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PSP Society of Canada
Scientific Advisors
Our advisors guide us to ensure we promote the most credible and current information related to PSP, CBD and MSA in support of our community. They support our efforts to disseminate information through Expert Q&A Seminars and by reviewing information, resources and other content shared in our Living FAQ.
Scientific Advisory Board
Kaela Southwell, Physiotherapist
MScPT, BScHK, C/NDT
Kaela is a passionate physiotherapist who is dedicated to providing comprehensive and individualized care to her patients. She is the co-owner of Woolwich Physiotherapy in Elmira, Ontario. She completed her Bachelor of Science with specialization in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa and her Master of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto. While at the University of Toronto, she served as President of the Physical Therapy Graduate Student Association and co-founded the Community Philanthropic Committee. She has been awarded the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Leadership Award of Excellence, the Department of Physical Therapy Mountain Challenge Book Prize and the Gordon Cressy Leadership Award from the University of Toronto. She continues to be actively involved in the University of Toronto’s Physical Therapy program by assisting with labs and examinations.
Kaela combines her positivity, experience and passion to help her patients reach their goals, no matter how big or how small. She focuses clinically on both orthopedic and neurological conditions, including stroke, brain injury, and neurological movement disorders (ie. Parkinson’s, PSP, MS, ALS etc). She believes in empowering her clients and working collaboratively to develop individualized and meaningful treatment plans. She is a believer of life-long learning and continues to improve her clinical knowledge and skills with continuing education courses. She has a particular interest in treating ankle, knee, hip and shoulder injuries. She has completed courses in advanced manual therapy, acupuncture, McKenzie method, Bobath, and Neuro-Development Treatment (NDT).
Kaela grew up in Elora, Ontario with three brothers and played high level hockey and lacrosse. Kaela and her husband Dan continue to live an active lifestyle through running, weight training, hiking, hockey and kayaking. Kaela and Dan welcomed a baby boy in 2023, and she is enjoying every moment as a mom. She stays connected with the sports community through volunteer work as a hockey coach and sports first responder. Among other events, she has provided medical coverage for the Muskoka Ironman, the Ontario Winter Games and the Canadian Sledge Hockey Championships.
Kaela combines her positivity, experience and passion to help her patients reach their goals, no matter how big or how small. She focuses clinically on both orthopedic and neurological conditions, including stroke, brain injury, and neurological movement disorders (ie. Parkinson’s, PSP, MS, ALS etc). She believes in empowering her clients and working collaboratively to develop individualized and meaningful treatment plans. She is a believer of life-long learning and continues to improve her clinical knowledge and skills with continuing education courses. She has a particular interest in treating ankle, knee, hip and shoulder injuries. She has completed courses in advanced manual therapy, acupuncture, McKenzie method, Bobath, and Neuro-Development Treatment (NDT).
Kaela grew up in Elora, Ontario with three brothers and played high level hockey and lacrosse. Kaela and her husband Dan continue to live an active lifestyle through running, weight training, hiking, hockey and kayaking. Kaela and Dan welcomed a baby boy in 2023, and she is enjoying every moment as a mom. She stays connected with the sports community through volunteer work as a hockey coach and sports first responder. Among other events, she has provided medical coverage for the Muskoka Ironman, the Ontario Winter Games and the Canadian Sledge Hockey Championships.
Carmela Tartaglia, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Carmela Tartaglia is a professor at the University of Toronto. She received her medical degree from McGill University, completed her residency at the University of Western Ontario and did three years of clinical/research fellowship in Cognitive/Behavioral neurology at the University of California, San Francisco Memory and Aging Center.
