Rehab Med COVID-19 Updates

For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information, please refer to the university's resource page COVID-19 Information for the U of A Community

September 2, 2021

Corbett Hall Space Use

In an effort to manage density within Corbett Hall, to ensure the health and safety of our staff, students and visitors, please note the following COVID-19 related restrictions in place as of September 1st, 2021. We will revisit these space use rules throughout the term, as aligned with University of Alberta regulations.

Masks are required in all indoor spaces on the University of Alberta campuses.

What spaces in Corbett Hall are OPEN for use?
  • The cafeteria (CH 2-29), student lounge (CH 2-26), and student locker rooms (CH 1-14, 1-17, 1-19, 1-24) will be open. Please note that your ONEcard is required to access the student lounge and locker rooms.
  • The Calm Room (CH 1-79) and Student Practice Room (CH 1-58) are now open.
  • The benches in the hallways, and the tables and chairs in the 2nd floor foyer will be open.
  • When not in use for teaching, students may use 2-39, 2-41 and 3-26 as touchdown spaces.

Important Notes on Space Use

  • Users of common spaces are responsible for cleaning high contact surfaces and cleaning up after themselves. Spray and paper towels or wipes to be provided by the Faculty.
  • Please no eating or drinking in class (lab, lecture or seminar) unless absolutely necessary.
What spaces in Corbett Hall are CLOSED for use?
  • Please note that Corbett Hall lecture room 3-26 will be closed for renovations effective immediately. We anticipate the work will be completed by March 31, 2022.
  • 2-44 is not available for touchdown space.

Entering, Exiting and Traveling within Corbett Hall

  • Please limit foot traffic in the main hallway of the basement south of the PT Student Clinic (CH 1-26) and north of the bathrooms (CH 1-85, 1-83).
  • Please limit foot traffic in the CSD area west of CH 2-75.
  • Patients and clients accessing any clinics in the basement will use the central stairwell only.
  • Students who need access to CH 1-10 are encouraged to use the north stairwell, and those who need access to the CSD lab and clinic rooms are encouraged to use the southwest stairwell.

Important Notes on Space Use

  • Users of common spaces are responsible for cleaning high contact surfaces and cleaning up after themselves. Spray and paper towels or wipes to be provided by the Faculty.
  • Please no eating or drinking in class (lab, lecture or seminar) unless absolutely necessary
Older Updates

June 29, 2021

Updated FRM COVID restrictions - Summer 2021

The province is easing public health restrictions on Thursday, July 1. In response, the University of Alberta announced revisions to the restrictions on campuses. In light of these changes, our internal Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine protocols will be updated to reflect the new guidelines. 

Working Remotely:

At this time, the university is continuing the remote working directive. All work that can be done remotely must continue to be done so until further notice. Occasional visits to your campus work space to retrieve materials can occur but require the approval of your supervisor. Researchers and their teams are also encouraged to work remotely when their activities permit. The Dean’s Office will continue to be open, with minimal staffing, to receive deliveries and provide support.

Masks:

While the City of Edmonton is suspending the masking by-law starting July 1, masks are still required to be worn in close contact spaces, such as laboratories. Mask use is strongly encouraged in all other indoor common spaces such as hallways and especially washrooms. 

Physical Distancing:

With physical distancing requirements being lifted as of July 1, occupancy limits in laboratories and other shared spaces are ending. However, at this time, lounges and social spaces will remain closed. 

Please respect that people will be at different levels of comfort with respect to physical distancing and masking. Not everyone will be ready to congregate in groups or to be within 2 m. Let’s all continue to support each other and recognize when someone would like a buffer.

Building Controls:

University buildings will remain locked and closed to the public. Access to the buildings will be by OneCard or issued key only. 

As of July 1, doors to Corbett Hall will no longer be restricted to one-way entry or exit, and stairwells and hallways will resume normal bidirectional traffic. I encourage everyone to please yield doorways and stairwells, when possible, to those who have entered first to reduce congestion and maintain some distance. Please keep to the right in all doorways, stairwells and hallways. 

