Those in attendance hope to connect with alumni, colleagues and friends throughout the week. Those attending the event in-person can listed below.

Thursday, February 13

• 11:00am – 1:00pm
• Jessica Cassidy PT, DPT, PhD
• Ballroom of the Americas B (Level Two, Hilton Americas)

• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Dana McCarty, PT, DPT, PhD
• Room 361 (Level Three, GRB Convention Center)

• 3:00 – 5:00 PM
• Louise Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD
• Lanier Grand Ballroom A (Level Four, Hilton Americas)

Friday, February 14

• 1:00pm – 3:00pm
• Lisa Johnston, PT, DPT | Jennifer Cooke, PT, DPT
• Exhibit Hall E (Level One, GRB Convention Center)

• Poster Session (1:00 – 3:00 PM)
• Mike Lewek PT, DPT
• Exhibit Hall E (Level One, GRB Convention Center)

• 3:00 – 5:00 PM
• Sean Lowers, PT, DPT
• Lanier Grand Ballroom G-I (Level Four, Hilton Americas)

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• 3:00pm – 5:00pm
• Deidra Charity, PT, DPT
• Texas Ballroom Salon E (Level Four, Marriott Marquis)

Saturday, February 15

• 1:00pm – 3:00pm
• Mike Gross, PT, PhD, FAPTA | Louise Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD
• Exhibit Hall E (Level One, GRB Convention Center)

• Poster Session (1:00 – 3:00 PM)
• Louise Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD | Joel Thompson, PT, DPT
• Exhibit Hall E (Level One, GRB Convention Center)

• 1:00pm – 3:00pm
• Bria Dunn, PT, DPT |��Louise Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD | Megna Mishra, PT, DPT
• Exhibit Hall E (Level One, GRB Convention Center)

• Poster Session (1:00 – 3:00 PM)
• Louise Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD | Joel Thompson, PT, DPT
• Exhibit Hall E (Level One, GRB Convention Center)

The foundation was founded in 2020 by , PT, DPT, ATC, who wanted to increase diversity in the physical therapy profession. Rizing Tide Foundation awards scholarships annually to DPT students from diverse backgrounds, specifically underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds; and has pledged a total of $1.5 million to students to date. All of these scholarships are renewable until the recipient graduates if they maintain their academic performance. Recipients are also invited to participate in educational seminars, mentoring and an annual conference held in Phoenix, AZ in order to build connection and camaraderie and inspire passion for the profession.

Those selected for the scholarships were chosen by a group of healthcare professionals based on their potential to enact lasting change, academic excellence, personal integrity, leadership qualities, and attributes befitting a healthcare professional.

Sentman was named one of the ten recipients and awarded $14,000 to cover tuition, room and board, textbooks, and other essential expenses for the upcoming academic year. For why he wanted to go into PT, he states, “I am motivated to give back to all those who have come before me and really just elevate those around me to make us all better, whether it comes to my fellow cohort, other students or patients.”

After graduation from Carolina, Sentman plans to go into a residency and fellowship in PT.�� His long-term goal is to go into collegiate sports, specifically a Division I football team, or in the National Football League where he intends to use the skills he is gaining in the program to contribute to the wellness of athletes and the team’s success.

Thanks to the new partnership, which is a part of the , the ������ physical therapist residency program has expanded to include sites in New Hanover County in the state’s southeastern region. The goal of this collaborative expansion is to advance and expand the physical therapist workforce across the state.

“Novant Health is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with ������-CH and extending the outstanding Physical Therapy Residency program to Southeastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Becky McGhee, Regional Manager of Outpatient Rehab, Novant Health Rehabilitation Coastal Market. “We are truly better together.”

The first resident in orthopedics to practice through the partnership, Paige Shriver, PT, DPT, began her residency in Wilmington in September 2024. A neurologic physical therapist resident will join the program in fall 2025, and the programs eventually aim to offer two residency positions in each specialized area.

“While working in two locations might make one feel isolated, the amount of energy going into this collaboration has put more support in my corner than ever, helping me become the best clinician I can be,” said Shriver. “This collaboration benefits not only me but also Novant Health, ������’s Physical Therapy Residency Program, and my patients.”

The 55-week orthopedic physical therapist residency program involves residents working 30 hours each week independently in a clinical setting and engaging in weekly learning activities in a mixed format, including reading, research, discussion and mentorship. Though the residency program is now offered outside of Chapel Hill, all aspects of the program – including its high-quality mentorship and clinical opportunities – remain the same at each site.

“In order to better serve the people of North Carolina, a central tenant of ������’s mission and vision, ������-CH and ������ Health is expanding our Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency program and we are excited to act on the vision through a collaboration with Novant Health Coastal Market,” said Dr. Jeff O’Laughlin, Program Director. “Starting in 2024 Novant Health will now have an ������ Orthopedic Physical Therapy Resident, and we look forward to seeing what future opportunities between Novant Health and ������-CH will occur.”

Offering physical therapist residencies in this new area of the state offers the Division of Physical Therapy and ������ Health opportunities to expand patient care in line with their missions to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians, particularly in more rural and underserved populations. Many residents choose to remain in the geographic area in which they work during their time in a residency program, allowing opportunities to build lasting patient relationships and offer ongoing care in regions that may otherwise face provider shortages.

“We are excited to partner with our colleagues at Novant and ������-CH on our PT Residencies to fulfill our mission of providing instruction and access to our programs,” said Mark Prochazka, Administrative Director of Rehabilitation Services for ������ Health. “It has been a great opportunity to collaborate and learn how to leverage resources across the state, making North Carolina a unique place for physical therapists to professionally develop, learn, and work. This collaboration benefits the people of North Carolina by providing specialty care providers in their communities.”

As more physical therapists become interested in working in specialized fields, the ������ PT residency programs provide higher education and experience for those looking to provide much-needed niche patient services.

“We are thrilled to expand our Orthopedic and Neurologic Physical Therapist Residency programs to the Wilmington area as part of a strategic initiative to increase our engagement in the southeastern portion of our state,” said Dr. Timothy Eckard, Director of the Division of Physical Therapy at ������. “Partnering with Novant allows us to shape the next generation of professionals and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of communities in the region.”��

The ������ physical therapy residency programs are accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as post-professional residency programs for physical therapists.

Becoming a Tar Heel

Mercer first came to ������ in 1985 to pursue a master’s degree in physical therapy. At the time, she was interested in pediatrics and received funding from a Maternal and Child Health grant. She enjoyed her time in the program and learned a great deal from the faculty, including Suzann Campbell, Irma Wilhelm, Darlene Sekerak, and Carol Giuliani.��Although initially interested in pediatrics, Mercer’s research focus shifted toward neurologic and geriatric physical therapy under Giuliani’s mentorship.

While in Chapel Hill, Mercer also met her future husband, Rex, who grew up in eastern North Carolina, graduated from ������-Chapel Hill, and was working in Cary at the time.

Mercer’s growing interest in research and a career in academia led her to pursue a PhD in Movement Science at Washington University in St. Louis. In 1993, after Mercer defended her dissertation, she got married and moved back to North Carolina. When a faculty position became available in the Division of Physical Therapy, Mercer was thrilled to get an interview and to be offered the position. “It felt like coming home,” she said.

Mercer’s primary clinical and research focus has been improving balance and preventing falls in older adults and individuals with neurologic disorders. She continues to work on a research project examining the effects of auditory inputs on standing balance in older adults with and without hearing loss.

Throughout her tenure, Mercer witnessed and contributed to several major milestones within the Division of Physical Therapy. These include the transition from the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and the initiation of the PhD program, which succeeded the MS program. Another big (and very welcome) milestone was the move from the old medical school wings to Bondurant Hall.

