Celebrating the Rehabilitation Sciences
Last month, we gathered as a community to celebrate the accomplishments of our newest graduates during the University of Toronto’s Fall Convocation ceremonies. It provided me with yet another opportunity to reflect on the importance of the rehabilitation sciences, a field that includes the majority of the graduates who crossed the stage that day at Convocation Hall (you can read profiles of some of the graduates here). The vibrancy of this sector – from the breadth of care to the ground-breaking research it is generating – cannot be understated.
The rehab sciences at U of T – like the rest of this Faculty – is committed to ongoing renewal to meet the future needs of our students and their clients. This includes renewing the doctoral stream program for the Departments of Physical Therapy, Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and now Speech-Language Pathology under the renamed Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI). This new institute is delivering a truly interdisciplinary training experience for graduate students. Led by Professor Angela Colantonio, students engage in high-level scholarship on topics that are fundamental to enhancing rehab science and improving injury prevention, clinical practice, and general health care delivery. RSI’s refreshed mandate was celebrated at a launch event on November 4. Guests heard from Shaun Cleaver, a physiotherapist and PhD candidate in RSI, who described his important work in Haiti, Malawi, Cameroon, South Africa and in northern Canada. Professor Rosalie Wang – who is also a recent RSI graduate – introduced us to Ed, a helper robot she has developed to help those living with dementia.
In each of our core rehab programs – physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology – you find examples like these. They are united by two qualities: a commitment to excellence and a drive to provide innovative care. Admission to our rehab programs is among the most competitive at U of T. These top students are received by a community committed to their long-term success. They form tight bonds with each other and their instructors. When they leave U of T, our graduates posses not only the skills to practice in their field at the highest levels, but also have research skills and an understanding of the importance of exploration and analysis in their ongoing work.
The fundamental role rehabilitation professionals play in health care delivery is increasingly evident as we move towards more integrated care. Rehab professionals not only ensure patients recover faster, but also have a higher quality of life than was previously possible. They identify preventative opportunities that can reduce the need for more extensive procedures, ensuring better care for our patients, and some relief for our burdened health care system.
Our outstanding faculty members in this field make the quality of these programs possible. I am especially grateful for the leadership provided by the department chairs: Professor Darlene Reid (Physical Therapy), Professor Susan Rappolt (Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy), Professor Pascal van Lieshout (Speech-Language Pathology) and RSI Director Colantonio.
As this is the last MedEmail of the year, let me wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season. I hope you will use this time to enjoy the company of friends and family, and to recharge your batteries. While the Faculty of Medicine enjoyed many successes in 2015, there is still much to do in 2016. So I hope you return ready to continue your important work, because our society awaits its outcomes.
Trevor Young
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Vice-Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions