Julie Hard, Alumni
Master of Science (Physiotherapy)
McMaster University
Class of 2003

Julie Hard, an alumni of the MSc(PT) Program at McMaster (Class of 2003), was honoured in 2007 by the McMaster Alumni Association for her significant contributions since graduating from McMaster University. As part of the 25th Anniversary Alumni Gallery Induction and Award Ceremony, she was presented with an Arch Award, which specifically recognizes recent graduates. The Arch Award was established by the alumni association in 2002 to recognize career success, accomplishments that are interesting, unusual or innovative and notable contributions to society and the McMaster community.

Julie is also the recipient of the 2009 Helen Saarinen Lectureship at the School of Rehabilitation Science. She is receiving this honour in recognition of her significant impact as a physiotherapist to the profession and to the wider community.

Julie, who also earned a Bachelor degree in kinesiology from McMaster in 1997, has been devoted to helping people with disabilities living in Kenya, since she did a two-month clinical placement there as part of her master’s degree. In 2005, she spent several months in the small Kenyan village of Rongo, where she provided physical assessments and treatment programs for disabled children.

She was instrumental in the launch of the Kenya Working Group in 2003, which was formed within the framework of the International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation at the University of Toronto. The group involves the collaboration of McMaster University, the University of Toronto and partners within Kenya whose focus is the care of people with disabilities.

Julie learned to use her voice during the International AIDS 2006 Conference to raise awareness of the vulnerabilities of people living with disabilities. Julie authored daily on-line articles as a CBC News correspondent throughout the conference, providing a voice for many of people who do not have the opportunity to do so.

Her interest in global health has motivated her to become involved with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association as Chair Elect and Chair of the International Health Division (2007-2010). Through her leadership, the IHD seeks to provide relevant information, resources and opportunities to expand the role of physical therapy around the world, especially within developing nations.

Julie is also a physiotherapist at the Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation and within the Inner City Health Program at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Because of Julie’s innovation and inspiration, some students in the McMaster Physiotherapy Program have chosen to continue her legacy by completing their final clinical placement in Kenya with the Kenya Working Group.