Jami Bennett – National Physiotherapy Month

Name and Title(s):  

Jami Bennett, MPT, Ph.D. (C/NDT) 

PHC Clinical Specialist, Neurological Rehabilitation 

Where do you work?  

Holy Family Hospital Rehab 

Providence Health Care 

What is the most rewarding part of your job?  

I love that beautiful moment of discovery when someone is able to do something they didn’t think they could do, or that they couldn’t do before. You can see the surprise and the joy in their face and it can make them feel like so much more is possible! When patients are able to return to living in the community with a comprehensive plan that enables participation in home life, family activities, and hobbies, the investment in creative approaches to discharge planning feels like a mutual achievement.  

Why does physiotherapy matter? 

I have lost track of the number of people who have shared that a physiotherapist was the first person to touch their body & interact with them after injury or illness in a way that didn’t make them feel “broken”, and how much they value therapeutic touch & movement. Physiotherapy can provide a link to maximizing function, independence, engagement in activities, and participation in roles that bring people a sense of identity and meaning.

We provide expertise and structure that can help a person work step by step towards their goals, with encouragement and accountability. I work for recovery where possible, and support adaptation when needed, in a way that keeps people moving well into older age. 

What is a common misconception with your work? 

That I can “fix” people, or that there is a set protocol for putting one’s hands here and pushing there which automatically translates into neurological recovery. I spend most of my waking hours thinking about neuroplasticity and all possible routes into the nervous system through sensory inputs, movement, exploration, and experiences. However, I have yet to find a magic potion with guaranteed results for recovery from impairments like sensory and perceptual deficits, or motor control.  

What drew you to physical therapy? 

My career began in immunology research, where I studied the pathology of Multiple Sclerosis. Through an MS research group at UBC, I heard about natural history studies which suggested people in BC experience more years of physical function before reaching higher levels of disability compared to other geographic locations. At the time, it was unclear why, but ideas included activity and lifestyle differences.

Patients don’t come into a clinic asking for help with their T-cell function! They come in asking for help with being able to do a task, live their life, recreate, to play with the grandkids. I decided to shift my work-life energy to support more near-term meaningful changes in the function of people with neurological conditions. 

What is unique about what you do? 

I work in a setting that has strong interdisciplinary approaches to care and have the luxury of quite a bit of treatment time working directly with rehab patients. I use learnings from motivational interviewing, tissue repair processes, immune and neurological function, change theories, and current literature/best practice guidelines to promote the incorporation of therapeutic movement into every aspect of a patient’s day.  

What is one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?  

I’m an enthusiastic sailor! When I’m not working, I’m often doing something on a boat, usually at the Vancouver Rowing Club. I enjoy racing and cruising on my own boat, The Eh Team, and on other boats with friends.