Meet Max Baumgartner

Max Baumgartnermax baumgartner

Trine University - College of Health Professions
Professor and DPT Program Director
Physical Therapy, University of Toledo; Master in Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences; Doctor of Philosophy, Nova Southeastern University's School of Computer and Information Sciences
260-203-2917 | email

I have worked in various patient care settings during my 32 years as a licensed physical therapist. At the Medical College of Ohio's CARF accredited Rehab hospital, I cared for patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, and other neurologic disorders. I honed my manual therapy skills through a year of fellowship training at the University of Saint Augustine. As the senior physical therapist for the Spine Center at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, I collaborated with orthopedic and neurosurgical spine specialists to evaluate and treat various patients with acute and chronic spine conditions. As an on-site consultant and clinician for Walgreens' regional distribution center, I evaluated, treated, and helped to prevent work-related musculoskeletal injuries. As a physical therapist in private and hospital-based outpatient clinics, I focused on reducing pain and improving the mobility of individuals in every age group.

I am in my 23rd year as a physical therapy educator, with previous faculty appointments at the University of Findlay, Owens Community College, and the University of Toledo. I joined Trine University in 2013 to develop the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, and soon after, I was appointed Dean of the School of Health Sciences. As Dean, I led the school's growth to include not only the Doctor of Physical Therapy program but also the Master of Physician Assistant Studies and the Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology. I am a Board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialist emeritus, a certified manual therapist (MTC), and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).

I find great satisfaction in the education of future healthcare providers, but my greatest joy comes from spending time with my wife and children.