2014 Speaker Bios
Sara Abrams, DPT, OCS
Dr. Sara Abrams received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2007 from Arcadia University. She began her professional career in outpatient orthopaedics working in a private practice clinic. Dr. Abrams joined Brooks Rehabilitation in 2009, serving as the Center Manager for both their Amelia Island and Center for Sports Therapy clinics. She completed the Brooks/UNF Orthopaedic Residency Program 2011 and gained certification as a Board Specialist in Orthopedics in 2012. Currently, she is enrolled in the Brooks Rehabilitation Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship with an expected graduation date of July 2014.
Jason Beneciuk, PT, PhD, MPH, FAAOMPT
Dr. Jason Beneciuk currently has a joint position with the University of Florida in the Department of Physical Therapy and Brooks Rehabilitation as a research assistant professor. He also serves as a faculty member in the Brooks Institute of Higher Learning where his primary responsibilities are as a scholarly mentor for residents and OMPT fellows-in-training. His research has primarily focused on psychosocial screening and risk stratification to improve secondary prevention of low back pain in physical therapy settings.
Andrew Bennett, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Dr. Andrew Bennett, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT is a founding partner of Texas Physical Therapy Specialists where he is involved in clinical research and holds an adjunct faculty role in several doctoral physical therapy programs. He holds a senior faculty position with Evidence in Motion (EIM) providing instruction in both the Orthopedic Residency, the Orthopedic Manual Fellowship, is a co-author of the Trigger Point Dry Needling certification series, pioneered the Clinical Excellence Network, and is on faculty for EIM's Executive Program in Private Practice.
Kathy Berglund, PT, DSc, MA, ATC, OCS, FAAOMPT
Kathy graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1978 with a BS in physical therapy and in 1980 with a MA in athletic training and sports medicine and certification as an athletic trainer. She is currently completing her DSc in orthopedic manual physical therapy. Kathy began studying manual therapy at Michigan State University in 1981 and became involved with the founders of NAIOMT in 1989. She became an orthopedic clinical specialist in 2000 and a fellow of the American Academy in 2002. She served as the director of physical therapy at Southwest Michigan Sports Medicine Clinic from 1980-1994. She has taught at Andrews University since 1989 and became the orthopedic coordinator in 1994. In 2003 she became the director of the postprofessional degree program at Andrews University and in 2004 she received the Daniel A. Augsburger Excellence in Teaching Award. She has served NAIOMT as a lab assistant with Erl Pettman from 1991-2007 and as a faculty in training since 2007. She became a NAIOMT faculty member in 2009. Kathy has had multiple presentations at professional meetings and currently sees patients at a chronic pain clinic.
Sara Bertrand, DPT
Dr. Sara Bertrand received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2012 from Louisiana State University. She completed the Brooks/UNF Orthopaedic Residency Program 2013 and gained certifications as a Board Specialist in Orthopedics in 2014. She is currently enrolled in the Brooks Rehabilitation Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship with an expected graduation date of July 2014.
Brenda Boucher, PT, PhD, OCS, CHT, FAAOMPT
Brenda is an associate professor at Texas State University. She is senior faculty with the Manual Therapy Institute, an APTA credentialed manual therapy fellowship program. She is board certified in orthopedic PT, fellowship trained in manual therapy and a certified hand therapist.
Joseph Brence, PT, DPT, COMT, FAAOMPT, DAC
Dr. Joseph Brence is a Physical Therapist and Clinical Researcher from Pittsburgh, PA. Joseph’s primary clinical interests involve developing a better understanding of the neuromatrix and determining how it applies to Physical Therapy practice. He is currently involved in a wide range of clinical projects investigating how inputs to the nervous system, such as mobilization, can effect things such as pain. Clinically, Joseph treats a wide range of painful conditions in a variety of settings, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, etc. He also runs the blog www.forwardthinkingpt.com and is an eductor/mentor at the Nxt Gen Institute of Physical Therapy Residency and Sports Medicine of Atlanta’s fellowship program. Joseph is married to his wife, Kristen, and has a son, Asher.
