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OUR GOVERNANCE

The AAP Leadership Team Is Here To Represent YOU

At the AAP, we have three goals:

  1. Educate the public about all the ways that physiotherapy can help them;
  2. Advocate for our industry to policymakers and ensure your voice is heard;
  3. Create a strong community where physiotherapists can connect and learn.

How do we represent Alberta's physiotherapists?

Educate – Our website is a valuable resource for the public, educating them on how physiotherapy will help them on their unique health and wellness journey. Our Find a Physio tool guides them towards local physiotherapists that match their needs.

Advocate – We are building strong relationships with Alberta policy makers and are dedicated to moving our industry forward and making sure that the voices of physiotherapists are heard. Sometimes the physiotherapy industry is overlooked and we want to make sure policy makers know we are a valuable part of the primary health care system in Alberta.

Community – We want to make sure that all physiotherapists have access to a community of incredible colleagues. We can learn a lot from each other. We provide educational and networking opportunities through events, webinars, and ongoing knowledge sharing. Get involved and join the community today!

Strengthening Physiotherapy in Alberta: AAP's Collaboration with the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta (CPTA)

The Government of Alberta’s Health Provisions Act, Bill 46, guided the Alberta Association of Physiotherapy (AAP) in its formation following the mandate for regulatory colleges, such as the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta (CPTA), to delineate their operations from professional associations and unions.

This directive ensures a concentrated focus on safeguarding patient interests and the public’s well-being, empowering the AAP to zero in on supporting its members and advocating for the profession without any conflicts of interest.

As a result, the AAP emerged with a clear mandate to advocate for, support, and develop the physiotherapy profession across Alberta. By offering targeted advocacy, professional development opportunities, and resources like a job board and the ‘Find a Physio’ tool, the AAP can fully commit to its members’ growth and professional advancement.

Moving forward, the AAP will continue its close collaboration with the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta (CPTA), fostering a united front to elevate the physiotherapy profession in Alberta. 

This partnership is key to introducing more developments, stronger support, and a fortified physiotherapy community as we jointly work towards enhancing the profession and advocating for Albertans’ optimal health and wellness.

2023-2025 Strategic Plan

Empowering Physiotherapy and Building a Healthier Alberta

Advocacy and Policy Influence

Influencing policy and decision-making at all levels of government is key. We aim to position physiotherapy as an integral part of every Albertan’s health care plan, ensuring our collective voice is heard in relevant discussions and negotiations.

Member Engagement and Support

Enhancing services and support for our members is crucial. We’re developing new initiatives that provide greater value to all members, fostering a sense of community and encouraging active involvement in advocacy efforts.

Public Awareness and Education

Increasing public understanding of the role and benefits of physiotherapy is essential. The AAP will continue to educate the public and broaden the perception of physiotherapy, highlighting its role in preventive care, wellness, and recovery.

Collaboration with Healthcare Stakeholders

Strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders in the healthcare sectors ensures the AAP can promote the role of physiotherapy in multidisciplinary care teams and contribute to a more integrated and effective healthcare system.

Board of Directors

Meet the AAP Leadership Team

Colleen Kuntze
Chair
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Jacky Chow
Director
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Blake Goehring
Director
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Sandy Holowaychuk
Director
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Geoff Schneider
Director
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Janelle van Heeran
Director
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Director
Bio +

Advocacy Committee

The AAP board approved the terms of reference for the Association’s Advocacy Committee. This committee will advise the board on the profession’s advocacy priorities, insights, and approaches.

If you want to participate in the committee, please email us to share more with the board or click on the button below. 

You can also download the terms of reference by clicking the button below.

Terms of Reference
Apply to Join the Committee

Annual Reports

Uncover the stories behind the numbers and see how we’re shaping the future of physiotherapy together.

2023 Annual Report
2024 Annual Report

Colleen Kuntze

Chair

Colleen is passionate about physiotherapy, getting her patients moving, and returning to their everyday activities. She focuses on manual therapy and functional exercise to address non-optimal biomechanics while ensuring a multidisciplinary treatment approach for her patients. 

Colleen is actively involved in Alberta to further physiotherapy’s inclusion in treatment by co-leading the Alberta Health Services Bone and Joint Strategic Clinical Networks’ Shoulder Assessment Project.

Jacky Chow

Director

Jacky is an Associate Teaching Professor with the University of Alberta’s Department of Physical Therapy. In addition to teaching, Jacky continues to enjoy clinical work at the Foothills Medical Centre and the Rockyview General Hospital in the areas of neuro rehab, critical care, orthopedics and emergency department care. Jacky completed his MSc in Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta in 2007. In 2021 he completed his Master of Public Policy at the University of Calgary with a focus on health policy and social policy.

Jacky is excited to be part of the AAP leadership team.  He looks forward to engaging with physiotherapists and with the public to promote our profession.

