Enid Graham Memorial Lecture 

Carol Kennedy, BScPT, FCAMPT, MSKT

BScPT, MClSc (manip), FCAMPT, Clinical Specialist (MSK)
Senior Instructor – Examiner | National Orthopaedic Division (AIM)
Clinical Associate Professor | Faculty of Medicine | Department of Physical Therapy
The University of British Columbia | Vancouver Campus

The CPA was honoured to announce Carol Kennedy as the recipient of the 2021 Enid Graham Memorial Lecture Award. The Enid Graham Memorial Lecture Award is the most prestigious award that the CPA bestows on a member. Established in 1980 to honour Enid Graham, the founder of the CPA (formerly known as the Canadian Association of Massage and Remedial Gymnastics), the award honours a member of the CPA who has provided outstanding leadership and made a distinguished contribution to the profession.

Carol Kennedy’s years of dedication to furthering the field of manual therapy nationally and internationally with the development of standards, courses and graduate programs and the mentoring of hundreds of physical therapists made her the perfect recipient for this prestigious award.

Carol Kennedy graduated with a BScPT from Queen’s University in 1979, completed her Advanced Diploma of Orthopaedic and Manipulative Therapy in 1984 and then her Clinical Master of Science in Manipulative Therapy from UWO in 2010. She practised at Treloar Physiotherapy Clinic since 1984, became a partner in 1989 and retired from that position in 2022. She taught extensively in the Canadian Manual Therapy Course System, now referred to as the Advanced Integrated Musculoskeletal (AIM) physiotherapy program, as well as internationally and also developed and taught specialized courses on cervical spine management. Carol was deeply involved in the establishment of the Graduate Certificate of Orthopaedic Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy (GCOMPT) advanced post-professional program at UBC and was the Lead Instructor and Program Coordinator from its inception in 2017 until 2021. She was an Examiner for the National AIM Program since 1990 and served as Chief Examiner and Chair of that committee for 18 years. 

In 2005, Carol received an Award of Excellence for Clinical Contribution from the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia for her work and teaching in the area of the cervical spine and in 2010, the Ruth Byman Award for continuing studies in professional development. In 2012, Carol was one of the first physiotherapists to successfully complete the Specialization Program through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association in the field of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and certified as an assessor for that process. In 2015, Carol received the Golden Hands Award, given to “an exceptional orthopaedic physio that exemplifies the commitment to our profession in manual therapy, education, mentorship & research.”

Carol developed an expertise in treating patients with cervical spine disorders, utilizing the multimodal evidence-based practice of manual therapy, specific exercise, and patient education. She authored chapters in two textbooks on cervical exercise prescription, as well as chapters on therapeutic exercise for the lumbar spine and lower extremity. Carol was honoured to be involved in the 2010 Winter Olympics as a speaker (The Neck & Concussion) at the Medical Symposium and as a Clinical Specialist for the Athlete Physiotherapy Clinic. 

Carol was actively involved in research initiatives including ongoing updates of the Lateral Epicondylalgia and the Achilles Tendinopathy Toolkits, both knowledge translation projects of PABC with extensive national and international viewing. She served as a member of PABC’s Canadian Cervical Spine Rule Advisory committee, investigating the physiotherapy community’s awareness and implementation of this evidence-based rule for decision-making around imaging in post-traumatic cervical pain, and developing strategies to facilitate improved application of the rule.

Carol was a competitive swimmer, enjoyed all water sports, skiing, cycling, hiking, and especially, spending dedicated time with her family. She passed away on March 14, 2023.