Conference Schedule Day 1

Location: Main Meeting Room (Rooms 301-305)

Location: Main Meeting Room (Rooms 301-305)

For more information on the Coastal Wolf Pack, visit their website.

Location: Main Meeting Room (Rooms 301-305)

Dr. E. Paul Zehr Ph.D., is a sensorimotor neuroscientist, a martial artist of Okinawan, Japanese, and Chinese traditions, and an award winning author with a very particular set of skills. When he was a kid his mom got him interested in comic book superheroes. Comic books got him into martial arts and these ancient ways of peace brought him to science. His books use superheroes as foils to explore the science of human potential and include Becoming Batman, Inventing Iron Man, Project Superhero, and Chasing Captain America.

Paul has been interviewed and made media appearances around the globe including Men’s Health, Popular Mechanics, Scientific American, Red Bulletin, Men’s Fitness, CBC, CTV, CNN, NPR, and the BBC, and a fun evening with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. Paul once convinced Tommy Chong that he was actually Batman.

Paul’s translational research program at the University of Victoria was grounded in rehabilitative applications of the quadrupedal nature of human locomotion in stroke recovery. Paul has numerous awards for science communication including the Science Educator Award from the Society for Neuroscience. His musings can also be found in his blog “Black Belt Brain” at Psychology Today and Scientific American magazines.

Location: Main Meeting Room (Rooms 301-305)

Dr. Amanda Baskwill is an educator, administrator, researcher, and advocate with a PhD in Health Research Methodology from McMaster University.  Amanda holds the positions of Interim Senior Vice President, Academic, and the Dean of Health, Human and Justice Studies at Loyalist College where she champions health, wellness, and social innovation, inter-professional education, and academic integrity.  She has been a registered massage therapist since 2003.

Amanda is the Executive Editor and Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.  Her research interests include innovative teaching and learning strategies in healthcare education, the professional identity of healthcare providers, the application of evidence-informed practice, and the safety and effectiveness of massage therapy in the treatment of various conditions.

Location: West Level 3 Foyer

Location: Main Meeting Room (Rooms 301-305)

Richard Lebert is an educator and health care professional with a focus on digital literacy, interprofessional collaboration and person-centered care. In addition to his training as a Registered Massage Therapist, Richard has certification in Medical Acupuncture from McMaster University and a Certificate of Online and Open Learning from The University of Windsor. Recently his paper Massage Therapy: A Person-Centred Approach to Chronic Pain was published in The International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.

Location: Main Meeting Room (Rooms 301-305)

Location: Main Meeting Room (Rooms 301-305)

JoEllen Sefton, Ph.D, ATC Ret. is the Director Auburn University’s Warrior Research Center (WRC) which serves as a point of collaboration and a catalyst for change between researchers, the military and tactical athletes to develop and implement new knowledge in human factors. Her research focuses on reducing injury and improving health, wellness and performance in our military, firefighters, and law enforcement. Sefton collaborates with academia, military research laboratories and Tactical Athlete units.  She developed and organizes the biennial WRC Tactical Athlete Summit, an international event that brings together researchers and tactical athletes to share problems and provide solutions. As the Director of the Auburn Neuromechanics Research Laboratory, Dr. Sefton studies neuromuscular and physiological effects of orthopedic and neuromuscular injury; and the rehabilitation and therapeutic methods used to treat these injuries.  Sefton was certified and licensed as a Massage Therapist in 1995, and has been a Certified Athletic Trainer for 26 years.  She has worked with high school, college, Olympic and professional athletes, Broadway performers, professional musicians and Military and other tactical athletes.

Location: West Level 3 Foyer

Location: Main Meeting Room (Rooms 301-305)

Susan Dupuis: (Baawidigoongh Bimosed ~ Bear Walking Through the Rapids) is an Anishinabae que from Treaty 1 First Nation. She is an RMT in Brandon Manitoba, a Narrative Coach and intergenerational survivor of the Indian Residential School System. She is a past member of the Inclusivity Committee and the Professional Development & Events Committee with MTAM. Susan received the Heather Whittaker Memorial Certificate of Recognition Award in May 2022 for her dedication to continuing education within the Massage Therapy profession.

She has presented 10 Things RMTs Need to Know about Reconciliation with Pam Fitch for MTAM and RMTAO in 2023.

Location: West Level 3 Foyer