Summer 2021 Alumni Profile

Written by Lil Crump

Alumnus, Kyle Crosby, PT
Class of 2014

Kyle Crosby was an undergrad student in Dalhousie’s BSc (Kine) program when his brother fractured his leg. Watching his brother recover from his injury, and being there for him during his rehabilitation, played a key factor in Kyle’s decision to enrol in the MSc-PT program at  Dalhousie’s School of Physiotherapy. 

In 2014 Kyle celebrated his MSc-PT graduation by picking up a golden retriever, named Lilly. Since then he worked in a community-based clinic in Lockport NS, travelled Europe, South Asia and the Caribbean and participated in a few half marathons. In October of 2019, not long before Covid-19 arrived in Nova Scotia, Kyle joined the team of license physiotherapists at Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic.

When asked how Covid-19 impacted Kyle’s work, he admitted, “It was challenging in the beginning. The team quickly transitioned to a Telehealth mode of patient care delivery. The idea of treating patients online made me nervous at first, we have known to be a hands-on profession after all. As patients became more comfortable with the visual online demonstrations, I became more excited about the process. Ultimately the Telehealth experience, enhanced my existing skill-set and I now feel I am a better communicator, demonstrator and instructor.”

What’s the Best thing about Kyle’s Job? “The clinic environment.” Kyle says, “It’s enjoyable – a real team feel. I enjoy what I do and am truly happy to come into work each day.” Working as a physiotherapist Kyle enjoys treating, not only the athletes and Dalhousie community members, but patients from all across the Maritimes. “Having someone tell you they came to see you because someone you previously treated recommended you, is the best feeling in the world”, Kyle explains.

A physiotherapist’s skill-set is ever evolving. And each clinic has its own specific set of needs. As such, Kyle is working on completing his post graduate learning in Advanced Integrated Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Program (AIM). Covid-19 slowed down his initial timeline but Kyle anticipates completing the program in the fall of 2022.

Firmly settled into the Physiotherapy profession, Kyle credits much of his smooth transition from graduate to workforce to the clinical instructors he had during his placements. He’s always believed that if given the choice, a student should pick a placement they think they will learn the most from, rather than a placement based on a convenient location.

Other advice Kyle offers to new grads entering the work force is to, “Find a mentor and learn from them, take time outside work hours to work on your craft and gain experience. Volunteering your skills to a sports team for instance, or taking a skills enhancing workshop that interests you. The more you develop your skills, the more you will love your job, and the more improvement you will see in your patients." Kyle also suggests staying connected to Dalhousie and the School of Physiotherapy by offering to mentor students or assist in learning modules.

Where can you find Kyle when he’s not at work? You may think he’d be hanging out in the small oceanside community of Lockport, NS where he grew up. But in actual fact, he will most likely be found working in the dirt alongside his brother on the farmland they purchased together beside the Shubenacadie River. In the words of Kyle - “Let the fun begin!”