RMSA Winter Gala a chance to say 'thank you'

Every year, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine faculty, staff and students gather together for a night of recognition-a way to say 'thank you' to those who have put the time, effort and care into their roles as teachers, mentors and future health-care professionals.

The RMSA Winter Gala, which is hosted by the Rehabilitation Medicine Student Association (RMSA), took place on Saturday, March 24 at the Mirage Banquet Hall. Faculty, students and clinical educators were honoured during an award ceremony that highlighted excellence in rehabilitation medicine.

"The RMSA Winter Gala is an opportunity for us to recognize staff, faculty and students who have made outstanding achievements," said Berni Martin, associate dean, strategic initiatives, who presented at the Gala. "It's an important event, and I'm glad to have been a part of it."

This year's award recipients are:

Faculty Teaching Award: Dr. Ada Leung

Ada was nominated for this award by her colleagues in the Department of Occupational Therapy for her willingness to take on a large teaching load and unique ability to inspire learners at all levels in a variety of classroom settings, including the Calgary satellite campus.

In her philosophy, she goes beyond the transmission of relevant knowledge, including teachings on personal integrity, nurturing students into future researchers.

Sessional Teaching Award: Dr. Crystal MacLellan

Crystal received the Sessional Teaching Award for her excellence in teaching and enthusiasm for student learning. Her colleagues in the Department of Physical Therapy appreciate her ability to make complex material understandable.

When it comes to her students, Crystal wants them to know she "genuinely cares about them and am invested in their success."

Graduate Student Teaching Award: Lyndsey Hahn

Lyndsey has been a teaching assistant for a number of years now, and was nominated by her colleagues in the Department of Occupational Therapy for her remarkable skills in creating a safe environment for students to fully engage with each other in learning opportunities.

As a senior PhD candidate, Lyndsey is able to provide support to new graduate students navigating the faculty and their studies.

Clinician Teaching Assistant Award: Gayla Grinde

Gayla approaches her teaching and assigned work with clear, consistent knowledge derived from her years of working with children, which is why her colleagues in the Department of Occupational Therapy nominated her for this award.

Described as a 'true teacher,' Gayla actively provides support in every capacity to both students and faculty, whether in a classroom or lab setting, across cirriculum.

RMSA Excellence in Teaching Awards

The purpose of the RMSA teaching awards is to recognize exemplary teaching of undergraduate and/or graduate students at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and to acknowledge individuals for contributions to student learning.

This year's award recipients were:

Dr. Jacqueline Cummine, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Dr. Ada Leung, Department of Occupational Therapy
Chris Zarski, Department of Physical Therapy
Dr. Shanon Phelan, Department of Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Science

Clinical Educator Awards

Nicole Halliwell (CSD)
James Murphy (PT)
Paula Swift (OT)

RMSA Award of Excellence

This award is to be given annually to a student with satisfactory academic standing continuing in a program of students in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Speech-Language Pathology. The recipient will be selected on the basis of demonstrated leadership through involvement and participation in university and community organizations, with an emphasis on activities directly related to Rehabilitation Medicine.

This year's winner is:

Safia Samji, Department of Physical Therapy, Class of 2019