Dr. Eric Wilson, PT, DSc, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT

Dr. Wilson is running for Delegate at Large in the 2023 APTA Colorado Elections. 

Dr. Eric Wilson is the founding Program Director and current Deputy Program Director for the USAF’s Tactical Sports & OMPT Fellowship – a training pipeline preparing USAF PTs to become embedded in Special Operations units. He is well known for his “OCS Prep Course” which he has taught since 2004. Prior to retiring from the USAF in 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Wilson served as the USAF Academy’s Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and the USAF’s PT consultant for Special Operations PT. Eric served in the US Army for 4 ½ years as an Airborne Infantryman, fighting in Gulf War I as a Sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division. He earned a Masters degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1998 and worked for three years as a civilian PT prior to accepting a USAF commission in 2001. He was Rocky Mountain University of Health Profession’s first Doctor of Science graduate in 2001 and earned his FAAOMPT from Regis University’s Post-Professional Fellowship in Manual Therapy in 2008. Eric developed the USAF’s first dry needling course in 2013. He was also one of the USAF’s first PTs embedded in special operations and is the only USAF PT to have graduated from the US Army’s Flight Surgeon course as well as NOAA’s Dive Medical Officer course. Eric has taught continuing education courses since 1999 and has presented at numerous state and national meetings and has published in both peer-reviewed journals and medical texts. He has taught in Residency and Fellowship programs and has been a full-time Fellowship instructor since 2016. Eric’s work within the Federal Government and partnerships with Fellowship accrediting agencies has provided him with a deep understanding of how policy is made. He lives in Colorado Springs, CO with his wife and the world’s most spoiled dog.

Identify and describe current or previous leadership positions and/or work experiences that make you qualified for this position:
I have worked in a myriad of leadership positions for the past thirty years. It is important to remember that every leader is also a follower, and good followership is just as important as good leadership. It is also important to differentiate “leadership” from “management”. We lead people. We manage things. As a Sergeant in the US Army, I led scout/sniper teams, rifle fire teams and rifle squads – some of these in ground combat operations. In these capacities I managed hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of weapons and tactical equipment. In the Air Force as an officer, I have led small clinics as a Lieutenant, multi-specialty clinics as a Major and a Division 1 NCAA Sports Medicine Department as a Lieutenant Colonel. During these assignments, I managed tens of millions of dollars’ worth of equipment and programs. Each assignment presented their own unique challenges and rewards. Each was an opportunity for growth and learning – meaning I made a lot of mistakes. As a Fellowship instructor, I lead Air Force Captains and Majors as I teach them to be the best clinicians possible. I also lead junior faculty - teaching them how to teach. As a Fellowship manager, I have worked closely with both the APTA’s American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education and AAOMPT’s Accreditation Council on Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Education. I have worked with leaders at every level of the USAF hierarchy – Wing Commanders, Major Command Commanders, the Surgeon General, as well as countless staff officers at every level. At the end of the day, I understand politics and how politics drives policy. I also wish there was a simpler way to get things done as I don’t like politics, but I know how to play the game when needed.

What strengths do you bring to the Colorado Chapter and what strengths would you bring to the position you are running for?
In 30 years of federal government service, from being an enlisted paratrooper in the Army, to an Air Force officer and then civilian physical therapist, I have had 16 different jobs. That’s a lot. Walking into a new situation, learning as fast as I can and hitting the ground running is what I do. This means working with new subordinates, peers, and bosses alike. I am flexible and understand relationships are paramount in any organization. With that in mind, I keep my word and I do not stab people in the back.

What are weaknesses of the Colorado Chapter and what improvements would you like to make?
Organizations grow and change with each election cycle. This is both a strength and a weakness. It is a strength because of the influx of new ideas as well as limiting cronyism and nepotism. Its primary weakness involves new members crushing the learning curve in order to do their jobs. This requires a commitment from more experienced and newer members alike. Experienced members must take the time to mentor and groom the newer members who have a responsibility to have humility while working hard to understand how to do their job.