LAURA MARTEL, PT, DPT
Denver, CO
BIOGRAPHY
I identify as a white, cis-gendered, able-bodied female who uses she/her pronouns. I consciously acknowledge my position of privilege within the physical therapy profession, my leadership role in healthcare, and society at large. My perspective on global health was initially shaped during my two years of service in the United States Peace Corps, where living in a small sub-Saharan African village taught me profound lessons about cultural humility and began my journey toward understanding colonialism. However, it wasn't until 2020 that I truly began recognizing how deeply colonial structures are embedded within our systems and culture.
After graduating from the University of Colorado in 2015, I entered my "dream job" in neurological rehabilitation, where I spent six transformative years working with individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and spinal cord injuries. These patients and their families taught me invaluable lessons about rehabilitation, technology, and human resilience in the face of profound challenges. I later transitioned into hospital operations, developing crucial skills in leadership, process improvement, and project management. Currently, as a Clinical Navigator, I build relationships with healthcare providers and case managers while guiding patients through the admissions process.
My approach to physical therapy is grounded in my core belief that healthcare can be a vehicle for creating a more just world. Through my work across various healthcare settings, I have developed a nuanced understanding of how globalization impacts rehabilitation practices, healthcare access, and patient outcomes. I approach global health challenges with a collaborative mindset, recognizing that effective solutions must be developed with—not for—the communities they serve.
STATEMENT
I discovered my professional home in the Global Health Special Interest Group (GHSIG) as a DPT student in 2013, finding "my people" among those who share a passion for social responsibility in physical therapy. Throughout my membership, I've witnessed our community evolve while maintaining its core mission of connecting therapists committed to global health and social justice.
As our profession awakens to the realities of systemic racism and the need for structural change toward antiracism, anti-ableism, and anticolonialism, I believe the GHSIG and Academy for Leadership and Innovation must serve as models for meaningful transformation.
During my first term as Vice Chair, our leadership team delivered significant improvements including:
• Implementing quarterly Town Hall meetings to enhance member engagement
• Publishing monthly newsletters to keep our community informed and connected
• Reinventing the CSM poster reception to showcase innovative research and practice
My leadership style emphasizes amplifying others' voices rather than seeking the spotlight. Those who know me recognize my commitment to continuous learning through self-reflection, extensive reading, and asking challenging questions. I prefer working behind the scenes, lifting up diverse perspectives, and developing creative solutions to complex challenges.
If re-elected, I will continue collaborating with the GHSIG board to guide our organization into bold new territories with the explicit intention of transforming physical therapy and healthcare toward an antiracist, anticolonial future that truly serves all communities.
