Rady Faculty dean urges new grads to ‘take flight’ in their careers
As the sun shone brightly into the Brodie atrium at Bannatyne campus for fall convocation on Oct. 31, Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, asked the graduates of four health programs to take inspiration from the mural by Anishinaabe artist Blake Angeconeb that surrounded them.
“This whole encirclement is really to remind us where we are, where we come to celebrate,” Nickerson said, describing the mural that covers a two-story panel on the west side of the atrium and a band that stretches across the north and east sides.
“The art itself is entitled ‘Taking Flight’ and the whole point is for students, and Indigenous students in particular, to take flight as they go into their career,” he said.
Jimmy Szutu
In total, 125 Rady Faculty of Health Sciences students graduated at the ceremony, including 47 in the Master of Occupational Therapy program, 49 in the Master of Physical Therapy program, 15 in the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy program and 14 in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at the Max Rady College of Medicine.
Margaret Lavallee, Elder-in-residence at Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing opened the ceremony with a prayer and greetings. She called on the new health professionals to be open and understanding when caring for people of different cultures.
“To be culturally safe in your field of work is very important – culturally safe for you, as well as your patient or client,” she said.
Bachelor of respiratory therapy graduate Jimmy Szutu received the UM’s Gold Medal, which is awarded to the student with the highest standing in an undergraduate faculty, college or school.
While in the program, Szutu worked as a respiratory therapy assistant at Health Sciences Centre, where he now works as a full-time respiratory therapist.
“Respiratory therapy seemed like a good fit for me. The ability to work with people in a career that is very specialized was something that drew me to it,” said Szutu.
Like Szutu, many of the graduates are already working in their chosen field.
Occupational therapy graduate Shianne Crompton started a position at the new Biidaaziiway Gamik unit at Sagkeeng Child and Family Services in September. The unit was created to support the mental health and wellness of children, youth and families in the First Nation community with both clinical and cultural programming.
“I believe the profession of occupational therapy has a lot of potential to organizations supporting First Nations communities, as we work in a way that is client-led, holistic, and holds culture and spirituality at the centre of one of our models,” she said.
Mackenzie Kozak
Physical therapy graduate Robert Plischke recently started a position with Jordan’s Principle in Cross Lake First Nation.
“With this, we provide physio services to youth in different reserves and Indigenous communities,” he said. “It’s definitely an amazing experience.”
MPAS graduate Pierre Bosc will be working as a physician assistant in St. Boniface Hospital’s cardiac sciences program. He said it was a surreal experience crossing the stage to receive his parchment.
“It feels great,” said Bosc, who worked as a physiotherapist for five years before entering the MPAS program. “It feels like an event that provides a lot of closure and I feel ready now to go on and use the degree to help Manitoba.”
MPAS graduate Mackenzie Kozak said the Class of 2024 was like a family and it was great to see her classmates at convocation.
“We’d cry together. We’d laugh together. We’d share little moments and big moments with each other,” said Kozak, who has started working as a physician assistant in rural internal medicine in Dauphin, Man.
Watch a social media video of highlights from the convocation ceremony.