Meet Our Staff -

 

Rolf Gainer, Ph.D., is the Chief Executive Officer of NRIO. He is also the founder of the Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute of Ontario (Canada). Dr. Gainer is a psychologist who has been involved in the design and operation of treatment programs since 1977. He has published numerous articles on mental health and rehabilitation topics and has presented at many international conferences. He remains active in outcome research.

Colleen Boyce is the Executive Director of NRIO. She has been with the organization for 14 years, starting as the Community and Professional Liaison in 1996, moved on to become the Marketing Director in 1999 and accepted the Executive Director position in 2001. Colleen holds not only a degree in Marketing but one in Teaching as well. Her past work experience includes two years of teaching, working as a Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for six years, one year in Customer and Sales Relations for a company specializing in case management and the Administrative Director of a long term care facility specializing in Alzheimer's Disease. Colleen brings over 20 years of health care experience to NRIO. Not only does she lead a team of professionals at NRIO, she also offers a large amount of her time and expertise to committees and volunteer associations in the Toronto ABI community. Examples of this work include the following: past Founding Chair of BIST (Brain Injury Society of Toronto), past Co-Chair of the Alliance of Private Brain Injury Rehabilitation Providers (APBIRP), member of the Brain Injury Awareness Month (BIAM) committee, BIST volunteer and communications committee, member of the York Simcoe Children with Acquired Brain Injury Committee, and the York-Simcoe Planning Coalition for People with Acquired Brain Injury, member of the Toronto ABI Network Conference Planning Committee 2010, member of Accreditation Canada (CCHSA) Advisory Committee on Accreditation Program Enhancements, Executive Steering Committee member of the Alliance of Community Medical and Rehabilitation Providers (ACMRP). In 2006, Colleen was awarded "Professional of the Year" award from OBIA.

Frank Tenuta is the Clinical Director of NRIO. Frank has over 16 years of clinical work experience in rehabilitation. He has graduate degrees in psychology from York University and in neuropsychology from the University of Toronto. Frank interned in the Psychology department at the University Health Network, Toronto Hospital-General Division. He has spent the last 12 years as a Clinical Director and Senior Management member with a private organization, working within a multidisciplinary team setting as well as leading his team to become CARF accredited. Frank has a strong background in ABI as well as health management of chronic pain and related sequelae. Frank has worked with a number of Neuropsychologists over the years, helping them to assess and treat brain injury sequelae. Frank has a very solid neurobehavioural and mental health background. Frank is also clinically interested in cultural and linguistic factors affecting health issues; he has written on these areas in the Hospital News.

Annie Wolfraim is the Program Coordinator for NRIO’s Mississauga site. She has worked with NRIO for over four years, holding the positions of Interim Outreach Program Coordinator Assistant, Research and Development Adminstrator, Human Resources Assistant, Report Editing and Rehabilitation Therapist. Annie holds an Honours BA in Sociology with a minor in Religion and Culture from Wilfrid Laurier University. Annie has worked with various community-based rehabilitation programs, working with with ABI clients from all populations. In her spare time, Annie enjoys traveling, reading and spending time at her cottage.

Janet Williams is the Hamilton Coordinator for NRIO. She has been with NRIO for fourteen years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminology from the University of Toronto. To help deal with the demands of the acquired brain injury population, Janet returned to Mohawk College and pursued courses in dysphasia assessment and management. She also successfully completed a personal support worker course at the Grand Health Academy. In 2009, Janet successfully completed the American Academy Brain Injury Specialist Certificate. Recently, she has taken on the additional responsibility of NRIO's Health & Safety Chair. In her spare time Janet likes to cook, bake and read; one of her favorite author is Danielle Steel. Janet also volunteers with her church organization visiting shut-ins on a bi-weekly basis.

Hisham Doss is the Director of Financial Services since January 31 of 2000. He possesses a Bachelors degree in Commerce and has extensive financial experience in the Insurance and Rehabilitation industries. Hisham has made many positive changes within NRIO''s financial procedures since joining the team. In 2005, he implemented an automated Treatment Plan program for staff to use that will ensure financial documentation is prepared and sent out in a timely fashion. His computer expertise has been a benefit to the financial aspect of the organization.

Martha Shephard is the Program Coordinator for the School Re-entry Programs. Martha holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Linguistics from the University of New Brunswick, and a Master's of Science in Education (Counselling) from Niagra University. Prior to coming to NRIO, Martha worked in the community college system as an Academic Chair, Program Coordinator, Curriculum Developer and Instructor. Other positions include work in adult literacy for the Toronto District School Board and work in community corrections with Operation Springboard. In her free time, Martha enjoys fishing, home renovations and gardening.

Sandy Schiralli is the Assistant Coordinator for the School Re-Entry Program and has been a School Resource Specialist (SRS) for NRIO since 2001. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, from York University and also has acquired a Montessori Teaching Diploma. Her years of experience with ABI and her delight for working one-to-one with children and young adults also comes from her work as an Equestrian Recreational Therapist with the Community Association for Riding for the Disabled, volunteering at Bloorview Kids Rehab, and substitute teaching for the York Catholic District School Board. Sandy continues to develop herself professionally and has completed the Ontario Brain Injury Association Level 1 course- Rehabilitation for Children with Acquired Brain Injury, and a course through the American Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists. She is currently enrolled in Seneca College's Rehabilitation Certificate Program.

David Pearson is the Outreach and Clinic Program Coordinator for NRIO. He has been with NRIO since 1997. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Education, he is also Certified in Special Education and has an Ontario Teacher''s Certificate. David is also a Certified Brain Injury Specialist with the American Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists (AACBIS). In addition, he has an Adult Education - Staff Training and Development Certificate through Seneca College. David is also a certified instructor with the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI). In his spare time, David competes in Duathlons (winning his Ontario age group in 2005) and many road races, including over 25 marathons. David is one of the founders and organizers of the annual Hartwell Half Marathon in his hometown of Aurora.

Dan Harren is the Progra m Coordinator for the Supported Living Apartments as well as the Etobicoke 24-hour residence at NRIO. Dan holds an Honors Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Trent University and is also a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (AACBIS). Dan is currently working towards his project management certification (CAPM) and is a member of several organizations (BIST, OBIA, PMI, ABAI) which provide him with training and access to information that serve him well in his role as Program Coordinator. He has several years of experience in the acquired brain injury field as well as dual diagnosis. Dan also worked with Dr. Rolf Gainer to develop a social-skills training program using contemporary media for the clients at NRIO, and together with Dr. Gainer, presented the results of this work at the 2009 OBIA Provincial Conference in Niagara Falls. Dan is also the owner and president of a company that provides high-level soccer instruction to young athletes. Dan considers traveling to be a passion of his and has been to over 25 countries, backpacking extensively throughout Europe, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia. In his free time, Dan plays soccer twice a week and loves to read, naming Hemingway, Joyce, and Lawrence among his favorite authors.