Jeff Boniface receives the 2025 CAOT-BC Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year Award!
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 receives Killam Teaching Prize
Associate Professor of Teaching Katie Lee Bunting was recently honoured with a Killam Teaching Prize from UBC.
International Conference on Youth Mental Health 2025: Reflections from a PhD student
PhD student Avneet Dhillon shared her experiences as the youth co-chair of the 7th International Conference on Youth Mental Health.
A truly RAD partnership: OSOT working with UBC Recreation to provide access to Recreational Adaptive Devices
OSOT faculty Drs. Ben Mortenson and Bill Miller’s collaboration with UBC Recreation and the RAD Society is gaining momentum.
Recruitment for our new Lecturer – Vancouver site
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.
Michael Lee: Diving into Health Professions Education (HPE)
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.
Going with the flow: Learning about the Kawa model outside of the classroom
The Kawa model, which shows the relationship between the environment and the self, is an integral part of our MOT curriculum.
Winter Weather Disruptions: How to prepare
With the possibility of snowfall this winter, please review the protocol for travel to classes.
Our new Strategic Action Plan (2025–2032)
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.
Dr. Skye Barbic receives a Canada Research Chair in Integrated Youth Services
Associate Professor Dr. Skye Barbic has received a prestigious Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) for her research in youth mental health.
Introducing our new Strategic Action Plan (2025-2032)
Join us for the virtual launch of our new plan on Friday, Nov 22 (12-1pm).
World OT Day 2024: WhOT a wonderful day to be an OT ❤
October 27 is World Occupational Therapy Day! Connect with colleagues across the world with #WorldOTDay and consider your own answer to an important question…
Applications for our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program are now open
Find out admission requirements, understand the application process and submit your application before January 15.
Dr. Jon Breen’s workshops change attitudes and reframe disabilities in the workplace
Drs. Jon Breen and Susan Forwell collaborated on a series of virtual workshops to reframe disabilities in the workplace.
Research that will transform access to services for young people who use substances
Dr. Kirsten Marchand’s youth-centred research into services for youth who use substances was featured in UBC’s IMH Showcase.
Collaborative social media project by Dr. Julia Henderson and Western Gold Theatre reclaims the phrase #HaveASeniorMoment
Take a peek at the reels under #HaveASeniorMoment, and be sure to celebrate having a senior moment more often!
2024 Paralympics raise the need for better provision of prosthetics
Learn how current policies limit accessibility to prosthetic technologies and how we can promote equitable access.
Changing Public Perceptions of People with Traumatic Brain Injury through UBC’s Public Scholars Initiative
PhD Student Rinni Mamman has been named a UBC Public Scholar for her study of perceptions of traumatic brain injury.
Improve your client outcomes with funds from the Mentored Clinician Partnership Program
Apply for support from a faculty mentor and up to $5,000 for release time to research or develop an idea
Dr. Ben Mortenson’s research on the impact of climate change on people with disabilities
Occupational therapists (OTs) are in a good position to help people with disabilities adapt to climate change.
Dr. Suzanne Huot awarded funding for new community-based research: 2SLGBTQ+ Indigenous peoples’ experiences of knowing, being and doing
Dr. Suzanne Huot is the Principal Investigator for a 2-year, $73,000 SSHRC Insight Development Grant.
Progress update: Our new Strategic Action Plan
Get a sense of development in the Department’s new Strategic Plan and see how each element has evolved based on your feedback.
Extend Student Loan forgiveness to OTs: CAOT needs your voice!
Use the letter template to lobby your local MP and support the campaign to include student loan forgiveness for OTs
CEDAR Brain Injury Lab’s influence on creating a national strategy for brain injury
Read about the impact of Dr. Julia Schmidt’s research on the BC Consensus on Brain Injury and resulting national policy vote.
Celebrating our Fieldwork Educators – 2024 Awards Announced
Recognizing the stellar contributions and dedication of our fieldwork educators.
PIE-OT: A new program for internationally-trained OTs
Find out more about our new online program, designed to support internationally-educated OTs to successfully qualify in Canada.
Vancouver site benefits from upgrades
We have been busy with several upgrades to the interior spaces of our Vancouver site.
Call for Participants – Intergenerational Climate Study
Join this study and use eco-conscious, collaborative art-making to explore ways generations can work together to address climate change.
Recreational Adaptive Devices (RAD) Gearbox planned for UBC Point Grey Campus
What is a GearBox? And how will it provide adaptive gear to those who want to be active outdoors?
Michael Lee’s ‘Rock the Boat’ graduate supervision resource recognized by Innovation Award
Graduate supervision can be rife with challenges – this new resource hopes to improve these important relationships.
Dr. Laura Nimmon publishes invited perspective paper in Science (AAAS) on The Complexity of Physician Power
Read about Dr. Nimmon’s article on the The Complexity of Physician Power, recently published Science (AAAS)
CAOT 2024: OSOT presentations, plus Dr. Skye Barbic, Tanya Fawkes, Sarabjeet Charchun and Sarah Mills recognized
OSOT faculty and students attended the annual CAOT conference to present and network, with four members of faculty also receiving prestigious awards.
Actions for a sustainable Occupational Therapy Practice
We can always do more to purposefully integrate more sustainable approaches into our work and research. Department Head Dr. Ben Mortenson, Clinical Assistant Professor Giovanna Boniface and Associate Academic Fieldwork Coordinator Jeff Boniface were part of the working group for the development of the Sustainable Occupational Therapy playbook. This is a free, easy-to-use and helpful […]
Dr. Jill Zwicker guests as a visiting expert for Singapore’s Ministry of Health
Read about Dr. Zwicker’s experience as a visiting DCD expert in Singapore
Become an instructor in our Rehabilitation Science Online Programs
We are seeking experienced Course Instructors with a passion for rehabilitation science leadership and practice.
Dr. Tal Jarus honoured for her outstanding contributions to medical education
Join us in congratulating Dr. Jarus for the powerful justice work in her teaching.
Aging, allyship and activism through art, with Dr. Julia Henderson
Learn more about Dr. Julia Henderson’s research on redressing ageism through occupation.
Improving health outcomes for youth: Dr. Skye Barbic’s work on closing the gap between ‘what we know’ and ‘what we do’
Dr. Skye Barbic is part of the first cohort of Implementation Science Institute Scholars to help integrate her research findings into healthcare practice.
Yoga interventions, and multimedia tools for therapists: Two new pilot research projects launching in 2024
Learn more about the OSOT Research Initiative Fund (RIF) and the exciting research initiatives that were recently funded.
Professor Jill Zwicker receives 2023 Convening & Collaborating Award
Dr. Zwicker’s team will bring together a diverse group to determine how to streamline early intervention of Developmental Coordination Disorder, or DCD.
Meet our new Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Join us in congratulating Alexis Davis as she assumes the role of Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.
New faculty spotlight: Dr. Stephanie Glegg and her mission to mobilize knowledge
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.
Free events with our Green College Leading Scholars
Learn more about our Green College Leading Scholars and their upcoming public events.
Meet Dr. Christine Mulligan: How collaborative research is key to improving youth mental health
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.
Apply now for our Master of Occupational Therapy program
The application process for the September 2024 intake is open now, and will close on January 15, 2024.
Holiday closures
The department’s administrative offices will be closed over the winter holidays from December 22 until January 2. Happy holidays everyone!