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Section Leadership

 

John O. Barr, PT, PhD , President
John O. Barr, PT, PhD

term expires: 2012

Current Employment
  • Professor, Physical Therapy Department, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA
 Education and Credentials
  • BS (PT) - SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, NY (1973)
  • MA (PT) -The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (1980)
  • PhD (Exercise Science)- The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (1989)
  • Fellow - Iowa Geriatric Education Center, University of Iowa (1989-90)
 Service to Section on Geriatrics & APTA
  • Chair, Research Committee (1990-95)
  • Member, Editorial Board, Issues on Aging (1993-2001)
  • Member, Board of Directors (1995-98; 2004-06)
  • Chair, Distance Education Committee (1998-2006)
  • Vice-president (1999-2000)
  • Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy (2001-  )
 Personal Goals for My Position
  1. Enhance the number of SOG members (PT/PTA; active/associate/student) to improve section funding and increase visibility for aging / geriatrics-related issues within the physical therapy profession.
  2. Provide quality professional development opportunities for members (e.g., conference programs / workshops; home / online study; residency programs)
  3. Increase funding of and recognition for research in aging / geriatric physical therapy.
  4. Increase member involvement in attaining direct access to physical therapy under Medicare.
  5. Enhance interaction between the SOG and the international physical therapy community.
 Research or Area of Geriatric Interest
  • Conservative management of pain experienced by older persons
    The placebo effect in physical therapy
 Awards
  • Mary McMillan Scholarship Award (Doctoral), APTA, 1987
  • Dorothy Briggs Memorial Scientific Inquiry Award, APTA, 1987
  • Olive C. Farr Distinguished Service Award, Iowa Chapter - APTA, 1989
  • Lucy Blair Service Award, APTA, 1994
  • Joan Mills Award, Section on Geriatrics, APTA, 2000

 Contact - BarrJohnO@sau.edu

 

Alice Bell, PT, GCS , Vice President
Alice Bell, PT, GCS

term expires: 2012

Current Employment        
  • Director, Clinical Services, Physical Therapy: Genesis Rehabilitation Services (Kennett Square, PA)
 Education and Credentials         
  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy, Northeastern University (1982)
  • Board Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (1994)
  • Recertification (2003)
 Service to Section on Geriatrics & APTA
  • State Advocate Section on Geriatrics, APTA
  • Membership Committee Chair, Section on Geriatrics, APTA
  • Board of Directors, Section on Geriatrics, APTA
  • Assembly Representative, Western District, Massachusetts Chapter, APTA
  • Former Secretary, Western District, Massachusetts Chapter, APTA
  • Former Item Writer, Geriatric Physical Therapy Specialty Exam, APTA
  • Adjunct Faculty, Springfield College, Springfield Massachusetts
  • Professional Presentations and Published Articles
 Personal Goals for My Position 
  • Continue to expand educational offerings and opportunities for therapists working with older adults, promote the practice of physical therapy with older adults through education, membership, and public relations activities.
 Research or Area of Geriatric Interest             
  • Balance and falls, frailty, cardiopulmonary, comprehensive assessment, exercise prescription for the older adult
 Section Members: Contact Me about the Following Volunteer Opportunities             
  • Membership committee, education committees, speaker/presenters for regional education courses

 Contact - Alice.Bell@genesishcc.com

 

Greg Hartley, PT, DPT, GCS , Secretary
Greg Hartley, PT, DPT, GCS

term expires: 2014

Current Employment
  • Director of Rehabilitation and Geriatric Residency Program Director at St. Catherine's Rehabilitation Hospital and Villa Maria Nursing Center in Miami, FL.
 Education and Credentials
  • 2007- Doctoral student in the PhD program in the Department of Physical Therapy in the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. 
  • 1990 -Master's degree in physical therapy from the University of Miami 
  • 1999- Board certification in geriatrics
 Service to Section on Geriatrics & APTA
  • Board of Directors of the Section on Geriatrics (2005-2008); Chair, Task Force on the Development of Geriatric Clinical Residencies, Section on Geriatrics,(2003-present); Chair, Advanced Clinical Practice Committee, Section on Geriatrics, (2007-2010); Member, APTA Clinical Residency and Fellowship Program Credentialing Committee, (2005-2009).
 Personal Goals for My Position
  • Develop and expand the Advanced Clinical Practice Committee; promote development of residency programs in geriatrics, expand member benefits of belonging to SIG's including development and publication of evidence-based resources for members.
 Research or Area of Geriatric Interest
  • Healthcare economics, functional outcomes, and cost-benefit analysis in physical therapy utilization and intervention.
 Awards
  • Signe Brunnström Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching, APTA, 2005;
  • McMillan Doctoral Scholarship, Foundation for Physical Therapy, 2004-2005
Section Members: Contact Me about the Following Volunteer Opportunities
  • There are volunteer positions available in all three SIG's and on the Advanced Clinical Practice Committee.
 Contact - ghartley@chsfla.com  

