Dr. Russ L'HommeDieu, DPT
Speaker, Educator, Clinician
Dr. Russ L’HommeDieu ( lohm-DEW ) has been a practicing physical therapist for over 35 years.
As a Doctor of Education candidate specializing in Health Education & Leadership, his work focuses on repairing workplace well-being architecture by moving past the superficial burnout narrative to dismantle Occupational Distress Syndrome (ODS).
From pioneering smart-home sensor systems for the Veterans Administration to advising deep-tech AI startups and co-founding an independent social-emotional learning children's publishing house, Russ uniquely blends clinical rigor with SaaS product intuition, instructional design, and compelling narrative storytelling. He creates systems, products, and learning experiences that respect human time and elevate human flourishing.
Dr. L’HommeDieu is also a certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist, a wellness coach, and a Certified Age in Place Specialist.
He is also the owner of a rehabilitation staffing company, giving him a rare perspective that bridges both clinical practice and the business realities of healthcare.
In recent years, his work has expanded into teaching, consulting in the health technology space, and even co-authoring children’s books with his wife, Karen, about their differently-abled dog, Daisy.
L’HommeDieu is also a certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist, a wellness coach, and a Certified Age in Place Specialist. He recently completed the Harvard Bok Higher Education Teaching Certificate
What makes Dr. L’HommeDieu especially powerful as a speaker is not that he presents himself as someone who has all the answers. Instead, shows up as someone who has walked through struggle, burnout, and challenge, and who continues to navigate that journey with humility, honesty, and courage. He speaks not from perfection, but from experience, reflection, and deep care for the well-being of others.
My Projects
Compassion Solution
Mission: To assist healthcare providers and healthcare systems understand the value of compassion in improving the lived experience of all stakeholders, and help to build sustainable systems for the cultivation of compassion in healthcare.
Occupational Distress Syndrome
Occupational Distress Syndrome moves beyond the burnout metaphor to offer a precise framework for understanding workplace suffering. Grounded in Carol Ryff's eudaimonic well-being model, it identifies how organizational demands damage internal human flourishing. The site provides assessment tools, explainer resources, and evidence-based pathways to restore workplace well-being architecture and purpose.
Practical Innovations
Practical Innovations is a healthcare consulting practice. We specialize in training and leadership coaching, instructional design, and health-tech innovation, helping organizations build sustainable systems for professional development, compassionate care delivery, and the integration of emerging technologies into clinical practice.
Three Paws Publishing
Three Paws Publishing was co-founded by Dr. Russ and Karen L'HommeDieu, inspired by their three-legged therapy dog Daisy. Our mission is to teach and empower all children through the power of story, creating books that celebrate inclusion, resilience, and social-emotional learning for young readers everywhere. Dr. Russ is also a
Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS)
C.O.R.E Framework
The CORE Framework is an instructional design methodology developed by Dr. Russ L'HommeDieu, DPT that ensures every learning experience is Concise, Organized, Relevant, and Engaging. It provides educators and organizations with a repeatable structure for creating content that learners retain, apply, and translate into meaningful behavior change.
Northeast Restorative Care
Northeast Restorative Physical & Occupational Therapy Services is a rehabilitation staffing company.
We are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of patient care with a focus on compassion, professionalism, and achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Data Walker
Data Walker is a DIY walker odometer that assists in performing 10M walk test and TUG