Academy of Leadership and Innovation

 
Director of Operations
 

NATALIE NOVAK, PT, DPT

Pittsburgh, PA

BIOGRAPHY

I am born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. I have worked for over six years for a large hospital-based rehab institute as an outpatient Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with a practice focus in the treatment of TMD. In addition to patient care, I am Adjunct Faculty at the University of Pittsburgh Physical Therapy Department.  Since my time as a student, I have been involved within the APTA. I am currently the APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovation Membership Services Committee Chair and Social Media Subcommittee Chair. For the APTA PA, I serve as the PAC Treasurer and member of the PAC Event Planning Subcommittee, as well as serve as admin for the Southwest District social media accounts.  I have always been passionate about advocacy and leadership within the physical therapy profession, and that led me to the Academy of Leadership and Innovation as a student. After completing the LAMP 101 course, I was really hooked on the Academy and what it has to offer. I have continued to seek out ways to become involved in the Academy and APTA as a whole, and I am especially interested in advocating for physical therapy and physical therapists, educating other stakeholders about physical therapy, the use of social media in physical therapy.

 
STATEMENT

The Academy has served me time and time again in my professional journey, and I hope to be a part of its continued growth and development to serve its members. I view the Academy as a leader in so many areas, like global health, technology, advocacy, social justice, LGBTQ+ rights and service, and innovative practice, just to name a few, and I will be an ambassador for the Academy, completing the duties of seeking new opportunities and connecting our members in a meaningful and productive way to reach our goals. In my current roles, I have had the pleasure of getting to know current Academy leaders and members, learn more about our SIGs, Committees, and Catalyst Groups, and recognize the potential within this Academy. I'm excited to see that potential turn into performance and success, and I think the Director of Operations is a role that can help make that happen. I feel my personal connection with the Academy, along with my experience in different leadership roles within the Academy and my related skills would allow me to succeed in this role.