Congress programme committee

Shane Patman (Chair)  Australian Physiotherapy Association

Shane is the Associate Dean within the School of Physiotherapy, University of Notre Dame Australia, and coordinates the cardiorespiratory stream. Shane graduated from Sydney University [BAppSc(Physiotherapy) (1990)] then completed a research MSc. (1999) and PhD (2005), both with Curtin University. He is a cardiorespiratory specialist and Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists (2009). He also has completed Grad Certs in Uni Teaching (2007) and Not‐for‐Profit Leadership and Management (2016) at Notre Dame, and the Company Directors Course Diploma with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (2011). Shane has 40+ peer-reviewed publications (28 in the last five years), supervised three PhD, one Masters, and 16 honours students, peer-reviewed over 230 pre-publication manuscripts for 38 journals, and is on the editorial board for five journals. He is a regular invited speaker nationally and internationally (19 in last five years). Shane has also been actively engaged with the physiotherapy profession, serving as Vice‐President of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the inaugural President of the International Confederation of Cardiorespiratory Physical Therapists (2011-19). He is the Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Shane was on the CPC for WCPT Congress 2019 in Geneva. 

Hana Alsobayel  Saudi Physical Therapy Association

Hana is a university scholar who has been mentoring and supervising hundreds of students and therapists on both an undergraduate and graduate levels for more than 20 years. One of the top professional leaders and advocates who is influential in the development of the physical therapy profession in Saudi Arabia and for women professional leadership. Nationally and internationally has been involved greatly as the Saudi delegate in international and national associations and organizations and has been instrumental in establishing research networks between Saudi Arabia and number of European countries and Australia. An active researcher who is leading research projects with international collaborations and involved in other scholar activities nationally and internationally.

Karim Alvis Colombian Association of Physiotherapy

Karim is a qualified physiotherapist (National University of Colombia) and holds Master in Health Administration (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana) and a PhD in Economic Sciences (Atlantic International University). She is a Titular Professor with Tenure of Cargo at the National University of Colombia, a Director of the Latin American Center for the Development of Physiotherapy and Kinesiology, a Director of the Research Group in Mechanical and Neuromechanical Analysis of the Human Body Movement at the National University of Colombia, and a Member of the National Council of Human Talent in Health. Her accreditations include: Physiotherapy, 2003-2004, (Colombian Institute for the Promotion of Higher Education, National University of Colombia), Academic Pair Accreditation (National Council of Colombia), Academic Pair Accreditation of Colciencias, Academic Pair (Colombian Institute for the Promotion of Higher Education).

Darren Brown  Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Darren is a clinical Physiotherapist specialising in HIV, disability and rehabilitation. He works clinically at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London UK, where he leads the HIV Physiotherapy service providing inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for people living with HIV. Darren is the vice chair of the UK Rehabilitation in HIV Association (RHIVA), HIV/AIDS coordinator of WCPT IPT-HOPE subgroup, and member of the Canada International HIV Rehabilitation Research Collaborative (CIHRRC). Darren is developing a clinical academic career path, whereby his research focuses on the prevalence and domains of disability experienced by people living with HIV. He is also involved in national and international research programmes, focusing on measuring disability experienced by people living with HIV. Darren has worked with WCPT on diversity and inclusion policy development and served his first term on the CPC for WCPT Congress 2019 in Geneva. 

Catherine Joy Escuadra  Philippine Physical Therapy Association

Catherine is a faculty member and researcher at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines with a master in Health Profession Education. She is also an editorial board member of the Philippine Journal of Allied Health Sciences and the member secretary of the Ethics Review Committee of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences. Her research interests and expertise on interprofessional education and collaboration, blended learning, evidence-based practice, older adults and non-communicable diseases (cancer and knee osteoarthritis) has led to her numerous local and international research presentations, lectures, workshops, and publications. As part of the Board of Officers of the Philippine Physical Therapy Association, she has helped organise several student and professional physical therapy congresses in the Philippines and Asia region. Catherine actively participated in WCPT Congress 2019 in Geneva as an abstract reviewer, abstract award judge, and indaba speaker.

