Meet the 2025 Candidates

Dr. James Spencer, DPT, OCS
Profile: I am the current Vice President of APTA Orthopedics, Owner of Ajax Physical Therapy in Aspen, CO (AjaxPT.com), and have served in many roles across APTA, FSBPT, APTA Ortho, and multiple APTA Chapters over the past 20 years. After graduating from Northeastern University in 2006, I spent much of the first 12 years of my career as a traveling PT across 7 states before settling in Colorado. My wife Kate and I run our small practice together as the only physical therapists and treat patients in their homes primarily out of network from insurance. We recently authored an APTA Ortho Independent Study Course, “Orthopedic Management of the Downhill Skier” as a part of the Winter Sports series and have presented ski injury prevention education at the APTA Colorado Annual Conference and to local community and employee groups. I have a passion for making PTs the first providers our communities think for orthopedic pain and for helping individuals avoid surgery.

Dr. Pamela Balla Dibblee PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Profile: Pamela Balla Dibblee, PT, DPT, completed her Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy at Regis University in 2022, is an APTA Orthopedic Certified Specialist, earned her tDPT from Regis University in 2012, and holds a BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois Chicago (1991) and a BS in Biology from the University of Iowa (1989).

Her career at Intermountain Healthcare spans several roles, including staff therapist, clinical manager for several outpatient facilities and now is part of the Internal Process Control for Rehabilitation Services since October 2018.

Pam is member of several professional organizations, including the APTA, Utah Physical Therapy Association, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Her volunteer experiences include serving on the APTA Total Knee CPG Revision Committee since March 2024, the APTA Health System Steering Committee from September 2020 to 2023, and as Co-Chair of the APTA Health System Subcommittee on Quality from June 2019 to June 2021.

In her current role, Pam focuses on standardization of care, clinical and professional development, and quality improvement. Over the past seven years, she has been involved in implementing best clinical practices at a system level, working closely with the Director of Research for rehabilitation services, Rehabilitation Leadership, Musculoskeletal and Neurosciences clinical programs and front-line managers and staff. Her efforts have included quality initiatives and standardization of care in orthopedic outpatient and home care areas, including the collection of outcomes for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty across the continuum of care. Pam has worked on disseminating information, knowledge translation, and feedback processes for multiple orthopedic conditions, including low back pain, neck pain, conservative shoulder, total knee arthroplasty, patellofemoral pain, and lateral elbow tendinopathy. Standardization of processes and care while decreasing unwarranted variation continues to be a focus embedded within workflows. Pam advocates for clinicians to engage patients in their care and develop their clinical reasoning while utilizing a shared decision-making approach to treatment.

Dr. Neena Sharma, PT, PhD, CMPT
Profile: I am an Associate Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) where I teach Orthopedic courses in the entry level DPT program. I am also a certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist. I direct Clinical Orthopedic Rehabilitation and Research (CORR) lab. My research interests relate to understanding central pain mechanisms and interventions for low back pain. I have been a member of the APTA since I began practicing 30+ years ago and also an active member of AOPT for 30+ years. Throughout my career, I have mentored graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and colleagues. My responsibilities in the field have been diverse encompassing teaching, clinical practice, research, and serving on/leading various committees. My committee service record is extensive. I was fortunate to serve on the Education Committee of the AOPT from 2008 – 2015 and Nominating Committee Pain SIG for two terms, 2009 – 2015.

Currently, I serve on the Research Committee of the AOPT. I am also a member of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) and their Pain Network Group. At the institutional level, I have chaired Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure Committee, which requires a deep understanding and adherence, to departmental and school-wide promotion and operating policies. Additionally, I have participated in various other committees throughout my academic career. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute further through the Nominating Committee and am committed to bringing my experience, dedication, and passion for advancing our field.