2014
PPTA
SPRING NEWSLETTER
CHIEF DELEGATE
By Robin Dole
Is it spring yet? Are you looking forward to the thaw, warmer temperatures,
flowers in bloom, fresh breezes? I certainly am!! As we look forward to renewal
and spring, I want to share with you some important issues related to your PPTA
and your PA Delegation to the APTA House of Delegates.
1) If you are a regular attendee at your district meetings, you will note that there
are changes in the governance structure of the PPTA occurring as we speak! We
are capitalizing on the good work of two task forces that reviewed our existing
structure, offered suggestions and options for change, and proposed action steps
for implementing those changes. At a recent district meeting you may have had
the opportunity to review a presentation that I did to assist district directors in
sharing some ideas related to those changes and giving you an opportunity to
provide feedback. As we review that feedback and move closer to adopting some
of these changes, I will record a new presentation and make it available to all of
you. This will be part of several ways in which we will be educating the
membership as we prepare for bylaws amendments that will come to you for a
vote at the membership meeting in October. Be on the look out for more
information coming from your district directors, the chapter office, and from me!
2) At this year’s House of Delegates, as we do each year, your delegates will be
representing PPTA membership as we consider the motions that will be proposed.
Those motions sometimes come in the form of position statements – giving the
official position of the APTA. Other motions may be amending or modifying
existing positions of the APTA. Still other motions provide a call to action with
regard to a specific issue or concern. In order to gather your input as the
delegates prepare for this important meeting, please be sure you know who your
delegates are and how you can connect with them! I also encourage you to
attend your district meetings to engage and learn more about these issues.
This is my third year as your chief delegate and I typically give a presentation to
my district in May, highlighting the motions that will be coming before the House
in June. This year I will be recording my presentation ahead of time and making it
available to all delegates and district directors for their use at your individual
district meetings. My hope is that it will provide a concise and cogent method of
sharing the information so that you can provide your thoughts and feedback.
Your feedback helps to inform all of us as we represent you at the House in June.
3) As always, the apta.org website is a wealth of information about the issues that
will be discussed at the House of Delegates. Last year was the first year that
social media was deliberately used to help engage all APTA members. The House
was live-streamed so that any member could watch the action as it happened!
Both of those methods of engagement will be back again this year and I hope that
more and more of you will take advantage of those options! The APTA is also
conducting Virtual Town Halls as another way of sharing information and
gathering input from members. Dates and information for upcoming Town Halls
can be found in PT in Motion. The next one to look out for is on Wednesday April
30th, 2014.
So you want to learn more? I hope so! Please visit http://www.apta.org/hod/ this is your jumping off place to:
 Search for your PA delegate contact information
 View the livestream from 2013
 Visit the House of Delegates Communities Page (where motion
development discussions occur)
 Learn more about who is running for APTA national office this year
And as always, watch your email for additional ways you can engage! Thank you
for your support and please reach out and thank the delegates serving from your
district! Get to know them so they can know what matters to you!
DISTRICT NEWS
NORTHCENTRAL
By Don Shipe, District Director
Things are taking shape here in the Northcentral District. As I write this, it is 2
degrees outside with impending snow. Hopefully as you read it, you are seeing
sunshine and blue skies. That would be a welcome sight, as is the participation we
are getting at the district level. The executive committee has some great events
and meetings planned this year. We are scheduled to have a meeting in March,
our annual May Issues Forum at the Bullfrog Brewery in May, and meetings in
September, October, and November.
Events for the year will include a Finger Lakes wine tour in the summer, the 3rd
annual golf tournament in the Fall, and the 2nd annual Knoebels NCD “company
picnic” in September. We are always ready for more ideas and will explore
anything that the membership wants to see done.
There are also some changes coming in terms of our governance structure. The
Chapter is working to consolidate the committees and make leadership easier
overall. To do so, we may need some short term help from our members. If you
have any interest in helping out the district or the Chapter, even for as little as 3
months, sign up on the following web site:
www.pptavolunteer.org
On this web site you can indicate how long you would like to volunteer and what
areas of interest you may have. There is no long term commitment. It is simply a
way to get more members involved in the Chapter and district activities. We hope
to work with you soon.
As always, watch your e-mails for dates and locations of these events. And please
contact me any time with questions, concerns, or feedback of any kind. It’s going
to be a great year in our great district. I hope to talk with you soon!
NORTHEAST
By Elizabeth Marine, District Director
So far, Northeast PA's winter has been long, cold, and dark. Brighten up your
spring by planning your upcoming NED events! Your Northeast District Officers
and Committee members have been working throughout this snowy winter, to
plan great monthly CEU meetings and our second Annual NED MiniCSM/September Social Event! Be prepared to enjoy relevant education, dynamic
speakers, and fantastic locations. The Northeast District, as always, welcomes
Members and Non-Members alike. So, bring a colleague to the next meeting and
take part in networking, refreshments, and learning something new. We invite
you to check out all of our meeting locations, whether near or far. The Northeast
District includes locations from the Lehigh Valley to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which
contains some pretty amazing hospital networks, rehabilitation facilities and
universities! Looking forward to seeing you in March.
Check out the NED's list of Monthly Meetings for 2014. Mark your calendars!
MARCH
Date: Tuesday March 11th, 2014
Time: Networking and refreshments 6:30 pm; meeting at 7pm
Location: Coordinated Health, Bethlehem (2310 Highland Avenue Bethlehem,PA
18020)
Contact: Dawn Daye
Speaker: Coordinated Health Foot and Ankle Surgeon Dr. Brigido
Topic: Total Ankle Replacement Rehabilitation
APRIL
Date: Tuesday April 8th, 2014
Time: Networking and refreshments 6:30 pm; meeting at 7pm
Location: Phoebe, Allentown (1925 W Turner St, Allentown, PA 18104)
Contact: Alice Donlan <adonlan@phoebe.org>
Speaker: Dr. Kelly Carney, PhD
Topic: Communication Strategies for the Demented Rehab Client
MAY
Date: Tuesday May 13th, 2014
Time: Networking and refreshments 6:30 pm; meeting at 7pm
Location: Allied Services, Scranton (475 Morgan Hwy, Scranton, PA
18508)(Community Rm-Luger Outpt Center)
Contact: Diana Pope <dpope@allied-services.org>
Speaker: Debbie Miller, John Tawfik, Barbara Wagner
Topic: APTA House of Delegates
SUMMER BREAK (JUNE-AUGUST)
SEPTEMBER
Event: Annual Mini-CSM/September Social Day
Date:Saturday Sept. 6th, 2014
Time: day event (membership appreciation/CEU/fundraising)
Location: Misericordia University
Contact: Laurie Brogan
Speakers: TBA, refer to website and future newsletters/email blast/brochure
OCTOBER
Location: DeSales University, Center Valley
Contact: Lori Madiera & Kay Malek
Speaker: TBA, refer to website and future newsletters
NOVEMBER
Location: Geisinger Wyoming Valley
Contact: Theresa James
Speaker: Dr. Kolessar
Topic: TBA, refer to website and future newsletters
Call for Nominations:
Northeast District Director Officer position is slated for election this year. Please
look for upcoming Chapter Office emails and the website on NED page for election
information. Kay Malek (NED Nomination Chair) will be speaking of the District
Chair election and position roles during Spring 2014 meetings. Nominations, for
Northeast District Chair, will be forwarded to Kay Malek at:
kay.malek@desales.edu.
Congratulations to the Northeast District's newly appointed Student Liaison:
The Northeast District has appointed a Student Liaison for the 2014 year! We are
very excited to gain the student perspective and serving the needs of our District's
students, as well as our employed professionals.
Please join us in congratulating Caitlin Day!
She is currently in her 3rd year of her DPT education, at Misericordia University.
