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.
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.
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.
Rehabilitation science at USask celebrates 60 years of impact
Today, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) celebrates 60 years of training physical therapists.
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.
$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.
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 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.
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.
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?
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.
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
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.