Dr. Christopher White, PT, DPT, MBA, MSPT, OCS, EMT

Dr. White is running for Vice President in the 2023 Board Elections. 

Dr. Christopher White is a highly accomplished physical therapist, healthcare executive, and military officer with an illustrious career spanning over two decades. Based in Lakewood, Colorado, he has significantly contributed to the physical therapy profession through his leadership, strategic acumen, and innovative healthcare initiatives.

Dr. White holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Temple University, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, and a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Kentucky. He completed an MBA with a concentration in Change Management from the University of Colorado. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) matching clinical excellence with education expertise.

As the Director of Rehabilitation Therapy Services for the University of Colorado Hospital, Dr. White displays exceptional leadership and strategic abilities. His expertise extends to program development and research, as evidenced by his co-authorship of multiple research papers, and he actively promotes safety and quality improvement initiatives. As an Adjunct Faculty member at California State University – Northridge for nearly a decade, he imparted advanced patient care strategies and clinical management to doctoral candidates. He is currently serving in the role of Delegate At-Large for the Colorado Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.

In addition to his professional contributions, Dr. White has served as an officer in the United States Army Reserve's Medical Specialist Corps as a physical therapist and in Military Intelligence Branch as a Space Operations Officer. His military experience includes three overseas medical missions, during which he established critical healthcare infrastructure in challenging environments.

Dr. Christopher White's exceptional accomplishments and unwavering commitment to enhancing patient care, operational efficiency, and organizational growth position him as a transformative leader in the physical therapy profession and well suited for a position in the Colorado Chapter of the APTA.

Identify and describe current or previous leadership positions and/or work experiences that make you qualified for this position:
Dr. White has served in the following leadership positions that make him qualified for a leadership role on the CO Chapter of the APTA:
  1. Director, Rehabilitation Therapy Services (Acute Care and Ambulatory): University of Colorado Health (2022-present)
  2. Manager, Rehabilitation Therapy Services (Acute Care): University of Colorado Health (2019-2022)
  3. Manager/Supervisor, Rehabilitation Therapy (Outpatient): University of California Los Angeles (2014-2019)
  4. Director, Rehab Therapy Private Practice (Outpatient): Los Angeles, CA (2005-2014)
  5. Company Commander/Executive Officer, Battalion Operations Officer: US Army 349 CSH, US Army 2nd Space BN/8th Space Company (2013-2022)
 

What strengths do you bring to the Colorado Chapter and what strengths would you bring to the position you are running for?
As a representative of the Colorado Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Dr. White brings a diverse set of strengths and qualifications that position him as an invaluable asset to the organization.

  1. Educational Background: He has extensive educational background in physical therapy clinical care, including a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Temple University, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, and a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Kentucky. His pursuit of an MBA with a Change Management Concentration further highlights your dedication to combining clinical expertise with business acumen, which can aid the chapter in strategic decision-making and planning.
  2. Leadership and Strategy: Dr. White possesses high caliber leadership and strategic abilities. As the Director of Operations and Strategy at the University of Colorado Health's Department of Rehabilitation Therapy Services, he has showcased his leadership and strategy through support of clinical excellence, process improvement such as LEAN Six Sigma Methodology, and updating models of care to support growth in throughout the spectrum of clinical care. His experience in directing operations, managing budgets, and overseeing a large staff will be invaluable in supporting the chapter's initiatives and ensuring effective resource management.
  3. Research and Program Development: Dr. White's involvement in co-authoring multiple research papers and expertise in program development emphasize his commitment to evidence-based practice and innovation. These strengths can contribute significantly to the chapter's efforts in advancing research and promoting progressive initiatives in physical therapy.
  4. Military Experience: Dr. White's service as a Major in the United States Army Reserve's Medical Specialist Corps and Military Intelligence community, coupled with overseas medical operations, showcases his ability to excel in challenging environments and adapt to diverse situations. This adaptability and experience in managing critical healthcare infrastructure can be instrumental in addressing unique challenges facing the Colorado Chapter.
  5. Professional Engagement and Certifications: Dr. White's active participation in various professional organizations, including the APTA, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, demonstrates his commitment to advancing the field and staying current with industry standards. His status as an APTA Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) further add to his expertise. 6. Teaching and Educational Commitment: Dr. White's dedication to education as an Adjunct Faculty member at California State University - Northridge highlights his ability to impart knowledge and mentor future physical therapists. This strength can contribute to educational initiatives and professional development within the chapter.

Dr. White's wealth of experiences, leadership skills, commitment to education and research, and dedication to service make him an outstanding candidate to represent the Colorado Chapter of the APTA in a leadership position. His contributions have the potential to positively impact the chapter's goals, advocacy efforts, and initiatives, further advancing the physical therapy profession in Colorado.

What are weaknesses of the Colorado Chapter and what improvements would you like to make?
Some potential weaknesses that the Colorado Chapter of the APTA might encounter include but are not limited to:
  1. Membership Engagement: One weakness could be low membership engagement or retention. It may be challenging to consistently involve all members in chapter activities, events, and decision-making processes. A lack of active engagement might hinder the chapter's ability to effectively represent and advocate for the interests of its members and/or create robust succession planning to engage new members. I believe engaging with students early to join the profession (high school outreach) and doing grass roots campaigns on what the Colorado Chapter does for it's members, can increase membership engagement.
  2. Diversity and Inclusion: The chapter, at times, struggles with promoting diversity and inclusion within its membership and leadership. Ensuring that the organization represents and serves a diverse group of physical therapists is essential for fostering an inclusive and supportive community. Developing a strategy of growth and sustainment in these areas are crucial to long term success.
  3. Advocacy and Legislative Impact: The chapter may face challenges in achieving significant advocacy and legislative impact. It could be challenging to navigate the political landscape and influence policies that directly affect the physical therapy profession and patient care in the state due to higher priority needs at the national level. Increasing our advocacy efforts and partnering with like states will be crucial to build our impact for change.
  4. Communication and Outreach: Insufficient communication and outreach efforts could lead to a lack of awareness about the chapter's activities and opportunities among its members and potential stakeholders. Effective communication is vital for engaging members and maintaining a strong presence in the community. Leveraging technology to inform members and build a historical record of motions attempted and passed can hep to create continuity and engage members across the state.
  5. Professional Development Opportunities: Inadequate access to quality professional development opportunities could hinder members' growth and advancement in their careers. Allowing members to see what the Colorado Chapter does to support them can provide growth opportunities to new leaders.
  6. Public Awareness: The chapter might face challenges in raising public awareness about the role and benefits of physical therapy, potentially impacting the profession's perception and utilization within the state. Campaigns for community engagement will be essential for long term success of the chapter to educate our patients and state representatives on what we do to improve health equity.
It's important to note that weaknesses can be addressed and converted into opportunities for improvement. Identifying and acknowledging these weaknesses can pave the way for strategic planning and implementation of solutions to enhance the overall effectiveness and impact of the Colorado Chapter of the APTA.