School of Rehabilitation Science News - College of Medicine

Driving MS Research Forward in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) and MS Canada’s $599,000 Investment.

New dean brings a people focus to USask’s College of Medicine

A pediatrician, scholar, and esteemed educator, Dr. Sarah Forgie (MD) is the new dean of the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine.

$8.1 million for first of their kind health care training programs in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan students will soon have more opportunities to train at home through two new domestic health care programs.

Building a culture of appreciation at the College of Medicine

The College of Medicine is celebrating the staff and faculty recipients of its 2023-24 college awards.

USask honours MS researcher

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has chosen Dr. Sarah Donkers (PhD), assistant professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science in USask’s College of Medicine, as the 2024 New Researcher awardee for her sustained and widely acclaimed contributions to neurorehabilitation and multiple sclerosis (MS) rehabilitation.

Students honoured with Indigenous Student Achievement Awards

Three learners from the College of Medicine and the School of Rehabilitation Science were recognized at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Indigenous Student Achievement Awards Ceremony on March 6.

Remote Rehabilitation: Dr. Stacey Lovo’s Quest for Equitable Care

It was a bitterly cold day in December 2012, when two First Nation women from northern Saskatchewan stepped off the bus in Saskatoon. One had travelled 12 hours, the other seven, both to see physiotherapist Dr. Stacey Lovo (PhD) for back pain.

USask health researchers recognized for achievement, impact and excellence

Dr. Hassan Vatanparast (PhD) and other University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers were honoured for their contributions to health research at the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Santé Awards on Jan. 25.

Combating diabetes using community strengths, aided by USask research

SASKATOON – A University of Saskatchewan (USask) research team is working directly with Indigenous communities throughout Saskatchewan to improve methods for preventing Type 2 diabetes.

USask researchers receive $7 million in CIHR funding

Research on new ovarian and pancreatic cancer diagnostics and therapeutics among the projects to receive funding.

USask researchers developing AI to predict cardiovascular disease

Dr. Scott Adams (MD, PhD) is creating artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to more accurately identify people at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

USask research projects receive SHRF funding

Four College of Medicine and School of Rehabilitation Science research teams received funding for Saskatchewan-aligned research needs.

Additional training seats added to USask health programs

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) will be expanding the number of training seats in the physical therapy and clinical psychology programs beginning in fall 2023.

Physical therapy graduate sees bright future

It was Kevin Britton’s involvement in martial arts that helped spark his interest in physical therapy and led him to apply to the School of Rehabilitation Science. Now the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) student is set to graduate at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Fall Convocation.

Professor Kim earns USask Master Teacher Award

Dr. Soo Kim’s (PhD) students and colleagues in the School of Rehabilitation Science began calling her a “master teacher” long before she was honoured with the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Fall Master Teacher Award.

USask study links reconstructive surgery after breast cancer to changes in upper limb movement

A recently published study authored by a pair of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers shows that reconstructive surgery after breast cancer treatment has a demonstrable impact on arm and shoulder function.

Class of 2024 Begins their MPT Journey

The School of Rehabilitation Science welcomed 40 new students into the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program on August 24.

Young Innovators: USask researcher says pain assessment tools can be more inclusive

Have you ever been asked to rate your pain on a scale of one to 10? Or been shown a chart with different cartoon emoticons, where you are asked to choose one to describe your pain levels?

Cathy Cuddington: Advocacy in Action

In the spring, the College of Medicine sent out a call for nominations for awards to recognize staff members at the college who go above and beyond.

Bridges: Women's health top of mind for Myranda Reimer

I'm always questioning things; I'm always looking for meaning. I think that just naturally motivates me to keep going," says Reimer, a women's health physiotherapist with a focus on pelvic care.

A recipe for success: USask researchers champion improved MS care with a ‘local flavour’

Multiple sclerosis (MS), which affects one in 3,000 Saskatchewan residents, is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts how information flows from the brain to the rest of the body. With World MS Day on May 30 focusing on connections – both to others and to quality care – University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers Dr. Katherine Knox (MD) and Dr. Sarah Donkers (PhD) are working to bring physical rehabilitation for those living with MS closer to home.

Phantom Power: Audrey Zucker-Levin on Artificial Limbs

Audrey Zucker-Levin estimates it's been more than 30 years since she first poked her head into a researcher's office at New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery.

Queering the medical curriculum

We spent the summer reviewing literature and creating suggestions for best practices for including queer content in the medical curriculum.

