Congratulations to Our Incoming Leaders!

Judith Hess, PT, DHS, OCS, CMPT, Cert. DN
I have been a physical therapist since 1992, when I completed an entry-level master’s degree at Duke University. Prior to that, I completed a Bachelor and Master of Science in Kinesiology, with a minor in Business at the University of Illinois. In 2015, I earned a Doctor of Health Sciences degree with an emphasis on Healthcare Education at Midwestern University. I have been a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist since 2002. After 15 years of clinical practice and administrative roles, I transitioned to academia. I am currently an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Midwestern University, where I teach anatomy, kinesiology, and musculoskeletal evaluation and treatment. I serve as the Chair of the Education Committee and Curriculum Revision Task Force and previously chaired the Admissions Committee for 13 years. I continue to see patients clinically, working on a prn basis in the Chicagoland area. I am a member of multiple AOPT Special Interest Groups (SIGs), including Foot & Ankle, Pain, Imaging, and Residency/Fellowship. I was part of the team that developed the entry-level practice recommendations for the Foot & Ankle SIG. From 2014 to 2020, I was a member of the AOPT Finance Committee and have been the AOPT Treasurer since 2021. I also served as an Assembly Representative for the Illinois Physical Therapy Association from 2014 to 2020. Throughout my professional journey, I have developed leadership skills as a Clinic Manager, the Director of Rehabilitation Services for a multi-campus hospital system and its outpatient satellite rehabilitation clinics, and as a faculty member. In these roles, and as the AOPT Treasurer, I have participated in strategic planning, budgeting, program development, and providing high-quality, interprofessional healthcare. As a leader, I set challenging but achievable goals, establish clear behavior and performance expectations, celebrate success, and hold people accountable for their actions. I recognize individual talents and foster the development of new knowledge and skills. I empower individuals to complete projects/assignments independently, while ensuring the appropriate resources are available and accessible. I establish a safe, welcoming environment that facilitates sharing diverse opinions and experiences. I welcome feedback for myself and the organization. Most importantly, I have a passion and desire to support the mission and vision of the AOPT.

Annette Karim, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT
Annette Karim, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT, is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and the Director of the PhD in Rehabilitation and Movement Science and post-professional programs at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. A Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, residency graduate, and Fellow of the Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, she serves as a Manual Therapy Institute Fellowship mentor, an ACOMPTE reviewer, and is completing her first term as AOPT Director. While in Texas, she served the TPTA-Southeastern District as 2nd Vice Co-Chair. She has served the AOPT for 13 years in the following roles: Performing Arts SIG Research Chair, PASIG President, AOPT Mentor, AOPT Nominating Committee, DEI Taskforce member, Board Liaison to both the PASIG and the Animal Rehabilitation SIG, AOPT Executive Committee and PT in the Community Board Member. As co-author of the Performing Arts Description of Fellowship Practice, she maintains a dance medicine clinical practice and research focus. She currently serves the AOPT as a Director and liaison to the Imaging SIG and Foot & Ankle SIG, as well as on two new AOPT appointments, the AOPT Board Governance Review Taskforce and the AOPT Advertising Taskforce.

Director