Thursday, May 25, 2023 marked the highly anticipated return of the annual RSI Research Day, a student showcase like no other celebrating the recent milestones, accomplishments, success stories and research findings of the next generation of rehabilitation leaders at the University of Toronto.
After successfully hosting the event virtually for the past three years due to the pandemic, this year's Research Day Committee, led by the dynamic duo of Beatrice Manduchi and Natasha Benn, remained determined to revitalize the cherished research showcase within the halls of MacLeod Auditorium, its original venue.
Each year, RSI Research Day highlights and celebrates the research being conducted by the bright and talented graduate students of RSI via poster and oral presentations and this year was no exception! With over 90 attendees, the event drew the masses for its epic in-person return. The central theme to this year’s event was Person Oriented-Care.
The day got off to an uplifting start as Dr. Angela Colantonio, RSI Director, and Professor Justin Nodwell, Vice Dean of Research & Health Science Education at Temerty, delivered inspiring opening remarks. Their warm welcome served as a poignant reminder of the essential role rehabilitation plays in shaping the future of healthcare.
Next, we heard from this year's keynote speaker, Ms. Annette McKinnon, Patient Advisor, Partner in Research, Speaker and Blogger, who gave a timely talk on Patient Advocacy and Partnership in Research through her insights as a patient turned researcher!
During the midday program, guests were able to participate in the panel discussion on Patient-Oriented Research from Three Perspectives: the Patient, the Caregiver, and the Researcher, with experts from each category. Special thanks go out to Mr. Ryan Cowley,Mr. Ron BelenoandDr. Lisa D. Hawkefor their shared wisdom in their fields respectively and insight resulting in such engaging discussions.
The day came to a fitting close by celebrating the achievements of the RSI community by means of the RSI Recognition Awards Ceremony.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
STUDENTS:
Award
Recipient(s)
Research Excellence Award
Susan Zahir, MSc Student Reeman Marzouqah, PhD Candidate
Leadership and Inspiration Award
Kieran Wheatley, MSc Student Kai Ian Leung, PhD Candidate
Akbota Tleuberdinova, MSc Student Juliana Nunes da Silva, MSc Student
KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION COMPETITION (NEW)
Award
Recipient(s)
KT Competition
Vivian Che, MSc Student Michelle Espinosa, PhD Student
All told, more than 40 posters and oral presentations were made and several faculty, staff, students and family members attended the event online to celebrate the excellent scholarship taking place at RSI. Thank you to all those who attended, to the RSI Research Day Committee and staff for making this year’s event an even greater success!
As always, thank you to our valued sponsors and donors:
For those of you who were unable to join us, we look forward to seeing you in 2024 at our next innovative, informative and inspiring day of research at RSI!
