Physical Therapy Faculty Program

• Enhance the knowledge and confidence of physical therapy faculty in developing course content, delivering lectures and offering clinical mentorship on Parkinson’s within undergraduate and graduate-level physical therapy programs nationwide.
• Develop a long-term relationship between physical therapy faculty who complete the program and Parkinson’s experts at nationally recognized movement disorder centers.
• Prepare physical therapy graduates to care for people living with Parkinson’s, their caregivers and families.

Terry Ellis, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Boston University

Dr. Ellis is Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training at Boston University's College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, in Boston, MA. Dr. Ellis is also the Center for Neurorehabilitation at Boston University co-director and American Parkinson Disease Association's National Rehabilitation Resource Center housed at Boston University director. Dr. Ellis, a board-certified Neurologic Physical Therapy specialist, conducts research and provides clinical consultations and education to health care professionals and people living with neurological disorders, including Parkinson's. She is the author of many peer-reviewed articles. Her research focuses on how exercise and rehabilitation reduces disability and enhances quality of life in people with Parkinson's. She lectures nationally on rehabilitation and Parkinson's and co-authored the "BE ACTIVE" exercise manual, published by the American Parkinson Disease Association. She has developed evidence-based community wellness programs and an inpatient rehabilitation program for people with PD. Dr. Ellis has a Behavioral Neurosciences PhD from Boston University School of Medicine.

Fay Horak, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Oregon Health and Science University

Dr. Horak is a Professor of Neurology and the director of the Balance Disorders laboratory at Oregon Health and Sciences University and the Portland VA Healthcare System. Dr. Horak is a physical therapist and neuroscientist who is internationally known for her research on the physiology of balance disorders in Parkinson’s and their rehabilitation. She has received several national research awards from the American Physical Therapy Association and is the first physical therapist to receive a prestigious MERIT award from the National Institutes of Health for over 30 years of continuous funding. Dr. Horak has over 250 peer-reviewed papers, has had over 50 million dollars in federal grants. She serves on the Council for the National Center of Medical Rehabilitation Research of NIH. Dr. Horak’s laboratory is considered the premier balance disorders laboratory in the world. Her novel, instrumented mobility system, called Mobility Lab by APDM, Inc, allows clinicians and researchers to quickly and accurately quantify balance and gait disorders using wireless, wearable sensors. Dr. Horak received a BS degree in physical therapy from the University of Wisconsin, a MS in neurophysiology from the U of Minnesota and a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Laurie King, PT, PhD, MCR
Oregon Health and Science University

Laurie is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at Oregon Health and Sciences University. She has more than 15 years of clinical experience treating neurologically impaired patients. She has over 30 peer-reviewed publications and is currently funded by the NIH and the Department of Defense to study balance and gait and rehabilitation after brain injury. She received her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA, in Anatomy and Neurobiology. Prior to that, she graduated from Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester, MN, with a master’s in physical therapy.

Gammon Earhart, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Earhart is a physical therapist and movement scientist whose work focuses on gait and balance issues faced by people living with Parkinson's and the impacts of exercise and physical activity on these issues. She is currently a Professor of Physical Therapy, Neuroscience & Neurology, as well as Director of the Program in Physical Therapy, at Washington University in St. Louis. She completed her physical therapy training at Arcadia University, her PhD at Washington University in St. Louis, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University.

We welcome U.S. and international physical therapy program full or part time Faculty members who have a substantial role in teach the PD curriculum at their university and able to share their new Parkinson's knowledge with physical therapy students to apply.

Yes, we accept international participants. While the program covers the cost of the training (coursework, materials), participants cover their own travel and lodging costs.

We limit each training to six participants.

Applications close on Friday, February 10, 2023
Notification of Acceptance by Friday, February 17, 2023

Once live, to apply to upcoming trainings in Boston, St. Louis or Portland, you must complete the application online. Our application asks for a resume, a statement of purpose (why you want to attend the program) and one reference letter (must be a professional reference from your Dept. or Program who can comment on your interest and teaching experience in Parkinson's). You must upload these items when you apply to complete the application.

