James Sinodinos - Vice Chair of Events

Two months into his freshman year of college, James's life took an unexpected turn. A triple ligament tear, ACL, PCL, and LCL, ending his baseball season and set him on a long path through surgery and months of physical therapy. At the time, he was a biochemistry major on the pre-med track at Stevens Institute of Technology. But as he worked side by side with physical therapists, celebrating milestones, navigating setbacks, and finding strength through the grind, his vision of his

future shifted. "Choosing physical therapy wasn't one specific moment for me," he reflects. "It was like how John Green likens falling in love to falling asleep, slowly and then all at once."

That gradual realization carried him into Columbia's DPT program, where he quickly discovered both challenges and growth. Without a traditional anatomy and physiology background, he struggled at first to keep up. Supportive classmates and mentors helped him through, and clinical experiences reinforced the lesson that listening and building a therapeutic alliance mattered far more than asking for the "perfect" set of questions. 

James's journey has been defined by taking bold swings. He launched Lifelong Strong, a concierge practice, balancing its growth with becoming a new father in 2023. When early setbacks tested his

resilience, he rebounded, ultimately selling his practice to an AI-enabled startup and stepping into a role at Google's Health and Wellness Center. Along the way, he also co-founded a protein supplement company and served as director of performance at a youth baseball academy. "I am proud of myself for taking big swings early in my career," he says. "Each one opened doors I never imagined."

Through it all, his priorities have evolved. "Having my son in my life isn't just part of the equation anymore, it's the whole equation," James shares. His career choices now center on family, quality of life, and building a legacy.

As a member of the Columbia PT Alumni Association Board, James hopes to help shape that legacy. He envisions a community where alumni and students are deeply connected, where mentorship thrives, and where Columbia PT graduates are empowered to innovate and transform lives. "We will be known as bridge builders, linking scholarship with practice, alumni

with opportunity, and physical therapy with the wider world of healthcare."