Speaker Biographies
James Beazell, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
University of Virginia-Healthsouth Spine and Sports Medicine
James Beazell, received his Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California program in 1981. Mr. Beazell is a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy and is Board Certified as an Orthopedic Specialist by the American Physical Therapy Association. Jim has been certified as an athletic trainer by the National Athletic Trainers Association since 1981. He has been an invited lecturer at the California Medical Academy meeting in 1990, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Clinical Update on Sports Medicine in San Francisco in 1991, Virginia Physical Therapy Association Conference and the American Physical Therapy Association Conference. He has been an instructor nationally with the Institute of Physical Art in Functional Orthopedics Classes since 1990. Mr. Beazell has published articles in the Clinics in Sports medicine, Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy and the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. Jim has authored 2 chapters in a forthcoming text for physicians edited by Vaccaro and Anderson. He coauthored a chapter entitled "Soft Tissue Mobilization and Neuromuscular Training" in Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders Volume 1: The Spine by Saunders and Ryan. Mr. Beazell is the Site Coordinator at Musculoskeletal Center at the University of Virginia-Healthsouth facility in Charlottesville, Virginia. He has been involved in developing and teaching the current national Spine curricula for Healthsouth.
Stephania Bell, PT, OCS, CSCS
Injury Analyst, Senior Writer
ESPN
B.A., Princeton University, M.S., P.T., University of Miami (FL); Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (Ola Grimsby Institute); 18 years clinical experience, background in orthopedic manual therapy and sports medicine; Teaching experience: University of Kansas and Samuel Merritt College (PT Programs); Kaiser Hayward Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy; ESPN Injury Analyst and Senior Writer (since August 2007); providing commentary and analysis on injuries in all sports, with emphasis on football and baseball.
Bob Boyles, PT, DPT
Associate Professor
University of Puget Sound
Dr. Boyles is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. His primary areas of instruction include orthopaedic , manual therapy treatment techniques for the spine and extremities, introduction to joint mobilization, and advanced spine manipulation. He is retired from the U.S. Army where he was Associate Professor at the U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy. He received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from Eastern Washington University in 1989, and his entry-level Masters degree in Physical Therapy from Baylor University in 1991. Dr. Boyles, completed his advanced clinical doctoral degree in 2002 from U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Orthopaedics and Manual Physical Therapy. He has been invited to lecture at numerous seminars and universities in the United States, Europe, and Asia on the topics of manual therapy interventions, manipulation, and radiology. Also, he provides instruction for the APTAs Advanced Clinical Practice courses. He stays active in clinical research concerning manual therapy and manipulation, and has several peer-reviewed publications to his credit. Dr Boyles is a board certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. Dr Boyles is currently serving as the Student Liaison to the AAOMPT Executive.
Carol Courtney, PT, PhD, ATC, FAAOMPT
Associate Professor; Director, Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Physical Therapy
Carol Courtney, PT, PhD, is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Dr. Courtney received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the Washington University, Master of Applied Science in Manipulative Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia, and PhD in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami in 2003. At UIC, she is the director of the Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy. Dr. Courtney's research investigates the effects of joint injury and osteoarthritis on pain processing and joint function, as well as modulation of pain processes through manual therapy intervention.
Todd Davenport, PT, DPT, OCS
Assistant Professor
University of the Pacific
Todd Davenport, PT, DPT, OCS is Assistant Professor at University of the Pacific. Dr. Davenport is a past fellow at the National Institutes of Health, and graduate of the university of Southern California. Dr. Davenport's clinical and research interests include diagnosis and optimal methods of manual therapy examination, evaluation, and treatment. Dr. Davenport serves as Editorial Review Board member of the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, and reviewer for Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Arthritis and Rheumatism. Dr. Davenport is active in the American Physical Therapy Association. he is a past recipient of several teaching and publication awards.