Jean-Michel Brismée, PT, ScD, OCS, FAAOMPT
Dr. Brismée graduated in 1985 from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. In 2000 he completed his IAOM certification. Dr. Brismée received an MS in Sports Medicine Exercise Physiology from Texas Tech University (TTUHSC). In 2003, Dr. Brismée received his ScD in Physical Therapy from TTUHSC. He is an Associate Professor of the Doctorate of Science (ScD) Program in Physical Therapy at TTUHSC and he is the director of the IAOM-US Fellowship Program.
Debora Brown, PT, DPT
Dr. Brown has been a faculty member in the Physical Therapy Educational Program since 2001, in the role of academic coordinator of clinical education. She also teaches in the musculoskeletal course series, the interprofessional education courses, and Clinical Reasoning and Practice course. She is a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina, Emory University and St. Andrews Presbyterian College. Her scholarship focuses on clinical reasoning, clinical education and interprofessional education. She continues to practice as an orthopedic outpatient clinician.
Kristin Carpenter, PT, DPT, OCS
Dr. Carpenter is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy and a fellow-in-training with Evidence in Motion. She is a lab assistant in the DPT Program at the University of Colorado and affiliate faculty member in the Regis University DPT Program. She earned her DPT from the University of Colorado and is anticipated to be recognized as a fellow of the AAOMPT in 2014. Kristin has worked as a research assistant on studies investing the effects of spinal and extremity manipulation on musculoskeletal conditions including neck, shoulder and ankle pain.
John Childs, PT, PhD, OCS, MBA, FAAOMPT
Dr. John D. Childs is a founder and CEO of Evidence in Motion and partner in Texas Physical Therapy Specialists, a multisite outpatient physical therapy therapy practice in Texas. A graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy (1994), he completed a MBA from the University of Arizona (2000) and PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh (2003). Dr. Childs has received numerous research grants and has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts in leading scientific journals. He currently serves as an Associate Editor for both the Physical Therapy and JOSPT journals and has received numerous research and teaching awards.
Beth Collier, PT, DPT, OCS
Beth received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Georgia State University in 2009 and completed Mercer University s Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency program in 2010. Beth is an adjunct clinical faculty member at Mercer University where she is currently completing a fellowship in education for physical therapists. Her clinical specialties include manual therapy, chronic pain, neurodynamics, dry needling, and treating repetitive strain injuries in athletes, performing artists and office professionals. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)- Orthopedic and Performing Arts Sections, member of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), and Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). She has published material relating to musician-specific injuries. Beth has presented on topics related to the pain sciences, clinical reasoning, and injuries occurring in runners and performing artists.
Chad Cook, PT, PhD, MBA, FAAOMPT
Chad Cook, PT, PhD, MBA, FAAOMPT is a Professor and Vice Chief of Research at the Division of Physical Therapy at Duke University. Dr. Cook has published well over 160 peer reviewed papers and has two textbooks in their 2nd edition. Dr Cook has presented internationally at over 145 presentations/conferences focusing prominently on decision making. He is an Associate Editor of Manual Therapy and is an associate or advising editor for 4 other international journals. He is currently the treasurer of the AAOMPT. Dr. Cook has won numerous research and teaching awards and has provided keynote lectures in multiple countries.
Carol Courtney, PT, PhD, ATC, FAAOMPT
Carol Courtney PT, PhD, ATC, FAAOMPT is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She studied physical therapy at Washington University, the University of South Australia, and the University of Miami. Her research investigates the effects of joint injury and osteoarthritis on pain processing and joint function, and modulation of pain mechanisms through manual therapy interventions. Dr. Courtney serves as the director of the post-professional Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy at UIC. She also serves as co-chair of the Standards Committee of AAOMPT and is a deputy editor of the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy.
Shala Cunningham, PT, DPT, DMT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Shala Cunningham teaches within the musckuloskeletal area of physical therapy and medical screening at the University of Evansville. She currently instructs continuing education courses for practicing therapists in Manual Therapy. Dr. Cunningham received her B.S. in physical therapy from Indiana University, her Doctorate in physical therapy from Arizona School of Health Sciences, her Doctorate in manual therapy and her Ph.D in physical therapy from the Ola Grimsby Institute. She is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS) and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).
