Author Bios
Orthopedic Management of the Downhill Skier
Kate Spencer, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Kate Spencer, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS received her bachelors in rehabilitation science in 2005 and masters of science in physical therapy in 2006 from Northeastern University Bouve School of Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts. She then began practicing and completed her doctorate of physical therapy in 2009 from Northeastern University College of Professional Studies. Kate has been a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA) since 2005 and an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) since 2009. Other certifications include Functional Dry Needling and Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. She is active within the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), currently serving as West District Chair of the Colorado chapter and on the CSM Work Group for Private Practice APTA.
Kate has been downhill skiing since she was 7 years old. She has been working with downhill skiers of all levels since the first year of her career when she served as a Physical Therapist volunteer for the US Ski Team. She was a traveling Physical Therapist for 10 years, spending winters in Aspen, Colorado where she was able to treat patients with ski injuries from the acute through the return to sport phase. She worked seasonally at the Snowmass Clinic, the Snowmass Ski Area on-mountain walk-in clinic, growing a satellite outpatient Physical Therapy clinic there for Aspen Valley Hospital from 2010 to 2019.
Kate and James have worked as Physical Therapists in 7 states. They have skied together in 7 states and Canada. After settling down in Aspen full time, they now own a private practice, Ajax Physical Therapy. They have two daughters who are becoming great skiers. The family loves to explore the beautiful Rocky Mountains in all four seasons. Kate enjoys uphilling, cross country skiing, and hiking, as well as baking and reading a good book at home. James is a rabid recreational skier in his free time and spends his summers running, hiking, and swimming while he waits for another winter. Both wear helmets and dream of someday skiing in Hawaii.
Other Courses Featuring This Author
James Spencer, PT, DPT, OCS
James Spencer, PT, DPT, OCS received his bachelors in rehabilitation science in 2005 and masters of science in physical therapy in 2006 from Northeastern University Bouve School of Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts. He then began practicing and completed his doctorate of physical therapy in 2009 from Northeastern University College of Professional Studies. He has served many roles in APTA chapters, sections, and in FSBPT. He is currently Vice President of the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. James has been an OCS since 2010 and is certified in Functional Dry Needling and Blood Flow Restriction Training. He has served many roles in APTA chapters, sections, and in FSBPT. He is currently Vice President of the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.
James started downhill skiing at age 11, where his love for skiing was discovered. He later worked as a traveling physical therapist for over 10 years in a wide variety of settings. For 8 winters as a traveler and 5 years in a full-time capacity, James worked at Aspen Valley Hospital, situated among four world class ski mountains, treating a wide variety of skiing-based injuries in outpatient, acute care, and emergency room settings. He served as the primary therapist at Aspen Valley Hospital’s slopeside walk-in medical clinic and outpatient Physical Therapy clinic at Snowmass Ski Area from 2019 to 2021.
Kate and James have worked as Physical Therapists in 7 states. They have skied together in 7 states and Canada. After settling down in Aspen full-time, they now own a private practice, Ajax Physical Therapy. They have two daughters who are becoming great skiers. The family loves to explore the beautiful Rocky Mountains in all four seasons. James is a rabid recreational skier in his free time and spends his summers running, hiking, and swimming while he waits for another winter. Kate enjoys uphilling, cross country skiing, and hiking, as well as baking and reading a good book at home. Both wear helmets and dream of someday skiing in Hawaii.