Deborah Francis's Story

Kaitlynn Dewhirst's Story

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.

Current Students A - C

	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: 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: 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 Research Proposal Title: Exploring cultural humility in dental hygiene education at the University of Manitoba: A mixed methods study
	Name: Rachel Beyer Advisor: Dr. Jordan Miller Position at Application: Primary Care Physiotherapist Place of Employment: Sherwood Patient Medical Home, Health PEI Academic Background: MSc Physiotherapy - McMaster University, BSc Nutritional Science - McGill University
	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 Research Proposal Title: Development of a Self-Reflection Tool to Foster Cultural Humility in Occupational Therapy Practice
	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: Keely Bujold Advisor: Dr. Heidi Cramm Position at Application: Occupational Therapist Place of Employment: Spark Lifecare Academic Background: Undergraduate degree in Biology, Masters of Health Science (Occupational Therapy)
	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 Research Proposal Title: Examining workplace hazards and stress among Disability Support Workers: Applying the Management Standards Approach to identify risks and inform organizational interventions
	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 Research Proposal Title: Understanding the experiences of partners of Public Safety Personnel (PSP) during inpatient mental health treatment: A qualitative analysis

Current Students D - L

	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. Kathleen Norman Position at Application: Deputy Chief Operations Place of Employment: Frontenac Paramedics Academic Background: Master of Arts, Leadership, University of Guelph
	Name: Sophia Gallant Schmitz Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Norman Position at Application: Case Coordinator Place of Employment: VON Canada Academic Background: Master of Social Work, University of Windsor
	Name: Heather Golden Advisor: Dr. Megan Edgelow Position at Application: Program Coordinator, Professor Place of Employment: Loyalist College Academic Background: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy - University of Toronto
	Name: Michelle Goldsworthy Advisor: Dr. Megan Edgelow Position at Application: Director of Operations (Registered Social Worker) Place of Employment: Dalton Associates, Mental Health Services Academic Background: Bachelor of Arts, Honours; Bachelor of Social Work, Honours; Master of Social Work
	Name: Lacey Gore Advisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson Position at Application: Clinical Project Manager, Neurology Place of Employment: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Academic Background: BScN, RN, MHSc AHCP (Master of Health Science, Advanced Healthcare Practice), University of Western Ontario
	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 Research Proposal Title: Exploring and addressing Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS) staff’s knowledge and perceptions of institutional attitudes related to refugees’ eligibility for home care services in Ontario.
	Name: Blake Hawkins Advisor: Dr. Catherine Donnelly Position at Application: Director, Policy and Governance Place of Employment: Castlemain Group Academic Background: Master of Library and Information Studies, Health Information, University of British Columbia Research Proposal Title: Social Impact Evaluation as Strategic  Practice: A Study of Values, Impacts, and Use in the Oasis Model

	Name: Sanzana Hossain Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Norman Position at Application: Sr. Partner - Abilities and Accessibility Place of Employment: Peel District School Board Academic Background: Master of Science, Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University
	Name: Nel Keath Advisor: Dr. Heidi Cramm Position at Application: Founder, Registered Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor, Lead Coach & Survey Program Design Place of Employment: Reflexion Point Psychotherapy Academic Background: Master of Counselling (Counselling Psychology) Athabasca University, Bachelor or Arts (Psychology) University of British Columbia
	Name: Heidi Knupp Advisor: Dr. Heidi Cramm Position at Application: Disability Management Consultant Place of Employment: Edmonton Police Service Academic Background: Master of Science (thesis), Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta Research Proposal Title: Shield of Blue: Understanding the Experiences and Needs of Spouses and Significant Others during their Police Officer’s Return-to-Work Process
	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 Research Proposal Title:The Co-Design of a Cognitive Health Product for Oasis Programs: A Phased Research Project
	Name: Michelle Lui Advisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson Position at Application: Regional Practice Initiatives Lead Place of Employment: Vancouver Coastal Health Academic Background: Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition & Health, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Public Health

