Implementation Science in Stroke
Dr Nancy Salbach - Reaching the tipping point: Why knowledge translation efforts may succeed or fail in stroke rehabilitation -
Dr. Nancy Salbach is a physical therapist and Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto. She is also a Senior Scientist in the KITE Research Institute at the University Health Network and holds the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Chair at the University of Toronto. Dr. Salbach is a world renown implementation scientist who has obtained over 16 million dollars in funding, published over 165 articles, and supervised 136 trainees. She is a recognized leader in guideline development for stroke rehabilitation and community exercise programs in Canada. Research in Dr. Salbach’s Knowledge to Action Mobility Lab aims to optimize mobility, exercise participation, and health among older adults. Key research innovations include the iWalk Toolkit, which includes a guide, video, and app promoting an evidence-informed approach to administering the 10-metre and 6-minute walk tests post-stroke. Over 20,000 people have downloaded her iWalkAssess app worldwide. Dr. Salbach has led the evaluation of virtual and in-person community exercise programs that help older adults with mobility limitations stay active. Her trainees win awards, present at conferences, and publish their research on aerobic training post-stroke, pelvic health, and referral, inclusivity, and virtual adaptation of community exercise programs. At the University of Toronto, Dr. Salbach teaches research methodology and protocol development to physical therapy students who undertake a group research or program evaluation project with supervision. Dr. Salbach has received numerous awards in recognition of her teaching, mentorship, and research.
Translating Current Knowledge into Clinical Practice: What's the Best Way? Real Life Experiences and Insights from an Inpatient Neurorehabilitation Center - Dr. Justine Lowenthal-Raz
Dr. Justine Lowenthal-Raz is a senior physical therapist and rehabilitation specialist with over 25 years of clinical, academic, and leadership experience. She holds a PhD from the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, an MSc in Physical Therapy from Tel Aviv University, and a BPT from Ben-Gurion University. Since 1998, Dr. Lowenthal-Raz has served at the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, where she currently acts as Deputy Head Physical Therapist. Her roles have included leading neurological and pediatric rehabilitation services, overseeing quality assurance, coordinating clinical instruction, and managing complex inpatient rehabilitation programs. She has also held professional leadership roles at the national level, including quality-assurance coordination for Clalit Health Services’ physical therapy departments. Dr. Lowenthal-Raz has extensive experience in educational delivery. She has taught postgraduate courses, including “Updates in Rehabilitation of Post-Stroke Patients” (Israel Association for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Medical Center) and a clinical workshop on traumatic brain injury at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. She has also supervised physical therapy students in neurological rehabilitation and has delivered numerous invited lectures at national conferences and professional seminars. Her research focuses on motor recovery post-stroke, neuromodulation, and upper-limb rehabilitation. Dr. Lowenthal-Raz has authored peer-reviewed publications and presented widely at international conferences, including WCPT and ISPRM, receiving awards for scientific excellence. Combining clinical expertise, academic scholarship, and leadership in rehabilitation, Dr. Lowenthal-Raz is committed to advancing evidence-based practice and fostering professional development within the physical therapy community.
