School of Physical & Occupational Therapy (SPOT) Graduate Research Studies Program Awards and Prizes

Dolly Dastoor Family Award for Rehabilitation Research in Dementia

Established in 2019 by Dr. Dolly Dastoor and family, to support a graduate student (MSc or PhD) enrolled in the Rehabilitation Sciences program at the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, who is conducting research in rehabilitation sciences, with a particular focus on dementia care. Dr. Dastoor is now retired from her positions as Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Co-Director of the Program for Dementia with Psychiatric Co-Morbidity in the Moe Levin Centre at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute and member of the McGill Centre for Studies in Aging. Her thinking behind applying physical and occupational therapy to dementia care comes from seeing the constant introduction of new pharmacological treatments and an insufficient focus on keeping patients at home as long as possible.

Value: approximately $2200.

Eligibility and Criteria: PhD or MSc student under the supervision of a Faculty member from the Rehabilitation Science program, preference will be given to students conducting research in rehabilitation sciences with a particular focus on dementia care

Application: Award application here

Deadline: September 20th 

Gloria Gilbert Chronic Pain Award

This award was established by Gloria Gilbert, a graduate of the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy (Dip. PT ’66; BSc [Phys. Ther.] ’67). She is a Diplomate of the Canadian Academy of Pain Management (CAPM) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pain Management. The award recognizes a student who has conducted an outstanding project related to pain and pain management which has been accepted for presentation at the scientific meeting of the Canadian Pain Society. This award was established in 2016 by the donor, in recognition of the importance of leadership and innovation in the treatment of those with chronic pain. It is awarded by the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy.

Value: approximately $1000

Eligibility and Criteria: Students enrolled in the School’s online Graduate Certificate Program in Chronic Pain Management who have conducted an outstanding research project related to pain and pain management and/or who will present at a relevant scientific meeting/conference relating to the topic of chronic pain management. 

Application: Application here

Deadline: February 28 

Judith Kornbluth Gelfand Pediatric Fellowship 

Judith Kornbluth Gelfand, Dip. PT'58, Dip. OT’59, B.Sc. PT’76. Jo-Jo, as she is known to her friends and family, has devoted her professional career to improving the lives of children. She began working as an OT/PT at Ste. Justine’s Hospital in Montreal during a polio epidemic in the late ‘50’s. From there, she developed a research project on fitness at the Cardiology Institute in Montreal. In the early 80s, Jo-Jo moved to the Summit School for children with special needs. Retirement in 2003 didn’t slow her down. Since then, she continued as a volunteer in the aquatic program for children at Summit School, was a consultant at the YM/YWHA on activities for groups with special needs, a Board member at the Jewish Public Library and at the Reconstructionist Synagogue. She also held a seat on the Board of “Toujours Ensemble,” a drop-in center for elementary and high school students.

Amidst this busy schedule, she and her husband of 48 years, Brahm Gelfand, have raised 3 boys and now enjoy 3 grandchildren. When time permits, Jo-Jo practices Italian, sings in local choirs, keeps in shape swimming several laps and does Pilates in between practicing bridge. To celebrate her 50th birthday, her husband knowing her commitment and dedication to PT/OT created the Judith Kornbluth Gelfand Pediatric Fellowship, awarded each year to an outstanding Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science candidate whose research focuses on improving the lives of children through improvements in rehabilitation at the McGill School of Physical and Occupational Therapy.

Value: approximately $5,000

Eligibility: Full-time Ph.D. student in Rehabilitation Science who is conducting pediatric research on neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Preference will be given to students who have presented their Research Proposal

Application process: JoJo Gelfand Award Application

Deadline: February 28 

Kavita Kulkarni Memorial Prize in Rehabilitation Science

Established in 2002 by family, friends and the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital (JRH) Foundation in memory of Kavita Kulkarni, B.Sc.(Phys.Ther.) 2001. Kavita was an outstanding student in the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy whose sudden and tragic death was mourned by all who knew her.

Value: approximately $750

Eligibility: Awarded by the School on the basis of high academic standing excellence to an outstanding graduate student enrolled in a full-time degree program in the School. Preference shall be given to students pursuing research in Rehabilitation Science at the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital. 

Application: awarded internally

Patricia Ann MacDonald Wells Van Daele Memorial Award

Established in 2003 by family, friends and colleagues of Patricia Ann MacDonald Wells Van Daele as well as graduates of the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy. This award is to recognize outstanding research on the again population and/or clinical education.

Value: approximately $500

Eligibility: Students enrolled in the School’s Professional OT or PT Programs or the Graduate Programs in Rehabilitation Science (MSc or PhD) who have implemented (cannot be in the planning stages) an outstanding clinical, community-based or research project related to the aging population and/or clinical education.

Application: apply by February 28th 

Margherita Rapagna Memorial Prize in Rehabilitation Science

Established in 2002 by family, friends and the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital (JRH) Foundation in memory of Margherita Rapagna. Margherita was an outstanding student in the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy whose sudden and tragic death was mourned by all who knew her.

Value: approximately $1750

Eligibility: Awarded by the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy on the basis of high academic standing excellence to an outstanding graduate student enrolled in a full-time degree program in the School. Preference shall be given to students pursuing research in Rehabilitation Science at the JRH.