Building Access Log:

Attendance tracking will continue to be required. However, as of July 1, the FRM Building Access Log will be discontinued. All staff and students should instead now use the Here@UAlberta app to log their attendance. Clinics and research teams must maintain attendance records with contact information to allow for rapid contact tracing if it becomes necessary. 

Research:

As of July 1, approval will no longer be required for research teams to resume their activities in on-campus facilities. Please see detailed information on the Research page of the COVID-19 website for further information. The key points:

  1. Physical distancing is no longer required (but should still be encouraged whenever possible)
  2. Masks are still required in close contact spaces, including laboratories, and are strongly encouraged in all indoor shared spaces. 
  3. Research activities that can be done remotely should continue to do so. I would encourage team/lab meetings to continue in remote formats at this time. 
  4. Field Research Approvals are no longer required for in-Canada, off-campus research, including community-engaged and human participant research.
  5. Attendance logs must be maintained for your research spaces.
  6. Continue to follow COVID isolation protocols if you are feeling unwell or have tested positive for COVID.
  7. Ensure you maintain contingency plans for a rapid shut-down of your research activities should an outbreak occur that impacts your team or activities. 
  8. For those whose research involves human participants, you are encouraged to continue to follow your enhanced protocols. If your research involves patient populations, then please ensure you are also following the requirements for your profession. 
  9. Note that the university, including supervisors and principal investigators, cannot require or request vaccination proof or ask if someone has been vaccinated.

For additional information, please visit the COVID-19 website. In addition, please read the message in last week’s Quad regarding the Fall planning process.

Education:

In the FRM, we continue to have some students attending Corbett Hall (CH) and the Downtown Calgary Centre (DTC) for select in-person activities during Summer Term. The PT and CSD Student Clinics in CH are also continuing through Summer term. Clinics will continue to follow the guidelines and protocols for community practice settings as outlined by the Physiotherapy Alberta College and the Alberta College of SLPs and Audiologists.

As we move closer to Fall Term there will be key information about returning to our Campuses, communicated by the U of A here - Watch for related emails and check this webpage frequently. In addition, new and returning FRM students should review all information provided by their respective FRM Program for a detailed schedule, class format, and in-class Covid precautions.

 

February 8, 2021

Spring/Summer Term 2021 Updates for all FRM Students & Instructors

The university recently announced that spring and summer terms will continue to be a combination of remote and in-person learning

As we have in previous terms, we will ask for exemptions in instances when we expect to have in person instruction (i.e., selected electives). At this time, we expect those instances to be minimal as many of you will be on clinical placement for at least a portion of Spring/Summer. Specific details for each cohort with respect to limited in-person activities in Spring/Summer will be provided by the individual programs.

And as always, refer to the university’s COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date information.

February 5, 2021

Further Information re: Campus Activity Changes

As you may know, University of Alberta campuses will see small increases to activities starting Monday, February 8. The changes listed on the university’s COVID-19 updates page follow the recently released Government of Alberta long-term, four-step plan to gradually resume activities across the province. 

Please note the following updated directions for the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine: 

  1. One-time and occasional visits can resume and require approval of immediate supervisor.

  2. Limited general work on campus exemptions can be considered and require approval of immediate supervisor.

  3. Department offices will remain closed at this time. All deliveries will be received by the Dean's Office that will be open with limited staffing. 

  4. All faculty and staff must complete the Winter 2021 return to campus eCourse prior to visiting campus for any reason.

Thank you for your continued diligence. Together, with each of us doing our part to restrict transmission, we will get through this. 

As always, refer to the university’s COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date information.

John E. Misiaszek, PhD
Vice Dean

 

January 7, 2021

Winter Start of Term COVID Update

The Public Health Response Team has distributed Winter 2021 Start of Term Guides to all students and instructors scheduled to be on campus this semester. The student version can be found here

Included in the guide is a mandatory Winter 2021 campus safety eCourse for all staff and students:

  • For staff: Returning to campus - COVID-19: This ten-minute online program will help staff minimize risks and protect themselves, their colleagues, and family from COVID-19. All returning staff are required to complete this e-course before going to campus. A short refresher version is also available for staff who previously completed the full course, but want to review the latest university requirements related to COVID-19.
  • For students: Student Life During COVID-19: This ten-minute online course is required for all students participating in in-person learning and research activities on campus this winter semester. Before their first day on campus, students need to submit their course completion certificate to their instructor(s)/supervisor(s). 

