Alumni News

Overview of the OT Curriculum

Interested in understanding the curriculum of the MScOT program at U of T, and the theoretical frameworks that shape it? This video will tell you all about the curriculum, and […]

Celebrating 106 years of occupational therapy at the University of Toronto

This week marks 106 years since the Occupational Therapy program was established at the University of Toronto.  The department, as we know it today, has grown and evolved a lot […]

photo of Shlomit Rotenberg

Occupational therapy key to early dementia diagnosis and support

Dementia is a condition that affects nearly a million Canadians and their families – a number that is expected to double by 2030. While there is no effective drug treatment […]

Rhona Anderson Appointed Director of Clinical Education

The Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy is pleased to announce that Rhona Anderson is the successful candidate of the recent search for an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, and […]

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Sandra Sokoloff receives Staff Impact Award

The Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy is proud to announce that Sandra Sokoloff has received the Temerty Faculty of Medicine Staff Impact Award for Administrative Excellence.  This award […]

New Adjunct Lecturer Appointment Applications

The Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy will begin accepting applications for an INITIAL Adjunct Lecturer appointments starting January 5, 2024 until  February 15, 2024. The academic goals of […]

photo of Linna Tam-Seto presenting

In service of those who have served

When Canadian Veterans leave the military, they are leaving a health care system designed for them and their unique health needs. As they enter the civilian community, they enter the […]

Congratulations, Class of 2023!

Congratulations to the Class of 2023 on completing your Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degrees! We celebrate your perseverance and dedication, which have led you to this momentous achievement, […]

Call for PechaKucha Facilitators

We are looking for members of our clinical community who are interested in participating in the PechaKucha Presentations, to be held on February 12, 2024.  If you have done this […]

Jordan Higa and Amy Weisner help set youth up for success

  When Grace* found herself without a safe, stable place to stay, she turned to Covenant House Toronto, Canada’s largest shelter serving youth experiencing homelessness or sex trafficking.   Youth […]

Mentorship Course Connects Students with Occupational Therapists

  Shone Joos, assistant professor, teaching stream, is part of a team which instructs the Mentorship and Interprofessional Education Course in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program, connecting […]

A day in the life of a student occupational therapist

Sara Emira, Second-year MScOT student, U of T Mississauga     What time do you wake up, and what’s the first thing you do in the morning? Most days I […]

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Alumni Spotlight: Sabrina Teles and Sofia Mirzazada

When an individual or couple begins their fertility journey, there are several health-care professionals they can expect to encounter on their path to parenthood. At Tripod Fertility, Sabrina Teles (Class […]

Meet the MScOT class of 2025!

Four students share what inspired them to pursue occupational therapy and what they are most looking forward to over the next two years. Tara DeVouge What made you interested in […]

image of Shone Joos

Shone Joos receives award for Excellence in Professional Values

Congratulations to Prof. Shone Joos on receiving a 2023 Temerty Award for Excellence in Professional Values. These professional values are exemplified in many ways, including (but not limited to): dealing fairly […]

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Prof. Christie Welch appointed Graduate Coordinator

The department of occupational science & occupational therapy is pleased to announce that Prof. Christie Welch has accepted a full-time teaching stream position, which includes an appointment as the department’s […]

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream Opportunity in OS&OT

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream – Clinical Education in Occupational Therapy The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, invites applications […]

Bridget learns value of community during fieldwork in India

Bridget Deschenes, a second-year occupational therapy student, thought she would complete her clinical placements in Toronto, but when she learned about the opportunity to do an international fieldwork placement, she […]

Occupational therapy student presents research

400 guests attend Graduate Student Research Day

Last month, we held our annual Graduate Student Research Day. Nearly 400 people attended in-person to watch our second-year occupational therapy students present their research projects on a range of […]

photo collage of Emily Nalder, Rosalie Wang, Nick Reed, Sander Hitzig, Sarah Munce and Allison Novak

Six faculty members receive recognition awards for their contributions

Last month at the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute’s (RSI) Research Day, six of our faculty members received recognition awards to honour and celebrate their outstanding contributions to student learning, leadership and support […]

headshot of Judith Friedland and the cover of her book: There Was A Time For Everything

Judith Friedland reflects on her life and career in new memoir

Judith Friedland has worn many hats throughout her life. After earning her diploma in physical and occupational therapy from the University of Toronto in 1960, she went on to work […]

Inaugural International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research

The Rehabilitation Science Research Network for COVID held its inaugural International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research on Friday, April 21, 2023 at the University of Toronto.  The Network, co-led by […]

Nick Reed, Associate Professor, awarded tenure

The department of occupational science and occupational therapy is pleased to announce that Nick Reed has been awarded tenure, effective July 1, 2023.   Prof. Reed joined the department in […]

Alumni Spotlight: Elizabeth Pezzutto (Class of 2022)

What inspired you to pursue a career in occupational therapy?  I was attracted to how occupational therapists recognize the importance of considering all domains of health in the promotion of […]

In Memoriam: Patti Fleury

  Alumna Patti Fleury (seated, at centre) was among the first group of alumni members of Governing Council, pictured in 1972. (Photo: Robert Lansdale Photography)   It is with great […]

Announcing New Faculty Member in the Department of OS&OT

The Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy is excited to welcome Linna Tam-Seto as an Assistant Professor, Community and Global Mental Health starting July 2023.   Prof. Tam-Seto is […]

Interested in Being a Mentor?

