Dr. Bulk with her proud parents at the ceremony.
On November 14, Dr. Laura Yvonne Bulk was recognized at one of UBC’s biggest award ceremonies: the alumni UBC Achievement Awards.
The ceremony took place at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and brought together alumni from UBC to celebrate their successes. The 8 awards ranged from Volunteer Leadership to Entrepreneurship and Global Citizenship, and Dr. Bulk was honoured for her achievements with the Young Alumni Award.
This award recognizes a young UBC alum (aged 35 or under) whose excellent accomplishments and leadership – either in their professional career or through community service – provide inspiration to students and other young alumni.
Dr. Bulk completed her Master of Occupational Therapy with us in 2014, and went on to earn her PhD in 2021. She recently joined our faculty as an Assistant Professor of Teaching at the start of 2023.
Dr. Bulk’s renowned work in occupational science and disability studies has advanced the inclusion of disabled healthcare professionals. Among her numerous accomplishments, she is the cofounder of the Occupational Therapy in Low Vision and Blindness Network within the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. She draws insight and academic prowess from her lived experiences as a blind scholar, educator, and advocate. She has also developed and taught classes related to working with people who are blind or partially blind; coordinated graduate-level courses; and delivered lectures, tutorials, and workshops. Through her research and teaching, Dr. Bulk is committed to creating space and belonging for disabled people in academic environments.
The Young Alumni award was unexpected and a huge honour for Dr. Bulk: “I feel like it was celebrating my community and the legacy of my ancestors who have worked toward justice in various ways.”
Dr. Bulk was nominated by her colleague and mentor Dr. Laura Nimmon, who was also previously her PhD supervisor. Dr. Tal Jarus and Educational Studies colleague Dr. Michelle Stack were also nominators.
The award was presented to Dr. Bulk by Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, the President & Vice-Chancellor of UBC. Dr. Bulk gave a beautiful speech at the event, but also added thanks to several special individuals:
“I’d like to thank also my family and the people I call family – people who are part of my being, becoming, and belonging. I would not be here without the generosity of people like you all.”
She wanted to highlight the importance of alumni events and the impact of donors’ contributions to scholarships and grants at UBC, and more broadly.
The event also gave Dr. Bulk the opportunity to meet and thank Dr. and Mrs. Walter in person. The Walters founded an annual scholarship for OT students in memory of their son Tom, who graduated from the BScOT in 1988. Dr. Bulk was honoured to be the first student to receive the scholarship:
“Although I started working and saving at age 11, if it was not for the generosity of people like them I would not have been able to come to UBC… On behalf of the students you are supporting, thank you. But you know what, it is not just about the financial help. When you donate money, you are telling us that we matter. That what we are doing is important. That we are worth the investment. That is huge.
And finally, thank you to the folks who made tonight’s event so beautiful. Your hard work engaging alumni and the hard work of the people in the fundraising department helps make education possible for those of us for whom it might otherwise be out of reach.”
Dr. Bulk with Dr. Nimmon, who helped nominate Dr. Bulk for the award.
Dr. Bulk with colleagues Dr. Henderson, Dr. Nimmon and Dr. Forwell at the ceremony.
Dr. Bulk with the Walters, who generously fund the Tom Henrik Walter Occupational Therapy Award for MOT students.
We offer heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Bulk! This is a remarkable award, and due recognition for her many achievements at UBC and beyond.
If you would like to find out more about scholarships and bursary awards in the Department, find out more about ways you can make a difference.
alumni UBC Achievement Award 2023
Images: personal photographs from Drs. Laura Yvonne Bulk and Julia Henderson