Member Spotlight

Dr. Gilaine Nettles is an Associate Professor, Department Chair and Program Director of Physical Therapy at Alabama State University. Dr. Nettles graduated from Howard University with her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and later earned a Master of Health Administration from the University of Southern California. Both her Ph.D. and DPT were awarded at Alabama State University. Prior to returning to Alabama State, Dr. Nettles served as the Department Chair at Howard University and was a member of the inaugural DPT faculty at Samford University.

Dr. Nettles serves on APTA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. She is a member of APTA’s Academy of Education, Academy of Leadership and Innovation, Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy, and an Ambassador to the PT Moves Me Campaign, recruiting future physical therapists. She has been a member of APTA Alabama for a total of 15 years. Currently, she serves on the APTA Alabama Governmental Affairs and Education Committees and was recently elected to the Nominating Committee. In the past, she served on the APTA Alabama Chapter Council as the Chair of the Bylaws Committee. Her personal goals include, strengthening the diversity of the healthcare workforce, improving access to PT services in all communities, reducing healthcare disparities, and making the vision of healthy living a reality for all members of society.

Highlights About Dr. Nettles:

With more than 30 years of clinical practice experience, Dr. Nettles has established several community-based primary care clinics, serving patients across the lifespan, including:

• Walton County Hospital Outpatient Physical Therapy Department in Georgia
• Founding Director of the J.R. Thomas Rehab and Wellness Center for Franklin Primary Health Center in Mobile, Alabama
• Founding Physical Therapist at the Mercy Life Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, (PACE Program), Mobile, Alabama

Dr. Nettles developed a strong awareness of the health disparities that exist in African-American communities. Her research focuses on tackling the health inequities in underprivileged communities, the impact of physical activity and health promotion initiatives on health conditions, and hypertension in the African-American population. As a healthcare advocate, Dr. Nettles supports an interprofessional, collaborative approach to clinical practice, the education of healthcare providers, and research to improve health outcomes, by fostering a culture of health and wellness in medically underserved communities and at HBCUs.