Top Contributor October 2024 | Martina Lukin
We are thrilled to recognise Martina as this month’s Top Contributor at Physiopedia! Martina is an essential part of our team, bringing her expertise as a Prosthetist and Orthotist into everything she does. Her clinical background shines through in the thoughtful way she approaches challenges and supports her peers, but it’s her compassion and leadership that truly set her apart.
Martina works with the International Rehabilitation Education Toolkit (IRETT) team and also helps with clinical skills development programs in Pakistan through train-the-trainer initiatives, elevating standards of care and knowledge across the country.
As the Manager of our Communities of Practice platform, Martina facilitates vibrant discussions where rehabilitation professionals from around the world come together to learn, share, and grow. Her calming and inspiring presence makes her a natural leader in this space, where her thoughtful guidance is felt by all who interact with her. Martina, your diligent, caring nature and your commitment to improving the lives of others make you an invaluable member of the Physiopedia family. Every day, your work positively impacts the world of rehabilitation, and we are so fortunate to have you on our team.Thank you for all you do and for sharing your generous heart.
Time active with Physiopedia: I joined the ReLAB-HS team in October 2021. It’s been three years and two weeks, which is (amazingly) the longest I’ve ever worked in any role / on any project in my entire professional career!
Current role with Physiopedia: Currently, I’m part of the ReLAB-HS Toolkit team. My primary role is to be the focal point for Clinical Skills Training Implementation in Pakistan and developing the Clinical Skills Training Tool as part of the International Rehabilitation Education Toolkit (IRETT). I also support reporting to USAID and manage the Rehabilitation Community online platform, the Communities of Practice platform.
Where did you go to university/college? I studied Prosthetics and Orthotics in Australia at La Trobe University, Melbourne (a very long time ago!). I’ve since also completed a Diploma in Pilates Instruction and am a certified Health Coach.
Where do you work? My current work is 100% online! At the moment, I’m working from a beach resort in Bali
Describe your role: As well as being part of the Physiopedia team and implementing ReLAB-HS Activities, I’m also working on a research piece for the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO), which involves reviewing the available research on the needs, benefits and risks associated with various categories of prosthetic and orthotic devices. This work will feed into updating the Prosthetics and Orthotics categories of WHO’s Priority Assistive Products list.
What is the most rewarding part of being a clinician or working with Physiopedia? I haven’t worked clinically for a long time, but I do miss the interaction with patients! I started my career specialising in prosthetics and working with new amputees; I met some incredible people with incredible stories, and it was a privilege to help them regain their mobility post-amputation. I’ve since transitioned into project management and technical support roles, which have led me to work with rehabilitation professionals in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Libya and Ukraine. Learning to communicate and adapt treatment approaches across contexts and cultures has been the greatest gift from working internationally.
What are some of the more challenging aspects of your work? Working remotely comes with its own set of challenges, and I think the most challenging aspect is finding new ways to engage with the rehab professionals that we work with in Pakistan, Uganda, Myanmar, and Ukraine and build meaningful relationships across the screen! Personally, I think building strong relationships is the key to achieving everything that we’ve done so far as part of ReLAB-HS activities.
What are some of your professional passions? After living and working in nine (!!!) different countries, I’ve come to appreciate the differences and similarities in how health systems function in different countries around the world. I’ve developed a passion for finding ways to connect the health services and the professionals working in them to the public so that there is a shared understanding of where and how services are provided. In Georgia, for example, I started an online resource – a bit like an Airbnb for rehab services – to help people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities find and access the services that they need throughout the country.
What are a few of your personal passions? I have so many hobbies – basically, things I love to do but never get time for! If I’m not at the desk or spending time with my two sons (aged 4 and 6) you’ll find me lifting weights in the gym, going for a run or joining a yoga class. I love reading and will usually have my nose in a health and wellness-related book. Most recently, I read Peter Attia’s book, and I just started a book called How to Die Happy, which has been a fun read so far. We recently moved to Bali, so my very new passion is discovering my new surroundings and exploring the island on a scooter. When we are more settled, I plan to get back into two of my other passions: gardening and tinkering in the kitchen.
What would be your advice to a newly graduating physiotherapist or professional? Be humble. Take the time to observe, listen and learn from colleagues and patients alike. Everyone has a story that can help shape the way you practice. Don’t be afraid to try something new.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I’d love to continue working remotely for some time to come. I’d like to be part of a work that assists conflict-affected populations in Gaza, Ukraine, and other parts of the world.
What are the best things about being a part of the Physiopedia team?I’m so grateful to be a part of Physiopedia! In addition to the flexibility of working for a completely remote organisation, the best thing about Physiopedia is my colleagues! I’ve really enjoyed working with our inter-professional and international team of brilliant rehab professionals. Never have I learnt so much from people that I rarely see in person!
I’ve also loved working as part of a project where I’ve had the opportunity to influence the direction of activities and outcomes. I feel incredibly proud when I look back at where we started with ReLAB-HS and how far we’ve come over the years – especially because the tools that we’ve built and activities that we’ve implemented have been relevant and useful to the rehab professionals that we’ve worked with in Uganda, Pakistan, Myanmar and Ukraine. It feels like we are part of something really special.
How has being a Physiopedia team member helped your professional development/career progression? I’ve had some amazing opportunities to attend and present at conferences, such as the ISPO World Congress in Mexico last year. I naturally shy away from public speaking, and even the thought of speaking to a group makes me incredibly nervous at times! Working with Physiopedia has definitely helped me step out of my comfort zone a bit and also be a better team member.
What are your hopes and aspirations for Physiopedia? I hope Physiopedia continues the journey into the realm of humanitarian-assisted and project-based work! There are definitely challenges, and it may not always feel like a worthy cause, but the final result is always rewarding.
What is your favourite Plus course? There are many I have yet to get to, but the most recent and favourite has been Larisa Hoffman’s program on clinical reasoning.
Anything else you would like to share? Nothing else to share! Thank you for the opportunity to be a top contributor!