Research, mentorship and volunteer work

“As a future physical therapist, I plan to consistently deliver patient-centred care.”

Meet Paige Fell. Hungry. Holistic. Healer.
Home: Calgary
Program: Bachelor of Health and Physical Education — Physical Literacy (Honours)

Whether it’s education or health and wellness, Paige Fell prefers a holistic approach. As graduation approaches, she’s reflecting on how a well-rounded education, transformative mentors and an insatiable passion for learning are propelling her career in physical therapy.

“I loved how the physical literacy program at MRU had a holistic approach to health and wellness — promoting lifelong movement and helping others lead healthier, more active lives,” Fell says.

While pursuing her bachelor’s, Fell took on an honours thesis and practicum placement assisting one of her professors — Dr. Trevor King, PhD — in his research. She fell in love with the work and all the challenges that came with it.

“My research was focused on the protective effects of resistance exercise on vascular function from an acute bout of mental stress. I have been working on this research for approximately one-and-a-half years, but have been learning and involved in the lab for two years,” Fell explains, who presented findings at the Okanagan Cardiovascular and Respiratory Symposium.

“Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and I want to know how exercise affects the vasculature.”

It was immediately clear that Fell, who worked on her thesis at the same time she did her practicum, was a superstar, King says, adding her skills in the research lab have become indispensable.

“She sat in the front row in my class and asked so many intelligent questions. She was keenly interested in how the human body works and wanted to find out how we know what we know,” King recalls.

“She chose an extraordinarily ambitious project that far exceeded my expectations. Despite the high bar, she finished her project early, improved the rigour and quality, and presented her findings at an international conference.”

Fell, a President’s Honour Roll student and member of the prestigious Golden Key International Honours Society, says King was a transformative mentor who challenged her in the right ways.

“He played a large role in shaping my future academic and professional interests, encouraged me to pursue research and further academic growth, believed in my potential and set a standard of excellence for me to continue to achieve as an academic and a professional.”

Dr. David Legg, PhD, was another mentor of Fell’s, worked closely with her via the Children's Adapted Physical Activity (CAPA) program. Legg agrees with King’s assessment — Fell is exceptional.

“I knew right away that she was a great fit for the program], and later that year I asked her to be one of the two co-leads for the program where student leaders are essentially in charge of the whole thing. She took the role seriously, holding volunteers accountable but always with a fun and motivating outlook,” Legg shares, adding that Fell outworks everyone around her.

“The volunteers, families, children, and I all held her in the highest regard and wanted to make sure we measured up to her levels of passion and dedication. She took the program to an entirely different level. Suffice it to say, I'm a big fan, and I know she's only going to continue making huge contributions within the area of disability and inclusion.”

Fell says the CAPA program is hard to leave behind, but she plans to get back to working with them after her grad program.

“I wish I could explain in more words how much this program means to me,” she shares, admitting her last day with CAPA was an emotional one.

“This program is so important, because it provides the kids with the opportunity to be one-on-one with a volunteer. That is what makes this program so special. You get to see the impact you are making on each of the kids. I feel extremely grateful to have been able to be a part of this community.”

While her physical therapy track might have her mainly focused on keeping bodies in motion, Fell isn’t about to let her mind atrophy.

“As a future practitioner, it is integral to continue developing my skill sets and education beyond completing a master’s in physical therapy,” she says, adding she’s waiting to hear which master’s program she’ll be accepted into.

“Staying up to date with current literature is my responsibility as a practicing physician. Additionally, I want to contribute to research as a future physical therapist and ensure that the current modalities and practices are backed by evidence-based research to determine the best care for our communities.”

King says Fell, who is also a power skating instructor and a physical therapy assistant at a clinic, demonstrates every quality one hopes to see in a future physiotherapist: intellectual ability, strong interpersonal skills, clinical aptitude and exceptional professionalism.

“She is warm, driven, resilient and deeply committed to helping others. I'm quite confident she will excel as a physiotherapist and become a leader in the profession.”