Women Running Series: The Running Coach PT with Dr. Kim Melvan
Dr. Kimberly Melvan is a board-certified physical therapist with more than 12 years experience in sports medicine. She specializes in running-related injury prevention and treatment, video gait analysis, and run coaching.
Dr. Melvan developed an interest in amateur running after playing collegiate basketball; running her first half marathon during her graduate studies. After earning her doctorate in physical therapy, she moved to a reviving New Orleans, Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. Thriving in the city’s rebirth, she developed an active outpatient physical therapy practice and completed her strength and conditioning certification. Driven by the allure of a larger healthcare network, Dr. Melvan moved to Atlanta to join Emory Healthcare, the largest healthcare provider in Georgia. In less than two years, she achieved the role of outpatient clinic manager, the first woman and youngest individual to hold this position at Emory. With the help of her leadership, she developed one of the lowest performing clinics into a top earning physical therapy clinic in less than 5 years time. During her time at Emory, she actively engaged in volunteerism at local at-risk women’s shelters, participated in weekly running groups, and supported high school football players on the sideline. Moreover, she earned her board certification as a sports certified specialist (SCS), founded Emory Healthcare’s first running clinic, earned certifications as a kinesiotape practitioner and assisted soft tissue mobilization provider. It was also in Atlanta, that Dr. Melvan and her husband began growing their family, welcoming their first son. Juist prior to the Covid pandemic, Dr. Melvan and family relocated to Fort Lauderdale, where a second son was soon born. As a young mother, Dr. Melvan has recently began focusing on developing her own practice, looking to assist both amateur and professional runners alike prepare for and enjoy an active running lifestyle.