In a time when healthcare is evolving faster than ever, physical therapists are stepping into new roles as innovators, educators, entrepreneurs, and tech pioneers. Across clinics, classrooms, boardrooms, and digital spaces, a new wave of leaders is shaping the future of physical therapy, bringing vision, voice, and real-world solutions to the challenges that clinicians and patients face today.
In this edition of Physical Therapy Thought Leaders to Watch, we're spotlighting individuals who are pushing boundaries, building impactful communities, and redefining what's possible in our profession. From advancing MSK ultrasound and launching tech-powered clinics to transforming patient education and leading global conversations, these trailblazers are worth following not just for what they do, but for how they think.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner, an educator, or an early-career therapist looking for inspiration, these leaders represent the bold, collaborative, and forward-thinking spirit driving physical therapy into its next era.
Founder and Principal Consultant at Rehab Think Tank
Alex is a seasoned healthcare technology innovator with more than 20 years of experience transforming patient care through advanced digital solutions. He specializes in developing cutting-edge clinical pathways and leveraging AI to optimize patient outcomes and enhance operational efficiency. Known for his expertise in emerging health technologies and remote therapeutic monitoring, Alex has a proven track record in driving success in competitive markets. His collaborative approach has led to high-impact partnerships with organizations like the Department of Defense and prominent private enterprises. By integrating clinical and engineering teams, he consistently delivers breakthrough healthcare solutions.
Founder of ChoosePT1st.com and Physical Therapist at Total Therapy Solutions LLC
Anthony Maritato is a physical therapist, clinic owner, and educator with over two decades of experience in the physical therapy field. He specializes in total knee replacement rehab and leads Total Therapy Solutions LLC, where his focus on personalized, outcome-driven care has helped countless patients regain mobility and confidence. Beyond the clinic, Anthony is also the founder of ChoosePT1st.com, a national directory built to help patients find the right physical therapist for their specific needs. This project reflects his ongoing mission to empower both patients and practitioners through transparency, access, and education.
With a background in business and martial arts, Anthony brings structure, empathy, and innovation to everything he does. He also creates valuable educational content for patients and fellow PTs, making him a respected and relatable voice in the physical therapy community.
Clinical Care Experience Director at Prisma Health
Brandy is a fierce advocate for safer healthcare and a powerful voice for clinicians navigating career transitions. As the host of Clinician Career Reboot, she shares practical tips, inspiring journeys, and honest conversations about leaving patient care, shifting into new roles, and driving impact in healthcare and beyond. Brandy’s work is especially valuable for healthcare professionals who are ready to pivot but still want to use their clinical expertise meaningfully. She’s a must-follow for anyone exploring what’s next while staying committed to improving the healthcare system from every angle.
Physical Therapist at United States Space Force
Carlos is an experienced physical therapist currently serving with the United States Space Force, where he applies his expertise to ensure the health and readiness of personnel in this unique and specialized environment. In addition to his role in the Space Force, Carlos is a dedicated volunteer content reviewer for the APCA Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program. In this capacity, he contributes to maintaining high standards in diagnostic ultrasound by reviewing and approving quiz questions, answers, rationales, and media. Carlos also engages in self-paced learning and collaborates with the MOC team to ensure that certification materials remain up-to-date and aligned with best practices in the field. His dual contributions to healthcare and education demonstrate his commitment to advancing the physical therapy and diagnostic ultrasound industries.
Clinical Director at Spear Physical Therapy
Clyde is a Physical Therapist, Sports Physical Therapy Fellow, and Sports Performance Coach who focuses on closing the gap between rehabilitation and athletic performance. He works closely with soccer players and athletes across skill levels to support full recovery and maximize performance on game day. Clyde combines clinical precision with performance-based strategies to ensure that athletes are not only ready to return to play but also prepared to excel. His content is ideal for clinicians who want to integrate performance concepts into their care and for athletes looking to recover smarter and perform better.
