Waves

Steve Leppard is a physiotherapist and co-founder of the Solstice Foundation, a non-profit that provides money for people to do good in their communities. Their scholarships and awards include the Solstice Scholarship, awarded to DPT students at University of Michigan-Flint, Western Michigan University, and Grand Valley State University, and the Vaughn Philanthropy Award, given to clinicians who want to lift others up in the profession and in their community. Leppard tells us about how he got started on this journey, about some of the past winners of the scholarships, and how it all got started in a canoe.

So far, this podcast has been a completely American-centric endeavor but today we change that. Alistair Beverley, Bsc. Hons., MCSP, ACPPLD, HCPC is a physiotherapist in Yorkshire, England, and may be better known online as the LD Physio. Through his own personal experience and passion, he has carved out a niche of working with the LD/ID (Learning Disability/Intellectual Disability) population in the UK, his work with Team GB in the Special Olympics, and uses his social media presence to educate other clinicians and the public, all the while drinking a cup of delicious Yorkshire Tea. The LD Physio on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Music by Mark Joesting and Andy Wicks.

Do you feel like you can't keep up with the research? No time to pore over articles? Do you wonder what the pelvic floor is all about? Did you even know you had one? Did you know the high correlation between constipation and low back pain? Would you feel comfortable talking to your patient about sex? And why is Australia doing so many cool things (except for the deadly animals)? Luke Hollomon is a DPT student at Virginia Commonwealth University and the founder of PT Crab, a very insightful weekly newsletter to boil down the latest research into easily digestible chunks. He 's also passionate about pelvic floor health and hopes that it will become something we're all comfortable talking about, since we all have pelvic floors. The Pelvic Health Podcast with Lori Forner

If you think physical therapy is just three sets of ten reps, walking a patient to the bathroom, or a lifetime of polos and khakis, I would like to introduce you to Dr. Megan Mitchell. She would like to tell you about emergency preparedness, which includes, but is not limited to, chemical weapons, wildfires, motor vehicle accidents, and hurricanes. The tweet that started it all. The Center for Domestic Preparedness World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine

Some highlights of the 2022 APTA Michigan Research Day and Fall Conference, held at Boyne Mountain Resort. Special thanks to all of the students, faculty, and clinicians who spoke with us and shared their hard work and new knowledge with the rest of us. 

On top of the rigors of completing a DPT degree, Megan Hare, 2nd year student at Oakland University, has decided that running for a national office sounds like fun! We interviewed her to talk about her candidacy for delegate on the APTA Student Board of Directors, and what inspired her to pursue leadership roles as a student.

Dr. Nick Hoopes is a physical therapist in northeast Ohio. He works in a rural setting, sees many patients with what some would consider poorly-reimbursing insurance payers, and is dedicated to his community. We had the privilege of talking with him shortly before the birth of his second child. For your consideration, Dr. Nick Hoopes.

Dr. Katie Franklin is a physical therapist working in a NICU setting, which may seem like a strange place for a PT to be, but Katie, whose Twitter handle is @neonatalPT, helps break it down for us. Along the way, she talks about the highs and lows of working with the littlest humans, being a part of the larger APTA community, and how we may not remember last night, but we will always remember the Alamo. APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovation PT in the Community Music by Mark Joesting and Andy Wicks

Do you know what APTA House of Delegates does? Do you know who your delegates? Do you know how many delegates Michigan has? (Thirteen.)  We learned all of this and more after talking with delegates Mackenzie Sebesta, SPT, Dr. Cameron Faller, and chief delegate Dr. Caroline Gwaltney ahead of this year's House of Delegates in Washington DC.

Many PT students dream about working with elite athletes, but few actually make that dream a reality. Dr. Kristen Schuyten is one of those few. She is a clinician, an educator, and a physiotherapist for Team USA figure skating. She talked with us about her career path and how glamorous it is (or isn't) working at the international level for sports competitions. Music by Mark Joesting and Andy Wicks.

