Education - College of Medicine | University of Saskatchewan

Clearing new hurdles: From Olympic dreams to USask physical therapy

From ballet shoes to starting blocks, Nicole Ostertag’s athletic journey — defined by movement and perseverance — led her to pursue a career in physical therapy.

USask rehabilitation research helping MS patients maximize their goals

For Canadians diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), losing the ability to do the things they love is a real fear. And while breakthroughs in drug treatments have helped slow the progression of MS, there is still more to be done to ensure that people affected are able to keep living active and engaged lives.

Then and now: From greenhouse laboratory to the College of Medicine for Saskatchewan

From greenhouse laboratory to teaching sites across the province, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Medicine has been shaping health care in Saskatchewan and beyond for a century. This year the college celebrates two milestones—100 years since the two-year School of Medical Sciences was established and 70 years since students have been able to take their entire four-year medical degree at USask.

From USask to the Olympics and Paralympics

From best of friends set to skate into the international spotlight and a former Huskie heading to a remarkable fifth Olympics, to a pair of alumni preparing for the Paralympics, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) will be well-represented at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy.

Learning using VR and AI with Drs. Soo Kim and Stacey Lovo

Virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) have evolved from technological curiosity to cutting-edge tools.

Passion to professional fulfilment: USask graduate recognized for his leadership

Carter Frerichs completed the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program in 2025 and was recognized by his colleagues for his exceptional leadership during the program.

Returning to school: USask Physical Therapy students pursue their dreams

Four Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) students have proved that it is never too late to go back to school. Inspired by their life experiences and support from their families, they chose to become physical therapists and are not looking back.

Strengthening community health

Pressure on the health-care system – from factors including workforce shortages, rising costs and an aging population – takes a prominent and hard-to-shift position among Canada's top challenges.

Department of Family Medicine to Open North East Residency Training Site

Enhancing access and improving the quality of care in rural communities.

Student-led clinic improves access to care for rural and remote patients

A new School of Rehabilitation Science student-led clinic on the USask Prince Albert campus supports clinical education and interdisciplinary learning opportunities for Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) students, highlights rural and remote physical therapy opportunities, and improves access to care for Prince Albert and surrounding communities.

USask launches two first-in-Saskatchewan rehabilitation science training programs

Two new programs have been launched in the School of Rehabilitation Science in the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine. Learners can now apply to be part of the province’s first occupational therapy and speech-language pathology training programs.

Saskatchewan builds future physician assistant workforce

New program launches as interest in profession grows

Episode 2: How do Physicians and PAs work together?

The Saskatchewan Physician Assistant Podcast was created by the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine with the goal of providing listeners with information about the physician assistant (PA) profession. This limited series podcast we will cover topics such as What is a physician assistant? What training is required to become a physician assistant? What is it like to work in a physician/PA dyad? and more.

USask community research uses virtual reality for Indigenous health education

A University of Saskatchewan (USask) research team is bringing health education into a new, technological – and virtual – world.

2025 - Year of milestones for physical therapy graduate

After completing the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program in December 2024, Henry Francisco started his career as a physical therapist at St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon with the inpatient acute care team but that is not the only big change for this graduate so far in 2025.

Episode 1: What is a Physician Assistant?

Rehabilitation science at USask celebrates 60 years of impact

Today, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) celebrates 60 years of training physical therapists.

Pair honoured for outstanding teamwork in pathology residency program

The College of Medicine has recognized an outstanding team from the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine with the 2025 Team Achievement Award.

Health care collaboration: USask’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, offered through the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine, will welcome its first cohort of students this fall.

Past, present and future: Celebrating 60 years of rehabilitation science at USask

Since its humble beginnings at the Saskatoon airport, the School of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has been a cornerstone of high-quality physical therapy education and research for students from across the province.

From student athletic trainer to physical therapist

In December, Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) graduate, Joanne Lavoie, started her career as a physical therapist (resident) on the medicine team at Royal University Hospital (RUH) in Saskatoon.

Global training fellowship improves care across the globe

A new fellowship at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is helping address health needs across the world.

Innovative USask collaboration helps medical residents develop essential disaster response skills

An ambitious simulation exercise at the University of Saskatchewan Clinical Learning Resource Centre is addressing the need for disaster management curriculum in Canadian emergency medicine residency programs.

USask’s College of Medicine launches Master of Physician Assistant Studies program

SASKATOON – Applications open this fall for the new Master of Physician Assistant Studies program (MPAS) that begins next year in the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). The program, one of the few of its kind in Canada, will begin in September 2025 with a cohort of 20 learners.

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.

Program admin earns national accolades

Janna Ethier recently received national recognition for her work supporting residents in the Department of Medicine's Core Internal Medicine program.

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.

