Sarah Wojkowski named vice-dean, Health Sciences & executive director, School of Rehabilitation Science

Sarah Wojkowski has been appointed vice-dean, Health Sciences (Rehabilitation Science) and executive director, School of Rehabilitation Science (SRS), effective September 1, 2024.

In this important role, Wojkowski will have the overall responsibility for the educational, research and service activities of the SRS, the promotion of rehabilitation science within the Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, and the external community.

“Congratulations to Dr. Wojkowski on her appointment. I am looking forward to working closely with Sarah in this important leadership role,” says Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president, Faculty of Health Sciences.

Working closely with the assistant deans of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Science, Speech Language Pathology, and the leaders of the Master of Health Management and Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities BHSc programs, Wojkowski will also be responsible for the development and utilization of faculty, and developing a culture where students, staff and faculty, and integrated education, research and service are valued and promoted. “This appointment marks a pivotal and exciting chapter for me at McMaster. Since arriving at McMaster in 1996, I have studied and worked in a variety of Departments, and have always been inspired by the dedication, innovation and leadership of McMaster’s students, faculty, and staff. I am grateful for this opportunity to be a champion for the School of Rehabilitation Science (SRS) and look forward to continuing to advance the SRS’ strong reputation for research, education and service to the community,” says Wojkowski.

“I also want to acknowledge Dr. Dina Brooks for her strong leadership and vision for the SRS over the past five years; her work has positioned the School to thrive in the years to come,” she adds.

Wojkowski is an associate professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science, a registered physiotherapist, and served as the assistant dean (Physiotherapy) at the School of Rehabilitation Science until her appointment as vice-dean. She is also director, Program for Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research (PIPER) with the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Wojkowski completed her Honours B.Sc. (Kinesiology), Master of Science Physiotherapy, and PhD all at McMaster. Her PhD focused on understanding access to community-based physiotherapy services. Building on her thesis work, Wojkowski collaborated with faculty from the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Programs at McMaster, local family health teams, and the YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford to establish the MAC H²OPE clinic, which provided free access to rehabilitation services for residents of Hamilton, Ontario for 10 years.

Wojkowski has completed a Leadership in Teaching and Learning Fellowship with McMaster’s MacPherson Institute, and is currently engaged in the National Health Fellows Program offered by the Health Leadership Academy at McMaster. Wojkowski’s research and teaching interests include interprofessional education, primary care, simulation, and student co-design.

“Sarah Wojkowski’s appointment as vice-dean marks a significant milestone for our community. Her extensive expertise and dedication to rehabilitation science will undoubtedly elevate the educational, research, and service activities of the SRS. I am excited to pass the baton to Sarah, who I know will continue to drive our mission forward with passion and excellence,” says Dina Brooks, who served as vice-dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and executive director of the School of Rehabilitation Science since 2019 and was appointed to her current role of executive vice-dean, associate vice-president, Academic for the Faculty of Health Sciences in 2023.