Certified Stroke Rehab Professional: Neuroplasticity, Dual-Task Training, and Cognitive Integration

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.

Rhoda Olkin, PhD, is a distinguished professor at California School of Professional Psychology, the developer of disability-affirming therapy, and the author of four books on disability and psychotherapy including What Psychotherapists Should Know about Disability and Disability-Affirming Therapy: A Case Formulation Template for Your Clients with Disabilities. She has researched and taught about disability for over 35 years and serves as and expert witness related to disability. As a polio survivor, Dr. Olkin has used her lived experiences to illustrate various aspects of living well with a disability or chronic medical condition.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Rhoda Olkin has employment relationships with Alliant University and the Institute on Disability and Health Psychology. She receives royalties as a published author. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Rhoda Olkin is a member of the American and California Associations for Marital and Family Therapy, the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers, the American Association of University Professors, the American Counseling Association, and others. For a complete list, please contact info@pesi.com. She is a board member for Polio Health International.

Tracey Long, PhD, MS, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, CDCES, CCRN, CNE, COI, has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in endocrinology, critical care, and primary care, earning degrees from Brigham Young University, Purdue University and UNLV. Dr. Long is an award-winning educator who presents on a range of topics reflecting her expertise, including medical Spanish, cultural competency, diabetes education, and critical care.

 

Her certifications span both diabetes and critical care specialties: she is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), a Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN), and a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). She teaches a diabetes educator certification course and serves as a critical care clinical instructor, translating her credentials directly into hands-on training for other nurses.

 

Having lived in Spain and served as a health welfare missionary in Colombia, South America for 18 months, international work remains central to her career. Bringing nurses and healthcare professionals to international medical clinics in Central and South America is one of her favorite activities. As an international speaker, she continues to share her expertise across borders.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Tracey Long has employment relationships with Utah Body and Soul, College of Southern Nevada, Chamberlain College, and Travelers Education Group. She receives compensation as a freelance writer and editor. Tracey Long receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Tracey Long is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, the American Diabetes Association, the National Certified Diabetes Educator Association, and the American Nurses Association. She is on the editorial board of the Journal of Medical Education Development and is a contributing editor Yangtz Journal of Medicine.

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.