Business Partner at Modern Physical Therapy And Sports Medicine
Colin is a master physical therapist, seasoned educator, and recognized leader in musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound. With over a decade of experience teaching radiology and imaging for orthopedic physical therapy, he has become a bridge-builder between physical therapy and sports medicine. As a business partner at Modern Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine and co-founder of the Advanced Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Center, Colin is streamlining the way clinicians diagnose and treat MSK conditions with precision and efficiency. His approach blends clinical mastery with innovative diagnostics. His commitment to advancing the use of MSK ultrasound in physical therapy education and practice makes him a go-to resource for clinicians seeking to elevate their diagnostic skills
Founder at Physical Therapy Biz
Danny is a visionary leader in the physical therapy space, known for helping performance-based clinicians grow their businesses while also enhancing their quality of life. Through Physical Therapy Biz, he combines clinical expertise with sharp business strategy to help cash-based practices reach new levels of success. His work has earned accolades such as the Inc. 5000 and Vet 100 honors, highlighting the meaningful impact of his approach. As the host of the PT Entrepreneur Podcast, Danny delivers real-world advice that helps clinicians confidently navigate the business side of healthcare. His message is grounded in the belief that you can build a thriving practice without sacrificing your relationships, health, or personal time.
Vice President, Athlete Care at New Jersey Devils
Chris is a distinguished leader in sports medicine, combining a Doctorate in Physical Therapy with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Boston University. He is a board-certified Clinical Specialist in Sport through the American Physical Therapy Association, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, and also certified in Organizational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. His expertise includes athlete care coordination, return-to-play protocols, sports science, and organizational design, making him a trusted voice in both clinical and performance environments. For over a decade, he has worked at the highest levels of professional sports, serving in impactful roles within the NBA and NHL. His ability to lead interdisciplinary teams, build efficient care systems, and apply sports science to real-world performance challenges makes him an influential figure in the evolution of athlete health and recovery
President & CEO at Resilient Healthcare
Jackleen is the visionary leader behind Resilient Healthcare, where she is transforming patient care with innovative hospital-at-home services. With over a decade of experience, she is dedicated to making healthcare more accessible and transparent. Jackleen’s entrepreneurial journey includes founding a post-acute rehabilitation company, leading a neurology therapy clinic, and co-owning a physical therapy management firm, all while integrating technology and innovation to improve patient care. She holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rutgers University and has been recognized in Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the "116 Women in Health IT to Know." As a UBS Luminary Fellow and a thought leader for Forbes, Jackleen is shaping the health-tech landscape. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and has a passion for soccer. She is also an active member of WBL (Women Business Leaders of the US Health Care Industry Foundation).
Doctor of Physical Therapy and Owner of Intricate Art Spine & Body Solutions
Jason is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the founder of Intricate Art Spine & Body Solutions, a continuing education platform helping healthcare professionals sharpen both clinical and business skills. Through his CEU Central community, he provides board-certified courses in dry needling, nutrition, and business, giving clinicians practical tools to enhance patient outcomes and professional growth. His mission focuses on delivering high-impact education, fostering collaboration, and supporting long-term success.
President & CEO at JAG Physical Therapy
John is a nationally recognized voice in physical therapy and sports medicine, with a career that bridges clinical excellence, media presence, and authorship. He’s frequently featured on outlets like ESPN, PIX11, and Fox5, and is the author of Soccer Injury Prevention & Treatment and co-author of Play Ball: Don’t Let Injuries Sideline You This Season. His third and most personal book, The JAG Method, offers a motivational roadmap for personal and professional growth.
Beyond his role as President & CEO of JAG Physical Therapy, Gallucci serves as Assistant Chief Medical Officer for Major League Soccer and consults with professional athletes across sports. He’s also been a clinical instructor at institutions like Columbia and Rutgers and remains deeply committed to giving back through community health and youth sports initiatives.
CEO at COACH!
John DeLucchi is a powerhouse in musculoskeletal (MSK) care, blending clinical expertise, operational strategy, and bold innovation to reshape how care is delivered. As Co-Founder and CEO of HURT! Coach, he leads the vision and execution of a next-gen health and fitness coaching platform designed to reduce inefficiencies, improve outcomes, and humanize the patient experience.
In parallel, John serves as Clinic Manager at PT Solutions Physical Therapy, where he oversees clinical, administrative, and financial operations. Armed with his DPT and MBA, he brings a systems-thinking approach to leadership, data analysis, and scalable care design.
John’s skill set reads like a superpower roster: transforming MSK strategy with clinical clarity, decoding data into actionable insights as a SAS Accredited Business Analyst, optimizing Epic workflows with precision, and building retention-driven teams and scalable growth models that work in real life, not just on paper.
