Join Craig Roxborough, Registrar and CEO of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario as he unpacks the College’s evolving approach to regulation. This session will explore how principles like right-touch and compassionate regulation are shaping a more supportive framework for both physiotherapists and patients.

Craig will demystify the complaints process and share how a balanced regulatory approach supports a healthy profession and ensures high standards of patient care.

Craig Roxborough

Craig Roxborough has served as the Registrar and CEO at the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) since May 2023. 

Since joining the College, Craig has supported a right-touch approach to regulation, strengthened the organization’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion across all levels of decision-making, and modernized the College’s work to be more efficient and sustainable.

 With over a decade of experience in health regulation, Craig has a demonstrated history of building strong and collaborative relationships with registrants, the public and system partners in support of our shared goal of ensuring Ontarians have access to high quality care. 

 Craig holds a PhD in Philosophy from York University.

The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario Practice Advisory Service responds to calls and emails from physiotherapy partners in the province of Ontario.  Each year, the Practice Advisors respond to upwards of 8 000 queries.  Themes that have emerged over the last few years include physiotherapists looking for help in having difficult conversations with patients and colleagues, how to provide excellent care in an imperfect healthcare system, and being able to make difficult decisions using the Code of Ethical Conduct framework. “Breakfast with the College” will explore these themes, share some learnings, and help you to realize that you’re not alone in noticing a shift in some common challenges in your workplaces.

Speaker: Mary-Catherine Fraser Saxena

Mary-Catherine received her Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) from the University of Ottawa and a Masters in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Toronto. She has worked as a physiotherapy clinician and clinic director in private and public facilities in Ontario, Manitoba and the United States. In 2020, Mary-Catherine joined the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) as a Professional Practice Advisor and moved into the role of Manager of Practice Advice team in 2024. She advises all partners in physiotherapy in Ontario, including physiotherapists, patients and their families, PTAs, academics and students. Her role also includes developing educational content for physiotherapists in the form of monthly newsletters, blog posts, educational videos and other continuing professional education opportunities related to the CPO’s Professional Standards. In addition, Mary-Catherine has the privilege of meeting students from across Ontario during their first year of physiotherapy training to help them better understand the College’s role in their future profession, as well as to meet graduating students to review and apply the standards of practice. Mary-Catherine also volunteers with the Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada.

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association CEO & President will provide an update on the strategic priorities for 2025 with a focus on advocacy efforts and outcomes. OPA will provide current state analysis on important policy priorities for the profession related to Scope of Practice, CPC Advocacy, Compensation related updates along with renewal and engagement efforts across the province. Join Courtney and Sarah for this important update and Q&A session. 

Speaker: Courtney Bean

Courtney is VHA Home HealthCare’s Vice President, Strategic Solutions & Partnerships and Chief Strategy and Growth Officer implementing strategic and growth initiatives advancing integrated care delivery models in Ontario. A past OPA Board Director (2016–2020), Courtney is OPA’s President for 2024-2026. With clinical and leadership experience between the USA and Canada, he champions the role of home care in system transformation. A graduate of U of T’s PT Department, Courtney has also completed an orthopaedic residency and clinical doctorate with the Ola Grimsby Institute and a leadership residency, the EXTRA program, with HEC. Contact Courtney at president@opa.on.ca.

Speaker: Sarah Hutchison

Sarah is an accomplished health care executive with over 30 years of leadership experience. She brings to the role of CEO of OPA a unique combination of health professional regulatory and professional association experience in health care, along with a strong results-focused experience in member advocacy, strategy, policy, and program and service delivery. Her prior experience as the CEO of OntarioMD, , focused on supporting and enabling digital transformation working with clinicians, the government, Ontario Health and key stakeholders across the province. Sarah holds an MHSc (University of Toronto), an LL.M in Health Law (Osgoode), along with her ICD.D designation as a corporate Director. Contact Sarah at shutchison@opa.on.ca.

Wendy’s one-hour session will include some interactive group work, which is guaranteed to lead to some meaningful conversations on better integration of our profession within OHTs! 

