School of Rehabilitation Science

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Rehabilitation Science

The School of Rehabilitation Science offers a Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Rehabilitation Science. These programs are for individuals who have a degree in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech-Language Pathology, or other health-relevant program; and wish to pursue graduate training in Rehabilitation Science. 

The M.Sc. thesis option provides training that will develop knowledge, appraisal, and evaluation skills in Rehabilitation Science. Students study and apply theory, research design and analysis methods both qualitative and quantitative to a Rehabilitation Science research thesis. 

The Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science provides training to develop rehabilitation scientists who will advance rehabilitation research and transfer new knowledge into practice and policy. This competency-based program educates students in rehabilitation theory, research design and methods, grants and scientific writing, knowledge exchange and mobilization, and teaching/learning strategies. This option includes coursework, a comprehensive portfolio and a thesis. Graduates will be prepared to take on academic, leadership or research roles. 

The Rehabilitation Science Dual Degree option allows students to complete a professional Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (OT), Physiotherapy (PT), or Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) at the same time as a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science (RS). This five-year program provides students with advantages through integrated scholarship training and professional development and stream-lined time efficiency. Completing the two degrees, an OT, PT, or SLP professional degree and Ph.D., concurrently rather than sequentially develops clinician scientists who understand the issues facing the professionsand have research expertise to contribute to rehabilitation science and advance their profession. 

Website: https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/srs-rehabsci

Faculty / Fall 2026

Professors

Jacqueline Bosch, B.Sc.OT (Queen’s), M.Sc. (McMaster), Ph.D. (McMaster) 
Dina Brooks, PhD (Toronto), MSc (Toronto), BSc PT (Toronto) 
Michelle Kho, B.Sc. Kin (Waterloo), M.Sc. Kin (Waterloo), B.HSc. PT (McMaster), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Lori Letts, B.Sc.OT (Western), M.A. (Waterloo), Ph.D. (York) 
Joy MacDermid, B.Sc. (St. Mary’s), B.Sc. PT (Western), M.Sc. (Western), Ph.D. (Western) 
Sandra Moll, B.Sc. OT, M.Sc. OT (Western), Ph.D. (Toronto) 
Ada Tang, B.Sc. PT (Toronto), M.Sc. (Toronto), Ph.D. (Toronto) 
Lyn Turkstra, B.A. (Trent), M.A. (State University, Buffalo), Ph.D. (Arizona) 
Brenda Vrkljan, B.A. (Wilfrid Laurier) M.Cl.Sc.OT (Western), Ph.D. (Western)
Sarah Wojkowski, PhD (McMaster), MSc (McMaster), BHons Kin (McMaster)  

Associate Professors 

Marla Beauchamp, B.HSc. (Waterloo), MSc.PT (Toronto), Ph.D. (Toronto) 
Wenonah Campbell, B.A. (Hons) Psy (Acadia), M.Sc. Speech-Lang. (Dalhousie), Ph.D. Rehab Sci. (Western) 
Lisa Carlesso, B.Sc.PT (Toronto), M.Sc. (Western), Ph.D. (McMaster) 
Briano Di Rezze, B.Sc. (Hons) Human Bio. (Toronto), M.Sc., OT (McMaster), Ph.D. Rehab Sci. (McMaster) 
Evelyne Durocher, HB.Sc. (Toronto), M.Sc. OT (Manitoba), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Rebecca Gewurtz, BSc Human Bio (Toronto), B.Sc. OT (Queen’s), B.Sc., M.Sc. (Toronto), Ph.D. (Toronto) 
Jocelyn Harris, B.A. (Waterloo), B.H.Sc. OT (McMaster), M.Sc., Ph.D. (British Columbia) 
Ayse Kuspinar, M.Sc. PT (McGill), Ph.D. (McGill) 
Luciana Gazzi Macedo, M.Sc. PT (Alberta), Ph.D. (Sydney)
Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald, B.Sc. (Hons) Science and Business (Waterloo), M.H.Sc SLP (Toronto), Ph.D. Rehab Sci (Toronto)
Tara Packham, B.H.SC. OT (McMaster), M.Sc. RS (McMaster), Ph.D. RS (McMaster)
Michelle Phoenix, B.A. (Hons) Child Studies (Guelph), M.H.Sc. SLP (Toronto), Ph.D. Rehab Sci. (McMaster) 

Assistant Professors

Jenna Smith-Turchyn, BA Hons Kin (McMaster), MSc PT (McMaster), PhD RS (McMaster)
Sandra Vanderkaay, PhD (McMaster), MSc (McMaster), BA (Queen’s), BSc OT (Queens)
Ashley Waito, B.Sc. (Hons) Linguistics and Psychology (Toronto), M.Sc. SLP (Alberta), Ph.D. Rehab Scie (Toronto)

Clinical Professor

Anita Gross, B.Sc.PT (Toronto), M.Sc. (McMaster)

Associate Clinical Professors (Adjunct)  

Andrea Cross, MSc (Wilfrid Laurier), PhD (McMaster) (Pediatrics)
Sinead Dufour, MSc (McMaster), PhD (Western) 

Associate Members

Michelle Batthish, MD (Toronto), (Pediatrics)
Karen Beattie, B.Sc. (Guelph), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Jan Willem Gorter (Pediatrics)
Peter Rosenbaum (Pediatrics)
Lina Santaguida (Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics)

Professor Emeritus

Susan Baptiste, Dip. OT (England), M.H.Sc. (McMaster)
Carol DeMatteo, Dip. P&OT (Toronto), M.Sc. (McMaster)
Mary Law, B.Sc. OT (Queen’s), M.Sc. (McMaster), Ph.D. (Waterloo)
Cheryl Missiuna, B.Sc.OT (Western), M.Sc. (Calgary), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Julie Richardson, Dip.PT (Otago, NZ), B.Sc.PT (Toronto), M.Sc. (Otago, NZ), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Patty Solomon, Dip.PT (Manitoba), M.H.Sc. (McMaster), Ph.D. (Waterloo)
Paul Stratford, PT (McMaster, Mohawk), MSc (McMaster)

Research in Rehabilitation Science

The focus of the research in Rehabilitation Science includes the following areas of specialization:

1. Best practice and knowledge translation: Developing, evaluating and applying skills in evidence-based practice and strategies to implement best practices.

2. Childhood Disability (and Participation): CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research is a research and educational centre whose research is focused on improving the lives of children and youth with disabilities and their families. Founded in 1989, CanChild is a world leader in the field of childhood disability.

3. Functional health with aging or chronic disease: Research that focuses on keeping people healthy and functionally independent despite increasing age or chronic disease.

4. Neuromusculoskeletal function and mobility: Research that focuses on understanding and optimizing neuromusculoskeletal function and mobility as a vital aspect of overall health.

5. Work Ability and Participation: Research that focuses on creating and maintaining safe, healthy, productive work, and participation in valued life roles.

6. Orthopaedic Musculoskeletal-Manipulative Physical Therapy (OMPT): Specialty training that advances knowledge, clinical reasoning, manual therapy skills, evidence-based practice and research experience in keeping with national and international standards for clinical specialization.

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Physiotherapy

The Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Program and the School of Rehabilitation Science offer a Master of Science degree program in Physiotherapy, M.Sc. (PT). The Master of Science in Physiotherapy is a full-time accredited course-based professional Master’s program that will prepare students with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to practice as an entry-level physiotherapist in a variety of healthcare and community settings. The program’s curriculum is problem-based, incorporates a self-directed learning philosophy and integrates theory, clinical skill development, evidence and research providing graduates with the foundation to practice as evidence-based physiotherapists in the current and future healthcare environment.

Website: https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/srs-pt 

Faculty / Fall 2026

Professors

Dina Brooks, B.Sc. PT, MSc, PhD (Toronto)
Michelle Kho, B.Sc. (Western), M.Sc. (Waterloo), B.H.Sc.PT, Ph.D. (McMaster)
Ada Tang, B.Sc.PT, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Toronto) 
Sarah Wojkowski, H.B.Kin., M.Sc.PT, Ph.D. (McMaster)

Associate Professors

Marla Beauchamp, B.HSc. (Waterloo), MSc.PT (Toronto), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Lisa Carlesso, B.Sc.PT (Toronto), M.Sc. (PT) (Western), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Ayse Kuspinar, B.Sc.PT (McGill), M.Sc. (McGill), Ph.D. (McGill)
Luciana Macedo, B.Sc.PT (Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil), M.Sc. (Alberta), Ph.D. (Australia)
Greg Spadoni, B.A., B.H.Sc.PT, M.Sc. (McMaster)
 

Assistant Professors

Jasdeep Dhir, B.Sc.PT, M.Cl.Sc.MT (Western), TDPT (EIM)
Amy Hondronicols, M.Sc.PT (McMaster), Ph.D. (Western) 
Jenna Smith-Turchyn, H.B.Kin, M.Sc.PT, PhD (McMaster)