You can expect to hear back within two weeks of the closed application deadline.

In 2023 we will be hosting three trainings during the summer.

Participants can expect to gain new knowledge, clarification of information and a new sense of confidence in their understanding of PD symptomatology, clinical issues, pharmacological, non-pharmacological and surgical treatments, current research and most importantly, the role of the PT in caring for the person with Parkinson's disease and his or her family. We prepare and expect participants to become the local expert or leader on Parkinson's in their institution and community. Many physical therapy faculty find that they can enhance their scholarship by way of new research ideas and collaboration on projects. Participants develop long-lasting relationships with local Parkinson's experts at the movement disorder center where they study.

The program model is "train the trainer." The 4-part program includes an online self-pace course, live virtual sessions and 2 full days of in-person program, as well as independent study project time. Each participant chooses an independent project and site faculty and leaders of the Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Program mentor as needed.

Host site faculty members lead each training, all of whom are Parkinson's experts. Affiliated with large, academic Parkinson's disease and movement disorder centers, they represent multi-disciplinary teams. Each site has a host coordinator of the Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Program who will work closely with participants. The host coordinators have decades of Parkinson's knowledge and experience providing educational experiences for other physical therapists.

The Parkinson's Foundation covers training expenses (materials, etc.) for those selected to attend. There is no deposit to hold your space, however, if you need to cancel prior to the program, we highly encourage you do to so no less than 45 days prior. Participants must cover any travel or lodgings costs incurred to attend.

Each PT Faculty will be required to complete an Independent Project(IP) to fulfill the requirements of the Program. The IP will consist of updating faculty’s current curriculum to reflect content derived from the Program. Each PT Faculty will have 3 months to complete.

You receive payment upon completion and acceptance of your independent project. Stipends are processed within 1 month of program completion.

Yes, participants become part of an innovative network of peer PT educators who work with the Parkinson's Foundation to advance research, care and physical therapy education. PT Faculty Alumni are eligible to apply for PT Faculty Alumni Grant. This award supports up to a maximum of $10,000 for three (3) alumni to take her/his independent project to the next step or to explore another idea that would enhance their ability to teach about Parkinson’s or increase learning of Parkinson’s disease among PTs, students, or the Parkinson's community. Alumni also meets periodically at national conferences and online meetings for meet and greets and share updates.

Please contact healthprofs@parkinson.org for more information.

• Differential diagnosis highlighting motor and non-motor features of typical and atypical parkinsonism.
• Imaging and the clinical examination roles in diagnosing Parkinson’s.
• A contemporary evidenced-based overview of the pharmacological, surgical and rehabilitative management of people living with early, moderate and advanced Parkinson’s.
• An evidence-based approach to Parkinson’s examination, diagnosis, prognosis and intervention (via lecture, discussion and clinical observations).
• Recommendations to implement standardized outcome measures across the participation, activity and impairment level domains.
• A contemporary multidisciplinary care model to optimize the care of people with Parkinson’s across the continuum of the disease.
• Current research supporting essential PD physical therapy elements — including gait and balance training, strategies to improve functional mobility and reduce falls, the benefits of external cueing, treadmill training, cardiovascular fitness training, strengthening and flexibility exercises.

Physical therapists are critical members of PD care teams. There is great need for Parkinson’s-experienced physical therapists on the front lines of care. The Parkinson’s Foundation recognizes the value of physical therapists who are educated in Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, the Parkinson’s Foundation is sponsoring seed grant funding intended to support Physical Therapy Faculty Alumni. This award is known as the Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Award.

