Haven Kolb – MPT Graduation 2024

What inspired you to pursue the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree at UBC?

Both my parents worked in healthcare—my dad a surgeon and my mom an anesthetist—and I was inspired by their dedication to helping others, especially in underserved communities. Watching the difference they made sparked my own desire to pursue a career in healthcare.

Movement has always been a big part of my life. Whether it’s weightlifting, hiking, running, biking, or playing sports, staying active has always felt second nature to me. This love for movement, combined with my interest in health sciences, led me to study Kinesiology and Health Sciences at UBC. While working as a student athletic therapist with UBC Varsity Athletics, I saw firsthand how physiotherapists help people recover, regain strength, and get back to doing the activities they love. At that moment, I realized physiotherapy was the perfect fit—a career combining my passion for movement, health sciences, and patient care.

Having discovered my calling, I knew graduate school was the natural next step after completing my bachelor’s degree, which is why I applied for the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program at UBC. Now that I’ve completed my master’s degree, I’m excited to continue learning, growing in the field, and make a meaningful impact through compassionate patient care.

How was your experience in the MPT program?

The MPT program was demanding, but also really rewarding. Balancing lectures with clinical practice was challenging at times, but it made the experience feel worthwhile. The clinical placements, especially, were key in helping me put theory into practice. Over six five-week rotations, I developed new skills and gained more confidence in working with patients.

There were definitely times when the workload felt overwhelming, but the support from my peers and family made all the difference. Having a strong network of people to lean on kept me going. Each clinical placement also helped me figure out the kind of physiotherapist I wanted to be. Now that I’ve finished the program, I have a solid foundation to build on. I’m excited to apply everything I’ve learned to make a real difference in my patients’ lives.

What do you want to tell new physical therapy students about what they can expect during the program?

The MPT program is no walk in the park—it will challenge you in ways you can’t imagine, but it will also help you grow and become more resilient. There will be long days, and sometimes, the sheer amount of information you need to quickly absorb can feel overwhelming. But, these tough moments are precisely when personal growth happens. Stay focused, take things one step at a time, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Lean on your peers, instructors, and clinical mentors—they’ve been through it too and can offer valuable support.

Along the way, you’ll make lifelong friends and have a lot of fun. The program will push you to grow in so many ways, and while it’s easy to get caught up in the challenges, don’t forget to take a step back and appreciate how much you’ve already accomplished. Every experience—good or bad—is shaping you into a stronger, more confident clinician. Stay resilient, trust the process, and know that all your hard work will pay off.

How did you enjoy the community(s) you visited while on placement?

I really appreciated the chance to work with diverse communities during my placements. Each experience was unique, and I always felt welcomed, which made connecting with people easy. It was eye-opening to see how social factors—like access to healthcare, housing, and education—affected people’s overall health. These experiences reinforced how important it is to look at the whole person, not just their physical health, but also their emotional and social well-being.

I also made it a point to advocate for my patients, helping them navigate challenges and ensuring they had the resources and support they needed to thrive. Leaving each community, I felt grateful for the connections I made and I became more determined to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

Where are you hoping the MPT program takes you? What’s next?

I’m excited to begin my career as a physiotherapist, focusing on musculoskeletal, neurological, and sports physiotherapy. One of my goals is to make physiotherapy more accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. I’m passionate about reducing barriers to care and ensuring that more people can benefit from physiotherapy services.

In the long term, I would love to contribute to the field in other ways, including teaching, mentoring, and getting involved in research. I believe there’s a lot of potential to further explore how physiotherapy can improve not just physical health, but overall quality of life for patients—and I’d love to be part of that progress.