News & Events

Learn about fundamental concepts in occupational science and occupational therapy with our undergraduate course, OSOT 301.

OSOT Associate Professor Dr. Brodie Sakakibara has been named UBC Okanagan’s 2025 Health Researcher of the Year.

Dr. Stephanie Glegg is partnering with colleagues from G’aahlandee Xaadee, the School of Nursing, and Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a to implement a program supporting physical activity in Prince Rupert.

As part of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, we held the OSOT Indigenous Strategic Plan Self-Assessment and Action Planning Retreat this spring.

The Department of OSOT delivered twenty-eight presentations and made countless connections at this year’s CAOT Conference.

For the second straight year, the Department of OSOT took part in Building Bridges (Bridges), an annual event to connect OTs from Vancouver Coastal… Read more: Extending Clinical Partnerships at Building Bridges

Assistant Professor Dr. Julia Schmidt recently took a trip to Haida Gwaii to meet with her partners in the BC Consensus project. The mandate… Read more: Building Consensus on Brain Injury, Mental Health and Addictions in Haida Gwaii

Associate Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor Jeff Boniface’s contributions to OT have been recognized with the prestigious CAOT-BC Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year Award.

Associate Professor of Teaching Katie Lee Bunting was recently honoured with a Killam Teaching Prize from UBC.

PhD student Avneet Dhillon shared her experiences as the youth co-chair of the 7th International Conference on Youth Mental Health.

OSOT faculty Drs. Ben Mortenson and Bill Miller’s collaboration with UBC Recreation and the RAD Society is gaining momentum.

To join our dynamic teaching team, apply to be a Lecturer at our Vancouver site. Applications accepted from April 15, 2025 until the position is filled.

Professor of Teaching Michael Lee’s research in health professions education is changing how we think about students’ mental health needs and supervisor-student relationships.

The Kawa model, which shows the relationship between the environment and the self, is an integral part of our MOT curriculum.

Master of Occupational Therapy graduate Julia Donohue (MOT 2024) joined us recently to discuss her transition from the program into practice. In our interview,… Read more: Student Stories: Julia Donohue

With the possibility of snowfall this winter, please review the protocol for travel to classes.

Leeza Pertsev, a 2023 graduate of our MOT program, took the time to share her recent journey into clinical practice.

We are pleased to share our new Strategic Action Plan, a living document that will aid decision-making and guide our priorities for the next seven years.

Associate Professor Dr. Skye Barbic has received a prestigious Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) for her research in youth mental health.

Join us for the virtual launch of our new plan on Friday, Nov 22 (12-1pm).

October 27 is World Occupational Therapy Day! Connect with colleagues across the world with #WorldOTDay and consider your own answer to an important question…

Find out admission requirements, understand the application process and submit your application before January 15.

Drs. Jon Breen and Susan Forwell collaborated on a series of virtual workshops to reframe disabilities in the workplace.

The OSOT community was saddened by the loss of Dr. Mike Prescott. Take a moment to commemorate Dr. Prescott’s life and significant achievements in rehabilitation sciences and so much more.

Dr. Kirsten Marchand’s youth-centred research into services for youth who use substances was featured in UBC’s IMH Showcase.

Take a peek at the reels under #HaveASeniorMoment, and be sure to celebrate having a senior moment more often!

Learn how current policies limit accessibility to prosthetic technologies and how we can promote equitable access.

PhD Student Rinni Mamman has been named a UBC Public Scholar for her study of perceptions of traumatic brain injury.

Apply for support from a faculty mentor and up to $5,000 for release time to research or develop an idea

Occupational therapists (OTs) are in a good position to help people with disabilities adapt to climate change.

Dr. Suzanne Huot is the Principal Investigator for a 2-year, $73,000 SSHRC Insight Development Grant.

Get a sense of development in the Department’s new Strategic Plan and see how each element has evolved based on your feedback.

Use the letter template to lobby your local MP and support the campaign to include student loan forgiveness for OTs

Read about the impact of Dr. Julia Schmidt’s research on the BC Consensus on Brain Injury and resulting national policy vote.

Recognizing the stellar contributions and dedication of our fieldwork educators.

Find out more about our new online program, designed to support internationally-educated OTs to successfully qualify in Canada.

We have been busy with several upgrades to the interior spaces of our Vancouver site.

Read more about the presentations and research projects at this year’s conference.

Join this study and use eco-conscious, collaborative art-making to explore ways generations can work together to address climate change.

What is a GearBox? And how will it provide adaptive gear to those who want to be active outdoors?

Graduate supervision can be rife with challenges – this new resource hopes to improve these important relationships.

Read about Dr. Nimmon’s article on the The Complexity of Physician Power, recently published Science (AAAS)

OSOT faculty and students attended the annual CAOT conference to present and network, with four members of faculty also receiving prestigious awards.

We can always do more to purposefully integrate more sustainable approaches into our work and research. Department Head Dr. Ben Mortenson, Clinical Assistant Professor… Read more: Actions for a sustainable Occupational Therapy Practice

Read about Dr. Zwicker’s experience as a visiting DCD expert in Singapore

We are seeking experienced Course Instructors with a passion for rehabilitation science leadership and practice.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Jarus for the powerful justice work in her teaching.

Learn more about Dr. Julia Henderson’s research on redressing ageism through occupation.

Dr. Skye Barbic is part of the first cohort of Implementation Science Institute Scholars to help integrate her research findings into healthcare practice.

Learn more about the OSOT Research Initiative Fund (RIF) and the exciting research initiatives that were recently funded.

Dr. Zwicker’s team will bring together a diverse group to determine how to streamline early intervention of Developmental Coordination Disorder, or DCD.

Join us in congratulating Alexis Davis as she assumes the role of Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.

