CJ Charniak, PT, DPT
Empower History: New Provider as of June 2025
Hometown: Neenah, WI
Background and Inspiration:
- What inspired you to be a PT? When I was in 5th grade my grandpa received a double lung transplant and that was my first look into the rehabilitation and recovery process. From there I knew that I wanted to be involved in helping others recover and get back to living their daily lives.
- Where did you go to PT school? University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.
- What is your background and experience in this industry?
When I graduated with my bachelor’s of science, I took a year off of schooling to work full time as a rehabilitation technician at a local hospital in La Crosse, WI where I assisted inpatient physical therapists in acute care and inpatient rehab as well as outpatient neuro physical therapists and continued to work this job PRN throughout PT school. I had the privilege of working with patients with a wide variety of conditions including spinal cord injuries, TBI’s, strokes, and orthopedic injuries.
In PT school I completed numerous clinical rotations in a wide variety of settings including outpatient neurological and orthopedics and inpatient acute care.
- What do you enjoy most about your role?
I really enjoy getting to know patients and learning about their passions. My main goal is always to help patients get back to doing what they love to do.
What brought you to Alaska/ back to Alaska after moving/ kept you here?
I had always wanted to spend time in Alaska and had the opportunity to complete one of my clinical rotations in Homer, AK. I spent most of my free time hiking, camping, fishing, and exploring. When it was time to go back to WI and finish the rest of my clinicals I found myself not wanting to leave and decided that I would move here after graduation.
Passions within PT
I enjoy working with a wide variety of patients from orthopedics to neurological patients. I also enjoy helping patients with chronic pain. I love that I get to be creative in my interventions to help patients reach their individual goals.
Family overview: I moved to Alaska with my fiancé Kyle, the rest of my family is in WI, and I am looking forward to showing them around Alaska when they come to visit.
What are your passions outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending most of my time outside. I love camping, hiking, jogging, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. I also enjoy baking and embroidery.