Caitlin will be observing meetings with the Mini-CSM Event/September Social
Planning Committee throughout the year, as well as organizing the student
assistance for the event.
Call for Speakers for Northeast District's September MiniCSM/ September Social:
Are you a member of the PPTA and have a 90 minute (general/evaluative) lecture
on PT related treatment strategies? We welcome professors and practitioners in
all practice settings, who are proficient in their area of lecture topic. Ever want to
present your topic to peers, just not sure how to get CEU hours for it? We can
help with that! If interested, please complete the '2014 MiniCSM CEU
Requirements Form', on the ppta.org website (NED page--> events section).
Please complete this form and forward it to Deb Miller (Professional Development
Committee Chair) at: debra.miller@scranton.edu.
How can you keep 'up-to-date' on the latest NED news and events?:
Go to: www.ppta.org and find the “Northeast” section, under Districts. We
continue to update the site regularly and welcome suggestions. If there is
anything you would like to see, on the Northeast District page, please contact us
and we will be happy to accommodate your needs. Please email Alice Donlan (PR
Committee Chair) with suggestions, at: adonlan@phoebe.org.
As always, the Northeast District PPTA Thanks YOU for being involved in your
professional organization, our profession depends on it!
NORTHWEST
By Eddie St. Clair, District Director
The members of the executive committee for the NW district are; Chair: Eddie St
Clair, Vice Chair: Andrea Kessler, Nominating Chair: Glenn Labrozzi, Secretary:
Pam Gentile and Treasurer: Ann Lowrey. The delegates from the NW district are:
Eddie St Clair, Alt Delegate: Beth Gustafson. Other leadership positions include;
PAC Chair: Pam Reynolds, PTA Liaison: Janice Hass, Web Master: Beth Gustafson,
PR Chair: Kate MacPhedran, Professional Development: Ann Lowrey and Beth
Carr and Legislative Affairs: Donna Skelly. Thank you to all of these members and
their willingness to serve.
The district plans to be active in 2014. The delegated from the NW district
continue to meet discussing the issues that will be discussed on voted on at the
House of Delegates in June. There are numerous issues that have become topics
of discussion within the district to include models of care. This topic as well as
other are to be discussed at the round table discuss at the NW District meeting on
March 4th at Gannon University.
There will be a continuing education course held on May 17th 8am-12:15pm at the
Quality Inn in Franklin. The program will be presented by Mary Ann Wharton and
will include a review of law and ethics followed by a mock trial and will meet PA
continuing education requirements for ethics. Reminder, members of the
association receive a discount on tuition as compared to non-members for all
PPTA sponsored district educational events. This event will also be used to raise
funds for the state Advocacy Fund.
The NW district will hold its annual PAC golf fundraiser golf outing in August.
Location and exact date TBA. Thank you to Pam Reynolds for chairing this fun
and worthwhile event.
The NW district also will also hold district meeting at Gannon University on May
6th with discussion of RCs that will be voted on at the House of Delegates,
September 9th with an issues forum with PPTA president Greg Waite and
November 2nd with topic TBA. If you are a member of the PPTA and NW District
and have a question or suggestion please contact Eddie St.Clair via the state web
site at email: EStclair@ppta.org
SOUTHCENTRAL
By Penny Samuelson, District Director
The South Central District continues to enjoy educational and planning
opportunities this spring with two meetings: March 18, 2014 featuring Lebanon
Valley Associate Professor Katie Oriel BS, MPT, EdD speaking on “Individuals with
Disabilities from Infancy through Adulthood” at Lebanon Valley College’s Heilman
Center; and May 13, 2014 featuring Jessica Heath-Byerly PT, OCS, Cert MDT, CSCS
speaking on “incorporating Diaphragm Training into Stabilization” At Drayer
Institute in Hummelstown.
We are also working on finalizing plans for two fun-filled baseball outings in York
on July 12 and Reading May 17. We hope to bring out families to relax and enjoy
the day with a picnic and local baseball team support. We have chosen sites that
represent areas of the district that may be challenged to make evening meetings
held local to Harrisburg. Everyone come join the fun! There will be updates on
these events communicated to district members along with registration
opportunities (to let us prepare adequately) and the tantalizing opportunity of
free admission to PT or PTA non-members who join the APTA on game day.
I also encourage all the South Central (and other districts’ members) to give
thought to appropriate candidates for the Annual awards. We have so many great
people in this profession that we need to recognize.
SOUTHEAST
By Jeff Ostrowski, District Director
The Southeast District held its quarterly meeting on January 8, hosted by Drexel
University. In the business meeting section, we swore in Shaun Varrecchia as
Treasurer and Sue Wainright to the Nominating Committee. We also had a
spirited discussion about key elements of the chapter governance restructuring
process. Feedback from the district meeting was passed along to the chapter
board. Bob Wellmon put on an excellent continuing education program titled
“"Practice Makes Perfect, But Only When the Intensity is Sufficient to Promote
Functional Recovery”. Please remember that you can get approved contact hours
for PA licensure at the district continuing education meetings. Continuing
education at these meetings is free to members.
Young Professionals Event
The SED continues to work toward our goal of demonstrating value to our
members, and potential members, with an inaugural Young Professional's
seminar held February 22, 2014. Approximately 50 PTs and PTAs with 0-5 year’s
experience attended to hear some of our local newer professionals, Rebecca
Vernon PT, DPT, Megan Maciborski PT, DPT, and Natalie Sibley PT, do a
presentation titled "Management of the Medically Complex Patient Through the
Continuum of Care". We also have invited some experienced PTs to join us for
lunch to have an open forum to discuss any practice issues these professionals
may be encountering. Next year we will plan on repeating this format to offer an
opportunity for this group of PT's a forum where they can present to their peers
in an environment that encourages their involvement.
Combined Sections Meeting
The SED is holding its second annual Combined Sections Meeting at Thomas
Jefferson University on March 22. We have a strong continuing education
program with up to 5 PA licensure approved contact hours. Justin Moore, PT,
DPT, APTA Vice President, Public Policy, Practice and Professional Affairs will kick
off the event with a motivating and enlightening keynote address titled
“Positioning Physical Therapy Post Healthcare Reform.” You can access more
information and registration by visiting the PPT website and navigating to the
Southeast District page. Last year we had 300 attendees. Don’t miss it!
Save the Date
Mark your calendars for the upcoming district meetings, March 12, 6:30 PM at
Bryn Mawr Hospital and May 14 at Drexel University. Contact hours will be
available at the March meeting. The May meeting will be the annual APTA House
of Delegates review and information meeting. Please visit the PPTA website for
more information.
The Annual SED PA-PAC Wine Tasting fund raiser is scheduled for Sunday May 18,
5:00 PM at DaVinci Ristorante on Passyunk Avenue’s famed restaurant row in
South Philly. This has evolved into a district tradition of networking, good food,
good wine and fundraising for a worthy cause. Watch your email and the website
for future announcements. Money raised by the PAC is contributed to the
campaigns of candidates for the Pennsylvania legislature who are friends of PT
issues and our patients.
Executive Committee Appointment
District by-laws call for the establishment of an Executive Committee, comprised
of the Officers and one committee chair. Lisa Hoglund served as our committee
chair representative on the Executive Committee last year, but her term on the
Nominating Committee ended December 31, 2013. Bob Wellmon was elected by
his committee chair peers and has accepted appointment to the district Executive
Committee.
Bucks County Meeting
Plans are underway to hold a Bucks County district meeting at some time in 2014.
Eric Folkins, Bucks County resident, has volunteered to work with the district to
secure a location and build a program for the meeting. We are aware that the
current rotation of meeting sites and times is inconvenient for many of our Bucks
County members.
That is an area that is too big to alienate, so we are eager to have more regular
meetings in that area of the district. Look for more news on this topic soon.
Think Tank Event
Discussions are also underway to have a “think tank” event in the district this fall.
