The first in her family to complete a bachelor’s degree, Bachelor of Health Science in Respiratory Therapy (BHSc RT) graduate Emma Taylor is thrilled by and thankful for all that she has learned at Dal so far.
“Although I had always heard advice about pursuing something you love, I didn’t fully understand its significance until I experienced it firsthand,” says Taylor.
Life at Dal
Excited to nurture her love of science and experience city life, Taylor left her hometown of Canning, Nova Scotia, to start university education at Dal in 2018. Taylor initially enrolled in the BSc in Microbiology and Immunology program before transferring into the BHSc RT program in 2020.
The clinical practicums that are guaranteed from May to June during the first three years of study, and the opportunity to start working in the field of respiratory therapy after the third year of study initially stood out to Taylor as some of the BHSc RT program’s most exciting features. Taylor’s interest in respiratory therapy was motivated by an interaction with a second year BHSc RT student, her lifelong passion for healthcare, and her own childhood experiences with respiratory issues.
“It is profoundly rewarding to complete this journey with my own health in mind and to give back to others who find themselves in similar situations to what I once experienced," says Taylor.
Taylor completed her clinical practicums in rural Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and worked as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RT) at the IWK Health Centre during her final year of undergraduate study. She is especially grateful for the friendships and professional network that she has cultivated through her education in the BHSc RT program.
“I feel fortunate that some of my classmates have also become my colleagues. With a class size of just 12, we grew very close,” says Taylor.
Research interests and professional aims
During her third year in the program, Taylor became interested in neonatal and pediatric respiratory medicine and began investigating the topic in depth. One concentration of Taylor’s research was the use of Lung Ultrasound in differentiating between respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) in neonates (newborn infants). Taylor showcased her research in a poster at the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists Annual Conference where it won first place in the student category.
Throughout her university education, research and professional work, Taylor has prioritized cultivating her understanding of how the social determinants of health influence patient health and healthcare delivery in Canada.
“For me, becoming a respiratory therapist goes beyond specializing in cardiopulmonary medicine; it involves addressing broader health issues and improving overall patient care," says Taylor.
Now a medical student
In addition to providing her with skills, interests and connections that empower her in her role as an RT, Taylor’s time in the BHSc RT program has fueled her love for medicine. Taylor’s undergraduate education and professional experiences in the field of respiratory therapy ultimately inspired her decision to enter Dal’s MD program in fall 2024.
“I truly believe that my journey to medical school would not have been possible without the insights and skills gained as a respiratory therapist," says Taylor.