A lively grand opening event brought together guests and stakeholders from across the university and beyond to officially launch AV俱乐部鈥檚 Physiotherapy Clinic on September 6. 聽
The launch celebrated the culmination of a successful, collaborative partnership between Dal Health鈥檚 School of Physiotherapy and the Department of Athletics and Recreation.
While the AV俱乐部 Physiotherapy Clinic has been accepting patients over the past months, this marked the official launch of the clinic, which offers a broad range of health services to AV俱乐部, Halifax and beyond. Clinic staff have been working to implement this unique concept into practice since the doors opened to the public in December.
Derek Rutherford, interim director of the School of Physiotherapy, with Tigers volleyball coach Rick Scott.
鈥淭he stars have aligned,鈥� said Dr. Derek Rutherford, interim Director of the Faculty of Health鈥檚 School of Physiotherapy (SoPT), noting the hard work that went into the project. 鈥淭he clinic will not only offer enhanced care, but also provide teaching, learning and research opportunities.鈥�
A community resource
Alice Aiken, vice-president, research and innovation at AV俱乐部, is also a professor in the School of Physiotherapy, and served as Dean of the Faculty of Health during the project.
鈥淚 think the AV俱乐部 Physiotherapy Clinic really marks a milestone for the University,鈥� said Dr. Aiken. 鈥淣ow, we have the capacity to give our students and the community the best possible care, while providing innovative learning, and clinical placement opportunities for students. This initiative makes Dal better on so many levels.鈥�
Although university-based, the clinic is open to anyone needing physiotherapy services. The AV俱乐部 Physiotherapy Clinic will link patient care with student education by providing valuable experiential learning opportunities for students from the SoPT and other health programs under the supervision of licensed physiotherapists and will also provide an important link between patient care and clinical research taking place within the SoPT and the Faculty of Health.
At the event, Dr. Anne Fenety added some historical context, sharing the story of finding a note in the archives from then-dean of Health Professions Bob Tonks to the director of the SoPT about starting a clinic. The note she found was dated nearly 40 years ago in 1979. 聽
鈥淪ome great ideas are a long time in the making,鈥� she added, concluding with heartfelt thanks to those in the School who worked tirelessly to make the AV俱乐部 Physiotherapy Clinic a reality.
A true collaboration
Rounding out the guest speakers, Tim Maloney, executive director of Athletics & Recreation, said the project was a true exercise in collaboration.
鈥淭he AV俱乐部 Physiotherapy Clinic will have a huge impact on Dal鈥檚 students and student athletes who give so much of their time and effort to compete and excel in the classroom,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e taken a giant leap forward in terms of the quality and access to care we are able to provide our students and the broader community. It鈥檚 been exciting for the Department of Athletics and Recreation to partner on this important initiative.鈥�
Cheryl Kozey, acting dean of the Faculty of Health, was also in attendance.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great day for the Faculty of Health as we come together and celebrate the opening of the AV俱乐部 Physiotherapy Clinic, a project which aligns perfectly with our strategic priorities as a Faculty,鈥� said Dr. Kozey.
鈥淭he Clinic will allow us to meet important, strategic goals in terms of teaching and learning, research, innovation, and creating key partnerships, while providing enhanced service to Dal and the community at large.鈥�
Find out more
The newly renovated AV俱乐部 Physiotherapy Clinic features private and semi-private treatment areas, direct billing and online booking of licensed physiotherapists. Located in Dalplex room 224. Visit the clinic's website.