Convocation ‘26: Stephanie Hovdestad, MSc in Physical Therapy

Stephanie Hovdestad's journey to a physiotherapy career began on the rugby pitch — specifically while sidelined from the sport she loves due to injury. Navigating her own rehabilitation alongside the clinicians tasked with her recovery sparked the realization that she wanted to be the person who steps in when the action stops to help athletes get back on the field. 

This first-hand exposure to the power of recovery led her to the MSc in Physical Therapy program, driven by the goal of helping others return to the activities they find most meaningful.

Managing this pursuit while balancing varsity sports with the Pandas Rugby team was challenging. Leaning on her teammates and classmates, Stephanie developed a disciplined commitment to organization, time management and community connection — skills that, following graduation, now form the foundation of her professional identity as physiotherapy officer with the Canadian Armed Forces.

Congratulations Stephanie!

Which faculty, program and department are you graduating from?

The Masters of Science in Physical Therapy program in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. 

What led you to choose this area of study?

After breaking both of my ankles playing rugby (not at the same time), I got a firsthand look at the rehabilitation process. Spending time both as the injured athlete and alongside the physios working to get me back on the field sparked my interest in the profession. I loved the idea of being right in the action but also having the knowledge and skills to step in when someone gets hurt and help them get back to doing what they love. That experience ultimately led me to pursue physiotherapy.

What is your favourite memory from your time at the faculty?

One of my favourite memories was during Thursday Night Pong when Mark and Doug unexpectedly walked out in full leisure wear. It completely caught everyone off guard and had the whole room laughing. Moments like that captured what made the program special; it’s a demanding program, but with a great sense of community and humour.

Did you take on any leadership or volunteer roles while you were a student? If so, please share your experiences.

I served as co-president of the Physical Therapy Students’ Association (PTSA), which was one of the highlights of my time in the program. The PTSA had an incredible group of students, and I loved working together to strengthen the sense of community within the faculty and organize initiatives that supported our classmates throughout the program.

Alongside that, I competed as a varsity athlete with the Pandas Rugby team. Balancing the demands of a professional program with varsity sport was challenging but incredibly rewarding, and I was honoured to be named a 2024 Canada West All-Star in my final year of eligibility.

I also worked on the at-distance performance analysis team supporting the Canadian Olympic Committee. In this role, I helped manage and organize competition footage for events including the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games and the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. I supported the development of remote performance analysis workflows and contributed to training resources for video analysis software used by the performance technology team. It was an amazing opportunity to contribute to high-performance sport behind the scenes while continuing my studies.

Did you face any significant challenges while you were a student, and if so, how did you respond?

One of the biggest challenges was balancing the demands of a professional program while competing in varsity rugby, alongside additional extracurriculars and work. Between classes, studying, training and games, time management became essential. Learning how to stay organized, prioritize what mattered most, and lean on my teammates and classmates helped me navigate the busy schedule.

What advice do you have for current or future students?

Take your time, trust the process and believe in yourself. There will be challenging moments, but those are often the ones that help you grow the most. Stay curious, support the people around you and keep your fighting spirit.

How do you plan on celebrating convocation?

I’m currently at basic training with the Canadian Armed Forces, so my celebration will look a little different this year. Instead of a traditional celebration, I’ll likely be spending the day training which may include learning how to jump over a six-foot wall in full military kit.

What's next after graduation?

After graduation, I will be serving as a physiotherapy officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, where I will support the health, recovery and operational readiness of military personnel.