Pain Science Executive

Rodrigo Deamo Assis

Chair

Rodrigo Deamo Assis is a physical therapist with a Ph.D. in Neurology who works at the Regional Pain Clinic of the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (CISSSAT) in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. He has more than 20 years of clinical experience. He earned his degree in Physical Therapy from Santo Amaro University (Brazil, 1997–2001), and completed his Ph.D. in Neurology at the Federal University of São Paulo (2004–2009) in collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (USA). He subsequently pursued two postdoctoral fellowships: one in Neurology at Harvard Medical School (2010) and another in Rehabilitation at Université Laval (2012–2014). He holds a certificate in Medical Expertise and Insurance Medicine from Université de Montréal (2020–2022) and he has completed one certificate in chronic pain management at McGill University (2017–2020), with a second currently underway at Université de Montréal (since 2024).

Since 2014, Rodrigo has led the interdisciplinary team at the CISSSAT Pain Clinic, where he serves as a clinician, researcher, and team leader. He also mentors physical therapy students during their clinical placements. He holds adjunct professor appointments at both Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingueand Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. At the provincial level, he is responsible for the “Pain Neurosciences” course offered by the Quebec Physical Therapy Association, he collaborates with the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ), and he contributes to initiatives led by the Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services, including the development of a virtual chronic pain care platform, pain education and the revision of clinical algorithms for chronic pain management. He is also an active member of the Quebec Pain Research Network and Quebec Pain Society. Nationally, he collaborates with the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR).

Rodrigo research interests include non-invasive brain stimulation and quantitative sensory testing. His professional mission is to strengthen the role of physical therapists in chronic pain care—as autonomous clinicians capable of assessment, physiotherapeutic diagnosis, treatment, and effective collaboration within interprofessional teams.

Dominique Gilbert

Past Chair

Ms Dominique Gilbert has been working as a physiotherapist for more than 30 years. In private practice since 1996, her innovative approach emphasizes proper education of patients, as well as focusing on active treatment for pain management and returning to function. In fact, she believes that encouraging her patients to adopt active lifestyles during treatment encourages a more realistic self-evaluation of the patient’s own physical capabilities.

Due to her interest in the biopsychosocial model and its implications for the clinical treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain, she collaborates with psychologists to produce integrated reports, which combine both the physical and psychological evaluations of a patient, to determine his or her capacities. The nature of her work often brings her to work on contentious cases, which forces her to maintain up-to-date knowledge in her field. She obtained a post-graduate diploma in Insurance Medicine and Forensics from the University of Montreal in 2009. Following her graduation, she became a member of the Quebec Society of Forensic Experts (SEEMLQ) in 2013, as well as became a member of the Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators in 2014.

In 2011, she was recognized as a specialist in Pain Science by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, and is now on the committee for evaluating candidates for the title of specialist.

Noticing that there was a lack of knowledge and coherence in the techniques which were taught for diagnosing musculoskeletal pain, she worked on a survey of the literature in this field, to highlight the best methods for evaluating lower back pain. Her dissertation allowed her to obtain a Masters in Biomedical Science from the University of Montreal in 2015.

She has been invited to teach courses on pain in the Physiotherapy curriculum of McGill University and University of Montréal.

Since 2019, she works with an older population (60 to 85-year-old) in the Pain Management Program offered through the West Island CLSC. The intervention offers a multidisciplinary evaluation to globally understand the symptomatology. The physiotherapy treatment (5 sessions over 3 months) provides coaching in pain management, but mostly in return to function using sports training techniques.

Roshni Ravi

Treasurer

Roshni Ravi is a resident physiotherapist who currently works in private practice as an ortho and pelvic physiotherapist. She graduated from the University of Toronto in 2021 with a Masters of Physical Therapy and from McMaster University in 2019 with a Bachelors of Kinesiology. She is the current Treasurer for the PSD and was the previous student chair of the student subcommittee. In her spare time she enjoys teaching piano, working out and staying up to date on current literature. She is also interested in pursuing a PhD in pelvic health research in the future.

Tori Etheridge

Pain Advocacy Representative,

Tori Etheridge is a physiotherapist with over a decade of experience in chronic pain care, with a background spanning public healthcare, private practice, neurological research, and healthcare leadership. She is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, and has a special interest clinically in concussions, chronic pain, and vestibular disorders, always emphasizing patient engagement and empowerment.

