Spring 2021 Alumni Profile
Email messages to Nancy's retirement event.
Reflections on a Great Career
by Nancy Walker, former SoPT instructor
As I reflect on my time as a Physiotherapist and an Instructor at the school, I have to say my journey has been exceptional. I’ve had many clinical jobs and opportunities in my early career, which took me to 3 provinces, working in every environment from pediatric neonatal ICU and Oncology to long term care. When I felt the timing was good, I was able to complete my Master’s in Anatomy at Queens (back in the day when it was not as popular). Eventually, I was fortunate as life led me back to Nova Scotia and Dalhousie, not initially as an academic, but as a recruiter for the Kuwait-Dalhousie Project. I gradually morphed into the teaching environment, and oddly, found my happy place.
A Message to the Students I Had the Pleasure of Knowing
My fellow classmates of 1981 would probably be alarmed to know that I was teaching and molding young minds given my aversion to class back in the day, but I have much gratitude to the hundreds of students I have encountered over the years. These students gave me such delight - I was blessed to have made many wonderful connections. To those students reading this who did not embrace my “caustic wit and sarcasm” over the years, please know all quips where delivered with much fondness. To all the students who I had the pleasure of knowing, my hope is that I helped you forge your path to becoming a physiotherapist, a profession that offers such variety and opportunities for whatever might interest you - wherever you are.
A student once asked me “What are you good at?” I assumed the student meant “what was my specialty”, of which I have none. After a chuckle, I gave the question some thought, and then responded, “I am good at caring for people, and making people believe that I can help”. Maybe not an exceptional talent, but one I think has served me in many aspects of my life and helped lead me to my passion for “person centered care”. As I move into this next phase of my life, which I will devote to my family, some personal projects, hobbies and volunteerism, I will miss interacting with all of the students and colleagues at the School. I will particularly miss the ongoing positivite energy emitted from the students. To all the students I had the pleasure of knowing, I’d like you to know that I was pleased to be part of your journey, I am proud of you and grateful that many of you continue to support upcoming physiotherapists by providing clinical education and supporting the profession in many ways.
As I sign off as full time Instructor at the School of Physiotherapy, I will move on as a friend and colleague. I have much gratitude to all of you who have enhanced my life in so many ways! I will continue to use my Dalhousie email as a proud alumna and will always welcome a message and request for a tea at any time. Many thanks to all of you who have made my experience full of such positive memories.
Love and best wishes.
Nancy Walker
BTW: I find it hard to think of “retirement” so don’t be surprised if you see me in the hallowed halls of the Forrest for an occasional event.