A big congratulations to Cynthia Lau who is the recipient of the Carol Kennedy Scholarship for the GCOMPT program!
This scholarship was created to acknowledge the foundational role that Carol Kennedy has played in developing and nurturing the UBC Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy (GCOMPT) within the UBC Department of Physical Therapy.
Name and Title(s):
Cynthia Lau – Registered Physiotherapist
Where do you work?
NeuMovement Pilates and Physiotherapy in Kelowna, BC
Congratulations on winning the Carol Kennedy Scholarship for the GCOMPT program! What does winning this award mean to you?
Having spent the past two years learning alongside a bright and highly motivated group of physiotherapists from across Western Canada, I feel incredibly honoured to be selected as the recipient of this scholarship. It is surreal to be receiving an award named after Carol, who has been instrumental in my professional development journey. I believe I speak for everyone in my cohort when I say that we are all better clinicians thanks to Carol’s guidance and wisdom. Winning this award would not have been possible without her, as well as the many instructors, mentors, and peers who supported and challenged me throughout this program.
How did you learn about the GCOMPT program?
Since graduating from the UBC Master of Physical Therapy program in 2015, it has always been my goal to pursue post-graduate training in manual therapy and obtain the Fellow of Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT) designation. Initially, I had considered doing so through the Orthopaedic Division courses. After hearing about the GCOMPT program from a colleague, I decided that GCOMPT would be a good fit for me. I liked the idea of blending online coursework, hands-on clinical blocks, and clinical mentorship. I also appreciated the option to pursue an online Master of Rehabilitation Science degree, which I am currently completing as I believe it builds on the foundation established by the GCOMPT curriculum.
How do you think your new GCOMPT certificate will help you in your profession?
Throughout the GCOMPT program, I had the opportunity to advance my evidence-based knowledge and skills in orthopaedic manual and manipulative physical therapy. I believe this ultimately enhances my provision of effective, evidence-informed treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. I am grateful to have learned from several knowledgeable clinicians throughout the program, who have collectively provided me with valuable tools to help facilitate my client’s recovery. My experiences in the program have also inspired me to “give back” and contribute to the advancement of the physical therapy profession by increasing my involvement with physiotherapy students and recent graduates.
What is your favourite thing about your work?
Nothing brings me more joy than helping people get back to doing the things they love to do. On any given day, I get to support my clients as they achieve their goals – whether it be completing a half marathon, standing up on a paddle board for the first time, or getting back on downhill skis after having surgery. My caseload is quite active, diverse, and can be complex, but I love problem-solving with my clients and their health care team.
One thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
In 2017, I had the opportunity to travel as the team physiotherapist for China’s national long-track speed skating team during their World Cup tour. We visited Norway, Calgary, and Salt Lake City within the span of one month, and it was the last major competition leading up to the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. It was a lot of fun getting immersed into the world of speed skating and seeing all the behind-the-scenes of high-performance sports that don’t get shown on TV. I enjoyed navigating the challenges that came with working as a sports physiotherapist, including frequently adjusting to different time zones and finding ways to communicate with the athletes and coaches since we didn’t speak each other’s languages!
Most healthy habits
In no particular order: getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and spending at least 30 minutes outdoors daily. Between living in the Okanagan and having a 3-year-old black lab, there are plenty of ways for me to be active outside!