Friends and Colleagues, 

As 2024 comes to a close, the Department of Physical Therapy is winding down our activities for the year and enjoying some well-earned time off, to refresh and renew for the coming year.   

What a year it has been!  As you read through our many accomplishments of 2024, I think you’ll be as impressed as I am by our extraordinary team of faculty, staff and students. What stands out to me: collaboration, inspiring ideas, and an unrelenting drive to improve the health of local and international communities through physical therapy education and research. 

In addition to the highlights below, you may also wish to peruse all of last year’s news stories: View all of our news from 2024 

I wish you all a warm and happy holiday. Feel free to drop me an email with your thoughts and reflections about the past year, or the year to come. 

Alex Scott   alex.scott@ubc.ca  
Professor, Faculty of Medicine
Head, Department of Physical Therapy 

We want to welcome all the new staff and faculty who joined us and recognize all of the promotions that happened in 2024: 

A look back in 2024: 

MPT Program 

The MPT Program started the year strong with over 500 applicants for the 140 seats in the 2024-2026 cohort. 

In March, the top candidates of these hopeful future physical therapists were interviewed virtually during the Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). Thank you to our amazing staff and community for your help in putting this together and getting it done! Next year we will be using a new MMI system which should make the process easier and require less staff support. 

Together with the Faculty of Medicine and the physical therapy community, we welcomed 140 new students to the UBC Master of Physical Therapy Program, including 20 students in the all-new MPT-Victoria cohort located in Victoria at the University of Victoria site, the Vancouver Island Tech Park. Thank you to everyone who helped set up this new site and made the first few months successful. 

(Far left photo provided by UVic Properties. Next 3 photos taken by Marc Johannknech Photography) 

Students began a new year of remote and on-site classes with video-connected lab sessions between the UBC, UNBC, UVIC, and Fraser Valley campuses.  

In November, we congratulated the MPT class of 2024 as they graduated which included the first graduated Fraser Valley cohort. 

Clinical Education

This year we have been preparing for the new MPT-Victoria cohort’s clinical education experiences on Vancouver Island and beyond. As part of this process, the department welcomed Shona McLaren into the role of Regional Clinical Lead, MPT-Victoria. Shona will support this cohort throughout their clinical education. 

Our 20 MPT-Victoria students started the program and have begun their observational shadow placements in and around Victoria. Shona and the Clinical Education team have been working to increase placement capacity across Vancouver Island to develop exciting learning opportunities for students. 

50 new clinical sites have completed profiles with the department to start taking students. These sites are spread across the province from Port Alberni and Campbell River to Chilliwack, Trail, and Fort St. John. 

We have also expanded our international placement offerings for MPT students, with the option to travel to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal for clinical learning opportunities. 

Research 
 

Congratulations to all of the MSc/PhD students who graduated in 2024: 

• Ryu Lien – MSc – Supervised by Dr Teresa Liu-Ambrose   
• Sunaina Chopra – MSc – Supervised by Dr Pat Camp  
• Julianne (Jules) McLeod – MSc – Supervised by Dr Naznin Virji-Babul  
• Ho Shun (Ray) Tuin – MSc – Supervised by Dr Alex Scott  
• Gillian Smith – MSc – Supervised by Dr Kristin Campbell  
• Alanna Hind – MSc – Supervised by Dr Jordan Guenette  
• Jammy Zou – MSc - Supervised by Dr Teresa Liu-Ambrose  
• Thalia Otamendi – PhD – Supervised by Dr Linda Li  
• Débora Melissa Petry Moecke – PhD – Supervised by Dr Pat Camp  
• Cristina Rubino – PhD – Supervised by Dr Lara Boyd  
• Kohle James Merry – PhD – Supervised by Dr Alex Scott  

Faculty members of the Department received over $5.1 million in operating funds, over $680K in scholar awards, over $4.5 million in infrastructure awards, and generated 162 peer-reviewed publications over the last year.   

Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose is a recipient of the 2023 UBC Killam Research Prize (announced early 2024) in the Medicine Established Category. The UBC Killam Research Prize recognizes the research excellence and scholarly achievements of faculty from across all disciplines, ranging from the applied sciences and medicine to the social sciences and humanities. 

