Student Profiles and Activities
Presented here are some profiles of past students from the school. Names have been withheld in some cases but they are of real people.
Profile of 4th Year Student (2006)
Bevan Lawson
Why did you choose University of Otago for your studies?
I’ve lived in this part of the country all my life. The temptation to move away was there but I couldn’t pass up the chance to experience the thriving student lifestyle here. The past three years of study here have been amazing. I have met wonderful characters from all over the country that quickly became my closest friends. Corny I know, but I’ll certainly miss them next year when I move to Christchurch for 4th year.
What lead you into choosing Physiotherapy as a career?
Well basically I left school not knowing where I was heading. My careers teacher at school convinced me to give Health Sci a go. I’ve always been a bit of a sports geek, if I can’t make a life out of playing sport I want to be involved in it some other way. Physiotherapy provided the opportunity of working in this field. Also with the related benefits of the Sports medic course, my knowledge of sports related injuries has been well covered. In saying that, Physiotherapy has thrown up a few other choices that have sparked my interest. I have found working with neurological patients very rewarding and an interesting challenge. Being a physio is not just that guy that runs out onto the sports field, there is a range of fields that will stimulate anyone’s interest.
How have you enjoyed your studies thus far?
The two years I have had of physiotherapy so far have
been endless good times. I think the greatest asset of
physiotherapy is its social atmosphere. You’re not stuck in
the library wearing your thick-rimmed glasses with braces
hitching up your pants. It’s a practical hands on course.
You learn by doing, not reading. Apart from that, the
Physiotherapy Students Association is always organising
social and sporting events as well as other occasions that
all provide a chance to get to know your classmates and the
staff outside lectures and labs.
I’m excited about the
opportunity to live in a different city for our clinical
year. It will throw up even more opportunities and should be
a fun change.
How have you found living in Dunedin?
Living in Dunedin is an experience to say the least. The city loves students, and students make this city what it is. Most things are within walking distance except the glorious sunshine of Mosgiel (affectionately known as Mossywood, you have to see the iconic sign!!). But hey, this city is certainly not cold, dull and slow. There is plenty of sun here, although some may say otherwise. But no matter what the weather, the people, especially students, keep this place glowing. This is a party town, but for those who are more restrained, there are plenty of cafes to sip a coffee at while working on that tan. I have met so many unique people here, made many close friends, time spent here will definitely be a life changer.
What plans to have for your future career after graduating?
I’m not 100% sure which area of physio I want to specialise in. Obviously, being a bit of a sports nut, musculoskeletal is very appealing to me and at this stage is where I wish to head. The clinical year will answer any questions I have remaining because it will allow in depth experience in each of the three major areas of physiotherapy. This should certainly allow me to channel my future interests. Also I have been considering entering a hospital rotation system on graduating. This has its advantages consolidating the knowledge we have learned throughout a range of disciplines. Post graduate study is also an option I am seriously considering.
For someone with my interests, the pinnacle is to work with professional athletes and attend major international competitions. At the moment I’m getting to know the people that can help steer my career in the right direction.
Sometimes I feel like I never want to graduate because the years I have spent at physio school have been the best experience I could imagine. It’s something I don’t want to leave behind. Guess I’ll have to grow up one day but at least I will have loads of incredible memories that will always put a cheesy grin on my face.
Profile of a 4th Year Student (2010)
Celia Tomlinson
A Year 13 class of four students and Health Sciences First Year lectures are worlds apart. But, for Celia Tomlinson it was all taken in her stride, along with living at Unicol for her first year.
Originally unsure about what she was going to study, but contemplating Human Nutrition, Celia began her studies with HSFY which, “was a good decision-making year.” During HSFY she decided to apply for Physiotherapy.
Celia’s decision was influenced by her sporting involvement and watching a grandparent attend physiotherapy after having stroke. This all reinforced her desire to, “be able to help those who have had a life-changing event.”
Now, Celia is in her fourth and final year of her physiotherapy study and she still loves it. “It is so much fun to get to do practical things. Clinical placements are the best opportunity to learn as you can only absorb so much from a text book.”