Blake Goehring

Director

Blake is a tenured physiotherapist with over 11 years of experience in private practice. As a co-owner of Stride Physiotherapy & Wellness in Red Deer for more than six years, he has combined clinical expertise with entrepreneurial leadership to enhance patient care and rehabilitation services. Blake has also contributed to the education and development of future healthcare professionals, serving as a part-time instructor in the Occupational and Physical Therapy Assistant (OPTA) program at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) for seven years. Blake believes professional growth and mentorship for therapists are imperative to help patients get the care that they deserve.

Actively engaged in his community, Blake is a proud member of the Piper Creek Optimist Club Red Deer Chapter, where he supports initiatives that promote youth development and well-being. As a board member of the Alberta Association of Physiotherapy, Blake is passionate about innovating the profession, advocating for physiotherapists and patients, and ensuring Albertans have access to high-quality and high-value physiotherapy care.

Sandy Holowaychuk

Director

Sandy graduated from the University of Alberta in 2004 and has spent nearly 20 years working in the ICU at Red Deer Regional Hospital. She became a certified vestibular therapist in 2017 and has provided care in both acute and outpatient public-sector settings.

Sandy is a strong advocate for improving patient outcomes and quality improvement, and has contributed to several provincial initiatives, including the Fragility and Stability Committee and the ICU Delirium Collaborative. Passionate about education, she remains committed to student development and offers multiple student placements each year. 

Outside of clinical practice, Sandy is a proud parent of two children and has been actively involved in community sport. She has served as a coach and treasurer with the Central Alberta Kings Volleyball Club and has coached softball with the Red Deer Rage Softball Association since 2018. Sandy is excited to join the AAP and looks forward to advocating for collaborative, multidisciplinary care and the promotion of physiotherapy.

Geoff Schneider

Director

Geoff has been practicing for over 20 years in a busy Calgary clinic and has a passion for incorporating research into everyday clinical practice. Geoff has extensive experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and spends most of his days with patients focusing on the management of complex spinal conditions, whiplash-associated disorders, working with high-performance athletes, and providing second opinion consultations.

Geoff joined the Alberta Association of Physiotherapy Board of Directors to further his vision of seeing all physiotherapists continue to advance their involvement and expertise in multidisciplinary environments for the betterment of patient outcomes.

Janelle van Heeren

Director

Janelle has been dedicated to promoting mobility and play in her Rocky Mountain House home community for over 20 years. As Janelle’s children grew, her passion for pediatric physiotherapy also grew. Janelle has been adding to her repertoire of techniques, adding acupuncture and other techniques over the years. 

Janelle’s passion for learning and expanding the physiotherapy profession and her rural location add a unique perspective to the Alberta Association of Physiotherapy Board of Directors.

 

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Find a Physio
Find a Physio Directory
Launching Soon!
Stay tuned for the launch of our new Find a Physio directory. 

Alberta physiotherapists and clinics, ensure you’re listed in the upcoming ‘Find a Physio’ directory. Connect with Albertans in need of your expertise. 

Already an AAP member? Log in and add your listing. 

Not a member? Not a problem. Log in with your guest account or create a guest account today.

How to Use the Forum

Welcome to our Forum! This space is designed for you to engage, share, and connect with fellow physiotherapists. Here’s how you can get started with creating new topics and responding to existing ones.

Navigating the forum
  • Upon logging in, you’ll see various forums (categories) listed. These represent different areas of discussion.
  • Use the search function to find specific topics or information.
Creating a New Topic
  • Select a Forum: Click on the forum that best matches the topic you want to discuss.
  • Create a New Topic: Within the chosen forum, scroll down to the New Topic fields.
  • Enter a Title: Craft a specific and clear title for your topic.
  • Write Your Post: Share your question, insight, or information. Aim for clarity and brevity.
  • Submit Your Topic: Once you’ve composed your post, click “Submit” to publish it.
Replying to a Topic or Thread
  • Select a Topic: Navigate to the topic you wish to respond to.
  • Write Your Response: Directly compose your reply at the end of the thread.
  • Submit Your Reply: After writing your response, click “Submit” to add it to the discussion.
General Tips
  • Stay Relevant: Ensure your posts and replies are pertinent to the topic and forum category.
  • Professional Respect: Maintain a professional and respectful tone in all interactions.
  • Clear Communication: Use appropriate language for a professional physiotherapist audience.
  • Search Before Posting: Check if your topic or question has already been addressed to avoid duplication.
  • Subscribe for Notifications: You can follow certain topics to receive updates on new posts or replies.
  • Privacy and Confidentiality: Respect the privacy of your fellow physiotherapists. Information shared here is confidential and should not be disseminated outside this forum.
Explore, participate, and connect! Your active involvement enriches our community and makes this forum a valuable resource for all.