JORDAN MILLER
Director, IMPPaCT Research
Jordan is an Assistant Professor and Associate Director (Physical Therapy) in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy and Associate Scientist in the Health Services and Policy Research Institute at Queen's University. He is a physiotherapist, and an award winning educator and health researcher. His research program aims to reduce pain-related disability and improve quality of life for people living with pain through the development and evaluation of new interventions and models of primary care.
RESEARCH STAFF
CHAD MCCLINTOCK
Research Coordinator
Chad has an MSc in Physical Therapy and an MSc in Epidemiology. He is an experienced clinician and educator. He spent several years working with health administrative data focusing on biostatistical and study design concepts. He currently works with the IMPPaCT team designing and coordinating various research projects.
SIERRA GASPARI
Research Assistant
Sierra is a recent graduate of the Life Sciences program at Queen’s University receiving her Bachelor of Science (Hons). As a research assistant for the physiotherapist-led primary care studies, she assists with the recruitment and screening of prospective participants, data collection, and the organization of study data and documentation.
RANDY BOOTH
Assistant Professor
Randy Booth is an Assistant Professor within the Physical Therapy Program at Queen’s University. In 2003, he completed a Masters in Manipulative Therapy at Curtin University in Perth Australia. He has been a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy since 2004. In 2012, he completed a doctorate of Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Management from the United States and in 2019, he completed his PhD at Queen’s University. In addition to supporting clinical education and teaching within the Queen’s University Physical Therapy Program, Randy is an advanced practice physiotherapist with the Rapid Access Clinic for Low Back Pain.
WILL KARELSON
Registered Physiotherapist
Will is a practising physiotherapist in Kingston, Ontario and clinic partner with JD Physiotherapy Central.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science from Western University and a Masters of Physical Therapy degree from Queen’s University. He is an advanced practice physiotherapist in the Rapid Access Clinic for Low Back Pain program of South Eastern Ontario. He also has practiced as a part-time course coordinator, clinical instructor, and term adjunct lecturer within the Physical Therapy Program at Queen’s University.
Will is extremely passionate about physiotherapy and is a strong advocate for health and mobility within the Kingston area.
JUDY STURGEON
Registered Physiotherapist
Judy is an experienced physiotherapist with a background in Kinesiology. She graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy. In 2014, she completed a Master of Clinical Science in Physiotherapy. She has been a preceptor for the University of BC for over 30 years and was an instructor for 10 years with the orthopaedic division of the CPA. She has also contributed to her profession through the Physiotherapy of BC rural and remote committee for 6 years.
KATE ATTWOOD
Registered Physiotherapist
Kate is a Registered Physiotherapist and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. She graduated from Queen’s University in 2012 with a Master Degree of Science in Physical Therapy, and attained her post-graduate Diploma of Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Therapy in 2019. She has been an Academic Assistant in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University for over 10 years. She was also a member of the Clinical Test Development Group in Kingston that was responsible for reviewing and approving stations for the Clinical Component of the Canadian Physiotherapy Competency Examinations.
YEIMI CAMARGO
Research Assistant
Yeimi is a physician with extensive clinical experience and has interests in research and medical information management. She has a postgraduate certificate in Public Health Management and a diploma in Health Information Management. She worked on public health research projects as a member of the CATCH research group at the Universidad Militar Nueva Granada in Colombia. She currently works for the physiotherapist-led primary care studies as a research assistant helping with the recruitment of potential participants, data collection, and documentation.
MAYA SOLOMON
Research Assistant
Maya is a third-year nursing student at Thompson Rivers University with a passion for medical research. Having entered the healthcare system straight out of high school, she has dedicated herself to enhancing healthcare for all communities. Currently serving as a research assistant for physiotherapist-led primary care studies, Maya is involved in participant recruitment, screening, and meticulous data organization. Maya's commitment to advancing medical research and her dedication to improving healthcare highlight her contributions to the team, emphasizing her crucial role in the ongoing efforts to enhance the well-being of diverse populations.
BRANDON GILLETT
Registered Physiotherapist
Brandon has a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from D’Youville University and is Fellowship trained in Manual Physical Therapy through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy. He has been a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy since 2019 and has several years of experience treating patients in the outpatient clinical setting. Aside from working in his own private practice in Ontario, Brandon is an adjunct Professor with D’Youville University for Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. He is published with JOSPT for his research in a Multi-Center Randomized Clinical Trial looking at the effects of Dry Needling and Spinal Manipulation on subacromial pain syndrome.
HEATHER FOBERT
Registered Physiotherapist
Heather is a practicing Registered Physiotherapist who owns and operates her own private-practice clinic in Napanee, Ontario. She graduated from Queen’s University in 2014 with a Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy. She is passionate about providing quality physiotherapy care and improving access to knowledge and treatment that emphasizes patient independence. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and camping with her husband and two young daughters.
