Harrison Kettyls, MPT’22

Harrison Kettyls (he/him) is a recent graduate of the Master of Physical Therapy program at UBC. He grew up in Victoria BC and completed his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria prior to starting the MPT program. As the Physical Therapy Student Society President, he represented the MPT program within the Faculty of Medicine and aided in advocating for students. Harrison loves being active and can find him outdoors playing soccer, hiking, camping, surfing, and snowboarding. He also enjoys photography and playing his guitar. He looks forward to starting his physiotherapy career in Vancouver and helping people in the community get back to the things they love to do.

What drew you to the Master of Physical Therapy (PT) degree at UBC?
Physiotherapy has played a big part in my life since my family and I were in a car accident when I was younger. I personally have seen the impact physiotherapists can have on improving someone’s quality of life and regaining function. To me physiotherapy is a profession that allows one to help others as well as build a genuine connection with people. It is incredibly rewarding helping people recover from illness and injury and seeing them reach the goals they may not have thought to be possible.

How has studying in the MPT program made an impact on you?
By far, the biggest impact the MPT program has had on me is introducing me to such an amazing group of caring and compassionate people. The hours spent in lecture, labs, and breakout rooms practicing our clinical skills brough the cohort close together. I am incredibly grateful for the two years I have spent at UBC and all the skills I have learned, but it is my classmates that have had the biggest impact on me.

What was something you learned in the MPT program that surprised you?
Coming into the MPT program, I had only worked in private practice and did not fully appreciate the breath of the physiotherapy scope of practice. Once starting the program, I became exposed to many different areas of clinical practice, such as the burns ward and the intensive care unit. On these placements I began to understand the importance of physiotherapists working in these settings. I was originally set on working with sports teams prior to starting the MPT program, but exposure to these different clinical settings changed my career path.

What is your favorite memory from your time at UBC?
My favourite memory from my time in the MPT program would be the six weeks I spent on clinical placement at the hospital in Daajin Giids, Haida Gwaii. I got the opportunity to work with an incredible community and explore the beautiful island. As a part of this experience, I was invited to support the local Haida Skidegate basketball team as a team Physiotherapist at the All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert. I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about Indigenous culture and culturally informed practice during this clinical placement. This experience would not have been possible without the support of the MPT clinical education team and my preceptor.

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration with the interactions I have with my patients. Every patient has had such a different journey with a unique point of view. To see the resilience and perseverance patients have when facing hardship is moving. It encourages me to find different ways to grow and learn as a physiotherapist.

What does a healthy society mean to you?
Health is more than just the absence of illness or injury but a continual development of physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. A healthy society allows for equal and equitable access to resources to help meet those needs.

What are your plans after graduation?
I will be working part time at Oakridge physiotherapy and Vancouver General Hospital in the Emergency Department. I enjoy both these avenues of physiotherapy and the challenges that come with each of them. Some future goals include working in acute care units such as ICU and burns. In addition, I hope to at some point work in underserved areas locally and internationally.

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