Spring 2024 Student News
PT Multicultural Festival
The inaugural PT multicultural festival was held March 1st at LeMarchant Place.. This event brought members of many different ethnicities together to share food, stories, and music. Our goal is to hold a yearly event where we create a safe place for all to express their culture. The festival was coordinated by the 1st year student representatives on the School's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion working group - Sophie Nicholson and Marina Grobin. Thanks to those who participated to make this event a success.
By 3rd year student president, Christine Barnes
Well, the 3rd year cohort is off and running and have begun their careers as real Physiotherapists! Countless hours were put into studying for the CAPR Professional Competency Exam (PCE) throughout the summer of 2023. As well, the class finished up their final clinical placements, some within Atlantic Canada, others travelled to other areas in Canada, and a few went abroad for an international placement travelling to Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, and India. Each student wrapped up these final moments as a physio student prior to the holiday season in December. Following completion of the school components and the PCE, the 3rd year cohort set out in search of jobs, extending throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond.
The class now is passionate in pursuing the career that we put our heart and soul into learning. Both in the private and public sectors, the areas of practice covered by our class is far reaching, including MSK private practice, neuro rehab, patients post-operatively, working with people who are recovering from burns, and so much more. Each moment as a new physio provides an opportunity for learning and growth, and continues to shape us into better clinicians.
On behalf of the class, we would like to extend a sincere thank you to all our professors, the faculty, the administrators, the lab instructors, and each person who has worked with our class to shape us into the professionals we are today. We would not be part of the new generation of Physiotherapists today if it weren’t all the support and teaching along the way. So, from all of us, thank you! And to the 1st and 2nd year cohorts now, and all the future Dalhousie Physiotherapy cohorts to follow, we can’t wait to follow along with your journey!
It has been a pleasure sharing our journey as the 3rd year cohort’s President of the Dal Physiotherapy Student Society, and I thank you for coming along for the ride!
By 2nd year student president, Kaylee Jones
The second-year students started off the semester with their third clinical placement. Students were placed throughout Atlantic Canada in many different practice settings such as hospitals, private practice, and rehabilitation centers. They put their MSK, neurology and cardiorespiratory skills to good use! After the completion of the placement, students returned to campus to finish off their second scientific inquiry course. Students worked on their knowledge synthesis assignment which included a poster and final paper. Students presented the findings of their research at the PT Physiotherapy Forum at the Atlantica Hotel. There were lots of interest in their posters from event attendees who were encouraged to vote for their favourite poster!
This cohort just begun their last academic semester and are in the final stretch of the program! They are ready for a fun semester of learning new concepts, reviewing past material and spending time with each other before the program comes to an end in December.
The first-year students are currently completing their final examinations. They have all worked very hard as they completed a heavy course load this semester! Students are eager to apply knowledge they have gained thus far in their program on clinical placements which start in early May. They will then move into placement number two before returning to classes in September.
Outside of academic work, both cohorts enjoyed the annual PT Ball at Pacifico in March. Students spent the evening socializing, dancing, and enjoying appetizers. Awards were given out to several students in each cohort that were voted on by their classmates! Students from both cohorts continue to volunteer their time in many programs such as Heart for Life, the Kids Physio group, and the Dal SPRING program. Students are also getting practical experience by shadowing registered physiotherapists at sporting events to get a feel for this area!