She has enjoyed each area of physiotherapy that she has worked in. So after graduation Celia would like a rotation job where she can continue to experience all the variety of the profession.
While looking forward to a job and working, Celia will miss the “fun and the really awesome faculty spirit where everyone is so helpful.”
Profile of a 3rd Year Student (2010)
Michelle Borren
For Michelle Borren, the University of Otago, School of Physiotherapy is a long way from home on the Kapiti Coast.
But her decision to study at Otago was made after careful consideration, and is one she is happy she made.
“There is so much that is enjoyable about studying Physio,” she explains. “There are the hands-on labs, all the like-minded people you study with, the small group of students, the great support team in the form of lecturers and demonstrators, the fantastic social life, and the big plus is that at the end of my study I know what job I will do.”
At school Michelle enjoyed PE, chemistry and art and was involved in as many sports as she could find time for. Through sport she saw what physiotherapists did and so started thinking about it as a career choice.
“I was attracted to Physio as an occupation by the personal interactive and social aspects, as well as the fact that you can have reasonable working hours and have the opportunity to travel with the degree.”
At this stage, that job would ideally be in a musculoskeletal clinic or in a hospital setting with a future goal of becoming her own boss with her own clinic.
Michelle also knows that, “there are lots of different areas of Physiotherapy so you can find the path that is best for you. There will always be great variety to the job. It’s a great career where you can have a family, travel and you are constantly helping people.”
Future Professionals
Developing a Sense of Community
Our undergraduate physiotherapy students at the University of Otago have, over many years, contributed positively to various organizations, and in a variety of ways. Each year, our Student Executive organizes various fund raising initiatives. As part of World Physiotherapy Day in 2010, a games night was arranged for Year 2 and 3 students, and students provided massages to University staff and clients of the Physiotherapy clinics for a donation. Tui Waxes and Balms (Takaka) generously donated 40 pots of their product to be used for the day. Approximately thirty Year 3 and 4 students volunteered to provide 10 minute massages (between their normal classes), under supervision of staff members, starting in the morning, and finishing well into the late afternoon. Proceeds from these massages and the games night were donated to the Vera Hayward Centre, Dunedin Public Hospital.
The
Student Executive of the Physiotherapy Students Association
also decided to run last year’s Moro Half-Marathon for
charity. Seven of the Executive members participated (see
photo), with the remaining four providing support, banter
and energy supplies along the course. The Heart Foundation
kindly provided T-shirts to wear during the half-marathon
and also one giant heart suit worn by Jason Cheng for the
entire 21km (photo). Congratulations to Jason, who managed
to complete the race, albeit close to heat exhaustion due to
Dunedin’s hot weather on that day! The day was a great
success and the students managed to raise nearly $700 for
the Heart Foundation (and many thanks to all friends and
family who donated towards this worthy cause).
Contributions extend beyond providing massages. The School is privileged to have a volunteer with complex physical impairments who has attended one of our clinical placements on a weekly basis for many years. He provides his own transport by travelling to the School (a round trip of 10km) in his electric wheelchair, providing opportunity for students to interact with him and to apply acquired skills of neurological assessment and exercise prescription. As students rotate through this placement every three weeks, it may be difficult for them to appreciate the time and effort he has invested over the whole academic year on their behalf. However, in 2009 a perceptive group of second year students facilitated a collection of funds and bought a Nintendo Wii for him – which he was most delighted to receive.
In the November 2010 issue of PhysioMatters, a report was published on the responses and involvement in the community by our students and staff based in Christchurch following the September earthquake. Little did we realize that another quake would challenge the Christchurch centre in February. Staff and students in the Garden City have contributed in a variety of ways to the post-quake recovery efforts. As part of the wider School and University response to the disaster, students in Dunedin again responded positively by organising another “Massage marathon” within the School of Physiotherapy Clinic. They raised in excess of $1,500 towards the Earthquake Appeal within one week.
Besides having many other commitments, such as sports involvement and acting as sports medics, our future colleagues are demonstrating that they should be considered significant contributors towards our society as a whole, forming a good platform from where they will be entering our profession.