Picture this…on a Saturday morning all interested members would gather in a
meeting place for two-three hours. Several speakers or panels would give brief,
provocative talks on topics of interest to the profession. The talks would be
followed by a moderated, open microphone commentary period. Members
would get a chance to express opinions, learn new perspectives and engage in
much needed dialogue.
It would be designed as a both fun and enlightening way to get important
conversations going that span the profession and are outside of our usual “silos”
of PT practice. The idea is not necessarily to come out with a legislative or House
of Delegates agenda, but just to get people talking, stimulate ideas and find
common ground from which future policy may develop. It would also provide a
good opportunity to make friends and increase the cohesiveness and involvement
in the district, chapter and association.
The Executive Committee is working on plans for this event. If you would like to
contribute in any way, please contact me.
Don’t forget to follow the SED on Twitter: @SEDPPTA
SOUTHWEST
By Ann Reppermund, District Director
As we have started the New Year, the Southwest District has also started a new
year with new officers, new committee chairpersons and great enthusiasm. We
welcomed a new Secretary, Rebecca Smith and a new Nominating Committee
Chair Brian Garcher. We are very excited to have so many individuals with the
enthusiasm to serve our district and our membership. All of these individuals are
a dedicated team of volunteers and are enthusiastic to come with many new and
exciting ideas. The Southwest District had our first Board Meeting on January 7,
2014 to plan activities for the coming year to continue to provide our district with
a valued membership.
Our first membership meeting of the year was held on January 14, 2013, hosted
by UPMC Mercy Rehabilitation Department. Our educational session included
Roundtable discussions in five different practice settings/area. These discussions
were facilitated by members of the Southwest District who specialize in the above
areas. These individuals include: Outpatient: Bill DiLeonardo, Pediatrics: Laura
Dobrich, Acute Care: Craig Moreland, Inpatient Rehab: Mark Van Volenburg, and
Research/Education: Chris Carcia. The Roundtable discussions included
discussion of issues and clinical practice challenges facing the physical therapy
profession across the healthcare continuum. We had a large attendance at this
district meeting.
Our 6th Annual Southwest District Mini-Combined Sections will be held at UPMC
Shadyside hospital on Saturday, March 8 2013. We are all excited for this
upcoming event where district members will have the opportunity to earn three
contact hours of continuing education. The topic areas include Diagnostic
Imaging of the Hip presented by Lynn McKinnis, PT, OCS, Ambulation after Spinal
Cord Injury presented by Martha Somers, PT, DPT, MS and Chris Venus, PT, NCS
and Temp0romandibular Disorders: Evaluation and Treatment presented by Todd
Henkelmann, PT.
Our next membership meeting is scheduled for March 11, 2014, hosted by
Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children and sponsored by Blackburn’s.
The educational session will include Anne Mucha PT, DPT, MS, NCS speaking on “A
team approach in the effective management of individuals with concussion.” We
will be having a general business meeting following this educational session
where we will recognize years of membership.
The Southwest District has started 2014 off strong from the continued
momentum from 2013. We have creative committees and committee
chairpersons that have begun and will continue to plan another year of exciting
activities for 2014. We have great enthusiasm from the membership and look
forward to a very productive year. In addition, please do not forget to take a look
at our new Facebook page which will have meeting information and other
updates from the district
Our Education Committee is striving to provide programming to fit the diverse
needs of our membership. Our PTA Liaison will be reaching out to the Physical
Therapist Assistants in our district to encourage and increase active participation.
The PT PAC is planning another Pirate’s Game fundraiser for members, families
and friends to be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014. Our legislative committee
continues their efforts of keeping our district informed of the many and variety of
legislative issues within the PPTA and APTA. The Membership committee will
continue to encourage and promote the PPTA to encourage membership for both
students as well as active members. The Nominating Committee will be soliciting
candidates for Southwest District Treasurer and Delegates. Our Publications
Committee continues to assist in informing membership of upcoming events. And
other announcements. Our Public Relations Committee is planning activities to
reach out to the local area through charitable events/walks as well as conducting
other activities to promote physical therapy in the community and support our
current membership. As a district, we hope to encourage and promote the SWD
and PPTA through involvement in the community.
As a district we look forward to an exciting year!
WESTCENTRAL
By Kara Kobal, District Director
I would like to begin by sending sincere appreciation to our outgoing board
members: Steve Podratsky (Chair), Madeline Gyure (Vice Chair), Jennilee Lasure
(Public Relations Chair) and Mandy Lauer (Nominating Chair). These individuals
have provided great leadership, dedication and committment to the Westcentral
district as well as the PPTA.
2014 began a year of change in the Westcentral district as we welcomed a new
Chair and Vice Chair (Nate Barr) as well as several incoming board members:
Madeline Gyure (Nominating Chair), Steve Podratsky (Legislative Chair), and Peg
Calvert (Membership Chair). The current Westcentral district board members are
a mix of novice and experienced volunteer members who have already been
working hard to move the district forward. We will continue to offer continuing
education to our members as we plan our upcoming meetings and events. We
are excited about the possibility of getting more people involved, restructuring
the business meetings, and holding more social events over the next several
years.
WCD Highlights and Upcoming Events
 The WCD was well represented on the PPTA Volunteer Interest Poll with
nearly 20% of the list being WCD members.
 The WCD PA PT PAC Wine Dinner fundraiser was held Saturday, November
23, 2013 at Asiago’s restaurant. We had a successful turn out which
resulted in a great fundraising effort and a donation of over $1300 for the
PA Physical Therapy Political Action Committee (PA-PT PAC). A big thank
you to Steve Podratsky for organizing the event and to John Letizia from
Laurel Medical Supplies for sponsoring the event!
 The WCD will sponsor a one-day course with two sessions entitled “Will I
Lose My License? A Mock Trial Illustrating Ethical and Legal Issues in Clinical
Practice” and “Screening and Differential Diagnosis Considerations for the
Rehabilitation Provider.”
 The presenting speakers will be Mary Ann Wharton, PT, MS and Ivan
Mulligan PT, DSc, SCS, ATC, CSCS. The course will also serve as a fundraiser
for the PPTA Advocacy Fund.
 The WCD is planning a social event in May. The event will take place at an
Altoona Curve baseball game and will provide clinicians, new professionals,
and students with an opportunity to interact.