Slips, trips and spills: preventing falls with Dr. Cathy Arnold

For senior citizens, fracturing a hip is more often than not a life-changing injury.

USask physical therapy graduate inspired by family

For Enzo Yutuc, the decision to pursue physical therapy was inspired by his grandmother’s battle with Parkinson’s disease, and seeing the way the illness impacted her.

Wearing a surgical face mask as protection from COVID-19 does not affect performance of youth hockey players: USask study

A University of Saskatchewan (USask) research team has found that wearing face masks to protect against COVID-19 during play does not affect the sport performance of youth hockey players aged 9-14. Parents of a hockey player under the age of 12 can rest assured that their child can be protected from COVID-19 while still playing at their best.

Shishkin serving as physiotherapist for Olympic basketball team

She has been to the Pan-Am Games, Commonwealth Games and the World University Games, but this month Rhonda Shishkin (PT'95) gets to experience the pinnacle of sport.

Creating Safer Spaces: Trans and Gender Diverse Health in Primary Care

For trans and gender diverse (TGD) patients, access to primary healthcare can be intimidating, but TGD care is an increasingly important part of family practice.

USask researchers seek to prevent liver disease, high blood pressure, and understand lifelong impacts of Zika virus

Three University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have been awarded a total of $1.87 million by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) for projects involving fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and long-term impacts of Zika on babies born without tell-tale microcephaly signs of the viral disease to mothers with “silent” infections.

USask researchers receive SHRF funds for projects with a virtual focus

Virtual follow-up with discharged intensive-care patients and the development of culturally sensitive treatment for chronic musculoskeletal issues are just two of the 10 University of Saskatchewan (USask) research projects recently awarded funding from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF).

Supporting student wellness

Maintaining a healthy student-life balance while taking a demanding academic course load can be challenging. For students in the School of Rehabilitation Science (SRS), having access to health and wellness resources during their education is important.

Women in Leadership: Teresa Paslawski

Although School of Rehabilitation Science associate dean Dr. Teresa Paslawski (PhD) did not initially consider a path to leadership for herself, she soon discovered she enjoyed doing the work of a leader.

Enhanced physical therapy curriculum shines ahead of accreditation visit

One of the most important goals during the accreditation process is ensuring that students are learning the best practices and most up-to-date education.

Indigenous wellness learning at USask supported by CMA and SMA

University of Saskatchewan (USask) fourth-year medical students will be able to take the national award-winning Indigenous wellness online course, The Role of Practitioners in Indigenous Wellness, at no cost with the generous support of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA).

USask researchers find face masks don't hinder breathing during exercise

SASKATOON – A new University of Saskatchewan (USask) study has found that exercise performance and blood and muscle oxygen levels are not affected for healthy individuals wearing a face mask during strenuous workouts.

USask researcher and Métis partners collaborate to jig away cardiac woes

SASKATOON – In a first-of-its-kind Canadian study, University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Heather Foulds will assess the physical, mental, cultural, and social benefits that result from performing traditional Métis social dances—something she says can narrow the health gap between Métis and non-Indigenous people.

USask researcher building new model for MS care

As the search for a cause and a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS) continues around the world, Dr. Sarah Donkers (PhD) is exploring new ways to improve the lives of individuals living with the disease here in Saskatchewan.

USask researchers awarded $715,000 to tackle mental health and addictions, MS, and other health issues

Six University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have been awarded a total of more than $715,000 by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) to lead new health research programs, half of which are related to mental health and addictions.

Schell excels in final season with Huskies

There are superb student-athletes all across the country, but few can match what Alex Schell accomplished in her Huskie Athletics career.

Oosman honoured with Provost’s Award for Outstanding Teaching

A School of Rehabilitation Science associate professor has been recognized for her teaching excellence.

USask researchers offer online support program for people with MS, Parkinson’s and spinal cord injury

During the COVID-19 pandemic, University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers in physiotherapy, rehabilitation science, and neurology are combining their expertise to provide a free online, virtual program to people with neurological conditions.

USask health science students create task force to help amid COVID-19 pandemic

About 200 University of Saskatchewan (USask) health science students in the province are volunteering to help in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elevating patient oriented research

School of Rehabilitation Science’s Dr. Stéphanie Madill is leading a research team that is investigating ways to improve trans and gender diverse individuals experiences with health care.

USask awarded $3.6M to tackle opioid withdrawal in babies, improve health care for youth and elderly

Eight University of Saskatchewan (USask) health research projects have been awarded nearly $3.6 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to improve health and quality of life for children, mothers, seniors, Indigenous communities, and people in rural areas