Joe Donnelly, PT, DHS, OCS
Joe Donnelly earned his Doctor of Health Sciences Degree in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis, and MS in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh, and BS in Physical Therapy from Daemen College in Buffalo, NY. He is also a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and was recently recertified in 2010. Dr Donnelly is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and currently serves as the Practice Chair for the Orthopaedic Section, APTA. His current appointment at Mercer University is in the Department of Physical therapy as Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Post-Professional Programs. He serves as the program coordinator of the Residency in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, and to date has graduated 11 Residents 10 of which are certified clinical specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
Joe was mentored for 15 years by Dr. David G. Simons world renowned researcher of muscle pain and lead author of Travell and Simons: The Trigger Point Manuals. Dr. Simons arranged for Joe to be certified in trigger point dry needling in Ireland through the National Training Center in 2004. Since that time Joe s focus in clinical practice and research is in the area of myofascial pain, pain sciences and movement impairment. Joe utilizes clinical reasoning and pain sciences as a framework for managing patients with persistent pain and myofascial pain syndrome.
Mark Erickson, PT, MA, OCS, COMT, DScPT
Dr. Mark Erickson, PT, MA, DScPT, OSC, has been practicing physical therapy thirty years specializing in pain, orthopedic rehabilitation, body awareness training, performance and injury prevention. He is also a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist and Feldenkrais Practitioner. Dr. Erickson holds a Clinical Associate Professor faculty position within the Physical Therapy Program at Carroll University where he leads the musculoskeletal track, is the primary instructor for the Orthopedics and Clinical Decision Making courses, and maintains an active scholarship agenda. Dr. Erickson helped to design and taught within the UW-Health/Meriter Orthopedic Residency Program and has a private practice, Insight Physical Therapy, LLC.
Tim Flynn, PT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT
Dr. Timothy Flynn, PT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT is widely published including 5 textbooks, 6 book chapters, and over 70 peer-reviewed. Dr. Flynn is the immediate past President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists and an Associate Editor for the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT). Dr. Flynn is a principal in Evidence in Motion an educational company dedicated to elevating the physical therapy profession. Dr. Flynn is a Distinguished Professor at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
Frank Gargano, PT, DPT, OCS, CIDN, MCTA, CWT
Dr. Gargano is the President of the Integrative Dry Needling Institute, and has 24 years of orthopedic clinical experience. Since 1996, Dr. Gargano has been instructing advanced
Educational seminars across the US and internationally on the topics of Integrative Dry Needling, Mobilization with Movement (Mulligan Concept) and the seminar he developed titled, The Upper Cervical Spine in Headaches, Dizziness and Pain. He is active in clinical research on dry needling treatment and has authored two book chapters on using dry needling in combination with orthopedic manual therapy.
Amy Garrigues, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Amy Garrigues PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT is a Senior Physical Therapist and Education Coordinator at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Amy earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Simmons College in 2004. She completed a Fellowship in Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapy through Regis University. Amy has been working with patients following mild Traumatic Brain Injury since 2009 and is currently a member of HCMC s mild to moderate TBI clinic. As a member of this multidisciplinary team she treats patients of all ages in the acute, sub-acute and chronic stages following mild to moderate TBI.
Maggie Gebhardt, PT,DPT,OCS
Maggie received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Georgia State University in 2008 and completed her Orthopedic Residency from Mercer University Physical Therapy in 2010. She is an adjunct clinical professor at Mercer University where she is currently completing a fellowship in manual therapy. She is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), member of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), and certified in the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Clinical specialties include movement analysis, manual therapy, neurodynamics, dry needling, women s health, and fascial manipulation. Maggie has been published in topics related to tennis, runners, medical screening in physical therapy, and on www.Sharecare.com. She has also presented on topics related to nerve pain, chronic pain, runners injuries and sports injury prevention.
David Griswold, DPT, COMT, CIDN, CMP
Dr. Griswold is an Assistant Professor at Youngstown State University in the Department of Physical Therapy. Clinically, David has specialized in orthopedic manual therapy including the use of dry needling. David is a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) through Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (MAPS) and a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP). Current research projects he is currently involved in include the use of orthopedic manual therapy for the treatment of mechanical neck pain and the neurophysiological effects of dry needling. Currently, David is enrolled at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. where he is pursuing his PhD in physical therapy.