Ethics, Fraud and Abuse, and Professional Integrity
A Commentary on “Addressing PT’s Biggest Threat”
By: Mary Ann Wharton, PT, MS
Chairman, PPTA Ethics Committee
In a recent article, “Addressing the ‘Biggest Threat’ To Physical Therapy,”
published in PT in Motion, author Eric Ries emphasized how outstanding
compliance can be the key to preventing cuts and reducing the regulatory burden
on physical therapy. A focus of the article was to introduce a multifaceted
campaign that APTA recently launched to address the issue of fraud and abuse
and restore the profession’s hard-earned reputation for excellence. For this
article, Ries interviewed three physical therapists, each of whom discussed the
relationship between fraud, waste, abuse, and the increasing regulatory burden
being placed on physical therapists by third party payers. Each of the therapists
interviewed stressed that these issues are related and emphasized that the most
effective way to increase payment and decrease red tape is for therapists to
meticulously document what they do with their patients, and state why they’re
doing it. Steve Levine, PT, DPT, MSHA, one of the therapists interviewed for the
article, went on to state that he believes a big reason why PTs and PTAs don’t see
fraud and abuse as a significant issue in our profession is that they don’t fully
understand what it is. He emphasizes that, “A lot of people in our profession
think of fraud and abuse as what happens when people deliberately seek to rip
off the health care system. But, in fact, plenty of good therapists don’t realize
that they’re inadvertently guilty of abuse and waste when they make billing,
coding, and documentation errors that might easily have been prevented.”1 He
goes on to say that “the definition of abuse is that you knowingly or unknowingly
get paid more than you should, based on lack of adherence to professional
guidelines and documentation requirements. When you document incorrectly or
insufficiently, when you bill Medicare for services the program deems ‘not
medically necessary,’ when you code incorrectly, all of that is part of fraud, abuse,
and waste.” As a result of these facts, and in response to the question “what do
you believe is the biggest threat to physical therapy?” he unequivocally states,
“The biggest threat to physical therapy, I really do think sometimes, is physical
therapists.”1
APTA conceived its current campaign to curb fraud, waste, and abuse, at least in
part, as a result of a 2013 survey of 871 physical therapists, including 571
association members and 300 nonmembers from around the country. The
therapists who responded to the survey expressed the most concern about
payment cuts and increasing regulatory burden, and less concern about fraud and
abuse and the Medicare audit process. As a result, APTA deemed that it is
imperative that therapists understand the impact of losses to the American health
care system due to fraud, waste, and abuse, and take responsibility to understand
this effect and curb abuse. Significantly, there are initiatives in the Affordable
Care Act that include what the Medicare website states are “powerful steps
toward combating health care fraud, waste, and abuse.” These initiatives include
enhanced screening and use predictive modeling technology to target suspected
offenders. What this Medicare initiative means to therapists is that there is a
greater chance than ever of being audited. Therefore, in light of this “Stop
Medicare Fraud” campaign, it is imperative for therapists to fully understand
what constitutes fraud, abuse, and waste, and to implement measures to curb
any potential violations within their own practices.
The APTA campaign initiative to address concerns about fraud, abuse, and waste
was recently launched with a kick-off online continuing education course,
“Navigating the Regulatory Environment: Ensuring Compliance While Promoting
Professional Integrity.” This course is currently available through APTAs Learning
Center and is free to both association members and nonmembers. The campaign
will be fully unveiled this fall, and will include initiatives to raise awareness
through education and training of not only PTs and PTAs, but also payers, and
consumers. It will also include partnering with other organizations, establishing
clinical practice guidelines, developing assessment tools, and establishing a
registry for collection of quality and outcomes data.
So, what does this emphasis on fraud, abuse, and waster have to do with ethics?
The Code of Ethics for physical therapists, and companion Standards of Ethical
Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant are binding on all therapists
regardless of Association membership, and are additionally supported by the
Pennsylvania State Board of PT Examiners through an ethics/law continuing
education requirement for PT license and PTA certification renewal. Within these
documents, Principles and Standards provide guidance for ethical practice related
to documentation and business practices, including fraud, waste, and abuse.
Specifically, there are links in Principles/Standards 7, 8, and 5.
Principle/Standard 7 of the Code and Standards directs therapists to promote and
support organizational behaviors and business practices that benefit
patient/clients and society. Principle 7B of the Code states that physical
therapists shall seek remuneration as is deserved and reasonable for services.
Principle 7E guides PTs to be aware of charges and ensure that documentation
and coding for services accurately reflect the nature and extent of the services
provided, while Standard 7D obligates PTAs to ensure that documentation for
interventions accurately reflect the nature and extent of the services provided.
Additionally, Principle/Standard 7F states that PTs and PTAs shall refrain from
employment arrangements that prevent them from fulfilling professional
obligations to patients/clients.2,3
Principle/Standard 8 addresses therapists’ responsibility to participate in efforts
to meet the health needs of people locally, nationally, or globally, with 8C
specifically directing therapist to be responsible stewards of health care
resources. In essence, this Principle/Standard not only obligates therapists to
avoid fraud, waste, and abuse, but also supports participation in APTA’s
campaign.2,3
Additional guidance that articulates therapists ethical responsibility related to
fraud and abuse can be found in Principle/Standard 5, which mandates that
therapist fulfill their legal, professional, and ethical obligations. Specifically 5A of
both the Code and Standards states that therapist shall comply with applicable
local, state, and federal laws and regulations. 2,3
Violations of Medicare law and other fraud and abuse statutes, whether
knowingly or unknowingly, would be considered a violation of the Code and
Standards of ethical conduct.
Each of these Principles/Standards are linked to the PT Core Values and the PTA
Value-Based Behaviors. Specifically, Principle 7 is linked to the core values of
integrity and accountability, Principle 8 to social responsibility, and Principle 5 to
professional duty and accountability. Standard 7 is linked to the value-based
behavior of integrity and duty, Standard 8 to social responsibility, and Standard 5
to duty.4,5
One additional link in the Code/Standards which supports improving knowledge
of fraud and abuse is Principle/Standard 6, which requires therapists to enhance
their expertise through lifelong acquisition and refinement of knowledge, skills,
abilities, and professional behaviors and abilities. In his comments on fraud and
abuse, Steve Levine points out that PTs would rather take a course on
mobilization than on documentation or a module of fraud and abuse. As a result,
he states that many PTs do not have the knowledge to ensure compliance with all
the rules and regulations. In essence, they lack knowledge of the basic rules and
requirements of billing outlined in the Medicare benefits policy, and may not
know that they are making errors.1 Currently, courses on the Affordable Care Act
and billing are considered “practice building” and are not eligible for continuing
education contact hours in Pennsylvania. In light of Steve Levine’s comments,
and related to Principle/Standard 6, I would encourage every therapist to contact
the State Board of PT members and request that they petition the legislative
powers to allow them to recognize the importance of courses on fraud, abuse and
compliance as worthy of awarding CE contact hours, and not just consider these
courses as “practice building”. This would encourage therapists to participate in
APTAs campaign, and hopefully, go a long way to restoring the reputation of PTs
and PTAs as competent, ethical, and responsible stewards of health care
resources.
In conclusion, I encourage each of you to read the full article published in PT in
Motion. It contains eye-opening comments about the topic that will increase
awareness of this essential practice issue.
The PPTA Ethics Committee welcomes inquiries and remarks about ethics, fraud
and abuse, and professional integrity. We also encourage members, nonmembers, and the public to take advantage of the consultative and educational
services that the Committee provides. Additionally, we welcome comments on
our publications and presentations, and encourage individuals to make
recommendations for topics they would like to see addressed in the future.
Mary Ann Wharton, PT, MS, Chair
Sandra Phipps, PT
Leesa DiBartola, PT, EdD, CHES
Ann Lowrey, PTA
References:
1.
Ries, E. Addressing the ‘Biggest Threat’ to Physical Therapy. PT in Motion.
2014; 6(1):34-42.
2.
Code of Ethics. American Physical Therapy Association. Available at:
http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/About_Us/Policies/HOD/Ethics/Cod
eofEthics.pdf
Accessed 3/1/14
3.
Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant. American
Physical Therapy Association. Available at:
http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/About_Us/Policies/HOD/Ethics/Sta
ndards.pdf
Accessed 3/1/14
4.
Professionalism in physical therapy. Core Values. American Physical
Therapy Association. Available at:
http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/About_Us/Policies/Judicial_Legal/P
rofessionalismCoreValues.pdf Accessed 3/1/14.
5.
Values-based behaviors for the physical therapist assistant. American
Physical Therapy Association. Available at:
http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/PTAs/Careers/Values/ValuesBased
BehaviorsforPTA.pdf Accessed 3/1/14.
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS
PRIVATE PRACTICE
By Tim Drevna, Chair
All PTs in Private Practice should take note of the summary of APTA information
published so far this year, and noted in brief below. The links and attachments to
these documents are provided in the “Member’s Only” section on the PPTA
website.
In short, the 2014 Summary of Medicare Changes through March 31, 2014, the
CMS 1500 paper claim form submission information, and the announcement of
the AIM Coalition website are noted for your reference.
The AIM Coalition, with support from the APTA, has been leading the way to
encourage support of the Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act (H.R. 2914), a bill
designed to educate providers, legislators, and consumers on the impact that
physician self referral has on the Medicare program.
