Our Team at KidsAction

The KidsAction team  is based at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC. We work together to keep reshaping KidsAction Coaching, ensuring that we are always growing and improving.

Our team is a diverse network composed primarily by researchers at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and UBC, as well as SFU and Douglas College. Community partners on our team include individuals from Special Olympics, Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council, as well as other community members.

Dr. Stephanie Glegg, OT, PhD

Investigator: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
Co-Principal Investigator: KidsAction Coaching Team Co-Lead

Dr. Glegg is a pediatric occupational therapist with 15 years of experience at Sunny Hill Health Centre. Her research examines the most effective ways to move evidence into action to improve healthcare. As the team’s implementation scientist, she leads the implementation process and its evaluation.

Lise Olsen, PhD

Associate Professor: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Development, UBC Okanagan
Co-Principal Investigator: KidsAction Coaching Team Co-Lead

Lise L. Olsen is an Associate Professor with the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Development, UBC Okanagan. Lise serves as a Co-Lead researcher on the team. She has a background in nursing and health promotion, and for her research, she uses community-engaged methods to promote inclusive, healthy, and safe sport and recreation participation for children living with developmental challenges and their families.

Jean-Paul Collet, MD, PhD

University of British Columbia : Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia
Principal Investigator: KidsAction Coaching Team Lead

Dr. Jean-Paul Collet is a Pediatrician from France and Epidemiologist graduated from McGill University. His research is focused on improving patients’ care for children with complex chronic conditions and various types of disabilities through the support of child-centred approaches and the use of modern communication technologies.

Dr. William McKellin, PhD

Medical Anthropologist: Department of Anthropology, UBC
Co-Principal Investigator: KidsAction Coaching Team Co-Lead

Bio coming soon.

Dr. Mojgan Gitimoghaddam, MD, PhD(c)

Doctoral Candidate: Experimental Medicine Program (Clinical Research), UBC Department of Medicine
Co-Principal Investigator & Project Manager: KidsAction Coaching Team Co-Lead

Dr. Mojgan Gitimoghaddam is a family physician by training and currently a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia in BC. Mojgan’s research is focused on learning and development of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities through maximizing the effect of community-based physical activity programs. Mojgan has 9 years of experience in medical practice and more than 8 years of experience in clinical research. As a project co-lead and a manager, Mojgan is responsible for the overall management and field implementation for the KidsAction Coaching approach. She also brings her expertise in community-based research and outcome measurement.

Tara Nault, MA

Special Advisor: Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC)
Knowledge User Co-Lead: KidsAction Coaching Team

Tara Nault is our Indigenous Lead and I•SPARC Liaison. She is Métis with cultural ties to Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Tara brings over 30 years of experience in Indigenous communities and the public service. Her focus has been on Indigenous health, mental wellness, sport, recreation, and physical activity. She has also led several cultural safety learning initiatives including community and cultural programs.

Tyrone Joe-Mayes, BA

Indigenous Research Coordinator: KidsAction Team

Tyrone is a member of the shíshálh Nation in year one of his MA. His interests are in sports and First Nation’s culture. Tyrone’s current research project investigates how volunteers who organize soccer tournaments are preserving components of Coast Salish culture that were once displayed in the previously outlawed potlatch.

Kate Ortwein, BA

Research Coordinator: KidsAction Team

Kate Ortwein works as a Research Coordinator for KidsAction Coaching. After completing her BA at the University of Victoria, Kate pursued work as an Outdoor Educator on Hornby Island, providing youth with the opportunity to get outside and learn about themselves and the natural world, and managing the associated Non-Profit Organization. Her education in Psychology and Professional Writing and Communications and work over the last 10+ years as a leader of youth cemented the importance of making research accessible through communication.