Learn more about Dr. Glegg’s important research in building effective communication networks in healthcare, and work in improving the early diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

Learn more about our Green College Leading Scholars and their upcoming public events.

Under the supervision of Dr. Skye Barbic, Dr. Mulligan is conducting her research in collaboration with Foundry, a province-wide network of wellness services for young people.

The application process for the September 2024 intake is open now, and will close on January 15, 2024.

The department’s administrative offices will be closed over the winter holidays from December 22 until January 2. Happy holidays everyone!

Read about the two exciting hands-on sessions that take place in the first year of our MOT program.

Well done everyone! Congratulations to our MOT Class of 2023, and our graduating MRSc, PhD and MSc students.

Read more about Dr. Brodie Sakakibara’s research and the three studies into virtual health.

Assistant Professor Dr. Laura Yvonne Bulk was recognized with the highly prestigious award for her renowned work in advancing the inclusion of disabled healthcare professionals.

Classmates, friends and colleagues for 30 years and counting. Read more about a very special reunion.

The Master Award is one of the highest honours in the field. Read more about Dr. Backman’s achievement.

Dr. Julia Schmidt aims to transform health services following traumatic brain injury (TBI) through peer-support. Read more about her award.

After eight years of exemplary leadership by Dr. Susan Forwell, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Ben Mortenson will be our next Department Head.

Read more about Dr. Barbic’s project on creating standards for youth mental health care across BC and beyond.

Extend a warm welcome to Dr. Nikki Ow as she takes the helm of our online research programs.

Interested in becoming an occupational therapist? Find out more about our two-year MOT program at the upcoming Info Night.

Find out about the second D’HoPE Summer Program, which is designed to help equity-denied high school and undergraduate students develop a sustained interest in a health profession education program of their choice.

We have about 50% of the placements we need. Please support the important fieldwork component of OT education.

Find out more about Dr. Schmidt’s peer-support program for people with brain injury.

A warm welcome to our new MOT students in our Vancouver, Northern and Fraser cohorts.

After 37 years of service, Dr. Catherine Backman has retired from UBC. Read about her career and legacy.

Our 2023 Capstone Conference, Re-Engaging in Occupation: Paving the Path Forward, was a grand success.

OSOT Associate Professor Dr. Ben Mortenson received a Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award in Overall Excellence

Dr. Tal Jarus received one of the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Distinuished Achievement Awards for Advancement of Equity, Diversity and Inclusiveness (EDI).

In this interview, Katherine Toy, a first-year MOT student, shares her experience and reflections on the 2022-2023 Health Mentors Program.

The Department of OSOT is recruiting for Graduate Teaching Assistants (MOT 2023-2024). Send your CV and cover letter by July 10 to be considered for the role.

Ivneet Lider and Niki Marriott, first-year MOT students, share their experience being part of the 2023 Healthcare Travelling Roadshow.

In a recent interview with Houston Today, Carli Wardop, an MOT student in the Northern cohort, shared her journey, perspectives, and experiences in our MOT program.

You are invited to the Presentation and Vision Statement by Dr. Ben Mortenson. Associate Professor of Department of OSOT on June 13, 2023 at 1:30 pm.

Dr. Suzanne Huot is a co-applicant on a successful $98.6M grant investigating the use of advanced digital technologies in the realm of migration to Canada.

OSOT Professor of Teaching Michael Lee is one of only ten recipients nationwide of STLHE’s prestigious 3M National Teaching Fellowship.

INCREASE BC, held on April 26, 2023, at Chan Auditorium, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, is the first Interdisciplinary Conference in Rehabilitation Research BC. UBC Rehabilitation Sciences trainees working towards their MSc or PhDs have the opportunity to present their research throughout the day through oral and poster presentations.

The Department of OSOT is recruiting an Assistant Professor of Teaching (Tenure Track) based at the UBC Point Grey campus.

The UBC Occupational Therapy Student Society’s annual Occupational Therapy Job Fair will be held on May 25th, 2023 from 3:00pm – 5:00pm (PST).

Jamie Wolff, Occupational Therapist with Fraser Health, Surrey Memorial Hospital, has been awarded the 2023 CAOT Award for Excellence in Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Education. 

In an interview with Patricia Mortenson, a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of OSOT and an instructor with the RSOP at UBC, an Occupational Therapist at BC Children’s Hospital, and a current PhD student, we learned more about her journey, goals, learnings, and advice for aspiring students.

Dr. Ben Mortenson contributed to the recently released national standards for services in long-term care.

In an interview with Sarah Mills, a Clinical Instructor for Occupational Therapy in Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) at Fraser Health, we learned more about her role, journey, goals, and her advice for aspiring clinical members.

Sarabjeet Charchun, an occupational therapist well known and respected for her roles in clinical, hospital leadership, and professional association advocacy work, was already well into a full and dynamic career when she returned to UBC to study in the online Masters in Rehabilitation Science (MRSc) program.

MOT students celebrated Baby Day and learned about indicators of developmental milestones as they watched babies interact with their parents, toys, and the unfamiliar environment around them.

It is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Laura Yvonne Bulk to our department as an Assistant Professor of Teaching.

MD/PhD Student Chloe Gao was awarded a prestigious Vanier Scholarship to pursue research in mental health and substance use under Dr. Skye Barbic’s supervision.

MOT graduates recently contributed to the creation of a new position in OT at Alderwood Family Development Centre.

Several of our researchers have received funding to advance knowledge in the social sciences.

Support the Department and maximize your gift as part of our crowdfundraising campaign!

Find out more about our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Champion, Dr. Tal Jarus and her motivation, challenges and vision on the same.

Did you know there is a scholarship in Margaret Hood’s honour?

Congratulations to our clinical instructor Surb Atwal, who won this year’s prestigious fieldwork education award.