Current Students M - Z

	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 Research Proposal Title: Exploring Digital Literacy among Jamaican Immigrant Older Adults Living in Alberta, Canada: A Convergent Mixed Methods Study
	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: Ron G.K. Norman Advisor: Dr. Jordan Miller Position at Application: Director of Pacific Rim Chiropractic, Vancouver Island, B.C. Place of Employment: Pacific Rim Chiropractic Academic Background: Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), Master of Science Research Proposal Presentation: Addressing health care inequities in access to musculoskeletal care in rural, remote and underserved Indigenous communities on Vancouver Island
	Name: Sharmila Sanmuganithi Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Nixon Position at Application: Clinical Programs Manager (Respiratory - Complex Continuing Care & Respiratory Rehabilitation) Place of Employment: University Health Network (UHN) Academic Background: M.Ed. (Adult Education), Registered Respiratory Therapist (UHN), Hon. B. Sc (Life Sciences) McMaster University
	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: Surbhi Sud Advisor: Dr. Heidi Cramm Position at Application: Senior Human Resources Manager Place of Employment: SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Academic Background: Master of Industrial Relations (MIR), Queen's University, BCom (HR), York University, CHRP, CHRL
	Name: Katherine Taylor Advisor: Dr. Crystal MacKay Position at Application: Physical Activity for Chronic Disease Prevention Lead & Registered Kinesiologist with the Kingston Community Health Centres Academic Background: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Rehabilitation Science from the University of British Columbia
	Name: Bala Tirupathi Advisor: Dr. Setareh Ghahari Position at Application: Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Place of Employment: Holistic Counselling and Rehab Services (HCRS) Academic Background: Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Master of Administrative Science - Global Health & Human Services Administration, Bachelor of Science, Diploma in Tele-Mental Health Counselling - The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Trama-Informed Practice Training
	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 Research Proposal Title: The grief experiences of family members whose loved one was serving or has served in the Canadian Armed Forces Post Afghanistan
	Name: Laura Williams Advisor: Dr. Nicole Bobbette Position at Application: Senior Director, Patient Experience and Engagement Place of Employment: University Health Network Academic Background: Master of Social Work, York University Research Proposal Title: Building a Home: Family experiences of creating housing for adults with moderate to profound developmental disabilities
	Name: Bernice Yamoah Advisors: Dr. Setareh Ghahari & Dr. Dorothy Kessler Academic Background: Master in Health Economics and Management (Management of Healthcare Institutions), University of Oslo in Norway, Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands

Our Alumni

Below you will find our alumni profiles.

