Spring 2018 Student News
~by Andrew Archibald
The Class of 2019 has been dispersed across the Atlantic provinces since early May for their MSK and Cardiorespiratory placements, as they apply what they’ve learned in class. With the in-class portion of the PT program behind them the Class of 2018 has said their goodbyes to their second home, the Forrest Building. In the month of May, they showed off their film skills, completed their integrative practice exam, defended their research projects and completed the infamous CCE.
Looking to the future, they have their final two summer placements to look forward to before preparing for the national exam and “real life”. Many students that will be traveling abroad for their final placement including Julia Steeves, Kathleen Maclennan, and Emily Mckeough taking on Dublin, Ireland and Emma Aucoin, Mohammed Sharif and myself finishing in Glasgow, Scotland.
Before jumping into what’s happening next, let’s take a minute to reflect on all the amazing memories and events we’ve had this past semester:
This year’s Physiotherapy Ball was held March 24th, 2018 at Pier 21. From the beginning, it was expected to be a big success with Lauren Windsor and Jessica Crook as the planning committee. Their first great decision was selecting Pier 21 as the new venue. The event wasn’t just a success, it was the best PT Ball ever! It was all in the details starting with their choice in Aaron Finn and Justine White as the emcees. The duo was captivating from start to finish and got the crowd roaring in laughter more than once. The laughs kept coming with the two classes showing off their acting skills in their videos of a day in the life of a PT student.
Once the laughs died down the crowd had their heart strings strung with a reminiscent slideshow depicted by Michael Monks. Cheryle Kelm’s (Graduate Coordinator) face lighting up while accepting a lovely bouquet of flowers on behalf of the student body in recognition all she has done was another highlight. Following a delicious meal, the faculty, students and friends kicked off their shoes (and were asked to put them back on) and ripped up the dance-floor all night long. The party wouldn’t have been the same without the amazing class playlist skillfully put together by Karim Abdulwahab, Mohammed Sharif and Julia Winsdor.
Thank you, Lauren, Jessica and everyone mentioned for all the hard work you put into this night!
The annual Wildcat Cup was once again a great success with the first year vs. second year showdown taking place April 1st, 2018. The intense athletic competition included a game of bump, dodgeball and soccer baseball. The Class of 2019 gave it their all but could not overtake the defending champs, the mighty Class of 2018. It was a great afternoon allowing us to release our inner “Weekend Warriors” and destress from school work.
With the end of school year, it’s out with the old and in with the new as we transition from one student council to the next. It is a pleasure to welcome Tyler Parmiter (President), Kaitlyn Higgins (Vice President), Carolyn Crane (Treasurer), and Kayla Toner (Secretary) as the 2018-2019 Dalhousie Physiotherapy Student Society (DPTSS) council. I’m confident the student body is in good hands.
Finally, the class (family) of 2018’s time together at Dal has come to a bitter sweet end as we look forward to achieving our goals but are reluctant to separate from those whom which we’ve built such strong friendships and memories. The journey together wasn’t easy but keep in mind what Mr. Lombardi once said:
“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” – Vince Lombardi
Congratulations class of 2018! See you all at graduation.