Physical Therapy
Student's Name: Zach Chan
MScPT Research Project: What Makes a Leader: Identifying the Strengths of Canadian Physical Therapists
Supervisors: Dr. Dina Brooks (Faculty), Dr. Laura Desveaux (PhD student)
Follow-up publication: Leadership in Physical Therapy: Examining the Strengths of Academics and Managers - A Brief Report
Authors: Laura Desveaux, Zachary Chan, Dina Brooks
Zach graduated from the MSc PT program in 2014, and is currently employed at four out-patient orthopaedic clinics within the GTA. While a student in the Physical Therapy program, Zach was fortunate to receive two Ontario Graduate Scholarships for his commitment to research and excellence in academics. He was heavily involved in extra-curricular activities by captaining an intramural team, co-directing a program for underprivileged youth, marketing for a student-run clinic for the disadvantaged, and tutoring high-school inner-city youth. He also made his passion for music known by performing at multiple coffee houses, benefit concerts, and two ‘Daffydil’ musicals. As a recipient of the Hospital for Sick Children Prize in Paediatrics, and the Olive Wallace Pester Fellowship in Physical Therapy, Zach was able to pursue further education in music as a complementary therapy by studying the Orff teaching method, which fosters children’s literacy and creativity through exposure to musical experiences such as rhythms, dances and movement education.
A firm believer in continual education, Zach is involved in the University of Toronto's MSc PT Program as a clinical instructor and small group facilitator. Through these roles, he is able to stay relevant with current literature in the field and facilitate clinical reasoning among the next generation of Physiotherapists. His experience completing an internship in Metro Manila has also led him to become a laboratory facilitator for the Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging Program, which assists foreign-trained Physiotherapists in the credentialing process to become licensed in Canada.
Since graduating, Zach has become a Sport First Responder, and has obtained post-graduate certifications in Soft Tissue Release, Functional Movement Screening, BSN Medical Leukotaping, Contemporary Medical Acupuncture, and Concussion Management & Rehabilitation. He is also in the process of obtaining an advanced diploma in manual and manipulative therapy, and is pursuing a Post-Professional Doctorate of Physical Therapy through A.T. Still University based in Arizona.
Most recently, Zach was sponsored by the Leadership Davison of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) to present a group research paper at the CPA National Congress in Halifax. He provided a podium presentation on his research about leadership, and was awarded second place in the poster competition. He also has two manuscripts due for publication in the Physiotherapy Canada journal this year. Zach hopes his career will continue to allow him to balance clinical practice with teaching and education.