LCC Team

The Long COVID Connect TEam

Meet the voices behind the videos, and your facilitators for our live sessions.

Jessica DeMars, PT

Jessica graduated from the University of Alberta (Canada) in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy (with distinction). She practiced in the private setting and continued her education with numerous post-graduate courses. In 2006, her focus shifted toward learning about the impact breathing has on health. Since that time, she has attended numerous courses and gained in-depth knowledge in treating breathing pattern disorders and unexplained breathlessness. She received the Pinnacle Award of Distinction from Physiotherapy Alberta in 2016 and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Medal of Distinction in 2021.

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica quickly recognized that infections were resulting in debilitating ongoing symptoms for many and that this would have a major impact on the population. She has worked to improve her knowledge of infection associated chronic conditions, from which we take our learning for Long COVID. She has become an ally and an advocate and has been a part of the Long COVID Physio board since its inception in 2021. Jessica has developed several courses and webinars on Long COVID to assist with knowledge translation for allied health professionals, in addition to creating patient-centered programming for those living with Long COVID. She is currently working with a team that has been awarded CIHR funding for Addressing Research Priorities in Long COVID and Rehabilitation: Advancing Research, Education and Clinical Practice.

Rosie Twomey, PhD

Rosie is a research scientist with a varied background in exercise physiology and clinical exercise rehabilitation with specific expertise in chronic fatigue. She was previously a member of the Interdisciplinary Canadian Collaborative Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ICanCME) Research Network. Rosie helped develop the first versions of the Long COVID Connect program and provides a strong scientific basis for much of our content.

She has numerous research papers related to fatigue related illnesses:

Kim Hanson, OT

Kim has been helping people living with Long COVID since it was first identified as a condition. Previous to that she has been a fierce advocate for equity and inclusion for all people. She has had a specific impact on equity for individuals who are immune compromised, have rare and chronic conditions. She believes in leading by example and that her mission is to bring equitable, compassionate care to all of her patients.

Kim was born on Hornby island BC and moved around BC and Alberta living on farms, in small towns and cities. She currently lives in a hamlet in Alberta with her partner who lives with fibromyalgia and Long COVID and they have 2 transgender, neurodivergent children who are also brilliant, compassionate individuals.

Cara Kaup, PT

Cara Kaup is a physical therapist from Edmonton, Alberta, with over 30 years of experience supporting children with complex medical conditions and disabilities.

After contracting COVID-19 in 2020, she developed Long COVID and multiple related conditions which led to permanent disability. Despite this, Cara invests what little energy she has in Long COVID advocacy and education. She is a patient advisor for several Long COVID initiatives in Alberta, Canada and internationally, with a primary focus on safe rehabilitation. Cara has also served on the board for Long COVID Physio since its inception in July 2021.

Cara has been a volunteer co-facilitator with the Long COVID Connect program since 2023.

Kelli FrankLin, PT

As a physiotherapist and personal trainer, I have always been extremely passionate about health and fitness, joyful activity, and helping others improve their quality of life.

In 2020 I became suddenly and chronically ill with Long Covid and since then my career, hobbies and life as I knew it drastically changed.

With such a life-altering interruption I have had to pivot away from the busy hustle and bustle of the clinic and gym, and find a new way to connect with myself and other people within my functional limitations - from bed and home.

My journey as a patient and health care provider has highlighted to me the enormous gaps in our medical system when it comes to complex, chronic, invisible illnesses (like Long Covid and other infection associated chronic conditions).

With my combined professional and lived experience, my desire is to bridge that gap however I can by reaching and offering a helping hand to others navigating similar waters.

Long COVID Connect is supported by Synaptic Health and Breathe Well Physio.

Through the generous support of donors, we are able to provide the Long COVID Connect program free of charge. This is important as many individuals living with Long COVID face financial barriers. We believe that those barriers should not exclude someone from receiving the support they need to navigate life with a chronic disease.

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