Justin Elliott
Director, State Government Affairs
American Physical Therapy Association
Justin Elliott is the Director of State Government Affairs at APTA having previously served as Associate Director for State Government Affairs from 2002-2008. He also formerly served as APTA's Assistant Director for State Government Affairs. Prior to joining APTA, he worked at KM Strategies, a state government affairs and issue management firm in Alexandria, VA. He was the Communications Director for Fairfax County Supervisor Penelope A. Gross, and also served in the offices of U.S. Senator Charles Robb and Congressman Tom Davis, both of Virginia. Justin received his bachelor's degree in Communications and minor in Political Science from Virginia Tech. He is a member of Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG), a professional organization for state government lobbyists, and previously served on its Board of Directors, and as President of the organization in 2006.
Alicia Emerson Kavchak, PT, MS, OCS, FAAOMPT
Clinical Instructor
University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Physical Therapy
Alicia Emerson Kavchak, PT, MS, is a Clinical Instructor at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and is a Clinical Specialist in Physical Therapy at the UIC Medical Center Physical Therapy Outpatient Department. Alicia received her Master's of Science in Physical Therapy from the Krannert School of Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis. She recently completed her Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy at UIC. Alicia's research interests include the neuroscience of pain processing.
Timothy Flynn, PT, PhD
Associate Professor
RHCHP-School of Physical Therapy, Regis University
Tim Flynn, PT, PhD is board certified in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS), a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT), and a frequent research presenter at state, national, and international meetings. Dr. Flynn is widely published including 2 textbooks, 6 book chapters, over 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts, and over 60 published abstracts on orthopaedics, biomechanics, and manual physical therapy issues. Awards include the James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, the Steven J. Rose Excellence in Research (twice), the AAOMPT Outstanding Research Award (twice), and the Distinguished Alumnus- Marquette University Program in Physical Therapy. He is past-president of the AAOMPT. Dr. Flynn continues to maintain an active research agenda in the areas of spinal and extremity manipulation, low back disorders, characterization of spinal instability, and the development of clinical prediction rules. Dr. Flynn is an expert clinician and owner of Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists. He is on the executive board of Evidence in Motion an education company, which passionately promotes a culture of evidence-based practice within the physical therapy profession. Dr. Flynn is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT), and editorial board member of Manual Therapy. He is an Associate Professor and Manual Therapy Fellowship Coordinator, Department of Physical Therapy, Regis University where he teaches professional and post-professional students in the area of musculoskeletal management and evidence based practice.
Skip Gill, D.Sc.,OCSCert. MDT, FAAOMPT
Graduate Program Director, Fellowship Director
Brooke Army Medical Center
Dr. Skip Gill is the director of the U.S. Army-Baylor University Post professional Doctoral Program in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy. He has served recently as Chief Physical Therapist at a Combat Support Hospital in Iraq. Additionally he has served with the White House Medical Unit and the 82nd Airborne Division. He holds an undergraduate degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and a Master's and Doctoral Degree from Baylor University in Texas. He completed a postdoc fellowship at Walter Reed's Spine Biomechanics Lab and his research interests are in spine imaging, OMPT, and osteoarthritis.
Jay Hertel, Phd, ATC, FASCM, FNATA
Associate Professor, Sports Medicine Program
University of Virginia
Jay Hertel is an associate professor of Kinesiology and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Virginia where he also directs the graduate programs in athletic training and sports medicine. Dr. Hertel holds a B.S. in physical education/training from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, an M.Ed. in athletic training from the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. in kinesiology from the Pennsylvania State University. His primary area of research deals with lateral ankle instability which he studies from a multifactorial perspective using diverse methods ranging from laboratory-based assessments of biomechanics and motor control to evidence-based practice principles inherent to clinical epidemiology. Dr. Hertel has authored or co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and presented at numerous national and international scientific and clinical meetings. Dr. Hertel is a fellow of both the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers' Association. He currently serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Athletic Training and BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. His research on ankle instability has been funded by agencies including the National Athletic Trainers' Association Research and Education Foundation, the National Football League Charities, and the National Institutes of Health.
