The School of Physical & Occupational Therapy (SPOT) at McGill hosted a virtual Homecoming Reception this year, to honour classes from the years ending in 1 and 6. Keeping with the Bicentennial theme in reminiscing over McGill days of the past, participants eagerly shared stories about their experiences in the School, and their fond memories of friends and adventures during their time at McGill. Four alumnae celebrated their 60-year reunion (1961) and were joined by a few from 1958! Also in attendance were alumnae from each of the classes of 1971 and 1976 (see 1976 class photo). Finally, four participants from the class of 1981 (40 years) joined in with updates on family and career.
Some stories from the ages:
"I remember we had 37 and a half hours of lectures and labs a week (every weekday plus Saturday mornings!). And all my friends in Arts were having 14 and 15 hours a week. Anyway, we survived!"
"I don't even think I knew what a physio was when I entered the School, but I knew I didn't want to be a teacher. And how lucky and blessed I was because I chose something that just was so rewarding to me over all the years."
"We were allowed to take a box of anatomy bones home to study. One time, we had a box of bones and somebody dropped it on the bus ride home! The bones were all over the floor of the bus! What a shock for the passengers!"
"We had white uniforms, white stockings, and white shoes, but we didn’t have the caps, and we had, I think, 30 buttons to do up! So if you were late getting dressed, you were really late because it took you ages just do up your uniform."
"I remember thinking, “How am I ever going to be prepared for this job?” But really it was the problem solving that was the best part of the job, and McGill had really prepared me for that."
"We had a great time, and we had a wonderful small group. It was like a family and a lot of wonderful memories from those days. In those days, the rewards of having a degree and a profession, and now, coming back and seeing how far the School has come and how far our professions have come is really inspiring."
Dolly Dastoor Family Award
Established in 2020, the Dolly Dastoor Family Award for Rehabilitation Research in Dementia is awarded to a graduate student (MSc or PhD) enrolled in the Rehabilitation Sciences program at the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University, who is conducting research in rehabilitation sciences, with a particular focus on dementia care.
Lois Radcliffe Award
The recipient of the 2021 Lois Radcliffe Award, Shu Luo, says, “The best experience I have had at McGill was when I completed my practicum in the emergency department! I was able to learn about the complexities of the public healthcare system as well as apply the knowledge I had learned at School. I am honoured to have received the Lois Radcliffe award and it was delightful to hear the stories of the returning alumni, at Homecoming!”
Established in 2013 by the family of the late Lois Radcliffe, Dip(PTH) 1948, in recognition of high academic standing in combination with excellent performance in clinical practicum, the award’s purpose is to highlight the efforts of an outstanding undergraduate student entering the Applied Master’s degree in Physical Therapy.
Top photo: ZOOM collage with some of the alumnae who attended.
