The OIPR Team

Gillian King, PhD 
Co-Principal Investigator 
Discipline: Social Psychology

Gillian studies youth transitions and psychosocial aspects of childhood disability and health, among a suite of research interests. She is a Senior Scientist in the Bloorview Research Institute and holds a Canada Research Chair in Optimal Care for Children with Disabilities.

Amy McPherson, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator
Discipline: Health Psychology

Amy studies the psychological impact of long-term conditions on children and families, and their participation in everyday life. Amy is a Scientist in the Bloorview Research Institute and the co-lead for the Centre for Leadership in Participation and Inclusion at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Shauna Kingsnorth, PhD 
Co-Investigator 
Discipline: Developmental Psychology

Shauna evaluates integrated and coordinated models of health care and identifies best practices in life skill development to support transition to adulthood. She is a Clinical Study Investigator in the Bloorview Research Institute and leads a team of knowledge translation specialists to promote evidence-informed clinical care at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Diane Savage, MSW 
Collaborator 
Discipline: Social Work

Diane has been involved with and supported the development and implementation of the OIPR program of research since its beginning. She is Vice-President of Programs and Services at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Jesiqua Rapley, MA 
Research Coordinator  
Discipline: Developmental Psychology

Jesiqua is the Research Coordinator for the current RILS and Comparison Group study in the Bloorview Research Institute. She has previously worked on mixed-methods evaluations focusing on childhood and family health and well-being.

Donya Mosleh, MA 
Research Assistant
Discipline: Sociology

Donya is the Research Assistant for the current RILS and Comparison Group study in the Bloorview Research Institute. She has previously examined ways in which conventional and holistic health practices can negatively affect the well-being of children with obesity.

Celeste Duff, PhD 
Postdoctoral Fellow 
Discipline: Education

Celeste is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Bloorview Research Institute. She has previously examined the mobilization of Mindfulness programs in educational contexts in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. Her work predominately focuses on the implications of child emotional health, mental health, and emotional wellbeing on learning and psychosocial development. 

Laura Hartman, PhD  
Collaborator
Discipline: Occupational Therapy

Laura explores meaningful engagement, transitions, and marginalized voice in the context of participation in everyday life. She primarily uses qualitative methods to understand the human experience as it is situated within larger environmental, political, and cultural contexts. She works both clinically and in research at Holland Bloorview.

Alanna Rudzik, PhD 
Collaborator 
Discipline: Anthropology  

Alanna studies stress, experience and embodiment, using quantitative, qualitative and biological methods. Her work predominantly focuses on women’s and children’s health, in contexts as varied as Canada, the UK and Brazil. She is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the State University of New York at Oneonta.

Tanya Eimantas, MSc 
Co-Investigator 
Discipline: Occupational Therapy

Tanya previously conducted research on home modifications for youth with disabilities. She has been involved with the OIPR program of research since its beginning. She is Clinical Services Supervisor at ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development and was formerly the Clinical Practice Leader in Occupational Therapy. She is a registered Occupational Therapist.

Ana Maria Isihi, BHScOT
Collaborator 
Discipline: Occupational Therapy

Ana Maria Isihi is an Occupational Therapist at ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development. She is a registered Occupational Therapist and a collaborator on the current SSHRC-funded RILS and Comparison Group study.

Barbara Kehl, BScOT 
Collaborator 
Discipline: Occupational Therapy

Barbara is the Program Coordinator for the Independent Living Program (ILP) at ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development. She is a registered Occupational Therapist and a collaborator on the current SSHRC-funded RILS and Comparison Group study.

Jan Willem Gorter, PhD MD 
Co-Investigator 
Discipline: Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine

Jan Willem is the Director of CanChild and a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University. He is co-leading the transition study TRACE evaluating how youth with chronic health conditions use a transition intervention as they move from pediatrics to the adult health care system.

Andrea Morrison, BScOT, MA 
Collaborator 
Discipline: Rehabilitation Science

Andrea is an Occupational Therapist in the Children’s Developmental Rehabilitation Programme (CDRP) at McMaster Children’s Hospital and Program Coordinator for the Moving On… program. She has been involved with the OIPR program of research since its beginning. She is a registered Occupational Therapist.