Orthopedic & Neurology Functional Performance Conference

Erin McGuire, PT, OCS, graduated from California State University, Northridge in 1995 with a degree in Physical Therapy. The first seven years of her career were spent in a hospital-based physical therapy department where she was exposed to a large and diverse patient population. The background and experience she gained from working at the hospital enabled her to become a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy in 2002.

After four years of studying and practicing DNS, Erin became one of the first internationally certified DNS practitioners in 2009.

Having competed at the NCAA level of softball in college, as well as having a lifetime interest in sports, she wanted to focus her practice on treating the orthopedic and sport rehabilitation population. In 2000, she made the decision to open her own practice, Back in Balance Physical Therapy in Los Angeles, California.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Erin McGuire is the owner and lead physical therapist of Back in Balance Physical Therapy, and she is the creator of core360 belt products. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc.
Non-financial: Erin McGuire 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 royalties as a published author. He 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.

George J. Davies, DPT, MEd, PT, SCS, ATC, LAT, CSCS, PES, CES, CSMS, FAPTA, is an internationally known speaker who has presented hundreds of conferences throughout the world on sports physical therapy, athletic training, shoulder, knee, open and closed kinetic chain topics, orthopaedics, rehabilitation and Isokinetics. George is a clinician, educator, speaker, researcher, author, editor, patent holder for exercise equipment and consultant. He has been involved in the clinical practice of sports physical therapy/athletic training, since he was a student athletic trainer, for over 55 years. He has a passion for teaching and has been an educator for over 48 years in colleges and universities.

Dr. Davies has been involved in many research projects that have been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various journals. He has participated in hundreds of scientific conferences and workshops throughout the world in the last 45 years. He has published over 200 articles and research abstracts in various periodicals, has written several books and has contributed chapters to over 45 books. George was the original co-founder and co-editor of The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy for approximately 10 years. George was also one of the founders and original Associate Editors for Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach for the past 10 years.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. George Davies has employment relationships with Georgia Southern University, Coastal Therapy, and Gundersen Health System. He receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. George Davies is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the APTA Georgia Chapter, the APTA Wisconsin Chapter, National Athletic Trainers Association, the American Orthopedic Society Sports Medicine, and others. For a complete list, please contact info@pesi.com.

Mr. Robert C. Manske, PT, DPT, MPT, MEd, SCS, ATC, CSCS, is a Professor and Chair of the Physical Therapy Program at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. Rob has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching at the local, state and national level – including receiving the APTA Sports Section’s Excellence in Education Award. He currently serves as the Vice President of the APTA Sports Physical Therapy Section. Rob holds multiple publications related to orthopedic and sports rehabilitation. He is an associate editor for the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy and a manuscript reviewer for The Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Sports Health, Athletic Training and Sports Health Care, Sports Health, a Multidisciplinary Approach, Physical Therapy in Sports, and The American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM). Rob has lectured at the state and national level during meetings for APTA, NATA and the NSCA. In addition to his full-time faculty appointment, Rob is a physical therapist and athletic trainer for Via Christi Health, and also serves as a Teaching Associate at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, and the Department of Community Medicine for the Via Christi Family Practice Sports Medicine Residency Program.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Robert Manske has employment relationships with Wichita State University, Ascension Regional Medical Center, and the University of Kansas Medical Center. Robert Manske receives royalties as a published author. He receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Robert Manske is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Section of the APTA. He is a journal reviewer for several journals, please contact info@pesi.com for a complete list.

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.

Benjamin White, PT, DPT, MBA, C/NDT, LSVT BIG, is an expert in neurological rehabilitation and clinical leadership. He has experience in leadership within multiple clinical settings including home health, skilled nursing, outpatient, acute, and inpatient rehab. He is known for generating both employee and patient satisfaction as they move toward their desired goals. His expertise lies specifically in the following diagnoses: stroke, Parkinson’s, concussion, and vestibular rehabilitation.

Dr. White has a history of physical therapy in the state of Texas for over a decade. He has owned his own practice and worked within multiple healthcare settings. He now serves as the market director representing inpatient rehab in the state of Tennessee for HCA Healthcare.