Physical therapists are great at evaluating and treating functional movement impairments and disorders, but we may feel less confident about handling the icky, gooey, intangible, "human" side of things. The sadness, anger, aloofness, or "non-compliance" that we see in many of our patients. Dr. Kenneth Miller is studying trauma-informed care and the importance of teaching our DPT students about the affective domain in the hopes of better preparing these learners to become more effective and empathic clinicians. SAMHSA's "Key Ingredients for Successful Trauma-Informed Care Implementation" ACEs Aware Training Mental Health First Aid Training Music by Andy Wicks and Mark Joesting

Dr. Dan Steventon, also known as PT Dan or The Kid's Cancer PT, works in an arena of care that may seem too daunting, too draining, too much for everyday folks. Pediatric oncologic rehabilitation is no laughing matter, but PT Dan seems to find a way to bring smiles and joy to his patients during some of their darkest times. He spoke to us about his work, about the realities of the hard days, and the joys of the every days.

We conclude our interview with Dr. Devra Sheldon by talking about the importance of good interpreters, the social communication model of pain, and dinosaurs with gait abnormalities. It was a hoot. Co-hosted by Dr. Katharine Cline and Dr. Andy Wicks. Music by Mark Joesting and Andy Wicks. Produced by Andy Wicks.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for a patient is to dip your feet in the pool or paint a watercolor with them. I may be oversimplifying things, but Dr. Devra Sheldon has some unique and effective methods for working with people who have chronic pain, sensory disorganization, and many other impairments. She is a such a passionate advocate for her patients that we had to split her interview into two parts. Dr. Sheldon can be found on Twitter and at her website. Co-hosted by Dr. Katharine Cline and Dr. Andy Wicks. Music by Mark Joesting and Andy Wicks.

Have you ever wondered what it's like at one of APTA Michigan's annual events? Our roving reporter and president of APTA Michigan, Dr. Edward Mathis, sent in this dispatch to keep you informed. Guests included: Abigail Skallerud, APTA Michigan Legislative Director David Harris, PTA, MBA: Chief Delegate, PTA Caucus Kevin Barclay, PT, ATC, SCS, CSCS, Co-Owner and CEO of Orthopedic Rehabilitation Specialists Calley Lonier, SPT, president of APTA Michigan Student SIG Kathleen Walworth, PT, DPT, GCS, A-CEEAA, chair of MPT-PAC Brian Scherff, PT, founder of The Multiple Applications Table Music by Mark Joesting and Andy Wicks

Physical therapists work in a wide variety of settings, from the outpatient clinic to the hospital to the school, to name just a few. But did you know that they can commute by bush plane?  Dr. Rachel Jermann is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist who works on Kodiak Island, Alaska. She tells us about what life is like in a rural, isolated community and about some of the unique challenges she faces. And she is looking for a co-worker! If this sounds like your cup of tea, find her on Twitter or via email at rachel.jermann@gmail.com.

Despite being a few months into 2022, we wanted to bring you the annual State of the State message from the president of APTA Michigan, Dr. Edward Mathis. He talks about what was accomplished in 2021, what is in the works for 2022 (like the physical therapy licensure compact), why he doesn't like prime rib, and why he needs Windex to stay socially appropriate. Music by Mark Joesting and Andy Wicks.

Mentorship, social media, awkwardly meeting your idols, and bad clinical rotation experiences! This episode has it all! Or at least those things! Dr. Mike Ukoha is a physical therapist in Maryland and the founder of Live and Grow Mentorship, an organization that strives to help those who are on the pre-physical therapy path and be a light in the world. This episode features special guest host Dr. Bana Odeh, along with the regular crew of Drs. Katharine Cline and Andy Wicks. Music by Mark Joesting and Andy Wicks.

Today we talk with Dr. Rebekah Griffith, a physical therapist who works in the emergency department of University of Colorado Hospital near Denver. Not only does she practice in a niche field of physical therapy, she is a board certified neurologic clinical specialist, is working on her manual therapy fellowship, is the chief delegate for APTA Colorado, and will be testing for her first black belt in tae kwon do in April. If you aren't inspired after being in her presence, you may want to check your pulse. The title of the episode is "PT in the ED," but really it could have been "A Masterclass in Service by Dr. Rebekah Griffith." Enjoy.

