REIMAGINE CONFERENCE
REIMAGINE (Rehabilitation, Equity, and Musculoskeletal Health in Aging) Research Action Plan Conference
Co-hosted by: Research Engagement Collaborative Alliance with Partners (RECAP), Western Bone and Joint Institute, and AGE-WELL
Friday, November 21, 2025
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute,
550 University Avenue,
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2A2
The goal of the REIMAGINE Research Action Plan Conference is to co-design a research plan to improve equitable access to rehabilitation services among older adults with musculoskeletal conditions. The conference will bring together people with lived/living experience, caregivers, healthcare providers, community partners, and policy/decision-makers to guide future research related to this theme.
The event will consist of a panel discussion and break-out sessions, as well as networking opportunities during the lunch and health breaks.
Research team leads of the event are:
- Jessica Wong, Assistant Professor, School of Physical Therapy, Western University
- Alison Rushton, Professor and Director, School of Physical Therapy, Western University
- Dave Walton, Professor, School of Physical Therapy, Western University
- Victoria Smye, Professor and Director, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University
- Winnie Sun, Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University
Panelists joining us to share viewpoints from diverse knowledge users and initiate discussion among all attendees include:
- Maggie Perquin, Patient Advocate
- Christina Matthews, General Manager, Digital Experiences, YMCA BC
- Charissa Levy, Executive Director, Rehabilitative Care Alliance
The conference is open to up to 50 attendees with relevant professional or personal experiences. From the pool of eligible Expressions of Interest (EOI) gathered, the team will select applicants in aims of achieving balanced representation across knowledge user groups and to capture diverse experiences and perspectives.
The event will be held in English and consist of a panel discussion and break-out sessions, as well as networking opportunities during the lunch and health breaks.
Note: The cost of the conference itself will be covered (i.e., no registration fee, refreshments included). Successful applicants who are patient partners (i.e., people with lived experience, informal caregivers) will receive an honorarium of $500 and 1 hotel night accommodation at a nearby hotel covered. For all other successful applicants, a travel stipend of $85 will be provided.
Important Dates
Application Deadline (Expression of Interest)
September 18, 2025, 11:59 PM, Eastern Time
Successful applicants will be notified within two weeks of the submission deadline.
Conference Date:
Friday, November 21, 2025; 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, 550 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2A2).
Successful applicants will be asked to complete Research Engagement Collaborative Alliance with Partners (RECAP)'s learning modules prior to the day of the event. The three modules take approximately 30 minutes each, for a total of 1.5 hours. The modules will help establish a common understanding and language related to research partnerships, the roles individuals can play, and ways to overcome power differentials when contributing or learning about multi-sectorial expertise, lived experience, and critical perspectives.
A PDF preview of the Expression of Interest can be viewed here
Submit your ONLINE eXPRESSION OF INTEREST HERE
If you would like to notify our team of any access or accommodation requirements, please reach out to: jessica.wong@uwo.ca
Contact Information
For all inquiries, please contact Jessica Wong at: jessica.wong@uwo.ca