Dr. White is an award-winning clinical instructor, a renowned national speaker, and has published numerous articles on the topics of neuroplasticity and stroke. He has a history of serving the Parkinsonian population in their homes and in the community assisting them to return to their own desired optimal function from an emotional and functional realm.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Benjamin White receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Benjamin White has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Dr. Milica McDowell is an orthopedic physical therapist with over 20 years of experience. She’s owned a sports medicine practice in Bozeman, MT for 20 years, was a university faculty in human performance and most recently worked for Rocktape for 8 years in professional education and business development. She is an author of numerous global continuing education courses, has worked as a textbook editor and is an author of numerous professional and lay publications. Her current role is the VP of Product for Physitrack, a company based in London, that puts e-learning and helpful technologies in the hands of medical, wellness and fitness professionals globally. When she’s not researching, writing courses, or educating others, you can find Dr. Milica running, skiing, cooking or enjoying the outdoors with her active family.  

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Milica McDowell is the co-founder of Epic Fitness Center and has employment relationships with US Physical Therapy and Physitrack, LLC. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc.
Non-financial: Dr. Milica McDowell has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Cindi Lockhart, RDN, LD, IFNCP, is board-certified as an integrative and functional nutrition practitioner with over 30 years in professional practice. She has trained nutrition, fitness, and medical practitioners throughout most of her career, yet maintains a personal practice with clients as she believes that the only way she can effectively educate and inspire other practitioners is through her own practical experience with clients. In addition to educating on how Food is Medicine, Cindi also specializes in coaching clients and practitioners on the importance of managing stress, optimizing sleep, proper exercise and movement, and reducing exposure to environmental toxins. Cindi has extensive expertise in women’s health issues including perimenopause/menopause and thyroid dysfunction as well as autoimmunity, gut health, weight management, cardiometabolic health (insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease), fasting, histamine intolerance, mold detox, and long COVID.
 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Cindi Lockhart is the owner and founder of Lockhart Wellness Solutions, LLC. and is a contributing author for Experience Life Magazine. She receives compensation from Fullscript. Cindi Lockhart receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. All relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations have been mitigated.
Non-financial: Cindi Lockhart is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians in Integrative & Functional Medicine, the Institute for Functional Medicine, and the Integrative & Functional Nutrition Academy.

Meghan Helwig PT, DPT, is an experienced outpatient orthopedic clinician based out of Carlsbad, CA where she owns and manages Primal Strength Physical Therapy. Since graduating with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Rutgers University in 2009, she has earned numerous certifications as a trained provider of full body Active Release Technique (ART), Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), and Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT3). In addition, she is a trained practitioner in IASTM, kinesiology taping, and performance movement techniques through RockTape, for whom she conducts national trainings.

 

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial: Dr. Meghan Helwig maintains a private practice. She receives a speaking honorarium from Rocktape and PESI, Inc. Her relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations have been mitigated.

Non-financial: Dr. Meghan Helwig has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Elisa DiFalco, MS, OT, CMLDT, LMT, began working as a Lymphedema Specialist & Clinic Day Educator for Robert Lerner, M.D., “The Pioneer of Lymphedema Treatment.” Soon after receiving a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, she became Clinic Director/Owner of LTS Clinic where she opened a new MLD market with Florida’s leading Plastic Surgeons. From her success, she was inspired to create new MLD courses for therapists to learn from and model after.

For 23 years, Ms. DiFalco has been public and practitioner educator through monthly radio broadcasts and column for Boomer Times, support group facilitator, physician in-services, consultant to major insurance companies, public speaker at American Cancer Society and serving on several university advisory boards. She was also appointed Educational Standards Chair for FSMTA of Florida and has won the NLN Lymphedema Day Award. The in-demand educator enjoys combining education and entertainment as presenter for: FOTA, FSMTA, AMTA, ISSE, World Massage Festival, Premier Day Spa Show, CSFA and Elite conventions. Today, Elisa is moving MLD forward through technology to reach the masses and offers a weekly show featuring expects in the field.
 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Elisa DiFalco is the president of MLD Institute International. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Elisa Difalco is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Florida Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Massage Therapy Association.