Clinical placements play a vital role in a health care learner’s journey, bridging academic learning with real-world practice and helping students build confidence, competence, and professional identity. Through hands-on experience, learners develop essential clinical skills, teamwork, and an understanding of patient centred care.
As an academic health sciences centre, our Hospital is proud to support learners by providing a safe, supportive, and enriching placement environment where future professionals can learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to patient care. Every month, the department of Academic Affairs is highlighting learners at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Today, we meet Jack, who is in the Kinesiology Program at Lakehead University.
Hometown: Thunder Bay, ON
Program: Lakehead University – Kinesiology – placement with Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Travis Marion
What does an average day during your placement look like?
A typical day in placement varies depending on what setting we are in. Following Dr. Marion involves being in either the Operating Room, the Fracture Clinic, or his clinic, Big Thunder Orthopedics. In the OR I will typically watch Dr. Marion perform various surgeries, as well as follow him as he sees the patients pre and post operation. The Fracture Clinic is very different from the OR, as it is fast paced, and we see a high volume of patients with various conditions and injuries. Lastly, in his clinic it is similar to fracture clinic and we see patients that are either seeing Dr. Marion for the first time or following up with him so he can see how they are progressing. Regardless of the setting, every placement day has been extremely insightful and very enjoyable.
Is there a mentor of faculty member who has significantly impacted you?
Given that my placement is with Dr. Marion, I will have to say that he has had an immense impact on myself, as a student and hopefully as a future physician. Dr. Marion’s compassion, knowledge, leadership, and respect toward everyone in the hospital are traits that I one day hope to have as a physician. Dr. Marion’s guidance will stick with me for the rest of my career regardless of the field I one day end up in.
What is one interesting fact others might not know about you?
I am currently a student athlete playing on the men’s hockey team at Lakehead University.
