Winter 2019 Faculty Profile

by Lil Crump

Dr. Marie Earl (BSc Physiotherapy, University of Western Ontario) completed doctoral work on the neuromuscular control of posture and movement at the University of Waterloo, (PhD Kinesiology). She worked for several months as a physiotherapist at the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre in St. John’s, NL in 1994, before taking on an Assistant Professor role at Dalhousie’s School of Physiotherapy later that year. This year marks Marie’s 25th year at the School of Physiotherapy and we couldn’t be more thrilled to highlight her many accomplishments since her arrival.

Marie's versatility is seen in her various roles at the School. In brief, Marie teaches physiotherapy students about evidence-based assessment and treatment of people with complex conditions. This includes complex psychosocial issues, and development of clinical reasoning, and active, sustainable learning. She instructs modules about scientific principles in physiotherapy practice, including critical appraisal and synthesis of best-available evidence for translation to patient-centered physiotherapy practice. And she teaches students how exercise and other aspects of physiotherapy protect or restore mobility and health of seniors, adults who live with arthritis, and those recovering from limb amputation.
 
As the Interprofessional Education Coordinator, Marie works with representatives from the Faculty of Health, Dentistry and Medicine to develop, implement, and evaluate a curriculum to prepare Dalhousie graduates to provide collaborative, client-centred health care in the communities where they will be serving.

Much of Marie’s research deals with factors that affect the balance and mobility of older adults. She places particular emphasis on sensory function, and effective recruitment of muscles to control balance during routine standing and walking tasks. This provides the basis for developing appropriate assessments, and for learning how properly prescribed exercise can prevent the impairments and activity limitations that affect the health and independence of seniors who live in the community, in hospital, and in continuing care settings. Her research activities focus on exercise techniques to reduce falling and improve function of seniors who have balance problems. “Changes in muscle and sensory function can have major effects on a person’s mobility.” Marie shares, “Applying better knowledge of muscle and sensory systems to clinical assessment and treatment options, allows us to find better ways to protect or restore balance and mobility of people whose health is threatened by inactivity, illness, or injury.”

Marie chairs of the School of Physiotherapy’s Inclusion and Equity Committee – a committee made up of faculty members and students, gather on a regular basis for the purpose of identifying potential equity and inclusion issues within the School and program curriculum. Together the team proposes changes that are not only meant to ensure a positive environment for learning within the MSc Physiotherapy and MSc Rehabilitation Research (thesis-based) programs, but also extends into the community to improve equitable access to client-centred care.

Committee efforts also play an important part in the School’s future recruitment by supporting programs that inspire youth of underrepresented groups to consider secondary education in health professions. Marie is an active participant in providing meaningful hands-on Physiotherapy workshops and demonstrations for African Nova Scotian Health Sciences Summer Camps & Indigenous Health Sciences Summer Camps for Youth.
 
On a Faculty level, Marie co-chairs Dalhousie’s Faculty of Health, Inclusions and Equity Committee and is dedicated to ongoing learning. The list of professional development seminars and workshops she’s attended reveal not only her commitment to the expansion of her research, but also her desire to understand the issues & challenges faced by members of underrepresented groups. “Inclusivity is something that resonates deeply with me,” says Marie, “Everyone has the right to feel safe and included in every environment.”
 
Marie’s colleague and committee co-chair Barbara-Ann Hamilton-Hinch says it well as she shares,
 
“I have had the pleasure of co-chairing the Inclusion and Equity Committee with Marie for a number of years. I don’t know what it would be like to NOT work with Marie, she brings such passion, interest and drive to equity issues.  She is an honest and open person who readily accepts and identifies challenges in the Faculty of Health.  Marie takes special care in preparing her students to be amazing professionals and strives to insure they leave with an understanding of how their actions (positive or negative) can impact another.  I am honored that I can count her as a friend, ally and mentor.”