APTA Acute Care Practice Committee Welcome Packet 2024

appreciate your interest in being more involved with the APTA Acute Care.

https://www.aptaacutecare.org

The Practice Committee of the APTA Academy of Acute Care is closely aligned with the mission, vision, and strategic framework set by the Academy's Board of Directors. Our committee promotes best practices in acute care physical therapy, develops resources, and shares strategies on pertinent clinical topics. Several subcommittees cater to specific interests, such as the collaboration on the Adult Vital Sign Interpretation in Acute Care Guide 2021 with the Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy, the care transitions discharge planning with the APTA Home Health published in the Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy, and the updates to key resources including the Laboratory Values Interpretation Resource with the APTA Pediatrics and ongoing competency development As an element of the 2023 Academy strategic plan update, Practice was tasked with leading the development of a toolbox resource. This initiative is currently underway with multiple committee members engaged and contributing content expertise. Monthly submissions to Critical EdgEmail, the official newsletter, are a regular responsibility, with each committee member expected to contribute at least once annually. The coordinator offers topic suggestions and support, and submissions are concise and supported with templates and examples. The Committee also addresses clinical inquiries from Academy members via multiple platforms. We are group of passionate acute care-based physical therapists who represent different regions of the country and diverse acute care practice environments. We have members who are board-certified in cardiopulmonary, neurology, geriatrics, orthopedics, and wound care. We have members who are active in physical therapy at their state level, within their health systems or facilities, on in their community. We believe that we represent a wide range of individuals who have membership in APTA Acute Care.

Communication

The Practice Committee meets quarterly for an hour (5:00 pm Pacific, 6:00 pm Mountain, 7:00 pm Central, 8:00 pm Eastern Time Zone) via Zoom Video

For both the committees and subcommittees, we communicate regularly via email. We use email to submit assigned tasks, communicate meeting agendas and minutes, and obtain committee input on issues that will not wait until a future conference call.

The subcommittee chairs will establish the frequency of those meetings and notify interested Practice Committee members of those dates and responsibilities in advance.

1. Arguelles, Leo

15. Lemmons, Kimberly

2. Berdin, Rodelyn

16. Lesser, Melissa

3. Brito Kathryn

17. Levenhagen, Kim

4. Burgess, Joanne

18. Locati, Erin

5. Crowell, Malinda

19. Madison, Lane

6. Drumm, Dawn

20. Norris, Traci

7. Dyson, Jamie

21. Perme, Christiane

8. Fick, Ann

22. Segraves, Jenna

9. Gaspari, Clara

23. Shah, Aditi

10. Griffin, Brigid

24. Shah, Komal

11. Healy, Tricia

25. Swanick, Kathy

12. Henderson, Leesa

26. Timiraos, Morgan

13. Higgins, Lauren

27. Tompkins, James

14. Johnson, Rebecca

APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee Members 2024

Dr. Morgan Timiraos, PT, DPT (Chair), graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with her Doctorate in Physical therapy in 2014. She spent several years working throughout acute care practice areas and became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy in 2021. After spending the past five years as a lead ICU physical therapist at a level II trauma center in Southern California, in 2022 she accepted new positions at a local Adventist hospital and with a private home health company for continued personal and professional growth and fulfillment. As an APTA credentialed clinical instructor, she is engaged in DPT student clinical education and mentorship. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, she was a leader of the hospital’s therapy team and an active collaborator and supporter of several APTA COVID-19 webinars. With a passion for advancing practice and optimizing patient care and outcomes, Morgan joined the APTA Acute Care Practice Committee in 2016. Inspired by the committee leaders and members and the opportunities to actively engage and contribute to best practice resources. She became the vice-chair of the APTA Acute Care Practice Committee in 2019 and has served as the chair since 2021. She was honored in 2020 as an APTA emerging leader and is committed to continuing to serve our profession, patients and academy.

Dr. Rodelyn Berdin, PT, DPT, MSHA (Vice-Chair), has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 2009 and joined the APTA Acute Care Practice Committee in 2019. In 2021, she was appointed Vice-Chair of the APTA Acute Care Practice Committee. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of the East in the Philippines. She later received a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Des Moines University in Iowa and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Rodelyn is an APTA Level 2 and Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor. She served as an item writer for the National Physical Therapy Examination. As an acute care physical therapist and clinical instructor at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital in Texas since 2011, she was instrumental in establishing their student physical therapy clinical education program. Additionally, Rodelyn has taken on several roles such as the hospital's community ambassador, DEI champion for the Asian Heritage Employee Resource Group, and interprofessional collaborator with Shared Governance Councils. Passionate about giving back to the profession, she is a member of the Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) and has served the chapter's Practice Committee for six years. Furthermore, she is a Tom Waugh Fellow and a current board member of the TPTA Tom Waugh Leadership Development Program.

APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice

Dr. Traci Norris, PT, DPT (former Chair), is a physical therapist and Rehabilitation Clinical Specialist for EvidenceBased Practice and Clinical Practice Change at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri. In this capacity, she is responsible for translating empirical evidence and adopting best practice initiatives at her facility. She has over 19 years of patient care experience and has demonstrated a deep commitment to the clinical and academic needs of the Academy members. She is a Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, and the current President for the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy. Dr. Norris has a robust volunteer track record across multiple APTA sections. She has participated in the development of numerous tools for acute care therapists and presented locally and nationally on areas including evidence-based practice, frailty, geriatrics, laboratory values, critical care, trauma, discharge planning, and early mobilization. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic evolved, Traci identified an essential role for the AACPT Practice Committee to be a reliable and fact- driven source for therapy members. As the former Practice Chair for the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy, she was instrumental in assembling experts from around the country to develop and deliver free educational programming to share knowledge with therapy colleagues. She is the residency co-director for a candidate Geriatric residency program at her institution and is the AACPT clinical community representative on the Education Leadership Partnership. Traci was a recipient of the 2020 Mary Sinnott Award for Clinical Excellence in Acute Care from the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy and the 2019 Patty K. Sheets Award for Excellence in Physical Therapy Education from Washington University.

Dr. James Tompkins, PT, DPT (former Co-Chair), is the Senior Director of Operations, Rehabilitation Services at Bayhealth Medical Center in Dover, Delaware. He is also a Certified Prosthetist (CP). Prior to his current role, he was the Director of Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic, in Phoenix, Arizona, and served for eight years as the Associate Dean for the Mayo Clinic School of Health Science in Arizona. With over 30 years of practice in the field of rehabilitation, Dr. Tompkins has developed expertise in numerous clinical, academic, and administrative areas. He has served on various national committees to develop best practice initiatives and the translation of evidence-based care models into practice.

APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee Members 2024

Dr. Leo Arguelles, PT, DPT, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy and the current APTA Acute Care Nominating Committee Member. He works as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) DPT program. Dr. Arguelles is part of the APTA Mediacore and also a Co-host for the APTA Acute Care Section's Podcast, Acute Conversation. Dr. Arguelles enjoys marathon running, triathlons, and mixed martial arts.

Dr. Joanne Burgess, PT, DPT, completed her BA in Latin American Studies at Ohio Wesleyan University. She worked for a nonprofit before completing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University in 2018. Following graduation, Dr. Burgess worked at a long-term acute care hospital where she treated medically complex patients. She has been employed as an acute care physical therapist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania since 2022 where she has rotated on various clinical services, including Oncology, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Cardiology, and has engaged in quality improvement projects.

Dr. Kathryn Brito, PT, DPT, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy, CI, current APTA Acute Care Delegate, and Northern District Chair for the Illinois Physical Therapy Association. She is a full-time clinician and ICU lead therapist at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital in Lake Forest, Illinois, and is involved in both departmental and hospital-wide committees promoting staff recognition, early mobility, and advancing patient care.

Dr. Malinda Crowell PT, DPT, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy and has been a physical therapist for 30 years. Of those years, 25 of them have been in acute care. She is an adjunct lab assistant and instructor for a physical therapist assistant program (PTA), where she teaches the geriatric portion of a lifespan class.

APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee Members 2024

Dr. Dawn Drumm, PT, DHSc, has worked primarily in acute care with over 25 years’ experience in variety of settings including trauma/burn and ICU care as well as in pediatrics, especially in the last decade focusing on the NICU setting. Currently, she is a practicing senior physical therapist at Annand Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (for over thirteen years) where she focuses her care within the NICU, BPD, and PICU units as well as an offshoot transitional care location within Lurie, Almost Home Kids. She recently completed her DHSc from the University of Indianapolis in May of 2021, focusing her research on a tummy time intervention and parent education among infants born preterm. Her following research interests include focusing on interventions to promote both adherence and participation among infants transitioning from the NICU to home. When she is not working, she loves anything fitness and Peloton/Power Zone training, taking walks with her Irish doodle Mack and spending time with her husband and two teenage children.

Dr. Jamie Dyson, PT, DPT, has been practicing acute care physical therapy for 30 years. His primary area of practice has been in the intensive care units specializing in trauma and burn care. He is a certified instructor for Advanced Burn Life Support as well as both an APTA Basic and Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor. He practices at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford Florida. He is a Courtesy Assistant Clinical Professor with the University of Central Florida Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, teaching cardiopulmonary physical therapy, integumentary, pathology, pharmacology, and acute care physical therapy. Jamie received his BS in PT from Northeastern University, Boston, MA and completed his tDPT through A.T. Still University. Dr. Dyson was awarded the Signe Brunnstrom Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching in 2013, the FPTA Fred Rutan Award for Outstanding Service in 2017 and the APTA Lucy Blair service award in 2021. He is a member of the APTA Acute Care Practice Committee. He is actively involved with the Florida Physical Therapy Association serving as Chapter President and Delegate.