Temporary enhanced COVID restrictions extended

The university announced that the temporary enhanced safety measures first implemented on December 14, 2020 will be extended until January 25, 2021. This includes the on-campus research ramp down.

To balance these enhanced safety measures with the essential activities that must proceed at this time, the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine will be implementing the following measures: 

  • The three department administrative offices will remain closed until Jan. 25. Department staff are required to continue to work remotely at this time. Staff involved with the processing and management of admissions documentation for the three professional programs are asked to only work on campus when absolutely necessary and only with the approval of your supervisor.

  • Starting Monday, January 11, the Dean’s Office reopened with limited staffing and be available to receive mail and other deliveries.

  • On-campus research activities continue to be restricted until Jan. 25.

  • Occasional visits to campus offices must be limited and only for the purpose of retrieving materials.

  • Approved in-person instructional activities will proceed as planned at this time.

As always, refer to the university’s COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date information.

This year promises hope and opportunity. But the road ahead will continue to be bumpy and the challenges posed by this virus will continue to be very real for a few more months at least. Together, with each of us doing our part to restrict transmission, we will get there. 

I wish you all a very safe, healthy and happy New Year!

John E. Misiaszek, PhD
Vice Dean

 

December 10, 2020

Important update re: stronger COVID restrictions

This week the Government of Alberta announced stronger public health restrictions to help reduce the rising spread of COVID-19 within the province. 

The university’s latest FYI COVID-19 update outlines the impact of these restrictions, including the decision to temporarily ramp down on-campus research from Dec. 14, 2020 to Jan. 11, 2021.  

All researchers with currently approved on-campus research activities have received a notice today informing them of the temporary research ramp down. I want to emphasize that all on-campus research activities must be suspended by 11:59 PM, Sunday, Dec. 13. There will be very few exceptions permitted and all exceptions must be approved by the Public Health Response Team, as indicated in today’s notice

All field research, including all off-campus community-engaged or human participant research, must also meet new public health requirements, and will continue to be approved by the Public Health Response Team using the existing process.

Please note the following information for ALL members of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine: 

  • All administrative staff are required to work remotely until the university's winter holiday closure (Dec. 24, 2020). Information regarding remote work after the holiday closure will be provided when we know more.

  • The Dean’s Office will be closed as of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11. The Dean’s Office and the three Department Administrative Offices will remain closed until at least Jan. 11. If you are expecting a delivery, please make other arrangements. Please also be aware that deliveries may be interrupted because of disruptions in other units across campus, or to service interruptions with external partners. 

  • Occasional visits to campus offices must be limited and only for the purpose of retrieving materials.

As always, refer to the university’s COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date information.

We are now nine months into this pandemic and we have all done a remarkable job in managing the crisis within our Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine community. We have successfully managed to allow our students in the professional programs to receive essential in-person instruction, have safely re-opened our labs, and have kept our staff and students safe. Everyone is to be commended for your efforts and your diligence in keeping our community safe. 

Now we must redouble our efforts to help bring this virus under control, to protect our community and ensure that we can continue to deliver on our promise of high quality education and research in the New Year. With the promise of vaccinations beginning in short order, there is hope. The finish line is in view. 

As we head towards the holiday season and the winter closure, I want to thank each of you for your hard work and dedication to the Faculty, our students, our community, and most of all, to each other. I hope that each of you has the opportunity to refresh, restore and recharge in the coming weeks. 

Please stay safe, keep well and continue to support one another. 

John E. Misiaszek, PhD
Vice Dean

 

November 27, 2020

Thanks to all of our professional program and rehab science students, near and far, and to our instructors who continue to adapt to pandemic implications for our courses and placements. Your commitment and diligence is greatly appreciated!!