Dermatology residency training to begin at USask College of Medicine Regina campus this summer

Following years of collaborating with other universities to train dermatology residents for Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Medicine will welcome its first resident into its newly accredited dermatology program in July 2024.

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.

Physician assistant training program to proceed

Saskatchewan will establish a Physician Assistant training program in the province.

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.

Peppermint mochas and supportive staff: First USask Regina-based pediatrics residents reflect on residency

In 2019, two University of Saskatchewan (USask) medical residents began their journey to become pediatricians.

USask research projects receive SHRF funding

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

USask’s College of Medicine Regina campus cuts the ribbon on MD program expansion and new anatomy lab

REGINA – The College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is celebrating the expansion of its Regina-based undergraduate medical doctor (MD) program with the grand opening of its new campus facilities. The ribbon cutting ceremony officially marks the expansion of the MD program in Regina to the full four years and celebrates the MD program being based in two Saskatchewan cities.

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.

New anatomy lab will support USask medical students in Regina

REGINA – An anatomy lab is being built at Regina General Hospital to support University of Saskatchewan (USask) medical students learning in Regina.

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.

Saskatchewan to launch new medical oncology residency program

REGINA – Medical residents interested in cancer care will have the opportunity to train at home for the first time in Saskatchewan’s history.

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.

USask OB-GYN alumni build their practice in Regina

For Drs. Erin Kot and Jackie Ferguson, graduates of University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Medical Doctor (MD) and Obstetrics and Gynecology programs, building their clinic in Regina was a clear choice. It’s their hometown and where they found support from their colleagues and career opportunities.

Provincial Emergency Medicine Journal Club encourages collaboration between residents, physicians

As provincial head of the Department of Emergency Medicine, one of Dr. James Stempien’s (MD) goals is to encourage front-line emergency medicine (EM) providers to communicate with each other and ensure similar standards of care are provided across the province.

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.

Rewards of teaching and research go beyond sharper clinical skills for USask medical faculty

Dr. Rob Woods (MD) recalls working a shift with a fifth-year emergency medicine resident about a year ago. A new staff physician who’d been a resident the year before was just finishing his shift and was handing off patients to Woods, an emergency medicine and transport physician in Saskatoon and director for the emergency medicine residency program in USask’s College of Medicine. The three of them sat down together.

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.

Growing postgraduate medical education to meet Saskatchewan health-care needs

Dr. Preston Smith (MD) likes to remind people that medicine is unlike any other field—because learners graduate fully equipped to start practice the next day.

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.

First Indigenous neurologist graduates from Saskatchewan

One of the country’s newest neurologists is Dr. Landon Perlett (MD’15), a Métis man from rural Saskatchewan. He is also the first Indigenous neurologist to graduate from the College of Medicine.

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.

Swift Current – Saskatchewan’s Newest Emergency Medicine Enhanced Competency Program

Enhanced emergency medicine programs help new rural family medicine graduates in the rural/regional emergency department and assist in rural retention.

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.

New research measures how anesthesiology residents develop ultrasound skills

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a safe, non-invasive tool for physicians to optimize many types of care at the bedside — from a heart examination to lessening the pain of a total joint knee replacement.

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

USask pediatric residency program begins in Regina

Saskatchewan now has its first Regina-based pediatrics residency program.

Family recovery inspires USask student

When Kaili Gilroy’s aunt suffered a traumatic brain injury, the recovery process she witnessed first-hand gave her insight into her future career.

People Living with MS Eager to Take Part in Research for Increased Physical Activity

College of Medicine researchers Sarah Donkers and Katherine Knox are seeing high recruitment rates for their latest research project -- investigating how people with multiple sclerosis (MS) overcome barriers to stay physically active.

USask researchers looking to help transgender patients

A University of Saskatchewan (USask)-led research team is looking to make navigating the health-care system easier for transgender people in Saskatchewan.

USask researchers receive $1.18 million in SHRF establishment grants

Seven College of Medicine researchers have received SHRF establishment grants, which are designed to assist them establish health research programs in the province.

Physical therapy students earn national award for successful online Shinerama campaign

When three master of physical therapy (MPT) students volunteered to work on the Shinerama campaign in 2018, their main goal was to revamp the social media campaign.

Role models for queer youth are key

In celebration of the upcoming Saskatoon Pride Festival, Stéphanie Madill, assistant professor of physical therapy, talks about progress made and the importance of queer youth having role models.

Approaches to conflict resolution, student mental health part of medical education day

It was the first time the Medical Education Research and Scholarship Day (MERSD) was held at the College of Medicine Learning Centre campus in Regina.

Researchers celebrate tri-council funding successes

Thirteen researchers within the College of Medicine have successfully received project grants from across the Tri-Council agencies — Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).