Dr. Ann Fick, PT, DPT, MS, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy with over 35 years of acute care experience. She is a Professor and Director of Clinical Education at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2023, Dr. Fick received the Linda Crane Lecture Award.

APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee Members 2024

Dr. Clara Gaspari, PT, DPT, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy since 2012. Clara currently works at NYU Langone Health as a Senior II physical therapist. Previously, she was the physical therapist supervisor at IECPN, a neurosurgical center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has presented at numerous national and international conferences and has reviewed abstracts for poster and educational sessions for APTA Acute Care Section at CSM and the World Physiotherapy Congress.

Dr. Brigid Griffin, PT, DPT, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy, CI, current member of the APTA Acute Care Nominating Committee, Ohio Delegate, Ohio Physical Therapy Association Southwest District Treasurer, APTA Pediatrics Trauma Informed Care Community of Practice member, 2022 APTA Association Leadership Scholar, and named as the 2022 Emerging Leader from APTA Pediatrics. She is a full-time clinician in Pediatric ICU at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, OH. Her passions are trauma-informed, outcomes, and productivity measurement. She enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her husband and new son.

Dr. Tricia Healy, PT, DPT, has been a member of the APTA Acute Care Practice Committee since 2017 and currently serves as the Practice Committee Coordinator for Critical EdgEmail. Tricia received her MSPT from Simmons College in 1999 and her transitional DPT from Simmons College in 2003. She has practiced in acute care since 2000 where she began her acute care career at Massachusetts General Hospital. She currently works at a level one trauma center at a U Mass Memorial Health in Worcester, MA. Tricia has been an active member of APTA Massachusetts since 2012, and her past roles include the Chapter Board of Directors, Central District Chief Representative, and Nominating Committee Chair. In 2023, she received the APTA Academy of Acute Care President Award.

APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee Members 2024

Dr. Leesa Henderson, PT, DPT, is an acute care physical therapist and APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor who has practiced in hospitals across the country. She has extensive training in ICU, trauma, and burn rehabilitation and recently completed a research on Military Spouse Physical Therapist employment. She currently works for Oracle Health, taking the VHA live with a new EHR.

Dr. Lauren Higgins, PT, DPT, is a full-time acute care physical therapist and clinical instructor at Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. She is involved in the hospital’s research and quality improvement projects. Dr. Higgins is also a prn acute care physical therapist for all ICU and medical floors at HonorHealth John C Lincoln Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dr. Rebecca (Becky) Johnson, PT, DPT, is a Board-Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist with over ten years of clinical experience. She is a clinical assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Hanover College, where she teaches physiology, pharmacology, and cardiopulmonary content. She continues to practice clinically for Indiana University Health in a level I trauma center in Indianapolis.

Dr. Kimberly Lemmons, PT, DPT, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, a certified stroke rehabilitation specialist, and a credentialed clinical instructor through the APTA. She has nearly 20 years of clinical experience in the acute neurologic care environment from around the United States with a focus on early mobility practices. She has been a member of several hospital-based Stroke Steering Committees and champions interdisciplinary collaboration. As an Assistant Professor at Wingate University in their DPT program for the neurologic curriculum she brings a passion for designing interprofessional acute care simulations. Dr. Lemmons is an active member of the Neurologic and Acute Care APTA Academies with research interests revolving around patient care in the acute neurologic setting, psychological influences on high-level athletic performances, and improving student experiences within a DPT program. Her presentation experience ranges from local to national events including CSM. She received her Master of Physical Therapy from California State University of Northridge and her DPT from University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.

APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee Members 2024

Dr. Melissa Lesser, PT, DPT, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy. She is a full-time faculty member working as Co-Director of Clinical Education and teaching in the cardiovascular and pulmonary sequence at Saint Joseph's University. She continues to practice clinically at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Kim Levenhagen, PT, DPT, WCC, CLT, FNAP, is an Associate Professor at Saint Louis University. She teaches the acute care curriculum, communication courses, and Interprofessional Team Seminar. Dr. Levenhagen is an APTA Credentialed Instructor and Credentialed Advanced Clinical Instructor. A member of the APTA Acute Care Practice Committee, she has served on the leadership team for the Lab Values Interpretation Resource and the Vital Sign Guideline, as well as the organization of webinars and journal club. Additionally, she serves on the Nominating Committee. She has Wound Care Certification, a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, and has clinical experience in acute care at Saint Louis University Hospital. She has published in infection control, HIV, lymphedema, wound care, and education.

