A lively grand opening event brought together guests and stakeholders from across the university and beyond to officially launch Dalhousie’s Physiotherapy Clinic on September 6.
The launch celebrated the culmination of a successful, collaborative partnership between Dal Health’s School of Physiotherapy and the Department of Athletics and Recreation.
While the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic has been accepting patients over the past months, this marked the official launch of the clinic, which offers a broad range of health services to Dalhousie, Halifax and beyond. Clinic staff have been working to implement this unique concept into practice since the doors opened to the public in December.
Derek Rutherford, interim director of the School of Physiotherapy, with Tigers volleyball coach Rick Scott.
“The stars have aligned,” said Dr. Derek Rutherford, interim Director of the Faculty of Health’s School of Physiotherapy (SoPT), noting the hard work that went into the project. “The clinic will not only offer enhanced care, but also provide teaching, learning and research opportunities.”
A community resource
Alice Aiken, vice-president, research and innovation at Dalhousie, is also a professor in the School of Physiotherapy, and served as Dean of the Faculty of Health during the project.
“I think the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic really marks a milestone for the University,” said Dr. Aiken. “Now, we have the capacity to give our students and the community the best possible care, while providing innovative learning, and clinical placement opportunities for students. This initiative makes Dal better on so many levels.”
Although university-based, the clinic is open to anyone needing physiotherapy services. The Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic will link patient care with student education by providing valuable experiential learning opportunities for students from the SoPT and other health programs under the supervision of licensed physiotherapists and will also provide an important link between patient care and clinical research taking place within the SoPT and the Faculty of Health.
At the event, Dr. Anne Fenety added some historical context, sharing the story of finding a note in the archives from then-dean of Health Professions Bob Tonks to the director of the SoPT about starting a clinic. The note she found was dated nearly 40 years ago in 1979.
“Some great ideas are a long time in the making,” she added, concluding with heartfelt thanks to those in the School who worked tirelessly to make the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic a reality.
A true collaboration
Rounding out the guest speakers, Tim Maloney, executive director of Athletics & Recreation, said the project was a true exercise in collaboration.
“The Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic will have a huge impact on Dal’s students and student athletes who give so much of their time and effort to compete and excel in the classroom,” he said. “We’ve taken a giant leap forward in terms of the quality and access to care we are able to provide our students and the broader community. It’s been exciting for the Department of Athletics and Recreation to partner on this important initiative.”
Cheryl Kozey, acting dean of the Faculty of Health, was also in attendance.
“It’s a great day for the Faculty of Health as we come together and celebrate the opening of the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic, a project which aligns perfectly with our strategic priorities as a Faculty,” said Dr. Kozey.
“The Clinic will allow us to meet important, strategic goals in terms of teaching and learning, research, innovation, and creating key partnerships, while providing enhanced service to Dal and the community at large.”
Find out more
The newly renovated Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic features private and semi-private treatment areas, direct billing and online booking of licensed physiotherapists. Located in Dalplex room 224. Visit the clinic's website.