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 chaptersSport Injury Prevention Anatomy 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.

Stealing Equity: A Beyond Vengeance Heist NovelBesides 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

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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

April 1999

The journey is better than the inn. ~Cervantes

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