Gregg Johnson, PT, FFFMT, FAAOMPT
Gregory graduated from the University of Southern California in 1971 and completed a one year residency at Kaiser Vallejo under Maggie Knott. He remained as senior faculty for six years. Mr. Johnson developed the first Soft Tissue Mobilization course for PTs in 1980. He also developed courses in Functional Mobilization and Resistance Enhanced Manipulation'. He is co-founder of the Institute of Physical Art and the Functional Manual Therapy' (FMT) approach, and Director of an credentialed AAOMPT Fellowship program. He has published multiple chapters and articles on STM, PNF, and FMT, and is currently involved in several research projects on FMT.
Trey Jurica, PT, FAAOMPT
Trey graduated with a Masters in Physical Therapy from Texas State University in 2006. He obtained Fellowship status through the Manual Therapy Institute in 2010 and for the past 7.5 years has been treating primarily in the outpatient setting. Past presentations have included poster presentations at AAOMPT 2011, IFOMPT 2012 and a breakout session for AAOMPT 2013.
Anthony Kinney, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, MBA
Anthony Toby Kinney, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, MBA, is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science at the University of Montana. He earned his entry-level Master s Degree in Physical Therapy from New York Medical College in 2002, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Washington University in 2008. He has an extensive background in orthopedic manual therapy and completed a Fellowship in Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapy through Regis University. Additionally, he earned his MBA from Duke University. Dr. Kinney maintains clinical practice at UMPT with a specialty in cervicothoracic dysfunction and cervicogenic headache.
Pieter Kroon, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Pieter Kroon is the co-owner and program director for the Manual Therapy Institute, an APTA credentialed manual therapy fellowship program. He is also an assistant professor at Texas State University. He is the director of physical therapy at Sports Performance International, a multi disciplinary medical facility geared towards the evaluation and treatment of endurance athletes.
Tim Kruchowsky, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Tim Kruchowsky is the co-owner and Director of Clinical Education for the Manual therapy Institute. He works as a physical therapist for Scott and White in Leander, TX. Tim completed his manual therapy fellowship education under Mike Rogers in Gulfport MS.
Kornelia Kulig, PhD, PT, FAPTA, FAAOMPT (Hon)
Kornelia Kulig, PhD, PT, FAPTA, FAAOMPT (Hon) is a Professor and Co-Director of the Jacquelin Perry Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory at the University of Southern California. Her research explores tissue morphology, biomechanics, physiology, and pathology in relation to degenerative and inflammatory processes in connective tissues and accompanying muscle activation, kinematic and kinetic movement strategies and related signs, symptoms, and loss of function. Dr. Kulig is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, American College of Sports Medicine and the American and International Societies of Biomechanics. Dr. Kulig serves as a reviewer for several biomechanical and clinical journals and servers as an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Physiotherapy and Human Movement. She is a Founding Member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.
Michelle Layton, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, CMTPT, FAAOMPT
Dr. Michelle Layton graduated with her Masters of Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2001 and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in 2007. She has been using dry needling in practice since 2008 and became certified in 2009 through Myopain Seminars. For the past four years she has been involved in teaching dry needling as a lab assistant, examiner, and instructor. In 2013 she had a chapter published, Deep Dry Needling of the Trunk Muscles, In: Trigger Point Dry Needling: An Evidenced and Clinical-Based Approach and she is co-author of the Myopain Seminars workbook.
Carina Lowry, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Carina Lowry, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT received her Physical Therapy degree from Texas Woman's University in 2001. She earned her DPT in Physical Therapy from Regis University in 2006 and completed her Fellowship in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy at the University of Illinois Chicago in 2008. She currently is adjunct clinical faculty at the University of Oklahoma College of Allied Health where she teaches in the Clinical Reasoning series. Her research interests include whiplash, quantitative sensory testing, and intramuscular physical therapy.
Yun-tao Ma, PhD
Dr. Yun-tao Ma, PhD, educator, writer, researcher, founder of the American Dry Needling Institute, is an internationally recognized and highly respected authority in Pain Management, Sports and Trauma Rehabilitation. He has been teaching dry needling for many years in the USA and all around the world. Dr. Ma's evidence-based Integrative Dry Needling System has proven efficacy nationally and worldwide and has been presented at National and International symposiums in Washington DC, London, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Sao Paulo, Miami, Frankfurt, Prague, Thessaloniki, Natal, Beijing and at numerous medical schools. He is the author of three textbooks on dry needling therapy.
