National Center Director: Dr. Jonathon Fowles, PhD, CSEP-CEP, Professor, Acadia University
Scientific Lead, Exercise is Medicine Nova Scotia
Faculty Liaison, Exercise is Medicine On Campus @ Acadia University
Director, Centre of Lifestyle Studies Acadia University
Professor School of Kinesiology
Co-Chair: Taniya Nagpal
Co-Chair: Dr. Scott Howitt, DC
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology representative:
Brian Justin
"Exercise is Medicine Canada is a tremendously important and timely initiative that will serve to promote Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines that were prepared by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. CSEP recognizes and values that EIMC will encourage cooperation between health care workers and certified members of CSEP in promoting an active healthy lifestyle for Canadians."
- Dr. Earl Noble, Past President, Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
College of Family Physicians of Canada representative:
Dr. Robert Petrella
"If exercise was a drug, it would be one of the most effective and safe drugs available to help prevent and treat many chronic diseases including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and even depression! Encouraging more family physicians to assess, prescribe and counsel patients about physical activity is therefore an important goal of the Exercise is Medicine Canada Task Force. The Task Force is actively supported by the Sport and Exercise Medicine Committee of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)."
- The College of Family Physicians of Canada- Sport and Exercise Medicine Committee
Canadian Physiotherapy Association representative:
Dr. Kristin Campbell, BScPT, PhD, Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia
“The Canadian Physiotherapy Association is proud to be a strong supporter of Exercise is Medicine Canada and its initiatives to increase exercise levels of all Canadians. Physiotherapists, as primary health care providers, are in a great position with their clients to discuss the positive outcomes of exercise for their chronic diseases and overall wellness. Our physiotherapist members are currently identifying those who could benefit from exercise, tailoring individual programs, and increasing awareness of community programs to maintain physical activity.”
- Mr. Rob Werstine, Past President, Canadian Physiotherapy Association
Dietitians of Canada representative:
Dietitians of Canada understands the important roles that healthy eating, physical activity and exercise play in the health of Canadians. We support the EIMC vision that 'Physical activity is an integral part of prevention and treatment of chronic disease in the Canadian health care system'. Dietitians of Canada is proud to play a leadership role developing education, tools and resources to help dietitians across Canada integrate exercise and physical activity into their dietary counseling and treatment planning.
- Ms. Marsh Sharp, CEO Dietitians of Canada
Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning in Sport and Exercise Psychology representative:
Dr. Shaelyn Starchan
"The Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport and Exercise Psychology (SCAPPS) is very pleased to be involved in and support Exercise is Medicine Canada. We strongly believe in and encourage cooperation between traditional health care providers and qualified exercise professionals to get Canadians moving to enhance quality of life and to prevent and treat chronic disease. In support of this goal, SCAPPS bring essential expertise of the theory and practice of motivation and behaviour change that can promote and assist in: increasing the rates of physical activity of the Canadian population; improving the rates of physical activity assessment and advising by health care providers; and, enhancing the training of exercise professionals in the evidence-based motivational and behaviour change counselling skills needed to effectively promote healthy physical activity. SCAPPS members have made significant contributions to a growing body of research demonstrating the efficacy and effectiveness of behaviour change strategies for increasing motivation and activity levels and, importantly, the cost-effectiveness of having qualified exercise professionals on primary care teams to promote physical activity."
- Dr. Tim Welsh, Past President, Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport and Exercise Psychology
Reh-Fit Centre representative:
Clinical Exercise Professional Representative:
Ms. Sue Boreskie, MPE, CSEP-CEP, Chief Executive Office
For over 40 years, the Reh-Fit Centre of Winnipeg has been providing innovative health and fitness services to help people of all ages make lasting positive changes in their health. As Canada’s first certified medical fitness facility, Reh-Fit has applied the idea of exercise is medicine to build community health. The Reh-Fit provides a safe, welcoming setting where members can access the expertise of an interdisciplinary team of professionals and the latest exercise equipment to maintain their health, or prevent or manage chronic disease. The Reh-Fit supports and applauds the efforts of Exercise is Medicine Canada, which is working with health professionals to promote increased physical activity to reduce chronic disease in Canadians.”
- Pat Kloepfer, Chair, Board of Directors, Reh-Fit Centre
Joint Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada), and Canadian Chiropractic Association representative:
Co-Chair: Dr. Scott Howitt, DC
"The Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences Canada [RCCSS(C)] is pleased to collaborate with its partners on the Exercise is Medicine Canada initiative (EIMC). The RCCSS(C) recognizes and is a proponent of the goals of EIMC. Chiropractic Sport Specialists will continue to act as role models in exercise by implementing this national strategy to unify all health care professionals in assessing and prescribing physical activity to aid in the treatment and prevention of chronic disease. The RCCSS(C) holds an influential position in providing guidance to Chiropractors and their patients to achieve the Exercise is Medicine Canada vision."
- Dr. Scott D. Howitt, CSCS, MSc, RKin, DC, FRCCSS(C), FCCPOR(C)
Sports Specialist, Rehabilitation Specialist, Chiropractor, Kinesiologist
Canadian Kinesiology Alliance representative:
Mrs. Kathie Sharkey, R.Kin
"The CKA/ACK, representing over 4300 kinesiologists, greatly supports important initiatives such as Exercise is Medicine Canada (EIMC) that seek to improve the health and wellness of all Canadians. The CKA works with a broad group of stakeholders that include industry, government, and other health professional association groups. In striving to be the unifying voice for the profession of Kinesiology in Canada, the CKA works continually to advance, promote and advocate for kinesiology through meaningful partnerships and alliances to ensure that kinesiology is recognized as a leading healthcare profession in Canada."
- Kathie Sharkey, R.Kin, President, CKA/ACK Board of Directors
Canadian Family Practice Nurses Association representative:
Ms. Jennifer Bugera, RN, Canadian Family Pracitce Nurses Association for EIM, President Primary Care Nurse of Ontario
The Canadian Family Practice Nurses Association (CFPNA) understands the importance of health promotion and disease prevention over the lifespan. Exercise is Medicine is a natural fit providing patients the information and encouragement along the way to achieve goals of physical activity. Family practice nurses (also known as primary care nurses) work alongside with health care professionals to strategize the best outcomes for patients. Improved physical activity for patients leads to better mental health outcomes. The primary care nurse is the first contact patients have in a clinic setting so being able to prescribe exercise is the best medicine.
- Jennifer Bugera RN, Canadian Family Pracitce Nurses Association for EIM, President Primary Care Nurse of Ontario
