Associate Professor

Mary Forhan

Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

PhD (Rehab Sciences), MHSc, BScOT

Research Interests

bariatric care, obesity , weight bias, Health Services

Accepting

MSc, PhD, Postdoc, Contact Faculty Member for more information

Professor Mary Forhan is an occupational therapist and scientist who leads a research program focused on reducing the disability experienced by persons living with obesity and other chronic health conditions. The aim of her research is to identify factors and develop targeted interventions that address factors at the level of the individual, the built and social environment through changes in the health care system and policies that enable participation in life roles.

Recent Publications

Godziuk K, Prado CM, Beaupre L, Jones CA, Werle JR, Forhan M. A critical review of weight loss recommendations before total knee arthroplasty. Joint Bone Spine. 2021 Mar;88(2):105114.
Harvey GS, Knox M, Hyshka E, Rowe A, Lefsrud L, Sommerfeldt S, Forhan M. Opioid overdose response and health information complexities: A pilot study on Naloxone kit design. JHD. 2021;6(2):391–400. https://doi.org/10.21853/JHD.2021.135
Jones CA, Forhan M. Addressing weight bias and stigma of obesity amongst physiotherapists. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2019;35(9):808-816. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2019.1648623
Wharton S, Lau DCW, Vallis M, Sharma AM, Biertho L, Campbell-Scherer D, Adamo K, Alberga A, Bell R, Boulé N, Boyling E, Brown J, Calam B, Clarke C, Crowshoe L, Divalentino D, Forhan M, Freedhoff Y, Gagner M, Glazer S, Grand C, Green M, Hahn M, Hawa R, Henderson R, Hong D, Hung P, Janssen I, Jacklin K, Johnson-Stoklossa C, Kemp A, Kirk S, Kuk J, Langlois MF, Lear S, McInnes A, Macklin D, Naji L, Manjoo P, Morin MP, Nerenberg K, Patton I, Pedersen S, Pereira L, Piccinini-Vallis H, Poddar M, Poirier P, Prud’homme D, Ramos Salas X, Rueda-Clausen C, Russell-Mayhew S, Shiau J, Sherifali D, Sievenpiper J, Sockalingam S, Taylor V, Toth E, Twells L, Tytus R, Walji S, Walker L, Wicklum S. Obesity in adults: a clinical practice guideline. CMAJ. 2020 Aug 4;192(31). https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.191707
Forhan MA, Law MC, Taylor VH, et al. The experience of participation in everyday occupations for adults with obesity. Can J Occup Ther. 2010;77(4):228-236. First published online October 1, 2010. https://doi.org/10.2182/cjot.2010.77.4

Honours & Awards

2019 | Graduate Student Teaching Award - University of Alberta, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
2019 | McMaster Prestigious Alumni Award, PhD
2018 | CAOT Innovative Practice Award
2016 | TOPS New Investigator Award - Obesity Canada