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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

Geoff Schneider
Chair
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Ahmed Qayyum
Director
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Colleen Kuntze
Director
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Blake Goehring
Director
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Geoff Bostick
Director
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Janelle van Heeren
Director
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Lindsay Thompson
Director
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Director
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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

Geoff Schneider

Chair

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.

Ahmad Qayyum

Director

Ahmad has over 14 years of experience as a physiotherapist. Ahmad has provided physiotherapy services in Canada since 2014. He has worked in many areas of Alberta both in public and private sector and he is currently settled in Calgary.

Ahmad has worked closely with orthopedic and spinal surgeons to provide assessments, pre-op and post-op assessments, treatment, and follow-ups to allow patients a smooth recovery. Ahmad believes in empowering his patients and tailors’ programs to each patients’ unique needs. Ahmad has experience with leadership and management of programs that encompass multidisciplinary teams ensuring complete solutions are found for patients. 

Ahmad is passionate about physiotherapy and is an advocate for the profession. He has participated in Health Advisory councils with Alberta Health Services and joined the Alberta Association of Physiotherapy Board of Directors to further educate the public and advocate for his fellow physiotherapists.

Colleen Kuntze

Director

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.

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.

Geoff Bostick

Director

Geoff is passionate about participating in educating the next generation of physical therapists (PTs). Geoff is currently an Associate Teaching Professor and has been with the University of Alberta Department of Physical Therapy for over 12 years. His teaching interests center around the assessment and management of pain. Geoff’s research focuses on pain education of pre-licence physical therapy students and assessing pain in marginalized people. Geoff has also served as the Chair and Knowledge Translation representative for the Pain Science Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

Geoff is honoured to be part of a wonderful group of leaders committed to launching a new Alberta Association of Physiotherapy. We (the Board) look forward to working with members and stakeholders to create a vibrant Association that supports members’ professional development needs and provides a voice for all members.

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.

Lindsay Thompson

Director

Lindsay is a private practise musculoskeletal physiotherapist working in Edmonton, AB. He strives to provide his clients with high-value care and to that end places a strong emphasis on continuing education and evidence based practise.

Lindsay completed his MSc in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta in 2009. In 2018 he and his family relocated to Australia where he completed a postgraduate Master of Clinical Physiotherapy majoring in Musculoskeletal Therapy at Curtin University. Upon return to Canada this provided him with the designation of Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT). He remains closely connected with the U of A where he has the role of Clinical Educator.

Lindsay aims to utilize his educational, clinical and executive committee experience to advance orthopaedic physiotherapy. He’s excited to collaborate with the Association’s leadership team to foster innovation and drive impactful initiatives that move the profession forward.

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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.