Special Interest Groups

Members need to click here and log in for the Leadership Roster. Non-members please reach out to our ANPT general email.

Assistive Technology/Seating & Wheelchair Mobility

The intent of this SIG is to raise the awareness of the impact of neurologic impairments in falls and fall prevention and improve our understanding of assessment and interventions for balance dysfunction and fall risk and prevention in neurologic disorders. 

Chair
Rachel Hibbs, PT, DPT

Vice Chair
Jacob Long, PT, DPT

Secretary
Vanessa Kaczmarek, PT, DPT* 

Nominating Committee 

Wendy Koesters, PT  (Chair)
Allison Fracchia, PT
Kathleen Fitzgerald, PT, DPT

*All the Physical Therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialists.

Balance and Falls

The intent of this SIG is to raise the awareness of the impact of neurologic impairments in falls and fall prevention and improve our understanding of assessment and interventions for balance dysfunction and fall risk and prevention in neurologic disorders.

Chair

Jennifer Nash, PT, DPT*

Vice Chair

Nathan Casey, PT, DPT*

Secretary

Sarah Oxborough, PT

Nominating Committee 
Marissa Lyon, PT, DPT, PhD (Chair)
Kristen Barta, PT, DPT, PhD
Kameron Jacobson, PT, DPT

* The Physical Therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist.

Brain Injury

The purpose of this group is to provide an avenue of communication and networking for clinicians, educators, and researchers working with or interested in acquired brain injury. The SIG provides a forum for discussion of topics related to brain injury at physical therapy national meetings.

Chair

Carolyn Tassini, PT, DPT*

Vice Chair

Kim Miczak, PT*

Secretary

Natalie Anzures, PT, DPT, MS, CBIS

Nominating Committee
Jamie Young, PT, DPT (Chair)
Ashley Johnston, PT, DPT
Jenna Segraves, PT, DPT, MS

*All the Physical Therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialists

Degenerative Diseases

The SIG updates members regarding current research and treatment through the SIG newsletter and provide a forum for discussion of topics related to neurodegenerative diseases at APTA meetings. We aim to support and develop educational materials about degenerative diseases and provide an avenue of communication and networking for clinicians, educators, and researchers working with or interested in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. 

Chair

Christina Burke, PT, DPT*

Vice Chair
Jeannie Stephenson, PT, PhD*

Secretary
Sara Crandall Zoeller, PT, DPT*

Nominating Committee
Gregory Brusola, PT, DPT, PhD (Chair)
Robert Hand, PT, DPT
Anjali Sivaramakrishnan, PT, MPT, Phd

*All the Physical Therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialists.

Residency and Fellowship

Chair

Dana Lott, PT, DPT

Vice Chair

Christina Platko, PT, DPT

Secretary

Kelsey Meyers, PT, DPT

Nominating Committee

* The Physical Therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist.

Spinal Cord Injury

The purpose of this group is to provide an avenue of communication and networking for clinicians, educators, and researchers working with or interested in SCI. The SIG provides a forum for discussion of topics related to SCI at physical therapy national meetings.

Chair

Casey Kandilakis, PT, DPT*

Vice Chair

Christi Hutchison, PT*

Secretary

Sara Hobbs, PT, DPT *

Nominating Committee

Kaci Handlery, PT, DPT
Kristen Cezat, PT, DPT, NCS, ATP/SMS
Wesley Thornton, PT, DPT

*All the Physical Therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialists.

Stroke

The SIG creates a forum for the discussion of rehabilitation issues associated with stroke survivors and form liaisons between APTA and the medical community through the support of research and through national organizations such as the National Stroke Association. Integrate into the community and provide information to the public about the risk factors of stroke and about living with the sequela of stroke.

Chair

Michelle Sawtelle, PT, MPT, PhD

Vice Chair

Mackenzie Wilson, PT, DPT

Secretary

Benton Lindaman, PT, DPT

Nominating Committee
Jessica Straughn, PT (Chair)
Anne O'Neal, PT, DPT
Dennis Fell, PT, MD

*All the Physical Therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialists.

Vestibular Rehabilitation

The goal of the SIG is to facilitate exchange of information that would impact the treatment of the vestibular patient between researchers and clinicians. Act as a liaison between SIG members and organizations with interest in vestibular rehabilitation. Monitor and share information on reimbursement systems and the coverage policies for vestibular rehabilitation.

Chair 

Rachel Wellons, PT, DPT*

Vice Chair

Lisa Heusel-Gillig, PT, DPT

Secretary

Holly Roberts, PT, DPT, PhD, GCS*

Nominating Committee

Dawn Fitzgerald, PT, DPT (Chair)
Holly Paczan, PT
Daniel Ludwig, PT, DPT

Advisory and Practice Liaisons

Lisa Dransfield, PT, DPT, MA

Newsletter Editor

Deborah Struiksma, PT*

*All the Physical Therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialists.

SIG Awards Coordinators 

Assistive Technology / Seating & Wheeled Mobility  

Rachel Hibbs

Balance & Falls

Marissa Lyons

Brain Injury

Natalie Anzures

Degenerative Diseases 

Robert Hand

Spinal Cord Injury

Kaci Handlery

Stroke

Arco Paul

Vestibular

Karen Skop

*All the Physical Therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialists.