Student spotlight : Leah Dawson, physiotherapist in the making
(June 28, 2023) - “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
For some, this response may change from day to day, or year over year. For others, this response is reiterated with confidence time and time again.
Leah Dawson (North Bay, Ontario), who begins her 4th year Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Laurentian University this fall, is one who has, from a very young age, answered this question with conviction: “I want to be a physiotherapist.”
For Dawson, a competitive swimmer since the age of seven, understanding the mechanics of the body is important. When she suffered a shoulder injury in her teen years, she was concerned that this injury could set her back. “I wasn’t sure how well I would recover, but I started to see a physiotherapist and that made all the difference in getting me back in the pool. It also sparked my interest in the profession. I always knew I wanted to go into the healthcare field, but after my experience seeing a physiotherapist, it became my goal to become a physiotherapist so that I could help others.”
Dawson feels strongly that not only has her positive experience rehabilitating contributed to her interest, but her experiences as a swimmer and swim coach have equally enhanced this passion. “There’s a great deal of patience when it comes to physiotherapy,” said Dawson. “I’ve been coaching young swimmers for many years and it's truly incredible when you get to witness that light bulb go off when a kid understands, let’s say, the mechanics of a swim stroke. You get to witness progress. You get to witness passion…. The same is true when rehabilitating clients in physiotherapy.”
Dawson is currently working in Sudbury as a Physiotherapist Assistant at Summit Physiotherapy and Performance. In this role, Dawson is carrying out her program’s required internship, within which she has the opportunity to learn the ins and outs about physiotherapy. “There’s a lot of diversity in what I’m learning,” she explained. “I’m lucky enough to see every angle of the job, and it's great because by observing, and by helping out where possible, I’m learning so much. At the clinic, there are two physiotherapists and two massage therapists. I predominantly support the clinic’s physiotherapists who each have various needs. It’s nice to work in such a well-rounded environment.” And this isn’t the first physio clinic within which Dawon has been employed. When in high school (Widdifield Secondary School), Dawson worked as a co-op student at a physiotherapy clinic in North Bay; this experience found her obtaining a credit toward her secondary diploma, and expanding her interest in the practice of physiotherapy.
Once Dawson has completed her program’s 200-hour internship, she is pleased with the opportunity to stay on at Summit Physiotherapy for the duration of the summer. “I obtained a Northern Ontario Summer Studentship position through NOSM University which allows Summit Physiotherapy to receive funding to take on students.” This program was established by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to allow a limited number of regulated health-care students an opportunity to gain relevant work experience in their field of study.
“In the fall, I plan to apply to physiotherapy Master’s programs offered in the province,” explained Dawson. “I’m also eager to start my fourth-year thesis this fall, on the topic of muscle physiology under the direction of Dr MacLean at NOSM University.” Dawson is no stranger to research, having worked last summer as a Research Assistant with the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH).
In addition to her ambition to become a physiotherapist, Dawson continues to coach and swim competitively in the region. She is proud to have been a member of the Voyageurs Varsity Swim Team, and speaks fondly of this experience. “Even though the Varsity swim team is no longer at Laurentian, I still keep in touch with my teammates and coach. They contributed to my sense of community at Laurentian, and still do.”
