Summer 2023 Interim Director's Message
by Dr. Derek Rutherford, Director
HAPPY SUMMER
I hope this newsletter finds everyone well, enjoying summer and finding some time to be with friends and family, exploring our beautiful place in Canada. This summer edition newsletter is full of exciting developments, stories and congratulations from our students, staff and faculty in your School of Physiotherapy.
I would like to focus on a message of thanks. Thanks to our community for supporting physiotherapy in Atlantic Canada. This spring/summer term saw over 180 clinical placements offered and successfully completed. What an accomplishment! This occurred in addition to the added responsibilities of our clinical community to support resident physiotherapists, our graduates, on their way to full licensure. An enormous commitment and the School of Physiotherapy appreciates your dedication, efforts and time to make the future of physiotherapy a reality in Atlantic Canada. In this newsletter you will read about our 2nd annual community engagement event, recognizing the hard work and commitment we have all had in developing physiotherapy in Atlantic Canada. Thank you!
This spring we celebrated the retirement of Dr. Cheryl Kozey, faculty member in the School of Physiotherapy for over 40 years. Dr. Kozey has played a pivotal role in not only the School of Physiotherapy, but also the School of Biomedical Engineering along with the Faculty of Health as Associate Dean Research and Acting Dean. Cheryls contributions to the university were celebrated on May 9th at Le Merchant Place Atrium with speeches and tokens of appreciation. Notably, in Cheryl’s name we have created the Dr. Cheryl Kozey Prize, the first award established in the MSc Rehabilitation Research program to acknowledge a student who goes above and beyond, supporting research with passion and dedication. I hope you'll take a moment to read the article written by the Faculty of Health with Cheryl. For those who would like to support the development of the Dr. Cheryl Kozey award, a link is provided to assist us in raising enough funds to allow this prize to be available each year to a MSc Rehabilitation Research Student. Thank you!
I want to recognize the important contributions that our staff make to the School of Physiotherapy. The vision of the School of Physiotherapy is to lead regionally, nationally and internationally in collaborative, inclusive physiotherapy education, research, and service that advance health, policy, and practice. The dedication of our staff including Jascinth Butterfield, Administration Manager, Kelly Underwood, Admissions and Graduate Program Assistant, Tammy Fancy, Clinical Education Program Assistant, Lil Crump, Communications and Digital Media Specialist, Pallavi Kamble, Assistant to the Director and James Crouse, Technician is amazing! Thank you for everything you do to support our school vision.
This spring we graduated our MScPT class of 2023 which included two students graduating from our combined MScRR/MSCPT program. Congrats to all of you and our extended Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy family wishes you well as you embark on your careers, wherever your degree leads you.
In finishing, I wish everyone well, hope you enjoy our newsletter and as always, please keep in touch.