I encourage you to be familiar with these topics, and to educate your colleagues
and members of your staff in your practice about these current issues.
The Private Practice SIG will provide another avenue from which you can keep
abreast of current APTA activities that impact our practices.
2014 Medicare Changes
The Alliance for Integrity in Medicare (AIM) Coalition launched a website today, with the goal of
further highlighting the need to curb the practice of inappropriate physician self-referral and
encourage support for the Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act (H.R. 2914). The website is
designed to educate providers, patients, and legislators on the impact of physician self-referral
on the Medicare system. H.R. 2914, introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA, 14th),
would narrow the loophole in the Stark Law which allows physicians to refer their Medicare
patients for certain ancillary services, including physical therapy, to facilities in which they have
a financial self-interest.
APTA is a founding member of the AIM Coalition and has been working diligently to fight
physician self-referral on Capitol Hill for years. Launching the AIM Coalition website is the next
step in a strategic campaign to address this flawed policy.
Some of the website’s most important tools involve educating patients and encouraging them
to send examples of how self-referral impacts the care they receive
Changes that are in effect from January 1 –March 31, 2014, include the following:
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A 0.5% update in the conversion factor for providers (The 2014 conversion factor for
these three months is $35.8228.);
an extension of the existing 1.0 geographic practice cost index (GPCI) work floor;
an extension of the therapy cap exceptions process at $1920 for all settings; and
an extension of the manual medical review (MMR) process at $3700 for all settings.
Changes that are in effect from January 1 –December 31, 2014, include the following:
Application of the therapy cap in critical access hospitals (CAHs) for 2014, in the same
manner as all other providers of outpatient therapy services and
requirement for physical therapists in private practice to report at least 3 individual
measures via claims or registry under the PQRS program to avoid the 2016 2.0% payment
penalty. To receive a 0.5% bonus payment in 2014, physical therapists should report 9
measures (or 1-8 if 9 measures are not applicable).
AIM Coalition Launches Website to End Physician Self-Referral: January 24, 2014
The Alliance for Integrity in Medicare (AIM) Coalition launched a website today, with the goal of
further highlighting the need to curb the practice of inappropriate physician self-referral and
encourage support for the Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act (H.R. 2914). The website is
designed to educate providers, patients, and legislators on the impact of physician self-referral
on the Medicare system. H.R. 2914, introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA, 14th),
would narrow the loophole in the Stark Law which allows physicians to refer their Medicare
patients for certain ancillary services, including physical therapy, to facilities in which they have
a financial self-interest.
APTA is a founding member of the AIM Coalition and has been working diligently to fight
physician self-referral on Capitol Hill for years. Launching the AIM Coalition website is the next
step in a strategic campaign to address this flawed policy. Some of the website’s most
important tools involve educating patients and encouraging them to send examples of how selfreferral impacts the care they receive.
CMA Revised 1500 Claim Form: Must use by April 1, 2014
The CMS-1500 Claim Form has been revised to support the ICD-10 diagnosis codes. Medicare
will begin accepting the revised forms on January 6, 2014. Starting April 1, 2014, Medicare will
accept only the revised version of the form. Only providers who qualify for exemptions from
electronic submission may submit the CMS-1500 claim form.
http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS1500805.pdf is the link to a
sample of the new form.
POLICY ON APTA HOUSE OF DELEGATES (HOD)
DISTRICT AND DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Each district shall elect at least one alternate delegate at the same time
that delegates are elected to their 2-year terms. Elections should
comply with the existing PPTA bylaw requirements.
2. Delegates are required to attend all meetings of the Pennsylvania
delegation scheduled by the Chapter’s Chief Delegate.
3. If a delegate is unable to attend all of the scheduled meetings of the
delegation prior to the HOD, is unable to attend the meeting of the HOD
and/or is found ineligible to serve for some other reason, he/she forfeits
his/her position as a delegate to the next available elected alternate
from their District. If an alternate delegate from his/her District is not
available the Chief Delegate, based on the apportionment formula, will
identify an elected alternate from another District. In the event that no
alternate delegate can be identified, the Chief Delegate will carry the
extra vote(s) at the House of Delegates.
4. Conflicts with scheduled meetings prior to the HOD must be reviewed
with the Chief Delegate as soon as the delegate becomes aware of the
conflict. Consideration will be given to approving an absence from
scheduled meetings when the conflict is not within the control of the
delegate. The decision on approving the absence will be solely the
responsibility of the Chief Delegate; however the delegate may appeal
the decision to the Executive Committee through the Chapter President.
5. When an elected alternate delegate is moved to delegate, he/she would
also fill the remainder of the delegate term. The delegate who originally
could not fulfill their term would have the opportunity to become the
elected first alternate delegate from that district.
6. Delegates must register with the HOD officers prior to the HOD
according to the schedule published by the APTA. Failure to register will
result in the loss of the delegate’s seat in the delegation and the
delegate will receive no expense reimbursement from the PPTA.
7. Delegates are expected to attend all scheduled PPTA caucuses and must
attend all sessions of the HOD. The Chief Delegate may waive this
requirement in the event of dire circumstances. Any sessions that a
delegate misses without the approval of the Chief Delegate will result in
a proportional reduction in the delegate’s total reimbursement prorated
on the percentage of HOD sessions attended (e.g., if there are 4 sessions
of the HOD and delegate attended 2, they would only receive 50% of the
maximum allocation for a delegate). The decision of the Chief Delegate
may be appealed to the PPTA Executive Committee through the Chapter
President following the HOD.
Approved PPTA Board of Directors
April 13, 2013
REIMBURSEMENT NEWS
By Sandy McCuen, Reimbursement Specialist
Keeping up with Regulation and Reimbursement Issues
The PA Chapter of the APTA offers members a direct and timely way to receive
reimbursement and regulation information. If you are a member and would like
to be on the Reimbursement Blast email list, contact the PPTA office through
email at PAPTASSN@aol.com and request that your email address be added to
the Blast list. All PTs and PTAs requesting to receive Blasts must be members of
the PPTA. If you are administrative staff working with a PPTA member, just give
us the member number of your colleague and you can submit your email address.
Reimbursement Specialist Member Benefit
As a PT or PTA member of the PPTA, you or your support staff may contact the
PPTA Reimbursement Specialist for current information on reimbursement and
regulatory issues or to help solve related problems. Contact information is
sandra.mccuen@verizon.net or 717.623.6135. If you email, please include your
name and, if you’re not a non PT or PTA member, the PPTA member’s name and
number that you work with, in the message and always complete the subject
line.
Spring Reimbursement and Regulation Updates
Mark your calendar for these important and informative update sessions. These
day long presentations provide PA specific and the most current regulatory and
reimbursement information. It’s also an exceptional networking opportunity.
Dates and locations are as follows:
April 15, 2014: Best Western Premier Hotel, Harrisburg
April 29, 2014: CCAC-Boyce Campus
May 1, 2014: Arcadia University
May 9, 2014: Bloomsburg University
Registration information is available at www.ppta.org
Medicare Fee Schedule for 2014
January 2, 2014 Congress passed the Pathway for SGR Reform Act of 2013, which
took effect January 1, 2014, temporarily preventing a scheduled payment cut for
physicians, physical therapists, and other health care professionals from taking
effect on January 1, 2014, and extending the therapy cap exceptions process. The
temporary patch in effect until March 31, 2014, is intended to allow the House
and Senate time to finalize legislation that would permanently repeal the flawed
SGR formula.
This change is in effect from January 1 –March 31, 2014.
Additional Federal legislation will be needed to extend this fee schedule and the
therapy cap exception process through the 2014 calendar year.
