John Heick, PT, PhD, DPT, OCS, NCS, SCS, a 2015 graduate of the Doctor of Philosophy in Orthopaedic and Sports Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP), was recently awarded the James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Award by the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association for his numerous contributions to healthcare, specifically his contribution to orthopaedics.
Heick earned his clinical doctorate and master’s degree in physical therapy from Shenandoah University. He has practiced physical therapy for 17 years in various settings including the emergency department, sports, orthopaedics, neurologic, wound care, aquatics, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and in a balance center. Today Heick continues to practice clinically in an orthopaedic/sports outpatient clinic and in a pro bono orthopaedic clinic.
For Heick, the award is evidence of his hard work. “It verifies all of my accomplishments and reinforces my many difficult decisions to improve,” said Heick.
For example, Heick earned board certification in three areas. “The work that I put into each of these certifications and what I learned from them has helped me understand the bigger picture of my profession,” said Heick. “At the time that I became certified, there were only three people throughout the profession with three certifications.”
Recently, Heick’s certifications and experience has been used to full effect as a faculty member here at RMUoHP and other institutions. “My favorite experience from working at RMUoHP,” said Heick, “has been the live sessions of interacting with the students and having that aha moment of truly understanding.”
Because of his passion for his work, he endeavors to create a positive and effective learning environment for students. “My hope is for students to develop the evidence-based skills necessary to advance the profession,” said Heick. He approaches his teaching based upon a modified problem-based learning approach to introduce rich discussion and higher level of thinking in his classroom. “I believe this approach works best for students in this profession,” said Heick. “Patient cases are great examples of showing students casual relationships for decision-making.”
Alongside teaching, Heick is passionate about almost everything in his profession. While currently working in primary care, he has a special fondness for that particular aspect of the profession. “I am the lead for the profession of physical therapy in pursuing both a residency and a specialization in the area of primary care,” said Heick. “As a previous Air Force medic that has worked in this area, I believe physical therapists are needed and will thrive in primary care.”
Aside from his work, Heick also serves as a member of the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy Editorial Board (2020-present), an abstract reviewer for the the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy CSM (2020-present), and a contributor to the Academy of Orthopaedics Editor of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice journal (2019-present). “I don’t work and volunteer for these groups to check a box for service,” said Heick. “I do them because I love my profession.”
