Both the University of Alberta and Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine were buzzing with excitement last Thursday as students, family, faculty and staff braved the cold weather to celebrate Fall Convocation 2011.
During the morning ceremony at the Jubilee Auditorium, the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine's Dean Martin Ferguson-Pell had the privileged opportunity to present Rick Hansen for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws on behalf of the University of Alberta Senate. Mr. Hansen is a Canadian Paralympian gold medalist who wheeled across the world to raise support and awareness for spinal cord injury and research.
"In 1991, Mr. Hansen was the special guest at the grand re-opening of Corbett Hall, home to the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine," said Ferguson-Pell. "Committed to teaching, research and service in rehabilitation, the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine includes research leaders in musculoskeletal health, spinal cord injuries and common spinal disorders. We are so proud of Mr. Hansen's contributions to support spinal cord injury research, advancing treatment and care for people with spinal cord injury."
The celebration continued at Corbett Hall with the convocation reception and awards presentation. Ferguson-Pell and Jonathan Schaeffer, Vice-Provost & Associate VP of Information Technology, addressed the crowd with congratulatory remarks.
"More than 100 years ago, the first president of the University of Alberta, Henry Marshall Tory, pledged that the university would be for the 'uplifting of the whole people,'" said Ferguson-Pell. "It is now up to you, his successors, to build upon that promise. Congratulations!"
Also in attendance were three special guests: Greg Cutforth, President of Physiotherapy Alberta; Donna LaRocque, Chair of Private Practice Division for the Canadian Physiotherapy Association; and Michelle Craig, Past President of the Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.
These three professional association representatives had the honour of presenting this year's fall convocation awards alongside department representatives Lili Liu, PhD, Bob Haennel, PhD, and Melanie Campbell, PhD.
The celebrations at Corbett Hall came to a close with a reception and a photobooth that enabled students to commemorate their special day by taking photos with classmates, friends, family and professors.
2011 Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine Fall Convocation Award Winners
The Dr. JR Fowler Memorial Book Award
Dawn Pauls (PT)
The Canadian Physiotherapy Association Prize
Stephanie Oviatt (PT)
The Medal in Occupational Therapy Graduate Award
Natalie Huxtable (OT)
The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) Student Award
Breanne Beecher (OT)
Jim and Fran Vargo Goodwill Award
Fabienne Moser (PT)
Jarett Stastny (OT)
Amanda Ostertag (SPA)
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine Student Clinical Award
Stephen Uhrbach (PT)
Nyna Barclay (OT)
Christen Flottemesch (SPA)
The Dean's Medal in Rehabilitation Medicine
Kathryn Millar (OT)
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.