Spring Meeting
March 20, 2021
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Fee for Non Members: $50
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The APTAMD Spring Meeting is Sponsored by - The REAL System
Spring Courses
- Click on Course Title to view description and learning objectives. You can select one course to attend during our Spring event.
- Course Time: 8:30-11:30 am
- Member Meeting: 12:00 - 1:00 pm
* DEI Updates
* Legislative Updates
* Opportunities to Make an Impact in Your Community
Join APTA staff as they review Federal legislative and regulatory, and commercial payer trends, challenges, and opportunities for the physical therapy profession. The discussion will include both public and private insurers and and a variety of practice areas (private practice, outpatient, inpatient, SNF, home care., etc.)
Learning Objectives: Review the current payment and reimbursement policies for major payers in the industry, including Medicare; Medicaid, and major commercial payers. Identify APTA resources on payment and reimbursement.
Educational Credit: This course meets the requirements for three (0.3) CEUs by the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
Speakers: APTA Staff - Alice Bell, Kara Gainer, David Scala
Alice Bell PT, DPT is a senior payment specialist at APTA. She is a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy. Before joining APTA in 2017, she was a practicing clinician for 35 years and involved in Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation demonstration projects focused on alternative payment and practice models in the postacute care environment. Her professional activities include serving as a member of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Technical Expert Panel for Skilled Nursing Alternative Payment Systems, APTA staff representative for the CPT Editorial Panel, APTA appointee to the NDHI Opioid Crisis Workgroup, APTA appointee to the National Quality Partnership Opioid Stewardship Action Team, member of the National Quality Partnership Opioid Stewardship Steering Committee, and member of the National Quality Partnership Leadership Consortium. She received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Northeastern University in Boston and a doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of Montana.
Kara Gainer, JD is the Director of Regulatory Affairs for APTA. Kara leads, manages, and provides strategic direction to the regulatory affairs team on key programs and initiatives in the federal regulatory space that help to move forward the priorities of the Association for the advancement of the profession in the area of payment and public policy. She works to develop and advocate APTA’s position before federal agencies in order to have a positive effect on federal regulations, statutes and other governmental directives that affect the profession of physical therapy. She also is responsible for leading member initiatives and developing policies and programs that promote the practice of physical therapy. She has extensive knowledge and experience working on policies related to Medicare, Medicaid, health care reform, coding, and provider billing and reimbursement. Prior to joining APTA, Kara was a health care consultant with Drinker Biddle & Reath, where she developed and executed comprehensive public policy strategies for her clients that integrated legislative, regulatory, and communications efforts. She also served as an Attorney Advisor for the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals and clerked with the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms. Kara received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Montana and law degree from the University of Montana School of Law and is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.
David Scala is a senior congressional affairs specialist at APTA. Before joining the association in 2019, he was a professional staff member on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and a legislative assistant for a member of the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Among other policy issues, He focused on health care, immigration, and fraud and abuse. Prior to that he was a senior consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked on human capital development and strategy for various federal agencies. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in economics from James Madison University.
Course Description: This course sets out to show that unlike using diversity, equity and inclusion as the buzzwords that many corporations do especially after a social uprising, by making DEI a priority in your workplace, everyone benefits. Your productivity will increase, bottom line increases, employees become more engaged and a company has more satisfaction in their employees and in turn their customers. The three speakers will show by having diversity, equity and inclusion not only with staff but with management and leadership, there’s a better understanding and empathy of the clientele of the location you serve, more revenue and creating value for shareholders.
Learning Objectives: How to best incorporate DEI programs and policies to better foster trust, commitment, engagement and employee retention to yield greater revenue and customer satisfaction.
Speakers: Monique Caruth, Danelle Dickson, Josh Funk
Monique Caruth, PT, DPT is the Owner and founder of Dr. Monique Caruth, LLC also known as Fyzio4U). Dr. Caruth hails from Trinidad & Tobago and migrated to the US to pursue her physical therapy degree. She graduated from Howard University in Washington, DC with her bachelor's, masters and doctor of physical therapy degrees. She currently serves as the Southern District Chair of APTA Maryland and Secretary of the APTA Home Health Section. Dr. Caruth is passionate about improving diversity, equity and inclusion in healthcare and improving better access to rehab and mental health/social services. She has helped launch the APTAMD's DEI committee and currently serves on the DEI leadership development workgroup.