We conclude our round-table discussion with Drs. Lori Boright, Andrew Chongaway, Deb Doherty, and Chris Wilson, about the importance of oncology rehabilitation, the need for self-care, the importance of seeing and treating the whole person instead of just a "patient," and the international prevalence of oncologic rehabilitation. Music by Mark Joesting and Andy Wicks.

One of my favorite parts of making this podcast is getting to talk to people who are super excited about what they do. Today's guests are four examples of just that. Drs. Andrew Chongaway, Chris Wilson, Lori Boright, and Deb Doherty are oncology rehabilitation experts and share some of their wisdom and enthusiasm with us. Come along as we learn what "oncology rehabilitation" is all about. Links discussed: The OncoPT Podcast, episode 56: Dosing exercise for your oncology patients APTA Michigan Oncology SIG ACSM Guidelines for Exercise and Cancer Music by Mark Joesting and Andy Wicks.

We conclude our discussion with Dr. Nicole Piemonte about the importance of including the humanities in healthcare education, appreciating the lived experience of our patients, understanding the impact of social determinants of health, acknowledging our own vulnerabilities, and detachment as a protective mechanism. #nicolepiemonte #humanitiesinhealthcare #humanitiesinmedicine #humanitiesinphysicaltherapy

The physical therapy profession is an evidenced-based one. Just ask any clinician, educator, or student over the last 15 years. But physical therapists and physical therapist assistants treat humans. Whole persons with quirks and foibles and inconsistencies and flaws. And we are humans, with those same quirks and foibles and inconsistencies and flaws. How do we train our students to be clinicians who can empathize, connect, and identify with their patients? Dr. Nicole Piemonte tells us about how important the humanities are in healthcare education (hint: it makes us better clinicians!). #nicolepiemonte #humanities #humanitiesinmedicine #humanitiesinhealthcare

The APTA House of Delegates is a crucial governing body for our profession, yet we may know very little about how it works. Dr. Kyle Covington, associate professor at Duke University and vice-speaker of APTA’s House of Delegates, tells us how it works, how it helps the profession, and even how his students get into […]

Katharine and Andy were able to finally record together in person! And it was only a little weird! We bring you an audio highlight reel of the APTA Michigan 2021 Fall Conference, held at the Motor City Casino and Hotel in Detroit on October 15-16. It was a blast! We’re already looking forward to the […]

We continue our series on gender differences and disparities in the physical therapy profession with an interview with Dr. Karen Litzy, owner of Karen Litzy Physical Therapy in New York City, and host of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast, and creator of the Women in Physical Therapy Summit. Dr. Litzy talks about her own winding career path, what inspired […]

Waves returns with a new series discussing some of the differences, discrepancies, and disparities among genders in the physical therapy profession. We begin with a conversation with Dr. Marie Johanson, interim director of the Division of Physical Therapy at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, talking about her 2007 research article entitled “Sex differences in career […]

We conclude our series on physical therapists on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic with the second half of our round table discussion featuring Drs. Evan Haezebrouck, Stephanie Kostsuca, and Courtney Witczak. We talk about the benefit that PTs had in advocating for early mobility of patients that would have previously been considered “too […]

After hearing some individual stories of physical therapists on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic (recorded in November 2020), we bring three clinicians together to hear how things have changed with the second surge and new developments with vaccinations. Our guests are Drs. Evan Haezebrouck, Stephanie Kostsuca, and Courtney Witczak. Drs. Haezebrouck and Kostsuca are board certified cardiovascular […]

The third part of our series on PTs working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic continues with an interview with Dr. Stephanie Kostsuca, a physical therapist and faculty member in the cardiovascular and pulmonary residency program at the VA healthcare system in Ann Arbor, MI. Music in this episode by Mark Joesting and […]

We continue our series of stories featuring physical therapists working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today we hear from Dr. Evan Haezebrouck, a PT at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. He tells about the mental and emotional toll that this disease caused on the health care professionals he works with, […]

