From the Provost’s Desk: Announcing the dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine

We are pleased to announce Dr. Esther Kim's appointment as dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine for a five-year term effective July 1, 2026.

Since April 2025, Esther has been interim dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, following her role as chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders since August 2021.

 After receiving her BSc (Psychology) from the University of Alberta, Dr. Kim completed her MS in Speech-Language Pathology and PhD in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Arizona. She returned to the University of Alberta and joined the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in December 2009.

Esther's clinical and research interests focus on improving outcomes for people with aphasia and other acquired and progressive communication disorders. She examines treatments that can enhance neural plasticity in individuals with neurological damage, as well as interventions that facilitate accessibility and participation for individuals with communication disabilities. She is co-founder of the Alberta Aphasia Camp and the Corbett Aphasia Rehabilitation and Education (CARE) program. 

As interim dean, Esther successfully led the development and approval of the new faculty strategic plan. She consistently exemplifies our core university values and has played a key role in fostering a positive and collaborative culture within the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine.

We look forward to continuing to work with Esther.