Service Beyond the Classroom

Mercer shares that one of her proudest accomplishments was the work she did in establishing a falls prevention program called the in 2009. Although CHAMP ended with the start of the pandemic, the materials can still be useful resources for falls prevention efforts. Additionally, Mercer is proud of the work she did each year over spring break with community partners in Tyrrell County in eastern NC. She was one of the co-leaders for the annual interdisciplinary service-learning trip that included students and faculty from physical therapy, social work, nursing, public health, audiology, and others in promoting the health of Tyrrell County residents. Finally, Mercer is pleased to look back on the accomplishments of all the students and neurologic physical therapy residents she has mentored.

Leaving a Legacy and Looking Ahead

“I feel blessed to have had such a wonderful career as a faculty member in the Division of Physical Therapy,” said Mercer when asked what she enjoyed the most about her career. “I’ve gotten to work with so many good, caring people – fantastic faculty colleagues who are experts in their specific areas of clinical practice and/or research, the best and brightest students, individuals with balance difficulties or neurologic diagnoses seeking physical therapy care at our clinic in Hillsborough, and dedicated community partners in service projects at various locations across the state. I especially enjoyed the one-on-one interactions with students and patients. It was so much fun to see them learning and making progress!”

Mercer hopes that future physical therapists coming through the division will find as much joy in the profession of physical therapy as she has. “I hope they will never lose the love of learning and the commitment to the profession that will make their career journey challenging, exciting, and incredibly rewarding,” she said.

Current and former faculty, students, colleagues, friends and family gathered at The Farm in Chapel Hill on September 21 to celebrate Mercer as she takes her next step into retirement.

Additionally, Mercer and her family have established the . The fund will be used to provide awards for faculty or staff members, Human Movement Science Curriculum (HMSC PhD) students, or Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students enrolled or working in the Division of Physical Therapy who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the educational, research, and/or service missions of the Division of Physical Therapy while facing challenging personal circumstances.

If you are interested in supporting the scholarship fund you may .

The full-day event was designed to extend the program’s reach to potential applicants and students from groups who are underrepresented within the physical therapy profession, first-generation college students, and those interested in working in underserved or rural areas of North Carolina. Building upon last year’s successful program, the day consisted of informational and educational sessions, hands-on lab experiences, and panel discussions to provide insight into the DPT profession, the admissions process, and what to expect as a PT student.

Reflecting North Carolina Communities Within the PT Workforce

The physical therapy workforce in North Carolina continues to increase – it was up by 6.4 percent in 2022, according to from Sheps Health Workforce NC. Despite the field’s growth, physical therapy still has room for improvement when it comes to educating and employing practitioners that accurately reflect the demographic makeup of the state. These efforts can improve patient access, reduce health disparities – especially in underrepresented groups within North Carolina – and lead to better health in the state.

In the inaugural Lynda D. Woodruff Lecture delivered by Gregory Hicks, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Dr. Hicks identified several reasons why underrepresented persons were not entering the profession, including: “limited exposure to the profession; unequal preparation for graduate education (admissions and matriculation); and lack of coordinated focus on recruitment of underrepresented students.”

“The DPT Exploratory Day was a coordinated effort between ������-CH DPT students and faculty to address these, and other factors, that contribute to the lack of diversity within the physical therapy profession,” said Deidra Charity, PT, DPT, assistant professor within the Division of Physical Therapy and primary coordinator of the event.

������’s School of Medicine offers additional programs aimed to support medical students and residents including those from historically underrepresented backgrounds and those who have an interest in working or rural or underserved communities in North Carolina, including the Carolina First Look and Carolina Second Look programs. DPT Exploratory Day has expanded on the opportunity to introduce the physical therapy program to a group of potential graduate students and future healthcare professionals in alignment with the ������ mission.

Participants Receive an Immersive Look into the DPT Program

The planning committee for the program made a few changes after the inaugural event in 2023, including participants choosing their own lab experience, providing tours of Bondurant and Roper Halls, and offering more opportunities for participants to learn from alumni, residents and PhD students.

The all-day event began with headshots and breakfast, then participants were welcomed by Charity, Krysten Le, student leader, and Jake Sentman, an incoming DPT student who participated in DPT Exploratory Day 2023. Next, the group was introduced to the DPT program by Laurie Ray, the interim division director and associate professor, and was given a tour of Bondurant Hall, the home of the DPT program and other programs within the Department of Health Sciences.