Congrats to our final year professional program students (MScOT, MScPT and MScSLP) who are on target to complete their programs by the end of Fall Term. This is due largely to our dedicated core of clinical/fieldwork supervisors and preceptors who have offered hundreds of placements over the summer and fall. To all our affiliated sites and the many clinicians who support FRM students, we are extremely grateful!

Students in Rehab Science and in years 1 and 2 of the Professional Programs have ‘attended’ classes in a variety of ways during Fall Term. FRM instructors have worked hard to create appropriate instructional designs within each course, allowing students to continue to cover required content and master key skills. Although we would all prefer to be back to regular, in-person classes, it is impressive how students and instructors have worked together to keep moving forward through their curriculums.

Thank you to all FRM students and instructors for your willingness to follow all Public Health, university and FRM guidelines and processes for reducing COVID-19 exposure risk. Please remember to review all updates as you receive them. 

 WINTER TERM 2021

Over the past few weeks the Associate Deans, Chairs and Associate Chairs have worked on another instructional plan for Winter Term 2021. The approach for Winter term will be similar to Fall term with most classes being offered online and some labs or skills camps being held in Corbett Hall or the Calgary Downtown Centre. All FRM requests for in-person delivery have been approved by the Provost’s Office. Access the complete list of FRM courses (academic and clinical) here

On November 26, UA President Flannigan announced that UA students would be returning to classes in Winter Term one week later than originally scheduled in order to provide students with some additional time off to rejuvenate. However, all FRM students (Professional Program and Rehab Science) will start classes or clinical placements on the week of January 4, as originally scheduled. This FRM exception was made based on the earlier Fall Term finish for FRM cohorts along with the need to ensure students can maintain the required clinical placements hours in Winter Term. See the FRM Guidelines for In-Person Instruction for more details. Also ensure you have reviewed information regarding Winter Term coming directly from your program. 

Berni Martin, MA
Associate Dean, Professional Programs & Strategic Initiatives
 

November 26, 2020

Impact of enhanced public health restrictions

As you know, on November 25 Alberta declared a state of public health emergency and announced that the province will be implementing enhanced public health restrictions to help reduce the rising spread of COVID-19 within the province. 

The university distributed an FYI COVID-19 update indicating how university activities have and have not changed with the new restrictions. 

Most importantly, the current measures do not impact any of our in-person instructional activities.

Here is some additional information for the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine: 

  • We will be extending the current closure of the departmental administrative offices until the university's winter holiday closure (December 24, 2020). All administrative staff are asked to work remotely. Information regarding remote work after the holiday closure will be provided when we know more.

  • The Dean's Office will remain open to receive deliveries until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18, at which time the Dean’s Office administrative staff will be asked to work remotely until the winter holiday closure. If anyone is expecting deliveries from December 21 to 24, please make alternate arrangements.


RESEARCH

Andrew Sharman, Vice-President (Facilities and Operations) and Executive Lead, Public Health Response Team and Walter Dixon, Interim Vice-President (Research and Innovation) sent out an email on November 26 outlining the implementation of temporary enhanced safety measures for our on-campus research community. These measures will be effective immediately and until January 11, 2021, when the Public Health Response Team and Research Impact Team will evaluate their effectiveness.

Temporary enhanced safety measures for U of A researchers:

  • For this temporary period (up to January 11, 2021), approved on-campus research must temporarily shift to remote work wherever possible to minimize infection levels.  

  • A maximum of 30 per cent of COVID-19 previously approved occupancy levels in on-campus research spaces as indicated in Return to Campus work plans. For example, if your lab previously had approval for nine people to work at once, this would now reduce to three.

I would recommend, if it is feasible for you to do so, to suspend your on-campus research activities until January 11, 2021. Similarly, if you are engaged in off campus research activities, please evaluate whether you can suspend your activities at this time. Please do remember that these restrictions do not apply to you if your current research activities are being performed remotely and can continue to do so. 

As always, refer to the university’s COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date information.

Please keep well and continue to support one another. 

John E. Misiaszek, PhD
Vice-Dean

August 26, 2020

A warm welcome to all FRM students for the Fall Term 2020 at both our Edmonton and Calgary campuses!

