Azusa Pacific University professors are knowledgeable in their fields from their personal work experience. Susan Shore, PT, PhD, associate dean of the School of Health Sciences, had the opportunity to practice as a physical therapist in different countries before becoming a professor. Her time abroad was filled with unique opportunities and valuable lessons that she passes on to her students.
As a senior in high school, Shore taught a Sunday school class, and one of the students had severe arthritis that prevented her from attending. Shore went to say hello to the girl, and her mom asked if she wanted to come over and help with exercises a few times a week. From there, her passion for physical therapy took off. “I loved working with someone I could help and creating that ongoing relationship.”
Shore received her BS at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and her MS in Physical Therapy (PT) from the University of Minnesota. After graduation, she joined the Navigators, a non-denominational Christian Organization where she spent 4 years learning and serving in evangelism and discipleship in Romania.
Shore met her Canadian husband during that time who also worked for the same organization. She completed her PhD in exercise science from the University of Toronto and then moved with her family to Russia and Romania where Shore volunteered as a PT in orphanages, working with World Vision and a local nonprofit organization.
I was deeply impacted as I witnessed the difficult lives of the people with disabilities there,” she said. “I had the opportunity to see the extent of resources available to them, or the lack thereof. Being there gave me the chance as a Christian to be present and helpful in that situation.
Shore’s time working abroad led to her research interest in evaluating adaptive equipment and the provision of services for the disabled. Shore is involved in an organization called the Free Wheelchair Mission, which supplies free wheelchairs to people with disabilities around the world. The organization also provides training on how to use them effectively and how to adjust them to best fit the needs of each person. Through research, Shore has evaluated various aspects of life impacted by having access to mobility through a wheelchair. She found that mobility opens doors to education and employment opportunities for those with disabilities and allows them to better care for themselves and their families.
When her husband was transferred to the World Vision office in Monrovia, Shore decided to apply for a faculty position at APU and began teaching in 2001. Since then, she has continued to reflect on how PT connects to her faith. “In PT, we work with people at vulnerable times in their lives; we have the opportunity to serve them and be the hands of Jesus to bring comfort and aid healing,” she said. “Jesus cared for people in need, so we can learn from his caring attitude and example.”
Working with patients sometimes leads to emotional challenges. “You care for your patients, so their pain impacts you,” Shore said. “Being able to empathize with patients makes you a better therapist, but it can be challenging to answer their questions, and your own, about pain in the world and God’s involvement in it. At APU, we have the opportunity to engage students in these big questions by looking at how Jesus demonstrated compassion for others.” In the classroom, Shore talks not only about Jesus’ example but also about Job, and how he related to God during intense suffering. These connections and conversations further her students’ understanding of how to be the hands of Jesus in their work. “I have seen how God has led me to different places and opportunities throughout my career, and it has been fulfilling for me both personally and spiritually.”