Watch Charlotte Anderson, OPA’s President, share highlights after the first meeting of the 2026–2027 Board of Directors.
She speaks to OPA’s ongoing CPC advocacy, the What’s Next campaign featuring PTs and patients from across the province and work the Association is doing regarding recent scope of practice changes. You can reach Charlotte at president@opa.on.ca.
Introducing OPA’s 2026-2027 Board of Directors
Charlotte is joined on the 2026-2027 Board by Courtney Bean, David Egbert, Anthony Grande, Jennifer Howey, Carrie Lau, Wing Ting Truong, Terry Wang and Kyle Whaley. The Board met on Saturday, June 6, to continue the work of the Association on behalf of Ontario’s physiotherapy community.
The Ontario Physiotherapy Association is led by its members through the Board of Directors. Nine physiotherapist members make up the OPA Board, all of whom carry fiduciary responsibilities. Board members dedicate significant time and energy to guide the Association toward its mission.
The Annual Members Meeting (AMM) is a time to gather voting delegates from across OPA’s 16 districts to hear about and vote on the business of the Association.
Annual Members Meeting Success!
OPA’s 2026 Annual Members Meeting took place virtually on Thursday, April 30. OPA welcomed 62 voting delegates, our appointed Parliamentarian and Scrutineer, Jason Robinson, OPA’s current Board of Directors, candidates for the 2026-2027 Board, guests, and staff.
The meeting was a great success with Courtney Bean, OPA’s President (at the time of the meeting) acting as Chair. Alison Stene, CPA’s President, shared news and updates from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Magda McCaughan presented OPA’s achievements for the last year in her Secretary’s report. Sarah Hutchison, OPA’s CEO, presented OPA’s audited financial statements.
Voting delegates approved the 2025 audited financial statements and approved Cooper and Company as the auditors for the 2026 fiscal year.
Election of 2026-2027 OPA Board of Directors
There were six candidates for four director positions, therefore OPA held an online election managed by our Parliamentarian. Each candidate spoke for three minutes, and candidate resumes, videos and letters of intent were pre-circulated. 62 voting delegates cast 62 votes and four directors were elected.
We welcome Charlotte Anderson as OPA’s President with Courtney Bean now acting as Past-President. David Egbert, Jennifer Howey, and Terry Wang are completing the second year of their first terms on the Board.
Anthony Grande and Carrie Lau were elected to join the 2026-2027 Board of Directors. We welcome back Wing Ting Truong and Kyle Whaley for their second two-year term.
OPA would like to sincerely thank Magda McCaughan for her four years of insightful contributions on the Board as a Director and Secretary. Magda has been a dedicated volunteer for many years, having previously served as Hamilton’s District President.
We would also like to thank Manuel Valle, who has made invaluable contributions on the OPA Board of Directors for the past two years. Manuel has been a significant advocate for internationally educated physiotherapists, and we will miss his voice on the Board.
OPA also sincerely appreciates members who make the decision to run for the Board of Directors. Venkadesan Rajendran has been an incredible and passionate volunteer for years having served as the District President and in other executive roles with the Northern Ontario District.
OPA hopes to continue our valuable volunteer relationships with Magda, Manuel and Venkadesan! Thank you to the 62 voting delegates who took time out of their busy schedules to participate in OPA’s Annual Members Meeting. We also appreciate our volunteers Jim Foley and Annette Marcuzzi for their contributions.
Why You Should Consider Applying for OPA’s Board of Directors
Board Directors’ contributions to OPA are invaluable. They devote time, passion, and energy to guide the Association and the members OPA serves. At least five times a year, they gather to consider what OPA has accomplished, what is happening in the environment, and where to go next. They are actively engaged with OPA’s districts and committees to understand the priorities and issues of the profession.
Benefits to Being on the Board
What may not be highlighted as often are the benefits to Board Directors personally and professionally in taking on this role. We see and hear every year how much Board members learn, grow, and get more connected by participating on the Board. Directors often run for additional terms, which means they can volunteer for a total of six years. And they choose to do so!
