Welcome to the twelfth edition of the School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, email newsletter.

Throughout the spring and into summer, the School has been busy with various educational and research activities. On September 5, 2006, we will be welcoming 128 new students in the Professional Master’s programs in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy; 64 in occupational therapy including 1 international and 64 in physiotherapy including 1 international. We will also be welcoming 15 new students in the Rehabilitation Science Master’s program (online and thesis options) and 3 doctoral candidates in the newly established PhD program. We anticipate that the new 2006-2007 academic year will be an exciting year!

Many of our OT faculty attended and gave presentations at the 2006 World Federation of Occupational Therapists in Sydney, Australia in early August, and several PT faculty attended the 2006 CPA conference in New Brunswick in early July. The SRS held its first Hooker Distinguished Visiting Lectureship. Carolee J. Weinstein, a professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy at the University of Southern California (USC), was the keynote speaker. Read the ACTIVITIES section for highlights of the lecture. Our research portfolio continues to expand as many of the faculty received grants over the past months.

With a few weeks to go, I hope that you enjoy the remainder of summer, and remember to drop us a line and let us share your stories in the fall newsletter.

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

ACTIVITIES

Hooker Distinguished Visiting Scholar focuses on Neurorehabilitation

Carolee J. Weinstein a professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy at the University of Southern California (USC), was invited to be the inaugural speaker for the first School of Rehabilitation Science Dr. Harry Lyman Hooker Distinguished Visiting Scholar lecture on May 25, 2006. Speaking to a large audience, Weinstein discussed research in the field of rehabilitation science that involves understanding how a healthy body learns new motor skills, and applying that knowledge to neurorehabilitation. The McMaster Daily News featured Weinstein in its May 23, 2006 cover story. Highlights of the lectureship are available at http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/story.cfm?id=4015

Laurie Wishart, Assistant Dean (PT), colleague and host to Weinstein, notes that “Carolee works all the time” and this was evident as the energetic Distinguished Scholar kept to a very packed schedule, which included a special discourse with some research master’s students on stroke rehabilitation.

The School of Rehabilitation Science was privileged to have Carolee J. Weinstein as its inaugural Dr. Harry Lyman Hooker Distinguished Visiting Scholar, and looks forward to future research collaborations with her.

2006 Helen Saarinen Fun Run

On June 10, 2006, over 80 students, friends and faculty participated in the annual Helen Saarinen Fun Run. Established 11 years ago in memory of the late Helen Saarinen, Founding Chair of the Physiotherapy Program, who succumbed to breast cancer 10 years ago, the 2006 Run raised approximately $3600 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Sincere thanks to the 2006 Fun Run organizing committee and participants for another successful event.

1996 and 2001 Class Reunions

Those who attended said, “I am glad I came… it was wonderful to see my former classmates and find out what is happening in their lives.” They came from next door neighbor, Toronto, and as far away as Texas.

On June 10, 2006, the School of Rehabilitation Science in collaboration with the McMaster Alumni Advancement Office, hosted the 10 year and 5 year reunion of the Classes of 1996 and 2001 respectively. Approximately 50 alumni, including spouses and children, and 10 faculty/student representatives participated in various activities throughout the day. The day turned out to be bright and sunny, the perfect setting for the various activities. The day began with some alumni participating in the Helen Saarinen Fun Run in the morning, followed by a family picnic at noon and face painting for the children in the afternoon, and culminating with a fabulous dinner in the evening at the University Club. Throughout the day, amidst the laughter and reminiscing, relationships were renewed and connections fostered.

Mary Law, Associate Dean (SRS) brought official greetings from the faculty/staff and students, and together with Laurie Wishart, Assistant Dean (PT) welcomed alumni “back to Mac” at the Reunion dinner. Both deans expressed their delight in seeing many whom they had taught, and hoped to see them again with more family and alumni in tow at the next reunion.

The SRS and McMaster Alumni Office would like to thank members of the Reunion organizing committee for coordinating a successful event: Marisa Loduca, FHS Alumni Officer, Helena Collins, Program Administrator, Liliana Coman, PT’96, Susan Brandon, PT’01, Iona MacRitchie, OT’01, Laura Stewart, PT’06, Swapnil Rege, PT’07, Sarah Brunetti, OT’06, and Amanda Singh, OT’07. A special thank you to Doug Stacey PT’94, for donating outstanding auction prizes: The 2006 Canadian Olympic Women’s hockey team jersey with team signatures (won by Greg Spadoni), and a team picture resting in an elegant picture frame, donated by The Picture Frame, Westdale, Hamilton (won by Shannon Michels). The Reunion organizing committee would like to thank Jennifer Cushing, PT’06 for her artistic flair that brought a smile to many of the children in the face painting activity.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wanted… Class Reps for the 15 year/10year/5 year Class Reunions!

