The results are in: Alumni and faculty join forces in record-breaking match campaign
Between June and January 2016, the UBC Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (OSOT) set a new record for generous contributions to the Department’s initiatives. With support from the majority of its 12 exceptional faculty members, this year’s campaign philanthropy exceeded all previous years’ giving, reaching a total of $16,932—up more than 150% compared to the same period last year.
Funds from the matching campaign are put to use in innovative research and teaching initiatives led by the Department. This year, the generosity of our faculty and alumni will expand education and research opportunities to new heights.
The majority of the matching campaign funds will be used to support students in their learning and research endeavors, which are critical to the success of the Department and the health of new generations of patients. Included in the Department’s student support initiatives are funding for the annual Capstone Conference, a day for students to share and showcase their Master of Occupational Therapy research projects, the Rehabilitation Sciences Alumni Bursary, and other awards specific to OSOT students.
To many students, funds from donors are critical to their success in the OSOT program. They help Masters students like Kelly Sutton reach their professional goals by reducing the financial burden of graduate education.
“What I enjoy most about the program is working with clients – getting a sense of who they are, what they’re motivated by, and how we can work together to enable their participation in meaningful activities,” Kelly reflects. “I’m very interested in working with children, and I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to complete a pediatric research project with Dr. Jill Zwicker, looking at the motor and cognitive developmental outcomes in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The skills and knowledge I gain through this process will surely benefit me in my future occupational therapy practice.”
Research initiatives supported by this year’s matching campaign include a project to improve strategies for managing cognitive difficulties in MS, and a study to determine the efficacy of Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP) therapy on preterm preschool-age children with developmental coordination disorder. Both studies received funding through the first OSOT Research Initiative competition. The MS study, led by Dr. Sinead Hynes, post-doctoral fellow working with Dr. Forwell, will examine and address the experiences of people with MS and their health care providers to improve the way therapeutic strategies are designed for this vulnerable group. Ultimately this research promises to enhance daily wellbeing for people with MS. The developmental coordination disorder study, led by Dr. Jill Zwicker, Assistant Professor, aims to use the tested CO-OP therapy method on a younger age group to determine its results earlier in development outcomes.
Thank you to our wonderful alumni and faculty for your support, which is enabling the Department to grow and thrive, while enhancing occupational therapy in BC and beyond.