Dr. Jackie Whittaker has received a 2024 Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award for Overall Excellence – Mid-Career for her significant contributions and innovative research to the field of musculoskeletal rehabilitation and osteoarthritis prevention. This award acknowledges her exemplary performance and significant contributions at this pivotal stage in her career. Dr. Whittaker’s innovative research in osteoarthritis prevention and leadership of the international OPTIKNEE consensus distinguishes her as a leader in her field. 

Dr. Janice Eng’s SMART Labs project received over $5 million in funding including over 2.1 million from the CFI Innovation fund, with the remainder of funding from the provincial BCKDF fund and matching contributions. SMART Labs will develop innovative, evidence-based treatments that are guided by measurable biomarkers, and use activities simulating real-world function through advanced technologies.  

Top Research News in 2024: 

• Behind the lab doors: Brain Behaviour Laboratory 

• ‘Smart glove’ can boost hand mobility of stroke patients 

• Want to be a memory maintainer in old age? Take care of your brain and your body, experts say 

• Wrist-worn heart rate monitor readings are less accurate for people with darker skin tones 

• Facilitating rural and northern youth to engage in regular physical activity 

• How exercise can boost cancer treatment and recovery 

UBC Physical Therapy & Research Clinic 

The Physical Therapy & Research Clinic (PTRC) experienced another successful year in 2024, demonstrating strong growth and impact across all areas. From student placements to community outreach, and the expansion of our clinical programs, we are proud of the progress we’ve made in providing high-quality patient care and creating invaluable learning opportunities. 

This year, PTRC hosted 21 Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) students, including 2 international students, providing them with hands-on clinical training. Our team of students on placement and our UBC MPT alumni therapists have been instrumental in the success of the clinic, conducting a total of 4,554 appointments throughout the year.  

We are pleased to report that 6 licensed therapists are now employed at the clinic, with plans to expand our team in the upcoming year to meet the growing demand for services. This increase in capacity will allow us to better serve our community while continuing to provide exceptional learning experiences for students.  

In 2024, a total of 5,781 individuals (both new and repeat patients) walked through our doors, participating in both individual appointments and our expanding group class offerings. The popularity of our group exercise classes continues to grow as patients and clients seek out opportunities for rehabilitation and wellness. Our clinic conducted 84 FAME (Fitness and Mobility Exercise) classes, helping seniors and individuals with mobility challenges improve their health. 

We are also proud of the continued success of our GLAD (Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark) program. In 2024, we held 81 in-person GLAD sessions, through 6 – 7-week sessions with 60 new participants, as well as 18 online sessions, bringing the total number of GLAD sessions to 99 for the year. This program provides individuals with osteoarthritis the tools they need to manage their symptoms and live healthier lives.  

In total, the clinic conducted 183 group classes in 2024, further highlighting our commitment to providing diverse and inclusive services to support both rehabilitation and general wellness. 

The PTRC continues to partner with the BC Brain Wellness Program (BCBWP), a collaboration that allows us to offer assessments to individuals with neurological conditions. This year, our student team continued to conduct assessments with the BCBWP, adding over 200 completed assessments to our growing total of over 1200 assessments since the program began. These assessments help residents of British Columbia access free exercise classes and mindfulness activities, supporting their cognitive health and overall well-being. 

This year, PTRC formed a partnership with Student Health Services at UBC to develop a concussion protocol and referral pathway. This new protocol streamlines the process for students who experience concussions, ensuring they receive the appropriate care and rehabilitation.  

The PTRC is excited to continue our growth into 2025. We remain committed to expanding our clinical capacity, increasing the number of licensed therapists on staff, and continuing to innovate in patient care, student education, and community outreach. With our ongoing partnerships, new initiatives, and dedication to excellence, we are confident that next year will be another year of growth and a successful chapter for the clinic. 

We are incredibly grateful to all the patients, students, and partners who have contributed to our success, and we look forward to making an even greater impact in the year ahead. 

Pediatric Student-Run Physical Therapy Clinic 

It has now been 1 full year of this initiative between the Department of Physical Therapy and the BC Centre for Ability. The objectives of this clinic have been to build upon the student-run practice model to address gaps in the clinical education of physiotherapy students and the growing need for physiotherapists working in the pediatric sector. 

