Anita K. Davidson, DPT, has built an influential career spanning four decades in physical therapy, business leadership and biotechnology. As chief executive officer of Creative BioTherapeutics in Gurnee, Illinois, she leads all aspects of the preclinical biotech company’s operations, guiding its mission to develop groundbreaking therapies that reverse drug resistance in late-stage cancer. In this leadership role, she mentors and collaborates with staff, oversees financial and operational planning, participates in grant writing, manages commercialization strategies, and engages directly with investors. She also represents the organization at conferences and professional meetings, delivering online presentations to secure funding and expand its scientific reach.
Dr. Davidson’s academic background provided a strong foundation for her multidisciplinary career. She earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science after receiving a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from Indiana University. The support of her family, which includes her husband and two daughters, has been essential to her willingness to pursue ambitious opportunities across clinical practice, entrepreneurship and scientific discovery.
Dr. Davidson’s achievements have been acknowledged through numerous honors, including the Outstanding Leadership and Executive Award from The CXO Group, Cancer Drug Resistance Company of the Year from Life Sciences Review and a nomination as Physical Therapist Business Owner of the Year. She also supports fundraising efforts for women’s shelters, reflecting her deep commitment to community service and social impact.
Before becoming chief executive officer, Dr. Davidson worked as co-founder, chief operating officer and president of Creative BioTherapeutics. She was instrumental in shaping the company’s strategic direction and operational framework during its early stages, working closely with her husband, who held the chief executive role at the time, to advance their shared vision for transformative cancer treatments. Her leadership as company president further solidified her influence in biotechnology and established Creative BioTherapeutics as a promising innovator in oncology research.
Long before entering the biotech sector, Dr. Davidson built a successful career in physical therapy and health care business development. As chief executive officer and consultant for Creative Rehab, she founded and grew a private practice known for its patient-centered care and innovative rehabilitation programs. Her approach combined clinical excellence with operational efficiency, positioning Creative Rehab as a trusted leader in rehabilitation services.
Dr. Davidson’s passion for professional education led her to establish Creative Research, Education and Training, a company devoted to designing advanced educational programs for physical therapists. This initiative reflected her belief in raising professional standards through targeted instruction and lifelong learning. In addition, she launched Creative Pain Solutions, a program dedicated to helping patients manage chronic pain by modifying functional behaviors and thought patterns rather than relying solely on medication. This holistic approach to care became a hallmark of her clinical philosophy.
Building on her success in clinical program development, Dr. Davidson’s leadership extended into broader organizational strategy. She directed a three-year process improvement initiative focused on employee education, led a four-month offsite project that redesigned the patient admission process for greater efficiency, and reorganized nine hospital departments to reduce expenses during budget constraints. At the request of hospital leadership, she also developed a call center that improved communication systems, scheduling services, and cultural collaboration through cross-trained staff.
Dr. Davidson’s expertise in business development, patient advocacy, and health care innovation has earned national recognition. Her work has been featured in USA Today as part of a “company to watch,” highlighted by International Business Review, and profiled among “Ten Innovative, Disruptive Founders” by United Kingdom Entrepreneur Magazine. She maintains active membership in the American Physical Therapy Association, Chicagoland Directors Forum, and American Association for Cancer Research, and she serves on the leadership council and health and human resources committee of the National Small Business Association.
Through her leadership at Creative BioTherapeutics, Dr. Davidson continues to drive the development of groundbreaking cancer therapies designed to overcome drug resistance and extend patients’ lives. Guided by a vision of better outcomes and renewed hope for those facing the most difficult diagnoses, she is dedicated to advancing medical innovation and shaping the future of patient care for generations to come.