Paul Hodges, Bphty (Hons) PhD MedDr
Professor and NHMRC Principal Research Fellow NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health
University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Paul Hodges is a Professor and NHMRC Principal Research Fellow in the Division of Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland and Director of the NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health. Paul has doctorates in both physiotherapy and neuroscience and his work blends neurophysiological and biomechanical methods to understand the control of movement and stability and how this changes when people have pain. In 2006 Paul was awarded the ISSLS Prize from the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine. This is the premier international prize for back pain research. His primary research interests include investigation of the relationship between pain and motor control; the coordination of the multiple functions of the trunk muscles; the effect of exercise in interventions on musculoskeletal pain; and the biomechanical mechanisms for control of the spine. His work has improved the management of patients with low back and pelvic pain. In addition to his research in Brisbane, Paul has ongoing collaborations with laboratories in Sydney, Melbourne, Sweden, USA, the Netherlands, Denmark and South Africa. He has published more than 150 peer reviewed papers and book chapters. He has received more than $AU11 million in research grants from the NHMRC, ARC and International research funds.
Alec Kay, PT, DMT, FAAOMPT, OCS, ATC
Ola Grimsby Institute
1990 MSPT from the University of the Pacific. 1992 Kaiser Vallejo PNF residency. 1998 Master's of Orthopedic Manual from the Ola Grimsby Institute. 2000 he completed his dissertation on the lumbar multifidus which lead to a Doctorate of Manual Therapy and 2 publications in the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. He has been teaching courses in manual therapy since 2000 and is the primary author of the lumbar chapter in the new textbook: Science, Theory and Clinical Application in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, (vol III).Back and Lower Extremity,2008. Alec practices at United Physical Therapy in Anchorage, AK.
Kyle Kiesel, PT, PhD, ATC, CSCS
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
University of Evansville
Dr. Kiesel received his B.S. in Physical Education and Sports Medicine from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He then earned his MPT from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and in 2007 earned his PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Kentucky. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He conducts research related to functional movement testing and injury prediction in athletes and serves as a strength and conditioning consultant for professional, college, and high school sports teams. He has extensive experience teaching lecture and lab courses emphasizing functional movement assessment and treatment and has authored several articles and a book chapter on this topic. He has presented his work nationally and internationally and is currently an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Evansville.
Dr. Kiesel is engaged in patient care in orthopedics and sports at ProRehab, PC in Evansville, IN where he also serves as Director of Evidence-Based Practice and Outcomes.
Richard Kring, DMT, DPT, PT, FAAOMPT
Director of Clinical Research
Cleveland Clinic
Graduated from physical therapy school in 1997. Two year residency from the Ola Grimsby Institute in orthopaedic manual therapy. Fellowship trained achieving FAAOMPT. Finished doctoral work and dissertation titled "The Role of Central Sensitization in the Manifestation of the Facilitated Segment". Director of Clinical Research in Sports Health and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Board of instructors and examiners for the Ola Grimsby Institute, Board of Editors for Scientific Physical Therapy.
Kornelia Kulig, PT,PHD, FMAAOMPT
Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy
University of Southern California
Kornelia Kulig, PhD, PT, FMAAOMPT is an Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy and a Co-Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory at the University of Southern California. Her research explores tissue morphology, biomechanics, physiology, pathology, corresponding signs and symptoms, and loss of function secondary to degenerative processes in tendons, intervertebral disc, and muscle. Dr. Kulig is a Founding Member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. She serves as editorial board member for the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy and reviewer for several journals. She is the recipient of several distinguished teaching and research awards.
Carina Lowry, PT, DPT,OCS, FAAOMPT
Adjunct Clinical Faculty
Northeastern University
Carina Lowry, PT, DPT is a staff therapist at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua, NH and Adjunct Clinical Faculty at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Dr. Lowry received her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University in Houston, TX and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Regis University in Denver, CO. She recently completed her Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy at UIC. Dr. Lowry's primary research interests involve patients with whiplash and spinal dysfunction.
