AOPT 2022 Election

James Spencer, DPT, OCS
Candidate Profile: I am excited to be slated for and to serve as Vice President for the Academy. I am a full-time clinician and new business owner. Just over a year ago, I started a private practice, Ajax Physical Therapy in Aspen, Colorado, with my wife Kate. We treat individuals in their homes, outside of the limitations of insurance. In the past year, I have found a new lease on professional life and a different way of thinking about the provision of Physical Therapy. Over the past 16 years, I have worked in a wide variety of clinical, geographic, and cultural settings, first as a travel PT for 10 years, then as a hospital-based PT, and now as a private practice owner. Outside of work, I currently serve on the AOPT Board of Directors as Practice Chair and Chief Delegate. Previously, I have served as AOPT Membership Committee Chair and Nominating Committee Chair. I have also served the larger APTA and several Chapters in many other official and unofficial capacities. I have a unique breadth of experiences clinically and in leadership within APTA that have uniquely prepared me to serve as AOPT Vice President.

Nancy Bloom, PT, DPT, MSOT
Candidate Profile: Nancy Bloom, PT, DPT, MSOT, is a professor of physical therapy and orthopaedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Virginia and both her master’s degree in occupational therapy and her clinical doctorate in physical therapy from Washington University. After five years of working in acute neurology rehabilitation as an occupational therapist, Nancy shifted her interest to the field of physical therapy. Once licensed, she focused on the field of orthopaedic physical therapy and neuromusculoskeletal health. Nancy currently teaches a variety of courses and treats multiple musculoskeletal problems at the Program in Physical Therapy. The primary focus of her teaching, clinical practice, and research is the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the hip and lumbar spine. She has more than 15 peer-reviewed publications on these topics. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award in Education from the Missouri Physical Therapy Association and the Henry O. & Florence P. Kendall Practice Award from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Throughout her career, Nancy has contributed to continuing education for physical therapy practitioners. She has presented at conferences, both nationally and internationally, and taught continuing education courses in the United States, Canada, and Europe on the topic of Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement System Impairment Syndromes. Nancy served the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (AOPT) as Chair of the Education Committee. During that time, she was an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors, member of the advisory panel, and led a variety of task forces. She represented AOPT at the APTA Task Force for Movement System Diagnosis. Nancy is a member of the APTA, AOPT, and Academies of Sports Physical Therapy and Education.

Caroline L. Brunst, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, ATC
Candidate Profile: Dr. Caroline Brunst has been a clinician researcher with The Ohio State University since 2013 and is currently serving a one-year term on the AOPT Nominating Committee. Caroline presents annually at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting and was a finalist for the AASPT Excellence in Research Award in 2019 and 2021. Her research interests include outcomes following ACL reconstruction and cartilage restoration procedures. Dr. Brunst is a dual board-certified specialist in orthopaedic and sports physical therapy and serves as an item writer for the ABPTS Specialization Academy of Content Experts. Other professional service includes serving as an Ohio Delegate for the APTA House of Delegates and proudly representing the Ohio Chapter as an APTA Centennial Scholar - an APTA sponsored program to build a cadre of future association leaders. She serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce for the Ohio Physical Therapy Association (OPTA) and for The Ohio State University Medical Center. Additionally, she was the recipient of the 2018 OPTA Emerging Leader Award and was a 2020 graduate of the OPTA’s inaugural L.I.F.E. Leadership Academy. Caroline completed her DPT education at The University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in 2012 and earned her Master’s in Clinical and Preclinical Research from The Ohio State University in 2018. She completed her B.S. in Athletic Training from The Ohio State University in 2010.