Founder at Pure PT Supply
Joseph is a lifelong entrepreneur who’s bringing a bold, fresh mindset to the Physical Therapy supply world. After years of running e-commerce businesses, he is now on a mission to flip the script in PT by helping clinic owners keep more of their hard-earned profits rather than handing them over to overpriced product companies. He is challenging the status quo and building solutions that truly serve the people on the frontlines
Regional Operations Manager at ACP
Julia is a high-performing healthcare leader known for balancing clinical excellence with strategic operations. She managed 14 clinics while maintaining a full patient caseload, sharpening her ability to prioritize, lead, and deliver outstanding care. After transitioning into digital health, she quickly rose into leadership by leveraging technology to improve outcomes and scale patient impact. Julia thrives on driving innovation, exceeding performance metrics, and mentoring others as she continues to grow her influence. Based in Santa Paula, CA, she enjoys traveling with her husband and dog, Barley, and is always on the hunt for great food, hidden breweries, and local wineries.
Vice President - Strategy Consulting at Lumanity
Jumaah Goldberg is a strategic healthcare leader with 18 years of experience guiding pharmaceutical and medical technology organizations through complex global launches. Known for blending scientific expertise with business strategy, she has played a key role in bringing 9 neuroscience therapies and medical devices to market. Jumaah thrives in cross-functional environments, aligning stakeholders from key opinion leaders (KOLs) to regulatory agencies and patient advocacy groups to drive innovation and improve outcomes. Her strengths span product lifecycle management, global team leadership, and optimizing operating models to deliver measurable impact.
Owner, Educator at Redefine Health Education
Katie is redefining continuing education for physical therapists through her company, Redefine Health Education. She focuses on equipping PTs in primary care roles with cutting-edge, practical training. A residency-trained and board-certified orthopedic Doctor of Physical Therapy, she brings strong clinical expertise, especially in managing hip and pelvic conditions. She’s a standout leader pushing the boundaries of how PTs learn and grow in modern practice.
Founder at Modern Pain Care
Why you should follow Mark Kargela
Mark is the Founder of Modern Pain Care, a company committed to transforming how pain is understood and managed globally through clinician education and patient empowerment. With nearly a decade at the helm, he has developed practical frameworks that challenge outdated beliefs and bring science-backed strategies to the forefront of care. He also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at a leading university, where he mentors the next generation of healthcare professionals. Through the Modern Pain Podcast, Mark creates a space for diverse perspectives including clinicians, researchers, and patients to share insights and advance meaningful conversations around pain.
Instructor at Redefine Health Education
Lance is a passionate advocate for the physical therapy profession, with a strong focus on advancing the field through research, policy, and education. He’s dedicated to creating a stronger, more unified voice for physical therapists, pushing for better recognition and support across the healthcare system. Whether through legislative advocacy or thought leadership, Lance is constantly working to elevate the profession and its impact.
Director of Education Development at Advanced Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Center
Ryan is a seasoned physical therapist with a specialization in musculoskeletal ultrasound, and he is passionate about advancing the field of physical therapy. He is deeply invested in empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals through education. As the Director of Education Development at the Advanced Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Center, Ryan is shaping the future of education in musculoskeletal ultrasound. In addition to his work as an educator, Ryan is a business partner at Modern Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, where he contributes to the growth and success of thriving clinics. His commitment to innovation extends beyond his role as an educator. Through his LinkedIn group called "Physical Therapy Outside the Box", he is bringing together professionals from all corners of healthcare to challenge conventional practices, share insights, and foster discussions that lead to breakthroughs.
Senior Director, Clinical Services at Omada Health
Todd is a trailblazer in digital physical therapy. As the clinical leader and founding member of Physera, he built and scaled the first nationwide network of exclusively telehealth PTs. His early work earned him four patents in computer vision and machine learning. After Physera’s acquisition by Omada Health in 2020, Todd transitioned into his current role as Senior Director of Clinical Services, where he led the team through rapid growth and spearheaded the initiative that earned Omada the first URAC telehealth accreditation in the MSK space.
A respected thought leader, Todd has been published in major journals and invited to speak by leading healthcare organizations. He’s also a contributor to product development, writing code, shaping EMR features, and integrating emerging tech to enhance patient care. Outside the clinic, he’s a competitive cyclist, Stanford sports fan, and an active mentor and coach in the PT community.
The future of physical therapy isn’t just being written. It’s being built, taught, coded, filmed, and lived by these standout professionals. Their work reminds us that innovation in our field doesn’t always come from big systems. It often starts with one clinician challenging the status quo, one idea that redefines care, or one conversation that sparks a new path.
Follow these thought leaders. Learn from them. Connect with them. And if you feel inspired, join them in shaping a future where physical therapy isn’t just reactive care, but a proactive, dynamic force in modern healthcare.
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