White Plains, Georgia native Dr. Crystal A. Champion, PT, DPT, CLT-ALM, Cert. DN,  is a Physical Therapist and a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. She has 13 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Upon graduating from Greene-Taliaferro Comprehensive High School in Greensboro, Georgia in 2000 as Valedictorian, Dr. Champion attended Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia where she graduated Cum Laude and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Education with a Concentration in Exercise Science in 2004. She was also initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc in which she remains an active member in the Upsilon Alpha Omega Chapter in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Dr. Champion attended the Medical College of Georgia where she obtained a Master of Physical Therapy degree in 2006 and a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree in 2008.

 

Dr. Champion has served on various committees to include the Cancer Committee, Oncology Continuous Quality Improvement Team, Unit Practice Council, and the Palliative Care Team. She has also served as a host committee member for an Atlanta signature fundraiser, Jeffrey Fashion Cares, which supports Susan G. Komen Atlanta and the Atlanta AIDS Fund. In her career, she has received accolades to include the Innovators Award for Quality/Patient Safety, a Clinical Excellence Award, and was nominated for the American Health Council Best In Patient Care Award.  She is also an American Physical Therapy Association Credentialed Clinical Instructor in which she facilitates clinical experiences for students in Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.

 

Dr. Champion has a special interest in oncology rehabilitation and was instrumental in developing the oncology rehabilitation program as well as the outpatient lymphedema treatment program for a major hospital system in Atlanta, Georgia.   She obtained her certification as a Lymphedema Therapist from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies and most recently became certified in Advanced Lymphedema Management. She is also certified in Dry Needling through the Spinal Manipulation Institute.  She has lectured to breast surgery fellows at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory and participates in various community events to spread awareness about cancer survivorship.

 

Dr. Champion was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2019. She also has had family and friends that have been affected by cancer and have endured horrible side-effects, leading to decline in physical functioning and a poor quality of life. Her passion for providing quality care for patients who require cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema therapy led her to start her own practice, Eminence Physical Therapy, LLC. Also, in her experience as a healthcare practitioner, she saw the need to serve cancer patients on a larger scale and encourage patients take a more holistic approach to restoring their psychological well-being, physical functioning, and quality of life as often the physical, psychological, spiritual, and emotional impairments resulting from cancer treatment are often not addressed or are improperly addressed.

 

This led her to establish Champions Can! Foundation for Cancer Wellness, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes and advocates for cancer survivorship. She is also a published author of the book "The Elements of Cancer Survivorship: A Guide to Navigating the Journey" which is available on Amazon and aims to guide individuals and their families through their cancer journey.  Dr. Champion has gained more awareness surrounding the gaps in education regarding lymphedema treatment, cancer rehabilitation, as well as the limited focus on cancer survivorship once cancer treatment has been completed. Her company strives to be the leader in providing high quality care for lymphedema treatment as well as for cancer rehabilitation.

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In October 2019, she received the"40 Under 40 Achievement Award" from both The Network Journal Magazine of New York City and Georgia Trend Magazine for her hard work and diligence in serving cancer patients and their families through her practice Eminence Physical Therapy, LLC and her non-profit organization        Champions Can! She was also featured in VoyageATL Magazine as one of "ATL's Most Inspiring Stories."