Medicare Therapy Cap for 2014
For physical therapy and speech- language pathology combined, the therapy cap
for 2014 is $1,920. For occupational therapy, the cap for 2014 is $1,920. Make
sure that your billing staffs are aware of these changes. The therapy cap applies
to all Part B therapy services in all practice settings.
Medicare Therapy Cap Applies to Critical Access Hospitals in 2014
Beginning January 1, 2014, outpatient therapy services furnished by a CAH are
subject to the therapy cap and related policies. The exceptions process, including
the use of the KX modifier to attest the medical necessity of therapy services
above the caps, applies to services furnished by a CAH in CY2014. The manual
medical review of claims in excess of the $3,700 threshold also applies to services
furnished by a CAH in CY2014. MACs will no longer automatically apply the KX
modifier to CAH services, effective January 1, 2014.
Manual Medical Review of Therapy Claims above the $3,700 Threshold
The Medicare Part B Outpatient Therapy Cap Exceptions Process has been
extended through March 31, 2014. Per beneficiary, services above $3,700 for PT
and SLP services combined and/or $3,700 for OT services are subject to manual
medical review. CMS is not precluded from reviewing therapy services below
these thresholds.
Manual medical review (MMR) applies to all Part B outpatient therapy settings
and providers including:
Pennsylvania is a prepayment manual medical review state. Per beneficiary
claims that meet or exceed $3700 in the calendar year will be pended with
payment dependent on the outcome of the MMR. Performant is the recovery
auditor for PA claims. A “no findings” review means that the reviewed dates of
service will be paid. A “finding” review means that the reviewed dates of service
will deny. When the provider receives notice of non-payment on the EOB, they
can initiate an appeal of the decision through the established Medicare appeal
processes.
Medicare Functional Limitation Reporting Causing Frequent Denials
Functional Limitation Reporting (FLR) requirements apply to the therapy services
furnished by the following providers: hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs),
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation
Facilities (CORFs), rehabilitation agencies, and Home Health Agencies (HHAs)
(when the beneficiary is not under a home health plan of care). It also applies to
the following practitioners: Therapists in Private Practice (TPPs), physicians, and
NPPs as noted above.
Many providers are experiencing claim denials related to FLR. A couple tips for
success are:
 Submit the FLR G-codes with severity modifiers on the same page of
the claim as the associated CPT service code
 Submit the claims in sequential date of service order
Highmark Blue Shield Modification of the 4 Unit Maximum Payment Policy
Remains in Effect
The HBS Y-1 Medical Policy for PT and OT continues to contain language indicating
limitation of date of service payment to a maximum of four units.
This restrictive policy was modified for dates of service on or after December 17,
2012.
The modification language is not part of the current Y-1 medical policy but, to
date, it remains in effect.
Providers may bill and be paid for more than 4 units of service per treatment if
medical necessity for the treatment is validated in the date of service
documentation.
Motor Vehicle Fee Schedule for 2014
The motor vehicle (MV) fee schedule is 110% of current Medicare. Watch for
updates to the 2014 Medicare fee schedule as these will also affect the MV fee
schedule
Workers’ Compensation Fee Schedule for 2014
The WC fee schedule changes annually based on the change in the Pennsylvania
average weekly wage for the previous year. The change for 2014 is a positive
1.6%. You can self-calculate your WC fees for 2014 by adding 1.6% to your 2013
fees.
2014 Awards
By Penny Samuelson, Awards Committee Chair
Service Award
Humanitarian Award
Fellowship Award
Carlin Michels Achievement Award
I would like to remind all members of a Call for Nomination. Deadline for
submission of the awards is April 1, 2014.
Following that date, the PPTA Awards Committee will meet to select the recipient
of the awards. Nominations should be sent to Kim Annibali, Executive Director,
PPTA, 4646 Smith Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109 or via email PAPTASSN@aol.com.
Letters of nomination must include the individual’s resume. Nominations will be
held for a three year period. If a nominee is not selected, the Awards Committee
will notify the nominator of the need to resubmit the nominee’s name for
consideration in subsequent years if so desired. For further information related
to the awards and the awards process, please contact Penny Samuelson at
PSamuelson@ppta.org. The awards will be presented at the PPTA Awards
Banquet on November 1st at the 2014 Annual Conference in Lancaster, PA.
CHAPTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 8
Southwest District Mini CSM
March 22
Southeast District Mini CSM
March 29
Westcentral District Law/Ethics and Differential
Diagnosis
April 4
Conferences & Continuing Education Committee
Meeting
Executive Committee Meeting
April 5
Board of Directors Meeting
April 5
Westcentral District Concussion Management
April 6
Delegate Meeting
April 15
Southwest District Ethics Course
April 15
Spring Reimbursement & Regulations Update
(Harrisburg)
April 29
Spring Reimbursement & Regulations Update
(CCAC-Boyce)
May 1
Spring Reimbursement & Regulations Update
(Arcadia University)
May 9
Spring Reimbursement & Regulations Update
(Bloomsburg University)
May 17
Northwest District Ethics Course
August 9
Executive Committee Meeting
September 27
Parkinson’s Course (Chatham University)
October 30
Executive Committee Meeting
Board of Director’s Meeting
October 31November 2
Annual Conference
Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square
Lancaster, PA
PPTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 31 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014
LANCASTER MARRIOTT AT PENN SQUARE
LANCASTER, PA
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THESE CONTINUING
EDUCATION COURSES!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2014
Earn 4 contact hours
Noon-4:30 pm (break 2-2:30 pm)
"Basic Vestibular Bedside Examination: For Identification & Treatment
of Vestibular Disorders"
Speaker: Janine Fee, MPT, MS
"Hand Therapy for the Performing Arts"
Speaker: Edward St. Clair, PT, DPT, CHT
"Got Heart? Evaluation & Differential Diagnosis of Cardiac Disease"
Speakers: Esther Bae, PT, DPT & Kelly Butler, PT, DPT
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2014
Earn 6 contact hours
8 am - 4:30 pm (breaks 10-11 am, 12:30-2 pm)
"Youth Sports: Injuries and Rehabilitation"
Speaker: Donna Merkel, PT, MS, SCS, CSCS
"Differential Diagnosis and Intervention For Common and Not So
Common Foot & Ankle Problems"
Speaker: Rob Roy Martin, PT
"Pain and Implications for Muscle Activation" (8-9 am)
Speaker: Phillip McClure, PT, PhD, FAPTA
"Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation" (9-10 am, 11 am-12:30 pm, 2-2:30 pm)
Speaker: Margie Roos, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS
"Differential Diagnosis & Management of Edema" & "Evaluation,
Diagnosis and Management of Cancer Related Fatigue" (2:30-4:30 pm)
Speakers: Sarena Banas, PT, DPT, CLT & Maria Buccafuri, PT
“Unique Challenges of Rehabilitating The Injured Dancer”
Speakers: Amy Humphrey, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC & Anthony D. Watson, MD
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014
Earn 4 contact hours
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
"Youth Sports: Injuries and Rehabilitation"
Speaker: Donna Merkel, PT, MS, SCS, CSCS
"Differential Diagnosis and Intervention for Common and Not So
Common Foot & Ankle Problems"
Speaker: Rob Roy Martin, PT
"Physical Therapy & Bariatrics in the Acute Hospital Setting"
Speakers: Marney Lorah, PT, DPT & Marlene Noll, PT, DPT
"Recognition, Evaluation & Treatment of Common Injuries of
Athletes with Disabilities"
Speaker: Ann Dennison, PT, DPT, OCS
"Ethical Quandry? There is a Principle for That..."
Speaker: Nancy Kirsch, PT, DPT, PhD
SCHOOL NEWS
ARCADIA UNIVERSITY
HIGHLIGHTS:
We are delighted to announce that 114 students graduated from our DPT
program on January 18, 2014. 59 were physical therapists who returned to
upgrade their degree. Our recent graduates hailed from 23 states and 4
countries. Of our graduating class, 44 participated in international experiences in
Guatemala, Peru, England, and Jamaica.