Applications Closed

This award supports up to a maximum of $10,000 for three (3) alumni to take their Physical Therapy Faculty Program independent projects to the next step or to explore expanding another idea that would enhance their ability to teach about Parkinson’s or increase learning of Parkinson’s disease among PTs, students, or patients. Only PT Faculty who have completed their Independent Project as part of the Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Program may apply. Applications should address the scope of impact that the project will have on the PD community, such as distinguishing between an immediate versus long term impact project or a research versus community impact project. The Grant Awardee will also be matched with a Physical Therapy Mentor, for a period of one-year, to offer guidance, support, and encouragement to help cultivate the development of the project.

The Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Award is for a maximum of $10,000 a year. Up to 10% of the award total, i.e., $1,000, may be used to defray indirect costs. Salary support is permitted.

This award is open to Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty who completed their Independent Project only.

The application process will be open from Monday, September 12th through Monday, November 14, 2022. Review will take place in November/December and notices of award will go out in December 2022.

All graduates of the Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Program, can receive up to $10,000 in grant funding from the Foundation to launch individual projects to help make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease.  

Jamie Haines, PT, DScPT
Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Alum, Boston University 2017

Jamie's project focused on health disparities, such as lack of access to health care providers and distance from specialists, exist for people with Parkinson’s disease living in rural and underserved areas in Michigan. This project proposes to help improve access to symptom monitoring, research-based strategies to manage symptoms, and self-efficacy to live better with PD. Jamie is an Associate Professor at Central Michigan University.
 

The physical therapists, all graduates of the Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Program, received up to $10,000 in grant funding from the Foundation to launch individual projects to help make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Anne Marie Dupre PT, DPT, NCS
Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Alum, University of Rhode Island 2016

Anne’s project will provide weekly Parkinson’s Exercise Groups (PEG) organized and delivered by Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students with faculty supervision. In addition to measuring the overall experience, the project will measure the students’ learning experience and potential changes in function for participants.

Alicia Flach DPT, NCS
Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Alum, University of South Carolina 2017

Alicia’s project further expands an existing program – Parkinson’s Disease.Resources.Education.Vitality.+ (PD REV+) – by building on the education and exercise support provided to improve the South Carolina PD community’s access to exercise opportunities.

Jennifer Hale, PT, DPT, NCS
Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Alum, Tufts University 2016

Jennifer’s project will contribute to research efforts and knowledge of the bidirectional associations of physical activity and PD in women by examining data from the Women’s Health Study (WHS), one of the largest cohorts in the world investigating health outcomes in women.

Jennifer Penn, PT, DPT, NCS
Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Alum, University of Incarnate Word 2019

Patti Berg-Poppe, PhD
Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Alum, University of South Dakota 2019

Dr. Berg-Poppe’s project will gather and synthesize information to develop materials that promote the safe and feasible implementation of effective home exercise programming that drives optimal performance from physical therapy intervention.

In 2020, the Parkinson’s Foundation awarded three physical therapists the Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Award, totaling $30,000.

Sarah Fishel, PT, DPT, NCS
Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Alum, Boston University 2018

Sarah’s project will examine the efficacy of a challenging balance training program for people with Parkinson’s by comparing an aquatic-based group exercise class to one that is land-based. Results will determine whether a highly challenging program may reduce fall rates and improve balance. Sarah Fishel is an assistant professor of physical therapy at Ithaca College.

Lori Schrodt, PT, PhD
Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Alum, Boston University 2018

Lori’s project will develop academic partnerships with community-based organizations to provide physical therapy students with skills to better assist people with Parkinson’s and their care partners. The partnerships will improve the continuum of care and integration of clinical services with community programs. Lori is a professor of physical therapy at Western Carolina University.

Amy Yorke, PT, PhD, NCS
Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Alum, Boston University 2017

Amy’s project will monitor the cardiovascular response of people with Parkinson’s who attend a community-based PD exercise program to establish a heart rate monitoring protocol that may be implemented into community-based programs to track the benefits of high intensity exercise for people with Parkinson’s. Amy Yorke is an associate professor of physical therapy at the University of Michigan-Flint.