Staff & Council

Melissa graduated from Dalhousie University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, and in 2016, she obtained a master’s degree in healthcare management from McMaster University. In her early career, she worked in private practice in Newfoundland followed by three years working at not-for-profit hospitals in the United States. Once back in Canada, she worked in private practice, including owning and operating her own practice. She worked for a large national company for ten years where she oversaw quality initiatives in the Prairie Provinces and is currently the Director of Operations at the Sport Medicine Centre at the University of Calgary.

Melissa previously served on the Council of the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta from 1999-2003, including serving as secretary-treasurer and President. In addition, she served on the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta Hearing Tribunals (and former Discipline Committee) from 2003 to 2021. Over the past two decades, she has also served on the Diagnostic and Treatment Protocol Regulations working group under the Alberta Government Department of Finance, the PT Advisory Group with the Workers Compensation Board of Alberta, the Health Advisory Council with the former Calgary Health Region, the Map to Motion Governance Committee with the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute, and the Governance working group with the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators.

Michael is a physiotherapist working within private practice MSK and at the Southern Alberta Shoulder Screening Clinic in Lethbridge. He holds a Bachelor of Human Kinetics, a Master of Physical Therapy, and a Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy. He is also a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT).

Beyond his experience with the CPTA, he has governance and board experience as a Director of Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC) and as President of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (CAMPT).

Heather graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1998. In 2008, she completed a Master of Clinical Sciences in manipulative therapy from the University of Western Ontario. She is currently an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta.

Heather has been Chair of the National Association of Clinical Education in Physiotherapy and various committees at the University of Alberta.

Jon originally graduated as a physiotherapist in Manchester, UK in 2007. He later earned a Post-Graduate Diploma in Advanced Physiotherapy practice and has recently completed an MBA. Since graduating as a physiotherapist, Jon has spent one year working in the UK part-time in acute care for the NHS and part-time in professional sport for Manchester City Football Club. He has since moved to Calgary where the remainder of his professional practice has occurred. He has worked across multiple health sectors, including public health within acute care, academia within the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta, in primary care within Quality Improvement and in private practice. His most recent roles have been in leadership positions as a Chief Operating Officer for a private multi-disciplinary clinic as well as for AHS as a Senior Consultant within the Provincial Pathways Unit.

In addition to CPTA’s Council, Jon currently sits at a board level for a private corporation in Calgary. His previous governance, board, and committee experience includes the National Association of Clinical Education in Physiotherapy, the Membership Committee for the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta, and several committee appointments at the University of Alberta.

Bobby graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta. He has worked in private practice for the last nine years treating a mixed outpatient caseload comprised primarily of orthopedic and general musculoskeletal patients. Bobby owned and operated a group of six clinics in the Edmonton area until 2022, at which point his group partnered with a national physiotherapy provider. Bobby currently works as the Clinic Director of one of those six clinics in his hometown of St. Albert.

He remains involved professionally with the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta as an Affiliated Clinical Educator for MScPT students. He also volunteers with the admissions committee of the MScPT program conducting interview for program applicants annually.

Bobby has been a member of CPTA’s Council since 2022 and currently serves on the Executive Committee of Council.

William has been practicing as a physiotherapist since 1988. He initially graduated and practiced in Hong Kong before moving to Canada in 1990. William started practicing in Edmonton in 1990, returned to school, and graduated from the University of Alberta B.Sc PT Program in 1994. His professional experience includes different areas of practice such as private practice, acute care, and home care. Currently, William is working at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton as the Physiotherapy Professional Practice Lead, and as a teaching assistant at the Cardio-respiratory practice labs of the MSc.PT and the IEPT (Internationally Educated PT Bridging) Programs at the University of Alberta.

This is William’s second term as a CPTA Council Member. Furthermore, he is Co-Chair of the AHS (Alberta Health Services) Edmonton Zone PT Professional Practice Council. He is also a member of the AHS Provincial PT Professional Practice Council and the MacEwan University Therapy Assistant Program Advisory Council

Lisa Evren is a mediator, tribunal member, and community volunteer in Calgary. She has held executive finance positions with major corporations in Canada and the US and holds LL.M. (Taxation) and JD degrees from New York University School of Law. She is an attorney (inactive) registered with the New York State Bar and has prior experience as a registered nurse in pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU.

As a CPTA Council member since 2022, Lisa is also a member of the Alberta Insurance Council Finance and Audit Committee, the Vice Chair of the Insurance Adjusters Council, and a member and Presiding Officer of the Calgary Assessment Review Board.

Sean Schaffer resides in Fort McMurray, Alberta and has worked for Alberta Health Services since 2009. He is currently a Senior Policy Advisor for AHS supporting the development and management of provincial, corporate, and clinical policies for the organization. Sean has a Bachelor of Applied Policy Studies from Mount Royal University and is completing a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

Sean’s governance experience includes involvement with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) Assessment Review Board (2021-present), RMWB Community Standards Appeal Committee (2019-present), RMWB Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (2014-2020), and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada - Calgary Chapter (2008-2014).

TBD