The Physical Therapy Department was successful raising $500,000 during 2013.
The funds will be used to assist the Dan Aaron Stay Fit program for persons with
Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis and the Magistro international
experiential learning program.
Nearly all of the core faculty and 38 DPT students attended the APTA Combined
Sessions Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada in February and presented 15 posters,
invited presentations, and research platform presentations.
Dr. Rebecca Craik delivered the graduation speech to the graduating class of
the 2013 physical therapist students at Maryville University, St. Louis, MO, on
December 7, 2013.
Dr. Brian Eckenrode presented three lectures at the 2013 Lower Extremity
Update sponsored by the Philadelphia Orthopaedic and Sports Rehab
Foundation in November. The lectures were on ACL Injury Prevention,
Rehabilitation of Knee Articular Cartilage Injuries, and Rehabilitation of Achilles
Tendinopathy.
Dr. Kate Mangione earns a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of
Delaware for outstanding contributions to geriatric physical therapy.
Dr. Carol Oatis co-authored a paper with colleagues from the University of
Massachusetts about patient reported outcomes following total knee
arthroplasty in the American Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Dr. Scott Stackhouse recently co-authored an invited review Dr. Jennifer
Stevens-Lapsley, University of Colorado, on neuromuscular electrical
stimulation after total joint arthroplasty, in the European Journal of Physical
Rehabilitation Medicine. He also has a new publication describing the
Forelimb Locomotor Rating Scale used to examine behavioral recovery in an
animal model published in the Journal of Neuroscience Methods.
Dr. Angela Tate co-authored a research paper about A Cross-Sectional Study
Examining shoulder pain and disability in Division I Female Swimmers in the
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation.
Alumni News:
Dr. Aedel Brodie ’13DPT is the first US citizen to pass the Israel PT licensing exam
on the first attempt. Now licensed in Israel, Brodie hopes to continue her NeuroRehab work.
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY
FACULTY PUBLICATIONS:
RobRoy L. Martin, PT, PhD, CSCS and Benjamin Kivlan, PT, SCS, OCS, CSCS
published an article in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, and Arthroscopy
entitled “Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for sciatic nerve entrapment in the
gluteal region.” It was found that the active piriformis and seated piriformis
stretch tests can be used to help identify patients with and without sciatic nerve
entrapment in the deep gluteal region.
Christopher R. Carcia, PT, PhD, SCS, OCS published an invited monograph entitled,
‘Evaluation & Management of Common Cycling Injuries’ for the Orthopaedic
Section’s Independent Study Courses.
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS:
Diane Borello-France, PT, PhD has been named The Elizabeth Noble Award winner
for 2014. The Elizabeth Noble award is the Section on Women’s Health’s highest
honor, and is given to a member in good standing of the Section on Women’s
Health of the APTA providing extraordinary and exemplary service to the field of
physical therapy for women, or to the Section on Women’s Health of the
American Physical Therapy Association.
Martha Freeman Somers, PT, DPT MS has been named as the 2014 recipient of
the Excellence in Neurologic Education Award from the Neurology Section of the
APTA. The purpose of the Award for Excellence in Neurologic Education is to
acknowledge and honor a member of the Neurology Section who’s clinical or
academic neurologic educational contributions have been of exceptional value.
Leesa DiBartola, EdD, DPT, MCHES presented interprofessional education and
research with Duquesne faculty in OT, SLP, RN, Pharmacy, HMS, AT and PA in
2013. Presentations included: ‘We are all in this together: An Interprofessional
Education Collaborative’ at the Association of Schools of Allied Health
Professionals annual meeting; and at the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy
Association annual meeting. Posters included: ‘Learning Outcomes from an 8discipline Interprofessional Education Program’ at the Association of Schools of
Allied Health Professionals annual meeting, and ‘Interprofessional Education
Workshop in Stroke Rehabilitation’ at the American Speech Language and Hearing
Association annual meeting.
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
Student News:
Cristine Agresta, DPT (PhD candidate) defending her proposal on The Influence of
Muscle Synergies on Running Mechanics.
Welcome Gustavo Passos! Gustavo is an exchange student from Brazil. He is
currently enrolled in a PT program in Brazil and will be taking PT classes at Temple
for the next 12 months.
DPT 1's Danielle Barrett, Olivia Dallas and Amanda Nguyen along with Dr. Stephen
Carp spoke with students at Charles Brimm School in Camden University
regarding physical therapy as a potential career.
The DPT Class of 2014 presented their Evidence Based Practice posters and
platforms on November 22 at Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia. Congratulations
to the awardees for best posters: Melissa Brinckman and Ashleigh Dunlap, for
best platforms: Elliott Caponetti and Michael O’Hara, and best original research,
Mark Slobodinsky.
Congratulations to four of our scholarship awardees. Erin Centolanza and Caroline
Champi were awarded the Matt Williams Scholarship, Kayla Conforti was awarded
the Hy Dervitz Scholarship and Matthew Seigenfuse was awarded the Rochelle
DiSalvio scholarship.
Many thanks to the Class of 2014 for their generous gift to the Temple Physical
Therapy Scholarship Fund.
A number of our students attended the APTA’s 2013 National Student Conclave in
Louisville, KY in October.
Student leaders Victoria Patterson, Emily Richter, and Kelsey Platner are directing
a service trip for DPT students, faculty, and alumni to Guatemala in August of
2014 to provide PT services to the poor and disadvantaged. Students Olivia Dallas
and Christina Carpenter were invited to present the process utilized for the
development and approval of the Guatemala Service Trip to the International
Educator’s Academy on January 10, 2013.
Faculty News:
Dr. Geoff Wright (PI), Dr. Carole Tucker, and Dr. Emily Keshner were awarded a
1.2 million grant in collaboration with the Department of Defense to investigate
chronic symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury. They will validate an innovative
virtual-reality based balance assessment they are designing.
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
Faculty News:
Publications:
Howard PD, Dolan AN, Falco AN, Holland BM, Wilkinson CF, Zink AM. A
comparison of consecutive interventions and their effectiveness for coccydynia: a
systematic review. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. 2013;21(4):213219.
Krisa, Laura, Frederick KL, Murray M, Sandrow-Feinberg H, Shumsky JS,
Stackhouse SL, Singh A. Forelimb locomotor rating scale for behavioral
assessment of recovery after unilateral cervical spinal cord injury in rats. Journal
of Neuroscience Methods (2014),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.01.001
Wade CK, Barbe MF, Barr-Gillepsie, Clark BD, Jain NX, Kietrys DM, Litvin J, Popoff
SN. Bone loss from high repetitive high force loading is prevented by ibuprofen
treatment. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions: 14(1)1-18,
2014.
Huhn K, McGinnis PQ, Wainwright SF, Deutsch JE. A Comparison of 2 Case
Delivery Methods: Virtual and Live. Journal of Physical Therapy Education.
2013;27(3):41-48.
Presentations:
Johnston TE, Craik RL, Field-Fote E, Hall C, Maxwell J, Zeni J. Why didn’t they like
my grant proposal or manuscript? How to interpret and respond to reviewers’
comments. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2014.
We are pleased to welcome two new faculty members:
Dr. Christine Tyrell, PT, PhD, NCS has joined the faculty as an Associate Professor
Dr. Janette Scardillo, PT, DPT, CBIS has joined the faculty as an Associate
Professor and Assistant Director of Clinical Education.
Student News: 43 students represented TJU at CSM in Las Vegas, NV.
UNIVERSITY OF THE SCIENCES
Faculty and student collaboration is a strong and valued component of the DPT
curriculum at USciences. Many USciences current and former students and
faculty presented much of this research at the APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting
in Las Vegas, February 2014.
