Grad Spotlights: MPT-N Class of 2023

November 30, 2023

Congratulations to our MPT-N Class of 2023 on their MD graduation!  

Meet some of our new grads:

An individual standing against a tree background.Kiana Cowger

Hometown: Fort St. John, B.C.

What attracted you to your field?
I chose physiotherapy for the breadth of our scope and ability to make an impact in people's lives. In school we create a solid foundation then have the ability to continue building off that for the rest of our careers. There's truly so many options for practice and giving back that I think it will always remain interesting. 

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Give everything the respect it deserves, not just your studies. The schoolwork is tough and will take lots of your time and energy, but ensure you're also respecting the other areas of your life. Making time for exercise, family, friends, fun and whatever else may be meaningful to you is just as important as what you do in class. This program is a marathon, not a sprint. 

What does transforming health for everyone mean to you in practice?
To me 'transforming health for everyone' reminds me that with every patient I see I have the ability to influence a part of their health journey. Maybe that's providing treatment for an injury, maybe it's helping reduce their pain or maybe it's making them feel heard and understood. Every person will need something a little different from me and everyone deserves to be treated as an unique individual. Transforming health for everyone, starts with transforming health for one.

A individual wearing a suit and red bowtie.Gabe Johnson

Hometown: Terrace, B.C.

What attracted you to your field?
When I was in high school I spent a great deal of time working with physiotherapists in the community to help me rehab various injuries. Through these experiences I learned that physiotherapy is about helping people recover from injuries using a collaborative holistic approach to health care that I found fascinating and exciting. Helping people, supporting a healthy lifestyle, and being a lifelong learner are things that drew me to this profession.

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Do something that is fun everyday and take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to you. Get out of your comfort zone. Physio school is hard, but rewarding. Say yes to study sessions and extracurricular activities with classmates. Having friends that you can study with and unwind with is essential for getting through the program. Nobody goes through physio school alone. When I look back on my experience in school, the first thing that comes to mind is how lucky I am to have met so many amazing people and shared so many incredible experiences with.

What does transforming health for everyone mean to you in practice?
To me, transforming health for everyone means working together with patients and other health care professionals to give everyone the tools they need to independently take care of their health. I think of healthcare as being a consultant about one’s body. Answering patients questions about their health and providing them with advice and education about how to be healthy is what health care is all about. Collaboration among healthcare professionals will make everyone more equipped to achieve a healthy and pain-free life.

Indiividual wearing a blue suit and tie standing against wood backdrop.Manav Sandhu

Hometown: Prince George, B.C.

What attracted you to your field?
When I was younger, I dislocated my kneecap playing basketball and a physiotherapist helped me tremendously throughout my recovery. The experience also taught me about the importance that movement has on both our physical and mental health. This inspired and motivated me to pursue a career path where I could help others, and help to improve our healthcare system to ensure that all patients have access to the care they need.

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Embrace the chaos. The program is challenging and will push your limits, but that is okay. It is important to know that you are not alone and to remember that you deserve to be here, so be confident, take a breath and embrace every experience.

What does transforming health for everyone mean to you in practice?
It means changing peoples’ relationships with health. By having healthcare providers work alongside their patients as part of a team, patients can take more ownership and control over their own health. This approach not only helps empower all patients but can also lead to better health outcomes.