This Fall we are welcoming 23 new learners to our program; 7 are entering the UBC Master of Rehabilitation Science program; 8 are entering the McMaster Master of Science program, and 8 into the Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation.  As well, 4 of our former Graduate Certificate learners have transferred into the master’s programs. These learners bring a broad range of knowledge and experience to the program, enriching the inter-professional discussions and course work. In this new group we have people with backgrounds in chiropractics, health promotion, physical education, early behavioural intervention, nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy. They join those of similar background and others who work in dietetics, kinesiology and massage therapy. The common link is an interest in health and rehabilitation, and pursuing graduate work to improve their practices.

We are also pleased to announce our new instructors. Click on their names to link to more information on our program website.

Bonnie Baxter is a speech-language pathologist with a passion for helping fellow clinicians discover practical ways to participate in the research community, believing it will help enrich their work satisfaction and clinical effectiveness. She will be teaching RHSC 501/ RS 705 Evaluating Sources of Evidence.

Leslie Duran is an occupational therapist who completed her graduate studies at Colorado State University in 1995. She has worked with older adults in residential care, transitional care, and academia. Leslie also has extensive experience teaching across North America and world-wide.  She is passionate about teaching and excited about facilitating learning online in the RHSC 583 Applying Research to Practice – Rehabilitation and the Elderly.

Jenny Young obtained her Masters in Bioethics from the Medical College of Wisconsin (primarily online) in 2004. Her thesis was about choosing death in rehabilitation, inspired by two individuals at GF Strong who made this choice. She has worked part time as an ethicist for Vancouver Coastal Health since 2006, doing case consultations, education and presentations, and policy review. Jenny will be teaching RHSC 583 Applying Research to Practice – Ethics in Practice, starting in February 2010.