Primary Dysmenorrhea: Therapeutic Solutions for Clinicians

Amoy Jacques successfully completed a Master of Public Health and graduated Summa Cum Laude at the University of Montana on May 12, 2018. She has a sincere passion to improve the health, wellness and policies that support and protect women (particularly those of African descent) during their reproductive years. She was fortunate to gain exceptional experience at two graduate internships in Los Angeles, California. She worked as a public health intern with the Association of Wholistic and Maternal Newborn Health (AWMNH). Together with the executive director, they planned, implemented and evaluated the 2015 Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI) conference to improve community-based doula care and midwifery services for minority group women. As a graduate student at the Pasadena Public Health department, she worked with the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health director to develop evaluation tools for the Black Infant Health Program to improve its effectiveness for future expectant black mothers. Additionally, she has been invited as a guest speaker at local Afro-Caribbean events on various topics such as fibroid management, and restoration of physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Amoy currently works as a Registered Kinesiologist for over 13 years with Altum Health – University Health Network on the planning, implementation and evaluation of chronic disability management programs for injured workers. She is also the Founder/CEO of WombCare – a reproductive health and wellness agency seeking to conduct research with health agencies across Canada and create equitable programs, and policies for women, particularly those from marginalized communities.

Dr. Chanol A. Ottley-Allen is a highly educated Physical Therapist with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology (Hons.) from McMaster University, Canada, Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from Leeds Beckett University, UK and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Florida’s Nova Southeastern University. She is a registered and licensed Physical Therapist in Trinidad and Tobago with 11 years of expert knowledge, clinical experience and reasoning. Chanol has been involved in the health services field for 15 plus years. Through her extensive training and appreciation of the fact that education without practical experience could be vacuous, she consistently adheres to evidence-based interventions thus providing the most effective treatment options to her clients.

Chanol has worked in an orthopaedic outpatient setting for most of her career, but has also managed a healthy caseload of homecare clients; treating a variety of conditions. Throughout the course of her career she has nurtured a special interest in women’s health, recognizing the disabling effect some treatable conditions can have on this underserved segment of the population due, in part, to lack of access and awareness. Her passion areas in women’s health include pregnancy, postpartum care, pelvic pain, urinary and bowel issues. She welcomes the progressive leap towards virtual physical therapy being observed globally, as a means of closing the gap between need and access.

When she isn’t reading journal articles in an effort to stay au courant with the newest research or working on exciting new projects. Chanol is fitting in a morning workout, cooking a meal for her supportive husband while trying to keep up with her energetic toddler!