Occupational therapists gather together
Each October, manager Kashif Baig proudly brings together occupational therapists (OTs) working at different hospitals of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). This year’s event was a grand success and over 80 % of OTs showed up for a well-deserved celebration.
It was a fantastic time of friendship and learning. The event began with words from two of our esteemed leaders: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible dedication of our Occupational Therapy teams,” said Diana Valentini, Coordinator for Multidisciplinary Services. “We recognize your unique contribution every day as you help patients regain independence, rebuild confidence, and reach for a higher quality of life. Thank you for all that you do!”
“When I think of occupational therapists at the MUHC, I see professionals who play a vital role in each patient’s recovery and their return to the activities that matter most to them, professionals who know how to envision personalised solutions and who bring a deep sense of compassion to every therapeutic intervention,” said Valentine Weber, Director of Multidisciplinary Services.
Games brought the party to life. People were given the name of another person in the room, and asked to write a positive comment about that person. The catch? Not everyone knew each other! Many were gently ‘pushed’ into meeting fellow colleagues as a result. They had to ask around, see if they had a mutual connection, and find out something positive about the other person.
“It was important that everyone received a positive comment, moved around, and had an opportunity to meet people from other MUHC sites,” shares Kendra Berry, the department’s Clinical Coordinator, Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) and the Neuro.
Cookies and coffee were served, and nearly half of the guests walked away with a prize. We take this opportunity to thank the event’s generous donors, including the MUHC Foundation, McGill University, L’Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec, and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
The keynote speakers were from l’Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec (OEQ), Alexandre Nadeau, President, and Marie-France Jobin, Director of Development and Quality of Practice. They spoke on topics pertinent to today’s practice, like what parameters to set when it comes to using AI, yet they also reminisced on the rich history that is already established. Many OTs felt that hearing from the OEQ was the best part of the day.
| Did you know? Occupational Therapy is traced back to the 1930s. In Kashif’s words, “It sits on the shoulders of some amazing women who pioneered the profession along the way.” |
As a manager, Kashif knows his favourite part about the day:
“Having my entire team under one roof. We have amazing, confident people that do this for a living. By getting together annually, we are able to see one another and remember that we belong to a large and impressive team. I also cherish the group photos that we always take; those photos will be special to look back on in the years to come.”
