Education Committee Executive

Heather Gillis

Chair

Heather Gillis is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario physiotherapy program. She has also completed a Masters of Science in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Western Ontario. She holds an academic position in both the MPT (professional program) and the MClin Sc (Manual and Manipulative Therapy Field) at UWO. She has an active role in the Orthopaedic division providing mentorship for students, is a registered instructor and examiner for the Orthopaedic Division curriculum and examinations.

Andrew White

Curriculum Chair

Andrew graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy in 2004 and achieved a Diploma of Advanced Manipulative Therapy from the Orthopaedic Division in 2011. He has worked in private practice orthopaedics since graduating and is an owner of Platinum Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Group.

He has volunteered at local, national, and international sporting events. Andrew is an instructor and mentor in the Orthopaedic Division curriculum and is a lab instructor for the Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy.

Melanie Roch

Credentials Chair

Melanie is an assistant professor in the Physiotherapy program at Université de Sherbrooke and a senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist and mentor in private practice. She graduated from Université Laval in Québec City with a degree in physiotherapy in 1998. In 2009, she became a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Advanced Manipulative Physiotherapy (CAMPT). Melanie completed her PhD in research at the Faculty of Medicine at Université de Sherbrooke in 2025. Since 2011, she has been teaching for the Quebec Association of Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (AQPMA), and she has also been involved in teaching in France since 2015. She served on the AQPMA executive for eight years, from 2015 to 2022. In 2025, Melanie became a Canadian examiner in and joined the education committee as the credential chair.

Candice Bannister

Mentorship Chair

Candice graduated from McMaster University’s Physiotherapy program in 2008. In 2017, she completed a Master of Clinical Science in Manipulative Therapy at Western University, becoming a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (FCAMPT).

She is an instructor and mentor in the Orthopaedic Division, and her passion for supporting professional development led her to join the Education Committee as Mentorship Chair in 2025. Clinically, Candice works in private practice and thrives on helping individuals stay active across the lifespan.

Jen Van Bussel

Examinations Chair

Jen graduated from the University of Western Ontario’s Physical Therapy program in 2001. Since graduating, she has practiced in orthopaedics, working in both the US and Canada. Her passion for teaching and mentoring began during her experience as a faculty member with Brooks Rehabilitation Residency and Fellowship programs in Jacksonville, Florida.

After completing her Diploma in Advanced Manual and Manipulative Therapy in 2010, Jen began instructing and mentoring within the Orthopaedic Division. She is currently a Lecturer in the School of Physical Therapy at Western University and is completing her Masters of Science in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Andrew White

Communications Chair

Kate Gladney

Examination Coordinator

Kate is a graduate of McMaster University where she received degrees in both Physiotherapy and Physical Education. She also has a Diploma of Advanced Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

Kate is an Instructor for the Orthopaedic Division of the CPA in postgraduate manual and manipulative therapy education.