OT Lens | Fall 2023
 

New starts and new adventures

The start of each academic year brings a great deal of excitement. For the UBC Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy (OSOT), it is another landmark moment in our history. We welcome our new Master of Occupational Therapy class that, for the first time, will be distributed across three campuses with a cohort in Vancouver located on the Point Grey campus, our second cohort in the North located in Prince George, and our first cohort located in Surrey. This network of UBC occupational therapy education locations and, over the last three years, an almost 85% increase in the number of students admitted, is in response to the marked demand for occupational therapy services and is at rate of growth unprecedented for British Columbia. Thank you again for your support in making this happen.

As you'll see in our news items below, we have a lot to celebrate. Michael Lee's decades of contribution to education was recognized with the most prestigious national teaching award in post-secondary education; Drs. Tal Jarus and Ben Mortenson win UBC Faculty of Medicine Achievement Awards; our clinical faculty shine brightly as always; and our students continue to participate and excel in their endeavours.

We also celebrated our longest serving, internationally-renowned faculty member, colleague and friend, Dr. Catherine Backman, for her dedicated and unparalleled contribution to the Department and the profession. After 37 years of service to UBC, we wish Catherine well for her retirement where she can enjoy her many treasured occupations.

Finally, this will be my last message to you as Department Head as, after almost eight years in this role, I will be stepping down at the end of this month. It was quite a ride and together we achieved so much for occupational therapy at UBC, for the province of BC and within Canada. We have much to be proud of. With that, I am delighted to announce that Dr. Ben Mortenson will be moving into the OSOT Department Head position as of October 1, 2023. Ben is well known to many of you and I have no doubt you will support him as you did me.

Thank you for your contributions to OSOT over the years.
I wish you a lovely Fall filled with your special occupations.

With kindness,

Susan Forwell, PhD, OT, FCAOT
Professor and Department Head
Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
 

Spotlight
 
Lecture hall of MOT students with laptops and notebooks

A warm welcome to our new MOT students

This September we welcomed our first Fraser cohort of 16 students, who will be located in Surrey; our second Northern cohort in Prince George; and our Vancouver cohort on the Point Grey campus.

> See snapshots from their first week
 
Portrait photograph of Dr. Catherine Backman

Professor Catherine Backman's retirement

After 37 years of service, Dr. Catherine Backman has retired from UBC. The impact of Dr. Backman's research; her leadership, teaching and mentorship; and her passion for everything OT can be found across innumerable aspects of the department. Her presence and generous expertise will be greatly missed by all: students, colleagues, friends, and members of the UBC and OT community.

> Read more about Dr. Backman's career and legacy
 
Portrait photograph of Michael Lee

Michael Lee wins National Teaching Prize

Professor of Teaching, Michael Lee, was one of only ten recipients of the prestigious STLHE 3M National Teaching Fellowships, Canada’s highest recognition of post-secondary teaching excellence.

> Read more about Michael's achievement
 
 

Teaching & Learning
 
Capstone presentation in front of an audience in a lecture theatre

Paving the Path Forward: Our 2023 Capstone Conference

This year's conference featured a keynote address by the esteemed Dr. Deirdre Dawson (University of Toronto), and highlighted the year-long research projects of our graduating MOT students.

> Read about the event and explore the latest research topics
 
Portrait photograph of Olivia Ferguson

Olivia Ferguson receives Governor General's Gold Medal

The Governor General’s Gold Medal is one of the highest honours for graduate students in Canada. In the master’s degree category, Olivia Ferguson, a graduate of UBC’s Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, was recognized for her academic performance and thesis entitled “Effects of face masks on multiple dimensions and neurophysiological mechanisms of exertional dyspnea”.

> Find out more about Olivia's research
 
Two students behind a desk in the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow

MOT students join the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow

First-year MOT students Ivneet Lidder and Nicola (Niki) Marriott recently participated in the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow, a showcase of careers in healthcare delivered by UBC students at high schools across BC. Ivneet and Niki travelled to Bella Coola, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and Quesnel, as part of the Cariboo Roadshow.

> Find out about the significance of the roadshow
 
Students next to a noticeboard as part of the Health Mentors Program

Student Stories: Health Mentors Program

Katherine Toy, a first-year Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) student, was selected to participate in UBC Health's nine-month Interprofessional Health Mentors Program. Read about her invaluable experiences, reflections, and learnings from the program.

> Read about Katherine's experience
 
Portrait photograph of Sandy Tatla

Sandy Tatla's clinical research at BCCHR

Clinical Assistant Professor Sandy Tatla, an alumna of our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Science (MSc) programs, shared the story of her journey from studying kinesiology to working in clinical practice and research at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR).

> Learn more about Sandy's work
 

Innovation & Leadership
 
Portrait photograph of Dr. Tal Jarus

Dr. Tal Jarus receives the Distinguished Achievement Award for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity and Inclusiveness (EDI)

Dr. Tal Jarus has been recognized by the UBC Faculty of Medicine with a prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award. Dr. Jarus received the award for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity and Inclusiveness (EDI), for her “outstanding contributions in the area of EDI,” which Dr. Jarus has been advancing for decades through her research, teaching, and service at UBC, in Canada, and beyond.

> Read more about Dr. Jarus's work in EDI
 
Portrait photograph of Dr. Ben Mortenson

Dr. Ben Mortenson recognized with the Distinguished Achievement Award for Overall Excellence (Mid-Career)

Dr. Ben Mortenson was also recognized by the UBC Faculty of Medicine with a prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award. Dr. Mortenson received the award for Overall Excellence - Mid-Career, in recognition of “outstanding contributions in the areas of research, education, and service” by a faculty member when at the rank of Associate Professor. 

> Read more about Dr. Mortenson's acheivement
 
Portrait photograph of Jamie Wolff

Jamie Wolff receives CAOT Excellence in Fieldwork Education Award

An Occupational Therapist with Fraser Health at Surrey Memorial Hospital, Jamie was awarded the 2023 CAOT Award for Excellence for her outstanding preceptorship of UBC Master of Occupational Therapy students.

> Find out more about this award
 

Dates for your diary
 
A photograph of a calendar with red pins on random dates in a diagonal line
  • October 15, 2023: Application process for September 2024 MOT program opens
  • October 19, 2023: MOT Info Night (online)
  • January 15, 2024: Application process for September 2024 MOT program closes
  • March 2024: MOT virtual interviews



 
 

Image credits: OSOT, except for header image (UBC Brand and Marketing), personal photos, and calendar image