Expanding Horizons
Shaping the Future of Rehabilitation Medicine
Strategic Plan 2026–2030
The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine stands at the threshold of transformative change. Our future is shaped by the need for personalized learning and integrated care. To meet these demands, our new strategic plan will guide us toward 2030, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to accessibility, community, and Indigenous engagement.
Our Vision
Enhancing life through rehabilitation.
Our Mission
We create knowledge, inspire learning, and advance the practice of rehabilitation to enhance health and participation.
Our Values
Collegiality
We collaborate and respect each other because we know that our collective efforts yield greater results.
Scholarship
We invest time and resources for ongoing learning, creation of knowledge, encouraging innovation and mobilizing evidence.
Caring
We demonstrate empathy, respect and consideration for the needs, values and rights of all people.
Access, Community and Belonging
We promote a culture that embodies accessibility, community and belonging in all that we do.
Professionalism
We expect and model integrity, honesty, ethical behaviour, social responsibility and life-long learning.
Community Engagement
We actively engage our students, communities and stakeholders to facilitate exchange and partnership.
Treaty
We honour Treaty responsibilities by working alongside Indigenous partners to advance reconciliation and close the disproportionate wellness gap experienced by Indigenous Peoples.
Message from the Dean
Dear rehabilitation medicine community,
I'm excited to share the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine's new strategic plan. This plan reflects our ongoing commitment to adapting and innovating, ensuring we continue to lead and profoundly impact health and well-being in a changing world.
These last five years, our Faculty has achieved significant growth, especially with the relaunched MSc PT and new MSc OT and SLP programs at Augustana which vastly increased our capacity to train future leaders. We also developed new partnerships with Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, launched the Space for Truth and Reconciliation to deepen our relationship with Indigenous partners, and saw tremendous growth in our Continuing Professional Education programs. Our new plan builds on this momentum and guides our strategic priorities and future advancements.
This plan is an invitation to work in new ways — fostering deeper collaboration, embracing innovative pedagogies, and building stronger relationships. A cornerstone of our vision is strengthening our partnerships with Indigenous communities, ensuring our work is respectful, relevant, and reciprocal. We recognize how learning has transformed, and our plan emphasizes dynamic, interdisciplinary approaches that prepare our students for complex challenges. The rise of artificial intelligence, for instance, presents both opportunities and responsibilities, and we are committed to integrating these advancements thoughtfully into our research and education.
This strategic plan is a community effort, built from extensive consultation with faculty, staff, students, and external partners. It represents what the Faculty collectively deems most important, reflecting our shared values and aspirations. It is a living document, guiding our focus and ensuring we continue to push the boundaries of rehabilitation science, education, and practice.
Thank you for your dedication and partnership as we bring this vision to life.
Esther Kim
Interim Dean, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
Our Strategic Priorities
Reimagine Access and Inclusion in Education
We would broaden pathways into rehabilitation professions by removing structural barriers, recognizing diverse experiences, and offering flexible learning options.
Optimize Faculty Structure to Unleash Interdisciplinary Innovation
We will optimize our administrative structure in order to empower collaborative research, education, and community engagement, enabling faculty, learners, and partners to co-create innovative solutions across disciplines.
Reposition as a National and Global Education Hub
We will deliver accessible, high-quality education that transcends borders — leveraging AI, translation tools, and flexible learning models.
Commit to Accessible, Community-Driven Health Innovation
We will support community priorities and dismantle systemic barriers to care.
Reimagine Care, Learning, and Discovery Under One Roof
Integrated service delivery will accelerate innovation, improve outcomes, and demonstrate the transformative potential of academic health collaboration.
Transform Culture Through Relational and Supportive Leadership
Faculty will foster a thriving culture grounded in relational, supportive leadership and psychological resilience.
