North America Caribbean region webinar series
Register here to take part in the webinar
This free webinar is only open to members of World Physiotherapy member organisations in the North America Caribbean region. Attendees will receive a certificate for 1.0 hour of continuing professional development.
Webinar title
International physiotherapy research in NAC region
Date and time
Thursday 23 January 2025, 23:00-00:00 UTC (18:00-19:00 EST)
Speakers
- Gail Nelson (Jamaica)
- Jenny Audette (USA)
- Djenana Jalovcic (Canada)
Moderator
- Lorie Lawrence, North America Caribbean region executive committee member and member of Jamaica Physiotherapy Association
Gail Nelson is a clinical specialist in cardiorespiratory rehabilitation, educator, and researcher. She teaches at the University of the West Indies (UWI) school of physical therapy, focusing on exercise behaviour and fitness outcomes in chronic disease.
A former president of the Jamaica Physiotherapy Association, Gail pioneered Jamaica’s first cardiac rehabilitation programme and collaborated with the UAE ministry of education on health science assessments. She holds a master’s degree in cardiothoracic physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne and a PhD in exercise medicine from UWI, where her research identified the prevalence of sarcopenia in older Jamaicans and examined the effects of exercise on their fitness outcomes.
Jenny Audette is an associate professor at the University of New England in Portland, Maine. She earned her physical therapy degrees at Northeastern and Boston University and a PhD in education at the University of Rhode Island. with over 22 years of experience in physiotherapy education, Jenny has developed international learning opportunities for students and contributed to teaching and curricular development in Suriname, Haiti, and Guatemala.
A member of World Physiotherapy’s North America Caribbean region executive committee since 2022, Jenny has also coordinated a Health Volunteers Overseas project in Guatemala, earning their Golden Apple Award in 2019. She served 15 years with the American Physical Therapy Association global health special interest group, receiving the Dr. Ronnie Leavitt Award for Social Responsibility in 2024.
Djenana Jalovcic is an education professional adviser at World Physiotherapy and associate professor at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL). She co-led the development of World Physiotherapy’s Physiotherapist education framework and advises on entry-level education, continuing professional development, and education quality.
With experience in over 20 countries, Djenana holds a doctorate in education and two master’s degrees in rehabilitation science and public administration. A recipient of HVL’s distinguished educator award, she also volunteers with NGOs, including Women in Global Health Canada.
Webinar description
The objective of this webinar is to highlight the critical role of research in maintaining the relevance of physiotherapy within multidisciplinary teams addressing complex health needs.
Topics will include aligning research methods with objectives, understanding evidence quality, and exploring the global research landscape. Examples of international collaboration and pathways to global initiatives will be shared, alongside discussions on challenges and opportunities for physiotherapists.
