PT – Back to School Series

It’s back to school: meet some of our MPT students

As part of the Faculty of Medicine’s back-to-school series, we sat down with some of our MPT students — Nadine Stunzi, Glenn Charbonneau, Mitchell Bourne, Sophia Chadwick, Holly Parent, and Jasmine Mousavi — to talk about their interest in pursuing a career in physical therapy, what excites them about the upcoming year, and where they see themselves in five years from now.

Nadine Stunzi – Class of 2016
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.

Nadine Stunzi crop

What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in physical therapy? Why PT?
My personal journey rehabbing a debilitating chronic back condition and working as a personal trainer throughout the past two years confirmed that I want to work with exercise prescription, helping people move better and manage pain!

What excites you the most about the coming year?
All of the amazing academic learning that awaits, the opportunity to do practicums through all of B.C., and the lifelong friendships that will be made through all the thick and thin!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Here in Vancouver in the community I love, standing strong and fit in my own body as I have learned how to effectively manage my own pain. This journey will lead me into being a great physiotherapist of specialized nature so that I can solve problems to the best of my ability. I will approach the profession with integrity, dedication and continuous inquiry. I will be working with an amazing team of keen learners who support work life balance as I do have a wee obsession and love for surfing!

If you had to choose between the following options, what would be your preference?

Bones or muscles? Muscles as they look good! Haha.
Sweet or sour? Sour, I’ve discovered Campari this summer.
PC or Mac? Mac, so fun and colorful.
Stay in or go out? Go out, love seeing the sky and new sights
iPhone or iPod? iPhone, it does it all.
Dinosaurs or robots? Dinosaurs, we are connected right?!
1960s or 1980s? 1960s, it carved the way.

Glenn Charbonneau – Class of 2016
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.

Glenn Charbonneau Crop

What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in physical therapy? Why PT?
When I was 14 years old, I received treatment from a local physiotherapist. The combination of biology, social interaction and helping others via evidenced-based practice inspired my goal of becoming a registered physical therapist.

What excites you the most about the coming year?
Learning the PT material that I will be able to practically apply during placements, and as well as meeting many of the other students within the faculty.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Working as a full-time registered physical therapist, while continuing to add particular skills/certifications to further help out patients.

If you had to choose between the following options, what would be your preference?

Bones or muscles? Muscles
Sweet or sour? Sweet
PC or Mac? PC
Stay in or go out? Go out
iPhone or iPod? iPod
Dinosaurs or robots? Dinosaurs
1960s or 1980s? 1980s

Mitchell Bourne – Class of 2015
Hometown: Nelson, B.C.

Mitchell Bourne Crop

What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in physical therapy? Why PT?
The love of sports and admiration for the physiotherapists who helped me rehab from my many sports related injuries.

What excites you the most about the coming year?
Gaining more tools and experience through clinical placements.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Working in a public setting or public/private mix in Northern BC and investing in real estate in Northern BC!

If you had to choose between the following options, what would be your preference?

Bones or muscles? Muscles
Sweet or sour? Sweet
PC or Mac? Mac
Stay in or go out? Go out
iPhone or iPod? iPod
Dinosaurs or robots? Dinosaurs
1960s or 1980s? 1960s

Are you interested in being profiled as part of the Faculty of Medicine’s back-to-school series? Send Kerry Blackadar, communications coordinator, your answers to the above questions, as well as a photo of yourself, by September 15, 2014.