Join us as an OT mentor and make a lasting impact on future Occupational Therapists! Q: What is the OCT 1190Y Mentorship course? A: Mentorship and Interprofessional Education (IPE) (OCT1190Y) […]

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Exploring virtual reality as a teaching tool in occupational therapy

We are always looking for opportunities to bring new technology into the classroom and make learning more engaging for our students. Virtual reality, or VR, is an emerging technology that […]

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream in OS&OT

The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, invites applications for a full-time continuing teaching stream appointment in the field […]

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OS&OT alum creates helmet for Sikh kids

OS&OT alumna Tina Singh draws on her graduate studies to create helmet for Sikh kids For years, occupational therapist Tina Singh felt frustrated when trying to find helmets that would […]

Valuing Black Life, Histories and Futures

MScOT student shares her perspective   As we discuss anti-Black racism in our own institutions, the question arises: Outside Black History Month, how does one value Black life, histories and […]

Riya Shah receives 2023 U of T Student Leadership Award

Second-year MScOT student Riya Shah has been selected to receive a 2023 University of Toronto Student Leadership Award (UTSLA). During her time in the program, Riya has taken on various […]

Celebrating Pat Fisher’s Legacy

Seventy-seven years after graduating as an occupational therapist from the University of Toronto, Pat Fisher passed away on October 25, 2022. During those years she remained committed to occupational therapy […]

OT Clinicians Needed for Student Presentation Evaluation

The Year 2 MScOT students are doing advocacy presentations using a Pecha Kucha approach. We are looking for OT clinicians to watch a group of presentations, provide feedback and give […]

MScOT Graduating Students Featured by Temerty Medicine

on What Makes Them Passionate About Science & Health Care Two MScOT students graduating this week are featured in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s news feature, “Class of 2T2 Graduates […]

Professor Emeritus Helene Polatajko Receives Honorary Law Degree

On Thursday, October 20, Professor Emeritus Helene Polatajko received a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LLD) from Western University. From Western: “Helene Polatajko is an internationally acclaimed occupational therapy researcher, […]

Prof. Alex Mihailidis Recognized as Healthy Ageing 50 Leader

Professor Alex Mihailidis has been selected as one of the Healthy Ageing 50 – 50 leaders working to transform the world to be a better place to grow older. The Healthy […]

Tenure Stream Position in OS&OT Now Open for Applications

The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto invites applications for one full-time tenure stream appointment in the field […]

Teaching Assistant Opportunities Now Open

Visit our job opportunities webpage to find current teaching assistant and sessional instructional assistant positions for the upcoming Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 terms.  

Photo of Prof. Bonnie Kirsh

Professor Bonnie Kirsh Receives 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award

  Congratulations to Professor Bonnie Kirsh on receiving the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s 2022 Dean’s Alumni Lifetime Achievement – National Impact Award.  As noted in the announcement, Professor Bonnie Kirsh’s […]

Photo of Yolanda Cheung, OT1 student

OT1 student successful in Tech Hackathon

  Congratulations to Yolanda Cheung, a first-year MScOT student who successfully competed in the FIBRE Wearable Tech Hackathon to create a solution for pressure injuries. Yolanda’s team with members hailing […]

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Leadership Skills Development MOOC for OTs

The Leadership Skills Development MOOC for Occupational Therapists will support course participants to gain insights into their leadership potential, values and preferences.  This 5-week free course, instructed by Prof. Andrea […]

Profs. Nowrouzi-Kia and Reed in the News

spotlight on faculty research in the media this past week: Professor Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia and colleagues were  featured in CTV Toronto News on March 19 to discuss their  recently published article, […]

Two Tenure Track Opportunities in OS&OT

The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto invites applications for two full-time tenure stream appointments. Community and Global […]

Prof. Angela Colantonio: Brain Injury, Intimate Partner Violence and COVID

Temerty Faculty of Medicine writer Jim Oldfield interviewed Prof. Angela Colantonio about brain injury and the ‘shadow pandemic’ of intimate partner violence. People who live with brain injury from intimate […]

Prof. Emeritus Helene Polatajko appointed Officer of the Order of Canada

  Congratulations to Professor Emeritus Helene Polatajko on being appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. Announced by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada on December […]

Fall Convocation 2021: Celebrating our Newest Grads

We invited two graduates from the Class of 2021 to share their thoughts about their time spent in the MScOT program these past two years, future plans, and advice for […]

MScOT research project featured in The Varsity

Adaptation and resilience: What Syrian refugees experienced when they arrived in Canada New U of T study says occupational roles shaped refugee experiences The Syrian Civil War has been one […]

Join the OS&OT Alumni Network

Following the dissolution of the PT/OT Alumni Association last fall, we are reaching out to invite you to join our new U of T OS&OT Alumni Network. The goal is […]

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Yassi Salehi Memorial Award

This award was established by her family in memory of Yassi (Yassaman) Salehi, who was a Class of 2020 MScOT graduate and successfully completed the national exam. Yassi sadly passed […]

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Enabling resiliency after an acquired brain injury

New research with community impact conducted through Paul J.J. Martin Early Career Professorship Five years after its endowment establishment, the March of Dimes Canada Paul J.J. Martin Early Career Professorship […]