Following the tour, a panel comprised of assistant professor Bria Dunn, associate professor Mike Lewek and assistant professor Dana McCarty plus current ������ orthopedic resident Megna Mishra answered a number of questions from Charity, who served as moderator, and Exploratory Day participants.

To get a feel for the program in action, participants engaged in lab experiences led by Dunn, Lewek and assistant professor Sean Lowers.

A group of Exploratory Day participants engaged in a brief lecture and lab experience led by Dr. Bria Dunn that reviewed the anatomy and biomechanics of the knee, common mechanisms of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and the role of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction surgery. Working together in small groups, DPT student volunteers played the roles of therapists and patients demonstrating proper NMES application to the quadriceps muscle while Exploratory Day participants guided their “patient” through common ACL rehabilitation exercises.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit Dr. Michael Lewek’s Interdisciplinary Human Movement Science Lab where they engaged in interactive demonstrations related to measuring and modifying walking. Lewek provided an overview of various pieces of research equipment and participants were able to try some of the research tools used to measure human motion and forces and discuss how research can translate to clinical practice.

Dr. Sean Lowers led a lab in which participants observed a cardiopulmonary physical therapy simulation experience which allowed DPT students the opportunity to practice performing a patient interview, conduct a physical therapy examination, manage the lines and leads typically found in a hospital setting, and monitor and respond to changes in patient status in real time. After their time in the labs, participants were treated to lunch in the Beach Café.

After lunch, a student panel moderated by Le included current DPT students Noel Januszewski, Rachel Kapiko, Ethan Meng, Morgan McKinley, Scott Sellers, Taylor Steele, and Justin Wilson. The panelists answered questions from Le and program attendees. In addition to hearing first-hand student experiences within the program, participants learned the details about the application and admissions process, a discussion led by assistant professor Louise Thoma and SPTA leaders Bryce Griffin and Wilson. Finally, closing remarks from Charity and Alexus Lewis, another SPTA leader, ended the day.

Reflections on the Event

“The 2024 ������ DPT Exploratory Day was another very successful event as we welcomed 43 participants representing different schools across the state and country,” said Charity. “I’m confident that Jake Sentman – a former Exploratory Day participant and incoming DPT student – ��sharing his remarks and experiences provided inspiration to some of this year’s Exploratory Day participants who have similar goals of gaining admission into ������’s physical therapy program.”

One participant shared, “coming from California, [DPT Exploratory Day] was an incredible experience and made me excited to reapply to PT school. Being able to connect with everyone, seeing what being a DPT student at ������’s program would be like, gave me reassurance that I made the right decision in becoming a PT.”

36 of the 43 attendees answered a survey about the event, and all respondents rated every activity as “Good” or “Excellent.” Additionally, 35 of the respondents strongly agreed that the program was a valuable experience.

Another participant said they felt comfortable to approach anyone and loved learning both 1:1 and in panel conversations. Other survey respondents appreciated the transparency in sharing expectations for students within the program, details about the admissions process, and opportunity to learn in small groups. Interactions with faculty and current students were incredibly valuable to participants, who took special interest in participating in the lab experiences.

“One of the best parts of the day is the interaction with participants and sharing what makes ������’s physical therapy program unique,” said Charity. “Exploratory Day provides great insight into the features of the program as participants are encouraged to ask questions throughout the day and have opportunities for one-on-one interactions as well, and the event has easily become one of my favorite parts of the spring semester.”

Acknowledgements

Much work and planning go into a successful event like the DPT Exploratory Day, and it would not be possible without university partners, student and faculty volunteers, and staff support. The ������ Division of Physical Therapy thanks the following entities for their support and contributions to the 2024 ������ DPT Exploratory Day: ������’s Office of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement, ������’s Office of Scholastic Enrichment & Equity, ������ Department of Health Sciences, APTA North Carolina, Chapel Hill Sportswear, and ������ Visitors Center.

