How the Humanities has been pivotal in my success in the field of rehabilitation – Meet Anastasia Newman
Meet Anastasia Newman, PhD, P.T., a physiotherapist and assistant professor in the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program.
By: Anastasia Newman
When the opportunity to apply for an Assistant Professor position with the newly announced Bachelor of Health Sciences Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities (IRH) program arose, I was very excited. The IRH program’s unique cross-faculty partnership between the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities mirrored my learning journey as an undergraduate student at McMaster in the early 2000s.
My personal history with McMaster goes back nearly 25 years. My Marauder history runs even deeper. Both my mom and my aunt are alumni of McMaster’s Humanities program (History and Latin respectively). Their positive experiences were instrumental in my decision to attend McMaster’s Kinesiology program. While I knew early on that I wanted to pursue a career in physiotherapy after graduation, I had an affinity for ancient history after taking several courses in high school. When I began my undergraduate degree at McMaster in 2000, I explored the option of obtaining a minor in Classics (now called Greek and Roman Studies). The ability to combine my interest in human anatomy and physiology with my fascination with ancient history was an incredible learning experience. If the IRH program existed when I was an undergraduate, it would have been a great fit for me.
The combination of the science of human movement and history provided me with learning opportunities beyond what each discipline provided on its own. While the coursework in Kinesiology provided a basis for some of my later learning in McMaster’s Physiotherapy program, I credit my minor in Classics with the critical skills necessary to direct my path to success within the healthcare system.
Through my Humanities education, I developed my critical thinking and research skills by analyzing primary sources and synthesizing complex historical narratives. Studying history gave me a deeper understanding of the cultural, social, and political contexts of past civilizations and allowed me to appreciate the historical roots of humanity and how past events influence how we interact in contemporary society. As a clinician, learning about ancient civilizations has helped me understand different cultural perspectives and practices, which cultivated my appreciation for diversity and respect for the range of beliefs, values, and traditions held by people from different backgrounds. I can honestly say that completing a minor in Classics was integral for developing my communication skills. Completing research papers, essays, and presentations provided opportunities to enhance my writing, listening, and speaking skills. I later realized these are essential skills for health professionals to effectively and compassionately interact with patients, families, and other healthcare colleagues.
The IRH’s partnership with Humanities will provide a catalogue of courses that students would not have access to otherwise. IRH students will have the flexibility to tailor their program to their individuality. No two IRH degrees will be alike, and yet all students will benefit from this unique cross-faculty learning environment. The IRH program was informed and transformed through consultations with students and healthcare professionals like me who know what is needed to have a successful career in a health-related field of tomorrow – where teamwork, partnership, and putting people first is key – I know because I was once you.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Through April, the IRH team has virtual office hours set up for Applicants.
We are available Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 pm – 1 pm EST. We also can set up a time to meet when it is convenient for you. Please reach out to us anytime at irhbhsc@mcmaster.ca.
The IRH program is a Level II entry program. McMaster students can apply for the IRH program until April 29th, 2024 (11:59 PM). Sign up through MOSAIC.
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