Brian McClenahan, PT, MSPT, OCS, Dip MDT
Brian McClenahan is a graduate of the Ithaca College Physical Therapy Program and has recently completed the MDT Fellowship program in OMPT. He is in clinical practice with Physical Therapy Associates of Myerstown, PA and holds a Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
Amy McDevitt, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Dr. McDevitt is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. She is an instructor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado. She earned her bachelor's degree in science from Fairfield University, Connecticut, master's degree in physical therapy and DPT from the University of St. Augustine, and a fellowship in manual therapy through NAIOMT. Amy is newly active in clinical research and her future research interests include continued work on thoracic manipulation to treat shoulder pain and trigger point dry needling.
Paul Mintken, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Dr. Mintken is an Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He completed his fellowship training in orthopaedic manual therapy at Regis University. He is a board-certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapists. He maintains an active research agenda investigating conservative care for musculoskeletal disorders as well as spinal and extremity manipulation. He has received research grants from the APTA and AAOMPT. He has multiple publications in 10 different peer-reviewed journals and has co-authored 3 eBooks and 7 book chapters.
Andrew Morcos, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, FAAOMPT, ATC, CSCS
Andrew Morcos, Director of Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California-Athletic Medicine Department, serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy for the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at USC. He earned a B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from USC followed by completion of a residency in Orthopaedics and a fellowship in Sports Physical Therapy through Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles. He is on the board of context experts to design item questions for the Sports Certified Specialist exam.
Toko Nguyen, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS
Toko is the Program Director for the Institute for Athlete Regeneration, a Manual Therapy Fellowship Program and the Supervisor of Residency Programs for Houston Methodist Sugar Land and . He is a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics and Sports, Fellowship trained in Manual Therapy, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Toko has extensive experience working with the athletic population including collegiate, amateur, professional, and Olympic athletes with an emphasis on the shoulder and knee. He is a member of the APTA Orthopedic and Sports Section, TPTA, AAOMPT, and is the Texas Legislative Representative for the APTA Sports Physical Therapy Section.
Amy Pakula, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT
Dr. Pakula graduated from Pacific University in 2008 with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She attended the Kaiser Hayward Mentorship Program in 2008 and completed the Kaiser Hayward Physical Therapy Fellowship Program in Advanced Orthopedic Manual Therapy in 2012 earning fellowship status in AAOMPT. Dr. Pakula has worked in outpatient orthopedics her entire career and serves a consultant to the Kaiser Hayward Physical Therapy Fellowship Program in Advanced Orthopedic Manual Therapy.
Cory Perrin, PT, DPT
Cory graduated from Texas Womens University in 2011 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He is currently seeking his Fellowship status through the Manual Therapy Institute. Cory is currently employed at Quentin Mease Community Hospital, part of the Harris Health System, and primarily works in the outpatient orthopedic setting.
Evan Petersen, PT, DSc, OCS, FAAOMPT
Dr. Evan Petersen is the Graduate Program Director for the Army-Baylor University Doctoral Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy program in San Antonio, TX. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine from Brigham Young University and holds a Master of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy from Baylor University. He is a board certified clinical specialist in orthopaedics and a full fellow in the AAOMPT. He is an active researcher having published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and has lectured at numerous national and international physical therapy conferences.
Marie Potter, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, FAAOMPT, ATC
Marie Potter serves as the coordinator for the sports physical therapy and athletic training residencies at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, where she is involved in teaching, mentoring, and program development. Marie is an active member of the APTA, serving on the Program Services Committee and has spoken at several professional meetings including SWATA and TPTA. She is a graduate of the orthopedic residency and manual fellowship in sports rehabilitation at Kaiser Permanente. Her current practice focuses on returning high school and recreational athletes back to sports.
Francois Prizinski, DPT, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT, DAC
Dr. Francois Prizinski grew up in Morgantown, WV where he went to Physical Therapy school at WVU graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Masters Degree in 2005. He attended Temple University for his Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy in 2006 (DPT). During this time he placed an emphasis in the area of Orthopedics and attained recognition by the American Physical Therapy Association as a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics in 2007.
Practicing in the Pittsburgh area since 2005, Francois has placed greater emphasis on the study Orthopedic manual therapy. He enrolled in Sports Medicine of Atlanta s Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship Program, which allowed him to specialize in Medical Screening, and attained Certification in Direct Access Physical Therapy (DAC), and in Australian based Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT). In May of 2012, Francois has received Fellowship recognition by the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapists (FAAOMPT). Francois is one of a very few physical therapists with his type of training and credentials which allows him to solve movement based problems in a very successful manner. Francois diagnoses movement dysfunctions of the spine and extremities and retrains faulty & compensated movement patterns. He often refers to himself as the movement guy.
