Leslie Allison, , PT, PhD
Leslie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Winston-Salem State University. She received a BS in Physical Therapy in 1979 from the University of Pennsylvania, a MS in Motor Control and Learning in 1997 from Oregon State University, and a PhD in Human Movement Science from the University of Maryland in 2006. She has worked clinically primarily in neurologic and geriatric physical therapy, with expertise in the evaluation and treatment of postural control disorders. Her research focus is multi-sensory integration, imbalance and falls in the elderly. She is the co-author of a chapter on ‘Balance Disorders’ in Umphred’s Neurologic Rehabilitation text, and a chapter on ‘Multisensory Integration in the Elderly’ in The Handbook of Multisensory Integration. She has been an invited speaker on balance and falls in the elderly across the US and Canada. She is a co-founder of the Eastern NC Fall Prevention Task Force and a member of the NC State Fall Prevention Coalition.
James Bellew, , PT, PhD
Dr. Jim Bellew is a Professor in the Krannert School of Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis. He received his entry-level Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Marquette University and later earned a Master of Science Degree in Orthopedics and Doctor of Education in Exercise Physiology both from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Bellew has published more than 75 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, abstracts, and chapters in the areas of electrotherapy, exercise training, and muscle physiology and is the lead author of the textbook Modalities for Therapeutic Intervention, now in its 6th edition. Dr. Bellew is a regular speaker at the APTA’s Combined Sections Meetings and is routinely sought nationally and internationally for consultation regarding electotherapeutic agents. In 2012, he was named conference president for an international conference on biophysical agents in Brazil.
Kimatha Grice, OTD, OTR, CHT
Kimatha has a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health from Texas A & M University and a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She has been an occupational therapist for twenty seven years with clinical experience in various areas and settings, primarily in the treatment of hand and upper extremity disorders. She has been certified as a hand therapist since 1991. She has diverse experience in physical dysfunction, including having worked on a burn unit; started and managed several hand practices and served as a Technical Service Representative for Smith & Nephew Rolyan, presenting inservicing and splinting workshops for therapists in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. She presents frequently at workshops and conferences on splinting, biomechanics, ergonomics and upper extremity rehabilitation. She currently is professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Anne Harrison, PT, PhD,
Anne is an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky Division of Physical Therapy. She teaches gerontology in the DPT curriculum and has been an invited speaker on the topic of falls reduction and TMJ for audiences including physicians, hospital home health agencies, long term care organizations, outpatient care companies and has completed research in the area of motor control and aging, She has developed and produced multimedia educational venues for both patients and professionals to address issues related to falls and safety.
Karen Holtgrefe, PT, DHS, OCS
Karen graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 1982 with a BS in Physical Therapy. She completed her MHS and DHS degrees from the University of Indianapolis in 1998 and 2006, respectively. She is Associate Professor and Chair of Physical Therapy at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her teaching responsibilities include, acute care and cardiopulmonary evaluation and treatment, and exercise physiology. Dr Holtgrefe has a long record of local, state, regional, and national seminars on medical screening, acute care, and cardiopulmonary topics, and recently presented at World Congress of Physical Therapy in Amsterdam, June 2011
Walter L. Jenkins, PT, DHS, ATC, LATC
Walt is an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Physical Therapy at East Carolina University. During his tenure at ECU he has been active in teaching and curriculum development, service with the university, college, graduate school, and the department. His research focus is epidemiology and prevention of athletic injury. Walt continues to be clinically active by serving as a physical therapy consultant to the university athletic program. Prior to his current position Dr. Jenkins served as Coordinator of Sports Physical Therapy at the Kansas University Medical Center’s Sports Medicine Institute where he was an Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Therapy. Previously he taught at the University of Indianapolis and Purdue University, and has been a director of several outpatient physical therapy clinics. Dr. Jenkins received his Bachelor of Physical Education degree from Purdue University in 1977, and a Master of Science in Physical Education from West Virginia University in 1979. He was awarded a Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 1982, and a Doctor of Health Sciences degree in 2003 from the University of Indianapolis.
