Dal's Alice Aiken receives distinguished alumni award for commitment to military and veteran health research

As Dal's vice president research and innovation, Alice Aiken frequently celebrates the many accomplishments of the university’s faculty, staff and researchers.

Now, Dr. Aiken herself is the one being celebrated.

The School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University selected Dr. Aiken as the 2021 recipient of the Rehabilitation Science Distinguished Alumni Award.

The award was first established in 1991 by Diana Hopkins-Rosseel, a professor in the school, and is given out annually to alum from each of the school’s programs. It recognizes exceptional contributions of alumni in their chosen field, profession or community.

Dr. Aiken is being honoured this year for her work in advancing the health and well-being of military personnel, Veterans, and their families. When she was a faculty member at Queen’s, Dr. Aiken — who’d finished master’s and PhD degrees in the school while managing the university’s physio clinic and being a full-time clinical teacher — spearheaded the creation of a cross-Canada research network centred on military and Veteran health research.

A unique perspective

Dr. Aiken herself is a Veteran of the Canadian Forces, having joined the military around the same time she started a science degree at the University of Ottawa in 1984. She served until 1998, including a stint as a ship’s navigator in Halifax where she later completed a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy at Dal in 1994.

With this combination of first-hand military experience and expertise in rehabilitation, Dr. Aiken brought a valuable perspective to the academic discourse around health services and policies for military personnel and Veterans in Canada.

Today, the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research is a leader in evidence-informed practices, policies and programs. Based in Kingston, Ont. at Queen’s, the organization engages researchers at over 40 universities across Canada and with numerous international partners, facilitating the development of new research and knowledge translation including through The Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health — published three times a year by the University of Toronto Press.

Dr. Aiken will receive her award during a virtual presentation ceremony hosted by Queen’s University on Oct. 16.

Learn more about the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research.