Francois joined The Orthopedic Group team in 2012 to form a comprehensive Sports & Spine Care Division and collaborates with Physical Medicine in the areas of diagnostic ultrasound, plasma injection therapy, and differential movement diagnosis. Currently, Francois is involved on the teaching faculty at Sports Medicine of Atlanta's Manual Therapy Fellowship Program and participates in clinical research, teaching, and mentoring clinicians in movement science.
Benjamin Renfrow, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Ben is a Program Coordinator for the Institute for Athlete Regeneration and serves and as Coordinator of the Orhopedic Residency Program at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. He is a graduate of the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Orthopedic Residency and is Fellowship trained in Orthopedics and Manual Therapy. Ben is active in educating various athletic organizations on injury prevention and relevant intervention. He takes pride in being a movement impairment specialist and is an enthusiast of manual therapy. He is a member of the APTA Orthopedic and Sports Section, TPTA, and American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
Brian Russ, PT, DPT, COMT, FAAOMPT
Dr. Russ graduated with a B.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of Buffalo in 1999. He attended the Kaiser Permanente Fellowship Program in Advanced Manual Therapy from 2002-2004 where he earned fellowship status in the AAOMPT. Dr. Russ has practiced in a variety of orthopedic settings during his 15-year career. In 2012, Dr. Russ became a full-time faculty member at Nova Southeastern University where he teaches in the transitional and entry-level DPT programs. He is a published author, course designer, and speaker with extensive experience teaching continuing education.
Ronald Schenk, PT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT, Dip MDT
Ron Schenk is Dean of Health and Human Services and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Daemen College. He earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Ithaca College and his PhD from the University at Buffalo. Dr. Schenk is a Fellow of the AAOMPT and is Diplomaed in MDT. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and has presented at national and international conferences.
Gretchen Seif, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Dr. Seif is the primary course coordinator for Surface Anatomy, Musculoskeletal Labs and co-instructor for the clinical practicums and Clinical Reasoning and Practice Lab at The Medical University of SC. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University, The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Regis University. She is one of the faculty advisors for the MUSC Student-Run Interprofessional PT/OT Free Clinic. Her scholarship is focused on clinical reasoning, teaching and learning and student-run free clinics. She continues practice as an orthopedic physical therapist.
Colette Seymann, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT
Colette owns/manages her own private PT practice in San Diego, CA. She also coaches and trains physical therapists, executives and entrepreneurs in leadership and communication skills; and has worked with companies such as Shell Oil, Dole Foods, and ILFC (International Lease Finance Company) to consult with their teams. Colette received a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of California Los Angeles in 1987, a M.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of So. California, a M.S. in Physiotherapy (Manipulative Medicine) from the University So. Australia, Adelaide in 1996, and a DPT from EIM-Institute for Health Professions in 2011.
Michael Shacklock, FACP, MAppSc, DipPhysio
Michael is a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists - Australian Physiotherapy Association. Received his Master of Applied Science in 1993, and Diploma in Physiotherapy in 1989. Michael has authored the International best-seller, Clinical Neurodynamics and edited two other books on pain and nervous system biomechanics. He has been featured in several publications, including: Spine, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, Journal of Physiotherapy (Australia), Physiotherapy (UK), Manual Therapy (UK), and the New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy. He is an International Advisory Board and reviewer, and has received Manual Therapy Awards, including: Gregory Grieve Memorial lecture, FACP 2007, and best paper Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia conference in 1997. He is a collaborator for Young Spine Investigator Finland with award winner Marinko Rade, MRI measurement of spinal cord movement with SLR. He also is a collaborator and co-author, Young Investigator of Year with award winner Marinko Rade, Spine 2014 (International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine).
Stephen Shaffer, PT, ScD, FAAOMPT
Dr. Shaffer graduated with an MSPT degree from Nazareth College of Rochester, New York in 2003. In 2005, he completed an orthopedic residency program at the Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy in Woburn, Massachusetts. Then, in 2009, he completed a fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Most recently, in 2013, he completed a Doctor of Science (ScD) degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Shaffer is currently working full time in an orthopedic outpatient clinical setting.
