Amy Richardson | President
Amy Richardson, a Certified Prosthetist, is a full-time faculty member of the Prosthetic and Orthotic Programs (S407 &S102) at George Brown College. A graduate of the Prosthetic Orthotic Clinical Methods program herself, Amy has taught part-time since 2009 prior to moving into a full-time role in 2014.
When not at George Brown, Amy continues to practice at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, where she is a member of a multidisciplinary team providing clinical prosthetic treatment to both pediatric and adult clients. Prior to her time at Holland Bloorview, she was on staff at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in a similar role.
Amy holds a Masters of Science in Rehabilitation from McMaster University (2014) and an Honors Bachelors of Science (Kinesiology) from the University of Western Ontario (2007). As a component of her Masters degree, Amy published a Systematic Review focusing on the Prosthetic User’s Individual Experience with Prosthetic Liners.
Amy volunteers her time with provincial and national professional organizations and is currently a Director with ISPO Canada (October 2015) and is the chair of the Residency and Internship Committee with Orthotics Prosthetics Canada. Amy continues to participate in research, act as a peer reviewer, and present at conferences and workshops to help further enhance the Prosthetic and Orthotic field.
Krista Best | Vice President
Dr. Krista Best is an assistant professor at Université Laval and a Research Scientist at The Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS) in Quebec, Canada. As a Quebec Health Research Foundation (FRQS) Junior 1 Scholar, she dedicates 90% of her time to her research program in mobility, assistive technology, and adapted physical activity.
Dr. Best completed a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in Rehabilitation at Université Laval, funded by FRQS and the Craig H Neilsen Foundation to develop and evaluate a peer-led adapted physical activity program. As a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Vanier Scholar, Dr. Best completed a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of British Columbia (UBC) to develop and evaluate a peer-led wheelchair skills training program. Both her MSc and BSc in Kinesiology were completed at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. Dr. Best is an AGE-WELL HQP (A Canadian National Centre of Excellence focused on health aging), a research member of the Canadian Disability Participation Project, and is on the Wheelchair Skills Program editorial committee.
Dr. Bill Miller, PhD | Past President
Dr. Miller is a Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a principle investigator with the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD). His research focuses on wheelchair mobility issues, wheeled mobility devices, determinants and social impacts of wheelchair use, developing and evaluating measurement tools, balance and ambulation confidence, and the assessment of technology used to assist with mobility.
He is currently an editor/co-principal investigator of the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (SCIRE) Project and he is the principal investigator of a pan-Canadian study designed to develop an Outcome Measures Toolkit for clinicians who work in the field of spinal cord injury. Dr. Miller is also the principal investigator of a team of 15 investigators from 7 institutions from across Canada designed to study how adults use their power mobility, investigate methods to improve wheeled mobility use and to develop better mobility devices.
Adrienne Cuch | Treasurer
Adrienne is a Certified Orthotist and graduate of the Clinical Methods of Prosthetics & Orthotics at George Brown College. She holds an Honours BA in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario, and completed one year of the P&O Technician Program at George Brown College. She spent her residency in western Canada specializing in orthotic management of athletes, lower extremity adult cases, and clients with high risk diabetes. To enhance client care and promote an evidence-based approach to practice, she completed a Masters of Science in Rehabilitation at McMaster University. She is an instructor at the Prosthetics & Orthotics Programs at George Brown College, and currently practices at Boundless Biomechanical Bracing in both pediatric and adult client populations with a particular interest in pediatric pes planus, trauma and neurological conditions.
Alison Grant | Secretary
Ali is a Certified Orthotist at Snider Orthotic Design in Winnipeg, MB. She graduated from Dalhousie University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (with Honours). She then went on to complete The University of Western Ontario Diploma in Pedorthics program and has been a Canadian Certified Pedorthist since 2016. After practicing as a C. Ped (C) in her hometown of Halifax, N.S., Ali went on to complete the George Brown College Prosthetic and Orthotic Technician program (2019) and the Clinical Methods Program in 2021.
Dr. Michael Payne | Board Member
Dr. Michael Payne, MD MSc FRCPC, is a physiatrist at Parkwood Institute in London, Ontario, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University. He completed his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at Queens University and a Master’s degree in Sports Medicine. After medical school at Western University, he completed residency at the University of Ottawa and a clinical fellowship in Australia.
Dr. Payne’s clinical practice has always focused on addressing mobility limitations across a wide range of physical impairments. He has been the medical director of the Regional Amputee Rehabilitation program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London since 2009.
Dr. Sander Hitzig, PhD | Board Member
Dr. Sander Hitzig is the Program Research Director and a Scientist at St. John’s Rehab Research Program (Sunnybrook Research Institute) and is an assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute. Dr. Hitzig holds a PhD in Developmental and Cognitive Psychology from York University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship (2008-2010) and an Ontario Neurotrauma and Rick Hansen Institute funded Scientist role (2010-2012) at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute’s Brain and Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program.
