The awards were established by the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists, Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and Physiotherapy Alberta College and Association in 2009. Since then each year, $5,000 has been awarded to one PhD Rehabilitation Science student/candidate from each of the three departments.
Congratulations to this year's winners!
Alberta College of Occupational Therapists
Joanne Park
Joanne Park's PhD research project is titled: The Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing as an Interventional Tool for Improving Return-to-Work Rates forInjured Workers with Musculoskeletal Disorders. Currently, there are no formal assessments or treatments in work rehabilitation that address the behavioural and psychosocial components of musculoskeletal disorders. Furthermore, motivational interviewing has never been used before as an intervention tool in this area. Through her research, she hopes to introduce new approaches to work rehabilitation.
Physiotherapy Alberta College and Association
Yu Lok (Arnold) Wong
Arnold Wong is interested in investigating the pathologies and treatments of low back pain. His doctoral research explores spinal manipulative therapy responders and non-responders and their different physical characteristics. Through his studies, he hopes to unveil the mechanisms of spinal manipulative therapy which he believes will help clinicians make better treatment decisions based on the results their patients' physical examinations.
Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Melissa Skoczylas
During working as an SLP with school-aged children, Melissa Skoczylas developed a strong interest in the development of children's literacy skills. In 2011, she returned to U of A to pursue this interest as a PhD student with Dr. Phyllis Schneider. Her research currently focuses on the relationship between oral language skills and reading comprehension among children with language impairment.