Uphs – Portage Heroes | Matthew Smith, Pt, Bphty

What is your role at UPHS-Portage?
I am a Physical Therapist at the UPHS – Portage Houghton rehab clinic.

How long have you been employed here? How have you been enjoying your employment experience thus far?
I started 4 months ago in May and have enjoyed being able to work with people again after my 3-year hiatus transitioning to the United States. All of the staff has been very supportive and patient helping me acclimate to working in the United States.

What does a typical day look like for you?
Take the dog for a walk/run first thing in the summer or watch him run in the snow while I shovel in the winter, followed by a large bowl of porridge with a flat white for breakfast. A short 10-minute walk to work at the Student Development Complex at Michigan Technological University. Then, I see patients between 8 am and 6 pm helping them understand pain and injury and helping them return to what they want to be able to do through exercise and activity. If time allows I try and get some wood carving in at the end of the day!

Can you share with us where you grew up and what your favorite childhood memory is?
I grew up in Christchurch which is on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. We have a small extinct volcano to the south, the beach 20 minutes away to the east, and a large mountain range along the west of the city. My favorite childhood memories all involve holidays on the beach and hiking.

Tell us a little bit about your family:
Both my parents are originally from England but met in New Zealand. I have a younger brother and 5 older siblings. Two of them live in Melbourne, Australia, one in Brisbane, Australia, a brother in the UK and the remaining two brothers are still in New Zealand. My wife, Samantha, is from Ohio and we met whilst she was studying in New Zealand. We moved to Houghton in 2019 for her job as a professor at Michigan Tech.  We also have Tane, our 5-year-old labrador-shepherd at home with us.

What sorts of things do you like to do in your spare time?
Hiking the Keweenaw, swimming, eating good food, taking Tane out, and carving wooden spoons

What is the best part about working for UPHS-Portage?
Being a part of a team that is actively working towards improving the health and well-being of the community we live in.