Hurd is part of the 2019 class of physical therapy graduates that will cross the stage for convocation on June 4, 2019. (Photo supplied.)
Why did you choose to study physical therapy?
I had never considered pursuing a degree in physical therapy until I studied rehabilitation for neurological conditions in a research setting. I was impressed with the impact of rehabilitation on animal models and research participants and wanted to develop the skills and knowledge to be able to provide physical rehabilitation for individuals with neurological conditions.
Why did you choose the University of Alberta's Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine?
I chose the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the U of A because it was important to me to study in a faculty with high-caliber teaching and research. I also wanted to continue to be involved in research throughout my time as a PT student, which was possible at the U of A because I had already worked with a few of the faculty members as a neuroscience graduate student and research assistant.
What is one of your fondest memories from your time in the program?
I have so many fond memories from the program including excellent clinical placements, social events including hiking and ski trips and even pizza parties in the library during exams. I think our classmates made all the difference; I was fortunate to go through the program with a diverse group of people with common interests including helping people, health and wellness and learning. The program is intense, but studying with such engaged, supportive classmates made it easy to strike a balance between staying late in the library to review cue cards and planning weekend trips to the mountains.
"I think our classmates made all the difference; I was fortunate to go through the program with a diverse group of people with common interests including helping people, health and wellness and learning."
What did you do for your work placements?
I was fortunate to have great placements through the program and clinical instructors who provided excellent mentorship to me as a student and who continue to mentor me as a new grad. My first placement was in orthopedics at the Red Deer Regional Hospital and my second placement was at the Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic. My final three placements were especially rewarding. I had the opportunity to work with the stroke unit at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and medicine and neurotrauma units at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
How are you going to celebrate your graduation?
My parents will be coming to visit from Ontario, so I'm looking forward to celebrating with them. I'm also looking forward to seeing friends who left Edmonton after the program but will be back in town for graduation.
What are you doing now / going to do next?
I'm currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science under the supervision of Dr. Jaynie Yang. We're evaluating the use of early, intensive physical therapy intervention for children with cerebral palsy. I also work part-time as a physiotherapist in acute care. I have come a long way from fainting at the sight of blood on my introductory shadow placement to working in acute care now!
What does the future hold for you? What are your long-term aspirations?
I'm hoping to combine research and clinical practice in the future. I'm not sure what that will look like, but potentially a clinician-scientist position or something similar. I really enjoy interacting with patients and making an immediate impact on their recovery or independence. Physical therapy is so diverse and there's still so much we don't know, so research is an opportunity to expand our knowledge and the impact of the profession moving forward.