The Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario (CSPNE) is proud to announce that Rachel Barber, a former student of École secondaire publique Odyssée and a doctoral student, has won the PlanON Innovative Research Award for her study titled "Aging but not Forgotten: An Analysis of Older Adult Health Care Access in Elliot Lake." This distinction represents the highest honour awarded by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI).
The PlanON Awards is a program that recognizes the outstanding achievements of OPPI members by acknowledging their professional excellence and dedication to advancing the planning profession in Ontario. This program celebrates the work of Registered Professional Planners (RPP) and highlights the importance of their role in shaping sustainable, livable, and high-quality communities for future generations.
Rachel Barber, who is currently pursuing her PhD in Geography and Planning at Queen’s University, conducted an in-depth study on healthcare access for seniors in Elliot Lake. This work, carried out as part of her Master’s thesis in planning, highlighted the importance of healthcare accessibility for seniors without private transportation.
Her research has been widely recognized for its impact on urban planning and policies supporting the elderly. Rachel will receive her award at the OPPI conference to be held in Hamilton at the end of September 2024.
The CSPNE and École secondaire publique Odyssée wish to congratulate Rachel on this exceptional achievement, which reflects the commitment to excellence we encourage in our students. We are confident that she will continue to inspire future generations through her exemplary work.
Congratulations to Rachel Barber for this remarkable accomplishment!
