March 15, 2024#WeAreNorthern
Meet Tom Cooper, Senior Physiotherapist, Northern Health.
Q. What is your coffee order?
A: Strong cappuccino to start the day, followed by a long black I make myself with the Aeropress. I have a caffeine problem.
Q. Can you tell us a bit about your career?
A: I started at the Austin Hospital as a new grad, rotating around different services to gain experience. I came to Northern Health in 2017 and start working in the Emergency Department and community outpatients at Craigieburn. It was a really challenging job, but I learned heaps and met great people. I have been supported to grow and develop into a senior clinician, including going on to complete my Masters degree and start credentialing as an advanced practice physio in the ED. I now run the Staff Physiotherapy Clinic, where I get to provide care to all our staff at Northern Health.
I have met lots of lovely people from all over the organisation, and what continually amazes me is that everyone who comes and sees me is really passionate about their job, trying to improve things in their area/department and want to get better with the care they receive from me so they can do their jobs better. I feel really lucky to serve a great bunch of patients.
Q. What is your greatest achievement or favourite memory since working here?
A: The day the Staff Physio Clinic got executive endorsement to become a permanent full time service at the end of 2021 was definitely the biggest achievement. The clinic was initially a pilot program for 12 months, only running 3three days a week. It was a massive undertaking to get it up and running from nothing. The outcomes we achieved in terms of people getting better, the high level of satisfaction from staff using the clinic and the positive contribution it made to organisation in reducing workplace injury claims were really strong. I was so relieved when we got the sign off. The support I had from the Physiotherapy and OHS departments was massive, and the clinic wouldn’t be where it is today without their guidance.
Q. How do you relax after a long shift?
A: No relaxing after work, I have two little kids to feed, bathe and get to bed in the evenings, so I relax before work with exercise. I’m up at 5 am most days, out for a run or hit the weights in the morning before the kids are awake. It sets me up for the day, I feel relaxed, less stressed and that I accomplished something good for myself before the day has even begun.
Q. Where is a favourite place you’ve travelled and why?
A: 4WD trip through the outback of the Northern Territory and Eastern Kimberly in WA with my best mate. Our Ute got bogged in a crocodile infested river near Kakadu National Park and had to get towed out by a passerby while a bus load of tourists watched on from the side of the riverbed. I was certain we were going to end up on the news or YouTube. Australia is the best place to travel, get out and see your own backyard. Just don’t get bogged a water crossing full of crocs!
For more information or to book an appointment with Tom, please visit the Intranet page or email staffphysio@nh.org.au
