 

Our  Alumni

Below you will find our alumni profiles.

 

Name: Deborah Francis
Advisor:
Dr. Janet Jull
Position at Graduation:
Clinical Assistant Professor
Place of Employment:
D'Youville University
Dissertation Title:
Changing the Landscape: A critical race informed narrative inquiry of a canadian university told by black, indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) students. 

 

Name: Deni Melim
Advisor: 
Dr. Beata Batorowicz
Position at Application:
 Teacher, Education with a Community Partner Program(ECPP), Trauma Responsive Elementary Classroom
Place of Employment: 
Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
Research Proposal Title:
Narrative Inquiry: Leading the Implementation of a Self-Organized School-Wide Trauma Informed Approach

Name: Candi Raudebaugh
Advisors: Drs. Marcia Finlayson & Kathleen Norman
Position at Graduation: Instructor
Place of Employment: Red Deer Polytechnic
Dissertation Title: Life Skills Training for Therapy Assitant Students: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study

 

Name: Karen Shannon
Advisor: Dr. Beata Batorowicz
Dissertation Title: Leading and Learning: Effective collaboration in rehabilitation services in schools.

Name: Gurech James Wai
Advisor: Dr. Mohammad Auais
Dissertation Title: Toward a transformational roadmap to end pj paralysis: A mixed-methods impact study on patient ambulation initiative at hospitals in Alberta   
Position at Graduation: Director, Office of the Alberta Health Advocates, Alberta Health
Place of Employment: Alberta Health Services