About

Polio Quebec Association is a not-for-profit organization. Thanks to the contribution of its members, donations and a grant from the Ministry for Health and Social Services, Polio-Quebec can provide information and offer services to its members and to any victim of Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS). On an ad hoc basis, the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec (OPHQ) also provides a subvention for specific projects such as the 25th anniversary celebration and the redesigning of this web site.

Mission

Polio Quebec’s mission statement is to help people who have had polio. In this perspective, Polio Quebec aims to be the best possible source of help for people affected by polio.

Goals

Polio Quebec aims to :
  • Help to advocate on behalf of people affected by polio and the post-polio syndrome (PPS);
  • Foster public and medical awareness of all aspects of polio and PPS;
  • Help these people to have access to the health system’s medical care and resources;
  • Support our members and help them improve their quality of life;
  • Encourage and support research into the treatment of PPS and its effects on daily life;
  • Develop and strengthen partnerships with other relevant organizations.

Target Audience

Polio Quebec serves those :
  • who have had polio or who suffer from post-polio syndrome (PPS);
  • who have a relative or a friend affected by polio or its after-effects;
  • who want information on polio and PPS;
  • who wish to contribute to help and defend people affected by polio and PPS.

Services

Polio Quebec provides the following services :
  • Information : Information booklets on post-polio syndrome.
  • Communication : Publication of Folio Polio newsletter, mailing of electronic newsletter Flash-Info rapide, website, Facebook page.
  • Reference : Post-Polio Clinic, Clinique post-polio, Government Services, …
  • Support members who want to meet in order to share and exchange information on their situation and lifestyle
The good functioning of Polio Quebec is made possible thanks to the joint efforts of several people.

Board of Directors

Polio Quebec is directed by the Board of Directors which is composed of volunteer members of the Association. Eleven (11) are elected by the General Assembly and two (2) are co-opted by the Board.
The Board of Directors for 2019-2020 is:
Roland Larivière, President

Roland Larivière, President

Helen D’Orazio, CA member

Helen D’Orazio, CA member

Mohamed Zaidoune, CA member

Mohamed Zaidoune, CA member

Daniel Montmarquette, Vice President

Daniel Montmarquette, Vice President

Mary Vertes-Benedek, CA member

Mary Vertes-Benedek, CA member

Azedine Sahnoun, CA Member

Azedine Sahnoun, CA Member

Chantal Mallen, Secretary

Chantal Mallen, Secretary

Nicole Gagliard, CA Member

Nicole Gagliard, CA Member

Pauline Sweer, Treasurer

Pauline Sweer, Treasurer

Adriana Venturini, CA Member

Adriana Venturini, CA Member

Mona Arsenault, CA Member

Mona Arsenault, CA Member

Medical Advisors

Polio Quebec’s Board of Directors benefits from the counsel of a Medical Advisor, a physiatrist who works at the Post-Polio Clinic at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. The Medical Advisor attends monthly meetings but is not one of the Board Members.
Since 1998, Dr Daria A. Trojan has acted as a Medical Advisor, giving advice and maintaining contact with the Post-Polio Clinic team.
In 2014, Ann Robinson left her Board of Directors’ seat to become Medical Advisor for the Association.
Dr. Daria Trojan, Medical Advisor

Dr. Daria Trojan, Medical Advisor

Ann Robinson, Medical Advisor

Ann Robinson, Medical Advisor

Administration et communications

Polio Quebec has two permanent employees that take care of administration and communications: Amitha Katta, Director, and Antoine Heuillard, communications coordinator. They can be reached at association@polioquebec.org