Tori has extensive experience mentoring multidisciplinary teams and promoting trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approaches to rehabilitation. She has served both as a clinical director and supervisor for various interdisciplinary teams and was as a past executive with the Pain Science Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association as a Knowledge Translation Rep.   Selected as a Mayday Fellow, Tori is one of a small group of clinicians nationally recognized for expertise in pain care, leadership, and advocacy.

In addition to her clinical work, Tori has contributed to bridging the gap between research and practice through her dual roles as editor and clinician. She has played a key role in integrating research findings into clinical practice and operational policies. 

Currently, Tori serves as the Provincial Clinical Lead of Initiatives and Innovation for Pain Care BC. In this role, she leads the development of practices and policies to improve patient care, collaborates with provincial partners, and supports the implementation of best practices in pain management. Specifically, she is working creating the first interdisciplinary core competencies for pain.

Tiffany Tiu

Paincast Host and Executive Lead of PSD Student Committee

Tiffany Tiu holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology (High Honours) and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto. She practices physiotherapy in Canada and is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She is especially passionate about improving practice standards through knowledge mobilization and knowledge creation. She is the host and executive producer of Paincast, a Canadian Physiotherapy Association podcast aimed at facilitating knowledge mobilization, discussion, and critical thinking on topics related to pain science and physiotherapy. She also uses this platform to advocate for the physiotherapy profession and professional associations. She is conducting research on rehabilitation exercises at the Biomechanics of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Lab at the University of Toronto. She was awarded the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Student Leadership Award and the Ontario Physiotherapy Association Student/New Grad Leadership Award in 2023. As a clinician, her approach to physiotherapy care heavily emphasizes patient education, empowerment, self-efficacy, and meaningful physical activity, underpinned by a strong therapeutic alliance. You connect with her on LinkedIn (Tiffany Tiu) and on Instagram (@fitt.physio.tiff).

Stuart Miller BScPT

Knowledge Translation

Stuart Miller is a physiotherapist practicing for almost 35 years. He has worked for Alberta Health Services across the continuum (ICU, inpatients and outpatients across multiple programs) since 1991. He has also worked in private practice in Edmonton and Calgary (and WCB at Millard Centre in Edmonton).

Stuart was a Clinical Leader for Community Accessible Rehabilitation (CAR) in the Calgary zone for Alberta Health Services (AHS) for over 20 years for both Neuro and MSK / UE teams and helped with multiple best-practice initiatives including post-concussion.

Stuart has done knowledge translation work with Physiotherapy Alberta and AHS as part of working groups and have won the President’s Award for distinguished service within AHS for knowledge translation work. He’s worked with Physiotherapy Alberta (with Carol Miller as knowledge facilitator and a group of PTs to develop a Chronic Pain Management: Toolkit for Physiotherapists in 2018) and a National FES toolkit in 2024 with Kristin Musselman’s group in Toronto. He has done work with the Alberta Pain Strategy and was on Planning Committee for Pain Society of Alberta for 7 years.

During Covid, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions with Dalhousie University. He also sings with Calgary Opera and with other groups.

Rafael Rafaelov

Knowledge Translation

Rafael Rafaelov graduated from the Master of Physical Therapy program at the University of Toronto in 2024. He has experience working with patients across the continuum of care in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. Rafael has a strong interest in psychologically informed physiotherapy and the ongoing evolution of the biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain management. As the Knowledge Translation Representative, he serves as a moderator and coordinator for the Community of Practice and Mentorship initiatives. He believes that knowledge is power, and is committed to empowering both clinicians and patients in the management of chronic pain.

Rebecca Wilson

Communications Liaison

Rebecca Wilson is a physiotherapist at the Nova Scotia Arthritis and Rehabilitation Centre. She graduated with a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy in 2023, and a Bachelor of Arts (Combined Honours) in the History of Science and German Studies from the University of King’s College in 2014. She specializes in persistent pain and is a part of the Pain Self-Management Program team. Along with her psychologist and occupational therapist team members, she co-teaches this program, providing education around pain neuroscience concepts, flare-up management, and using exercise to manage pain and increase activity tolerance. In her pre-physio life, Rebecca ran her own therapeutic yoga business, which inspired her to pursue further study of physiotherapy in order to help her patients heal with movement. She continues to be passionate about yoga and mindfulness.

Joey De Leebeeck

Co-Chair PSD Student Committee

Joey is a co-chair of the PSD student committee. She is currently earning her masters of physiotherapy at Dalhousie University. Joey is new to the pain science community and hopes to raise awareness of pain science with physiotherapy students. In her spare time, Joey can be found practicing agility with her dog.

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