Instructor Profiles

Judi Laprade, B.A., B.Sc.P.T, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Content Lead, Lead Trainer Bone Fit™

Judi Laprade, B.A., B.Sc.P.T, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Judi Laprade obtained her Physical Therapy degree from Queen's University and went on to complete her Master's and PhD in Anatomy also at Queen's. Always involved in teaching, she has held academic and teaching positions at Queen's University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Toronto, teaching musculoskeletal content to PT students. Currently, she is teaching in the Division of Anatomy at University of Toronto. In the past few years, she has been a project manager and consultant on programs about osteoporosis early screening and education, culminating in taking on the development and coordination of the Bone Fit™ program and workshops.

Bio

Caitlin McArthur, B.Sc. (KIN), M.Sc.PT, PhD

Lead Trainer Bone Fit ™

Caitlin McArthur, B.Sc. (KIN), M.Sc.PT, PhD

Caitlin is a registered physiotherapist and Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University in the School of Physiotherapy. She completed her PhD in the Kinesiology department at the University of Waterloo with a specialization in Aging, Health, and Well-being. Caitlin's research focuses on falls, fractures, and functional mobility in home and long-term care. She also has expertise in bone health, exercise, and physical activity. Caitlin is the recipient of several awards including a CIHR Fellowship and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association's Silver Quill Award.

Bio

Tina Ziebart MSc., MPT/PhD student

Lead Trainer Bone Fit ™

Tina Ziebart MSc., MPT/PhD student

Tina Ziebart is a physiotherapy resident and certified exercise physiologist. She graduated her undergraduate and master's from the University of Waterloo in Kinesiology and received her physiotherapy degree from Western University. She is currently working on her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University.

Tina has built her career around teaching exercise to people with osteoporosis, both through research and clinically. In research, Tina has published several studies on exercise and posture in people with osteoporosis. She has looked at the barriers and facilitators to exercise, understanding the influence of forward head posture on daily activities, and applying clinical frameworks to treating people with osteoporosis. She is working on gaining a better understanding of patient's expectations related to exercise, and through a randomized controlled trial on the effects of exercise, nutrition and falls prevention for fracture prevention.

Bio

Sarah Emery, B.Sc.P.T

Co-Trainer Bone Fit ™

Sarah Emery, B.Sc.P.T

Sarah Emery graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelors of Science in Physiotherapy in 1980. She completed her Occupational Health and Safety Diploma from TMU in 2004.

Sarah's strong interest in workplace ergonomics led her to specialize in Functional Capacity Evaluations and Physiotherapy Assessments in the 1980's to 2000's.

In 2001, Sarah expanded her knowledge to senior's wellness and in 2011 became a Bone Fit™ trained therapist. Sarah actively applies her Bone Fit™ training as a Registered Physiotherapist and Regional Manager/Clinical Leader for Lifemark - Seniors Wellness Division. The primary focus of her work is Falls Prevention and Too Fit to Fracture for the senior's population.

Bio

Jo-Ann James, B.Ph.Ed

Co-Trainer Bone Fit ™

Jo-Ann James, B.Ph.Ed

Jo-Ann James graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Physical Education. Jo-Ann is a veteran fitness professional with over 25 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, as a former Fitness and Wellness Director for the McGill Club and Columbus Centre in Toronto and former F.O.L.P Trainer. She is the founder and CEO of Vital Steps' a leading personal training and fitness studio in Toronto. As a Medical Exercise Specialist, she is dedicated to making health and fitness policy, education and advocacy a staple in public health promotion. Jo-Ann is instrumental in developing protocol and curriculum for health and fitness professionals. Jo-Ann is a volunteer speaker with Osteoporosis Canada and an older adult educator.

Bio

Sue Merritt, B.A., B.P.H.E, B.Ed.

Co-Trainer Bone Fit ™

Sue Merritt, B.A., B.P.H.E, B.Ed.

Sue graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree. Sue brings forth over 30 years of fitness industry experience as a former Assessor of fitness instructors for the Ontario Fitness Council and course conductor of the Fitness Instructor Certification course at Seneca College.
Sue works as a wellness coach for a Retirement Community and as an Exercise Therapist at Pro Motion Physiotherapy in Thornhill, Ontario. She is a consultant for Pro Motion Physiotherapy's osteoporosis program Osteo-Circuit™ which she co-developed.
Passionate about health education, Sue speaks extensively on a variety of health topics including osteoporosis.

Bio

Melissa Lang, B.Sc. (KIN), M.Sc.PT

Co-Trainer Bone Fit ™

Melissa Lang, B.Sc. (KIN), M.Sc.PT

Melissa Lang is a registered physiotherapist; she holds a Master of Science, Physiotherapy from Queen's University and a Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo. She is on the team that conceived and delivers the Integrated Regional Falls Program for the North Simcoe-Muskoka region. She works closely with geriatric patients to reduce the incidence of dangerous falls. She also has a background in senior acute care and outpatient rehab at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital.
Melissa has been a Bone Fit Trainer with Osteoporosis Canada since 2014 and welcomes contact and questions from others interested in improving the health of geriatric patients through physiotherapy.

Bio

Kerri Deir

Co-Trainer Bone Fit ™

Kerri Deir

Kerri Deir is a Registered Kinesiologist. Kerri graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Kinesiology Honours degree in 2002. She soon moved to Orillia and built much of her experience at a busy interdisciplinary rehabilitation clinic.
With a strong background in physical rehabilitation and injury prevention, Kerri made an easy transition to her current position as Health Educator for the Couchiching Family Health Team. Kerri works with Osteoporosis patients on a regular basis in both group settings and one on one. From specific exercises to pole walking groups Kerri can help you get your program underway. Kerri is ecstatic to be able to help deliver the BONEFIT program so that we can all work together for the health and well-being of our patients.

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