The FHS Alumni Advancement Office and SRS invite alumni from the Classes of 1992, 1997 and 2002 to consider serving as the class representative(s) to help plan the 15 year, 10 year and 5 year reunion for their respective classes in June 2007.

We would love to hear from you! If you are interested, please email or call us now to sign up as your reunion rep!

Marisa Loduca, email: loducam@mcmaster.ca
Tel: (905) 525-9140, Ext. 26979

Helena Collins, email: collinsh@mcmaster.ca
Tel: (905) 525-9140, Ext. 27801

AWARDS

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

The Silver Quill Award

Administered by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, to honor excellence in scientific writing in Physiotherapy Canada, a certificate and $1,000 prize to be shared among all authors is presented to those who produce outstanding original articles related to the field of rehabilitation in each of the areas of Clinical Studies, Clinical Research and, Basic and Applied Research.

For articles published in Physiotherapy Canada in 2005, the McMaster recipients included:

Quantitative or Qualitative Research: Dina Brooks, Sherra Solway, Joy Macdermid , Sharon Switzer-McIntyre, Lucie Brosseau, Ian D. Graham, “Quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines in Physical Therapy”, Volume 57, Number 2, Spring 2005.

Knowledge Transition: Paul W. Stratford, Gregory F. Spadoni. “Assessing Improvement in Patients Who Report Small Limitations in Functional Status on Condition-Specific Measures”, Volume 57, Number 3, Summer 2005.

2006 Golden Pen Award

Presented to Paul Stratford, PT faculty, by the American Physical Therapy Association. This award was established in 1964 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of Physical Therapy. The purpose of the award is to recognize a member who has demonstrated superior writing skills in one or more articles published in Physical Therapy, and who has collaborated with or encouraged others to make similar contributions to Physical Therapy.

Basmajian Travel Awards

Presented to Liliana Coman, Teresa Yeung, Nadine Graham and Kirsty McKenzie. The John Basmajian Fund offers a travel award to enable recipients to attend Congress to present their research by platform or poster.

2006 Occupational Therapy Program Unsung Hero Award

Presented to Laura Bradley, OT'06 and OT President, and Magda Mouneimne, OT'06 for special contribution to the Occupational Therapy Program that goes above and beyond the call of duty in the areas of education and research.

2006 Physiotherapy Program Unsung Hero Award

Presented to Shawn Williams, PT'06 and PT President for special contribution to the Physiotherapy Program that goes above and beyond the call of duty in the areas of education and research.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHTS!

Congratulations to the following investigators:

C. Missiuna, J. Cairney (Co PIs), S. Hanna, D. Russell, N. Heath, N. Pollock, M. Law, K. Macdonald, T. Petrenchik, and L. Schmidt, on receiving $290,558 (2006-2008) for a grant entitled, “Examining the Co-occurrence of Psychological Problems in a Population-based sample of Children with developmental Coordination Disorder” from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Joy Macdermid and co-investigators, L. Shaw, A. Kothari and A. Duncan on receiving funding for $26,505 from the WorkSafe BC Agency for the project, “Exploring the Role and Strategies for Knowledge Exchange and Translation by Injured Worker Groups” (funds administered by the University of Western Ontario).

Sandra Moll and community partners, Ed Salwach from the CMHA, Ron Dick from the St. Joseph's Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program, Jennie Vengris from the Social Planning and Research Council, and Deb Sherman from the Mental Health Rights Coalition, on receiving $27,000 from the Hamilton Community Foundation to continue their work on implementing Photovoice Hamilton, a participatory action project designed to address poverty and marginalization in the Hamilton community.

Lynne Geddes and co-investigators, D. Brooks ( University of Toronto ) and Alison Hoens, on receiving $22,553 for a project entitled, “Crossing the Chasm? More Inspiratory Muscle Training for People with COPD” from the Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals Group.

Cheryl Missiuna, for being awarded one of two Mid-Career Rehabilitative Scientist awards provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care through the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation. The award, worth $300,000 over five years is designed to support outstanding mid-career scientists to carry out rehabilitative research that informs policy, planning and health services.

MEET OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER

Peter Dilworth
A consummate team player both in and out of the classroom, Peter Dilworth is an avid soccer player and an equally avid clinical lab tutor.

Peter is an associate clinical professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster, and Manager of the Rehabilitation North Hamilton Community Health Centre. He grew up in Donegal on the west coast of Ireland , and graduated with merit as a Chartered Physiotherapist from Dublin University , Trinity College in 1979. Peter was one of the first male physiotherapists to graduate from the profession in Ireland . He and wife, Brigid, immigrated to Canada in 1981 and made Hamilton their permanent home in 1982.

Before returning to graduate school in 1984, Peter worked as a staff therapist at the McMaster University Medical Centre (MUMC). He graduated with a Master of Health Science degree from McMaster in 1986, and later obtained a Master of Science degree from McMaster in Design Measurement and Evaluation in 1995. In 1997, he received his acupuncture certification from the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute. Having always enjoyed mentoring physiotherapy students, Peter joined the Physiotherapy faculty at Mohawk College in 1986 and served as the Clinical Education Coordinator, where he had the privilege of working under the leadership of Helen Saarinen, the late founding chair of the Physiotherapy program. He was appointed assistant professor at McMaster in 1988, and has since, served in many roles most recently as the clinical lab tutor in Unit 1 of the Physiotherapy program.

Peter currently manages the Rehabilitation Services at the North Hamilton Community Health Centre. The Centre provides barrier free services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and kinesiology for clients who meet specific criteria. The clients come from ethnically diverse backgrounds, who face significant problems with accessing care. Since its inception in 1990, the rehabilitation department at North Hamilton has provided clinical placements for over 200 physiotherapy, occupational therapy and kinesiology students.

Peter has had a long association with the Alliance of Physiotherapy Boards of Canada. He has contributed in various capacities, including Board of Examiners member, Chief Examiner at both the Hamilton and Toronto sites, and as Chair of the National Test Construction Committee. Peter is always delighted to meet former students who serve as examiners for the Alliance.

Clinically and professionally, Peter's interests include the management of chronic disease and advocating for access to quality rehabilitation.

Peter enjoys playing soccer with a local team that includes other McMaster faculty. He also likes to run and has two marathons and four Hamilton Bay races to his credit. An avid reader as well, Peter enjoys reading a good book especially when lounging by the ocean.

Peter is “very proud to have had a long association with a Faculty and University that has such a worldwide reputation for its innovative teaching and its leadership in the field of evidence-based practice.” As a long-standing team player, Peter enjoys the company of the McMaster physiotherapy and occupational therapy faculty and graduates, because they make “great colleagues”.

Likewise, Peter, the School of Rehabilitation Science would like to thank you for many years of professional colleagueship, and hope that you will continue your outstanding mentorship both in and out of the McMaster classroom for many more years to come.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

SRS welcomes its newest member ....

Brenda Vrkljan will be joining the School of Rehabilitation Science in a tenure-track faculty position effective June 1, 2006. Brenda is currently in the final stages of completing her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Western Ontario. Starting September 1, 2006, Brenda will participate as course coordinator in the Occupational Therapy program, be involved in the Rehabilitation Science program on thesis committees, and will conduct research focused on healthy aging, functional mobility and driving for older adults.

Brenda comes to McMaster University with clinical experience working in the community as well as hospital-based occupational therapy. During her PhD program, she taught within the OT program at Western and received the 2005 University of Western Ontario School of Occupational Therapy Excellence in Teaching Award. Brenda has participated in several workshops on teaching and is excited about teaching within our problem-based learning approach. Brenda's PhD studies have been supported by a scholarship from CIHR and the Canadian Institute for the Prevention of Pain and Disability (CIRPD). Her dissertation focuses on the relationship between older drivers, passengers and driving safety. Brenda has established research collaborations with AUTO21 – A Network for Centres of Excellence and Can DRIVE (Canadian Driving Research Initiative for Vehicular Safety in the Elderly) and is looking forward to developing further collaborations here at McMaster. Her research on mobility and aging and interests in knowledge transfer fit well with our SRS research focus and with McMaster's Collaborations for Health initiative.

A former instructor in the physiotherapy program, Norma MacIntyre will be returning to join the School of Rehabilitation Science in a tenure-track faculty position as of January 1, 2007. Norma is currently an Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen's University and has been involved in postdoctoral research training, teaching and examining graduate students at both the MSc and PhD levels and has full-time clinical experience. Within this new position, Norma will participate educationally in the PT program, be involved in the Rehabilitation Science program on thesis committees, and will conduct research focused on medical imaging and computer programs for post processing of images on bone quality and knee motion in arthritic conditions.

