2025 Fireside Chat Event: Deep dive into activity, movement, PESE and PEM in the context of Long COVID and Infection-Associated Chronic Conditions

Stacey Alexander, an educator in Newfoundland & Labrador, holds degrees in Physical Education, Education, and a Masters in Education (Information Technology) from Memorial and St. Thomas Universities. Developing Long COVID/PCC in early 2020, she’s actively involved in ongoing initiatives and advocates for those with Long COVID/PCC. She is a member of the admin team for the social media support group, Long COVID Canada Collaborative. Stacey helped contribute to the Pharmacological & Nonpharmacological clinical interventions for the PCC Guideline team and participated as a member of the Equity Oversight Committee. She's also recently taken part in the planning committee for the 3rd annual Long COVID Web Symposium and is a member of the Long COVID Web Patient Advisory Council. 

Dr. Jill Cameron (she/her) is Professor and Vice Chair Research in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Her primary research interest is to understand the experiences and needs of family members who assume the role of caregiver for individuals with disability. Dr. Cameron aims to enhance models of health care delivery such that caregivers receive timely and relevant support across the care continuum. Ultimately, her research aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of people affected by disability and their caregivers.

Todd E. Davenport is Professor and Chair in the Department of Physical Therapy at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. He earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and exercise science (sports medicine) from Willamette University, Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California, Master of Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley, and Doctor of Philosophy in Sport, Health, and Exercise Sciences from the University of Portsmouth. Dr. Davenport is a scientific advisor to the Workwell Foundation and Chair of Long Covid Physio. His research involves the systems-level physiology and clinical recognition of post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion.

Jessica graduated from the University of Alberta in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy (with distinction). She practiced in the private setting and continued her education with numerous post-graduate courses. In 2006, her focus shifted toward learning about the impact breathing has on health. Since that time, she has attended numerous courses and gained in-depth knowledge in treating chronic and complex disease. The Canadian Instructor for the New Zealand-based BradCliff Method®, Jessica has also traveled across Canada presenting and lecturing on the impacts of dysfunctional breathing on health and has been invited to speak at numerous events. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica quickly recognized the implications of Long COVID on the population and has pivoted to creating programming that delivers the best available evidence for both those living with Long COVID and health care professionals working with this population. She has become an ally and an advocate, taking on the role of Co-Director of Advocacy for the Long COVID Physio executive board. She has developed several courses and webinars on Long COVID to assist with knowledge translation to allied health professionals.

Douglas Gross, PhD, BScPT is Professor & Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta and Co-Director of the Rehabilitation Research Centre. Doug’s scholarship focuses on evaluating rehabilitation approaches to prevent work disability. He is on the executive committee of Long COVID Web, a CIHR-funded research network.  He has contributed to funded research projects totaling over $32 million, including projects funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Alberta Innovates, and various Canadian Workers’ Compensation Boards, among others. He is a McCalla Professor, Killam Laureate, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation.

Tammy Jensen is happily married with 2 adult sons, 1 adorable granddaughter, and another grandchild on the way. Tammy was always very physically active and rarely chose downtime. Tammy loved yard work, indoor and outdoor plants, baking, and focusing on her health. Tammy had worked for the same employer for 34 years as an Assistant Buyer and had hoped to retire and do the things in life that gave her the most enjoyment. However, that all changed when Tammy got COVID May of 2022. Three and a half years later Tammy is on permanent disability and trying to navigate the new norm. 

Melanie Kasner is an Occupational Therapist with over a decade of experience, currently practicing in the area of myalgic encephalomyelitis and long-covid. She is involved with the Interdisciplinary Canadian Collaborative Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ICanCME) Research Network working groups and clinician training. She is a member of the scientific committee of the Quebec ME Association (AQEM) and has collaborated on tools and webinars for its members. Melanie was on the consultation committee for the ME/CFS management and support documents published in 2023 by Quebec's Institut National en Santé et Services Sociaux (INESSS).

Cara Kaup contracted COVID-19 in March 2020 and has been living with Long COVID for 5.5 years. Due to her ongoing health issues, Cara was unable to return to work as a pediatric physical therapist with Alberta Health Services.  She is now on permanent disability.  When her health permits, Cara is involved in various educational, research, support and advocacy initiatives for adults and children living with Long COVID in Alberta, Canada and internationally, with a primary focus on safe rehabilitation. As well, Cara has served on the board of Long COVID Physio since its inception in July 2021. 

Kelly Kaup is a recently retired school principal whose career has spanned across all grades from Kindergarten to grade 12 over 33 years. His wife contracted Long COVID when it first entered Canada 5.5 years ago. Kelly has a Masters degree in Educational Administration and has always had a keen interest in research and its significance in creating greater human understanding. Kelly’s role of support for his wife continues to evolve, from the acute stages of her illness to now supporting her with a chronic health condition.

Sammie is a dedicated health professional, advocate, and entrepreneur whose work has advanced support and awareness for children affected by Long Covid. After experiencing the condition in 2020 with her daughter, she founded Long Covid Kids—the world's first charity for young people with Long Covid, now supporting over 11,000 members globally. Her leadership has driven early patient-led research and the creation of vital digital resources for families. Sammie has collaborated with organizations and policymakers, contributing evidence to the UK COVID Inquiry, and has been invited to expert panels including the WHO Expert Panel, the NHS Long Covid Task Force, and the Clinical Post Covid Society.

Dr. Kelly O’Brien (she/her) is a physical therapist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, at the University of Toronto, cross appointed to the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI). She holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Episodic Disability and Rehabilitation. Kelly is a Co-Director of Disability and Rehabilitation with Long COVID Physio. Her research is focused on episodic disability and rehabilitation among people living with longstanding episodic conditions.

Dr. Alexandra Rendely is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at the University Health Network’s Toronto Rehab and a clinician in quality and innovation at the University of Toronto. During her residency training at the University of Toronto she completed a year long fellowship in health journalism through the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Prior to attending McMaster Medical School she worked for various television and radio stations as a sports journalist. Currently Dr. Rendely works as a musculoskeletal and sports medicine physiatrist with an inpatient and outpatient practice and a special interest in COVID rehabilitation. She co-runs the Interdisciplinary Virtual COVID Rehab Clinic at Toronto Rehab. She advocates for rehabilitation and related topics as a freelance health journalist and is the host of MSK Matters, a medical education podcast.

Nikki Smith is a Founding Member of the charity Long Covid Support and Co-Lead of their Research Team. She has had Long Covid since early 2020 - “I had never been so ill I thought I was going to die, until I got Long Covid”. Providing patient involvement on several UK Long Covid studies, and participating in studies too, she has co-authored papers and contributed to practice pointers for primary healthcare practitioners. Nikki continues to work with Long Covid researchers, including those who come to the charity’s Research Involvement Consultancy, helping ensure the patient voice remains at the heart.