Spring 2023 Director's Message
by interim Director, Derek Rutherford
Happy Spring!
Spring is such a wonderful time of the year. A time for renewal, new life, building a strong foundation for a future of sustainable growth and of course, warmer weather. I am hopeful you all were able to find some space for health and wellness over the past months. Indeed, spring 2023 is not without challenge. We are facing enormous pressures on our health care system and our vital heath care professionals. I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our alumni, whether a graduate of our entry-to-practice physiotherapy program or those who graduated with an MSc in Rehabilitation Research. Our graduates are poised to impact greatly on some of today's top health care challenges.
There is a feeling of health and happiness in the School of Physiotherapy. This newsletter is filled with great success stories that make us all proud to be members of our community - from the return of in-person activities both inside and outside of the School and our ever-expanding clinical education community, to the great successes of our researchers and graduate students of the MSc rehabilitation Research and PhD in Health programs. The grips of COVID-19 have started to loosen and being together is returning to common place. I’m really looking forward to what the future holds for Dalhousie's School of Physiotherapy.
While we celebrate the success of our School, our staff, students, and faculty, I would like to extend an invitation to a celebration for Dr. Cheryl Kozey who has recently retired from Dalhousie University after 41 years of employment. As a lead up to this celebration, the Faculty of Health has published an interview with Dr. Kozey, filled with accomplishments, proudest moments, reflections, and hints of where we might find Cheryl in the future. This event takes place May 9th, from 2-4 in the Le Marchant Place Atrium. To inform the catering order, we ask you to please RSVP here by May 4th if you plan to attend.
This is a very special time. For me, Dr. Kozey was a supervisor, mentor and very good friend and I personally wish her well. Cheryl instilled in me the notion of working smart and making each moment count. I can vouch for the importance of these motivations in today's very busy work environments. You will still find Dr. Kozey around the School for the next couple of years in a post retirement appointment.
Before signing off today, I want to extend a big thanks to our PT community members who have answered the call for practice education support for our profession in Atlantic Canada, those stepping up to help our new graduates and our students in transitioning through the journey to become physiotherapists. We truly appreciate your continued dedication to the profession, your Alma Mater, and our students. We wish to continue our engagement, building a strong foundation and a solid community of excellence to impact the future of health care in Atlantic Canada and beyond.
Wishing you all well and hope you enjoy reading through our newsletter.