Congratulations, MScPT Class of 2025!
The Department of Physical Therapy proudly celebrates the newest graduates of the Master of Science in Physical Therapy program at the University of Toronto and all they have accomplished.
As they prepare to bring their physical therapy knowledge and skills into the world of health care, Sean, Mary, Payton and Iris reflect on the past two years, share what advice they would give to their first-year self and what's next for them.
Sean Chiu
What inspired you to pursue physical therapy?
Since I was in high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in physical therapy. I was interested in athletics and the human body and knew that a desk job was not for me.
During a co-op student placement at a physical therapy clinic, LifeMark, I saw how physical therapists built relationships with their clients every day. I enjoyed seeing the conversations and the social aspect of the profession with each patient.
Fast forward through my undergraduate and graduate studies, including all the clinical experience I have had, pairing the social aspect with the technical skills in the profession has turned this interest into a huge passion of mine.
Do you have a memorable moment from your two years at U of T?
A memorable moment from the program would be our physical therapy run club. At the start of the program, running was just an interest of mine — I did not have many people around me to push me with it until a couple of friends in the program started running together, ultimately creating the run club.
The first ever run started out with four of us (shout out to Ashton, Jasmine and Chris) and it eventually grew to many! Not only did it bring us closer and give us a mental break from school, this club pushed me to take running more seriously, becoming a serious passion of mine!
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
Take a step back to focus on the bigger picture rather than trying to perfect the nitty gritty.
In school, so much information is thrown at you, and it is very easy to become overwhelmed — something that I felt a lot in first-year. Learning to take a step back when your mind is cluttered to view the topic in a bigger light will help to calm any frustration, lessen the chance of burnout and regain focus on the overarching theme. Realizing this allowed me to excel more in classes and become a much better clinician during clinical placements!
What are your future plans?
I recently started my career at Athlete’s Care as a full-time physiotherapist resident and at Mount Sinai Hospital as a causal physiotherapist resident. I will also be working at The Running Physio. I am very excited to start taking on patients and to help them get back to being their full selves!
Mary Frost
What inspired you to pursue physical therapy?
I was inspired to pursue physical therapy after seeing how it makes a positive impact in people's lives.
Growing up playing lacrosse and hockey, I sustained my fair share of injuries — from ankle sprains to concussions. It was the support, kindness and encouragement of my physical therapists that helped me recover and return to the sports I loved.
Movement and physical activity have helped me stay physically and mentally healthy and resilient through many challenges in my life. As a physical therapist, I hope to share that experience with others as they recover from injury, whether they are hoping to return to their sport, manage chronic pain, or maintain their function and independence as they age.
Do you have a memorable moment from your two years at U of T?
Some of my favourite memories from the program come from the long days or nights spent studying with my friends. Having a good group of people to work with and hear new perspectives from helped me so much in my learning and it made everything more fun. I'm very thankful for all of the amazing people I met in the program, and for all the little treats we got to celebrate finishing a test or exam!
What advice would you give your first-year self?
Enjoy the ride! When things get stressful, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, but you will meet so many incredible classmates, professors and teaching assistants who can support you in your learning. Step out of your comfort zone and don't be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes, as they will only help you become a better practitioner when you leave the program. Two years will fly by in the blink of an eye, so make the most of all the little moments spent having fun with your classmates!
What are your future plans?
I have recently moved back to my hometown of Kingston and the Frontenac Islands where I am working in both private practice and hospital settings. You can find me at K-TOWN Physiotherapy, Kingston General Hospital and Hôtel Dieu Hospital. I'm hoping to learn as much as possible in the next few years to develop my clinical skills and be as well-rounded as I can be in my practice. I look forward to continuing my learning and to giving back to the community I grew up in!
Payton Smith
What inspired you to pursue physical therapy?
My desire to pursue physical therapy stems from my time volunteering in a physical therapy clinic at the University of Guelph where I witnessed the true client-centered nature of physical therapy and the profound impact it can have on patients’ lives. I was inspired by the compassion and personalized care physical therapists provide — transforming what can feel like an overwhelming health care journey into a partnership. I knew then that I wanted to be that teammate for others, helping them work toward their goals and regain confidence in their abilities.
Do you have a memorable moment from your two years at U of T?
Looking back on the past two years, there are countless memories that make me smile — but one stands out the most. Joining the intramural ice hockey team with my classmates and the first-year physical therapy students was such a highlight. It was a chance to step away from the books, have fun and build friendships beyond the classroom.
What advice would you give your first-year self?
If I could go back to the start of the program, I would tell my first-year self to say yes to everything you can. Go to class and labs, but also go to study sessions, trivia nights, intramurals and O-Month events. Stick around after class to talk with your classmates and professors. These two years go by faster than you think, so soak it all in. Learn as much as you can but also make time for the people who will become your lifelong friends.
What are your future plans?
I am so excited to be starting my career as a physiotherapist resident at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto on the General Internal Medicine unit, where I completed a clinical internship. I am eager to work alongside a wonderful allied health team and deepen my passion for acute care. I will also be starting at Mount Sinai Hospital casually on the orthopaedic unit. In the future, I hope to return to the U of T MScPT program and volunteer within the cardiorespiratory unit.
Iris Wang
What inspired you to pursue physical therapy?
In my later undergraduate years, I was inspired by the physical therapists in the cardiac rehabilitation centre where I volunteered in Kingston, ON. They fostered a safe, non-judgemental space for clients and remembered details about each of them, which built rapport and allowed for client-specific treatment planning.
I decided to pursue a career in physical therapy because I enjoy the components of routine/follow-up care and rehabilitation and am passionate about holistic and multidisciplinary approaches to health care.
Do you have a memorable moment from your two years at U of T?
I'm lucky to have many laughter-filled memories from the second-floor group-study rooms and lounge, where lots of studying definitely happened. ;)
I could not have gotten through these two years and learned nearly as much without my friends and I'm super thankful for them. It's awesome to be surrounded by like-minded peers working towards being the best physical therapists we can be.
What advice would you give your first-year self?
I wish I had allowed myself more grace to try new things right from the start, and stress less about the process! Two years flies by quickly, and sometimes the bigger picture was harder to see while trudging through lectures and assignments. I'm glad I did eventually take steps outside of my comfort zone, but I heavily encourage everyone to dedicate as much as you can to your program and community while in school!
What are your future plans?
At this time, I'll be taking a few weeks to visit family abroad, and look forward to starting the job search upon my return. I'm hoping to gain a better idea of what areas I'd like to pursue once I've better established my own approaches and strategies.
I will also be continuing the work I've started during my time with the National Student Assembly and working with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association to advocate for support for students, new graduates and internationally educated physical therapy students.