Neuro Specialist Certificate Course

Shelly Denes, PT, C/NDT, CFPS, CGCP, is an expert in fall prevention and neuro-rehab with more than 30 years of experience treating patients with hemiplegia, neurological diseases, neuromuscular disorders, TBI, and SCI. She has a special interest in Long COVID, autoimmunity and the impact of chronic inflammation and sleep deprivation in rehab. She has been involved extensively with neuroprosthetic devices, lower extremity orthotics, and exoskeleton devices at the Rehab Institute of Michigan. Mrs. Denes travels nationally to present seminars on fall prevention, Long COVID and geriatric rehabilitation. Additionally, her expertise has been presented through expert witness work and consulting both nationally and locally. She also sits on the State of Michigan Fall Prevention Coalition committee. Shelly Denes is a graduate of University of Michigan’s PT program, and she earned her certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment for Adult Hemiplegia (NDT) at the Rehab Institute of Chicago. She helped create the certifications for ‘Fall Prevention Specialist’ and ‘Geriatric Care Professional’ with Evergreen Certifications, holds these two certifications and sits on their advisory board.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Michel Janet (Shelly) Denes is the owner of Denes Physical Therapy Consulting LLC. She is a consultant with Experts in Therapy LLC and previously with NewGait™. She receives a speaking honorarium from Motivations, Inc. Michel Janet (Shelly) Denes receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Michel Janet (Shelly) Denes is an advisory board member for Evergreen Certifications. She serves on the Fall Prevention Coalition Committee at Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, CH, CFPS, has a doctorate in physical therapy and has practiced for 40 years in the field. Dr. Pryor is the owner of Health Sphere Wellness Center, an integrative therapy clinic in Nashville, Tennessee. Involved with early intervention in the birth-three population for over 30 years, she has developed neuroplasticity techniques that are used in a wide variety of settings, including homes, childcare centers, and school systems, to advanced pediatric therapy programs.

Dr. Pryor serves on several boards, including the Leadership Interagency Council for Early Intervention (2014-2019), a position to which she was appointed by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. In 2010, she received the President's Volunteer Service Award for her contributions to the advanced treatment of children from President Barack Obama. In addition to her work with children, Dr. Pryor has served as an adjunct professor at the Tennessee State University Occupational Therapy Assistant program. She is a clinical instructor for several universities and colleges. With her years of experience and passion for complete wellness, Dr. Pryor advances a more expansive view of how to integrate therapy throughout the lifespan by using neuroplasticity techniques.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Karen Pryor is the owner of Health Sphere Wellness Center, LLC and is a field examiner for PDMS-3. She has employment relationships with Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Physical Therapy School, the Daymar Physical Therapy Assistant School and the Volunteer State Community College. She is a paid consultant for Evergreen Certifications. Karen Pryor receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Karen Pryor is a reviewer with Tennessee Physical Therapy Association and American Physical Therapy Association. She is an Ambassador for National Down Syndrome Society. She serves on the editorial board for APTA Journal.

Mr. Quellier is a retired clinical specialist in traumatic brain injury and communication disorders from a 450+ bed level 1 trauma hospital in Saint Paul, MN with over 28 years of acute, residential, and outpatient rehabilitation experience. Throughout his career, he focused on neuro-based diagnostics and intervention for dysphagia, cognitive-linguistic deficits, head and neck cancer management, patient advocacy, and curriculum development. Mr. Quellier completed advanced training in brain dissection at Marquette University, actively engaged in curriculum creation and staff development training, and collaborated with a neurosurgery team in preserving language function during tumor resections.

Mr. Quellier is excited to bring this topic to the forefront after working with the interdisciplinary team’s challenges in understanding the “what and why” of aberrant cognitive control that places patients at heighten dysphagia risk.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Jerome Quellier receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Jerome Quellier is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

Michelle Mioduszewski, MS, OTR/L, has been practicing occupational therapy in acute, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient settings throughout her career. Visual rehabilitation following neurological events has been an area of focus. Michelle owns and operates Niagara Therapy, LLC, a team-oriented practice based in Erie, PA that offers OT, PT, and SLP to adults and children with neurological concerns. She also consults for legal, education, and professional situations.

