Leslie Waltke, PT, DPT

Hailed as a Hero of Health Care, Dr. Waltke has dedicated her career to improving the health and lives of people during and after cancer.

  • More than 30 years of dedicated clinical oncology physical therapy

  • International speaker, educator, and consultant

  • Built and coordinates one of the US’s largest integrated cancer rehabilitation programs

  • Oversees cancer rehabilitation programs at multiple CoC and NAPBC centers of excellence holding the Outstanding Achievement Award

  • Award-winning author

  • Founder of “The Recovery Room,” an educational social media channel for cancer patients and survivors

  • Beloved by thousands of her patients and survivors

DR. LESLIE WALTKE

Founder, Waltke Cancer Rehabilitation Academy

What is your legacy?

We tend to see the world through the eyes of our own profession. When my profession and tragedy collided was the pain point where my legacy was born. When an ugly cancer barged its way into the body of my partner, I saw. I saw fear, wrath, futility. As a physical therapist, I saw life-altering fatigue, pain, and weakness.

From that point forward, what I saw could not be unseen. And though vengeance is not the best foundation on which to drive vision and legacy, it does fuel me. In the decades since, I have dedicated my career to making the world better for people with cancer.

Cancer ripped from me the love of my youth and took so much away. Yet now, each time I help someone with cancer smile more, stand longer, walk farther, and live better, we all get a bit back.

Maya Angelou said of legacy, “Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.“

I plan to leave deep gouges.

When I graduated with my physical therapy degree in 1988, cancer was the furthest thing from my mind. Yet in the early 1990s, my eyes were thrust opened to a whole new world.

You know how we all see the world through the eyes of our own profession? As a physical therapist watching someone exposed to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I didn't see tumor markers, cell counts or surgical margins. As a PT, I saw fatigue, pain, immobility, and progressive weakness. I saw the struggle to maintain normalcy, function, and a sense of self. 

Over time, I went from treating a few patients with cancer to opening a physical therapy private practice dedicated solely to people with cancer, to ultimately building the country’s largest integrated cancer rehabilitation program at one of the country’s leading cancer programs.

It’s a win/win…

Helping rehabilitation therapists, oncology practitioners, and cancer centers learn and implement best practices in cancer rehabilitation.

“As one of the planet’s most experienced oncology physical therapists, Dr. Waltke is the go to resource for cancer rehab continuing education.”
— Nicole Stout DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA Cancer Survivorship and Rehabilitation Researcher, American Cancer Society Senior Director Survivorship and Wellness
“With its clear, positive impact on morbidity and mortality, cancer rehabilitation is emerging as a standard of care. And Dr. Waltke is the best clinician and educator to get your program ready.”
— Jay Harness, MD Chief Medical Officer at Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, Past President of The American Society of Breast Surgeons
“Dr. Waltke has the extraordinary ability to inspire, engage, lead, and teach. She is a trailblazer and international cancer rehab expert and will be an asset to your practice and patients.”
— -Kevin Svoboda, PT, DPT brain cancer survivor, Director of U.S. Physical Therapy
“I LOVE Dr. Waltke’s accurate, evidence-based, concise, easy-to-understand explanations. She provides the honest answers and guidance we cancer survivors need and deserve.”
— Leona Downey, MD Cancer Survivor, Retired Medical Oncologist
“I have trusted Dr. Leslie Waltke for more than 20 years. And so should you.”
— Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D. MPH Leading Exercise Oncology Researcher, Professor of Hematology/Oncology at the Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine