We are both happy and sad to announce that Karen Sauve, Associate Head Clinical Education for the UBC Department of Physical Therapy will be leaving us this summer. Happy, because Karen is leaving us to start her PhD, but sad as she has been a valued colleague, mentor, and teacher in the Department and is deeply committed to the health, wellbeing, and education of our students. Her contributions while she was here include facilitating the expansion of placement capacity to coincide with the expansion of the Master of Physical Therapy Program, the establishment of the UBC Physical Therapy and Research Clinic, maintaining valuable relationships with the clinical community, and many others.
Karen joined the Department in 2016 as an Instructor and the Pediatric Stream coordinator, however since 2009 she has been involved with the department as an instructor, clinical skills assistant, and coordinator for various pediatric-focused courses and lectures. As the Associate Head of Clinical Education, a position she began in 2018, she was responsible for the oversight and support of clinical placements for our Master of Physical Therapy students and the clinical educators who supervised them on placement.
Within her role, Karen also taught pre- and post-placement sessions for the MPT Students and the Clinical Educator Workshops to help support Clinical Educators. Her dedication to supporting high-quality learning for students on placement required an immense level of care and attention paid to every student and many of the clinical educators.
Karen’s clinical work has always focused on children and youth in various clinical settings. As a practicing PT, she has contributed to clinical research as well as engaging in studies through CanChild and UBC. Her Master of Science thesis work examined factors associated with the acquisition of motor skills in young children with Cerebral Palsy. Karen is looking forward to starting PhD studies in the UBC School of Population and Public Health focusing on physical activity and sport participation in children and youth.
Outside of work, Karen enjoys a busy, active life accessing the mountains and ocean with her family. Between kids’ sports and puppy training, there is never a dull moment!
We wish Karen well in all her future endeavours!