Happy Holidays from the National Orthopaedic Division – 2024
A message from the Chair – DECEMBER 2024
A holiday season message from the Chair
FIRST. AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE.
I often wish that I could somehow capture the ongoing dedication and efforts that are happening within the OrthoDiv volunteers and share it with members – to allow members to be a ‘fly on the wall’ so to speak. What I can say, is that behind each resource that is created and shared, each webinar that is scheduled or course that is planned, there are driven volunteers making it happen. I continue to be in awe of the passion, expertise, and teamwork across this country that goes into to creating meaningful resources and learning experiences for members, all with a genuine desire to help support learning and practice.
It is through these efforts that as a community, we can be proud to see that we are growing. We are seeing increased engagement of new graduates as they transition into practice as well as growth in our overall membership numbers which may reach an impressive 5000 members in 2025! At both the local community level and national, I continue to see efforts to connect, collaborate and support.
A special thank you to those of you who volunteer and share your time with the OrthoDiv on local and national committees, to the instructors that deliver engaging learning opportunities, to the mentors that enable consolidation of learning within the clinical environment, to the learners who engage with our resources, and to the students who welcome the OrthoDiv into their learning experience.
In 2024 it was proven, time and time again, that our community has momentum.
ADVOCACY FOR OUR PROFESSION – CPA UPDATE
In late 2023, I represented our Orthopaedic Division voice at a meeting with leadership from CPA, provincial Branches, other Division Chairs, regulators, and the CPA Board of Directors to discuss, challenge and inform a physiotherapy scope of practice document that aimed to establish a foundation from which the CPA could advocate. One example of how this has led to change is when in early 2024, we saw a significant win through the expansion of the Canada Student Financial Assistance program to include physiotherapists. < Learn more here >
Updates in education, resources, and engagement.
In 2024, you will have seen some changes. With courses being offered both online and in-person, our Adjunct Education Committee has set the stage for continued learning more than ever. What do they have planned next? Keep an eye on upcoming courses here.
As of September 2024, the AIM Level 1 is renewed and now offered in a module-based format that presents clinically relevant key topics to allow the learning to begin right away and no longer requires completion of a multiple-choice exam. <Learn more about Level 1>
In addition to these exciting changes, we continue to see increased engagement with the incredible resources being created and offered including the Evidence Express (EE), PICO in Practice, the OD Clinical Update (ODCU), live webinars and free JOSPT access. Don’t have access to JOSPT? <Access it here>
MARK YOUR CALENDARS – Upcoming in early 2025
- Strategic Plan Townhall – January 9th at 7pmEST <Register here>
- Share your voice at our upcoming townhall! As an extension of the recent survey, this live session is another opportunity to be an active part of developing our next OD Strategic Plan. We invite you to join as we gather to answer questions and hear your input and ideas so that we set goals and build a vision that captures perspectives from our community. Thank you to those who were able to compete the survey!
- Orthopaedic Symposium 2025 – May 2-4, 2025
- Join us as we partner with CAMPT for our Orthopaedic Symposium in Kelowna, BC on May 2-4, 2025! An incredible opportunity to connect and experience the OD community as we hear from leading researchers and clinicians.
- Courses for Registration – Early 2025
- If you’re taking this holiday season to plan your next steps for professional development, you will find an up-to-date listing of upcoming courses planned for early 2025 here.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!
Meghan Curle
Chair, Orthopaedic Division of CPA