Eric Magrum, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT
University of Virginia-Healthsouth Spine and Sports Medicine
Eric Magrum, PT, FAAOMPT graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1994 with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy. In June 2000, he became a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy following completion of an 18 month postgraduate, spine based, Orthopedic Manual Residency Program in Gulfport, Mississippi. Eric has been at UVA-Healthsouth since September 2000. Eric was certified as an Orthopedic Specialist in 2001 by the APTA. Eric has coauthored with James Beazell an article entitled "Rehabilitation of Head and Neck Injuries in Athletes" in Clinics in Sports Medicine July of 2003. He has authored a review chapter on orthotics for a Sports Medicine text for primary care physicians that will be published in the fall of 2004. He has instructed for pedorthotists on anatomy and function of the foot, ankle and lower quarter mechanics. His major areas of interest and developing research are lumbar and cervical spine patients. Eric has has helped develop the Running Medicine annual conference at the University of Virginia as well as presenting at the conference. His continuing and postgraduate education have formed a treatment approach combining education, mobilization/manipulation, and specific exercises for return to function for his patients.
Danny McMillian
Assistant Professor
University of Puget Sound
Dr. McMillian, is currently on faculty as Assistant Professor at the University of Puget Sound, School of Physical Therapy, in Tacoma, WA. His primary areas of instruction are measurement, therapeutic exercise, and sports medicine. Dr McMillian is an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas-San Antonio in 1989, and his entry-level Masters degree in Physical Therapy from Baylor University in 1991. Dr. McMillian completed his Residency and Doctoral degree in 2003 from U.S. Army-Baylor University Residency Program in Physical Therapy-Sports Medicine. Dr. McMillian has taught numerous continuing education courses in therapeutic exercise progression for Physical Therapists in the Department of Defense and the APTA. A retired army officer, Dr. McMillian wrote doctrine and physical training guidance for U.S. Army Special Operations units.
Michael O'Hearn, PT,MHS,OCS, FAAOMPT
Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor
University of Illinois at Chicago
Michael O'Hearn PT, MHS is Chief of Physical Therapy for Lakeland Regional Health System in St Joseph, Michigan and a faculty member in the UIC Fellowship Program in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. Michael also teaches in the DPT program at Andrews University and for Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Seminars. In addition to his clinical and teaching responsibilities he has research interest in the classification of spinal pain.
Phil Pilsky, PT, DSc, OCS, ATC, CSCS
Vice President of Clinical Excellence
ProRehab PC
Dr. Plisky received his Master of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Evansville and his Doctor of Science Degree in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He is a board certified orthopedic specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Dr. Plisky has published and lectured on risk factors for injury in athletes and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Evansville and Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He currently is conducting epidemiological research on comprehensive movement testing in athletes. He is the Residency Program Director and Senior Physical Therapist at ProRehab, PC in Evansville, IN. Dr. Plisky specializes in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation, with emphasis on injury prevention in athletes. Dr. Plisky has also developed the Y Balance Test - a reliable and efficient device to measure performance on the Star Excursion Balance Test.
Cheryl Resnik, PT,DPT,MSHCM
Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy
University of Southern California
Cheryl Resnik, PT, DPT, MSHCM is the President of the California Physical Therapy Association in her second term. She served as Vice President of the Section on Health Policy and Administration. Dr. Resnik is also an Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy and Director of Community Outreach at the University of Southern California. Her area of emphasis in teaching is professionalism, including law, ethics, practice management, and advocacy. She is the director of USC's pro bono clinic, Fit Families. Dr. Resnik is the recipient of the prestigious Lucy Blair, Charles Magistro, and Section on Health Policy and Administration service awards.
