Over 200 alumni, faculty, retired faculty, students and staff gathered for the School of Medical Rehabilitation (SMR) 50th anniversary dinner on Sept. 14.

The night included high-energy entertainment by Big Daddy Tazz, a slide show and displays spanning the past five decades, and a great silent auction in support of the School of Medical Rehabilitation Memorial Bursary Fund.

SMR Director Dr. Emily Etcheverry provided a fascinating overview of the storied history of the School and how perseverance –and vision- led to its founding.

The School of Med Rehab has trained over 3,100 graduates in physical, occupational and respiratory therapy since 1962.  Proud class of 1962 members were joined at the 50th dinner by founders Leonore Saunders, Mildred Mann and Darby Spafford; former directors Dr. Brenda Loveridge and Dr. Juliette (Archie) Cooper and alumni from the past five decades from Manitoba and beyond.

As we continue to move towards more patient-centred and collaborative health-care, I believe we have much to learn from our rehab colleagues.

Our Dean’s Homecoming Breakfast on Sept. 15 brought together more than 150 Medicine alumni! It was wonderful to meet up with alumni from the classes of 1952, 1957 A, 1957 B, 1972, 1987, 1992 and 2002.  Another 35 alumni from Classes of 1962 and 1967 celebrated their reunions earlier this year.

At the Homecoming Breakfast, we had three Order of Canada recipients in our midst: Ken Thorlakson [MD/49], Arnold Naimark [MD/57 B] and John Dirks [MD/57B]. It’s an honour to have such distinguished, accomplished University of Manitoba alumni – and quite something that two were in the same class.

It’s also humbling to hear from graduates like Neil Margolis [MD/60] and George Yee [MD/60] who shared how the Class of 1960 has raised (with some matching funds from the Manitoba Scholarship & Bursary Initiative) $305,000 for scholarships and bursaries for our medical students.

George spoke passionately about the value of his U of M medical school education, remarking “When you give back to your alma mater, it shows you care.”

Many of our classes are inspired to “show they care” by establishing class gifts to fund U of M scholarships and bursaries, programs or centres. We are grateful for all of your support.

If students are the lifeblood of our institution….then alumni must be our heart and soul.

Thank you for coming back and spending time at your alma mater. Please stay in touch.