Speaker: Wendy Smith PT, BScPT, MHM, CHE

Wendy is an accomplished healthcare leader and physiotherapist with over 25 years of experience spanning clinical care, system transformation, and executive leadership. As Executive Director of the Nipissing Wellness Ontario Health Team, she has successfully built partnerships across more than 35 organizations to advance integrated, patient-centered models of care. She holds a Master of Health Management from McMaster University and is a Certified Health Executive through the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

Recognized for her authentic leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to foster collaboration across sectors, Wendy has held roles in digital health adoption, First Nations community care, and clinic ownership, as well as leadership positions within the Ontario Physiotherapy Association. A passionate advocate for accessible, high-quality healthcare, she continues to drive innovation and excellence in care delivery across Ontario.

Speaker: Catherine Demeo

Catherine Demeo is a Nurse Practitioner with a strong background in women’s sexual health, with a focus on pelvic floor, and is a member of The Menopause Society.

Speaker: Anna Olchowecki

Anna Olchowecki is a Registered Nurse and a member of the Menopause Society. She has a passion for empowering women’s health through evidence-based holistic care.

Speaker: Kieran Peltier, OCD, BSc, BPHE, Msc, PhD Student

Physical Wellness Practitioner

Aanii. Kieran Peltier dizhnikaz, ndo Anishinaabe noozwin – Waabshki M’koohns. Ojibway inini ndow. Waawaashkesh ndodem, miinwaa Nsimdinaa shi-bezhik ndunsuboongis. Wiikwemkoong doonjiba – North Bay doondaa. Nipissing University ndoo kinomagegamig miinwaa ndoo nokii giiwedno mshkikigamig. —– Hello. My name is Kieran Peltier. My Anishinaabe name is Little White Bear. I am an Ojibway male. I am deer clan, and I am 31 years old. My hometown is Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, but I currently live in and call North Bay home. I am currently a student at Nipissing University, and I work at the North Bay Indigenous Hub.

Through my school, personal life, work, and volunteering – I focus on the importance of the role of sport, physical activity, recreation, and exercise in promoting not only positive physical health outcomes, but wholistic health outcomes as well. I am a physical wellness practitioner at the North Bay Indigenous Hub. I am a co-founder of 5-Feathers wherein we host hockey schools and lacrosse camps for youth to learn, practice, and make connections. I am also a privately contracted strength and conditioning coach and work with individuals of all ages and training levels. As an Indigenous researcher, I do research that focuses on Indigenous youth development through sport, physical activity, recreation, and exercise and I have a specific focus on wholistic health outcomes.

Broadly speaking, this presentation will discuss physical wellness through an Indigenous [Anishinaabe] lens. Its importance, the potential outcomes and benefits, why it is needed, and how it can be used will all be discussed at length.

Speaker: Patricia Ferrari, BHSc, MPT

Patricia graduated from Western University in 2004 with an Honors degree in Health Sciences. She returned to Western University to continue her studies and completed a Masters of Physical Therapy in 2006. 

Following her graduation, Patricia moved back to her hometown of Timmins and began working at the Timmins and District Hospital. In 2012, she opened Restore Physiotherapy with her classmate and colleague Scott Alexander. She continues to extend her practice through continuing education courses in manual therapy and concussion rehab. In 2019, Patricia was hired by Health Sciences North and trained as an Advanced Practice Clinician on the low back to service the Cochrane District as part of the Northeast Group.​

Away from the clinic, Patricia enjoys golfing, basketball and the outdoors with her daughter Grace and husband Denis.

Speaker: Jack Miller, BSc (PT), Dip MT(NZ), MClSc, DPT, FCAMPT

Jack grew up in Timmins Ontario and still considers himself a “Northerner” at heart.

He completed his BSc in Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto. Wanting to continue the learning journey, he spent six years in New Zealand where he completed the 3-year Graduate Diploma of Manipulative Therapy in 1984. During this program he had the opportunity to be directly mentored by both Robin McKenzie and Brian Mulligan.

On returning to Canada, he went on to complete a Masters of Clinical Science at Western University in London Canada and a Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of St. Augustine in the USA, and most recently, a Graduate Diploma of musculoskeletal medicine from the UK.

Jack has been the senior editor of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Orthopaedic Journal, an executive member of the Orthopaedic Division of CPA, the President of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physical Therapy, a member of the CPA Specialization accreditation committee, the conference chair for IFOMPT 2012, a reviewer for the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, and was a founding member of the Mulligan Concept Teacher’s Association. 

He has presented at multiple national and international conferences, published research articles in peer-reviewed journals, multiple textbook chapters and taught high level, evidence-based manual therapy courses internationally since 1990.  He is a co-director of Key Clinical Skills and continues to work clinically as an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist.