Leading With Empathy

By Elle Wilcox '26, December 1, 2023

Chris Remillard ’03, DPT ’04 speaks to physical therapy department.

Chris Remillard, ’03, DPT ’04, spoke to the Ithaca College physical therapy department

Even in the U.S. Army’s clinical settings, healthcare providers should do what they can to be less “clinical.” Empathy, patience and listening go a long way to fostering more productive treatment, said Lieutenant Colonel Chris Remillard, ’03, DPT ’04.

Beyond mere clinical experience, it’s critical that physical therapists learn the appropriate skills needed to connect with patients on an emotional level. That’s why, students, faculty, and staff of the Ithaca College Physical Therapy Department gathered to hear Remillard present his talk, “From Clinical Care to Executive Leadership: Finding Success by Leading with Empathy.”

Remillard currently serves as the commander of the third medical recruiting battalion of the U.S. Army Medical recruiting brigade. Since graduating from IC, he has served in several leadership positions, all of which serve to help shape the Army’s health and wellness programs.

Among his many roles, he has served as the Director of the U.S. Army Physical Fitness School as well as the Deputy Division Surgeon and Human Performance Optimization Director for the Third Infantry Division. He additionally is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist.

He shared his journey from a staff therapist to holding leadership roles in the military and how the evolution of his empathetic approach allowed him to build trust and make decisions that drive progress.

“Actively listening to patients is very important,” Remillard said, “It may be a critical part of the patient needs to achieve their goals. Leadership in the field of physical therapy is of increasing importance, and what we do as leaders in the medical community is really starting to expand and evolve.”

“He showed that the profession is bigger than just treating people and their injuries, it’s getting a bigger scope of them as a person.”

Ashley Hart’22, ’24

He also stressed to the students that, on the challenging days, they reflect on their goals.

“You’re going to have those days, and you’ll need to ask yourself: Why are you here? What’s driving you to succeed in this program?” he said. “Reflect on that. Use that to energize yourself as you make those hard decisions and then push on to further success.”

Remillard also reminded the students that they were already set up for success due to their innate talents.

“You as PTs, you have the skills to be powerful and successful,” he said. “You’ve already got the empathy built in and that’s why you’re here. Right? Just take that time with patients.”

Assistant professor of physical therapy Kayleigh Plumeau says Remillard’s perspective was invaluable.

“His unique career path provides students with another perspective of what it means to be a physical therapist and a leader, with foundations that apply to any path that one might choose. Our program believes that our students will one day be leaders in our profession, whether it is with their patients, in their organizations, in the community, or beyond, and he exemplifies what it means to be a true leader in the physical therapy profession.”

Ashley Hart ’22, ’24 enjoyed the talk.

“I thought that it was cool to get his perspective and his picture of the journey he went on, just to see if that would be something I was interested in doing in the future,” she said. “He showed that the profession is bigger than just treating people and their injuries, it’s getting a bigger scope of them as a person.”