Welcome everyone to the Spring 2007 newsletter from the School of Rehabilitation Science (SRS), McMaster University.

Over the winter months, our involvement in various educational and research activities have continued to evolve. Further information on our recently awarded research grants are available in the Research Spotlights section. We have expanded our faculty complement and are pleased to welcome new members, Rebecca GeWurtz and Bronwen Thomas, and returning faculty, Sandra Moll. Further details of their appointments are available in the Growth and Development section. The Alumni Reunion Planning Committee is busily preparing for the Class Reunions of 1992, 1997 and 2002. The 15-year, 10-year and 5-year anniversaries of the respective classes will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2007. We hope to reconnect with many of the alumni from these classes at the special reunion event.

A major activity in April will be the Admissions Interview Weekend, April 27 - 29, 2007. We invite alumni, community partners and affiliates, and faculty to help us select the best candidates for enrolment in September 2007. Should individuals wish to sign up as an interview assessor, please feel free to email Pamela Potts, Admissions Coordinator, at otpt@mcmaster.ca

In the upcoming months, we will continue to work on further expanding the educational and research capacity of rehabilitation science in graduate studies, and playing a key role in mobilizing health care service in the community.

Remember to stay connected and share your recent activities with us.

As always, we welcome your feedback and... stories - send them to collinsh@mcmaster.ca

With warmest regards.

Mary Law, Associate Dean, School of Rehabilitation Science

UPCOMING EVENTS

2007 OT/PT JOB FAIR

The OT/PT students will be hosting the 2007 Job Fair on May 30, 2007 in the CIBC Hall, McMaster University Student Centre, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Recruiters from the local and national regions, including the U.S. have been invited to participate in this event. Students hope to network and explore various job opportunities in rehabilitation and related health care services.

The Reunion Planning Committee is putting the final touches to the venue for the main event on Saturday, June 9, 2007. Committee members are wishing for a bright sunny day that will set the stage for an exciting and fun-filled day. Registration packages are scheduled to be mailed out mid-April by the Alumni Advancement Office. Register early!! Alumni and their families will have an opportunity to run or walk with current students in the annual Helen Saarinen Fun Run in the morning, followed by a lovely picnic lunch, complements of the Alumni Advancement Office, in the backyard of the IAHS. Students reps are busily planning kids' activities to entertain the children and engage their energy in mini sports! The day will culminate with a Reunion Dinner and Dance at the University (Faculty) Club. The proposed cost is $35.00 per person for the dinner and dance with a cash bar. Ali Faghani, PT'97, has kindly agreed to bring his fabulous collection of music from various years to get the room on their feet! With responses coming in daily, the June 9 th reunion promises to be a merry event filled with fun, laughter, and spontaneity. Most of all, it will be an event for reminiscing, renewing friendships and reconnecting with former faculty and current students in the SRS. We look forward to celebrating with many alumni at this special 15-year, 10-year and 5-year reunion.

Hoping to see you in June! Your Reunion Planning Committee: Lissa Kuzych-Berezowsky - OT'92
Nadine Graham, Kathy McNorgan and Karen Simpson - PT'92
Lori Burton and Shirley Rodrigues - OT'97
Ali Faghani - PT'97
Brianna McGuire - OT'02
Kristina Nixon - PT'02
Carrie Solomon - OT'07
Swapnil Rege - PT'07
Ross Baker - PT'08
Chantal Beaudry - OT'08
Fiona Cheung - OT'08
Jenny Thomson - Alumni Advancement Officer
Helena Collins - OT/PT Program Administrator

Please feel free to email Jenny Thomson at mailto:thomsj@mcmaster.cashould you wish to receive further information.

World Physical Therapy 2007

The World Physical Therapy Congress 2007 will be held in Vancouver, B.C. from June 2 - 6, 2007 at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. Many of the SRS Physiotherapy faculty, including some PT students, plan to attend this international event. There will be a total of 10 symposia and 14 workshops. Full details of all these sessions can be found on the Congress website:

Symposia: http://www.wcpt.org/congress/programme/symposia/index.php

Workshops: www.wcpt.org/congress/programme/workshops/index.php

Registration and accommodation contact: Candice Velasco, email: wcpt@seatoskymeetings.com

AWARDS

Congratulations and Best wishes to the respective recipients on their achievements!

The 2007 Laura Babiski Memorial Bursary. Presented to Jennifer Holmes, Year 2 OT, for demonstrating academic excellence and advocacy in mental health practice.

The 2006 Heart Award from Family Alliance Ontario. Presented to Mary Law, Associate Dean (SRS), for recognition of exceptional commitment to and compassion for the human rights of children and youth with disabilities.

The Outstanding Health Care Educator of the Year Award from the Marskell Group and Health Careers Magazine. Nominated by the McMaster Year 2 OT students, this award was presented to Nancy Pollock, associate clinical professor, for her incredible dedication to the occupational therapy students and program at McMaster, and for her ability to balance teaching with research and clinical practice.

The 2007 Dianne Millette Fellowship from the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Presented to Anita Gross, associate clinical professor, for her work as a clinical researcher into the conservative treatment of mechanical neck pain.

