CJ Charniak, PT, DPT, Assistant Clinical Director
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 bachelors 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 orthopedic injuries to neurological conditions, with a focus on helping individuals return to an active, healthy lifestyle. I take pride in using creative, individualized treatment approaches tailored to each patient’s goals whether that’s recovering from an injury, improving mobility, or returning to higher-level performance.
As an outdoorsy and active person living in Alaska, I’m especially passionate about working with active adults who value movement and adventure. I enjoy helping patients of all ages from teenagers to seniors! I want them to get back to hiking, skiing, biking, paddling, strength training, and navigating Alaska’s rugged terrain. Whether it’s carrying heavy loads in the backcountry, hiking uneven trails, keeping up with the kiddos or preparing for long days outside, I love helping people build the strength, mobility, and resilience needed to fully participate in the lifestyle they enjoy.
My goal is to not only restore function and reduce pain, but to help patients move better, perform better, and confidently return to the activities that define life in Alaska – while maintaining a strong, active lifestyle for years to come.
Family overview: I moved to Alaska with my husband 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 spend as much time as I can enjoying the outdoors and everything Alaska has to offer. I love camping, hiking, jogging, kayaking, and cross-country skiing—anything that gets me moving and outside in fresh air. Whether it’s exploring local trails, being on the water, or getting out in the snow during the winter, I’m happiest staying active and taking in the scenery.
When I’m not outside, I enjoy slowing things down with more creative hobbies like baking and embroidery. I love the balance of staying active and then unwinding with something hands-on and relaxing.