Spring 2018 Director's Message
Dr. Anne Fenety with Dr. Derek Rutherford.
My past 6 years as Director of the SoPT and Associate Dean, Innovation, in the Faculty of Health, has been a fascinating journey of transition and growth. As time ticks down to my departure from this position, I reflect on what I can offer to those taking on the leadership role as I pass the baton on to Derek Rutherford as Interim Director.
It strikes me that, in a relay race, the person passing off the baton does not stand idly by, waiting but continues momentous strides, slowing only when all aspects of a successful handoff have been completed. I see the same to be true in my Director’s role, seeing that it is the momentum of the hard work done before the handoff, and a smooth transition that increases the chance of overall future success. There is no winning unless the entire team works together in moving forward. Thanks everyone.
As a participant on the NSPA AGM leadership panel recently, I was asked how I would describe my leadership style. My response, “I am a Participative Leader”, a leader that values the input of team members and peers, understanding that the final decision rests with me. I found that actively listening to what faculty and staff had to say on a matter, enhanced the engagement of the entire team. Without the team members working together, we would not have the innovative accomplishments, like those listed below, to spur on the momentum of continued success in the school’s upcoming years.
Without a team of engaged individuals pulling together we would not have:
- Expedited the quality of experiential learning and research practice by establishing the Dal PT Clinic
- Advanced Interprofessional Health Education and Simulation to be the effective tool that it has become for our students
- Developed a new curriculum with primary drivers to enhance our own clinical education line
- Fostered the impressive progress in research: increasing metrics of: grant captures, academic publications, grad students, etc.
- Increased enrolment
- Expanded the SoPT communications to engage the larger community through social media, e-newsletters, webcasts, alumni communications and reunions, Doors Open involvement etc.
- Emboldened staff & faculty by nominating them for awards, encouraging professional development and creating space for informal communication and interaction
- Navigated around space restraints with a push to go paperless
- Developed a tracking system for our strategic initiatives that promotes accountability of goal attainment
We, at the School of Physiotherapy, have created momentum as a team, and I have every confidence in their abilities. So, what can I offer as advice to those taking on the leadership role in my stead?
Learn from yesterday and aspire to tomorrow’s possibilities, even when today is relentlessly screaming for your undivided attention.
Recently, Anne circulated a scanned newspaper piece, to staff in our School, from the April 21, 2018 Chronicle Herald Careers section entitled “The benefits of mentoring”. The article noted that mentoring “is a relationship that brings mentoree encouragement and professional support through communication and teaching.” Many people in our physiotherapy and Dalhousie communities are aware of the breadth of accomplishments made in our School under Anne’s leadership. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf our staff, to acknowledge the sincere and deliberate mentorship that Anne has provided to the small group of individuals who provide administrative and technical support in our School, and more recently in our new Physiotherapy Clinic. Beyond encouragement and professional support, Anne has empowered staff to apply their strengths, considered their input, and trusted their skill, to work in the best interest of the School, Faculty and University in the implementation of many of these accomplishments. It has been an honour, a pleasure and a period of growth and development for not only the School, but those who call it home during business hours! We look forward to continuing to support future accomplishments in our School, built on this momentum. ~Joanne Tortola, Administrative Manager SoPT |