Kara Lee, PT, DPT, NCS
Kara Lee graduated from the University of Kentucky PT program with a Master’s in PT in 1997, then returned for her DPT in 2007. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Clinical Education for the University of Kentucky Physical Therapy (UKPT) program, Lexington KY, where she joined the faculty at UK in 2013. Her clinical background is in treatment of people with spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions, as well as pediatrics. She has served as lead lecturer and lab instructor in the UK PT course in treatment of people with spinal cord injury for 8 years. Additionally, she serves in the Normal Pressure Hydrocephaly Clinic in the Kentucky Neurologic Institute. In 2015, she earned her Neurologic Certified Specialist (NCS) certification from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
B.J. Lehecka, DPT
B.J. is an Assistant Professor for Wichita State University’s Department of Physical Therapy. He teaches musculoskeletal content with a focus on the hip and spine. He also practices as a sports and orthopedic physical therapist for Via Christi Health in Wichita, and is pursuing a PhD in Sports and Orthopedic Science. His dissertation focus is gluteal endurance, with a special interest in the running population. B.J. also teaches a running continuing education course
Robert C. Manske PT, DPT, MPT, MEd, SCS, ATC, CSCS,
Rob is an Associate Professor in the Doctoral Physical Therapy Program at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. Rob graduated from WSU in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education, a Master of Physical Therapy degree in 1994, and further earned a Master of Education degree in Physical Education in 2000. He received his DPT from Massachusetts General Institute of Health Professions in 2006. To date Rob has published multiple books, chapters, articles and home study courses related to orthopedic and sports rehabilitation. In addition to his full time faculty appointment, Rob works at a Via Christi Sports and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation facility and also serves as a Teaching Associate at the University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Rehabilitation Sciences in Kansas City, and the Department of Community Medicine for the Via Christi Family Practice Sports Medicine Residency Program. Most importantly Rob continues to practice weekly – spending approximately 15 hours per week treating a variety of knee and shoulder conditions
Karen McCain, DPT, PT, NCS
Karen is an Associate Professor in he School of Health Professions as well as the Associate Director of the David M. Crowley Research and Rehabilitation Laboratory at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. In addition, she is the Director of the Neurologic Residency program at UT Southwestern. She received her bachelor’s in physical therapy from 1992 and a doctorate in physical therapy from Regis University in 2006. Dr. McCain is board certified by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist. She has been teaching at the university level since 1998 and currently teaches in a DPT program. Dr. McCain maintains a clinical practice with a focus on gait recovery in persons with neurologic injuries. In addition, she actively conducts research in the areas of gait recovery after stroke as well as the impact of orthoses on gait in persons with neurologic diagnoses. Dr. McCain is the principal investigator of an ongoing clinical trial of early standardized task-specific training (ESTT) in persons recovering from stoke and has published several papers related to this research.
Kevin McHorse, PT, SCS, Cert. MDT
Kevin has been practicing orthopedic and sports physical therapy since 1999 and has specialized in pediatric orthopedics and sports injuries since 2002. Kevin is a Sports Certified Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and is certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of the Spine through the McKenzie Institute of North America. Kevin has lectured nationally on the topic of pediatrics and orthopedics and sports injuries and is involved in injury prevention programs. Kevin is past co-chair of the Pediatric Sports and Fitness Special Interest Group for the Pediatrics Section of APTA.
Ann Newstead, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, GCS, CEEAA
Dr. Newstead is a graduate of SUNY at Potsdam, New York (BA, 1976), University of Alabama with (MS, PT, 1978); University of Texas (PhD in Movement Science 2010); and University of Montana with (DPT, 2016). She has worked in inpatient, rehabilitation, outpatient and home health settings (1978-present). She has held faculty positions at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston (1992-1996); The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (1997-2010); University of Incarnate Word San Antonio (2010-2012) and West Coast University (2012-2016). She is a Geriatric Clinical Specialist (2005-2025); Neurological Clinical Specialist (1994-2025); Vestibular Rehabilitation Certification (2008) and APTA Certified Exercise Expert in Aging Adults (2011). She has published research in the areas of balance, older adults and brain injury. Dr. Newstead is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Texas Physical Therapy Associations and serves as the Practice Chair. She is the secretary for the WCPT IPT-HOPE developing subgroup
Charles M. Plishka, PT, DPT
Charles is a graduate of Creighton University in Omaha, NE, and is a licensed Physical Therapist and owner of Posture & Balance Concepts, LLC. He has over 12 years experience evaluating and treating these special patient populations. Dr. Plishka has served on the Board of Directors for the Vestibular Disorder Association, which is a national non-profit organization designed to provide information to the public on subjects and conditions related to dizziness and balance disorders. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, and the Movement Disorder Society
Danny D. Smith PT, DHSc, OCS, SCS, ATC
Danny is a native of East Tennessee where he currently resides. He maintains a private physical therapy practice which provides orthopedic, sports, pediatric, and industrial rehabilitation. Dr. Smith is a 1972 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a BS in Physical Therapy, he also holds a Master’s Degree in Education from East Tennessee State University as well as a Doctorate in Health Sciences from the University of St. Augustine (FL) in 1996 being a member of the first Doctoral level Physical Therapy programs in the U.S. His area of study was the pre-hospital care of the injured athlete and the development of educational programs for physical therapists in this area. During the course of his career, Dr. Smith has served as a member of the Sports Physical Therapy Executive Committee for a total of 14 years. He has presented over 250 educational programs in the US and abroad. He is responsible for the development of the American Red Cross Emergency Medical Response for the Physical Therapist course which is a prerequisite for the Sports Clinical Specialist Examination and the Sports Physical Therapy Residency programs. Highlights of his career include being named as one of 50 Sports Physical Therapists for the Atlanta Olympic Games and the director of the Sports Medicine Center for the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games. Dr. Smith has served as a volunteer Sports Physical Therapist for the Elizabethton Cyclones since 1977.