Dr. Hitzig’s program of research is focused on the long-term outcomes of living with a disability, which includes assessing the impact of primary impairments and secondary health conditions on quality of life, and identifying factors that promote health and wellbeing in the community. He is currently leading several projects in the field of limb loss rehabilitation, including the development of a patient-reported outcome for lower limb loss, and serves as the Secretary for the Ontario Association for Amputee Care.
Brittany Pousett | Board Member
Brittany Pousett is a Certified Prosthetist and the Head of Research at Barber Prosthetics Clinic in Vancouver, BC. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biophysics as well as a Master of Science in Rehabilitation. Clinically, her focus is on providing patient-centered care and integrating quantifiable outcome measures into the treatment process to measure patient’s progress over time. On the research side she is involved in several research projects in collaboration with teams across North America focusing on outcome measures, upper extremity prosthesis design, prosthesis use and more. She also sits on committees with both Orthotics and Prosthetics Canada and the American Academy for Orthotics & Prosthetics. Brittany brings her enthusiasm, problem solving skills and creativity to her role as a Prosthetist and absolutely loves the part she gets to play in helping patients achieve their goals while also helping to develop the future of this field.
Dr. Arezoo Eshraghi PhD, CP(c) | Board Member
Dr. Arezoo Eshraghi is a Certified Prosthetist and researcher at West Park Healthcare Centre in Toronto, ON. She has Bachelors and Masters of Science both in Prosthetics & Orthotics, and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. In her clinical work, she is passionate about providing amputee care by upper- and lower-limb prosthetic devices designed using up-to-date technology. As a researcher, she has been involved in several research projects in collaboration with teams across the globe focusing on amputee gait, outcome measures, lower extremity prosthesis design and more. She is keen to develop and explore new rehabilitation technologies by designing and fitting 3D sockets for her clients. Her research at West Park is currently focused on digital socket design and fabrication. Dr. Eshraghi also completed a three-year postdoctoral fellowship in Rehabilitation at Bloorview Research Institute, funded by Ossur to develop and evaluate a biofeedback system for lower-limb prostheses.
She has teaching experience as lecturer with academic institutions, including first national P&O program in Malaysia where she taught P&O courses and led research projects on prosthetic rehab at the Faculty of Engineering in University of Malaya. She sits on international and national committees with “ISPO International” (Scientific Committee) and “Orthotic Prosthetic Canada” (Stakeholder Relations Committee). She has actively acted as author, peer reviewer, chair and editor with scientific peer-reviewed journals and conferences for over a decade. Dr. Eshraghi is currently Academic Editor of PLOS One journal (started in 2018), where she mainly handles manuscripts on prosthetics.
Dr. Crystal MacKay | Board Member
Crystal MacKay is an Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University and an Affiliate Scientist at KITE Research institute. She is a health services researcher with a clinical background in physical therapy. Dr. MacKay completed her Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy at Queen’s University, and a MHSc and PhD at the University of Toronto. Following her PhD, she completed a CIHR-funded postdoctoral fellowship at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network.
Dr. MacKay’s research aims to improve the quality and accessibility of health care for people living with chronic conditions to maximize peoples’ health, social participation and ultimately quality of life. Her current research focuses on two main interconnected activities: developing and evaluating innovative health interventions, with a focus on optimizing health and well-being through physical activity; and understanding the health experiences and outcomes of patients to inform health system improvements. A cross-cutting theme in her research is an exploration of technology in the field of rehabilitation. Dr. MacKay has conducted several studies focused on improving health outcomes for people with limb loss.
Madeline Christenson | Board Member
Madeline Christenson is a Certified Orthotist in BC. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics (University of Ottawa, 2018), the Prosthetic and Orthotic Technician Program (George Brown College, 2020), and the Clinical Methods Program (GBC, 2022), and Masters in Rehabilitation Sciences (McMaster University, 2023).
Jenna Chow | Board Member
Jenna Chow is a Certified Orthotist at Ortho Dynamics Inc. in Vancouver, British Columbia. She graduated from the Clinical Methods in Orthotics and Prosthetics program (2022) and Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician program (2020) at George Brown College. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University (2018).
Nicole Bianchi | Student Board Member
Nicole is a recent graduate of the Clinical Methods in Orthotics/Prosthetics program at George Brown College (2023). Prior to the clinical program, she completed the Orthotic/Prosthetic Technician program, also at GBC in 2021. She received her Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Toronto and her Master of Science in Sports Engineering from Sheffield Hallam University. Nicole is currently completing her prosthetic residency at Hamilton Health Sciences where she has the privilege of working with and learning from prosthetic users of all ages. She was drawn to the field by the innovation and technology involved in the design and fabrication of activity-specific devices.