Whether you are a new student or a returning student, we are looking forward to seeing you in class. 

As you know, the University of Alberta courses and services continue to be offered mainly by distance format and virtual platforms. There are a few exceptions to remote delivery for some of the courses within our professional programs. All FRM students are asked to review the FRM Guidelines for Fall 2020 In-person Instruction. These guidelines provide some background and highlight the procedures that you should be aware of before coming to campus.

In addition to these guidelines, you may have received cohort-specific information from your program about in-person instruction. Calgary-based students will also receive specific information about access and procedures for the FRM's Calgary campus in the University of Calgary Downtown Calgary Centre (DTC).

We look forward to a successful Fall Term for all of our students, faculty and staff members!
Sincerely,

Berni Martin, MA
Associate Dean, Professional Programs & Strategic Initiatives
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine


August 21, 2020

Corbett Hall Building Procedures Reminder

I want to thank everyone for your continued efforts to reduce the risks within our community associated with COVID-19. This is an ongoing challenge that continues to require all of us doing our part to protect each other, ourselves and our loved ones from this dangerous virus. As some of you will have noticed, the foot traffic in Corbett Hall has increased demonstrably. This was expected given the in-person instructional activities, the relaunch of our student clinic spaces and the increase in research activity. With this increase in foot traffic we must ensure we are doing all that we can to keep our building a safe environment for all. 

FACE COVERINGS: It is critically important that face coverings are worn AT ALL TIMES when in common spaces (hallways, stairwells, washrooms etc.). Even if you’re just entering a common space for a few seconds or minutes, you still MUST wear a face covering. You cannot predict when you might bump into someone in the hall, around a blind corner, or while stepping into the washroom. Let's keep ourselves and each other safe - wear your mask. 

PHYSICAL DISTANCING: Current evidence continues to support physical distancing of at least TWO METRES as an important measure to reduce the risk of transmission. Physical distancing should be practiced indoors (even if wearing a mask) and outdoors. 

STAIRWELLS/DOORS: All doors and stairwells in Corbett Hall are now designated for one-way traffic flow [Building Map]. This measure will help to reduce the risk of congestion at these pinch points. I recognize that this might mean having to walk a few extra steps to access a door or stairwell that gets you where you want to go. Find the silver-lining: these few extra steps will help you meet your step target for the day! And will only cost you a few extra seconds of your time. 

WORKING FROM HOME: The University of Alberta has indicated that we are expected to continue to work remotely until at least December 31, 2020. All work that can be done remotely must be done remotely. On-campus activities are restricted to those required or approved on-campus research activities, in-person instructional activities and occasional visits approved by a supervisor. These occasional visits should be limited and only for absolute need. Visits for convenience (e.g. more comfortable office space) should not occur. 

ATTENDANCE LOG: Thank you to everyone for your diligent use of the building access log. This is a critical step should contact tracing be required. That said, please try to register your visit the same day as your visit. There have been a number of instances (I will call it somewhat routine) where individuals have registered their visit several days later. Although late is better than never, late does create a gap that could impact effective contact tracing. If we don’t know you were here, you might not get contacted in a timely manner! 

IF YOU BECOME ILL: If you become ill or are self-isolating, please ensure that you inform your supervisor that you are self-isolating or that you need to go home (if you are in the building) because you have become unwell. Please be familiar with the following COVID-19 procedure: COVID-19 Procedure for Sick Employees.

IF YOU ARE FEELING STRESSED OR ANXIOUS: We have now passed the five-month mark of the global pandemic. There is no doubt that the ongoing restrictions and the adapted approaches to our daily routines are impacting all of us. There are resources and supports available to help each of us through this challenging time. 

We are facing a very critical point in the relaunch of not just our academic activities at the university, but of the broader community. The next few weeks will see the reopening of K-12 schools, an increase in activity on our campus and a greater re-engagement of our community. As we have all seen in the reports from Alberta Public Health, the slightest lapse in vigilance can create wide-spread transmission of this virus. The power to keep this virus at bay is in all of our hands. Let us each do our part to keep each other and our loved ones safe.