Eric Shamus, PhD, DPT, PT
Eric is an associate professor and chair at Florida Gulf Coast University, DPT program. Eric has previously taught at Nova Southeastern University Osteopathic program teaching DOs manual therapy. Eric presents manual therapy techniques for the Brooks fellowship and residency program in Jacksonville, Fl. Eric has numbers articles and textbook publications and speaks on the international level.
Jason Silvernail, DPT, DSc, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT
Dr. Silvernail has been a practicing Physical Therapist since 1997, and is an active-duty officer in the US Army holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He is board-certified in orthopedic physical therapy (OCS) and fellowship trained in manual therapy (FAAOMPT). He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Dr Silvernail earned his DPT from the University of Scranton and his DSc from Baylor University. He is currently assigned to the Office of the Surgeon General, Falls Church, Virginia where he works as a staff officer in the Health and Wellness directorate.
Stacy Soappman, PT, DSc, COMT, FAAOMPT
Stacy Soappman, PT, DScPT, COMT, FAAOMPT received her physical therapy degree from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI in 2001 and went on to receive her DScPT degree from Andrews University in 2011. Stacy received the designation of Ceritificed Orthopedic Manipulative Therapy (COMT) in 2009 and later completed her fellowship training through NAIOMT in 2011. Stacy currently works in outpatient orthopedics Denver, CO and is also on the NAIOMT faculty. Stacy is the clinical residency and fellowship instructor for her company. She has also had the opportunity present at local as well as national meetings on various manual therapy topics.
Jack Stagge, P.T., O.C.S., FAAOMPT
Jack received his bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from CSU Fresno in 1978. He received a specialty certification in Adult Neurology from U.S.C. in 1979. His postgraduate training includes extensive manual therapy course work. He is Board Certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and became a Fellow of the A.A.O.M.P.T. in 2002. Mr. Stagge taught with Bob Elvey P.T., GDMT and presented at the WCPT, CSM, and the IFOMPT. Mr. Stagge has served as a visiting professor and lecturer at several graduate programs and is a member of the International Teachers Forum of IFOMPT. Mr. Stagge is currently director of International Manual Therapy Seminars.
Rob Stanborough, PT, DPT, MHSc, MTC, CMTPT, FAAOMPT
Rob Stanborough is a Dutch-trained physical therapist. He earning his degree in Physiotherapie from the Hogeschool van Amsterdam and his MHSc and DPT from the University of St. Augustine. He is a Fellow of AAOMPT and has earned several certifications related to soft tissue manipulation. He is a co-author of Myofascial Manipulation: Theory and Application, 3rd ed, holds a full-time faculty position at the University of St. Augustine and is a senior instructor for Myopain Seminars of Bethesda, MD. He has a varied clinical background and is the founding partner and president of First Coast Rehabilitation in St. Augustine, Florida.
Jason Steere, PT, DPT, MTC, OCS, ATC, FAAOMPT
Jason Steere is currently practicing as a physical therapist for a military special operations unit. He has extensive prior experience in professional baseball as a physical therapist for the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers. He has also practiced in several collegiate sports as a physical therapist and athletic trainer within multidiscipline sports medicine teams. After completing his Fellowship, he joined the faculty of Evidence In Motion and has assisted with teaching in clinical reasoning and pain science courses.
Anne Thackeray, PT, MPH, PhD
Dr. Anne Thackeray is a Physical Therapist and PhD trained Clinical Outcomes researcher. She is currently an instructor within the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Utah and sees patients at the George E. Whalen Veterans Administration Medical Center. Her research has focused on managing spine pain, examining recovery patterns, and comparing common interventions for the spine.
Karin Townson, DPT, MTC, CSCS
Karin Townson is a professor in the School of Physical Therapy at the University of Puget Sound. Her courses have included Neuroscience/Neuroanatomy, Orthopedics, and Physical Therapy for Performing Artists. Clinically, her primary patient population consists of a variety of performing artists, including dancers, aerialists, musicians, and martial artists. She is the physical therapist for Pacific Northwest Ballet as well as a number of other professional performing groups in the Seattle metropolitan area.
