Featured New Faculty: Folarin Babatunde
Folarin Babatunde has been a physical therapist for more than 20 years. These days he is also a researcher and a teacher.
Having completed a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Ibadan (Nigeria) and practicing for some time as a physical therapist, Babatunde made the decision to move to the England and go back to school to upgrade his skills. Looking to better address the broad nature of concerns he observed in his patients, he completed a second MSc, this time in Sports and Exercise Medicine at the University of Nottingham (UK). This degree opened new doors and led to him working across multiple specialties including neurological rehabilitation, acquired brain injury, musculoskeletal health, but change and a bit of adventure called.
“I don’t know why, but it was always my childhood dream to come to Canada,” says Babatunde.
So when an opportunity came to visit Montreal and Toronto back in 2012 – he took it. He enjoyed both the European feel of Montreal and the multicultural nature of Toronto, and during this trip his decision to move to Canada one day was cemented.
Babatunde soon enrolled in the PhD program at McMaster University. There, he worked with Professor Joy McDermid, and that association continues today as both now work at Western. While completing his PhD Babatunde began work at Sunnybrook and Hennick Bridgepoint hospitals in Toronto, and he was still there when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Working on a COVID floor, even before vaccines became available, his clinical work was rewarding but also scary and grim. After a couple of years, he was ready for a break from clinical practice.
“I don’t know why, but it was always my childhood dream to come to Canada,” says Babatunde.
Seeing teaching as one way to give back and share his experience with new students, Babatunde accepted the position of Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at Western in January 2022. A generalist in physical therapy practice, he takes a similar approach as an instructor and researcher; he teaches a variety of subjects and sees their interconnectedness. His new role includes evidence-informed teaching and knowledge translation.
Professor Babatunde is also the International Clinical Placement Lead and Evidence-Informed Teaching and Knowledge Translation Lead in the School of Physical Therapy, facilitating international clinical placements as well as working on exchanges with other universities as pandemic restrictions lift.
Outside of practicing, teaching and researching physical therapy, he performs in a gospel music band alongside his wife, Keziah.
