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RSI Recognition Awards

The purpose of the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute Awards is to honour and recognize outstanding contributions to RSI by its members. The award ceremony will be held during the Annual RSI Research Day in May.

STUDENTS:

Leadership & Inspiration Award

This award recognizes student leadership and the capacity to motivate/inspire their peers:

  • Demonstrates outstanding leadership as measured by the quality and lasting impact of their contributions (e.g., toward quality of life for students and a sense of community)
  • Actively engages in a variety of activities in a leadership role
  • Contributes toward the development of leadership qualities in other students by highlighting good qualities/strengths of their peers and sharing knowledge, skills, and expertise and demonstrates the capacity to inspire others to perform at a higher level
  • Demonstrates the ability to manage challenging situations

DOCUMENTS:

APPLICATION FORMCONSENT FORM
BLIND CV TEMPLATEAWARD GUIDELINES

DEADLINE: April 29 @ 5:00 pm *EXTENDED*

Community Service Award

This award recognizes continuous participation and involvement in the RSI, RSGSU, and University community:

  • Demonstrates outstanding community service as measured by the degree to which their services/actions have made a lasting or meaningful contribution or impact on their community
  • Actively contributes time/effort to the RSI, RSGSU, and/or university community
  • Demonstrates a commitment to community service outside of RSI, RSGSU and the university community
  • Contributes to a positive and inclusive environment that allows for meaningful exchanges between peers and their community

DOCUMENTS:

APPLICATION FORMCONSENT FORM
BLIND CV TEMPLATEAWARD GUIDELINES

DEADLINE: April 29 @ 5:00 pm *EXTENDED*

Research Excellence Award

This award recognizes potential or realized research impact and contributions:

  • Displays connection to their research population and are passionate with working with the research population
  • Whose research shows potential or realized significant impact on disciplines, practice, and society
  • Received recognition for their research accomplishments
  • Actively demonstrates engagement by participating/collaborating using an interdisciplinary approach
  • Actively seeks professional development opportunities relevant to their research, specifying how these helped to overcome research hurdles or shows adaptability/resilience in face of adversity

DOCUMENTS:

APPLICATION FORMCONSENT FORM
BLIND CV TEMPLATEAWARD GUIDELINES

DEADLINE: April 29 @ 5:00 pm *EXTENDED*

FACULTY & STAFF:

Student Mentorship Award #1: Dr. Patty Rigby Award for Early Career Excellence in Supervision and Mentorship

This award is to recognize RSI faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the training and experience of graduate students at RSI. Characteristics demonstrated by the nominees include but not limited to:

  • Major contribution to graduate student learning
  • Enthusiastic and constructive appraisal of students’ work
  • Timely assessment of students’ research programs including advisory committee meetings and prompt turnaround of written work
  • Careful attention to a critical path laid out for students’ research
  • Objective evidence of graduate student outcomes (ex; students with high quality publications, students with timely completion of degree etc.)
  • Mentorship and teaching life skills and advising on career matters (ex; academic/career options, CV preparation)
  • Providing an equitable environment to all trainees
  • Consideration of student well-being and wellness

Nominations must be initiated by at least one current or recent RSI graduate student. Group nominations are encouraged. Nomination can be supported by faculty members.

DOCUMENTS:

Nomination Form

DEADLINE: April 15 @ 11:59 pm

Student Mentorship Award #2: Dr. Dina Brooks Award for Continuing/Sustained Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision and Mentorship

This award is to recognize RSI faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the training and experience of graduate students at RSI. Characteristics demonstrated by the nominees include but not limited to:

  • Major contribution to graduate student learning
  • Enthusiastic and constructive appraisal of students’ work
  • Timely assessment of students’ research programs including advisory committee meetings and prompt turnaround of written work
  • Careful attention to a critical path laid out for students’ research
  • Objective evidence of graduate student outcomes (ex; students with high quality publications, students with timely completion of degree etc.)
  • Mentorship and teaching life skills and advising on career matters (ex; academic/career options, CV preparation)
  • Providing an equitable environment to all trainees
  • Consideration of student well-being and wellness

Nominations must be initiated by at least one current or recent RSI graduate student. Group nominations are encouraged. Nomination can be supported by faculty members.

