Dr. Jacob
Melnick lives in Honolulu, HI, and serves as Director of Clinical Education and
Assistant Professor of the DPT program at Hawai'i Pacific University. Prior to
HPU, Dr. Melnick practiced as a physical therapist at Tripler Army Medical
Center and was the Functional Restoration Program Director in the
Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center.
During his years of clinical
practice, Dr. Melnick has served active duty members, their dependents, and
retirees at two large military hospital systems. He was the Director of the
largest Doctor of Physical Therapy Internship Program while at Keesler Air
Force Base. Dr. Melnick continues to practice locally, with a specific focus on
distance runners, triathletes, surfers, and other common orthopedic conditions.
He also serves in a consultative and mentorship role at OrhoSport Hawaii.
Dr. Melnick completed his Doctor
of Health Science degree in 2023 with a concentration in Leadership &
Organizational Behavior. He has additional training as a Certified Strength and
Conditioning Specialist, a dry needling practitioner, and as a USA Track and
Field Level 1 Coach. He is also a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in
Orthopedic Physical Therapy.
Dr. Melnick has served the
physical therapy profession as a leader in the American Physical Therapy
Association as the Public Relations Chairman for APTA Mississippi, and
currently serves on both the education and legislative committees for APTA
Hawaii. He has presented at state, regional, and national conferences on topics
such as running injury and prevention, dry needling, clinical education and
student performance, and clinical practice guidelines.