Board Directors’ Impact
Collectively, the Board takes a global approach to planning, ensuring that all sectors and areas of the province across physiotherapists’ career span are included. They also evaluate environmental factors and consider both long-term and short-term planning. For example, advocacy for full scope of practice implementation has been relentless and ongoing for years. However, the pandemic led to a shift in priorities so that members had the support and advocacy they needed at that time.
Every Director Brings an Important Perspective
Every Board member’s contributions as individual PTs benefits all members. From highlighting nuances in rural and remote areas, to considering the different experiences of internationally educated PTs, the diversity of our Board members is critical for leading and shaping a well-rounded plan each year. Every year, new perspectives are incorporated from new Directors, and the Association grows in their collective knowledge! Maybe there’s an issue that only you have thought about that might impact physiotherapists in the future?
Reach out to Current Directors and OPA Staff
Past and current Directors may have initially doubted their qualifications or readiness. Or they may have wondered about the benefits of taking on this role. Some spoke to existing Board members or reached out to OPA staff to find out more before applying. These options exist for you as well!
We want you to consider how you would make a difference and what you would gain from the experience. We know that each and every one of you has something to contribute.
About Board Nominations for 2026
In keeping with our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, the Ontario Physiotherapy Association strives for a Board of Directors representative of its membership across the province and inclusive of diverse voices, practice experiences, and perspectives.
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply. OPA is seeking individuals who bring their experience in rural and remote communities and/or work in public sector roles (hospital, primary care, home & community).
More about the Role of the OPA Board of Directors
The Board serves as the decision-making body providing strategic direction and oversight for the Association. Board meetings are held both in-person and virtually.
Four Director Positions Open for Election in 2026
The OPA Governance Committee is seeking candidates for four Directors. The election will be held at the 2026 Ontario Physiotherapy Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 30, 2026 virtually.
As per OPA Bylaws, no nominations from the floor at the AGM can be accepted. Therefore, those interested in being on the Board must submit their completed applications by Friday, February 27, 2026.
Only OPA physiotherapist members are eligible to serve on the Board of Directors.
OPA’s President, Courtney Bean, reflects on key wins for 2025.
He celebrates the strength of Ontario’s physiotherapy community, thanks volunteers, and all the physiotherapists, physiotherapist assistants and student members for their contributions. Courtney also acknowledges the many connections OPA maintains with health care leadership, other associations and organizations that help drive our advocacy initiatives forward.
Watch his video now!
Happy Holidays to all and we look forward to an exciting 2026!
Today we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On September 30 we honour and remember the Indigenous children who never returned home, survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities.
Watch Courtney Bean, OPA’s President, speak about this day, its history, and significance to all of us. Check out resources below mentioned in the video.
Toronto Public Library’s Reading for Reconciliation list (link includes a list of in-person events at the library including film screenings, bead pin making and more)
OPA President, Courtney Bean, shares a message upon the recent Government of Ontario announcement about pending scope of practice implementation for physiotherapists in Ontario. Courtney also welcomes new students to the physiotherapy community.
On May 8, President Courtney Bean joined Isaac Taylor, Physiotherapist to meet with Premier Ford and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, advocating and engaging on issues that really matter to the profession. This meeting provided the opportunity to talk about how physiotherapists can make an impact on ER wait times, the role of first contact physiotherapists in expanding access to primary care, integrated community care and transitions between hospital and home, and of course of critical importance – expanding scope of practice for physiotherapists across Ontario.
Minister Jones heard and understood the priority of the profession in advancing Scope of Practice in Ontario and we remain optimistic that this will progress to implementation over the course of the summer. We want to thank Minister Jones for acknowledging National Physiotherapy Month and thanking PTs for their contributions to the Ontario health system.
At OPA, this opportunity is core to our mission and our commitment to influence and shape decisions that affect the profession and the patients you treat across the province.
Watch Courtney Bean, Physiotherapist and OPA’s President share highlights from InterACTION 2025. InterACTION is OPA’s annual conference, bringing together physiotherapists, physiotherapy residents, physiotherapist assistants and students from across the province.
Today we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On September 30 we honour and remember the Indigenous children who never returned home, survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities.
Watch Courtney Bean, OPA’s President speak about this day, its history and significance to all of us.
