Two clinical faculty from the Master of Physical Therapy – North (MPT – N) program have been honoured with awards for their commitment to excellence in teaching. Kerrie Roberts and Pamela Parker each received a 2023 MPT-North Clinical Skills Assistant Award. 

Recipients are selected from student nominations. Kerrie was nominated by the class of MPT 2021-2023 and Pamela by the 2022-2024 class.

The award recognizes Clinical Skills Assistants (CSA) for excellence in the education, supervision, and mentoring of MPT-N students. Award winners are exemplary role models, having shown commitment towards excellence in the following areas -- demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching; adapt to the learning needs of students; exhibit effective communication skills; and effectively provide feedback.  

Among the student nominations received for Pamela, it was noted that “Pamela has a way of understanding what each learner needs. She is able to communicate and educate each of the students, in a way that suits their unique learning style. She is passionate about passing on her knowledge and it is palpable every day she is around. Thank you Pamela!”

From the nominations sent in by students for Kerrie, a submission highlighted that “Kerrie was very good at making sure she got around to everyone during skills labs and always approached in a non-judgmental capacity when we were struggling  -- If we did not understand how something was done or explained, Kerrie made sure to give us all an extra demo and explain the skill in a different way.”

Congratulations to Pamela and Kerrie!

Kerrie Roberts

Kerrie’s roots are on the east coast. She studied at St Francis Xavier University and then at the University of Alberta. She has worked as a physiotherapist in Northern B.C. for 26 years and currently has a private practice at the YMCA in Prince George, working with musculoskeletal patients of all ages. 

Kerrie has been involved in UBC MPT program delivery in the north since its infancy in 2013, and has also been a skills tutor with the Northern Medical Program for five-plus years. 

“I have always been passionate about teaching and continuing professional development,” says Kerrie. “My first degree was in physical education and then an education degree. Being a CSA fills both of these buckets. I appreciate the students’ eagerness to learn clinical skills and integrate what they have learned in their course work while drawing from their placement experience. 

“With the MPT-N being a distributed program, I find it very interesting to be exposed to the perspectives of both learners and educators. I feel this is integral for us to understand each other's experiences, challenges and offerings in both education and clinical practice and make for better health care.”  

Pamela Parker

After graduating from North Peace Senior Secondary in Fort St John, Pamela completed her undergraduate in Kinesiology and Masters in Physiotherapy at the University of Alberta. While she was at university, her family moved to Prince George. Once she finished her schooling in Edmonton, she made the move to Prince George to “get started” but has now been in Northern B.C. for 15 years!  

Pamela has spent her career to-date in private practice, with a special interest in occupational rehabilitation. She has offered student placements for 12 years and has supported students in the classroom over the past three years.

“I have been fortunate enough to be a CSA in several MPT-N Courses,” says Pamela. “I honestly feel like I learn more from the students than they learn from me.  Every question they ask is an opportunity to challenge my own knowledge, and my own ideas and biases. 

“There have been more instances than I can count where a student's question has inspired me to go away and confirm my own understanding of a concept or led me to find new knowledge or approaches I wasn't aware of.  I grow the most as a clinician myself when I am able to interact regularly with students.”