The Way of Movement Professionals: Dr. Irene Davis

Episode 6

Follow Dr. Irene Davis on Twitter @IreneSDavis

Dr. Irene Davis is the director of Spaulding National Running Center, which is affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and visiting professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. She received her physical therapy degree from University of Florida before pursing her PhD in biomechanics from Pennsylvania State University. She has been treating runners and focused her research on running mechanics / injuries for the past 25 years. Her research is funded by the National Institute of Health and Department of Defense.

These are the questions she answered in our interview. Enjoy!!

Why did you choose to become a physical therapist?
Did you go straight from finishing your bachelor’s degree in PT to masters and PhD in biomechanics, or did you spend some time treating patients?
How did you become so interested in running?
Before taking your position at Spaulding National Running Center, you were a professor at University of Delaware’s Department of Physical Therapy. What were some of your favorite memories from University of Delaware?
When did Spaulding National Running Center open up, and how did you become the director?
Do runners use their health insurance to come and be treated at the Running Center?
What is the secret to getting huge grants from NIH and other organizations?
How do you balance your time between your research, clinical time with patients, and your family?
What are some concerns or disappointments you have encountered as a physical therapist?
What gets you really excited about being a physical therapist?
What ideal qualities make an excellent physical therapist?
What advice would you give to your 40 year-old self?
What do you ideally envision for the future of physical therapy?
What is your current big project?

It’s been said that you are the average of 5 people you surround yourself with. For you, who are those 5 people who influence you the most or who you spend the most amount of time with?
What is your favorite motto?
What do the first 60-90 minutes of your morning look like?
Books you have enjoyed the most?
What are your favorite exercises for your fitness? Did you play sports growing up?
What shoes do you wear for running?
You’ve traveled around the world, for leisure or to teach about the human movement system. Where is your favorite city you’ve visited and where would you like to go next that you’ve never been before?
Do you watch any television shows? If so, what do you enjoy watching?
What type of music do you listen to (musicians / composers)?

Thank you Irene for sharing your stories and all your advice!!