Professor Emeritus

Julie Richardson, Dip.PT (Otago, NZ), B.Sc.PT (Toronto), M.Sc. (Otago, NZ), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Patricia Solomon, Dip. PT (Manitoba), M.H.Sc. (McMaster), Ph.D. (Waterloo)
Paul Stratford, Dip. PT (Mohawk), M.Sc. (McMaster)

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Occupational Therapy

The Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Programs and the School of Rehabilitation Science offer a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree program. The goal of the Master of Science (OT) is to prepare graduates to be occupational therapists who possess the requisite knowledge, skills and professional behaviours to practice in the emerging realities of the new healthcare system and the broader societal context of rapid and constant change, within our local, national and international communities. Students will achieve an understanding of the influence of family, society, culture and environment, as they explore the concepts of occupation and health across the lifespan within the context of client-centred practice. The M.Sc. (OT) is a full-time course-based Master’s degree. Graduates with a strong research interest may be eligible to proceed to thesis-based graduate programs should they wish to do so in the future.

Website: https://srs-ot.healthsci.mcmaster.ca

Faculty / Fall 2026

Professors

Jacqueline Bosch, B.Sc.OT (Queen’s), M.Sc. (McMaster), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Lori Letts, B.Sc. OT (Western), M.A. (Waterloo), Ph.D. (York)
Brenda Vrkljan, B.A. (Wilfrid Laurier), M.C.Sc.OT, Ph.D. (Western)
Sandra Moll, B.Sc. OT, M.Sc. OT (Western), Ph.D. (Toronto)

Associate Professors

Briano Di Rezze, B.Sc. (Hons) (Toronto), M.Sc. OT (McMaster), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Rebecca Gewurtz, B.Sc. (Toronto), B.Sc.OT (Queen’s), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Toronto)
 

Assistant Professors

Shaminder Dhillon, B.Sc. (McMaster), B.H.Sc.OT, M.Sc. (McMaster)
Evelyne Durocher, HB.Sc. (Toronto), M.Sc. OT (Manitoba), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Tara Packham, B.H.SC. OT, M.Sc., Ph.D. (McMaster)
Sandra VanderKaay, PhD (McMaster), MSc (McMaster), BA (Queen’s), BSc OT (Queens)

Professor Emeritus

Susan Baptiste, Dip. OT (England), M.H.Sc. (McMaster)
Carol DeMatteo, Dip. P&OT (Toronto), M.Sc. (McMaster)
Mary Law, B.Sc. OT (Queen’s), M.Sc. (McMaster), Ph.D. (Waterloo)
Cheryl Missiuna, B.Sc.OT (Western), M.Sc. (Calgary), Ph.D. (Toronto)

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Speech-Language Pathology

The Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Programs and the School of Rehabilitation Science offer a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree program. The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a full-time course-based professional Master’s program. It prepares students with knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours to practice as entry level speech-language pathologists. The program uses problem-based, self-directed learning philosophy. Students will complete course work and clinical practica during their two study years. All courses are required.

Website: https://srs-slp.healthsci.mcmaster.ca/

Faculty / Fall 2026

Professors

Lyn Turkstra, B.A. (Trent), M.A. (State University, Buffalo), Ph.D. (Arizona)

Associate Professors

Wenonah Campbell, B.A. (Hons) Psy (Acadia), M.Sc. Speech-Lang. (Dalhousie), Ph.D. Rehab Sci. (Western)
Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald, B.Sc. (Hons) Science and Business (Waterloo), M.H.Sc SLP (Toronto), Ph.D. Rehab Sci (Toronto)
Michelle Phoenix, B.A. (Hons) Child Studies (Guelph), M.H.Sc. SLP (Toronto), Ph.D. Rehab Sci. (McMaster)

Assistant Professors

Lori Davis Hill, B.A. (Hons) Psychology (Western), M.H.Sc. SLP (Toronto), D.Soc.Sci.(ABD) (Royal Roads)
Ashley Waito, B.Sc. (Hons) Linguistics and Psychology (Toronto), M.Sc. SLP (Alberta), Ph.D. Rehab Scie (Toronto)

Programs

• Occupational Therapy, M.Sc.
• Physiotherapy, M.Sc.
• Rehabilitation Science, M.Sc.
• Speech-Language Pathology, M.Sc.

• Rehabilitation Science, Ph.D

• Occupational Therapy Courses
• Physiotherapy Courses
• Rehabilitation Science Courses
• Speech Language Pathology Courses

• Rehabilitation Science - Dual Degree Option

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