Founder Profile: Dr. Michelle Neff

Dr. Michelle Neff

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Neff received a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. While studying there, she got involved in volunteer work with schools and sports camps for children with disabilities and discovered a love for physical therapy. She later obtained a Doctorate in physical therapy from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

After graduating she practiced in both the Chicago area and the metro Detroit area, specializing in orthopedics and also elder care. She also has experience in pediatrics and acute care. In those years she assisted in the setup and launch of other physiotherapy clinics in the Detroit area and also acted as a clinical instructor to train student physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants.

In 2015, after visiting Nigeria for leisure and to attend a wedding, Dr. Neff began to work on a plan to set up a physiotherapy clinic in Lagos. During her travels, she realized that there was a need that was not being met in healthcare and specifically in her field, physiotherapy. In early 2016 she opened American Physical Therapy and Wellness Center (APTWC) in Ikoyi, Lagos.

After about 2 years she partnered with Ngozi Edozien in hopes of creating a company where more physios could be brought on and trained and more patients could be reached throughout Lagos and the rest of Nigeria.

In 2018 they opened Physio Centers of Africa (PCA) that now provides physiotherapy services, home and elder care services, equipment supply and training for physiotherapists.