To recap the tumultuous 2020, and to commemorate the end of Dr. Mike Shoemaker’s term as president of APTA Michigan, we sit down with him to hear about some of the important issues covered in the last twelve months, as well as some of his favorite highlights and what is next. Dr. Shoemaker is a […]

We are beginning a series highlighting the work of some physical therapists on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and hearing their stories in their own words. Dr. Romina Bello is a physical therapist and the early rehab coordinator at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She tells us how things changed at the start […]

We conclude our series featuring DPT students from the University of Michigan-Flint as they talk about important issues relating to geriatric physical therapy. Today’s episode features two segments talking about the effects of COVID-19 and depression in the geriatric community and how PT can positively effect patients in a post-COVID world. A special thanks to […]

Waves continues its series highlighting work from students at University of Michigan-Flint as they research topics related to geriatric physical therapy. This episode features Patrick Frazier, Rachel Rainko, Donovan Turchin, and Katie Persha, as they educate us on how we, as therapists, can recognize signs of delirium, dementia, and depression, and how we can provide […]

We begin a series of episodes featuring physical therapy students from University of Michigan-Flint as they present important information on geriatric physical therapy. This episode features Diana Stanek, Elizabeth Glasco, Amy Smith, Allie Lampman, Kateri Rybicki, Kim Krokoski, Emily VanVeldhuisen, and Jamie Schaub. Music in this episode is by Mark Joesting (www.soundcloud.com/mark-joesting), Nctrnm (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Nctrnm), and Pictures of […]

We conclude our series on diversity in the physical therapy workforce and education system by finishing the round table discussion with our guests Dr. Andrea Moore, Dr. Robert Burns, Dr. Leython Williams, and Bana Odeh, SPT.  In this episode, we discuss navigating uncomfortable situations to call out each other for insensitive behaviors and recognizing our […]

Don’t miss out on the 2020 APTA Michigan Fall Conference! Click here to learn more! Also, make your voice heard in the 2020 APTA Michigan Elections! Click here to start your ballot!

Waves moves into the final phase of our series on diversity in the physical therapy workforce with the first half of our round table discussion featuring Dr. Andrea Moore, Dr. Robert Burns, Dr. Leython Williams, and Bana Odeh, SPT.  Michigan Executive Directive 2020-7Click on Detroit: Gov. Whitmer mandates implicit bias training for all Michigan health professionals

Waves continues our Diversity series with an interview with Dr. Mihir Trivedi, co-chair of APTA Michigan’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. He tells about his own story and struggles as a foreign-trained physical therapist, how the process could be easier for future foreign-trained therapists, and what the main goals of the DEI committee are.

Waves’ diversity series continues with an interview with Dr. Leython Williams, PT and clinic manager with Athletico, and president of the Detroit chapter of the National Association of Black Physical Therapists (NABPT). He tells us of his own journey, the goals of the NABPT, and how the PT profession can support more minorities getting exposed […]

Waves’ diversity series continues with a conversation with Dr. Robert Burns, owner of Novi DPT. He talks about disparities in healthcare outcomes among minorities and how PTs can be better prepared to close that gap, including learning about and appreciating the diversity in our patient population and how it relates to patient/therapist interactions. He also […]

Waves’ diversity series continues with a conversation with Bana Odeh, a third year DPT student at Wayne State University. She is a member of APTA MI’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee and a co-founder of the student organization Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity in Action (IDEA) at Wayne State’s DPT program. To learn more about […]

Waves is starting a series of episodes on diversity in the physical therapy work force. We are fortunate to have four very special guests who share their experiences as a minority and how it has affected their education and careers. We will release each interview as its own episode, followed by a round-table discussion with […]

We are back with a discussion of how COVID-19 has forced the physical therapy profession to rapidly adapt telehealth and teleducation as a way to engage its patients and students. Our guests this week include Dr. Emily Wilson, owner of New Seasons PT in Kalamazoo, Brianna Chesser, assistant professor in Grand Valley State University’s Department […]

Our debut features a discussion on burnout in the physical therapy profession. We attempt to de-stigmatize the word and get advice from smart people about how to deal with it. Have you dealt with burnout? Let us know what has (or hasn’t) worked for you.