Michelle Fuleky Harnick
East Greenwich
Summary
Clinical education leader, physical therapist and adjunct faculty with experience in overseeing a large-scale student program, developing company-wide educational initiatives and fostering academic-clinical partnerships. Passionate about enhancing clinical experiences that support professional growth, reflective practice and evidence-informed care. Dedicated to mentoring future physical therapists through collaborative and student-centered teaching. Actively participates in advisory boards and professional conferences to advance clinical education standards.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Faculty, Physical Therapy
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
08.2025 - Current
- Serve as adjunct faculty within the Doctor of Physical Therapy program for Integrated Clinical Experience and Professional Development I and II, Musculoskeletal System II Lab and Culmination and Comprehensive Practicum I Lab.
- Co-developed curriculum for Integrated Clinical Experience and Professional Development II with emphasis on professional communication, feedback strategies, teaching and learning theory, professional identity formation and growth mindset.
- Facilitate engaging case-based discussions, reflective learning activities and hands-on laboratory experiences that integrate clinical reasoning with real-world application.
- Foster collaborative, psychologically safe learning environments that encourage curiosity, confidence, self-reflection and active student participation.
- Mentor students in development of clinical reasoning, professional behaviors, communication skills and self-directed learning strategies.
- Incorporate extensive orthopedic, sports medicine, leadership and clinical education experience into classroom and lab instruction to bridge academic learning with contemporary clinical practice.
- Collaborate closely with faculty to support curriculum delivery, student learning outcomes and continuous course development within the DPT program.
Director of Student Program
Highbar Physical Therapy
Providence
06.2024 - Current
- Lead and manage the clinical education program, facilitating over 100 full-time rotations for physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students from over 25 programs.
- Ensure an exceptional student experience by overseeing clinical placements, onboarding, curriculum engagement, participation in Highbar continuing education and exit interviews.
- Establish and maintain relationships with Directors of Clinical Education to ensure collaborative and effective student clinical experiences.
- Develop and teach the Highbar Student Clinical Confidence course; preparing students for clinical experiences and professional growth through mastering challenging conversations, building relationships with instructors and fostering self-reflection and goal-setting.
- Manage the update and implementation of Highbar’s Student Ambassador Certification; ensuring consistent, high-quality mentorship from clinical instructors.
- Implement the Exxat One platform to streamline clinical education management and collaborate with physical therapy programs to optimize student placement strategies.
- Oversee the integration of the student program post-acquisition, ensuring clinical quality and improving operational efficiency.
- Author and distribute a quarterly Director of Clinical Education newsletter to strengthen communication and support among students and clinical partners.
- Organize and oversee educational initiatives at physical therapy programs.
- Lead Highbar’s presence at national and state APTA conferences, engaging therapists and students to promote programs and strengthen professional relationships.
- Implement systems to track progress on key initiatives and projects.
- Serve as Co-Chair of New England Consortium of Clinical Educators Clinical Advisory board
- Serve on advisory boards for Springfield College, Franklin Pierce University, New England Institute of Technology and the Community College of Rhode Island, fostering collaboration with regional academic partners.
Clinic Director, Physical Therapist
Highbar Physical Therapy
South Kingstown
11.2020 - 09.2024
- Oversaw daily operations, business development and talent acquisition for DeNovo clinic which grew from one to six physical therapists in two years while treating an 85% clinical caseload.
- Cultivated an energetic, fun and professional workplace culture that engaged employees through feedback and accomplishment recognition while working towards our goal of improving the local community through movement.
- Inspired each team member to perform to their highest potential through ongoing mentorship and coaching to support their clinical development and professional growth.
- Drove business development by generating referral sources, building community partnerships and managing local events.
- Oversaw all aspects of clinical care, operations and scheduling to ensure clinicians reach key performance indicators.
- Worked closely with regional director, practice manager, patient care coordinators and clinical staff to establish effective collaboration within clinic and throughout the company.
- Developed educational content to improve evidence-based practice throughout the company as a member of the Clinical Education Committee.
- Instructor of in-house certification program for trigger point dry needling.
- Participated in year-long 'Lead the Way' development program to improve leadership and communication skills.
Clinic Manager, Physical Therapist
FOUNDATIONperformance Sports Medicine
Plainville
09.2015 - 11.2020
- Oversaw clinic operations to maintain an efficient work environment and guide staff in clinical decision making to develop individualized treatment plans.
- Evaluated and treated a full clinician caseload from ages 9-90 with a primary focus on sports medicine rehabilitation.
- Grew clinic patient visits by 78% over four years.
- Fostered an up-beat and engaging work environment for clinicians while focusing on a patient-centered experience.
- Trained and mentored staff members through group and individual meetings along with hands-on training to create and carry out treatment plans to optimize patient outcomes.
- Responsible for overall clinic operations, including interviewing, hiring, scheduling, performing yearly staff evaluations, engaging disciplinary processes, managing clinic budget.
- Oversaw and educated college and doctoral student interns through observation hours and clinical internships.
Physical Therapist
Elite Physical Therapy
Warwick
10.2014 - 09.2015
- Evaluated and treated a diverse population from ages 5-90 with a focus on orthopedics and manual treatment with individualized programs to return patients to prior level of function.
- Educated and trained student interns to help develop their skills and grow their physical therapy knowledge base.
- Provided company-wide in-service on current concepts in anterior cruciate ligament repair rehabilitation.
- Provided emergency medical response for the Rhode Island Rebellion rugby team.
360 Sports Medicine Physical Therapist
Rady Children's Hospital
San Diego
04.2013 - 09.2014
- Evaluated and treated patients ages 12-21 with a focus on orthopedic sports rehabilitation.
- Led orthopedic task force.
- Mentored orthopedic staff on manual techniques with hands-on instruction and feedback.
- Educated staff on current orthopedic evidence-based practice through multiple in-services.
- Authored and presented ACL Reconstruction: Returning Athletes to the Game at 2014 360 Sports Medicine continuing education event.
- Developed test and instructed physical therapy staff on test administration.
- Implemented test throughout the hospital system with input from orthopedic surgeons.
- Collaborated with orthopedic surgeons on research project.
- Established physical therapy protocol for conservative treatment of femoral acetabular impingement for research study performed by orthopedic surgeon.
- Authored presentation on rehabilitation for hip pathologies at 2013 360 Sports Medicine CEU event.
Outpatient Pediatric Physical Therapist
Rady Children's Hospital
San Diego
06.2011 - 04.2013
- Evaluated and treated patients ages 0-23 with a variety of orthopedic and developmental diagnoses.
- Participated as member of Quality Performance Improvement Team for idiopathic toe walking.
- Mentored staff members on evaluation and treatment of torticollis.
Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy - Advanced Specialization Track: Orthopedics
Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons
New York, NY05.2011
Bachelor Of Science - Major: Exercise Science, Minor: Biology
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH07.2008
Memberships, Licenses, Certifications
- Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, 2016 - present
- Dry Needle Certified, 2016 - present
- Member of American Physical Therapy Association (Orthopedic and Sports Section), 2008 - present
- Licensed Physical Therapist, State of Rhode Island, 2014 - present
- American Heart Association CPR, 2005 - present
Continuing Education
- Highbar Monthy Skills, attend monthly November 2021 to present
- American Physical Therapy Association, Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program, Level 1, April 2025
- New England Consortium of Clinical Educators, Clinical Faculty Institute, Fall 2025, Spring 2025 and 2026
- Educational Leadership Conference, 2024, 2025
- Presented "Clinical Confidence: Building the Soft Skills to Thrive in Physical Therapy Clinical Placements and Practice" at APTA CT Annual Coference, October 2025 and APTA MA Annual Conference, November 2025
- Combined Sections Meeting, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2017, 2023, 2024, 2025
- APTA CT, MA, RI Annual Conference, 2025
- Co-presented "Lifestyle Medicine in Physical Therapy Practice" at APTA MA Annual Conference, November 2024
- APTA MA, NH, RI Annual Conference, 2024
- Herman & Wallace Pelvic Floor Level 1, January 2021
- Herman & Wallace Introduction to Integrative Care in Pelvic Health, May 2020
- Herman & Wallace Nourishing Within: Shedding Light on Gut and Bowel Function and Dysfunctions, April 2020
- Herman & Wallace Building Resilience Through Nourishment, April 2020
- Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification, January 2020
- Wellcoaches Health and Wellness Coach, January 2019
- Kinetacore Functional Dry Needling Level 2, July 2018
- Kinetacore Functional Dry Needling Level 1, October 2016
- Evidence in Motion OCS Test Prep Course, January 2016
- Emergency Medical Response Course, January 2015
- Advanced Evaluation and Treatment for the Functional Rehabilitation of the Foot and Ankle, October 2014
- Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Seminars, January - September 2014
- Selective Functional Movement Assessment, January 2013
- The Female Athlete, October 2012
- Tri-planar Biomechanics in Pediatric Function, April 2012
- Lower Quarter Management of Overuse & Traumatic Injuries Related to Running Athlete, November 2011
Timeline
Adjunct Faculty, Physical Therapy
Johnson & Wales University
08.2025 - Current
Director of Student Program
Highbar Physical Therapy
06.2024 - Current
Clinic Director, Physical Therapist
Highbar Physical Therapy
11.2020 - 09.2024
Clinic Manager, Physical Therapist
FOUNDATIONperformance Sports Medicine
09.2015 - 11.2020
Physical Therapist
Elite Physical Therapy
10.2014 - 09.2015
360 Sports Medicine Physical Therapist
Rady Children's Hospital
04.2013 - 09.2014
Outpatient Pediatric Physical Therapist
Rady Children's Hospital
06.2011 - 04.2013
Doctor of Physical Therapy - Advanced Specialization Track: Orthopedics
Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons
Bachelor Of Science - Major: Exercise Science, Minor: Biology
Youngstown State University