Alumni

	Name: Dr. Sabrina Adair Advisor: Dr. Nicole Bobbette Position at Graduation: CEO/Founder Place of Employment: Enabling Adaptations Inc. Academic Background: Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University Dissertation Title: Evaluation of an Occupational Therapy-Informed Parenting Education Program: A Formative Program Evaluation
	Name: Dr. Rhona Anderson Advisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson Position at Graduation: Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream and Director of Clinical Education Place of Employment: Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto Dissertation Title: Student Leadership: Preparing Student Health Professionals to Lead
	Name: Dr. Teresa Avvampato Advisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson Position at Graduation: Professor Place of Employment: Durham College Dissertation Title: Building Capacity in Occupational Therapy Delivery: Supporting Intraprofessional Collaboration Preparation
	Name: Dr. Nagham Azzam Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Nixon Position at Graduation: 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 Dissertation Title: Weaving in Equity: A User-Centered Design Approach to Integrating Health Equity into a Lean- Based Quality Management System at An Academic Health Sciences Center
	Name: Dr. Jessica Bergevin Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Norman Position at Graduation: Physiotherapist and Physiopilates Instructor Place of Employment: Synergy Physiotherapy and Pilates Academic Background: Master of Science, Physical Therapy, Queen's University Dissertation Title: The Role of Physiotherapy in the Reduction of Preventable Maternal Morbidity
	Name: Dr. Jennifer Bertoni Advisor: Dr. Nicole Bobbette & Dr. Marcia Finlayson Position at Graduation: Director of Integrated Care Place of Employment: Kiiwetinoong Healing Waters Ontario Health Team Dissertation Title: Culture, Equity, & Justice: Perspectives of Occupational Therapists in Northwestern Ontario
	Name: Dr. Kimberly Bitz Advisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson Position at Graduation: Occupational Therapist, Community Recovery - Mental Health & Addictions Place of Employment: Saskatchewan Health Authority Dissertation Title: Missed Opportunities: Advancing Canadian Occupational Therapy Practice for Harm Reducton Among Women Who Consume Alcohol
	Name: Dr. Katelyn Bridge Advisor: Dr. Dorothy Kessler Position at Application: Mentorship and Training Leader, 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: Dr. Sarah Burt-Hawco Advisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson Position at Graduation: Provincial Professional Practice Consultant for Occupational Therapy Place of Employment: NL Health Services Dissertation Title: Empowering Community-Dwelling Older Adults to Become Self-Advocates for Health Care Services
	Name: Dr. Cortney Clark Advisor: Dr. Janet Jull Position at Graduation: Indigenous Access and Recruitment Coordinator Place of Employment: Queen's University, Faculty of Health Sciences Dissertation Title: Ronte’nikonhrarò:roks A Gathering of Minds: Developing an Indigenous-led Research Partnership to Promote Child and Family Health through Storytelling
	Name: Dr. Kristin Collins Advisor: Dr. Dorothy Kessler Position at Graduation: Occupational Therapist Place of Employment: North York General Hospital Dissertation Title: Implementing an Interprofessional Student-Led Environment in a Geriatric Clinic: An Acceptability and Feasibility Study with Internal Facilitation
	Name: Dr. Gregory Cutforth Advisor: Drs. Catherine Donnelly and Jordan Miller Position at Graduation: Provincial Director, Urgent and Primary Care Centres Place of Employment: BC Ministry of Health, Primary Care Division Dissertation Title: Patient Function as a Health Indicator of Team-Based Primary Care: A Study of Why, What, and How for Health Leaders
	Name: Dr. Sandra Ezepue Advisors: Drs. Afolasade Fakolade and Setareh Ghahari Dissertation Title: Project Holistique: Developing and Pilot Testing an Online Stigma Reduction Education Program to Improve Access to Skin And Soft Tissue Infections Support and Treatment For People Who Inject Drugs
	Name: Dr. 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: Dr. Antoinette (Toni) Harrington Advisor: Dr. Megan Edgelow Position at Graduation: Assistant Vice President Mental Health Innovation Place of Employment: Homewood Health Dissertation Title: An Expert and Evidence-Informed Framework to Prevent Prolonged Absence from Work for Public Safety Personnel with a Work-Related Psychological Injury/Illness: A Consensus-Based Mixed Methods Study
	Name: Dr. Lauren Hershfield Advisor: Dr. Sandra Fucile Position at Graduation: Occupational Therapist Place of Employment: BC Children's Hospital Dissertation Title: Advancing Parent-Focused Interventions in Pediatric Feeding: A Multi-Method Study of a Virtual Parent Intervention for Children with Feeding Difficulties or Pediatric Feeding Disorder
	Name: Dr. Terrence Landry Advisor: Dr. Setareh Ghahari Position at Graduation: Vice President - Community Programs and Mental Health Place of Employment: Providence Care Dissertation Title: Key Components for Delivery of Collaborative Mental Health Services in Rural Ontario Primary Care Settings: An Exploratory Study
	Name: Dr. Heather MacLeod Advisor: Dr. Dorothy Kessler Position at Graduation: Director, Programs and Partnerships Place of Employment: Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario Dissertation Title: Understanding the Barriers and Facilitators for Healthcare Professionals to Adopt the ‘Living With Risk: Decision Support Approach’ Into the Hospital and Community Settings
	Name: Dr. Sara MacNaull Advisor: Dr. Heidi Cramm Dissertation Title: Understanding the lived experiences and perceived impacts of incarceration on the well-being of adult family members
	Name: Dr. 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 Dissertation Title: Narrative Inquiry: Leading the Implementation of a Self-Organized School-Wide Trauma Informed Approach
	Name: Dr. 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 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Caregivers and Autism Service Providers: An Interpretative Description
	Name: Dr. 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: Dr. Faith Rosenberg Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Nixon Position at Graduation: Associate Clinician Place of Employment: Reflection Centre Academic Background: Master of Science, Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University & Master of Arts, Counselling Psychology, Yorkvillle University Dissertation Title: Exploring available psychologically-informed fear of falling interventions, and testing a modified fear of falling intervention in older adults
	Name: Dr. Karen Shannon Advisor: Dr. Beata Batorowicz Dissertation Title: Leading and Learning: Effective collaboration in rehabilitation services in schools.
	Name: Dr. Avita Sharma Advisors: Drs. Rosemary Lysaght & Megan Edgelow Position at Graduation: Registered Clinical Counsellor Place of Employment: Progressive Rehab Academic Background: Master of Education, Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia Dissertation Title: Examining Vocational Rehabilitation Service Provision within the Workers’ Compensation System in British Columbia: An Exploratory Retrospective Study
	Name: Dr. Gurech James Wai Advisor: Dr. Mohammad Auais Position at Graduation: Director, Office of the Alberta Health Advocates, Alberta Health Place of Employment: Alberta Health Services Dissertation Title: Toward a transformational roadmap to end pj paralysis: A mixed-methods impact study on patient ambulation initiative at hospitals in Alberta
	Name: Dr. Lawrence Yu Advisor: Dr. Jordan Miller Position at Graduation: Senior Physiotherapist Place of Employment: The Rehab Grid Toronto Dissertation Title: Understanding and Enhancing the User Experience of the Physiotherapy Entrustable Professional Activities Assessment (PEPAA) for the Assessment of Competence During Clinical Placement: A Quality Improvement Study

RHL Community