Dr. Erin Locati, PT, DPT, is an acute care pelvic physical therapist specializing in pregnancy and postpartum care. She earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Texas State University. Erin has originated and grown inpatient acute antepartum and postpartum programs within large hospital systems in San Antonio, Texas, to provide therapy services to patients admitted with high risk pregnancies and within 24-72 hours post-delivery. As part of these programs Erin has presented to OBGYN groups, department managers and other stake-holders in her hospital’s antepartum/postpartum programs as well as created and delivered in-services and continuing education courses to therapy and nursing staff. In addition to her hospital work. Erin also teaches community education classes on pelvic physical therapy for the pregnant and postpartum populations through local support groups and a non-profit doula organization. Erin is passionate about improving the standard of care for the pregnant/postpartum populations and expanding access to pelvic health services in south Texas.

APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee Members 2024

Dr. Lane Madison, PT, DPT, MBA, is an acute care physical therapist at Mercy Hospital-Springfield in Springfield, Missouri, where he contributes to caring for patients with neurological conditions in the Neurology Unit and Neurotrauma ICU. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Southwest Baptist University in 2022. Early in his career he became dedicated to advancing his expertise and leadership skills. He has ambitions of becoming a Board-Certified Neurological Clinical Specialist. He is actively involved within his organization advocating for best evidence-based practices in the acute care setting and is on the Education committee. Moreover, he has been an active member of APTA since 2020 and has volunteered for several roles within the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy. He became a member of the APTA Acute Care Practice Committee in 2024. At the state level, He has been the Southwest District Chair and APTA MO board member since graduating in 2022. As a member of the APTA MO board, he has been a strong advocate for the profession at the state level.

Christiane Perme, PT, FCCM, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy with extensive experience in early mobility in the ICU. She owns Perme ICU Rehab Seminars and is a Rehab Education Specialist at Houston Methodist Hospital. She is a Fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine, the first physical therapist in the world to receive such recognition. She has published 20 articles and is a co- author in 9 book chapters. Mrs. Perme is a world-renowned speaker who has presented hundreds of courses and lectures in 12 countries.

Dr. Jenna Segraves, PT, DPT, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at Pacific Northwest University and a Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist. She graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Delaware in 2014. Her clinical practice primarily includes acute care with a focus on neuro/trauma diagnoses, critical care, the emergency department, and inpatient obstetrics. For the acute care obstetric population, she evaluates and treats individuals within 24 hours following delivery. She has successfully implemented and expanded inpatient obstetric physical therapy programs in hospitals in Texas and Colorado. Dr. Segraves is passionate about including physical and occupational therapy services in the immediate postpartum phase of recovery to optimize function.

APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee

Dr. Aditi Shah, PT, DPT, CSCS is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She is a Staff Physical Therapist at Houston Methodist Sugarland Hospital. She earned her Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) from Gujarat University, India. She graduated from New York University (NYU) with her t-Doctorate in Physical Therapy (t-DPT) in 2012. With fifteen-plus years of professional experience, Aditi has treated a diverse range of physical therapy patients in settings including inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF), skilled nursing facilities (SNF), outpatient clinics, home care, and acute care hospitals. She served as faculty for the Acute care residency program at Houston Methodist Hospital. She serves as a clinical instructor for students every year. She is involved in IRB projects, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement projects at work. She is currently volunteering as a member of APTA.

Dr. Komal Shah, PT, DPT, graduated with her doctorate in physical therapy from Rutgers University in Newark, NJ, in 2008. She is a BoardCertified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy. She has focused her career on the acute care setting, with special interests in trauma, critical care, neurology, and safe patient handling. Her clinical experience is from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and New York University Langone Health. She currently practices at NYU Langone Health in Manhattan and joined the Safe Patient Handling & Mobility Department at its creation in 2018.

Dr. Kathy Swanick, PT, DPT, received her BS in Physical Therapy from Russell Sage College and her Masters in Community Health and DPT from the Sage Graduate School in Troy, NY: After moving to Fort Myers to take a faculty position at FGCU, she became engaged in the FPTA having served as a district officer, Assembly Representative for the SW District, Regional Director, Chapter Secretary and two terms as Chapter President. She currently serves as Director of Advocacy and was appointed to serve on the APTA Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. She has also served as a Delegate for Florida Chapter since 2007. Other Association activities include the Academy of Acute Care practice committee, participation in State and Federal Advocacy Forums, and presenting at numerous State and National Conferences. She had her board certification in Orthopedics in 2003 and was recertified in 2013. In addition to serving as a faculty member at Florida Gulf Coast University, she continues to practice in Acute Care with the Lee Health System in Fort Myers working in ICU and critical care. Dr. Swanick received the APTA state legislative award in 2016, Lucy Blair Service Award in 2017, and the APTA Outstanding PT/ PTA team award in 2019.