Joanne Tortola at Dalhousie's School of Physiotherapy 50th Anniversary Gala.
Joanne Tortola joined the School of Physiotherapy as our Administrative Manager in November of 2012. It wasn’t long before Dr. Anne Fenety, School of Physiotherapy Director at the time, saw Joanne as “a leader with tremendous potential for advancement at Dalhousie University.”
Acting on the Director’s lead, Joanne repeatedly and successfully worked to implement projects that furthered the School’s vision. A confident, logical thinker Joanne adeptly provided clear rationale for her decisions, demonstrating reliability and accountability at every turn and always ensured Dalhousie’s best interests were kept in the forefront of any size endeavor. Perhaps the greatest measure of Joanne’s high and consistent performance relates to her organizational prowess as she managed several major new projects in the School, including:
- Providing administrative support for the successful 50th Anniversary Celebration of the School. The 50th year reunion Gala ushered in subsequent annual alumni reunions, along with the establishment of the $50,000, 2015 Physiotherapy Scholarship.
- The contribution of foundation research, process support, and project management for the fruition of the Dal PT Clinic which will in turn allow for an increase of experiential learning and research practice.
- The Creative input and support in developing a new curriculum with primary drivers to enhance our own clinical education line.
- Emboldening staff & faculty by encouraging professional development and overseeing the creation of a luncheon space for informal communication and interaction.
- Navigating around space restraints with a push to go paperless.
- Developing a tracking system for our strategic initiatives that promotes accountability of goal attainment.
Dr. Fenety describes Joanne's School contribution well in saying, “Without her talent and ability to build support, we would not have accomplished as much, done it as well, or achieved it as expeditiously.”
The School of Physiotherapy will miss Joanne and her masterful project managing and administrative skills - the people will miss her for her practicality, positive presence and collegial nature. Luckily for us, Joanne did not move far, as she is now Director of Finance and Administration in Dalhousie's Faculty of Law.
We congratulate Joanne on her promotion to an air-conditioned office and wish her every success in her new role!