New Instructor Welcome: Chris Zarski

Growing up with two parents working in the education system, it comes as no surprise that Chris Zarski would end up being an educator himself. It didn’t take long for him to join the “family business” following his graduation from the University of Alberta’s physical therapy program. “I worked on a collaborative health promotion project for physiotherapists in 2008 and was asked to teach an elective on health promotion in the Department of Physical Therapy in 2009,” he says. “After that teaching experience, I was hooked!“

Tell us a bit about yourself, Chris.

I grew up in Bawlf, a small town about 15 minutes east of Camrose. I went to the U of A to study physical therapy right out of high school and graduated in 2003. I originally started working for the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine in 2009, developing the original satellite campus at Augustana, and relocated to Camrose in 2010 to start the campus there. I worked in the satellite campus from 2010 until 2020 along with working in Augustana Athletics as the team physiotherapist and as part-owner of a private physiotherapy clinic in Camrose. I obtained my master’s in health science education at the U of A in 2015. I love playing beer league hockey and golfing in the summer.

What led you to a career in rehabilitation sciences?

I enjoyed talking to people while I was growing up. I liked to hear people's stories about their lives and enjoyed the personal connection that came with getting to know someone. I also had an inherent desire to help others and problem solve, so physiotherapy was a perfect mix of personal connection and problem solving. It also involved far less time in school than medicine would have! 

What made you decide to become an instructor with the faculty?

I grew up with a dad who was a teacher and a mom who was a librarian in the education system. I always enjoyed being involved in some form of teaching whether that was teaching back-care techniques in the hospital or interprofessional education sessions. A few months later I was asked to take lead on the pilot project to expand to the Augustana Campus and my career path changed forever. 

If you have a particular interest please tell us about it.

I’m interested in health science education and assessment in distributed learning. Clinically, I have worked in private practice and orthopedics for over 20 years but have a soft spot for the aging population and have worked part time in seniors and community health for the past three years.

What are you looking forward to in this new role?

The U of A is an inspiring place. The students are so keen to learn and to start their path in the world. Being a part of that journey and seeing the connection between the science and art is a special thing. The faculty I work with are incredible people and seeing them express the mastery of their craft to students is inspiring. Having done this role before, it at times is playing the long game where the days and months of teaching can become arduous but the handshakes and hugs at graduation are what I enjoy the most.

When you aren't teaching or in a clinic, where is your favourite place to be?

I coach pretty much every day of the week, 365 days a year. I love being on the ice with my youngest daughter, watching my oldest daughter on the volleyball court or being on the baseball diamond with my son. However, my favourite place to be is at our lake lot, making breakfast outside while having a coffee with my family all around!