In Recognition of 33 Years of Service

In December 2010, Charlie Gardner retired after 33 years of federal service at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Richmond, Virginia. During his long service, Charlie worked in several areas throughout the facility, including General Medicine, Orthopedics, Spinal Cord Injury, and Cardiac Rehabilitation. He then spent nearly 22 years as supervisor for the Kinesiotherapy department. Throughout his career, Charlie has worked to promote growth in the field of Kinesiotherapy by supporting local education programs and clinical programs, and participating in the effort to convert KTs to Hybrid Title 38 professionals within the federal government.

Charlie graduated with a degree in Health and Physical Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia in 1975. In 1977, he began his career in the VA with an internship in Corrective Therapy at the Hampton VAMC. Shortly thereafter, he moved to the Richmond VAMC to take a position as a Corrective Therapist in General Medicine. Over the next 11 years, he honed his skills by working in several different disciplines, gaining an appreciation for all aspects of Kinesiotherapy. In 1985, he returned to school, this time at Virginia Commonwealth University, and graduated with a Masters in Exercise Science in 1988. He was then promoted to supervisor for the Kinesiotherapy department at the Richmond VAMC.

Charlie has consistently supported education in Kinesiotherapy and for nearly ten years, he taught classes at Virginia Commonwealth University. During his tenure, he helped to educate a good portion of the senior therapists now working at the Richmond VAMC and at various Veterans Affairs hospitals around the country. He was also a strong supporter of the AKTA and served in several positions on the AKTA Executive Board, including acting as President of the organization in 2003. During his term, Kinesiotherapists were converted to Hybrid Title 38 in the federal government.

Charlie’s dedication to the field of Kinesiotherapy and support of the therapists working under him has been greatly appreciated. When asked, he offered the following advice to all Kinesiotherapists working today:

“Work hard and keep your patients’ interests at the forefront while excelling at your job. Doing this will bring notice to the profession and earn Kinesiotherapists respect in the eyes of their employers and colleagues.”

Charlie also encourages continued support of the AKTA to provide education, information, employment, and professional growth opportunities to all Kinesiotherapists.

We wish Charlie good luck in retirement and extend our thanks for his many years of service to our nation’s veterans and the AKTA.