Holly Tetzlaff | Student Board Member
Holly Tetzlaff is currently in her final year of the Clinical Methods in Orthotics/Prosthetics program at George Brown College (GBC). She has also completed one year of the GBC Orthotics/Prosthetics Technician program, and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, from the University of New Brunswick. Holly’s passion for working in the field was sparked early on in high school and continued to grow as she volunteered in clinics across the country.
Inspired by her patients, Holly has been educating herself and colleagues at national and international conferences on the importance of Trauma-Informed Care, to ensure person-centered care for patients.
Marc Hervieux | Student Board Member
Marc is now into his third term as a student volunteer With ISPO Canada. In 2020, he received a Bachelor’s of Science with a focus in neurobiology from the University of Victoria. During his degree, he became fascinated with developments in neural interfaces for assisted devices, and after volunteering at a physical rehabilitation clinic he realized it was his calling to help others.
Marc completed the GBC technical program in 2023, and started as clinical student at George Brown in the fall of 2024. Being quite new to the field of P&O, he hopes to combine his passion for the health sciences and innovative technologies with the skills he is currently learning as a means to push the field forward and to help improve the lives of others.
Kristine Deda | Student Board Member
Kristine Deda is a recent graduate from the Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (2024). Prior to the clinical program, she completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Physiology at Simon Fraser University (2022).
During her undergraduate degree, she worked in a co-op student position at Hodgson Orthopedic Group making orthotic devices. She is currently completing her Orthotic Residency at Orthos Orthopaedic Solutions Inc. in New Westminster, BC.
Kristine is passionate about providing equal and accessible care to all her patients. She is a strong proponent for disability rights in Canada and uplifting and amplifying marginalized voices in the healthcare system. She strives to stay up to date with emerging technologies to practice evidence-based medical care and support each patient’s functional goals. Outside of work, Kristine enjoys volunteering in the community, reading, cooking, and playing tennis.
Noémie Fortin-Bédard | Student Board Member
Noémie Fortin-Bédard is a social worker and a PhD student in Rehabilitation Sciences at Université Laval in Québec.
Her research interests are the evaluation of technologies designed for people with disabilities. She is conducting her research at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS). Her PhD research focuses on the evaluation of a robotic arm including the user experience, the influence on social participation and quality of life, as well as an economic evaluation.
External Partners
The War Amps is committed to improving the quality of life for Canadian Amputees. A philosophy of “amputees helping amputees” has been the hallmark of The War Amps since 1918, when the organization was founded by veteran amputees returning home from the First World War. Peer support, self-help, and practical assistance are common threads in the modern-day organization that developed from their efforts. Today the association continues to serve war amputees and all Canadian amputees, including children.
Since 2008, the Amputee Coalition of Canada (ACC), a non-profit organization, has improved and advanced the quality of life for persons with limb loss. The ACC provides subsequent support for individuals as rehabilitation focuses only on delivering immediate essential education to learn to live with limb loss. The ACC encourages amputees to gain skills and coping techniques that increase confidence and a sense of belonging in their community through peer support programs and the promotion of regional support groups. The ACC relies on structured and validated programs involving persons with amputation, to encourage a culture of support, networking, and active participation in life following limb loss.
The ACC’s mission is to empower our Canadian limb loss community through connection, resources, education, and peer support.
ISPO Canada is proud to have representatives of The War Amps and the Amputee Coliation of Canada as consumer advocates on our Board.
Tracy MacCharles | ACC
Tracy was diagnosed with bone cancer when she was a teenager, the same year Terry Fox undertook his Marathon of Hope. She received limb-saving surgery in the U.S.
Thirty years later, as a young mother of twins, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite her diagnosis, she continued to pursue her career goals, working as a public servant, a private sector executive, a consultant, and eventually as an elected politician and cabinet minister. Volunteering for her community and for organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society and Accessibility Advisory Councils has always been a significant part of her life.
Shortly after becoming a member of provincial parliament, her internal leg prosthesis broke. By this time, limb-saving surgery was more common in Canada, and she was able to undergo replacement surgery. Seven years ago marked the beginning of numerous surgical revisions, infections, and medical complications. In May 2023, she became an above-knee amputee.
She requested a Peer Visitor from the Amputee Coalition of Canada (ACC). Earlier this year, she completed ACC’s Peer Visitor Training and became a member of the ACC Board of Directors. In June of this year, she facilitated ACC’s first virtual Peer Visitor drop-in, which was attended by Peer Visitors from across Canada.
Tracy lives in Pickering, Ontario. She holds an honours degree in Business and Public Administration from Brock University. Currently, she works as a part-time consultant and guest lecturer at the University of Toronto. She enjoys being part of several not for profit boards and amputee support groups.
The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics Canada 