Michelle is the AOTA Administration and Management Chairperson for the Rehabilitation and Disability Special Interest Section, National MS Society Board of Trustees, and is a National MS Society Partner in Care Designation. She was trained in NDT and Neuro-IFRAH (NDTC), Bioness Certified, REO Certified, SAEBO Certified, and specialized in vision and cognitive rehabilitation. A published writer by AOTA Press, she also teaches on topics such as IASTM, Neuro-Rehab/Neuro-Handling, vision, cognition, spasticity, ergonomics and complex wheelchair evaluations.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Michelle Mioduszewski is the owner of Niagara Therapy, LLC and Niagara Therapy Professional Services, LLC. She is a book reviewer for Slack. Michelle also receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. Michelle Mioduszewski has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Michelle Mioduszewski is a member of AOTA/POTA and the Consortium of MS Centers. She is a POTA representative to Trialliance Group and also serves on the National Multiple Sclerosis Association Board of Trustees. She is part of the National MS Society, serving as an MS Ambassador and a member of their Clinical Healthcare Advisory Committee.

Mica Foster, DC, graduated from University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic in 2005. She is also a licensed Craniosacral therapist, Reiki Master, HeartMath practitioner and Artist. She has a private practice in Hood River, Oregon. She treats a wide array of musculoskeletal disorders with a focus on finding ease and promoting stress reduction. She enjoys teaching "The art of meditation: drawing mandalas" to all ages. She has created "community coloring collaboration" walls to invite community involvement and communication. She has created "custom color pages for the classroom" to decrease stress and increase focus. Her art therapy has been distributed nationwide. Her illustrations have been featured in the book Ten Fingers Ten Toes Twenty Things Everyone Needs to Know in 2019.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Mica Foster maintains a private practice. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Mica Foster has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Mike Studer, PT, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, CBFP, CSRP, FAPTA has been a PT since 1991, board certified in neurologic PT in 1995, and a private practice owner since 2005. Dr. Studer has been an invited speaker covering all 50 states, 13 countries, and 5 continents speaking on topics ranging from cognition and psychology in rehabilitation, aging, stroke, motor learning, motivation in rehabilitation, balance, dizziness, neuropathy and Parkinson Disease. Dr. Studer was the founder and operator of Northwest Rehabilitation Associates in Oregon for 18 years and is now a co-founder and co-owner of Spark Rehabilitation and Wellness in Bend, OR. He is an adjunct professor at Touro University and additional appointment at UNLV. Dr. Studer assists the USC-led national network of neurologic PT residencies (Neuroconsortium) as well.  

In 2011, Mike was recognized as Clinician of the Year in the Neurologic and (in 2014) the Geriatric Academies of the APTA. He received the highest honor available in PT in 2020, being distinguished as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA in 2020, joining a group of under 300 persons at the time for the history of the profession. Mike’s honors additionally reflect his service for Vice Presidency of the Academy of Neurologic PT, the Mercedes Weiss award for service to the Oregon chapter of APTA. He holds a trademark in dual task rehabilitation and has a patent pending on the same. Over his career, Mike has authored over 40 articles, 7 book chapters, and routinely has clinical research projects in affiliation with one of many universities. He is a consultant to professional athletes including Major League Baseball players, competitive divers, and some of the most prolific climbers in world history. As a very fun and lighthearted note, Mike is the four time and current WR holder for the fastest underwater treadmill marathon, a mark that was set most recently in January 2022. Most recently, Mike authored The Brain That Chooses Itself, a practical and applications-based guide to increasing both healthspan and lifespan for laypersons and medical professionals alike.  

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Mike Studer is the co-founding member and co-owner of Spark Rehabilitation and Wellness and has employment relationships with Touro University, the University of Nevada, and Post Acute Medical. He previously received a speaking honorarium from SMARTFit. Mike Studer receives a speaking honorarium, recording royalties, and a consulting fee from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Mike Studer is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Vestibular Disorders Association, and the Oregon Physical Therapy Association. He serves on the advisory board of Rehab Management and ADVANCE.

Cathy Ciolek, PT, DPT, FAPTA, has been a physical therapist for over 30 years and provided geriatric care across the healthcare continuum including acute care, home health, outpatient, and SNF/rehab. She holds Board Certification as a Geriatric Clinical Specialist and has multiple certifications in aging and dementia care. She has been recognized as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of APTA, Lucy Blair Service Award, and the Joan M Mills awardee and serves as President of APTA Geriatric. Currently, Cathy is President of Living Well with Dementia®, LLC providing education and consultation to promote well-being and create positive expectations for aging adults. Additionally, Dr. Ciolek serves as a speaker and expert witness supporting person-centered care practices.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Cathy Ciolek maintains employment relationships with Living Well With Dementia, LLC and serves as a consultant for the American Health Care Association (AHCA). She receives speaking honoraria from APTA Geriatrics and both speaking honoraria and consulting fees from the American Health Care Association. Additionally, she receives speaking honoraria and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Cathy Ciolek is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Delaware Physical Therapy Association and the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy.