Jessica Chiang

Physiotherapist-Clinical Pilates & Orthopaedics, MPH

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

About

Currently discovering my 'why' and exploring opportunities and experiences that spark my interest. Becoming a dancer was once the goal, then a physiotherapist and now something unknown. I am still a clinical physiotherapist, and value my role, but have gone back to school to study public health. It was an area I was interested in for a long time, but through working clinically in the current health care system, I continue to see or hear first hand the many challenges and barriers, including the structural and social determinants of health that people face. They are so evident and I feel the limitations and reality of the system we work in. As I'm continuing my public health studies, I'm also reflecting on the positions and experiences I hold and how these influence my values, thoughts and actions. I'm interested in creating a health care system that is more holistic: one that values the community aspects of health and the patient/community's expertise vs. only the medical side of things. Policy and knowledge translation/implementation of new ideas are some ways I'm interested in learning more about to achieve these goals; however, with the changing times, I'm open to other avenues such as AI and digital solutions. If any of this interests you or you would like to learn more about my story, my developing "why" or just want to chat, please send me a dm! Thanks for reading :)

Experience

  • Clinical Pilates Physiotherapist at Resilience Physiotherapy (Toronto)
    Sep 2024 - Mar 2026 · 1 yr 7 mos

    Clinical Pilates and exercise, education and manual therapy

  • MPH Practicum Student at Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations at the University of Toronto
    May 2025 - Aug 2025 · 4 mos

    Working with co-supervisors Dr. Dianne Fierheller (Family and Child Health Initiative) and Sylvie Atwill (OPHEA (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association)) and team on a community-based research project using photovoice: Enhancing Sense of Belonging through Physical Activity: "Active Community, Connected Community".

  • Clinical Pilates Physiotherapist at Treloar Physiotherapy Clinic
    Aug 2022 - Aug 2024 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    Clinical Pilates Oncology rehab

  • Travel at Career Break
    Feb 2024 - Jun 2024 · 5 mos

    Initially a working holiday adventure where I planned to work as a physio in New Zealand, to learn about their healthcare system and culture alongside travel and to experience new things. It turned out to be purely a travel experience after I found out in March I was going to pursue further studies in public health, therefore returning to Canada latest by September. Those few months across New Zealand and Australia were spent exploring, hiking, reconnecting with friends from exchange and learning more about myself. I was so lucky to be able to do all this with one of my good friends from physio school and will cherish all the memories :) I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to go on this trip and I believe the skills I learned through this such as being flexible, adaptable, sponaneous, organized, timely, solve problems quickly, as well as the different perspectives I experienced and more have added to my life in so many ways.

  • Research Analyst at University of Toronto
    Feb 2022 - May 2023 · 1 yr 4 mos

    Spinal cord injury research in Dr. Kristin Musselman's lab.