2023 Outstanding Alumnus Award Winner
Russ Huffstetler, a Tennessee native born to entrepreneurial parents, embodies the values of excellence, teamwork, and dedication instilled in him from a young age through his involvement in sports. His journey into the field of physical therapy began as he experienced sports rehabilitation following minor injuries. This experience ignited his passion for physical therapy, leading him to pursue his education at the University of Tennessee at Martin and subsequently the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.
In 2004, Russ earned his Master of Physical Therapy degree, followed by his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2005. His career started in general orthopedics in Nashville, Tennessee, and eventually evolved into a specialized practice focused on sports-related injuries. Russ collaborated closely with the Tennessee Titans’ team physician, working with athletes at various levels, including high school, college, professional, post-professional, and recreational.
Driven by a desire to bring top-tier healthcare and expertise to his hometown in Northwest Tennessee, Russ returned to West Tennessee, in 2007, where he crossed paths with Heath Ladd, forming a strong friendship and a successful business partnership. This partnership produced Dynamix Physical Therapy of which Russ serves as CEO. Dynamix currently operates 15 locations with 2 additional on the way. Dynamix has been an Inc 5000 honoree 4 consecutive years while being named the 2022 Ascend national practice of the year.
Russ’s expertise extends to manual therapy, where he employs an integrative approach. He holds the prestigious designation of Certified Integrated Manual Therapist (CIMT), a distinction held by fewer than 300 clinicians nationwide. Additionally, Russ possesses advanced training in spinal manipulative therapy and is certified in dry needling (Cert. DN) through the Spinal Manipulation Institute and Dry Needling Institute. His specialization lies in spinal and sports rehabilitation/performance.
A dedicated member of professional organizations, Russ is affiliated with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA), and the Private Practice Section (PPS) of the APTA.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Russ is passionate about business and leadership, actively seeking wisdom through books, podcasts, audiobooks, and everyday life experiences. He has been a featured speaker at various events and has appeared as a guest on multiple national physical therapy podcasts. Russ firmly believes in the importance of giving back to the community and is involved in local boards and his church, guided by the belief that “we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
In his leisure time, Russ treasures moments with his wife, Sarah Beth, and their children, Henry and Mary-Todd. For moments of tranquility, he escapes to his family farm in Greenfield, Tennessee, where he enjoys farm work, hunting, and cherished moments with family and friends.