News & Events

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?

We have an exciting opportunity available in partnership with the School of Biomedical Engineering.

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)

Join us on a journey to collaboratively create a new plan that will be used to guide our decisions and actions for the next five years.

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.

We are inviting applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure track) to join us at our Surrey site. Review of applications will begin March 15, 2024.

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.

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

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.

Applications are now open for the Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) for MOT at UNBC Campus, Prince George.

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.

Meet our accomplished new faculty members who joined the department in September.

Find out more about Katie’s value-based teaching and read the in-depth UBC Today profile of her approach.

In this interview, Christine Hsin shares her experiences of volunteering at this year’s inaugural WOSC and entering her second year of the MOT program.

An OSOT research team is seeking OTs to share their views on artificial intelligence.

Come along to a free information session and learn how you could become an occupational therapist.

Our MOT class of 2022 created a beautiful commemorative mural to present to the faculty team.

New faculty member, Dr. Stephanie Glegg, is currently recruiting for a postdoctoral researcher. Find out more.

This August, faculty members travelled to take part in the WFOT International Congress and were inspired by OT colleagues from around the world.

WOSC takes place this week – find out more about the conference program, special events, book of abstracts and a forthcoming call for papers.

The CEDAR Brain Injury Lab is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow. Find out more about the details of the role.

This year’s Capstone Conference included thirty student projects, two invited speakers, and profound reflections on the meaning of occupation.

Dr. Julia Schmidt has been awarded a CIHR Project Grant to investigate the impact of peer support on people living with traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Suzanne Huot has a leading role on a successful SSHRC Partnership Grant.

Send your CV and cover letter by July 12 to be considered for a 2022-2023 GTA role.

Read more about the impact of this alumni-started bursary and consider helping to sustain its legacy.

In this profile, Rosemary Cheung (MOT 2020) describes her entry into clinical practice as a new OT.

Congratulations to our May graduates including from the Rehabilitation Sciences MSc and PhD programs and our MRSc program.

Read more about our new undergraduate course for UBC students, which starts in September.

Four special individuals from the Department were honoured at the 2022 Faculty of Medicine Academic Gowns and Emeriti Recognition Ceremony.

Read on to learn about Tessa Goldberger’s experience as a recent graduate (MOT 2020) in private care.

At their 2022 conference, CAOT honoured Drs. Mortenson and Zwicker with awards for their contributions to occupational therapy.

This year’s conference takes place on Tuesday, July 26. Find out more.

Read on to learn Erina’s advice for thriving as a new OT.

Erina’s story details her entry into clinical practice.

Read about the play’s innovative approach to learning, empathy and activism.

One of the cornerstones of our MOT program is fieldwork placements, in which students get to practise their clinical skills and build on their… Read more: Linda Del Fabro Smith wins UBC CAOT Award for Fieldwork Education