Professors Emeriti

In recognizing our role as a leader in the fields of occupational therapy and occupational science, we must embrace our history and salute our Professors Emeriti, all of whom made lasting contributions to the School of Occupational Therapy. Their impact has been significant and will continue to shape the direction of the School in the future.

Ann Bossers, BScOT, MEd

ann bossers
  • School of Occupational Therapy (1987–2017)
  • Leader in practice education, preceptorship and competency-based evaluation
  • Lead author of the Competency-Based Fieldwork Evaluation, widely used by Canadian Occupational Therapy academic programs as well as some international partners
  • Pioneer in creating international opportunities for Occupational Therapy students

Marilyn Ernest-Conibear, MA, FCAOT

Marilyn Ernest-Conibear
  • School of Occupational Therapy (1971–1990)
  • Taught in the areas of: history and philosophy of occupational therapy, research methodology, orthotics and prosthetics, gerontic occupational therapy
  • Developed OTDBASE – the web-based occupational therapy journal literature search service

Joanne Valiant Cook, PhD

Joanne Valiant Cook
  • School of Occupational Therapy (1990–2005)
  • Editor of Qualitative Research in Occupational Therapy: Strategies and Experiences, co-author of two books and author of 10 book chapters
  • Researched in the areas of child abuse and social impact in small communities and was committed to improving social conditions for persons with persistent mental illness

Sandra Hobson, BScOT, MAEd

Sandra Hobson
  • School of Occupational Therapy (1991–2014)
  • Research interests related to older adults, including dementia and caregiving issues, falls and fear of falling and occupational patterns across the lifespan
  • Was the first woman to receive an honorary doctorate from Belarusian State Medical University (Minsk, Belarus)

Lisa Klinger, MScOT

Lisa Klinger
  • School of Occupational Therapy (2001–2014)
  • Two-time recipient of the School of Occupational Therapy Teaching Award
  • Research interests/publications focused on adaptation to chronic pain and brain injury, universal accessibility and occupational therapy practice issues
  • Earned a University Students’ Council Disability Advancement Award (2005)

Lilian Magalhaes, PhD

Lilian Magalhaes
  • School of Occupational Therapy (2006–2016)
  • Research interests focused on emancipatory health practices, community engagement, and mental health
  • Leader in capacity building for international research efforts in Occupational Therapy 
  • Secured national and international funding to investigate the living and working conditions of undocumented immigrant workers and develop arts-based methodologies

Joyce MacKinnon, PhD

Joyce MacKinnon
  • School of Occupational Therapy (1983–2004)
  • Research interests and publications were in the areas of therapeutic horseback riding and the psycho-social effects of rheumatoid arthritis
  • Played an important role in developing research-based MSc and PhD programs in Occupational Science (深夜福利站’s Graduate Program in Health & Rehabilitation Sciences)

Jan Polgar, BScOT, MAOT, PhD

Jan Polgar
  • School of Occupational Therapy (1982–2018)
  • Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy
  • Co-authored two editions of Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice
  • Recipient of the Muriel Driver Award from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

Barbara Sexton, MEd

Barbara Sexton
  • School of Occupational Therapy (1973–1995)
  • Author of Small Groups in Therapy Settings: Process and Leadership
  • Received the Life Member Award from the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, and was an Honorary Fellow of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Thelma Sumsion, PhD

Thelma Sumsion
  • School of Occupational Therapy (1978–1996 and 2002–2012)
  • Published 40 articles, 13 book chapters and edited a book on client-centred practice
  • Awarded Honorary Fellowship and Life Membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and a life membership in the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists