PT Department Well Represented at National Conference in Boston

John Shaw

Date

February 22, 2024

Topics

Faculty, alumni, and students present research, network, and reminisce at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting

For Liz Phan, Nicole Lubon, Pratyusha Macherla and Rachel Rallo, attending the 2024 Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), the American Physical Therapy Association’s annual conference was a good swap.

The first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students had just attended lectures at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center, where the conference was held February 15-17. So even though they missed a day of classes – faculty made classes optional – the experience of joining more than 15,000 people from the physical therapy profession more than made up for it.

“Everyone’s a PT and everyone’s learning,” said Lubon, as she and her classmates stood in the conference’s crowded Exhibition Hall.

“It’s reinforcing what we’re learning in class,” noted Phan.

Added Macherla, “To see all these PTs here has just been such an incredible opportunity,”

Their experiences were exactly what associate professor Devashish Tiwari was looking to hear.

Group of people pose for photo — Some of the more than 100 faculty, students, and alumni who attended the American Physical Therapy Association's Combines Sections Meeting in Boston on February 15-17.

Man and woman pose and smile — Lucy Lotz, DPT '21, and associate professor David Selkowitz caught up at the CSM.

Three women talking and smiling — Jaimie Trout, DPT '20 and Casey McVicar, DPT '20 catch up with assistant professor Dr. Beth Cornforth.

Three women talking — DPT student Christine Kane (left) talks with assistant professor Dr. Caitlin Fitzgerald (center) and instructor Dr. Monica Arrigo in-between sessions at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting.

Two men talking — Tony Wu, DPT '24 (left) and associate professor Dr. Devashish Tiwari catch up at the event.

Two women laughing — Hyun Jung Kim, a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences student, talks with her mentor, PT associate professor Dr. Shweta Gore.

Man smiling — Garth Savidge, DPT '02, was among the alumni who attended the APTA's annual meeting.

Two women talking — PT Department interim chair Dr. Keshrie Naidoo talks with Dr. Heather Molind, a 2012 DPT graduate, at the APTA"s Combines Sections Meeting.

Group of people smiling — Dr. Leslie Portney (front) and Dr. Pam Levangie (far right) received awards at the APTA CSM. With them are (L-R) Dr. Diane Jette, Dr. Donna Applebaum, Dr. Laura Plummer, and Dr. Keshrie Naidoo.

“This conference provides a great platform for students to hear some of the new things that are coming up in the field and that gives them the opportunity to connect to different people, because they see us all the time at the IHP,” said Dr. Tiwari. “It’s always a good idea for students to connect to more people and gain more insights, and it gives them an opportunity to network and maybe find a future mentor.”

Being in Boston, the conference attracted a large number of alumni. “It’s fun that Boston is hosting the CSM because everyone’s here,” said Heather Molind, Class of 2012, director of the pediatric PT residency program at Boston Children’s Hospital. Right behind her was Garth Savidge, DPT ’02, who was recalling his days as a student when the Institute was located in the 101 Merrimac Street office building near the TD Garden. Tony Wu, who just graduated in January, was among the newest alumni in attendance.

Overall, more than 100 IHP’ers were at the conference, including a sizeable number who attended the alumni reception held Friday night a Faneuil Hall restaurant. That gathering occurred after the event’s award ceremony, during which time two former department chairs were recognized for their work.

Dr. Pamela Levangie, professor emerita, received the President’s Award, which honors an individual who has provided exemplary service or noteworthy contributions in advancing the vision, mission, or goals of the APTA Academy of Education.
Dr. Leslie Portney, dean emerita (after being program chair, she was the Institute’s first dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences), received the Academy of Education Award for Leadership in Education, which recognizes a nationally prominent educator who has exhibited outstanding leadership and contributions to physical therapy education.

And it wasn’t just reunions and reminiscing. More than three dozen faculty, alumni, and students gave poster presentations, education sessions, or platform sessions during the event. Among the posters were:

“Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired with Mobility Training in Chronic Ischemic Stroke: A Single-Subject Design,” co-authored by Dr. Matthew Picard-Fraser, DPT ’21, a student in the PhD in rehabilitation Sciences program, and a research fellow in the Brain Recovery Lab; and Dr. Teresa Kimberley, the lab’s director;
“Racial Inequities in Referral and Participation in Outpatient Physical Therapy,” co-authored by instructor Rebecca Pham, DPT ’19, assistant professor of health professions education Dr. Anshul Kumar, and orthopedic residency graduates. Lauren Rimmel and Nicholas Capobianco.
“Biopsychosocial Determinants of Obesity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” co-authored by assistant professors Dr. Benjamin Adams and Dr. Maninder Kaur, and Class of 2024 graduates Elizabeth Cheung, Kendra Andrada, and Anajose Erana.

“These conferences are always a great way to highlight the research that's coming out of the Institute,” noted the program’s interim chair, Dr. Keshrie Naidoo. “When people think about schools in Massachusetts, the IHP is one of the really prominent names. And because our collaborations are with fellow faculty, students, alumni, and orthopedic residents at a national conference on a national platform, it’s really powerful for a student and a new grad to experience.”

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