Saara Mohamed receives 2023 Temerty Award for Excellence in Professional Values

Congratulations to Saara Mohamed, a second-year physical therapy student, on receiving a 2023 Temerty Award for Excellence in Professional Values.

These professional values are exemplified in many ways, including (but not limited to): dealing fairly and ethically with colleagues and others; actively facilitating psychologically-, culturally- and physically-safe learning and work environments; demonstrating kindness, respect, civility, humility, integrity and self-reflection; and committing to anti-oppressive and anti-racist practices, consistent advocacy and inclusion for equity deserving groups and allyship.

Saara Mohamed is a graduate learner in the Department of Physical Therapy, who is expected to complete her MScPT studies in August 2023. A deeply engaged student renowned for her empathetic communication with her patients and peers, she has also demonstrated significant leadership as an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) representative on Student Council. For the past two years, Mohamed has worked with her fellow EDI representative to distribute surveys and create reports regarding equity, diversity, and inclusion within the department, with the aim of creating a more safe, equitable and inclusive space for all students. As her two-year term in this role has come to a close, she has collaborated with PT faculty members in applying an EDI lens to their existing mentorship program. Her nominators particularly cited her strengths navigating complex clinical situations with empathy and professionalism, and noted that Mohamed has also spent time working as a PT Student in the IMAGINE clinic — an interprofessional, student-run community health initiative aimed at promoting and providing health care to the core neighbourhoods of downtown Toronto.

First established in 2021, these awards were launched to recognize these exceptional community members. All faculty and learners from across Temerty Medicine’s clinical, fundamental science and rehabilitation science sectors are eligible to be nominated by one or more peers, supervisors, colleagues, staff members or program leaders. 

This story is an excerpt from an announcement from Temerty Medicine.