BOARD AND COMMITTEES
The Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA) Board of Directors is comprised of nine physiotherapist member volunteers elected by the membership.
As the governing body of the Association, the Board is responsible for setting policies and strategic directions, determining the budget, and hiring the Chief Executive Officer to implement the Association’s programs.
OPA’s 16 geographic Districts help to ensure the Board can access the unique perspective of local issues and professional concerns of members. In addition to the Districts, OPA has numerous committees and task forces working with the Board and staff to achieve our mission and vision. The Association’s organizational structure is open, transparent, flexible, and above all, participatory to ensure the profession is engaged in the health care policies and programs that affect current practice and future opportunities.
You can reach the Board through the President at president@opa.on.ca or contact OPA staff.
THE FACES BEHIND THE FUTURE OF
PHYSIOTHERAPY
OUR BOARD
Courtney is VHA Home HealthCare’s Vice President, Strategic Solutions & Partnerships implementing strategic and growth initiatives advancing integrated care delivery models in Ontario. A past OPA Board Director (2016–2020), Courtney is OPA’s President for 2024. With clinical and leadership experience between the USA and Canada, he champions the role of home care in system transformation. A graduate of U of T’s PT Department, Courtney has also completed an orthopaedic residency with the Ola Grimsby Institute and a leadership residency, the EXTRA program, with HEC.
COURTNEY BEANPresident
Oren currently works as a Project Coordinator facilitating the move of the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, from their current building to a brand-new facility! He is a CPA-certified Clinical Specialist in Oncology and brings to the OPA Board experience from the national association as a previous Chair of the Oncology Division, Executive member of the Acupuncture Division and a Director on the CPA Board. In the Project Coordinator role Oren will utilize the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that physiotherapists use on a daily to problem solve new types of challenges.
OREN CHEIFETZPast-President
Magda joined the Board in 2022. Magda is based out of Hamilton and is in the role of Manager and Professional Practice Leader for Physiotherapy at a large hospital. Magda is passionate about patient centered care, advocacy for the profession, teaching, as well as quality improvement. She brings 17 years of experience from the hospital sector in both the frontline and leadership roles.
MAGDA MCCAUGHAN Secretary
Charlotte Anderson (MSc. PT, PhD) is the Founder of ALPHA Health Services and 360 Concussion Care. She works to bridge the gap between private and public healthcare in Ontario- to foster collaboration between practitioners along a patients continuum of care. She earned her PhD from the University of Toronto, and her subsequent research has been in concussion clinical care and Ontario health systems research. Charlotte practices clinically in Toronto and is an Assistant Professor at U of T.
CHARLOTTE ANDERSON
Katie works as a Senior Program Lead with Healthcare Excellence Canada. Her previous clinical experience has mainly been in the public sector in small, rural or Indigenous communities in Ontario. She is passionate about the role of physiotherapists in the healthcare system and about the need to improve access to our services. Her work in the physiotherapy community focuses on supporting the development of cultural humility, so our clients can experience a culturally safe environment when receiving care.
KATIE GASPARELLI
Susan brings over 20 years of experience in direct patient care, strategic planning, and implementing LEAN for healthcare. She has worked in remote communities along the Coast of James Bay and in urban centres, and implemented complex regional and province-wide programs to improve care. Areas of expertise include musculoskeletal care, development of team-based models of care to address health system challenges, and development of advanced practice roles. She maintains a clinical practice.
SUSAN ROBARTS
Wing Ting is a clinician and healthcare leader holding a Master’s in Health Management from McMaster University. Her current focus is in advocacy for physiotherapy and allied health professions and strategic planning for the rehabilitation sector that will improve healthcare quality and equitable access to care. She has clinical experience across private practice, primary care and acute care in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. She is excited to serve on the Board and is looking forward to making positive contributions to the profession and individuals in Ontario.
WING TING TRUONG
Manuel Valle has been a physiotherapist for over 17 years, with experience spanning over different countries. For the past 8 years, he has been devoted to enriching the lives of patients in his community, providing them with treatment plans that go beyond exercises, taking into consideration their various needs, dispositions and goals. He is thrilled to be part of the OPA Board of Directors. He believes that collaborating with other institutions is the key to move the physiotherapy profession to the next level.
MANUEL VALLE
Kyle Whaley is the founder of Propel Physiotherapy– 3 interdisciplinary treatment centres for neurological and complex orthopedic conditions across Ontario. With over 20 years experience working in rehabilitation and private practice he continues to bring passion to clinical care, education, and advocacy. He is eager to influence change at a number of levels, to further improve the landscape for clients and clinicians. Kyle is an adjunct lecturer and lab clinician at the University of Toronto, Department of Physical Therapy Program, where he mentors physiotherapy students soon to enter the profession.
KYLE WHALEY
View All
PAST PRESIDENTS
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2022 – 2024
OREN CHEIFETZ
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2020 – 2022
P. GARDINER MILLAR
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2018 – 2020
A. MACDONALD
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2016 – 2018
W. SMITH
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2014 – 2016
S. PATTON
COMMITTEES
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
These committees contribute directly to the Board’s activities and responsibilities.
- Awards
- The Awards Committee recommends policies and processes related to our formal member recognition program. In reviewing and recommending nominees for annual awards they recognize and promote leadership and the contribution of our volunteers. Currently looking for OPA members to join! Find out more.
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Finance
- The Finance Committee regularly reviews financial statements and policies of the Association. They advise the Board on issues related to the finances and budget of the Association.
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Governance
- The Governance Committee is responsible for Board Development, nominations, leadership development, and advising the Board on governance related policies, bylaws and processes.
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THE LIAISON NETWORKS ARE NO LONGER ACTIVE
- The Liaison Networks were active prior to 2019 to allow physiotherapists to share information, questions, and emerging issues with their respective advisory committees and with other PTs working in their sector. They were a connection between the work of the advisory committees, OPA Board of Directors and staff, and the front lines of care.
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The 2 Liaison Networks: Hospital Liaison Network (HLN) & Home Care Liaison Network (HCLN)
Working Committees & Advisory Groups
These committees and advisory groups bring the expertise of our members to support the Board and OPA staff in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives for the Association
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Private Practice Advisory
- The Private Practice Advisory Committee advise the staff and Board of Directors on issues and matters related to the provision of physiotherapy services in the private practice sector.
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Primary Care Advisory
- The Primary Care Advisory Committee advises and assists in activities that promote quality physiotherapy
services within primary care organizations and works to support members in these practice settings. -
Home Care Advisory
- The Home Care Advisory Committee brings the perspective of our members who work in home care to staff and the Board in order to promote quality physiotherapy services in the Home Care Sector. They work with the Home Care Liaison Network to monitor environmental trends and support OPA’s strategic directions. Currently looking for OPA members to join! Find out more.
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Hospital Advisory
- The Hospital Advisory Committee advances the interests and concerns of our members in the hospital sector and advises on issues relevant to hospital-based physiotherapy services. They work with the support of the Hospital Liaison Network to gather and share information about emerging trends and issues and support members practicing in hospitals.
Contact Gonxhe Kastrati, Policy Analyst, Policy, Practice & Member Services if you are interested in joining a Committee.
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Education
- The Education Committee acts as a resource to and advises the OPA staff on matters relating to Professional Development Education and Educational Programming of OPA’s annual conference, InterACTION, in order to provide OPA members with meaningful and relevant learning opportunities. Currently looking for OPA members to join! Find out more.
- The OPA also works with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) and the Ontario members of the National Students’ Assembly on matters related to these two groups of our membership.