Felipe Lemos Physiotherapists' Association of Brazil

Felipe has been a physiotherapist since 2001. He is a specialist in Neurofunctional Physiotherapy, MBA in Health Management and Masters/PhD in Bioengineering. International Advanced Courses in PNF and NDT. Member and Vice President of Neurofunctional Physiotherapy Brazilian Association. He works as a teacher (Graduation and PostGraduation) and in private practice.

Naima Saleh Emirates Physiotherapy Society

Naima is a senior physiotherapist, with over 20 years of clinical, administrative and professional organisational experiences. She is the director and co-owner of Mirdif Center for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, est 2012. Naima was involved in establishing the Emirates Physiotherapy Society (EPS) in 2004. Naima was elected five times to serve as a board member for EPS, and she is now the chairperson of the EPS’s scientific committee. She has been involved in organising the Emirates physiotherapy conference since its inception in 2006 and is currently is the chairperson of the scientific committee of its 7^th biennial (Emirates Physiotherapy Conference -UAE-Physio 2020). Naima has been an active advocate for the profession in physiotherapy in the UAE through networking with policy makers, and benchmarking with other countries such as UK, Australia, USA and Canada. 

Dale Scalise-Smith American Physical Therapy Association

Dale has held key leadership positions in academics, external partnerships, and online education.  She has published in the area of motor development and control in typically and atypically developing children.  She has served in key positions for the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pediatrics and currently holds the position of programme chair for the International Organisation for Physical Therapists in Paediatrics. As a professor of Physical Therapy, she shares her passion for physical therapy, with students, and has led students, faculty and practitioners on humanitarian trips to Albania and Romania. As a consultant, she works with university leaders exploring diverse and innovative educational opportunities in physical therapy. She earned a doctor of physical therapy from Utica College; a Ph.D. in education and a master’s in physical therapy from the University of North Carolina; and a bachelor’s in physical therapy from Northeastern University.  

Remla Shirima Association of Physiotherapists in Tanzania

Remla has nearly 20 years of work experience in healthcare, both internationally in the United Kingdom and Tanzania. Her work experience in the UK includes working in the NHS, private hospitals and voluntary sectors. In Tanzania, she has work experience in the private sector. Remla’s capacity includes clinical skills, clinical educator and advocacy; she has worked closely with international organisations within the field of health. She has worked also with charitable organisations including setting up drop-in health service centre and setting up and run community-based exercise classes. Remla is currently the Managing Director of Physiocare (T) Ltd, she is a strong activist for better service and development of Physiotherapy Profession in Tanzania. Remla sits on various boards and platforms with both health and social causes. Remla has spoken in conferences locally and internationally in issues pertaining to Physiotherapy Profession. Remla is the President of the Association of Physiotherapists in Tanzania. 

Jackie Whittaker  Canadian Physiotherapy Association

Jackie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia (UBC) and Research Scientist at Arthritis Research Canada in Vancouver (Canada). She recognized by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) as a clinical specialist in musculoskeletal physiotherapy with a research focus on preventing youth sport injuries and their consequences including inactivity, obesity and osteoarthritis. Her background encompasses 21 years of clinical practice, 20 years as a clinical educator, seven years of research training (PhD and post-doctoral fellowship) and four years leading clinical research as an early-career investigator. Over her career Jackie has held numerous professional roles including WCPT representative on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Patient Reported Indicators Survey Working Group (Hip and Knee Replacement), member of the CPC for WCPT Congress 2019 in Geneva, and British Journal of Sports Medicine Senior Associate Editor. Beyond her UBC appointment, Dr. Whittaker is an Adjunct Professor at the International Olympic Committee supported Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary (Canada).

Tomer Yona Israeli Association of Physiotherapists

Tomer is a qualified physiotherapist who graduated from Zefat Academic College, and he is currently finishing his Masters in physiotherapy (MSc) from Tel-Aviv University. He is a practicing in Maccabi Health Services, Haifa, Israel. Parallel to this, he is engaged in research focusing on physiotherapists education, new technologies in physiotherapy practice, and knee proprioception measurements. He presented some of his work at WCPT Congress 2019. In the past three years, he has taken an active part in organizing the Israeli annual physiotherapy convention as well as many lecture days and workshop with national and international speakers.