Board Nominations
Each year, the OIA holds elections to its Board of Directors to replace the Directors who are completing their terms of service. Two seats will be filled at the next election; one of which is allocated to the Institute of Osteopathy, and one of which is an at-large seat that may be filled by a nominee from any OIA member organization. Each seat’s term is three years (3), limited to two (2) consecutive terms, and begins immediately following the election, which will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at the OIA’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto, Canada.
The OIA has appointed a six-person Nominations Committee to carry out the board election process.
The Nominations Committee is pleased to announce the following candidates for 2025 board positions, and invites you to get to know them by viewing their videos (linked to their names) and reading their brief below:
Institute of Osteopathy-allocated Seat (1):
Brief Bio:
I am a strategic academic leader, educator, and osteopath with over a decade of experience spanning clinical practice, programme development, and institutional transformation. I currently serve as Head of the UCO School of Osteopathy at the Health Sciences University (UK), where I provide leadership across academic delivery, clinical operations, research strategy, and external engagement.
My professional journey began in the United States Navy and Marine Corps, where I served as a Hospital Corpsman and received meritorious recognition aboard the USS Ronald Reagan and during overseas deployments. After completing my military service, I worked as a wound care nurse in hospitals across the U.S., supporting complex clinical cases in interdisciplinary settings. My introduction to osteopathy came through Osteopathy in Britain by Dr Martin Collins, a former principal of the British School of Osteopathy, which inspired me to relocate to the UK to train and practise as an osteopath.
I hold a Master of Osteopathy and a Diploma in Naturopathy from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic and Clinical Education. I am currently pursuing research on the integration of artificial intelligence into osteopathic education and clinical decision-making.
Throughout my academic career, I have remained committed to educational excellence, innovation, and expanding access to the profession. I have led the development of flexible and inclusive pathways — including part-time, commuter, and blended models — and championed the integration of AI and digital tools into clinical education and assessment. I have also supported the establishment of research centres and simulation-based training infrastructure to enhance evidence-informed, practice-ready learning environments.
Internationally, I am actively developing educational exchange programmes, building cross-border partnerships, and contributing to the global benchmarking of osteopathic education. My regulatory and policy roles include active membership of the General Osteopathic Council’s Policy and Education Committee, and contributor roles to the Institute of Osteopathy’s Education Working Group and the Osteopathic Development Group. Across these contexts, I work to bridge pedagogy, regulation, and professional identity — always with a view to advancing osteopathy within a global health landscape.
I am a confident public speaker and institutional representative, engaging with regulators, professional associations, political leaders, and royal patrons. I believe in the power of collaboration, the importance of inclusive, internationally-aligned education, and the need to equip osteopaths for modern, interdisciplinary careers.
I bring to the OIA Board a proven record of leadership, a commitment to innovation, and a deep belief in osteopathy’s global contribution to health and wellbeing.
At-Large Seat (1):
Marie-Anne Chabert (nominated by SFDO)
Brief Bio:
I graduated as an osteopath back in 2000 from the ESO in Maidstone, embarking on a journey that has taken me across the globe. After honing my skills for 7 fulfilling years in the picturesque landscapes of New Zealand, I felt the call to return to my roots in France in 2007. Setting up my own private practice in Nantes marked the beginning of a new chapter in my career. Delving into the realm of education, I took on the role of an osteopathic teacher in 2008, eventually ascending to the positions of head of pedagogical education and principal of the school. This journey of growth and learning led me to the bustling streets of Paris in 2016, where I assumed the mantle of school Dean at l’Ecole d’Ostéopathie de Paris (EOP), where I have been very happy to host one OIA board meeting.
In 2021, I took a brief hiatus to contribute as a coordinator for an osteopathic research team (IRFO), delving into the intricacies of the field. Fast forward to 2024, and I found myself at the helm of another school in Bordeaux.
My diverse experiences across England, New Zealand, and France have endowed me with a rich tapestry of leadership skills and insights. As a prospective board director, I am driven by a passion to enhance the recognition and integration of osteopathy and osteopathic medicine within the healthcare system. Drawing from my global journey, I am eager to contribute to the advancement of osteopathic practices on an international scale.
Leah Frank (nominated by DAAO)
Brief Bio:
I am a US-trained osteopathic physician, board-certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. I have been living in Germany since 2019 and am in the unique position to see the similarities and differences in osteopathic education and practice between the two countries. I have attended courses with both osteopathic physicians and osteopaths in Portugal, the Netherlands, and Germany. I had the privilege of participating in the International Consortium of Manual Therapies (ICMT), further widening my lens of understanding in the international osteopathic world. I presented a summary of the ICMT work at a meeting of the board of the European Register of Osteopathic Physicians (EROP) and connected to more osteopathic physicians in additional countries. Through attendance at several meetings of the OIA, I have heard about the struggles of obtaining legal regulation from various countries‘ organizations, and the challenges of standardizing osteopathic education to a level that prioritizes patient safety and efficacy.
Education has always been a priority for me. I first began teaching almost 30 years ago as a classroom assistant and tutor. In Kirksville, both as an academic fellow and as a resident with a faculty appointment, I interacted with hundreds of students as table trainer, lecturer, and remedial assistant. I also voluntarily regularly taught morning sessions of OMM for the other residents, as well as evening sessions for the students. Since moving to Germany, I teach frequently for the DAAO and MWE, again interacting with hundreds of adult learners, and hold a clinical faculty appointment from Lincoln Memorial University-DCOM and the ONMM residency program at Advent Health East Orlando.
More than 25 years ago, I began my experience with leadership roles, first within student organizations and later in my local communities. Prior to medical school, I worked as a firefighter in a small town and was active as a board member of a local theater company, The MAD* Factory (*Music, Arts, Drama).
With both the fire department and the MAD* Factory, I was a part of successful strategic planning processes. As community outreach and education programs were priorities in both organizations, I also organized and planned many conferences and events.
I have served on many committees in my life. Currently I am a part of the advisory board to the DAAO, and head up the restructuring of our cranial curriculum. I have been active nationally on committees within the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) and Osteopathic Cranial Academy (OCA) for 12 years. In Kirksville, I headed multiple student organizations and was a key player in developing and implementing new curriculum for disaster awareness for our students, which became nationally recognized. I learned over the years how to use Robert‘s Rules of Order to run an effective meeting, how to prioritize agenda items and redirect when members got off track. These skills come in useful today, as I work as practice manager of our private practice and in the committees on which I serve.
With my decades of experience in governance and education, my skillset would be an asset to the OIA, as it moves forward with standardizing education and establishing recognition at national and international levels. I look forward to being part of the future of osteopathy internationally.
Nancy Spence (nominated by OAO and NOF)
Brief Bio:
I wish to ensure the growth, development, and recognition of osteopathy. I seek out opportunities to learn, participate, and lead advancement in our profession. In addition to 2 OIA committees, I sit on 2 Osteopathy Europe Committees, I am Co-Vice Chair of the CSA Group’s Technical Committee for the National Standard for Osteopathic Healthcare (CSA Z16686:20). I have served on the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners’ (OAO) Board and on the Canadian Federation of Osteopaths (CFO) Board. I continue on OAO’s Government Relations and Member Application Process Tasks Forces, and their Conference Committee and CFO’s Insurance Committee.
I believe in honesty, collaboration, efficiency, and clarity. I work hard to embody these qualities and encourage others to explore and embody them. By creating a transparent and fair environment for all, I strive to be my best as an individual, team member, and leader. I continually seek to learn and understand more. I hold a Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice (Canada), a Bachelor of Science in Osteopathy (UK), and I am completing a Masters in Osteopathy out of Finland. I enjoy exploring the foundations and new frontiers of osteopathy through discussion and research. My thesis explores perspectives on the evaluation of entry to practice competencies. My colleagues are Osteopaths and Osteopathic Physcians, practicing in countries with and without regulation. Together we face the obstacles and triumphs of our shared profession. I completed the Professional Regulation and Discipline in Ontario’s Healthcare Sector course through Osgood Hall, York University expanding my understanding of organizational governance, ethical investigations, and the law’s affect and effect on key stakeholders.
I celebrate Canada’s first law regulating Osteopaths! I wish the Association of Osteopaths in New Brunswick well as they transition into an Osteopathic College. Across Canada, as in so many countries, many are working for recognition, title protection, and regulation. Support is also needed for our European and American trained Osteopathic Physicians to ensure the quality and recognition of their training.
I have worked at the provincial, national, and international levels identifing key stakeholders, lobbying, and in support of public protection through educational competencies and standards. I have contributed to national standards, national competencies, codes of ethics, scopes of practice, and jurisprudence training necessary to ensure safe and effective Osteopaths. I have worked with boards to develop, revise, and interpret bylaws, policies, member needs assessments, and strategic plans. I understand the responsibilities and requirements of an effective board member.
I believe that the OIA has much to offer associations in every stage of their recognition and development and wish to work to ensure our membership are supported.