Annette Karim

Dr. Annette Karim holds a full time appointment as an Assistant Professor at Azusa Pacific University, teaching in the specialty areas of Clinical Skills, Wellness, and Capstone Projects. She is a residency and fellowship-trained orthopaedic clinical specialist and fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. She serves as a clinical mentor and teaching assistant for the Manual Therapy Institute Fellowship in Manual Therapy, mentor for the Orthopaedic Section, president of the Performing Arts Special Interest Group (PASIG) for the Orthopaedic Section, American Physical Therapy Association, PASIG Fellowship Taskforce member, reviewer for the Journal for Dance Medicine and Science, is an active member of the Dance USA Taskforce on Dancer Health, and serves on the accreditation committee for the American Board of Residency and Fellowship Education. Dr. Karim provides physical therapist care for dancers in clinical practice at Evergreen Physical Therapy Specialists in Pasadena, CA. A former professional dancer and director, Dr. Karim currently also teaches dance and movement analysis sessions to dancers of all levels. She regularly presents at dance festivals and conferences to physical therapists and other medical practitioners, and to dancers and dance educators.

Dr. Annette Y. Karim graduated from the Entry-level Physical Therapy Professional Program at Texas Woman’s University in 2008, receiving her Masters of Physical Therapy Degree. In 2009, she received her Post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree while simultaneously completing the Harris Health Systems Orthopedic Residency Program and beginning a PhD in physical therapy.

In 2013 Dr. Karim continued her advanced training in physical therapy by completing the Manual Therapy Institute Fellowship in Manual Therapy. In 2016 Dr. Karim successfully defended her dissertation, “Use of Whole-Body Vibration to Enhance Performance in Dancers,” and completed her PhD.