Welcome!

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) at the University of Manitoba.

Occupational Therapy is a dynamic and growing profession that contributes to the health and well-being of individuals and communities, and spans many sectors of society including health and social services, education and labor. Occupational Therapists enable people across the lifespan to lead more productive, satisfying and independent lives by facilitating their engagement in the occupations of everyday life; activities that give life meaning, such as caring for oneself or others, being productive at home, work or school or just plain having fun.

At the University of Manitoba we offer a high quality, accessible and innovative two-year professional entry-level degree program that prepares graduates for current and future practice in occupational therapy. Our student-centred approach to teaching and learning is supported by many dedicated, keen and experienced faculty members who bring a variety of expertise to classroom and lab sessions. The fieldwork or practical component of our program is facilitated by more than 200 clinical educators who mentor and teach our students within community and clinical settings providing real-life experience in OT.

The Rehabilitation Building offers newly renovated classroom space with state-of-the-art technology in both classrooms and labs. Our facilities include large lecture theatres and classrooms, a mobility lab, an activity of daily living lab, several seminar rooms for small group work and an assistive technology computer lab. All facilities are available to students 24/7 for study purposes.

We are located at the University of Manitoba Bannatyne Campus and are one of three units in the School of Medical Rehabilitation (SMR); the other two units are Physical Therapy (PT) and Respiratory Therapy (RT). SMR is a part of the Faculty of Medicine and together we share the Bannatyne Campus with the Faculty of Dentistry and the Faculty of Pharmacy. The close proximity of all these health science programs enhances collegial and interprofessional activities among all the health professional students. The School also offers a thesis-based Master of Science (Rehabilitation) degree and participates in a multi-faculty PhD in Applied Health Sciences.

Located at the centre of the Bannatyne campus is the recently renovated state-of-the-art Health Sciences Library which houses extensive collections and services that support learning, teaching, and research. Also of great pride is the new teaching and learning simulation facility and the many research and education Centers of Excellence such as the Manitoba Center for Health Policy and the Center for Aboriginal Health Education. Other frequently sought out resources on our campus include the Joe Doupe Recreational facility, and the Brodie Centre food court.

Winnipeg is a great place to live! Centred at the "Heart of the Continent," our city proudly celebrates its ethnic diversity and enjoys excellent cultural amenities including ballet, theatre, symphony museums, festivals and professional sports teams (http://www.winnipeg.ca). Winnipeg and its surrounding diverse geographic area offer a range of superb outdoor summer and winter recreational events and activities. Within an easy drive of the city are many beautiful lakes, beaches and wilderness areas.

Thank you for visiting our website. Please continue to browse as there are many useful links designed to assist you in learning more about occupational therapy and to provide you with useful information about our master’s program, admissions requirements and to inform you about the application process. I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Donna Collins, M.Sc. O.T. Reg. (MB)
Associate Professor and Head
Department of Occupational Therapy