Thank you all for your continued efforts. Sincerely,

John E. Misiaszek, PhD
Vice Dean, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine

July 31, 2020

Corbett Hall Building Control Plan starting on August 4, 2020

frmbuildingentranceexitseptember2020.pngOn August 4, 2020 we will begin to welcome back professional program students into Corbett Hall for approved in-person instructional activities. Come September 2020, we will have students from all three professional programs resuming some in-person activities within Corbett Hall, and will be welcoming back our guests in the CHEEP program. These activities, combined with the ramping up of our research activities and need for instructors to access materials and resources, will increase the foot traffic in Corbett Hall.  With this anticipated increase in foot traffic, and to limit the chances the student cohorts mix, a building traffic control plan has been developed. Each stairwell has been designated as “Up” only or “Down” only to avoid congestion. In addition, each door is designated as “Entrance” or “Exit” only. The attached diagram provides details of the traffic pattern. 

There are some exceptions:

D-3: 
This doorway will be exit only EXCEPT for CSD students who will use this doorway to access their instructional spaces. 

D-7: 
This doorway will be exit only EXCEPT for PT students who will use this doorway to access CH 1-10. 

D-6: 
This doorway is designated as an entry only as it has OneCard access. However, individuals with mobility needs will also use this door as an exit. This will be the main access point for research participants accessing Level-1 and clients accessing the student PT clinic. 

D-4: 
This doorway and adjacent set of stairs will be designated for CHEEP entry only. CHEEP will exit via D-3 to ensure physical distancing during their drop-off/pick-up times. D-4 will also be the entry point for clients of the CSD Corbett Clinic.

D-11: 
This doorway will only be used by PT students accessing CH 2-44. 

Note that the doors to the building will continue to be locked and access for staff and faculty will be by key or OneCard only. Students will be admitted into the building by their instructors five minutes prior to the start of their lab. Otherwise, the student access doors will remain locked and closed. 

CSD students 
will enter and leave the building via D-3. 
OT students 
will enter the building via D-8 and leave the building via D-7.
PT students
in CH 1-10
 will enter and leave the building via D-7.
PT students in CH 2-44 
will enter via D-11 and leave via D-5.

We are in the process of creating signage to help direct traffic flow. We hope to have these in place in early August. 

All non-instructional student spaces remain closed. This includes the student lounge, calm room, RMSA office (exceptions permitted with approval), cafe, seminar rooms and all other spaces inside Corbett Hall. Professional program students will not be permitted in the building, except for their designated instructional times. 

Starting on August 4, the air circulation in Corbett Hall will return to normal flow. In addition, the washrooms on the 3rd floor will be reopened prior to the start of September. These measures are not a signal that Corbett Hall is open for business as usual. All work that can be completed remotely must continue to be. 

In addition, please remember:

  • If you are not feeling well or are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, do not visit campus for any reason.
  • Ensure face coverings (non-medical or cloth masks, bandanas, scarves etc.) are worn at all times when in common spaces (hallways, stairwells, washrooms, etc.).
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
  • Maintain physical distancing of at least 2 m (6 ft) at all times.
  • The maximum number of people in an elevator is 2 at any time.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (preferable) or hand sanitizer with a 70% alcohol content.
  • The FRM Building Access Log is to be used for access to all FRM buildings and spaces.

Thank you for your continued vigilance and efforts to protect each other from this virus. I know that we are all feeling the effects of this prolonged war against an invisible foe. We have all done a remarkable job keeping our community safe these past 4+ months. The launch of the Fall term will bring with it new challenges and risks, but together we can continue to keep each other and our community safe. 


July 23, 2020

The PT Student Clinic will reopen on August 10, 2020. We will be following public health guidance issued by the Government of Alberta and Physiotherapy Alberta. Patients will be required to wear a mask once they enter the building. We will be taking all necessary steps to maintain distance in the clinic and increase sanitization. We look forward to welcoming you back into the clinic.

