Fall 2023 Director's Message
by Dr Derek Rutherford
There are many who consider the month of September the start of a new year, in step with the hustle and bustle of a new school term. For others, autumn is a time for reflection as the calendar year draws to a close. The collision of these yearly narratives provides such an enriching environment in the School of Physiotherapy. We congratulate our MScRR students who successfully completed their Thesis defences and our final year students as they fulfill their degree requirements of the MScPT through the final elements of practice education. Wishing you the best of success in future endeavours. We welcome a new cohort of MScRR and MScPT students eager to engage with our programming, our research and our partners in practice education. Our year two students, return for their final full year of academic study. This is such a wonderful time of the year filled full of emotion, energy, excitement, and aspiration. As you read through the Fall 2023 edition of the PT matters newsletter, I’m hoping that you can live or re live this exciting time with us.
As I transition from my role as Interim and Associate Director of the School of Physiotherapy to a 5-year term as Director, I want to extend a heart felt thank you to the Alumni and many others who have answered the call to support the future for our profession in Atlantic Canada; stepping up to help our
new MScPT graduates and our MScPT students transition through the journey to become physiotherapists. We truly appreciate your continued dedication to the profession, your Alma Mater, and our students. I’m looking forward to community, engagement and being bold as we develop the future of rehabilitation research and physiotherapy in Atlantic Canada.
Wishing you all well and hope you enjoy reading through our newsletter.
School of Physiotherapy Director Announcement
Dr. Rutherford sharing his congratulations celebration cake. Photo Credit: Daphne Pereira.
I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Derek Rutherford has been appointed as Director of the School of Physiotherapy for the period October 1, 2023 to June 30, 2028.
The Search Committee felt that Dr. Rutherford’s strong academic portfolio, innovative teaching, productive research program, administrative leadership experience and collaborative communication and decision-making approach were predictive of his future success in the role. Also, being a registered physiotherapist with experience in clinical practice supported his candidacy.
I agree wholeheartedly with the search committee’s assessment and recommendation. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Rutherford as he leads the School of Physiotherapy into the future, as he has done so ably in the past.
~ Dr Brenda Merritt | DEAN