Winter 2018 Student News

By Student President - Andrew Archibald

With many hours spent studying, prepping for OSCEs and visiting downtown Halifax to sing/dance our troubles away, we brought the 2017 fall semester to a close. The Class of 2019 are now full of Cardiorespiratory and Exercise Physiology knowledge and the amazing experience of working with graciously donated cadavers has provided an in-depth understanding of human anatomy. Class of 2019 is now into the thick of musculoskeletal physiotherapy studies. The ol’ Class of 2018 was faced with the challenges associated with Neuroscience and Neurotherapeutics during the fall semester, but once again came out on top together. With new skills in their “PT Toolbox”, the class has been dispersed across the Atlantic Provinces, and Canada for their Neuro placements, where they have been applying those skills in practice. I am confident that every student will gain valuable knowledge and experience helping to prepare them for their last semester and the “real world” after graduation.



Before revealing the exciting plans for the rest of the Winter Semester, let’s take a closer look at some of the big events that took place in 2017.



Physiotherapy had an amazing performance with their rendition of High School Musical at the annual “For the Health of it” competition. Huge thanks goes out to the FTHOI steering committee: Lisa McCarthy and Joe Yetman (lead coordinators), Caitlin Wohlfahrt and Jill Dierijck (dance coordinators), Stephen Jesso, Joseph Ghosn, and Emily McKeough (stunts coordinators), Jessica Daigle and Ryan McNeil (AV coordinators) and all the students that volunteered their time!



The OTs performed a great rendition of Happy Potter and the first-place decision was so tight between the two faculties that the audience were left in anticipation during a recount! Although Physiotherapy came second, I like to think about what a friend once told me about competition:
“And never placin' second. And even better knowin' you're first but then takin' second” - Drake.
 In all seriousness, congratulations to our OT neighbors for their well-deserved win!  



This year, Physiotherapy took home the Top Fundraising Award once again, these hard-earned funds went to the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, for a grand total of roughly $14,000 from the event. This could not have been possible without the dedicated fundraising committee (Hannah Noseworthy, Danielle Broome and Emma Aucoin). Some of the fundraising highlights included: “Pie your Prof”, an annual favorite where both professors and students get a face full of dessert!
 


The Men of Physiotherapy once again fundraised for the annual “Movember” charity and although many of the men grew their lip caterpillars together, a few stood apart from the rest, including: Stephen Jesso, Luke Dillman, Michael Monks, Brandon Kelvey and Cody Peddle. Together, these fine gentlemen fundraised $350 to for men’s health and its fight against prostate cancer.



And now it’s 2018; New Year, New Me!! The Class of 2018 will be returning from their placements in mid-February to rejoin the Class of 2019 in the Forrest building. The most anticipated event of the semester is the glamorous PT Ball, which is just around the corner! A night where the student body and faculty can come together to indulge in a night of delicious food, laughs, and dancing while being dressed to the nines. We will also bring back the annual “Wildcat Cup” event in which the 2018 and 2019 classes square off for some friendly athletic competition. It will be a semester to remember with more laughs to be had and memories to be made.