The CRC recently welcomed Professor Stéphanie Bernard as a regular member. She is an assistant professor in the Physiotherapy Program at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences (Faculty of Medicine) and conducts her research at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris). She is also an associate member of the Oncology Division at the CHU de Québec–Université Laval Research Center.
A licensed physiotherapist who graduated from McGill University (2006), she went on to complete a Master’s in Experimental Medicine (2016) and a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at Université Laval (2021), where her work focused on telerehabilitation for urinary incontinence in individuals treated for gynecological cancer. She then pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in oncological rehabilitation at the University of Alberta.
Professor Bernard’s research focuses on oncological rehabilitation, with a particular interest in pelvic and perineal health in individuals treated for cancer, especially gynecological or prostate cancer. She studies the functional consequences of these treatments, such as urinary incontinence and pelvic pain, and seeks to develop innovative and accessible rehabilitation approaches. A significant part of her research involves telerehabilitation, with the goal of expanding access to specialized interventions and improving the quality of life of cancer survivors. She also explores patient-centered strategies that highlight active participation, inclusivity, and the adaptation of care to the realities of diverse populations, including the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
The CRC extends a warm welcome to her!