Danelle Dickson, PT, DPT, is a licensed physical therapist, Performing Arts specialist, Orthopedic clinical specialist and owner at Performance Plus Physical Therapy. She is also the host of the Dancing around Elephants Podcast, co-founder of a business mentorship for minority women: The Black Female Foundation , and co-founder of the Dance Ready Project, an online hub for tools and resources for dancers. Dr. Danelle’s thirty-nine years in the dance world fueled her passion to work with dancer’s injuries. She combined her passion for dance with her skills in orthopedics to work with thousands of dancers and other athletes, at the pre-professional level and professional levels. She has worked with local DC dance companies, DC dance schools and notable companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, and Little Dancer Theater. Dr. Danelle has used her 15 year experience in the field to help her patients, but also to give back. She has lectured at Howard University, University of Maryland and University of Delaware on dance medicine , injury assessment and treatment. She has also presented at the national level, at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and international dance medicine conferences on dance research at International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS). Dr. Danelle’s expert topics include dancer injuries, injury prevention, patient advocacy and business mentorship for minority women.
Josh Funk, DPT, , a lifelong athlete, became interested in becoming a physical therapist when going through PT as a D1 lacrosse player at Ohio State. After avoiding shoulder surgery for a torn labrum and rotator cuff, Josh has been entrenched in the world of physical therapy and sports performance. Over the years, he has continually developed his knowledge base and expertise as a physical therapist through continuing education courses and working with athletes of all ages. A Montgomery County resident, Josh is heavily involved in all areas of the community throughout the region. Dr. Josh Funk was born and raised in Montgomery County, MD and attended Poolesville High School. Josh went on to play Division 1 lacrosse and earn a B.S. degree from The Ohio State University before earning his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of Maryland-Baltimore. It was a little over 3 years after graduating from Maryland, that Rehab 2 Perform was founded in late 2014. In addition to his physical therapy expertise, Dr. Funk has been equally, if not more committed to the growth of his role as CEO of Rehab 2 Perform. He has made sure that his personal development is not just reserved for the clinical side of things, but also to ensuring that Rehab 2 Perform is one of the most well-run and well-known health care companies in the area. Dr. Funk has immersed himself in business programs and community initiatives over the past few years in his efforts to ensure that the team and clients of Rehab 2 Perform are receiving everything they need to be at their best. It is his goal to push Rehab 2 Perform to the forefront of the community through innovation, progressive business operations, strategic growth and clinical excellence.
Educational Credit: This course meets the criteria for three Hours (0.3) CEUs by the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
Join clinicians as we explore the new world of Telehelath and how COVID-19 has quickly changed the landscape of telehealth and other communication technology-based services. During the session we will have breakouts based on your practice setting and focus area.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to incorporate technology into treatment interventions
- Learn about opportunities for physical therapy with the increase of home offices and ergonomics
- Discuss how to maintain professionalism through telehealth
- Discuss best practices for maintaining a relationship with patients through Telehealth
Educational Credit: This course meets the requirements for three (0.3) CEUs by the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
Speakers: Jodi Barth, PT, CCI and Michael Zarro PT, DPT
Jodi Maron Barth, PT, CCI, is one of only a handful of recognized Facial Palsy therapists in the United States. She is a licensed physical therapist with over 30 years of experience in the field of rehabilitation with a specialization in outpatient rehab. Jodi’s wide range of clinical experience has provided her with the tools, such as dry needling, Graded Motor Imagery, biofeedback, TMJ Rocabado techniques and extensive manual therapy training to perform in-depth, comprehensive physical therapy evaluations and treatments. She is a sought-after speaker nationally and internationally in the areas of TMJ, facial palsy, postural dysfunction and performance enhancement for the vocal artist. Jodi is a published author and certified clinical instructor through the APTA as well as a Faculty Research Assistant at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a graduate of the Ithaca College PT program, and attended the Masters of Science program at Adelphi University in the area of exercise physiology.
Michael Zarro PT, DPT graduated with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. His clinical practice focuses on sports and orthopedic physical therapy. He is an assistant professor for the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science. He teaches in the human anatomy, biomechanics, and musculoskeletal content within the program with a focus on sport and exercise rehabilitation. He serves as a clinical instructor for DPT students on their clinical experiences. He currently serves as team physical therapist for the University of Maryland Terrapins and previously served as team physical therapist for Loyola University Maryland Greyhounds. He also volunteers with the local running and strength and conditioning community as well as United States Olympic Committee. Dr. Zarro is a member of the APTA Maryland Board of Directors and serves as the Director for Practice.