Sandra Squire
PTRC Director
What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
It was a very random decision. I had finished my BA, SFU with a major, geography, and I had no idea what I was going to do for a career! My boyfriend at the time was at UBC, Engineering, and he was working on a project at GFS creating a device to measure tongue motor forces (related to patients post stroke).
I spent many hours hanging out with him at the rehabilitation centre, and it was through this experience that I got to witness the great work that the physiotherapists were doing. I then volunteered at GFS, and I was hooked. I found my path!
Can you share a bit about your journey and how it led you to this role?
I have been very privileged to have had an amazing career. It has been very diverse, although always within the public practice domain. I always said that I had “the best physio gig” when I worked clinically for 16 years within the BC Bleeding Disorder Program. I had the opportunity to work within an incredible interdisciplinary team, and we developed patient-centred care that we published and shared on various global platforms.
Within that role, I travelled extensively within Canada and the World. One of my most influential career moments was when I was asked to participate in a research project for 2 weeks in China. I worked alongside the physiotherapists and had the opportunity to see their patients. This experience really highlighted firsthand the global healthcare inequities, and it has driven my practice to always be aware of both my privileges and the Canadian healthcare system. Furthermore, to ensure that we try to always provide the best outcomes for patients.
My clinical work with the program led me back to UBC. I realized I wanted to move towards leadership positions, and I completed my MRSc. I then transitioned from direct patient care to working within professional practice and education at several health authorities. This experience has given me a unique perspective on the importance of roles within Allied Health, particularly Physiotherapy, and the positive impacts we have on people’s lives, enabling them to live their best functional lives!
Recently, I had a very large operational role, overseeing 200 PTs and RAs, and this confirmed what I already knew: that we have incredibly hardworking, smart, and compassionate therapists working within healthcare. This finally led to the UBC PTRC, where I am grateful to have a role that provides support to the UBC PT students, enabling them to learn within a supportive, dynamic, innovative patient-led clinic. It has truly been an honour to serve patients within my various roles, and now I have this unique role that I look forward to supporting the MPT program and the new physiotherapists of BC!
What does exceptional patient care mean to you?
It means everything! It is why I have loved all my various roles, and it is what drives me to try to be the best physiotherapist that I can be! Often, during my most stressful days with lots of demands, I go back to my core principle, which is that I am here to serve the patients.
This means ensuring the patient themselves are part of the decision-making process, that they feel safe, supported and educated in a way that is meaningful and appropriate. They can make informed decisions that are best practice and that enable them to feel that they have made the best decision for themselves.
How do you see the clinic’s role in the broader community?
I think the PTRC has an important role and responsibility within the UBC healthcare community and within the educational needs of the MPT program. It should provide patient-centred care that is driven by compassion, innovation and best practice with the unique lens of a learning environment. The clinic serves the “underserved”, the UBC students, and the community of the UBC area.
I think the PTRC has experienced physiotherapists who have the knowledge and teaching skills to supervise and treat folks with a complexity of conditions. Providing specialized programming to patient groups that often struggle to have access to physiotherapy services, this includes patients with neurological conditions like MS, PD, post stroke, or after a surgery like a total hip or knee replacement.
Also, we have physiotherapists who are specialized in treating musculoskeletal injuries; whether they are athletes at a UBC varsity or recreational level, our services can support the UBC community to be the “best functionally that they can be”. We serve all, and we aim to provide the best physiotherapy care within a dynamic, learning environment..
What is one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
I love to be in the outdoors, off the grid, preferably by the ocean. A large pile of books, some mystery novels and a few rom-coms, my knitting and my kiteboard! When the wind is blowing, I am happiest zooming across the water! 😊 Also, with my pups George and Lottie and I forgot to mention with the GFS boyfriend, who is now my husband of 30-plus years.
If you would like to meet my pups, they have an IG account (of course), lottie_and_george
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I feel truly honoured to serve as the Director of the PTRC and am looking forward to working with the colleagues at the MPT program and within the UBC community.