Students from rehabilitation sciences and physician assistant studies programs celebrate at convocation
“When you are curious, that comes with empathy, that comes with understanding and innovative new thinking and ideas,” Angus said. “There is inspiration all around us. Seek it out, because those who are inspired are the ones who inspire others.”
Respiratory therapy graduate Rachel Donelly received the UM’s Gold Medal, which is awarded to the student with the highest standing in an undergraduate faculty, college or school. Donnelly worked as a respiratory therapy assistant at St. Boniface Hospital while in the program, and now works there as a full-time RT.
“I’m super grateful,” she said. “Our class was very competitive, so it’s an honour to get this award.”
Praise Okafor graduated with a Master of Science (Rehabilitation) degree. Her thesis was on the impact of post-COVID symptoms among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Okafor has a physiotherapy degree from Nigeria and moved to Manitoba to study at UM in 2022. She plans to work as a physiotherapist in Canada and bridge clinical practice with research.
“I am so grateful,” she said. “One thing I really learned from my program was to appreciate evidence-based practice, and also the importance of an individualized holistic approach with individuals and their own symptoms.”
It was the last convocation ceremony to be held at Bannatyne due to growing class sizes. Next year, all Rady students will convocate at Fort Garry campus. Watch a video retrospective of convocations at Banntyne campus.
MPAS graduate Anna Zrinyi has already started working in pediatric general surgery at Health Sciences Centre. She said it was a proud moment crossing the stage.
“I felt proud to be a UM alum. I felt proud to be a physician assistant entering the health-care field. It was honestly a moment of gratitude,” said Zrinyi, who grew up in Winnipeg.
Hailee Morisseau, also an MPAS graduate, has also started work in general surgery but in Brandon, Man. She said her rural rotations were a highlight of the program because she got to spend time in a few different communities, work alongside great mentors and be involved in patient care.
“It was really special to finish this off with all my classmates. It’s been a really long journey, but it’s also gone by really fast. It was really special to wrap it up with them today and celebrate and just recognize all the accomplishments of everyone here,” said Morisseau, who grew up in Portage la Prairie, Man.
Prior to the convocation, the College of Rehabilitation Sciences held its annual convocation award luncheon at Canad Inns at Health Sciences Centre. Twenty-one students received awards, with a total value of over $10,000 – including medals and professional association memberships.
“Being able to be recognized for the hard work that we’ve done throughout the program, it just feels great,” said occupational therapy graduate Kiera Martin-Shimoji, who won three awards.
Martin-Shimoji is currently working in transitional care at Misericordia Health Centre. She said she’d also like to one day work in stroke rehabilitation or pediatrics.
“I really love the holistic nature of the profession and the values that it holds when it comes to care for individuals,” she said.
Watch a social media reel from the convocation.
UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. 1,395 students are graduating this fall, bringing the number of graduates in the class of 2025 to 5,586 so far. Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s $7.3 billion economic impact on our community.
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