Faculty of Health Sciences Gold Medal Winner Christine Green is committed to enhancing the field of therapeutic recreation

The Faculty of Health Sciences awards the Gold Medal to the student with the highest cumulative graduation GPA. Christine Green (BTR '23) is graduating from the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation program with an exemplary academic record. Her instructors describe her as an insightful, intelligent and caring student passionate about enhancing therapeutic recreation. Christine has exceptional knowledge about several aspects of the field, including best practices. She is receptive to new information and strives for a deeper understanding of novel topics and ideas; we are excited to see what Christine will contribute to her field.

To me, this academic recognition is a reminder not to underestimate my capabilities and an external reflection of perseverance. Before starting my degree program, I committed to making my studies a very substantial focus in my life. Most importantly, this was because I wanted to have a strong knowledge base that would help me to serve others effectively when working in the field. I also made my program a deeply significant priority as I wanted to increase the likelihood that I may be able to enter additional post-secondary education programs. However, I never expected to win the Faculty of Health Sciences Gold Medal. I am honoured to be recognized in this way.

Meet Christine. Eager Learner. Adaptable. Positive.
Hometown: Parkland County
Program: Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation | Major: Therapeutic Recreation

What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience?

I am grateful to have had two highly memorable experiences I cannot choose between! One experience was completing my Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) internship in a long-term care setting this spring. It was rewarding to see what I learned in my courses come together and I gained so much more knowledge and many practical skills. I also greatly enjoyed exploring existing research on the effects of human-cat interactions on humans’ experiences of anxiety and stress in an independent study.

What is the most important lesson you learned during your time at ULethbridge?

The most important lesson I learned is the power of recognizing and utilizing a person's strengths. Strengths will look different in different people, but we all have strengths! Struggles may appear to overshadow them at times, but looking for those strengths can significantly change how we see ourselves and others for the better.

Is there someone specific who had an important influence on your ULethbridge experience?

Devan McNeill strongly positively influenced my experience as an instructor for several classes I took and as the supervisor for my independent study. I am also particularly grateful to my academic internship supervisor, Aimee Douziech, my agency supervisor, Kendra Bacso, and fellow student Jenna Jonker for their roles in making my internship such a memorable experience. I am thankful to all of the other faculty members for their part in my educational journey, as well as to my family and friends for their ongoing support.

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

I plan to obtain my Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification and work in the field. I also plan to learn more about animal-assisted interventions and incorporate them into my work. I would like to become more involved in research, especially research related to animal-assisted interventions. I also hope to pursue further post-secondary education at some point in the future, but I have yet to determine what that may look like.

What advice would you give those who are about to begin their journey at ULethbridge?

My advice would be to continuously embrace a learning mindset. If you consciously choose to view mistakes as an opportunity to learn instead of just failure, you can reduce discouragement and help yourself grow. In addition, there is always more to learn, so keep exploring because you never know what you will discover!