UBC Master of Rehabilitation Science Blog

Paul VanWiechen who is beginning his major project research in the MRSc program was contracted by the National Post to write a bi-weekly column called “Educated Exerciser” in the Body and Health section of the paper.

Paul wrote…
Over the coming months, I’ll share what some of the people at the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, the American College of Sports Medicine and others are doing to help us think differently about being active.
You can read more of his first column which appeared on October 18 at: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/heart+smart+workout/5564892/story.html

Paul VanWiechen is an exercise physiologist and director of exercise physiology at Cleveland Clinic Canada which provides executive physicals and wellness counselling in Toronto.

Congratulations Paul!

The Online Technology 4 Occupational Therapy group is sponsoring a 24-hour conference on World Occupational Therapy Day. Check out the program and consider viewing one or more sessions. Recent (2010) UBC Master of Occupational Therapy grad Doug Herasymuik is presenting on his international fieldwork experience.

The program site has a link to an international clock so you can schedule your time. Last year, the sessions were very stimulating and it was interesting to see how well the technology worked around the world. Although I couldn’t participate in many of the sessions due to work priorities, I did stay ‘tuned in’ for the day – was like having the radio on and tuned to a station just for OT! It’s definitely worth a try.

Darlene Russell, Kathy Davidson, Jennifer Stephenson and Kathy Hatchard

We four MRSc students (current and recent) converged in Penticton  a few weeks ago.  We discussed issues in common within the Okanagan,  resifted  events since graduation (Kathy, Kathy and Darlene) and offered  encouragement to  Jennifer as she nears the finish line.

Clearly,  evidence of social interactions among online students!

Dale Graham, May 2008 graduate created a timeline and history Wiki for us. We encourage you to join Dale in capturing more of our history at the Wiki. Dale is presently an instructor in RHSC 581: Writing to Enhance Practice and an active participant in our growing online learning community. Many thanks to Dale for getting us started.

Are you interested in Aboriginal health in Canada? Do you have practice, educational or research experience in Aboriginal health? Do you have thoughts, ideas, perspectives related to Aboriginal health?

‘Partnerships for Change’ is an emerging international community of practice focused on occupational therapy and indigenous health. It is a virtual gathering place for practitioners, educators and researchers involved or interested in  issues related to the significant health disparities that continue to be experienced by many indigenous peoples in Canada and worldwide.

‘Partnerships for Change’ utilizes a wikispace platform. Currently there are two ‘Hot Topics’ as starting points for generating a sharing of viewpoints. Here is our first ‘hot topic’ -

Occupational therapy purports to have a holistic core to services provision, yet is historically grounded in western notions and mainly provided through western health care systems. What does occupational therapy have to offer indigenous peoples? How meaningful is occupational therapy for indigenous peoples who may have an alternative worldview of health and wellbeing?

Maintaining the silence is an effective way of maintaining the status quo. This community of practice provides an opportunity for occupational therapists internationally to have a voice. Join or visit by going to:

http://occtherpartnershipsforchange.wikispaces.com

The creation for this community of practice was a collaborative one between myself, and a Maori O.T., and non-Maori O.T. in New Zealand. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions at agerlach@hawaii.rr.com

Alison Gerlach, MSc, OT(C)

We are in the process of developing this blog. If you have found us already – Fantastic! Please return around May 22 when we’ll be up and running. In the meantime read About Us and visit our program website at http://www.mrsc.ubc.ca.

Cheers

Mary