The student-led clinic had a total of 556 appointments and 103 clients including 60 families waiting for physiotherapy services (waitlist or screenings) with an average of 6.2 visits per day in the first half of 2024. 

With the completion of the 3 consecutive Spring placement blocks, the Pediatric Student-Led Clinic has welcomed 6 new UBC Physical Therapy students to the BC Centre for Ability. Rotating through 4 of the BCCFA regional offices has increased the available physiotherapy service offerings for many children and their families. At these clinical sites, students, supervised by a registered physiotherapist, managed various services, including:  

• Initial Physiotherapy Service Screening to assess waitlist eligibility.  
• Short, intensive clinical blocks throughout the 5-week placement.  
• Gross Motor Clinic visits.  
• Collaboration with other community therapists and services.  
• Provision of recommendations to families on effective child support.  

Family feedback has been positive, highlighting the significant impact of the Pediatric Student-Led Clinic on reducing the wait time for services. According to surveys, 100% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the quality of services they received. Moreover, every respondent reported gaining at least one new skill or activity that they could apply at home or in the community, thanks to their sessions with the students. Another testament to the clinic’s success is that 100% of respondents indicated an interest in receiving future services from the Pediatric Student-Led Clinic.  

Pediatric Clinic News & Initiatives: 

• A Pediatric Student-Led Clinic: One model to help right-size children’s healthcare 

• 2024 Conference Presentations: 
  • CHES Celebration of Scholarship at UBC – Oct 2^nd – Presentation 
  • Children’s Healthcare Canada 2024 Annual Conference in St. John, Newfoundland – Oct 20^th to 22^nd, 2024 – Poster Presentation 
  • American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine in Quebec City – Oct 23^rd to 26^th, 2024 – Poster Presentation 

Indigenous Initiatives 

This year, we continued building on the successful initiatives from last year, focusing on expanding our efforts and exploring new opportunities.  

One of our major focuses this year has been fostering connections among Indigenous students. For the first time, the Indigenous Medical Education Gathering expanded beyond medical students to include all health professional programs within the Faculty of Medicine. This special event brought together students, alumni, and allies for a meaningful weekend centred on connection—to one another, to the land, and to ourselves. The gathering featured a variety of activities, including a social night, sharing circles supported by Elders, keynote speakers, cultural activities, a networking panel, and open sharing circles.  

We also hosted our 2nd annual Indigenous Student Welcome Event, bringing together Indigenous students across the Faculty of Medicine. Students participated in wellness activities, beading, and drum-making, and enjoyed Indigenous snacks. In the fall, we organized a paint night where students painted their drums or created designs on canvas tote bags. This event was held in person at multiple regional sites and connected via Zoom to provide another wonderful opportunity for creativity and community building with students from around the province. 

Recruitment efforts were concentrated in Northern BC. Abby Lodge, our Indigenous Coordinator of DMS at UNBC travelled extensively with the Strengthening Connections trips in the following communities: Haida Gwaii, Prince George, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Mackenzie, Chetwynd, Quesnel, Hazelton, Nisga’a, Terrace, Smithers and Prince Rupert. Abby also travelled with the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow to Stewart, Dease Lake, Valemount, McBride, Mackenzie, Chetwynd, Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Hazelton and Fort Nelson.  

For the first time, we recorded an information session about the MPT Indigenous admissions pathway, which received outstanding engagement and viewership. We are also developing a short introductory course designed to introduce participants to Indigenous cultural safety and humility, furthering our commitment to meaningful education in this area. The course is meant to provide prospective students with a foundational understanding of why Indigenous cultural safety is important in the context of physical therapy. It will be piloted next year amongst a larger group of faculty and Indigenous advisors.  

Indigenous curriculum development remains a key focus, now in its second year. We’ve broadened our working group to include more faculty members, strengthening collaboration. This project aims to thoughtfully integrate Indigenous health and cultural safety into the MPT program while providing faculty with ongoing educational opportunities to deepen their understanding and application of these principles. 

Happy Holidays! 

(Image created by UBC Brand and Marketing)