The 2007 Award of Distinction from the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Presented to Lynne Geddes, associate clinical professor, for her significant contribution as a physiotherapist in meeting the College mandate to protect the public interest and her outstanding dedication to the profession in the areas of education, research and practice.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHTS!

Congratulations to the following investigators:

S. Baptiste and co-investigators, C. Brenchley, J. Stier and D. Sauve, on receiving $139,450 in funding from MOHLTC Ontario for a grant entitled “Supporting (Re)Entry to Professional Practice in Ontario (SEPP)” during the period February - July 2007. This project, proposed by McMaster University, the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT) and the Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA), focuses on developing and testing an innovative strategy to reduce barriers for internationally educated health care providers and for other practitioners attempting to return to the work force. The project introduces a model approach to creating mentoring networks linked to practice opportunities and is designed to be generalizable to many health professions and jurisdictions.

S. Baptiste, E. Steggles, M. Forhan, L. James, D. Stewart and M. Edwards on receiving a grant of $100,000 to develop an accessibility audit tool and begin the process of a complete campus accessibility audit. “Accessibly Yours”, a program of the SRS submitted a proposal to The McMaster University Committee on Disability and Access (MUCDA) to develop and manage the audit. Sue Baptiste and Elizabeth Steggles from SRS and Shane Holten from SPH Consulting will lead the audit. Student occupational therapists will contribute to the audit process working with staff and students with disabilities. The goal is to provide an audit that is sustainable, goes “beyond code” and addresses not only architectural but also attitudinal and instructional barriers.

J. Macdermid and D. Beaton, Co-principal investigators, including Co-investigators, M. Law, S. Baptiste, R. Williams, L. Woodhouse, D. Norman Buckley, Jill Hayden, Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, L. McLean, L. Shaw and S. Switzer-McIntyre have received funding in the amount of $100,000 for a New Emerging Team Development Grant from CIHR for the period 2007-2008. The project is entitled “TEAM WORK: Targeted Evaluation and Management of Work, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Knowledge-Translation”.

P. Solomon in leading a grant development on behalf of the McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences entitled “Enhancing Collaborative Decision Making and Team Reflection in Health Professional Students”. The grant of $592,041 was awarded by Health Force Ontario for the period February 2007 - January 2010. Team investigators include S. Baptiste, B. Baxter, B. Biggs, E. Hanna, D. Marshall, D. Musson, A. Neville, C. Risdon, and D. Semogas.

V. DePaul, L. Wishart, J. Richardson, T. Lee and J. Moreland in receiving research funding in the amount of $142,382 from the MOHLTC and the Ontario Stroke Strategy for a clinical trial in stroke rehabilitation. The project is entitled “A Motor Learning based Walking Program versus Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training in Community Dwelling Adults within Six Months of Stroke Onset.”

A previous research team led by L. Woodhouse and J. Triano received $98,000 from Neuro Group Inc to support a study entitled “Proposal to Evaluate the Efficacy of the IntereX5000 in the Treatment of Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain.” This grant received an increase in funding of over $300,000. Co-investigators of the grant include V. Galea, J. MacDermid and M. Pierrynowski.

B. Vrkljan is a co-investigator on a CIHR funded team planning and development grant in Mobility and Aging with Ann Cranney and colleagues from the Ottawa Health Research Institute. The grant in the amount of $92,000 focuses on outcomes for all health professions.

M. Law and M.A. McColl from Queen's University received $35,000 from the MOHLTC to conduct literature reviews to identify occupational therapy sensitive outcomes within a broad range of clinical areas. This research is part of the Ministry's focus on outcomes for all health professions.

T. Petrenchik, Board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Hamilton, wrote a program evaluation grant for submission to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Centre for Excellence in Children's Mental Health. The project received funding in the amount of $20,000.

MEET OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER

Julie Moreland

McMaster alumnus Julie Moreland, is a Research Coordinator and Physiotherapist at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton. She graduated with a diploma in PT from Mohawk College in 1980, a BHSc (PT) from McMaster University in 1982 and an MSc in Design, Measurement and Evaluation from McMaster University in 1994.

Since the late 1980s, Julie has been involved in the Physiotherapy Program at McMaster, serving as PBT tutor, clinical skills lab instructor, supervisor of research projects in Unit 6, and as clinical preceptor. She has also supervised thesis students in Gerontology and Kinesiology. Currently, Julie is an Associate Clinical Professor in the SRS. She thoroughly enjoys her involvement in the tutorial process “since the relevance of what is learned is always related back to the patient problem.”

In her role as Research Coordinator in the Physiotherapy Department at St. Joseph's Healthcare, she assists physiotherapists in conjunction with other allied health practitioners to develop research questions and execute their projects. Her other responsibilities include the promotion of evidence-based practice and education of staff about research issues.

Julie has participated in several scientific review committees, grant application reviews, and peer review of manuscripts for medical journals. She is an associate member of the editorial board of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Her personal research interests are primarily in the areas of stroke and geriatrics. She is a member of the Mobility, Aging and Participation Research Group and Stroke/Motor Learning Interest Group.

