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 Orthopeadic division providing mentorship for students, is a registered instructor and examiner for the Orthopedic Division curriculum and examinations.
Andrea McAllister
Curriculum Chair
Andrea is a graduate of Dalhousie University and holds a Master of Clinical Science in Manipulative Therapy from the University of Western Ontario. She also holds a Diploma of Advanced Manipulative Therapy from the Orthopaedic Division. Andrea has worked in group practice orthopaedics through her career and is a Physiotherapist / Owner at East Coast Physio in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Andrea has volunteered with provincial and national Physiotherapy associations and committees consistently since 2000. She has received the Award of Excellence from the NSPA and was named NS Physiotherapist of the Year for 2013 by the NS College of Physiotherapists. She is an Adjunct Clinical Associate for the Dalhousie Physiotherapy school and teaches in the orthopaedic assessment and treatment labs. Andrea is a credentialed instructor and a registered mentor in the Orthopaedic Division curriculum.
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
Andrew graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy in 2004 and achieved a Diploma of Advanced Manipulative Therapy from the Orthopedic Division in 2011. He has worked in private practice orthopedics 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 Orthopedic Division curriculum and is a lab instructor for the Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy.
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.