Dr. Rachel Russell, PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Russell is running for Director at Large - Young Professionals Director in the 2023 APTA Colorado Elections. 

Dr. Rachel Russell is an outpatient physical therapist at UCHealth Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic - Central Park. She grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she discovered her love for green chile and the outdoors. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of New Mexico in 2016. She then received a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado in 2020, where she served as Vice President of her class. She is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and associated faculty at the University of Colorado, teaching students in Examination and Evaluation, Foundations of Intervention, and Neuromuscular Conditions labs. She is a member of the Colorado Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association and supports both the Neurology and Orthopaedic sections. Rachel is committed to being a compassionate advocate for her patients' well-being. She strives to understand their unique needs and tailors her treatment plans accordingly, empowering them to achieve their optimal physical health and overall wellness. When not in the clinic, you can find her gardening, reading, or hiking throughout Colorado with her dog, Murphy.

Identify and describe current or previous leadership positions and/or work experiences that make you qualified for this position:
I have had the privilege of holding several leadership positions and gaining valuable work experiences that have helped prepare me for this position. One of my most significant leadership experiences was serving as Vice President of my class at the University of Colorado Physical Therapy program. In this role, I was responsible for spearheading major projects with the vice presidents from the other medical programs at CU. This opportunity taught me invaluable skills in coordinating with other professionals and accomplishing tasks collaboratively, recognizing the power of teamwork in achieving ambitious goals.
Currently I am responsible for coordinating monthly in-services and journal clubs for the Central Park clinic at UCHealth. This role has further refined my communication skills, strengthened my ability to work effectively within a team, and enhanced my capacity to complete tasks with timeliness and good organization.
 

What strengths do you bring to the Colorado Chapter and what strengths would you bring to the position you are running for?
As a member of the Colorado Chapter, I bring several strengths that can positively impact our organization. One of my key strengths is my involvement in both the academic and clinical side of physical therapy through my role as associated faculty at CU and as a treating clinician at UCHealth. As the Young Professional Director I will not only be connected to the physical therapists throughout Colorado who I work with and graduated with, but will have current connections with the young professionals at CU.

What are weaknesses of the Colorado Chapter and what improvements would you like to make?
The chapter faces challenges in consistently engaging its members, leading to decreased participation in events and activities in the community. To address this, I would use my current network to enhance membership engagement by implementing creative and interactive initiatives, such as workshops and networking events, to foster a sense of community and encourage active participation among members.