She maintains a cognitive/behavioral clinic within the UHN Memory Clinic where she sees patients with neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on frontotemporal lobar degeneration-related syndromes. As well, she is interested in the delayed effects of concussions and sees patients with post-concussion syndrome and those with multiple concussions who are at risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease. She holds the Marion and Gerald Soloway Chair in Brain Injury and Concussion Research. She uses novel imaging techniques in conjunction with proteomics, pathology and genetics to better diagnose and understand the pathological substrates that cause cognitive, behavioral and motoric dysfunction. She runs parallel biomarker discovery programs in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and post-concussion syndrome. The ultimate goal of her research program is to develop biomarkers for early detection of disease so as to provide early treatments to her patients.
She maintains a cognitive/behavioral clinic within the UHN Memory Clinic where she sees patients with neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on frontotemporal lobar degeneration-related syndromes. As well, she is interested in the delayed effects of concussions and sees patients with post-concussion syndrome and those with multiple concussions who are at risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease. She holds the Marion and Gerald Soloway Chair in Brain Injury and Concussion Research. She uses novel imaging techniques in conjunction with proteomics, pathology and genetics to better diagnose and understand the pathological substrates that cause cognitive, behavioral and motoric dysfunction. She runs parallel biomarker discovery programs in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and post-concussion syndrome. The ultimate goal of her research program is to develop biomarkers for early detection of disease so as to provide early treatments to her patients.
Christine Francis, RD, DDEPT
Christine is a Registered Dietitian in good standing with the College of Dietitians of Ontario and is committed to providing evidence-based nutritional information to those she provides care for. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition with a Specialization in Nutrition and Dietetics at Brescia University College (an affiliate of Western University), where she graduated on the Dean’s Honour Roll. While studying at Brescia, she was invited to attend the Student Leadership Recognition Event for three consecutive years, where she was acknowledged for her meaningful impacts. Christine continued her education by becoming a distinction graduate of the Diploma in Dietetic Education and Practical Training program also offered at Brescia University College, which consisted of a rigorous, accredited dietetic practicum program at several organizations.
Christine’s previous area of work was with residents in a long-term care environment, where she was the sole Registered Dietitian for a 200-bed facility. She was able to improve residents’ experience and quality of life by ensuring that their rights and safety are met through nutrition and hydration. Alongside her interdisciplinary team, Christine successfully implemented the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) to ensure the safety of residents with dysphagia.
Due to Christine’s passion for long-term care and supporting residents, she transitioned into working for the Ministry of Long-Term Care where she is involved in ensuring residents receive the quality of care that they deserve. She continues to further her education by completing online courses and tuning into webinars, specifically aimed at those involved with caring for individuals with dysphagia.
In addition, Christine has her own private practice, entitled Christine the RD, where she works collaboratively with clients to accomplish desired goals. She aims to assist those she works with to meet their long-term health goals by translating the science of nutrition into realistic, practical, and understandable recommendations. Christine’s social media presence allows her to demonstrate her knowledge of nutrition and health by educating the general public and demystifying misinformation, while collaborating with many organizations to create recipes, branded content, food photography, and nutrition-related education.
Christine’s previous area of work was with residents in a long-term care environment, where she was the sole Registered Dietitian for a 200-bed facility. She was able to improve residents’ experience and quality of life by ensuring that their rights and safety are met through nutrition and hydration. Alongside her interdisciplinary team, Christine successfully implemented the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) to ensure the safety of residents with dysphagia.
Due to Christine’s passion for long-term care and supporting residents, she transitioned into working for the Ministry of Long-Term Care where she is involved in ensuring residents receive the quality of care that they deserve. She continues to further her education by completing online courses and tuning into webinars, specifically aimed at those involved with caring for individuals with dysphagia.
In addition, Christine has her own private practice, entitled Christine the RD, where she works collaboratively with clients to accomplish desired goals. She aims to assist those she works with to meet their long-term health goals by translating the science of nutrition into realistic, practical, and understandable recommendations. Christine’s social media presence allows her to demonstrate her knowledge of nutrition and health by educating the general public and demystifying misinformation, while collaborating with many organizations to create recipes, branded content, food photography, and nutrition-related education.
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