Profile

I am a fully qualified Occupational Therapist registered with The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO). I am a Canadian Certified Life Care Planner (CCLCP) registered with the International Commission on Health Care Certification (ICHCC) and am certified in Impairment and Disability rating based on the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 4th Edition. I have over 25 years of experience providing expert consultation, assessment, treatment, and care coordination across private sectors and the community. My practice areas include elder care, estate litigation, Future Cost of Care reports, Loss of Service reports, Geriatric Legal Assessments,  auto insurance (including SABS and Tort), medical malpractice, accidental shootings, slip and falls, and other medicolegal assessments for both plaintiff and defense referral sources. I provide comprehensive functional, physical and psychosocial evaluations, and provide occupational therapy treatment and case management for individuals who are unable to perform their essential tasks of daily living or work due to disability, illness and injury. I have extensive clinical expertise with aging-related conditions including dementia, traumatic brain injury, cognitive impairment, amputations, complex orthopedic injuries, spinal cord injury, and multiple trauma. I am recognized for my strong clinical judgment, clear and effective communication, and the ability to work collaboratively with legal professionals, insurers, clients, families, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams to support rehabilitation, aging in place, litigation, and long term planning.

My Life Care Plans and Loss of Service Analyses are used in rehabilitation planning, mediation, arbitration, settlement discussions and litigation. I also complete geriatric legal and functional assessments which are comprehensive and objective evaluations that quantify care needs and provide recommendations in the older adult’s best interests, particularly in the context of estate litigation and disputes involving powers of attorney or family members. I also provide geriatric care management and guidance to older adults and their families to help navigate the health care system and make informed decisions that support living well, aging in place or transitions to assisted living settings. In order to document the areas of need and concern, determine what is required and make appropriate recommendations, I have acquired knowledge and expertise understanding aging, elder care needs and community resources. I was designated an Attendant Care DAC Assessor from 2003-2006 and worked in the Employee Rehabilitation Unit at the Scarborough Hospital from January 2001 to January 2002, coordinating modified work programs for hospital employees in conjunction with the Occupational Health Department, performing ergonomic assessments, consulting on purchases of safe hospital equipment and providing hospital-wide education sessions. Currently, I perform assessments for Catastrophic Impairment Designation. I hold my Advanced Office Ergonomics and Advanced Industrial Ergonomics Certifications and conduct ergonomic assessments and implement appropriate interventions. I obtained my PGAP certification and utilize this therapeutic program to foster an individual’s re-engagement in daily activity, life roles and return to the workforce, and to reduce the disability associated with impairment with the ultimate goal of returning to work.  I regularly attend seminars and conferences to update my knowledge and practice skills.

Credentials

Regulated Health Care professional in good standing.

Has been practicing since 1999

Language(s)

English

Treatments

Will perform in home treatment.

I treat the following age groups: Adult (18-64), Senior (65+)

I treat the following injuries: Amputation, Brain Injury, Chronic Pain, Fatality, Orthopaedic, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia, Soft Tissue, Spinal Cord

Region(s) of service

Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, Halton and Brant, Kawartha and Northumberland, Muskoka, Parry Sound and Algonquin Park, Niagara Falls and Wine Country, South Eastern Ontario, Southwest Ontario, York, Durham and Hills of Headwaters

I have worked with the following lawyers:

Michael Bennett, Stephen Birman, Deanna Gilbert, Lucy Jackson, Daniel Klein, Sloan Mandel, Darcy Merkur, Matthew Sutton