Melissa Naegela, PT, DPT, OCS

Melissa is a graduate of Governors State University in University Park, Illinois, where she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2016. She received her specialist certification in orthopedics in 2023. Her journey into teaching began shortly after graduation, when she became an adjunct instructor in Governors State’s physical therapy program, which led to a full-time position as a University Lecturer and Co-Director of Clinical Education.

Prior to joining Governors State, Melissa primarily worked in hospital-based outpatient orthopedics and served on multiple committees dedicated to continuous improvement in orthopedic outcomes. Melissa also served as a credentialed trainer for documentation software and educated colleagues across a large hospital system on its implementation and workflow.