Council

The College of Chiropractors of Alberta is governed by a Council of up to 10 persons:

Five regulated chiropractors, in good standing
Five members of the public, appointed by the Government of Alberta

Public members provide a critically necessary public-oriented perspective and ensure decisions and actions made by Council are in the best interest of Albertans.

The Chair and Vice Chair are appointed by sitting Council members.

Role of Council

Council governs in a manner that respects and protects the privilege of self-regulation granted to the profession by the Health Professions Act. Council is responsible for making decisions that best serve the public interest and ensure the quality of chiropractic care in Alberta.

Council defines and oversees the implementation of Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and Bylaws to ensure Alberta chiropractors provide safe, competent and ethical chiropractic care to Albertans.

Council communications and contact information

Council News, an e-newsletter which is sent out to regulated chiropractors on an as-needed basis, reports on Council news and decisions.

2025

Council News | July 15 / Council News | December 16

2024

Council News | June 26 / Council News | June 6

2023

2022

Council News | July 21 / Council News | July 19 / Council News| April 20 / Council News| February 1

2021

Council News | November 22 / Council News | October 1 / Council News| July 5 / Council News | March 25

How to contact Council

To reach a member of Council, email [email protected] and identify their name in the subject line, e.g., Attention: Dr./Ms. Jane Smith.

2025-2026 Council

Regulated Chiropractors

Jason Hollingsworth, Chair*
Christopher Nutting, Vice Chair
Moe Gebara
Aurora Ongaro
David Opresnik

Members of the Public

Michael Kim
Peter Kennedy Murchland
Ashley Runka Owens
Solange Pomerleau
Shanine van Rooijen

Governance Committee

Christopher Nutting, Chair
Aurora Ongaro
Ashley Runka Owens

Finance & Audit Committee

Michael Kim, Chair
Moe Gebara
David Opresnik

CEO Review & Compensation Committee

Jason Hollingsworth, Chair
Michael Kim
Christopher Nutting

The Chair sits as ex-officio on all committees.

Council members

Dr. Jason Hollingsworth
Chair
Chair, CEO Review & Compensation Committee

Dr. Christopher Nutting
Vice Chair
Chair, Governance Committee

Dr. Moe Gebara

Dr. Aurora Ongaro

Dr. David Opresnik

Dr. Jason Hollingsworth has been in practice for 25 years, having established his wellness clinic with his wife, in Strathmore. They have an adult son studying engineering and a grade 12 daughter who is an accomplished musician. Away from the office, he enjoys time with family and friends, watching sports, movies or spending time outside, including activities such as hiking, biking, golfing or snow shoeing.

Dr. Hollingsworth has had the pleasure of serving on Council for four years and is enjoying the challenges and opportunities of filling the role of Council Chair. He feels it a distinct honour to make decisions that affect the profession, not only here in Alberta, but also the country.

Dr. Christopher (Chris) Nutting is a chiropractor in north Edmonton and has practiced for 27 years. He owns a multidisciplinary clinic with one associate chiropractor, a TCM acupuncturist and two massage therapists. He is also passionate about teaching and is on faculty for graduate students at a nutrition-based online university. He enjoys being a grandfather, having all adult children and the ability to spontaneously travel with his wife, Audrey.

He feels privileged to be accepted as a Council member to assist CCOA in furthering the profession in the public and being seen as a significant stakeholder with other health professions. He looks forward to giving back to this great profession and would like to see an emphasis on the importance of integrative care.

Dr. Moe Gebara has been a regulated member since 2011, a CCOA Clinical Advisor since 2015 and a CCOA Investigator since 2022. He is a dedicated chiropractor who enjoys providing patient care and performing research. He strives to help move the profession forward by contributing to Council's collective leadership.

Dr. Aurora Ongaro holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta and graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2004. Since her convocation, she has provided upper cervical (NUCCA) care to patients in Edmonton and throughout Alberta. She has personally experienced how chiropractic can positively impact the quality of life of her loved ones and joyfully witnesses patients' lives change for the better with chiropractic.

Recognizing the importance of giving back, she spent 15 years as a Clinical Advisor for the college and now enjoys serving on Council.

When not in the office, Dr. Ongaro can be found reading, listening to health podcasts, hiking, biking, running or gardening. She is married to a wonderful husband and chef, chauffeur and life coach to her three awesome children.

Dr. David Opresnik is a chiropractor in Calgary and has been in practice for 25 years. He runs a chiropractic office in north downtown Calgary now but spent the bulk of his career working at multi-disciplinary offices located at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University. Outside the office, he can be found hiking, fly-fishing or experimenting in the kitchen. He truly believes chiropractors provide a vital service to improving the health of the public. He is committed to serving the public in new ways as a Council member.

Public Council members

Mr. Michael Kim
Chair, Finance & Audit Committee

Mr. Peter Kennedy Murchland

Ms. Ashley Runka Owens

Michael Kim is an entrepreneur who has owned and operated many service-oriented businesses, including those in the fields of insurance, travel, banking and a start-up incubator for immigrants. Michael has served as the chair of the board for several charities and has received the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee medal in recognition of his service as the Chair of the board for an education-based charity in Calgary, Alberta.

Peter Kennedy Murchland is a communications and marketing leader who spent the last 14 years in the energy and government sectors in Calgary, Alberta. Over the past decade Peter worked for Spectra Energy, the Alberta Energy Regulator and the Government of Alberta in the capacity of corporate communications. Peter is currently a communications and marketing leader with the City of Calgary. Peter held two prior Board appointments, one with the Canadian Cancer Society (Nova Scotia) and the other with the Market Research Intelligence Association. Peter has a Master (bus/law/comp.sci) degree, a Bachelor of Arts (poli.sci) degree and a Bachelor of Public Relations degree. Peter is also an accredited practitioner of Public Relations as sanctioned by the Canadian Public Relations Society.

Ashley Runka Owens has been working in the non-profit sector in Calgary for the past 10 years and has been with United Way of Calgary and Area since March 2017. At United Way, she has worked in different roles and is currently serving as the Manager of Digital Engagement on the Transformation team. In her spare time, she enjoys biking and exploring the outdoors with her husband, two sons and golden retriever. She was born and raised in Kelowna, but now loves calling Calgary home.

She deeply believes in the importance of philanthropy and giving back to the community. She brings this belief to both her work and personal life. She feels privileged to serve as a Council member on the CCOA.

Ms. Solange Pomerleau

Ms. Shanine van Rooijen

Solange Pomerleau is a Program Manager of Digital Health Best Practices with Health Shared Services Provincial Health Corporation (HSS). Solange has worked as a member of the complaint review committee for the College of Nurses of Alberta. Solange has a Certificate in Tribunal Administrative Justice, a Certificate in Patient Safety, and a Certificate in Healthcare Quality Improvement.

Solange holds a Baccalaurate in nursing from the University of Calgary.

Shanine van Rooijen earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Alberta in 2020 and has since developed a diverse career as a clinical pharmacist. She brings experience in community pharmacy, continuing care and acute care and has served both rural and urban populations across central and southern Alberta. Shanine is currently pursuing her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Calgary, deepening her commitment to improving equitable care and serving her community. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking in the mountains and spending time with her dog, Barley.