Don Shaw, PT, PhD, D. Min., FAACVPR
Donald K. Shaw, PhD, PT, is a Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Franklin Pierce University – Arizona Campus. Prior to his present position, Dr. Shaw was a Professor of Physical Therapy at Nova Southeastern University and at Midwestern University. In 2002, he joined the physical therapy faculty at Texas State University and developed their Telehealth Program. His academic career began at East Carolina University where he was an Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Department. Clinically, he served as Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee and as Adjunct Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Shaw received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Physical Education from George Williams College in Chicago, Illinois; his doctorate in Exercise Physiology from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Most recently, he completed his D.Min. degree in Christian Apologetics at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Matthews, North Carolina. Dr. Shaw is a Fellow and former national board member of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. He has lectured and presented research in Argentina, Scotland, Ireland, the Peoples Republic of China, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and throughout the United States. His published work appears widely in medical journals including the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Respiratory Care, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal, Heart and Lung, Journal of Allied Health, and the American Journal of Cardiology. He has received both university teaching and scholarship awards.
Alison Taylor, OT, CHT
Alison Taylor graduated with a BA in Applied Science in Occupational Therapy from Sydney University, Australia in 1990. She has worked in and out of the US for over 26 years and obtained her CHT in 2001. Since that time Alison has presented at 5 ASHT Conferences. The 2016 ASHT preconference workshop was on “Tendonitis and Taping” a topic in which she is developing new protocols and conducting research. She became a Kinesio Taping Instructor in 2011 and actively lectures throughout the USA on Upper and Lower Extremity taping. She has presented at multiple local and State Conferences as well as OT/ASHT Chapter meetings. Alison has been a guest lecturer for the OT programs at Texas Women’s University (Denton) and University of Sydney and LSU (Shreveport). She was NDT certified in 2003 and has been published in Kinesio “ Advanced Healing” Magazine. Her specialties include hands, sports orthopedics and tendonitis. Alison is a specialist in splinting, upper limb trauma and treating neural related conditions in the upper quadrant. Her background also includes Neurology, Spinal Cord and Acute care She is married with 2 boys and is the owner of “Taylor Hand Therapy” in North Texas.
Jacob Thorp, PT, DHS, MTC
Jacob received his Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University – Osteopathic Medical Center in 2001. He also received his Doctor of Health Science degree with emphasis on Orthopedic Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis. Jacob is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at East Carolina University in the school of physical therapy. He is also adjunct DE instructor in the school of physical therapy at the University of S t. Augustine. In 2005 he became a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist, CEAS from the Back School of Atlanta. In 2006 Jacob received his Manual Therapy Certification, MTC from the University of St. Augustine. Jacob is also a practicing physical therapist; he is currently a physical therapist adjunct at the Brody School of Medicine and also Clinic Administrator and physical therapist at East Carolina University Physical Therapy. Jacob is a contributor in several books and chapters and he also actively involved in many research projects
D.S. Blaise Williams, MPT, PhD
Dr. Williams is the Director of the VCU RUN LAB in the Department of Physical Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Williams also holds affiliate academic positions in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at VCU and the Department of Physical Therapy at East Carolina University. Dr. Williams has lectured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada and has more than 30 publications related to lower extremity biomechanics and injuries. Dr. Williams has spent the last 15 years studying human movement in various populations. Dr. Williams has studied and presented on gait patterns if runners, walking, jumping and standing in obese adolescents, landing in female college basketball players, ankle movement in individuals with diabetes, balance and coordination in surfers, injury mechanics in dancers, hip movement and strength in National Hockey League players and many more. His current research projects include: enhancing running mechanics as it relates to injury and performance across the lifespan and understanding regularity of human movement in healthy and injured runners. Dr. Williams is the former chair of the Running Special Interest Group and the current Vice President of the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the APTA. Clinically, Dr. Williams works with athletes at all skill levels. Dr. Williams specializes in video and three-dimensional gait analyses as they relate to the evaluation and treatment of injuries.