Norma has taught self-directed, problem-based university educational programs, including a teaching stint at McMaster a few years ago. Her background in the musculoskeletal area of physiotherapy practice and her work evaluating the relationship between bone structure and fracture risk, will be an asset to our educational programs. The overall aim of Norma's research program is to optimize bone and joint function in order to keep people moving and participating in meaningful activities. Her work to date uses medical imaging-based methods to address two common musculoskeletal problems: 1) prevention and management of fractures that occur due to trauma or osteoporosis, and 2) assessment of knee motion that may be altered due to injury or arthritis. Her involvement in multidisciplinary musculoskeletal research programs has resulted in new discoveries in the area of bone and joint competency and fit well with the SRS research focus.

Congratulations Brenda and Norma! We wish you much success as you begin your new academic positions at McMaster!

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

The Total NSS Experience… Shannon Allwood, Unit 5, PT'06

“Long johns? Check. Winter boots? Check. Textbooks? Check. Just a few of the items I crossed off my mental list at 6:40 a.m. as I prepared for my 1488 km drive from Hamilton to Thunder Bay. Four tanks of gas and one sleepover on a friend's couch later, I arrived in Thunder Bay with 11 of my classmates. The city was beautiful. Nestled between the famous ‘Sleeping Giant' and Mount McKay , it had everything a student could hope for: libraries, gyms, coffee houses, shopping malls, movie theatres and pubs.

I arrived at Health Sciences North for the first day of class and settled into the classroom that would be mine for the next 8 weeks. I looked around at my classmates and saw the faces of friends, friends whom I knew were here for the same reasons as me: love of the outdoors and a sense of adventure and exploration. Others were faces I'd seen almost every day for the last year and a half but barely knew, however to my pleasant surprise this feeling of estrangement did not last long. Within hours we were laughing and getting to know each other, the faculty, and our interim home of Thunder Bay . We were planning potlucks, ski trips and hockey games.

The learning material was essentially the same in the north as it was down south, however the experience was entirely different. There is a closeness here, with staff, faculty and peers, that made learning in the north an unforgettable experience. We are treated not as students or numbers, but as future clinicians and colleagues. There is a genuine interest and investment in our learning and experience that you feel everyday when you walk through the HScN doors. With classmates, you experience a unique bond and understanding and they are the basis of your support network. You have each other to learn with, study with, laugh with and play with.

As I prepare for clinical placement and the last half of my northern experience, it is with a strong appreciation for the gift of learning with friends in a caring and intimate environment. The staff and faculty at HScN and the community of Thunder Bay have embraced us and we will leave with the tools to make us stronger clinicians. My mental list for my drive back to Hamilton will be quite different from my drive up and will be a reflection of the exceptional experience of learning and playing in the north- Knowledge? Check. Experience? Check. Friends? Check. Blistering slap shot? Check..”

GOOD AND WELFARE

Best wishes and congratulations to…..

Mary Forhan, a member of the Canadian Obesity Network, on her appointment as Editor/Chair of the Mental Health Forum Discussion, an activity of the Network. The Canadian Obesity Network is an initiative of the National Centres of Excellence and is centred out of McMaster under the leadership of Dr. Arya Sharma. Recent funding from the National Centres of Excellence will help the Canadian Obesity Network support research and partnerships across Canada with the goal to address issues of obesity prevention and treatment. Further information on the Network is available at http://www.obesitynetwork.ca/home.aspx

PT'07 students, Michelle Bergeron, Jennifer Cushing, Ryanne Spencer and Laura Stewart will have their Unit 5 health promotion educational project implemented by the McMaster Children's Hospital. The project entitled, “Captain Asthma and His Exercise Adventures” is a coloring book which is a fun and interactive way to help young children learn about asthma and the importance of physical activity. The book is currently available to children attending the McMaster 3F Pediatric Asthma Clinic.

He received his PhD. Ron Wharton , a part-time member of the SRS since 1992, received his PhD in June 2006. His dissertation entitled, “Quantifying Medication Use and Environmental Factors of Community – Dwelling Elderly Guyanese at Risk for Falls: A Cross-sectional Study” was submitted to Physical Therapy in Nova Southeastern University . The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of falls and the association with the use of medication and environmental factors among the elderly in Guyana .

A life membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists was awarded to Muriel Westmorland . Muriel was also selected by Veterans Affairs Canada to be its first Chair of a new Advisory Council called “The Modernization Advisory Group”. This committee will ensure implementation of initiatives that include stronger provision of rehabilitation and provision of supports to younger veterans (such as those returning from Afghanistan ) and their families as well as accommodation opportunities related to alternative work.

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.