Clinic Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

We also have new fees:
New Assessment: $30
Follow-up Appointments: $20
Group Classes: $10 per session


June 9, 2020

Accessing FRM Buildings/Facilities

This is an update to the procedures for accessing FRM buildings and facilities during our current Level 3 University Emergency status.

1) ALL Faculty, Staff and Students who are returning to campus for any reason (approved research, “pop in” visit, designated office staff, etc.) MUST complete the new EHS eLearning Course on COVID-19. Approved research groups and designated office staff must complete the course prior to June 12, 2020. Everyone else must complete the course prior to visiting the campus for any reason. https://training.ehs.ualberta.ca/login/index.php

2) ***NEW*** Faculty and staff who need to work in or visit a campus office on a one-time or occasional basis must seek approval from their direct supervisor before attending campus.  This requirement does not apply to those who are part of an approved research group or are designated office staff or essential staff currently working on an approved schedule.

3) The FRM Building Access Log is to be used for access to all FRM buildings and spaces. This includes FRM designated spaces in ECHA, CSB, and HMRC, in addition to Corbett Hall. (This does not apply to the GSSMC, ISTAR, or iRSM who must continue to follow the requirements of their facilities). Please register your visit using this form even if you are screened and logged by AHS or another entity. 

4) To ensure our attendance log is complete, we are asking that all access to FRM buildings and facilities be logged using this form. This includes those members who are designated staff or considered essential staff working on an approved schedule. Approved research groups are also encouraged to use the form as a means for ensuring a consolidated log is available should contact tracing be required.

5) The form has been updated to include a Privacy Statement and additional screening questions. Please note that the log entries will be deleted after 6 weeks if contact tracing has not been required, but will be retained for 12 months should contact tracing occur.

Please remember:

  • If you are not feeling well or are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, do not visit campus for any reason
  • Ensure face coverings (non-medical or cloth masks, bandanas, scarves etc.) are worn at all times when in common spaces (hallways, stairwells, washrooms, etc.)
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow
  • Maintain physical distancing of at least 2 m (6 ft) at all times
  • The maximum number of people in an elevator is 2 at any time
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (preferable) or hand sanitizer with a 70% alcohol content
  • Do not remove Taping or restore furnishings to any room or facility that has been closed, including washrooms. Washrooms on the 3rd floor of Corbett Hall are closed. Washrooms on the 2nd and 1st floors of Corbett Hall are available.

We anticipate that restrictions to on-campus activities will remain in place for several months yet.  Please continue to adhere to all directives and work from home whenever possible.

Thank you to everyone for your diligence in ensuring our work spaces remain safe. I know that the past 3 months have stretched all of us to new limits. The coming months will present to us new challenges and stresses. But there will also be new opportunities, new avenues for growth, and a new (renewed) spirit of community.

June 2, 2020

FRM Clinical/Fieldwork Placement Guidelines during the COVID-19 Pandemic

In March, all FRM student clinical/fieldwork placements were suspended or postponed. All FRM professional programs were then required to revise placement timelines. Changes have been made to student schedules that will affect our placement needs for the next year and likely beyond. We are very appreciative of our placement partners and affiliated sites for their support and patience. Please review the FRM Guidelines and processes that our Clinical Education leadership group has developed, to ensure the return to placements is safe for students, supervisors, staff and patients. 

FRM students from the occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech language pathology programs will be gradually returning to placements starting June 2020. We are still in need of summer term and fall term placements for students from all programs. We welcome inquiries from existing or new sites who are interested. Contact us:

June 1, 2020

A reminder that the University is requiring anyone who can work from home to continue to do so. We have noticed a marked increase in the foot traffic in Corbett Hall with a number of people accessing their offices and lab spaces. We are all strongly encouraged to continue to work remotely whenever possible.

  1. If you are approved to return to your on-campus research activities, then you are reminded that only those activities that cannot be done remotely are permitted on-campus. You are also reminded that logs must be maintained of all visits as per your approved Resumption of Research Plan.

  2. If you need to “pop in” to your office to pick up some materials or perform tasks that simply cannot be performed from home, then you must register your visit using this form. Information gathered on this form may be used for contact tracing.

