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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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Prajakta Shirolkar
Director
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Geoff Bostick
Director
Bio +
Janelle van Heeren
Director
Bio +
Lindsay Thompson
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.

Annual Reports

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

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.

Prajakta Shirolkar

Director

Prajakta started her journey as a physiotherapist in India. She moved to Canada and continued her passion and has worked in many private and public clinics and hospitals. Prajakta has a broad array of patients ranging from athletes to post-partum women with various conditions (pelvic health, chronic pain, musculoskeletal, neurological, pediatric, geriatrics, and cardio-pulmonary). Prajakta is focused on ensuring patients achieve pain-free lives and improving their overall quality of life.

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.

Find a Physio Directory
Launching Soon!

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.

Welcome to Your AAP Guest Dashboard

Hello and welcome to the Alberta Association of Physiotherapy (AAP) guest non-member community! You’re now part of a platform that connects you directly to Alberta’s physiotherapy professionals and clinics. Let’s get started on maximizing your presence.

Getting Started

1. Set Up Your Account Profile

Your first step is to visit the My Account page. Here, you can set up your account with a name, logo, or photo to represent you or your clinic. This profile is where you’ll manage all your listings, from job postings to professional development opportunities.

Remember, a detailed profile increases your visibility and effectiveness across the AAP community

2. ADD YOUR 'FIND A PHYSIO' LISTING

Next, let’s ensure you’re discoverable in our ‘Find A Physio’ database (launching soon!).

  1. Get Started: Select ‘Create a Physiotherapist Listing‘ in your Guest Non-Member Dashboard and opt for the free non-member plan. Ensure your practice stands out by accurately completing your form. Be sure to complete as many of the fields as possible, including conditions treated, treatment types, languages, etc. The more information included in your listing, the more likely you are to be found by Albertans needing your services.
  2. NOTE: Please make sure you’ve added your location on the map. If you don’t want to list your physical address, you can list your postal code and primary city (or just the city). 
  3. Clinic Listings: While completing your Physiotherapist profile, you’ll have the option to link your profile to the clinics where you work. Our database already includes many clinics across Alberta, aiming for comprehensive coverage. If you’re part of multiple clinics, you can link each one to your profile for broader visibility.
    • Missing Clinic? If your clinic isn’t listed, encourage the clinic owner, director or manager to create their guest account and submit their listing. Be sure to include critical information like conditions treated, treatment types, business hours and more. 
  4. Claim an Existing Clinic: If your clinic is pre-listed, take a moment to claim it. Personalize your clinic’s profile with specialties, treatment types, business hours, logos, and photos. A robust profile increases your clinic’s visibility, helping Albertans find the right care quickly and easily. To claim and take ownership of an existing Clinic listing find and open your clinic listing, click on the ‘Claim’ button at the bottom of the listing and follow the prompts.
  5. Complete Your Listing: Submit the form and and you’ll be taken to checkout. There is no cost for creating your physiotherapy or clinic listing. Complete checkout for free and publish your listing. 

Please Note: The Find a Physio Directory is launching soon! Although the search function is currently under refinement, completing this step will ensure you’re visible in our database as soon as it goes live.

3. CREATE YOUR other LISTINGS

Job Board: Reach over 3,312 physiotherapists with your job postings, up for 30 days. You can renew your listing as many times as needed. To get started, Add a job board listing.

Marketplace: Utilize our marketplace to sell services or equipment, or post about available office space. Renewals available. Get started selling in the marketplace.

Professional Development Opportunities: Share your courses or workshops for 30 days, making it accessible to a wide network of professionals. Listing renewal is available. Publish your Professional Development Opportunity.

To publish your listing, follow the prompts and fill out all fields comprehensively. Paid listings will prompt you for credit card payment. Some postings may require AAP administrator review or approval before being published.

MANAGE YOUR LISTINGS

You can return to your profile at any time to update, revise, or renew your listings. Staying active and current amplifies your reach and engagement within Alberta’s physiotherapy community.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to leveraging the AAP platform to its fullest potential, connecting with a wide audience of physiotherapy professionals and clinics across Alberta.

Welcome to your AAP Member Portal

Hello and welcome to your Alberta Association of Physiotherapy (AAP) member community! You’ve taken a significant step in advancing your professional journey. We’re thrilled to have you on board.

Getting Started

1. Set Up Your Account Profile

First things, first! Your first action is to visit the ‘My Account’ page. Here, you can personalize your profile, ensuring your fellow physiotherapists and potential clients know who you are. Add your profile photo and contact information. This is the profile that will be linked to your listings (job board, marketplace, etc) as well as the community forum.

A complete profile is key to making the most of your membership.

2. Add Your 'Find A Physio' Listing

Next, let’s ensure you’re discoverable in our ‘Find A Physio’ database. Please Note: The Find a Physio Directory is launching soon! Although the search function is currently under refinement, completing this step will ensure you’re visible in our database as soon as it goes live.v89vvv9cis8 don!).

  1. Get Started: Select ‘Create a Physiotherapist Listing‘ in your AAP Member Dashboard and opt for the free member plan. Be sure to complete as many of the fields as possible, including conditions treated, treatment types, languages, etc. The more information included in your listing, the more likely you are to be found by Albertans needing your services.
  2. NOTE: Please make sure you’ve added your location on the map. If you don’t want to list your physical address, you can list your postal code and primary city (or just the city).
  3. Clinic Listings: While completing your Physiotherapist profile, you’ll have the option to link your profile to the clinics where you work. Our database already includes many clinics across Alberta, aiming for comprehensive coverage. If you’re part of multiple clinics, you can link each one to your profile for broader visibility.
    • Missing Clinic? If your clinic isn’t listed, encourage the clinic owner , director or manager to create their listing and include critical information like conditions treated, treatment types, business hours and more. If the clinic owner or manager is not an AAP member, they can still list their clinic under a guest account.
  4. Claim an Existing Clinic: If your clinic is pre-listed, take a moment to claim it. Personalize your clinic’s profile with specialties, treatment types, business hours, logos, and photos. A robust profile increases your clinic’s visibility, helping Albertans find the right care quickly and easily. To claim and take ownership of an existing Clinic listing find and open your clinic listing, click on the ‘Claim’ button at the bottom of the listing and follow the prompts.
  5. Complete Your Listing:  Submit the form and and you’ll be taken to checkout. There is no cost for creating your physiotherapy or clinic listing. Complete checkout for free and publish your listing.

Please Note: The Find a Physio Directory is launching soon! Although the search function is currently under refinement, completing this step will ensure you’re visible in our database as soon as it goes live.

Explore and Engage

Explore and engage with all the resources at your fingertips. Simply navigate between the member-exclusive pages using the menu, and remember, you can always return to the Member Dashboard by clicking ‘Member Portal’ in the header or ‘Member Dashboard’ in the website footer.

Be sure to check out:
  • Job Board: Looking for new opportunities or hiring? Post and explore job listings tailored to physiotherapy professionals.
  • Marketplace: Dive into our vibrant marketplace where you can buy, sell, or rent items relevant to our field.
  • Professional Development: Share and discover professional development opportunities, including workshops, webinars, and courses.
  • Member Discounts: Take advantage of exclusive discounts available only to AAP members.
  • Community Forum: Connect, discuss, and share insights with your peers in the AAP community forum. It’s a great place to network and stay informed about industry trends.

Keep an eye out for updates and new features that will enrich your professional life. We’re constantly working to bring you the best in physiotherapy resources, advocacy, and community connections.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, we’re shaping the future of physiotherapy in Alberta. Let’s get started!

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.