DOCUMENTS:

Nomination Form

DEADLINE: April 15 @ 11:59 pm

RSI Teaching Award

This award is to recognize RSI faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to teaching of the required or elective courses solely or jointly administered by RSI. Characteristics exemplified by the nominees include but not limited to:

  • Significant contribution to graduate student learning
  • Inspiring students
  • Creating an equitable environment for learning
  • Enthusiastic, timely and constructive appraisal of students’ work
  • Consideration of student well-being and wellness

Nominations must be initiated by at least one current or recent RSI graduate student. Group nominations are encouraged. Nomination can be supported by faculty members.

DOCUMENTS:

Nomination Form

DEADLINE: April 15 @ 11:59 pm

Service Award (Faculty & Staff)

This award is to recognize an outstanding service contribution to vision and mission of RSI through dedicated service contribution. Both staff members and RSI faculty members will be considered for this award. Characteristics exemplified by the nominees will include but not limited to:

  • Leadership and contribution to an RSI standing committee, working group or special task force/activity, leading to a significant change in the workings of the institute, faculty engagement, and overall improvement in the overall function of the faculty and students.

Example of recognized activities may include:

  • Promotion of RSI initiatives
  • Recruitment of graduate students
  • Assistance with advancement and fundraising
  • External promotion of RSI
  • Creation of a positive work environment within RSI.

Nominations can be initiated and supported by faculty or staff members as well as RSI graduate students.

DOCUMENTS:

Nomination Form

DEADLINE: April 15 @ 11:59 pm

Peer Mentorship Award

This award is to recognize an appointed staff or faculty of the RSI who have been mentoring a colleague(s) for a sustained period of time. Characteristics exemplified by the nominees include but not limited to:

  • Demonstrates mentorship characteristics including being supportive, collegial, serving as a sounding board for problem solving, sharing experiences, providing learning opportunities, being accessible, motivating, and providing valuable guidance regarding career advancement and personal growth.

Nominators of this award are mentees/protégées junior or mid-career RSI faculty members whose professional development has benefited from this relationship.

DOCUMENTS:

Nomination Form

DEADLINE: April 15 @ 11:59 pm

ALUMNI:

Outstanding Leadership Award

This award recognizes the outstanding impact of RSI alumni within the RSI community, the field of rehabilitation science more broadly, or other communities of which they are a part of. RSI alumni who receive this award demonstrate innovative, inclusive leadership leading to a positive impact in their communities/fields. Up to two (2) RSI alumni may receive this award in a given year. Consideration will be made by the award selection committee for career duration.

DOCUMENTS:

Nomination Form

DEADLINE: April 15th, 2025
SUBMIT NOMINATION TO: rsi.director@utoronto.ca

Outstanding Mentorship Award

Presented to alumni who demonstrate exceptional commitment to mentorship of trainees and/or peers in rehabilitation sciences.

DOCUMENTS:

Nomination Form

DEADLINE: April 15th, 2025
SUBMIT NOMINATION TO: rsi.director@utoronto.ca

Outstanding Service Award  

Presented to alumni who demonstrate exceptional volunteer service and leadership in rehabilitation sciences locally, nationally or internationally. Their contributions will have enhanced the lives of others through their time and expertise in the rehabilitation sciences.

DOCUMENTS:

Nomination Form

DEADLINE: April 15th, 2025
SUBMIT NOMINATION TO: rsi.director@utoronto.ca

Previous Award Winners

LAST NAME

FIRST NAME

TYPE OF AWARD

MSc or PhD

AFFILIATION

YEAR

Chan

Vincy

Outstanding Leadership

 

 

2024

Cantin

Noémi

Outstanding Leadership

 

 

2024

Balogh

Robert

Outstanding Mentorship

 

 

2024

Smaoui

Sana

Outstanding Service

 

 

2024

Riis

Viivi

Outstanding Leadership

-

-

2023

Robitaille

Eric

Outstanding Service

-

-

2023

Bechard

Lauren

Outstanding Service (Service)

-

-

2022

Kokorelias

Kristina

Outstanding Mentorship

-

-

2022

Warner

Marika

Outstanding Leadership

-

-

2022

Mollayeva

Tatyana

Outstanding Mentorship

-

-

2021

Schleifer Taylor

Jackie

Outstanding Leadership

-

-

2021

Chan

Vincy

Outstanding Mentorship

 

 

2020

Wasilewski

Marina

Early Career Award

 

 

2020

Craik

Janet

Later Career Award

 

 

2020

Hutchison

Michael

Early Career Award

 

 

2019

McPherson

Heather

Later Career Award

 

 

2019

Reed

Nick

Rising Star

-

-

2018

Wang

Rosalie

Outstanding Service

-

-

2018

Wiseman-Hakes

Catherine

Outstanding Mentorship

-

-

2018