Dan Rhon, D.Sc.,OCS, FAAOMPT
Physical Therapist, Research Director, Clinical Education Director
Madigan Army Medical Center
Dr. Dan Rhon is currently on staff at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA, where he serves as regional research director and clinical education director. He recently served as the Brigade Physical Therapist for the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq. He holds a Masters and Doctoral degree in physical therapy from Baylor and Temple Universities respectively, and a Doctor of Science degree in Orthopaedics from Baylor University. He completed formal OMPT fellowship training in the U.S. Army-Baylor University Post Professional Doctoral Program in OMPT. His research interests are in OMPT, osteoarthritis, and support of primary care role for physical therapists.
Jim Rivard, PT, MOMT, FAAOMPT, OCS
Ola Grimsby Institute
1988 BSPT. Residency graduate (OGI 1993), AAOMPT Executive (Treasurer 1995-2001). Taught >200 courses in 11 countries on OMT and exercise for the Ola Grimsby Institute. Residency instructor and examiner for the Ola Grimsby Institute since 1993. Invited speaker for IFOMPT, CSM APTA, NAIOMPT, ISPRM and state chapter meetings. Primary author/editor of 3 volume textbook series: Science, Theory and Clinical Application in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy: (Vol 1) Applied Science and Theory, (vol II) Scientific Therapeutic Exercise Progressions (STEP): Neck and Upper Extremity, (vol III) Back and Lower Extremity. Jim practices at Manual Therapy International Physical Therapy in Bellevue, WA.
Eric Robertson, PT, DPT, OCS
Assistant Professor
Medical College of Georgia
Eric Robertson, PT, DPT, is Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Georgia where he teaches in the orthopaedic curriculum. He currently serves as Public Relations Chair for both AAOMPT and the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA.
Britt Smith, PT, DPT
Owner
SOAR Physical Therapy
Britt Smith PT, DPT is a physical therapist and owner of SOAR Physical Therapy, a private practice in Grand Junction, CO. He received his doctorate of physical therapy at Regis University in 2007. He is a graduate of Northern Arizona University (BS, 1981) and Samuel Merritt College (MSPT, 1997). He serves as adjunct faculty at Regis University, and NAU. He teaches on the manual therapy faculty and he teaches ethics. Dr. Smith has had the honor of serving as a tutor with the Annual Rocky Mountain Evidence Based Healthcare Conference sponsored by the University of Colorado over the last three years. He is member of American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT). Dr. Smith has presented at national conferences for the three associations. He serves on boards of directors and committees in the Grand Junction medical community.
Deydre S. Teyhen, PT, PhD, OCS
Associate Professor, Director of the Center for Physical Therapy Research
US Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy
Dr. Teyhen is an Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Physical Therapy Research in the U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy at Fort Sam Houston, TX. She also serves as a research consultant to the Spine Research Center and the Defense Spinal Cord and Column Injury Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington D.C. and to the Military Performance Laboratory at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Teyhen completed her PhD in Biomechanics from the University of Texas in 2004. She received a Master of Physical Therapy from the U.S. Army-Baylor University in 1995 and a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Science from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1993. Dr. Teyhen's professional experience and training have been primarily in orthopaedic physical therapy. She is a board-certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, a certified Health Fitness Instructor from the American College of Sports Medicine, and a certified Health Promotion Director through the Cooper Institute. Dr. Teyhen's research has focused on the development of imaging tools that can enhance rehabilitation of spinal and shoulder dysfunctions. She has been developing a novel approach to measure spinal and shoulder kinematics in those with lumbar and shoulder instability using digital fluoroscopic video technique. Furthermore, she has been clinically examining the ability to use real-time ultrasound imaging as a measurement and biofeedback tool to enhance the delivery of medical care to those with spinal pain since 1999. She has lectured extensively on the examination and treatment of patients with lumbar instability, therapeutic exercise, injury prevention, digital fluoroscopic video, and real-time ultrasound imaging. Dr. Teyhen serves as a manuscript reviewer for rehabilitative and biomechanical journals and is currently an Editorial Review Board Member of the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy.