Healthcare executive, sports physical therapist, and author with over 25 years of experience in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and strength training. Currently serving as Director of Rehab and Sports Medicine at Beth Israel Lahey Health. Experienced in working with athletes at all levels, from amateur to Olympic. Published author of “Sport Injury Prevention Anatomy” and contributor to several textbooks on strength training and conditioning. Recently debuted as a novelist with “Stealing Equity.” Passionate about sharing insights on sports medicine, rehabilitation, and the resilience of the human spirit.
I am a healthcare executive, sports physical therapist, and author with over 25 years of experience in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and strength training. I currently serve as the Director of Rehab and Sports Medicine at Beth Israel Lahey Health in Beverly, MA.
Throughout my career, I have worked with athletes at all levels, from amateur to professional and Olympic. The NSCA honored me as one of the first recipients of the NSCA’s Sports Medicine Professional of the Year award (2005) and I was one of Nebraska’s first Board Certified Sports Physical Therapists and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists. I began my career as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Creighton University for several years, which allowed me to work with not only high level intercollegiate athletes for all sports but also professional and Olympic athletes. I continued my work with professional athletes at Omaha Sports Physical Therapy, Quest Personal Training and Coaching, and Injury Prevention Project; more recently, I have been able to lead rehab programs at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Dartmouth Health, and Beth Israel Lahey Health.
As an author, I have published several articles on sports rehabilitation and contributed to textbook chapters
on injury prevention, rehabilitation, speed training, and plyometric training. In 2022, I published my first book, Sport Injury Prevention Anatomy besides several articles on sports rehabilitation as well as textbook chapters on injury prevention, rehabilitation, speed training and plyometric training chapters for both the Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning and NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training textbooks. I have also spoken internationally and regionally about leadership, plyometrics, sports rehabilitation, running, soccer, and strength training and conditioning.
Besides my work in sports medicine, I recently published my debut novel, Stealing Equity, the first book in the “Beyond Vengeance” series, which combines action, suspense, and emotional depth.
When I’m not writing or helping athletes achieve their goals, I enjoy running and spending time with my family. Through this Substack, I share insights from my background and explore the resilience and determination of the human spirit.
Highlights
In my career, I have been fortunate to do some pretty cool things. I have worked with nearly every type of athlete, I have taught courses, published books, chapters, and articles, and I have helped students and professionals achieve their goals.
Publications
Athletes treated
Lectures
Students
Featured In
Athletes
David’s knowledge, rehab practices and motivation helped me get back on the ice and playing. I highly recommend him to help you recover from your injuries. Thanks for everything David!
– Ian
Physical Therapy
Beth Israel Lahey Health
Director of Rehab & Sports Medicine
September 2022-present
Massachusetts
Injury Prevention Project
Founder & CEO
May 2019-present
Omaha
Cheshire Medical Center
Consultant
September 2022-March 2023
New Hampshire
Cheshire Medical Center
Director of Rehab
January 2021-September 2022
New Hampshire
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
Supervisor, Sports Physical Therapy
January 2016-December 2020
Omaha
Specialized Physical Therapy
Sports Physical Therapist
February 2014-February 2016
Omaha
Elite Girls Academy
Medical Director
May 2012-February 2016
Omaha
Omaha Sports Physical Therapy
Owner & Sports Physical Therapist
February 2003-October 2013
Omaha
Alegent Health
Physical Therapist
August 1998-December 2002
Omaha
Strength & Conditioning
Creighton University
Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
August 1991-August 1995
Omaha
Publications
Potach, DH. Financial Management for Rehab Leaders: A Practical Guide.
Rehab Books
2024
Potach, DH. Core Development, Injury Risk, and Pain. In Willardson, J (Ed.), Developing the Core, 2nd ed.
Human Kinetics
2024
Potach, DH, & Meira, E. Injury Prevention Anatomy.
Human Kinetics
2022
Potach, DH, Meyer, GD, & Grindstaff, TL. Special Consideration: Female Athlete and ACL Injury Prevention. In Parikh, S. N. (Ed.), The pediatric ACL: Clinical evaluation and management strategies.
Springer International
2018
Potach, DH, & Chu, DA Plyometric training. In T.R. Baechle & Earle, R.W. (Eds.), Essentials of strength training and conditioning (2nd, 3rd & 4th Eds.)
Human Kinetics
2015, 2008 & 2000
Potach, DH & Grindstaff, TL. Rehabilitation and reconditioning. In T.R. Baechle & Earle, R.W. (Eds.), Essentials of strength training and conditioning (3rd & 4th Eds.)
Human Kinetics
2015 & 2008
Potach, DH, Katsavelis, D, Karst, GM, Latin, RM, & Stergiou, N. The effects of a plyometric training program on the latency time of the quadriceps femoris and gastrocnemius short-latency responses.
Journal of Sports Med Phys Fitness, Mar, 49(1): 35-43
2009
Grindstaff, TL, & Potach, DH. Prevention of common wrestling injuries
Strength and Conditioning Journal, 28, 20–28
2006
Potach, DH. Plyometric and speed training. In R.W. Earle & Baechle, T.R. (Eds.), Essentials of personal training
Human Kinetics
2004
Potach, DH, & Ellenbecker, T. Orthopedic concerns. In R.W. Earle & Baechle, T.R. (Eds.), Essentials of personal training
Human Kinetics
2004
Potach, DH & Borden, R. Rehabilitation and reconditioning. In T.R. Baechle & Earle, R.W. (Eds.), Essentials of strength training and conditioning (2nd Ed.)
Human Kinetics
2000
Professional Associations
Orthopaedic Foundation
Board of Directors
February 2024-Present
New Hampshire APTA
Board of Directors
December 2021-November 2023
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Sports Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE)
January 2009-2013
National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
CSCS Exam Development Committee Member
March 1995-2011
National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
NSCA-CPT Exam Development Committee Member
March 1998-2011
National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Founding Member & Vice Chair, Sports Medicine Special Interest Group (SIG)
2007
National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Challenge Scholarship Committee Member