 CSM Presentations:
o Stacey Abraham (2013), Jaimie Thomas (2013), Eric Folkins, and Greg
Thielman: "What is the Proper Dosing and Prescription for Therapeutic
Exercise in Neurological Populations: A Systematic Review of the
Literature."
o Rachel Buriani (2013), Marissa Handwerk (2013), Jennifer Nicklasson,
Johanna Zetterlund, Mari Lundberg, and Karin Silbernagel: "Evaluating
Health Related Physical Activity Amongst Physical Therapy Students, an
International Perspective."
o Marc Campolo, John Thomas (2013), Michael Pomykala (2013), John
Jemison (2013), Marco Salinas (2013):"A Comparison of two taping
techniques (Kenesio and McConnell) and their effect on shoulder pain in
high school athletes during activities.”
o Ginger Galade (2013), Megan Kapuschinsky (2013), and Karin
Silbernagel: "Electromyographic activity of the calf musculature
comparing seated and standing heel rises: A pilot study."
o Lisa Hoglund presented: “Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and
Compassion Satisfaction in Academia: Presence in Healthcare
Professional Program Faculty and Traditional Higher Education Faculty”
as part of a 2-hour educational session at CSM.
o Lisa Hoglund, J. D. Kelly, J. L. Carey, Robert Hand (2014), Stephen Linton
(2014), and Laura Pontiggia: “A hip- and trunk-strengthening program
improves pain, function, and quality of life in a person with
patellofemoral osteoarthritis: a case report.”
o Nilam Patel (2013), Lincy Varughese (2013), and Alison Yecco (2013),
and Carol Maritz presented: “The Effects of a Group-Based Exercise
Program on Improving Strength, Mobility and Balance in CommunityDwelling Older Adults.”
o Greg Thielman, Amanda Markward (2013), Brittany Remus (2013), P.
Bonsa, F. Mohamed, and N. Riviello: “Comparison of Real World vs.
Robotic Therapy Training for the Upper limb in Individuals Post Stroke:
Randomized Controlled Training Investigation with Cortical, Kinematic
and Clinical Findings.”
o Kimberly D. Ward, Katelyn Citrino (2013), Ashley Cleaver (2013), and
Christine Weber (2013): “Participation in School Trips for Students with
Disability: School Professional Perspective on the School Trip
Accommodations Checklist.”
o Kimberly D. Ward and Eric Pelletier: “Academic-Community
Partnerships for Experiential Learning, Evidence-Based Practice, and
Knowledge Translation” as part of the Section on Research’s CSM
preconference course.
o Anson Wong (2013), Cory Rickards (2013), and Lisa Hoglund: “Hip
external and internal rotator peak isometric force tested at 90° of hip
flexion is greater than results at 0° of hip flexion.”
Publications:
o Hoglund LT, Wong ALK (2013), Rickards C (2013). The Impact of Sagittal
Plane Hip Position on Maximal Isometric Force of Hip External Rotator
and Internal Rotator Muscles in Healthy Young Adults. Int J Sports Phys
Ther. 2014; 9(1): 58-67.
o van Eck CF, Gravare-Silbernagel K, Samuelsson K, Musahl V, van Dijk CN,
Karlsson J, Irrgang JJ, Fu FH. (2013). Evidence to support the
interpretation and use of the anatomic anterior cruciateligament
reconstruction checklist. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 95(20):e1531-9.
o Carmont MR, Silbernagel KG, Mathy A, Mulji Y, Karlsson J, Maffulli N.
(2013). Reliability of Achilles Tendon Resting Angle and Calf
Circumference Measurement Techniques. Foot Ankle Surg, 19:245-249
 Accomplishments:
o Lora Packel was certified as a Survivorship Training and Rehab (STAR)
Clinician in oncology rehabilitation through partnership with Fox Chase
Cancer Center.
o Karin Silbernagel is serving as an Associate Editor for the Journal of
Orthopaedics and Sports Physical Therapy
 Grants:
o Karin Silbernagel has been awarded a grant through the Swedish
National Center for Research in Sports, as Principal investigator: “Gait
analysis of walking and running in patients’ with an Achilles tendon
rupture.” Funded for 2014-2015. $30,000.00
WIDENER UNIVERSITY
The students in the Institute for Physical Therapy Education (IPTE) at Widener
University are actively engaged in both scholarly and community activities. Their
focus on the Chester Community Pro Bono clinic has not only afforded them
opportunities to interact with patients, but to share their experiences in a variety
of disseminations. Six students will be attending the Student Run Conference for
Student Run Clinics in Nashville, TN in late January. They will be presenting a
poster on the new student orientation to the clinic and an oral presentation on
the 5K fund raiser for the clinic. Speaking of 5K races, “The Run like a Fool: 4th
Annual 5K Race” for the Chester Community Physical Therapy Clinic will occur at
Widener University on April 5, 2014 at 9AM. Contact Dr. Sam Pierce to register
srpierce@widener.edu In addition, the 2nd Annual Pro Bono Clinic Networking
Event will be held on Saturday, March 15th, on the Widener campus. There were
multiple presentations and break-out sessions with over 100 DPT students and
faculty advisors for all over the USA.
Congratulations are in order for 3rd year DPT student Chris Carroll. He was the
recipient of the PPTA Student Leadership Award. Besides being an excellent
student, Chris is very active with the Pro Bono clinic.
IPTE is also hosting a Functional Movement Screen course on April 5-6, 2014.
Registration is only $500 for both Level 1 & 2 (20 contact hours is usually $750).
If you are interested in more information, please contact Dr. Dawn Gulick at
dtgulick@widener.edu.
APTA Combined Sections Meeting 2014 will include five Widener presentations:
 Pierce SR, Black JB, Palombaro KM. Barriers to Bicycle Helmet Use in Young
Children in an Urban Elementary School.
 Black JB, Palombaro KM, English L. Student-Run Pro Bono Clinics: Fostering
Leadership Skills and Social Responsibility
 Arnall M, Black JD, Landry M, Pechak C. Global Health Education: Proposed
Competencies and Guidelines.
 Pierce SR, Yerkes J, Quintas M, Crossman R, O'Sullivan M. “Incorporation of
Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Post Concussion Syndrome: A Case
Study”

Lefebvre KM, Ferry D. Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to Qualitatively Evaluate
the Experience of Entry Level Doctoral Physical Therapy Students
Experience During an Acute Care Simulation. February 4th, 2013; Las Vegas,
NV
In addition, Widener faculty members have produced numerous peer-reviewed
publications:
 Pierce SR, Palombaro KM, Black JB. “Barriers to bicycle helmet use in
young children in an urban elementary school.” Health Promotion Practice,
in press, Posted online on December 13, 2013
(doi:10.1177/1524839913512329)

Pechak CM, Black JD. Exploring international clinical education in USbased programs: identifying common practices and modifying an existing
conceptual model of international service-learning Physiotherapy Theory
and Practice. Published ahead of print: Posted online on July 23, 2013.
(doi:10.3109/09593985.2013.816893)

Pechak CM, Black JD. Benefits and challenges of international education
from a US-based physiotherapist faculty perspective. Physiotherapy
Research International. 2013;18(4):239-249.
 Lefebvre KM, Chesbro S. Geriatrics and Peripheral Arterial Disease. Topics
in Geriatric Rehabilitation. July – September 2013; 29 (3).
 Lefebvre KM, Cody C, Longaker E, Monaghan R, Mason J, Palombaro K. A
review of exercise protocols for patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. 2013;29(3):165-178.
 Lefebvre KM, Cody C, Longaker E, Monaghan R, Mason J, Palombaro K.
Facilitators and barriers surrounding the use of the ankle brachial index in
outpatient physical therapy practice. Cardiopulm Phys Ther J. 2013;24(1):713.