Brad Tragord, DPT, DSc, OCS, FAAOMPT
Dr. Tragord has been a practicing Physical Therapist since 2007, and is an active-duty officer in the US Army holding the rank of Major. He is board-certified in orthopedic physical therapy (OCS) and fellowship trained in manual therapy (FAAOMPT). Dr Tragord earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Doctor of Science from Baylor University in Texas. He is currently assigned as Clinical Internship Director at Brooke Army Medical Center and is an Assistant Processor Army-Baylor University Doctoral Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy and Adjunct Faculty U.S. Army-Baylor Doctorate Program in Physical Therapy.
Arie van Duijn, PT, EdD, OCS
Arie is the program director at Florida Gulf Coast University, DPT program. He is the president of the academic and clinical faculty SIG of AAOMPT. He as a post professional manual therapy degree and certification in manual therapy from St. Augustine. Arie has presented at both the state and national levels.
Kevin Wait, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Kevin Wait, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS is the course coordinator for Evidence In Motion's Trigger-Point Dry Needling certification series. He also serves as clinical faculty and manages the development of Evidence In Motion's Clinical Excellence Network (CEN), a structured internship program for DPT students. Dr. Wait completed residency training at Gundersen Health Sports Medicine in La Crosse, WI. He has presented research at state and national meetings and serves as a Primary Reviewer for the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT).
Brian Weber, PT, DPT, CFMT, FFMT, FMR, FAFS, NG 360 GPS
In 2004 Brian earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Iowa. In 2008, he completed a Fellowship in Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute. In 2011, Brian completed the Certification in Functional Manual Therapy with honors. In 2013, Dr. Weber completed a 16 month AAOMPT/APTA accredited Fellowship with the Institute of Physical Arts in Steamboat Springs, CO. Brian is an associate faculty member of the Institute of Physical Art. He is certificate as a Nike Golf Performance Specialist. Dr. Weber is currently employed at OSI Physical Therapy in Stillwater, MN.
Matt Willey, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT
Dr. Willey graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Human Bio-dynamics in 1996 and went on to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduating in 2000 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Dr. Willey received OCS status in 2005 from the APTA. He attended the Kaiser Hayward Fellowship in Advanced Manual Physical and earned Fellow status in the AAOMPT in 2012. Dr. Willey has spent the entirety of his 14 year career in outpatient orthopedic practice, currently at Kaiser Permanente in Modesto, CA. Dr. Willey has recently returned to the Kaiser Hayward Fellowship program as a Faculty Associate in 2013. He is a published author, conference speaker/presenter, and experience with teaching continuing education courses.
Brett Windsor, PT, PhDc, MPA, OCS, FAAOMPT
Brett Windsor graduated from Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, in 1994. He worked in Australia and the UK before coming to the US in 1995. Brett is an assistant professor at Campbell University, holds an adjunct appointment at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, and is the CEO of NAIOMT. Brett was the lead instructor of manual therapy at the Fondazione Institute in Gavinana, Tuscany between 2007 and 2011. He holds a Master s Degree in Public Administration from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon and is currently a PhD candidate at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah. Brett is a published author; his research interests are clinical reasoning and manipulation. Brett currently resides in Louisburg, NC with his wife Susan and two Pomeranians, Lucy and Leo.
Erik Womeldorf, Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician
Dr. Erik Womeldorf is a Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician and has been practicing for over 17 years. He was instrumental in the development of the Screen Assist questionnaires. His unique perspective regarding medical screening as a primary care physician attending clients with multiple co-morbid conditions is beneficial to discussions regarding clinical reasoning.
Emmanuel Yung, PT, DPT, MA, OCS, FAAOMPT
Emmanuel Yung is Clinical Assistant Professor at Sacred Heart University DPT Program using a problem-based learning curriculum. He has spent the last 12 years of his career training DPT students/interns (from 10 schools), orthopaedic residents (from 15 program sites), and OMPT fellow. He has 26 peer-reviewed, national/international presentations (including return-to-sports cases with low visit count) and publications anchored on carefully, blended OMPT+Sports approaches. He is a JOSPT Manuscript Reviewer; an AAOMPT Research Committee Advisory Review Panel; Lead Reviewer for ABPTRFE Program Credentialing Services Committee; OCS Item Writer; and APTA Orthopaedic Section CSM Programming Proposal Reviewer and Annual Meeting Organizing Committee.