Winter 2016 Faculty Profile
By: Jocelyn Adams, Communications & Special Projects
The Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy is honoured to highlight the career of Assistant Professor, Carolyn King. It is with mixed emotions that we announce Carolyn’s retirement on January 31, 2016, after 17 years of teaching at the School. Her enthusiasm, knowledge of the profession and passion for teaching will be greatly missed within the walls of the School. As a toast to Carolyn’s career, we are pleased to feature her as the Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy’s Faculty Profile. Let’s learn more about Carolyn’s career in physiotherapy!
Carolyn’s interest in physiotherapy stemmed from a love of working with children from a very young age. “I always knew I wanted to work with children. When I graduated high school I completed my undergrad at Dalhousie with plans to become a paediatrician. Luckily, Dalhousie started a new BSc in Physiotherapy program at the same time as I discovered to my dismay that it would be many years of Medical School before I could specialize with children. I soon applied to the physiotherapy program with the intention of being a physiotherapist who worked with children,” said Carolyn.
Prior to teaching at Dalhousie, Carolyn practiced as a paediatric physiotherapist in St. John’s, Newfoundland. When she graduated from Dalhousie University with her BSc in Physiotherapy her initial plan was to work at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. In order to obtain her one year of paediatric experience she accepted a position at the Janeway Hospital, an acute care paediatric hospital in St John’s Newfoundland. “ When I left, I took only a knapsack of clothes and packed the rest of my belongings in my parents’ basement,” explained Carolyn.
Carolyn worked in Newfoundland for 20 years before returning to Halifax. Her first five years were spent working at the Janeway Hospital and worked her remaining years at the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre, with a brief period at the Grace General Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland. “I loved Newfoundland and the people that I had the privilege to work with while there,” said Carolyn.
In 1999, Carolyn was asked to teach and work on the Kuwait-Dalhousie Project by former Director of the Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy, Dr. Lydia Makrides. From 1999 until present Carolyn has been teaching at the School.
Carolyn says the most enjoyable aspect of teaching was working with the students. “The most enjoyable part is when I have the chance to teach a concept by relating it to stories of the children I’ve worked with over the years. These are the times when you see the students really sit up and take notice. Another aspect that I’ve enjoyed is how much I’ve learned from my colleagues. Everyone has different areas of expertise, which are constantly being shared. I truly feel that I’ve received a whole other education while working here.”
In addition to teaching at Dalhousie, Carolyn also kept a clinical caseload at the IWK Hospital until 2011.
Beyond teaching and clinical work at the IWK, Carolyn has volunteered within the community. “Most of my volunteer work in the community has been with children with disabilities. I was a member of the Canadian Association of Disable Skiers while in Newfoundland and then was on the Board of Directors of Hope Reins (a Therapeutic Horse riding Association in Nova Scotia).”
Carolyn explains the profession has evolved over her career. “Physiotherapists are now autonomous practitioners so that clients can access services without a physician referral. We have career researchers who have investigated and provided evidence which informs our practice and physiotherapists now enter the profession with a Masters degree. These changes are dramatic yet, in my opinion, the underlying foundation of providing excellent care for people has remained the same. I have always been, and continue to be, extremely proud to be able to say I’m a physiotherapist.”
As one chapter closes, another opens. “I’ll continue to do some teaching and lab demonstration work within the School. I’m especially looking forward to heading ‘Down Under’ to Australia for a couple of months and am planning on doing a lot more travelling.”
Please join us in wishing Carolyn the very best in this new chapter of her life!