Meet Theresa M. Spitznagle, PT, DPT, WCS, Associate Editor

Introducing the people behind #JWHPT. Meet Theresa “Tracy” M. Spitznagle, PT, DPT, WCS, one of our esteemed associate editors (Based in St. Louis, MO).

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?

Professor of Physical Therapy and OB-Gyn. I am the coordinator of the WH Residency at WUPT. My focus for teaching is associated with movement impairments of the trunk, pelvis and hip. I engage globally providing capacity building for pelvic health in underserved regions of Africa.

WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO VOLUNTEER WITH JWHPT?

I believe the science of Women’s Health Physical Therapy needs to continue to grow and be recognized at a higher level in the medical community. I believe physical therapists should be the ones designing and doing research on physical therapy, not medical teams who do not have a full understanding of our profession and consider PT at the level of a modality. I believe we need a global perspective to truly understand how to make change for the people we serve.

HOW ARE YOU ADAPTING DURING THIS GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS?

I meditate, walk, change the things I can control (painted the room I am working out of to a beautiful color, called elegant). I am teaching online, learning how to do skills testing in a virtual environment and will eventually do Telehealth patient care as my teaching comes to an end in June.