Eckard is making a return to Chapel Hill, as he received his PhD in Human Movement Science from ������, a program housed within the Division of Physical Therapy. During his time in the program he researched injury prevention measures for NCAA athletes and military service members. He previously earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Baylor University and a B.S. in Kinesiology from James Madison University.

During his time at WCU, Eckard rose to engage in various leadership activities including committee roles within the College of Health and Human Sciences, the Dean’s Advisory Committee, and the WCU Faculty Senate.

Additionally, Eckard demonstrates a strong background in providing clinical and teaching services thanks to his several years of service as an Army physical therapist, where he practiced in acute care and orthopedic outpatient clinical settings in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East.

“We are extremely excited to have Dr. Eckard join us in this important leadership role in the Department,” said Dr. Stephen Hooper, Associate Dean and Chair of the Department of Health Sciences. “Following a national search, Dr. Eckard brings an array of leadership skills to the Division, particularly in the clinical and teaching missions, and we eagerly look forward to his joining our faculty ranks in July.”

Eckard’s research interests are interprofessional in nature, addressing various aspects of human movement science and clinical reasoning.

Eckard will assume his leadership position on July 8, 2024.

The Division of Physical Therapy and Department of Health Sciences are grateful for the leadership and initiative demonstrated by Dr. Laurie Ray during her time as Interim Division Director throughout the past year.

“I am thrilled that my work in DEI committees and health services and disparities research has been recognized through this award,” said Lane. “As a biracial, first-generation college student who grew up in a racially and geographically diverse city in North Carolina, I have always valued diversity and inclusion and have been motivated to promote DEI in clinical and academic settings.”

Lane is currently a 5^th year PhD student in the Human Movement Science program and graduated from the Division of Physical Therapy with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2019. During his time in Chapel Hill, Lane has been involved in multiple DEI committees related to the Department of Health Sciences and the School of Medicine. During committee meetings, he and other students have had the opportunity to share their perspectives of various challenges that they face.

Throughout his studies, Lane noticed that the sociodemographic characteristics of many health and research professions do not reflect those of North Carolina or the United States. Clinical care and research can both be enhanced by greater diversity among their professionals and leaders, as clinical care and research should serve all communities. These perspectives were echoed by other students through a survey and focus group Lane coordinated.

Lane also helped develop goals for the Department of Health Sciences for social justice and DEI in the learning environment. Mentoring programs targeting students from underrepresented backgrounds helped him navigate through his undergraduate and graduate programs, and he hopes to give back by serving as a mentor for other students through working with the Students in Training, in Academia, Health, and Research (STAHR) mentoring program.

His research interests are centered on health services and disparities. More specifically, he has focused on access to physical therapy services and disparities in access and health outcomes and has disseminated this work through presentations and publications.

The financial support from this award will help Lane continue his studies and will allow him to commit additional time and resources to finishing his dissertation project, which examines potential disparities in treatment use for people with ACL injury. Lane’s long-term goal is to become a productive faculty member who will assess and address health disparities and mentor others.

The Duquette Scholarship was created in honor of Louis and Eleanor Duquette to reflect their commitment to higher education by aiding a doctoral student in the field of human movement science, by their son, Colonel Thomas L. Duquette, who was a 1991 graduate of the MS program in physical therapy. The mission of the award is to recognize and celebrate a student who shows excellence in both research and academic scholarship and whose research will lead to reduced injury and/or improved health. To be eligible for the award, candidates must be doctoral students within the HMSC program who have passed the comprehensive examination.

Research Focus: Post-Stroke Motor Recovery and Neuroimaging

Gangwani is studying motor recovery in adults post-stroke using neuroimaging and has a research interest in neuroimaging, neuroplasticity, and neurorehabilitation. Working in Cassidy’s lab allows her to pursue and focus on her interests as they primarily use multi-modal neuroimaging techniques to develop brain-based measures in individuals with neurological conditions across the lifespan. Their work focuses specifically on individuals with sub-acute stroke and on developing neuroimaging-based measures that have the potential to predict their recovery and treatment response, thereby enabling a more personalized approach to rehabilitation.

