Nick Heinzer, PT

Director Of Outpatient Operations

Nick has been a physical therapist for 25 years, specializing in outpatient orthopedics, post surgical rehabilitation, low back pain, balance disorders and work related injuries.  He has experience in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and understands the intricacies of transitioning from one to the other.  Nick has served in a director capacity for 18 years and has been recognized as a Distinguished Clinician and Director of the Year while working for a nationally recognized outpatient company. 

As a physical therapist, Nick has been certified in Work Well Systems to assist individuals injured at work to return to their prior level of function. He has worked with thousands of athletes and participated in monthly discussions with Dr. James Andrews (renowned orthopedic surgeon) addressing orthopedic and sports related injuries and optimal approaches to treatment.  He is also a Credentialed Clinical Instructor participating with Physical Therapy Programs in the on site instruction of physical therapy students.

Nick attended Ursuline High School and received his B.A in Biology from Hiram College graduating with honors from both schools.  He attended Physical Therapy school at Cleveland State University where he was an honors graduate. While in physical therapy school, he received training at The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital, Metro Hospital and The Crystal Clinic. He also participated in research to improve outcomes with post op total knee replacement patients. 

Nick was drawn to Athena Therapy due to their focus on patient outcomes and emphasis on individual care.  He appreciates that the patients are not treated as a number and truly receive one on one care.  He feels that this is the reason Athena Therapy was recognized as a Gold Award Winner in the Tribune Chronicle’s Readers’ Choice Awards. 

Howland Clinic Director

Chandler has been a physical therapist for 3 years. He specializes in outpatient general orthopedics to include post-surgical rehabilitation, acute and chronic pains, balance disorders, and work-related injuries. His experience mostly lies in outpatient but has also worked briefly in SNF/LTC, home care, and telehealth. Chandler has served as the Howland Clinic Director for over 2 years now; a clinic that has been recognized as a Gold Award Winner by the Tribune Chronicle Readers’ Choice Awards. 

Chandler has received training to perform Integrative Dry Needling, an emerging form of pain management and natural performance enhancer. He also has prior experience as the head strength coach at a local gym before practicing physical therapy; working closely with general weight loss, overhead, and rotational athletes. Chandler has also recently served as a clinical instructor for current physical therapy students. 

A graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Warren, OH, Chandler also currently serves as the head strength coach and an assistant on the football team. He received his BS in Exercise Science at the University of Mount Union where he then went on for his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. During his doctoral studies, he completed clinical rotations and training from the Alliance Community Hospital (Aultman), HealthPoint Wooster Outpatient, and the George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Utah. Chandler has also completed research studies on the Functional Movement Screen pertaining to overhead athletes as well as the Lift and Carry Test and its ability to predict frailty in older adults. 

Athena Therapy was a natural fit for Chandler. He believes the patient-first model and one-on-one treatment environment allows for the best possible outcomes. Athena firmly stands against treating patients like a number or defining them by their diagnosis, which falls in line with Chandler’s beliefs.