After offering free hugs for a day to Edmontonians, University of Alberta occupational therapy students should give one another a congratulatory squeeze.
The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine's occupational therapy department (OT) is the winner of the second annual gOT Spirit? Challenge.
Started by recent U of A graduate Pamela Armstead as a project in her "Online Technology for Occupational Therapy" class, it's a Canada-wide contest to enhance public awareness of the field and spark some friendly competition among universities during National Occupational Therapy Month in October.
Started by recent U of A graduate Pamela Armstead as a project in her "Online Technology for Occupational Therapy" class, it's a Canada-wide contest to enhance public awareness of the field and spark some friendly competition among universities during National Occupational Therapy Month in October.
Brianna Boyle, spirit representative for the OT department, said she danced in her kitchen when she heard the good news.
"I had hopes for U of A to win, only because I was overwhelmed with how much effort all of my classmates had put into OT month and the gOT Spirit? Challenge," she said.
The students spread OT spirit throughout the university, the community, and the world. They did this by hosting a conference focusing on future practices in OT, participating in volunteer and charitable events including Run for the Cure, and co-hosting a worldwide, 24 hour online conference celebrating World Occupational Therapy Day alongside their instructors Susan Burwash and Anita Hamilton.
Most memorable was the OT students' flash mob dance with free hugs choreographed by Boyle and dance colleague Odessa Wowk.
"Approximately 160 of our students walked around the quad on campus and approached people passing by to tell them about occupational therapy, our role as OTs and our program at the U of A," said Boyle.
"When the clock struck 12:50, all of a sudden the OT students broke out into a dance to the excellent soundtrack Tightrope by Janelle Monaie. It seemed as though a lot of people stopped to take a look and see what was going on."
The students were accompanied by members of iDance, a program for individuals with or without disabilities that explores a variety of traditional dance forms in an inclusive environment.
Boyle was responsible for posting a video of the dance and pictures detailing all of the U of A's efforts onto the gOT Spirit? Challenge's website. Submissions were judged by Sue Baptiste, President of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy.
Other universities in the competition included: University of Manitoba, University of Ottawa, Dalhousie University, University of Toronto, McMaster University, Queens University and McGill University.
Anita Hamilton, assistant professor in the department of occupational therapy, thinks the students worked hard and provided a well-rounded submission.
"The students at the U of A are very passionate and involved in the program and they are looking forward to becoming part of the international OT community when they graduate," she said. "I am very proud of my students at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and I'm looking forward to next year's submission!"
With October 2011 fast approaching, OT students across Canada will be putting on their thinking caps and coming up with new and creative ways to show that they've got spirit again.
About the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
As the only free standing faculty of rehabilitation in Canada, the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine balances its activities among learning, discovery and citizenship (including clinical practice). A research leader in musculoskeletal health, spinal cord injuries and common spinal disorders (back pain), the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine aims to improve the quality of life of citizens in our community. The three departments, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPA) offer professional entry programs. The Faculty offers thesis-based MSc and PhD programs in Rehabilitation Science, attracting students from a variety of disciplines including OT, PT, SLP, psychology, physical education, medicine and engineering.
As the only free standing faculty of rehabilitation in Canada, the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine balances its activities among learning, discovery and citizenship (including clinical practice). A research leader in musculoskeletal health, spinal cord injuries and common spinal disorders (back pain), the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine aims to improve the quality of life of citizens in our community. The three departments, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPA) offer professional entry programs. The Faculty offers thesis-based MSc and PhD programs in Rehabilitation Science, attracting students from a variety of disciplines including OT, PT, SLP, psychology, physical education, medicine and engineering.