As a physiotherapist, Julie sees patients on the hospital's Nephrology Unit and Renal Transplant Unit. Individuals with kidney disease are often older adults and can be deconditioned as a primary result of their disease. Many also suffer from associated conditions such as heart disease, stroke, amputation and visual loss. The team work and complex problem-solving are very challenging and interesting aspects of her work.

Julie lives in Caledonia with Ed and their royal fat cat, Sydney. She enjoys visits with her son, Ryan, being caregiver to her parents, exercising and participation in a book club.

The School of Rehabilitation Science would like to sincerely thank Julie for her enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to her alma mater for almost 27 years, and we hope that she will continue to share her zeal and energy for many more years to come.

GOOD AND WELFARE

Best wishes and congratulations to…..

Penny Salvatori, OT faculty and current OT/PT Admissions Chair, on her promotion to the rank of Professor effective July 1, 2007 by the McMaster Senate and Board of Governors.

Cheryl Missiuna, associate professor, on her appointment as Director of CanChild, a research program of the SRS. A long-standing faculty member of the CanChild Research Program, Cheryl will bring years of experience to her new appointment in CanChild.

Lorie Shimmell, on her successful defense of her MSc(RS) thesis entitled “Exploration in the Case Study Tradition: The Stakeholders' Perspectives of Guided Storybuilding in Occupational Therapy” in December 2006. Lorie has also accepted a contract position in the SRS to teach in the Occupational Therapy program.

Raj Suppiah, MSc(PT)'06 on his recent appointment as the Kenya Working Group (KWG) Communications Officer. Subsequent to his Unit 6 international placement in Kenya, Raj became extensively involved in the KWG, playing a key role in its fund-raising activities and health and development initiatives. KWG is the brainchild of Julie Hard, MSc(PT)'03, who is an advocate of health and development in developing countries like Kenya.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Welcome to new faculty members!

Beth Linkewich joined the School of Rehabilitation Science on January 8, 2007 in a contractually limited appointment in the OT program as the OT Coordinator of the Northern Studies Stream (NSS). Her responsibilities include curriculum development, teaching in the NSS and some administrative duties.

Previously an occupational therapist with the Regional Stroke Centre, Beth was responsible for providing education to other clinicians in NWO on best practices in stroke rehabilitation. She recently completed a study, as primary investigator, on functional recovery in acute stroke rehab and has presented this material at a number of neurology conferences and will be submitting these findings for publication in the Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. Beth is also involved at the provincial level with OSOT and participates on various boards within her community. She is very familiar with the challenges of working and providing care in isolated and under-serviced areas and provides valuable resources in these regions.

Rebecca GeWurtz will be joining the School of Rehabilitation Science in a part-time contractual faculty position, two days per week, effective May 1, 2007. Rebecca will participate educationally in the OT program in Year 1 mental health sessions, tutoring and teaching in the Occupational Health and Safety Program.

Rebecca completed a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from Queen's University. Her clinical work has been in the area of community mental health. She completed a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Toronto in 2004, conducting a qualitative study on how consumers of community health services come to understand their potential for work. Rebecca is currently completing a PhD at the University of Toronto in Rehabilitation Science and is also enrolled in a collaborative program in health services and policy research. Her research interests are focussed on community mental health services, employment and disability policy.

Bronwen Thomas has accepted the position of Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) in the Physiotherapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Science. She started her position on March 28, 2007.

Bronwen has a Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy and a Master's in Rehabilitation Science, both from the University of Western Ontario. She has worked as a physiotherapist in several different clinical settings, and is currently completing her stint at St. Mary's General Hospital and for Community Rehab in Kitchener-Waterloo. Bronwen has previous teaching experience at the University of Western Ontario as course coordinator and teaching assistant, and in the McMaster Physiotherapy Program as clinical skills lab instructor, clinical preceptor and a tutor-in-training. She has also participated in the SRS as a reader and interviewer in the admissions process. Her scholarly activities focus on projects related to Physiotherapy services for older community-living adults.

Welcome to returning faculty member...

Sandra Moll, who will be joining the School of Rehabilitation Science in a part-time contractual faculty position, one day per week, effective May 1, 2007. Sandra will participate educationally in the OT program in Term 1, exploring perspectives on disability, and in Year 2 mental health sessions. Sandra initially started teaching in the McMaster Occupational Therapy Program in 1994. She completed her Bachelor's (1988) and Master's (1993) degrees at the University of Western Ontario, and worked clinically for over 10 years in community mental health. Sandra is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Toronto, and holds a CIHR policy fellowship in mental health. The focus of her doctoral research is in mental illness in the workplace and the social dimensions of presenteeism.

Sandra's teaching and research interests are in the area of mental health/mental illness, psychosocial rehabilitation, disability issues and qualitative methods. She is currently involved in several qualitative research projects including Photovoice Hamilton, an arts-based social advocacy project, and Peer Support and Psychiatric Disability, a multi-site, community capacity building project with the local mental health and addictions community.

Outside of academia, Sandra transforms into a hockey mom, cheering on her boys in various arenas around southwestern Ontario.

Would you like to Sign up? or Update your email address? Please email rehab@mcmaster.ca indicating your name, program, graduating year, personal email and/or business email.