Better. Stronger. Motion.
Board of Directors
The Banff Sport Medicine Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors who volunteer their time in support of the Mission and Vision of the Foundation.
Dr. Mark Heard – Chair
John Clarkson – Secretary
Dr. Laurie Hiemstra
Dr. Andy Reed
Dr. Greg Buchko
Kevin Nugent
Staff Directory
Julie-Anne Fritz PhD
Research & Programs Coordinator
BSMresearch@banffsportmed.ca
Sarah Kerslake BPhty MSc
Research Director
Sarah@banffsportmed.ca
Our team of clinicians contributing to clinical research
Dr. Laurie Hiemstra
Laurie has published over 30 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, as well as numerous invited articles and book chapters. In addition to her medical and surgical training, Laurie completed a PhD. in neuromuscular physiology in 2003. Laurie’s current research is primarily focussed on Patella Instability including diagnostic accuracy, surgical techniques, rehabilitation, and functional outcomes.
Dr. Mark Heard
Mark is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, and he is the Fellowship director at BSMF. Mark teaches nationally and internationally, and he is an expert instructor for the AANA comprehensive knee course. Mark’s main area of research interest is outcomes following knee ligament reconstruction. Dr Heard’s other research interests include live articular cartilage transplantation, outcomes in isolated osteochondral defects, and, the effect of bony defects on surgical selection and outcomes in shoulder instability.
Dr. Greg Buchko
Greg’s primary research interest is outcomes following ACL, PCL and multi-ligament knee reconstruction, and includes the factors that influence surgical outcomes as well as assessment for return to sport following ACL and PCL reconstruction; predictors of success after meniscal repair; and surgical treatment and functional outcomes for shoulder instability.
Dr. Michaela Kopka
Michaela has been involved in the conduct and publication of research over the past 10 years. Her research has investigated the diagnostic accuracy of MRI compared with clinician assessment of knee injuries, as well as the reliability of x-ray for bone loss in shoulder instability. Dr Kopka’s main areas of research interest are patient-reported and functional outcomes following partial ACL tears; PCL and multi-ligament surgical approaches and return to activity; and the evidence for and outcomes of osteotomies around the knee.