  3. If you are considered “essential” (e.g. RMTG, designated Dean’s Office staff), please continue to follow your scheduling and access protocols as established.

For everyone entering FRM spaces:

  •  If you are not feeling well or are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, do not visit campus for any reason

  • Ensure face coverings (non-medical or cloth masks, bandanas, scarves etc.) are worn at all times when in common spaces (hallways, stairwells, washrooms, etc.)

  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow

  • Maintain physical distancing of at least 2 m (6 ft) at all times

  • The maximum number of people in an elevator is 2 at any time

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (preferable) or hand sanitizer with a 70% alcohol content

  •  Do not remove Taping or restore furnishings to any room or facility that has been closed, including washrooms. Washrooms on the 3rd floor of Corbett Hall are closed. Washrooms on the 2nd and 1st floors of Corbett Hall are available.

In the coming days, we anticipate more concrete direction will be provided and these guidelines are likely to be updated or changed. 

As the Province begins to lift restrictions let’s all remember that this global pandemic is ongoing. We must maintain vigilance to avoid returning to more restrictive measures. For now, please work from home whenever possible. Restrictions are expected to be in place for several months yet. We must continue to protect one another and reduce the risk of unknowingly spreading this deadly virus.

We truly look forward to the day when we can meet with each other in person and restore the liveliness of our hallways that marks the vitality of our Faculty–our community. We will get there. Please be patient.

May 7, 2020

New information is available about continuing research activities in the faculty, including new studies related to COVID-19 and new distance recruiting for existing studies. View the webpage.

April 23, 2020

Since mid-March the University of Alberta has reduced its operations to essential services only on all our campuses. This has resulted in cancellation of all in-person classes and significantly reduced our research activities. 

We acknowledge and appreciate our staff and faculty members' hard work and commitment to move Winter Term academic courses online with only a few days' notice, and the flexibility of our instructors and our students to make the shift. Upcoming Spring and Summer Term academic courses will also be offered using an online format.  

More Information and Links

News 

Our faculty, staff and alumni are hard at work responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the latest on our COVID-19 News page

Events: Rehab Med Live 

Rehab Med Live is a series of free, live-streamed presentations designed to connect you with the expertise of our faculty and alumni at a time when it's needed more than ever.

Academic Course Delivery 

Upcoming Spring and Summer term academic courses will be offered using an online format and work is underway to adjust timetables to ensure our students can continue to progress through their studies. 

Student Clinical Placements

The pandemic has had a dramatic effect on the delivery of rehabilitation services and consequently on our students’ clinical and fieldwork placements. 

The final-year MSc Speech-Language Pathology students who were completing practicums in the Winter Term had their placements suspended several weeks ago. We are working with our affiliated clinical education partners to assess each site’s ability to restart placements or book new placements as needed.

MSc Physical Therapy students who were scheduled to start placements in late April will complete academic courses online instead. MSc Occupational Therapy placements that were scheduled to start in mid-May have been postponed until January/February 2021. Work is under way to proceed with previously scheduled placements in July and August and/or schedule new placements for final-year OT and PT students from July through December. Additional placement requests for this time period are being added to HSPnet. 

We welcome inquiries from existing or new sites who are interested and in a position to host students, from any of the 3 disciplines in the months ahead. Contact us:

Continuing Research Activities

Many of our researchers are responding to the need for new information and knowledge created by the pandemic. Other researchers and graduate students are able to continue their important research activities addressing the rehabilitation science questions supporting our broader community. Learn more about these ongoing research activities and how you might contribute to this impactful work.    

Programs

Find up-to-date information related to each of our academic programs:

Continuing Professional Education for Clinicians

Registration is open for Continuing Professional Education online learning opportunities. In response to the pandemic, we are offering a non-credit course for clinicians who would like to learn more about the use of telerehabilitation: Introduction to Telerehabilitation for Clinicians. This course is being offered at a reduced, cost-recovery rate. 

We have also made Free Telerehabilitation Video Resources available online.

Assist our Students

Looking for a way to financially support our students during this difficult time? Find out more about how you can give to the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine.