Administration Board

A committed administrator, Sylvie Bédard has made it her mission to ensure the protection of the public with respect to massage therapy services and to provide certified massage therapists with a high level of professional practice. CEO of the FQM from 2006 to 2015, where she contributed to the implementation of the ISO 9001: 2008 standard, which has now become ISO 9001: 2015, she also strengthened the supervision of massage therapy schools, the supervision of the profession and the recognition and accreditation process for massage therapists. Under her administration, the FQM has consolidated and clarified its management mode, which is modelled on that of a professional order recognized by law, since this is the status it claims. In addition, in 2010, Ms. Bédard created the Fondation de la massothérapie, which works with the medical community to improve the quality of life of people living with cancer or chronic pain. Before joining the FQM, she directed organizations and intervened at various levels. Sylvie Bédard has also served on numerous boards of directors and is active in several social and economic organizations.

After 25 years in management and resource organization, Christine Michaud reoriented her career to become a certified massage therapist in 2015. As the mother of a young woman who has suffered from chronic pain since childhood, she is particularly interested in complementary approaches that offer respite from pain. To this end, she specializes in oncology and pain management for seniors and adults as well as adolescents and children, to whom she offers massage support adapted to their condition. She is involved in the FQM Board of Directors because she wants to protect the public and have massage therapists recognized as health professionals.

A massage therapist for 29 years and involved with the Fondation de la massothérapie, Pierrette Bélanger has more than one string to her bow. She teaches different massage techniques at the École de massothérapie Cœur de l'Abitibi, but also in other schools. Specialized in masso-oncology and lymphotherapy, she has been working with Leucan for 15 years. She also offers massage therapy to people with multiple physical and mental disabilities, notably as a foot hygienist.

After studying physical education, Michel Eid developed a keen interest in massage therapy. He then trained at the Kiné-Concept Institute, particularly in kinetic Swedish massage, and then completed a course in manual lymphatic drainage at the prestigious Vodder Schule in Austria. Specialized in combined decongestive therapy, he collaborated with Physio Extra to develop the first physiotherapy clinic in Quebec to treat patients suffering from lymphedema. In 2008, he was certified as a DLM teacher for the Vodder International School and had the honour of presenting clinical research results at the prestigious German Lymphological Association Congress. Michel Eid is also a lecturer on the subject of lymphedema for various health care professionals and was a member of the board of directors of the Quebec Lymphedema Association for four years. He is now a director on the FQM board of directors since 2016, having served on several committees since his association with the FQM in 1997.

Clare Parsons graduated from McGill University in 1995 with a degree in Anatomical Sciences. She went on to complete her degree in Exercise Science at Concordia in 1998, specializing in Athletic Therapy. She became an athletic therapist the following year with the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association, which led her to work with various amateur sports teams. In 2002, she decided to specialize in massage therapy, in Swedish massage, where she joined the ranks of the FQM. For three years she travelled the world, offering massage on cruise ships. In 2005, she came back on land and started working at Concordia Physio Sport as a massage therapist. Clare specializes in massage and deep tissue work. She has enhanced her resume by adding training in Manual Lymphatic Drainage - Vodder, which she uses to treat lymphedema, post-surgical patients, etc. She also trained in massage therapy for cancer patients. With a wealth of experience, Clare joined the FQM Board of Directors in 2019.

Biography to come