By: Jocelyn Adams, Communications & Special Projects Assitant

Each season, PT Matters features the vibrant careers of our physiotherapy alumni. This fall, as we celebrate 50 years of physiotherapy alumni, we are featuring the career of Associate Professor and Head of the Physical Therapy program at Queen’s University, Dr. Alice Aiken. In addition, she is also the co-founder and Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veterans Health Research (CIMVHR).

After completing her BSc in Kinesiology from the University of Ottawa, and serving as an Officer with the Royal Canadian Navy, Alice returned to school to pursue a career in physiotherapy. "I wanted to work in a career that truly helped people live their lives to the fullest.  I wanted a career that was flexible and with unlimited possibilities to take it where I wanted to go."

Alice worked clinically before completing her Masters and PhD, and did them both part-time while running a busy private practice. During her professional career she served 14 years with the Royal Canadian Military, was President of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (2008 – 2012) and is co-founder and Scientific Director of CIMVHR. Throughout her career, she has witnessed significant changes within the physiotherapy profession, "I have seen the scope of practice change which further defines physiotherapy as an autonomous profession. I have seen physiotherapists emerge as leaders in health care time and time again."

There are many exciting yet challenging aspects about her current position with the CIMVHR.  According to Alice, "Running a pan-Canadian research institute (CIMVHR), means coordinating and understanding health related research from many different fields. It’s both a challenge and extremely rewarding."

Alice’s hope is to improve and learn from the lives of those in and affected by the Canadian military. "My goal is to ensure that military personnel, Veterans and their families have the best possible evidence to inform the policies, programs and treatments that affect them, and to ensure that the lessons learned with this population are applied to the Canadian population in general," said Alice.

Alice has great aspirations for the future of the physiotherapy profession. "My dream is that access to physiotherapy services becomes part of the universality of the Canada Health Act, for the benefit of the population as a whole."

Alice provides advice for new graduates starting their career in physiotherapy. "It’s simply the best career in health care. Medicine or surgery may cure you but physiotherapy will make your life worth living. We focus on improving the quality of life for everyone, so they can live life to the fullest."

Dr. Alice Aiken is kicking off the 50th Anniversary Weekend by presenting, “Advancing the health of Canada’s military and Veterans: How can clinicians, researchers and universities contribute” at the celebration’s Public Lecture from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Sir Charles Tupper Building (Theatre B), followed by a Meet & Greet reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Tupper Link on Friday, October 2, 2015.  Come out and join in the 50th Anniversary festivities!