Name and Title(s):
Hyman Gee
Student Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic, Queen’s Park Care Centre, Fraser Health
Clinical Instructor
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Where do you work?
I work at Queen’s Park Care Centre in New Westminster, specifically the outpatient rehabilitation services which includes the student-led clinic where I do my work. The student-led clinic offers clinical placements year-round for physiotherapy and occupational therapy students from UBC and other universities across Canada. Queen’s Park Care Centre has become a hub of sorts for rehabilitation services in Fraser Health, providing specialized, multidisciplinary inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I think the answer is two-fold. I continue to enjoy celebrating the successes that my clients experience during their rehabilitation journey and find that very rewarding. We can certainly facilitate a positive change in the lives of the people we serve. In addition, I love seeing the enthusiasm and joy my physiotherapy students express when they begin to put the pieces together in their learning while helping these clients. It can be a winning situation all around.
What advice do you have for physical therapy students?
Take charge of your learning. Connect with those around you. Be open to new ideas. Respect the journey. The right attitude will take you far.
What do you enjoy about working in Fraser Health?
I think I’ve enjoyed most the multitude of wonderful people I’ve worked with over the years and the many different work opportunities that are possible to experience working in this large health authority. I’ve enjoyed and appreciated the fun, professionalism, competence, intelligence, trust and inspiration of those around me. I’ve had the opportunity to work in many different areas in acute care, and outpatient rehabilitation and participated in some special projects as well.
What drew you to physical therapy?
As a student in another university program, I had the fortune of working in a physiotherapy clinic for 2 consecutive co-op education placements. I got to see firsthand the intelligence, problem-solving, people and clinical skills needed to be a good physiotherapist and those qualities really appealed to me.
What is unique about what you do?
The year-round emphasis on teaching students and providing physiotherapy to our clients is special. We were the first student-led clinic in B.C. over 12 years ago and showed that this model of providing physiotherapy to our clients and clinical placements to students in a reciprocal, peer-learning environment can be successful for clients and students alike.
What is one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
It seems like a lifetime ago, but I used to compete in black belt kung fu competitions. Now I focus on paddling (dragon boating) for my health and fitness.