08/27/2026
Alumni Highlight!
Adam Wendt’s passion for physical therapy grew out of a lifelong love of sports and physical activity—a passion he continues to enjoy today. That interest initially led him to pursue athletic training while studying sports medicine at the University of Akron. As he progressed through the program, however, Adam began to feel something was missing.
While working with athletes, he noticed that most recovered relatively quickly from injury because they were already in excellent physical condition. He found himself increasingly drawn to helping individuals who did not have that advantage—people recovering from surgery, stroke, heart attack, amputation, or those dealing with imbalance, vertigo, and other complex medical conditions.
During his clinical experiences at Lorain County Community College and Cleveland State University, Adam fell in love with treating the geriatric population. Those experiences ultimately shaped the direction of his career and provided him with the opportunity to serve the veteran community. Today, his two primary areas of specialization are geriatrics and vestibular rehabilitation, where he treats patients experiencing dizziness, balance disorders, and vestibular dysfunction.
Adam earned his Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine from the University of Akron in 1998, followed by his Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Lorain County Community College in 2001. He completed his Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy at Cleveland State University in 2005.
Adam states that he has been blessed with an extraordinary opportunity to serve the veteran population at the Cleveland VA Medical Center, where he has worked for the past 20 years. Adam serves as the Program Coordinator and primary clinical mentor for the Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and contributes as a faculty member for the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. For more than 13 years, he has played a central role in geriatric residency curriculum development, program administration, and ongoing evaluation.
With a strong clinical interest in vestibular dysfunction, Adam earned his Herdman Vestibular Rehabilitation Certification in 2008 and now serves as the primary therapist for the outpatient vestibular clinic, which he was instrumental in establishing. He is also part of the interdisciplinary team providing care for OEF/OIF/OND Veterans and patients treated within the Polytrauma Clinic.
Adam became a Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS) in 2013 and earned the Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults (CEEAA) credential the same year. In 2019, he completed the VA Geriatric Scholars Program, further enhancing his expertise in caring for medically complex older adults.
He has presented at numerous local and national VA educational events and serves as a guest lecturer and clinical supervisor for students in the physical therapy program at Cleveland State University and the PTA program at Lorain County Community College, including participation in free health clinics and Fitness Fridays. He is also an active member of the LCCC PTA Advisory Board.
Outside of his professional role, Adam’s life is deeply grounded in faith, family, and friendships. This year, he and his wife, Melissa, celebrate 21 years of marriage. Adam has two sons, Preston and Parker, and enjoys spending time with them going for walks, fishing, and playing sports. One of Adam’s favorite ways to spend time outside of work is coaching basketball at his sons’ school. Adam credits God’s love, grace, strength, and faithfulness with shaping the person he is today, a foundation that guides both his personal life and professional calling (Colossians 2:14).
We are proud to have Adam Wendt represent CSU PT!!
