Vancouver 2028

 

Updates from the 2028 Reach the Summit Organising Committee

(For past editions, click on the links below)

Vancouver Echo 1 - March 2025
Vancouver Echo 2 - July 2025
Vancouver Echo 3 - August 2025
Vancouver Echo 4 - October 2025

Vancouver Echo 5 - November 2025

Dear Fellow Colleagues,

1. Meet our Program Chair!
Dr. Geoff Schneider
(Clinic Director, BScPT, PhD, DSc, BKin, DipManip(PT), IMS Certified, FCAMPT)

We are excited to let you know that after an extended evaluation process, Geoff has accepted our offer to join as the 2028 Program Chair! Geoff will carry a special role in facilitating the work of the Scientific Committee and the Conference Operations to ensure an impactful and meaningful delivery of the conference content and the pre and post conference courses. 
Geoff is a Clinical Specialist in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. He is a partner at Evidence Sport and Spine in Calgary, Alberta. Geoff is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, at the University of Calgary. He also holds adjunct faculty appointments at Andrews University and McMaster University in their respective Departments of Physical Therapy.
Following completion of his Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy from McMaster University, Geoff completed his Fellowship in Manual and Manipulative Therapy (FCAMPT) in 2002. He also became certified in GunnIMS in the same year. Geoff completed his doctoral studies (DSc) from Andrews University. His research involved cervical spine facet joint mediated pain and its effect on sensory hypersensitivity in chronic whiplash patients. He has presented at numerous conferences and clinical rounds and has taught post-graduate courses across the globe. Geoff has a strong interest in the diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests, particularly in cervical spine disorders. As a result, he pursued further doctoral studies – a PhD specializing in clinical epidemiology at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine. He completed his PhD in May 2013 and his research involved the derivation of a clinical prediction guide in the diagnosis of facet joint mediated pain in the cervical spine. Geoff was awarded a CIHR doctoral research award, the Canada Graduate Scholarship. Geoff has published numerous peer-reviewed papers in the area of musculoskeletal pain. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta. His postdoctoral research is in the area of advanced physiotherapy practice and spine care management.
Dr. Schneider has worked with and continues collaboration with various provincial committees to optimize the management of musculoskeletal disorders for Albertans living with musculoskeletal pain. Through his passion for life-long education, and through his involvement as the Chair of the board of the Alberta Association of Physiotherapy, Dr. Schneider’s vision is to see physiotherapists continue to advance their involvement and expertise in multidisciplinary environments for the betterment of patient outcomes world-wide. Additionally, Geoff is involved in community sport, having served as a board member of Hockey Calgary for ten years. Ranging from his days playing hockey in the OHL and USport to coaching hockey for decades, his passion for life-long involvement in sport and physical activity is echoed as he and his wife, Kathryn, enjoy watching their children engage in their sporting activities in the NCAA and OHL.

2. Our Conference Mascot

In case you missed it, the 2028 Executive had a vision of a mascot that would elevate the conference logo and be a part of the branding fun for Vancouver.  After much thought and consideration, an orca with the name Echo was selected for the role!

Please see the Echo story here!

3. Important Upcoming Dates

An exciting time in our planning has arrived! We invite National and International physiotherapy researchers to apply to become a member of the Scientific Committee chaired by Ali Rushton.
This committee will interface with the 2028 Executive and the Program Chair with a common goal of delivering a cutting edge, contemporary program underpinned by EDI.
Full details available here

Please make note of these dates:

• November 30, 2025: Opening Call for 6 members
• January 31, 2026: Deadline for letter of interest and nomination letter from MO or RIG
• March 31, 2026: Decisions

Call outs for International Mentors to assist emerging researchers will go out in January 2026. Please make note of these dates:

• January 31, 2026: Call out with JD for mentors from MO’s and RIG’s
• April 30, 2026: Deadline for letter of interest and nomination letter from MO or RIG
• June 30, 2026: Decisions

Watch these updates for upcoming committee opportunities!

Until next month!

Your 2028 Reach the Summit Executive
 Rhonda, Mike and Jen