TRAINEES
ABEY ABEBE
PhD Student (Rehabilitation Science)
Abey is a PhD student in Rehabilitation Science at Queen's University and Lecturer in the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Gondar. His research focuses on communication about the pain experience between patients and healthcare providers in the Ethiopian healthcare context. His doctoral training is supported by a MasterCard Foundation Fellowship.
GREG CUTFORTH
DSc Student (Rehabilitation and Health Leadership)
Greg is a doctoral student in the Rehabilitation and Health Leadership Program at Queen's University and the Director, Urgent and Primary Health Centres with Interior Health in British Columbia, Canada. His research focuses on understanding patient function as an indicator of team-based primary care performance. His co-supervisor is Dr. Catherine Donnelly
GORIS NAZARI
Post-doctoral Fellow (CIHR)
Goris is a post-doctoral fellow in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy. His research focuses on improving pain management for Canadian Armed Forces Veterans Living with Pain. He is currently completing a CIHR funded post-doctoral fellowship co-supervised with Dr. Jordan Miller and Dr. David Pedlar through the School of Rehabilitation Therapy and Canadian Institutes of Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR).
SINTAYEHU DABI WAMI
PhD Student (Rehabilitation Science)
Sintayehu is a PhD student in the Rehabilitation Science program at Queen's University and faculty member in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety at the University of Gondar. He has carried out several successful research projects and published in reputable peer reviewed journals. His research focuses on developing and testing a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for people with chronic low back pain in the Ethiopian healthcare context. His doctoral training is supported by a MasterCard Foundation Fellowship.
LINA ELSABBAGH
PhD Student (Aging and Health)
Lina is a PhD student in the Aging and Health program at Queen's University. She has over 15 years of experience as a physical therapist working in Canada and overseas. Her research focuses on digital self-management support for chronic pain including special considerations for effective delivery of digital support for older adults and their caregivers. She is the recipient of the Kitty Noble Memorial Ontario Graduate Scholarships Award for 2022-23 academic year.
SOLOMON DEMISSIE
PhD Student (Rehabilitation Science)
Solomon is currently a first-year PhD student at Queen’s University School of Rehabilitation Therapy. He is also a faculty member at the University of Gondar in the physiotherapy department. As a physiotherapist, he has taught physiotherapy and participated in community-based rehabilitation projects in Gondar, Amhara Region. Currently, he is working under the supervision of Dr. Miller on the implementation of evidence-based management for low back pain in Ethiopia. His doctoral study is financially supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholar’s program.
ALUMNI
MULUGETA BAYISA CHALA
Mulugeta completed a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at Queen’s University under the supervision of Dr. Jordan Miller and Dr. Catherine Donnelly. His dissertation focuses on building foundations for research on low back pain self-management in the Ethiopian context.
Mulugeta is currently an OHT Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. As an embedded researcher, Mulugeta is supporting the implementation and evaluation of priority projects at the Middlesex London Ontario Health Team.
KYLE VADER
Kyle is currently a first-year medical student at Northern Ontario School of Medicine University in Sudbury, Ontario. Prior to medical school, he completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) at McMaster University, Master of Science in Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto, and Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science at Queen's University under the supervision of Dr. Miller. Kyle's doctoral research focused on understanding team-based primary care for the management of low back pain.
EMILY HLADKOWICZ
Emily completed her PhD in Aging & Health in 2023, focusing on postoperative transitions in care for older adults with frailty and their informal caregivers. During her PhD, Emily completed a Fellowship through The Canadian Frailty Network. Currently, Emily is a Clinical Research Associate at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine. She works with the Aging Innovation in perioperative Medicine & Surgery (AIMS) Research Group (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (ohri.ca)) that focuses on improving outcomes for older adults with frailty having surgery.
NICHOLAS HELD
Dr. Nicholas Held is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University and the Assistant Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research.
He has previously held positions as an Assistant Professor Teaching Adjunct in the School of Kinesiology at Queen’s University and a Term Adjunct in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy and Queen’s University. He completed his PhD degree at the University of British Columbia and Postdoctoral training in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University. His research interests broadly focus on improving the wellbeing of military and Veterans, with a specific interest in improving pain management and recovery of Veterans after service.
ANDREWS TAWIAH
Andrews is an Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University. His research and educational scholarship program is aimed at enhancing interprofessional team-based models of care. He teaches in the Advanced Health Care Practice and Physical Therapy Master's programs. His goal is to foster effective and collaborative healthcare practices that ultimately contribute to improving patient care and outcomes. Andrews completed a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Alberta and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Queen’s University. He received funding from the Queen’s University Postdoctoral Fund and the CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship Award.