Application: awarded internally

The Barbara Rosenthal Prize

Barbara (Socolow) Rosenthal, Dip. PT'61, B.Sc. OT'75, MA. (Ed Tech)'83. Barbara has a long and distinguished career as a physical therapist in various capacities since graduating from McGill in 1961. After completing her diploma, she became a staff Physical Therapist (PT) at the Queen Mary Veterans Hospital in Montreal. She later switched to private practice and taught for the next 12 years as a faculty lecturer at McGill’s School of Physical and Occupational Therapy (P & OT). Completing her BSc (OccTher) in 1975, she then demonstrated her entrepreneurial zeal in 1977 when she founded the OT Department in Physical Medicine at the Jewish General Hospital. This was followed by a move to St. Luc Hospital to work with Geriatric Research. Later, Barbara became the Director of the Home Care Department at J. E. Hanger in Montreal. Barbara continues to sit on the Board of Directors at the Constance Lethbridge Rehabilitation Center, an appointment she has held since 1977. Today, she volunteers as a PT/OT at the Hope & Cope Wellness Center where she evaluates clients with cancer vis-à-vis their exercise programs.

Throughout her professional life, Barbara and her husband of 46 years, Jack Rosenthal, have raised 2 children and 4 grandchildren. In 1992, at the age of the “ big 50”, she and her family created “The Barbara Rosenthal Prize” in the School of P & OT Therapy at McGill University. The purpose of this gesture was three-fold: 1) to celebrate her 50th. Birthday; 2) to acknowledge her career that had brought her so much life satisfaction; and 3) to “give something back” to the School of P & OT Therapy at McGill University. Many of our graduate students have benefited from this award over the years.

Value: approximately $400.

Eligibility and application process: The Barbara Rosenthal Prize is awarded by the Graduate Committee to the OT student in the MSc Rehabilitation Science Program achieving the highest level of academic standing at the end of the first year of study.

Dr. Beverlea Tallant Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Research Award 

Beverlea Kathleen Tallant, PhD., O.T. received her Diploma in Physical and Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto in 1961. This event marked the beginning of a distinguished professional career as clinician, administrator, educator and researcher in the field of mental health.  She joined the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, and began her life in academia in 1969.  Teaching about the role of occupational therapy (OT) in the assessment and treatment of psychiatric patients was her passion.  She quickly transformed a 26 hour lecture course, into four three credit psychosocial OT courses. Dr. Tallant introduced the notion of psychosocial labs to enable students to experience assessment and treatment techniques that OTs use in mental health settings.  She also taught physical therapy students a course on psychiatric conditions and psychological responses to physical disability. Dr. Tallant conducted research and made major contributions to the OT program, the School and the University.  She particularly enjoyed chairing the Curriculum Committee and was instrumental in developing the new professional Master’s curricula in the School. She also served as an active member of  University Senate and Senate committees.                                                        

Purpose of the Award: The award was established by Dr. Tallant in 2011, thanks to generous donations from family, friends and colleagues as well as graduates of the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at the time of her retirement.  It is awarded by the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy to a graduate student in Rehabilitation Science, in   recognition of an outstanding research project related to a Occupational Therapy practice in mental health.

Value:  approximately $1300.

Eligibility:

• Graduate student in Rehabilitation Sciences (MSc or PhD).
• An outstanding research project addressing theories, assessments, interventions or outcomes relevant to OT practice for individuals with a mental health condition.
• Preference is given to an occupational therapy graduate student conducting mental health research.

 Application Process 

• A complete application form 
• Application Letter to address the pertinence of the project to the objectives of the award. 
• Letter of Support from a member of the faculty, clarifying the innovation, merit and relevance of the applicant’s research project.
• Curriculum vitae of the applicant (should include a list of awards received, any presentations and publications).

Deadline: February 28 

 

McGill – Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) Graduate Scholarship

The McGill – UQAC Graduate Scholarship has been established to promote the development of expertise in rehabilitation research in the Saguenay-Lac St Jean region. This will be accomplished by funding students from the Saguenay-Lac St Jean region during their graduate training to complete their PhD (Rehabilitation Science) at McGill University. Ideally, candidates would return to the region, following doctoral or post-doctoral training, to contribute to the research expertise and capacity of the region in academic and health care settings.

The scholarship will be awarded either to a graduate of the McGill Physiotherapy program offered by extension at UQAC or to a physiotherapist from the Saguenay- Lac St Jean region who holds a Master’s degree. Candidates are eligible if completing a PhD (Rehabilitation Science) at McGill University, under the supervision of a McGill faculty member or under the co-supervision of McGill and UQAC faculty.

Value: The scholarship will be in the amount of $20,000 renewable twice based upon evaluation by the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy and a progress report of a good academic standing in the program.

Eligibility and Conditions

• Awardees must be accepted or enrolled full-time in the PhD Rehabilitation Science program at McGill University under the supervision of a McGill faculty member or under the co-supervision of McGill and UQAC faculty.
• Awardees must be a graduate of the McGill Physiotherapy program offered by extension at UQAC or to a physiotherapist from the Saguenay- Lac St Jean region who holds a Master’s degree.
• Awardees must notify the Director, Graduate Program if they are offered external funding or additional internal funding.
• Awardees must accept external funds and return their McGill – UQAC Graduate Scholarship before the starting date of the external fund. Candidates receiving additional internal university fellowships may not be entitled to retain the full Scholarship. The McGill – UQAC Graduate Scholarship will be reduced by the amount of the internal fund.
• Awardees are expected to maintain a satisfactory academic performance through the tenure of their funding.

Application:  Application form and documents required list 

Deadline: Completed applications should be sent to McGill's Physiotherapy Extension Program Coordinator at uqacprog.spot [at] mcgill.ca by October 1st.
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