Additionally, Gangwani’s dissertation will focus on determining the interaction between cognitive and motor function post-stroke, a crucial avenue for stroke research in enhancing motor relearning and recovery outcomes. Specifically, her project will identify functional connections in the brain that subserve cognitive-motor interaction. These functional connections can be utilized by clinicians in the future to assess cognitive-motor interaction post-stroke and tailor rehabilitation interventions accordingly. Further, these connections have the potential to serve as possible targets for brain stimulation to enhance recovery outcomes post-stroke.

Upcoming Presentation and Future Plans

The award will allow Gangwani to travel to the American Society of Neurorehabilitation conference in San Antonio, Texas on April 11-13, 2024 to showcase her dissertation work among fellow neurorehabilitation researchers. She will also present at the conference and plans to use it as a unique opportunity to share her research findings, engage with experts in the field, and contribute to the collective knowledge and advancements within neurorehabilitation.

Following the completion of her PhD, Gangwani envisions securing a postdoctoral position that will help her continue developing her expertise in neuroscience and neurorehabilitation. Her ultimate goal is to be an independent stroke rehabilitation scientist dedicated to developing pioneering, innovative, and personalized treatment approaches that facilitate recovery in individuals with stroke.

“This achievement serves as a milestone that reaffirms my commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field of stroke rehabilitation,” said Gangwani. She sees the recognition as a testament to her past achievements while also showing that she has support and encouragement from those advising her, like Cassidy, to propel her to future academic and research endeavors. The scholarship will aid in her overall professional profile in her future career in physical therapy in terms of stroke rehabilitation.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my PhD advisor, Dr. Jessica Cassidy, for her unwavering support and encouragement throughout my academic journey,” said Gangwani. “Her guidance has been invaluable in fostering my growth as a researcher.”

Those in attendance hope to connect with alumni, colleagues and friends throughout the week. Those attending the event in-person can view the full list of ������ faculty and student presentations at CSM 2024 below.

������ Physical Therapy Presentations at CSM 2024

Thursday, February 15:��

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Crystal Renee Ramsey, PT, DPT, Karen Leigh McCulloch, PT, BSPT, MS, FAPTA, Deanna DeMarco, PT, DPT, Allie Knuckles, PT, DPT and Vicki Stemmons Mercer, PT, PhD

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Sarah Marie Novroski, PT, Chris Yun Lane, PT, DPT, Joshua Connor Torrey, PT, DPT, BS and Louise Majalap Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Michael R. James, PT, DPT, Chelsea Parker Duppen, PT, DPT, Sarah K. McAuliffe, PT, DPT, John M Baratta and Michael David Lewek, PT, PhD

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Allyn Michele Bove, PT, DPT, PhD, Jessica Margaret Cassidy, PT, DPT, PhD, Peter C. Coyle, PT, DPT, PhD, Kate Minick, PT, DPT, PhD and Emma Beisheim-Ryan, PT, DPT, PhD

Saturday, February 17:

8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Chris Yun Lane, PT, DPT, Kelli Dominick Allen, Alexander Jose Maturino, Lauren Mihalek, PT, DPT, Beth Laurie Jonas, Patricia Katz and Louise Majalap Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD

8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Chelsea Parker Duppen, PT, DPT, Nina Browner, MD and Michael David Lewek, PT, PhD

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Megna Mishra, PT, DPT, Louise Majalap Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD, Deidra Debnam Charity, PT, DPT, Xavier Thompson, Joseph M Hart, PhD, ATC and Shelby Baez, PhD, AT

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Dana Baker McCarty, PT, DPT, Catherine Therese Cunningham, PT, DPT, Kristen Rose Dragotta, PT, DPT and Kerry Blazek, PT

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Jessica Margaret Cassidy, PT, DPT, PhD, Lara Boyd, PT, PhD, Stacey Chapman Dusing, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Margaret A. French, PT, DPT, PhD, Richard K. Shields, PT, PhD, FAPTA