Nancy Harrington, Physiotherapist
PhD., M.Sc., B.Sc.PT, CAFCI, Diploma Sports Physiotherapy
- Physiotherapist
In 1994, Nancy opened the doors of Quinn Rehab Services, now known as quinin rehab. She is original owner of the clinic and a graduate of Queens University in Kingston, Ontario where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy. In 2007, she completed a Master of Science at the University of Toronto and in 2020 completed a PhD at Western University, London Ontario.
Nancy holds Diploma in Sport Physiotherapy and has worked extensively with athletes of all ages and skill levels and has been a proud member of the Health Sciences Team (HST) for numerous Canada Summer and Winter Games, three Pan American Games, and several single-sport World Championships around the globe. She is a veteran of the six Paralympic Games, and had the honour to serve as Chief Therapist for Team Canada for four of these Games; Winter Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City (2002), Winter Paralympic Games in Torino (2006), Summer Paralympic Games in Beijing (2008) and the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games in London, UK. Nancy is also a Classifier in the sports of para alpine and para snowboard.
Presently Nancy works part-time at quinin rehab and as an Adjunct Scholar within the School of Kinesiology at Western University. Her research interests include the nexus of disability and sport and how sport can be a tool for authentic inclusion and social change, as well as models of participation for para sport. Nancy continues to work with Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), evaluating and supporting para/Para sport capacity in the region of the Americas and the Caribbean and developing alternative ways to deliver athlete classification, utilizing digital technologies. As a qualitative researcher, Nancy is grateful to the decades of patients and athletes who unknowingly have contributed to her professional and academic growth, in the clinic and on field of play.
Nancy sits on the board for Canadian Adaptive Snowsport Ontario (CADS) and is a Member at Large with the Board of Directors for Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC). She is also a member of the Barrie Refugee Committee.
Nancy has been a spokesperson for Changing Minds, Changing Lives (CMCL), a program of the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) that educates healthcare professionals and the broader community regarding the benefits of sport for persons with a disability. In 2012, she was selected a Difference Maker in her community as part of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay and she received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contribution to the Paralympic movement in Canada.
Nancy is a committed advocate for access to sport, physical activity and recreational opportunities for people of all abilities. She enjoys golf, alpine skiing, cycling, travel and most of all her children, Marshall and Bayley.