Bloorview Research Institute

News: Patty Rigby receives University of Toronto Award of Excellence

On December 5th, Bloorview Research Institute Scientist Patty Rigby was honoured with a 2007 Excellence in Service Award at the Annual Faculty Assembly of the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto (U of T).

Patty started her career at Bloorview in 1989 as an occupational therapist in the Seating Clinic. Later she became the Occupational Therapy Professional Practice Leader and the Occupational
Therapy Research Coordinator.

Patty has many years of clinical experience working with children with physical disabilities, and learning and behavioural disorders, making these populations a primary focus for her research.

In 2002, she was selected to represent Bloorview on the Faculty of Medicine’s Task Force on Education of Rehabilitation Sciences Health Professionals, chairing the sub-committee on clinical teaching.

An integral part of Bloorview’s occupational therapy professional practice area, the scope of Patty’s many accomplishments are broad and very noteworthy.

Patty is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at U of T. She is the department chair of the Student Affairs Committee and Graduate Coordinator, both positions she’s held almost continuously since their establishment
in 2001.

In her roles, Patty has provided leadership to improve recruitment
and admissions processes, and establish mechanisms to ensure students have a positive and rewarding experience during their MScOTstudies.

She has demonstrated a knack for problem-solving and devising strategies to support and accommodate students' needs, particularly when they face personal and health problems.

“I’m very honoured to be recognized by my colleagues,” Patty says. “While my job can be quite demanding, there are many rewards, and I’m privileged to work with a great team of academics, clinicians and
student volunteers who all help with the committee work.”

Even with her busy schedule, Patty actively supports occupational therapy and rehabilitation scholarship.

She reviews research proposals for several organizations and sits on the review board for two scholarly journals, along with reviewing conference abstracts for national and international meetings. Each year she chairs the committee for the Janice Hines Memorial Award for the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

She is also a co-theme leader for the Children’s Rehabilitation Research
Network, through the Ontario Rehabilitation Research Advisory
Network (ORRAN).

More on Dr. Patty Rigby

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