Meet a Member
Shai Sewell, PT, DPT, Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Meet Shai Sewell, the Academy’s Social Media Chair.
Shai’s interest in oncology rehabilitation began prior to starting physical therapy school, when his mom was diagnosed with cancer. Seeing the effects of exercise not only on her physical health, but mental well-being, drove Shai to explore the benefits that rehabilitation and exercise can have throughout the cancer care continuum.
While studying at the University of Miami to obtain his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, he was fortunate to intern at the University of Florida, Shands Medical Plaza where he assessed and treated breast and head and neck cancer patients experiencing a multitude of cancer treatment related sequela. After graduating from PT school in 2018, Shai began his career at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami where he worked with the hematological oncological population undergoing stem cell transplants. With experience in this setting, his love for cancer rehabilitation only grew further.
During this time, he began a Special Interest Group for University of Miami students to help highlight the importance of cancer rehabilitation and to spark curiosity in an ever-growing field. He has also been active in the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy, transitioning into the role of Social Media Chair in 2019. Shai hopes to promote the importance of cancer rehabilitation to students, clinicians, and physical therapy programs across the country. With his passion for raising awareness to new therapists and improving access to care for those diagnosed with cancer, Shai hopes to create a field where empowerment takes reign over a life-changing diagnosis.
During his free time, he likes to bike, run, hike, camp, explore what the great outdoors has to offer, throw clay on the potter’s wheel, and transform his van Zooba into a future home.