Winter 2021 Director's Message
by Dr. Lynn Shaw
As we head toward cooler weather and the end of the year, I find myself taking a moment to reflect on the innovative and impressive accomplishments achieved within the School, since the beginning of the 2021 academic year.
Research
School researchers have once again achieved significant strides in various areas of research. Case in point is Dr. Alice Aiken, Dalhousie’s Vice-President Research and Innovation and Physiotherapy School faculty member and alumna, who recently received the Queen’s University Rehabilitation Science Distinguished Alumni Award for her work in advancing the health and well-being of military personnel, Veterans, and families.
School researchers achieve not only in their own practice, but also provide valuable mentoring to capable up-and-coming research students. Information about our faculty and research student accomplishments can be found in the Research Update section of this newsletter.
Students
Each year I’m impressed by the calibre of the new intake of students who come through the doors of the Forrest Building. This year is no different. I recently sat down with Katie Broussard and Christine Barnes, president and first year representative of the School of Physiotherapy Student Society. Their insights, positivity, and willingness to contribute and collaborate are inspiring and appreciated.
I am excited for the leadership and high-quality competencies and skills that will be brought forward into the physiotherapy profession as the resilient graduating Class of 2021 begins to disperse into their new workplaces in the coming weeks. They have overcome unique obstacles to complete their degree and become colleagues. I have no doubt they will receive a warm welcome from the physiotherapy community.
With the academic scheduling beginning to be adjusted back to pre-covid timetables, I appreciate the words of Acting Associate Director, Marie Earl as she provides us with an update on the quality student learning going on within the walls of the Forrest Building this semester. With the advent of Covid-19, face masks and PPE shields are standard equipment for faculty and students during face-to-face skills labs, but if you close your eyes, you can hear the coveted, albeit muffled, sound of normal – and for that I am thankful.
Community
As we wrap up the fall season and head into winter, I would like to thank our clinical community for their ongoing support and encourage members who have not yet reached out to the School’s Clinical Education Team for student placement opportunities, to do so. Cardiorespiratory or Neurotherapy placements would be particularly welcome in the upcoming days. Amélie Therrien’s report on her field placement in Yellowknife, is a wonderful reminder about how impactful Clinical Instructors are in the lives of our students.
I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to our staff members who supported and managed the needs of three cohorts of students in 2020 and 2021 to contribute toward their successful advancement toward graduation. If you happen to be on the 4th floor of the Forrest Building, I hope you will take a moment to drop by and say hello to our newest staff members - Clinical Education Program Assistant, Tammy Fancy and Administrative Assistant to the Director, Pallavi Kamble. We are very pleased they have joined our School of Physiotherapy team.
The sound of normal, the tireless help of dedicated faculty and staff members, the security that comes from knowing the School has an overwhelmingly supportively community – all things to be grateful for. One way we, as a School, have chosen to pay our gratitude forward is by giving to those who may not share our comforts. We invite anyone who works in, or walks by the Forrest Building before December 6th of this year, to join us in showing our gratitude to others by dropping off donated items or gift cards to the Physiotherapy office. All donations go directly to the good people at Adsum House - a safe place for women, families, youth and trans individuals seeking emergency shelter.
As we head into the festive season, I wish you all safety, good health and memorable moments spent with family and friends.