 

 

Anne Coffman Geers, PT, MS, GCS , Treasurer
Anne Coffman Geers, PT, MS, GCS

term expires: 2013

Current Employment
Home Health physical therapist, Gentiva Health Services

Education and Credentials
Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, UW-LaCrosse, 1992
Master of Science in Educational Psychology, UW-Milwaukee, 1994
Board Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, 1998

Service to APTA
Vice President, Section on Geriatrics, 2003-2009
Director, Section on Geriatrics 2000- 2003
Program Chair, Section on Geriatrics 1997-2002
Awards Co-Chair, Section on Geriatrics 1997- 1999
Editorial Board of Gerinotes, Section on Geriatrics newsletter 1995-2003
   Guest Editor for Focused Issues:
      The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, Vol. 6, No. 5, 1999
      The Balanced Budget Act and Its Implementation, Vol. 6, No.4, 1999
      Functional Performance Measures, Vol. 5, No. 4, 1999
Treasurer, WPTA, 2000- 2005
Federal Government Affairs Liaison, WPTA 2001-2003
Professional Education Chair, WPTA 1999
Nominating Committee, WPTA, 1997-2001
Editor of PT Connections, WPTA Newsletter, 1997-1999
Nominating Committee, WPTA/Southeast District, 1997-1999
Wisconsin Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates, 1998, 1999, 2001-2010
Committee on Sections, APTA, 7/01-6/04

Awards
Joan Mills Award, Section on Geriatrics, 2003
WPTA Outstanding Service Award, 2010

Personal Goals for My Position
Continue to improve the financial strength of the Section, investigate and hire a financial planner to manage the Section’ assets, grow the non-dues revenue for the Section

 

 

Mary Thompson , Director
Mary Thompson

term expires: 2013

Current Employment

  • Professor and Coordinator of Post Professional Programs, Texas Woman's University, School of Physical Therapy, Dallas, TX

 Education and Credentials

  • BHS (PT) - Univeristy of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (1980)
  • MS (PT) - Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX (1990)
  • PhD (Higher Education, minor in Aging Studies) - University of North Texas, Denton, TX (1996)
  • Board Certified in Geriatric Physical Therapy since 1992

 Service to Section on Geriatrics & APTA

  • Section member since 1980
  • Member, Board of Directors (2010 - present)
  • Retooling Taskforce (2009)
  • Section on Geriatrics Home Study Co-Editor (2001), Editor (2002 – 2007)
  • APTA Clinical Residency and Fellowship Program Credentialing Reviewer Subcommittee Member (2007 - present)
  • APTA Education Strategic Planning: Participant (2005)
  • APTA Reviewer - Alzheimer's Association's Campaign for Quality in Residential Care (2004)
  • ABPTS board member (2003 - 2007, chair 2005 - 2006)
  • ABPTS Geriatric Council (1998 - 2002; chair 1999 - 2001)
  • Geriatric Specialty Exam Item Writer for the ABSPTS, Specialization Academy of Content Experts (1997 - 1998)

Personal Goals for My Position

  1. Improve communication and coordination between committees and between membership and committees.
  2. Seeks ways to better assess learner outcomes across the entire spectrum of professional development offered by the section.
  3. Seeks ways to support members who seek board specialization and provide additional resources for members seeking to start geriatric residency programs.

 Research or Area of Geriatric Interest

  • Career path development
  • Functional assessments

 Awards

  • Section on Geriatrics President’s Award for Exceptional Contributions to the Section on Geriatrics (2007)
  • Section on Geriatrics Distinguished Educator Award for Excellence as a Physical Therapy Educator (2007)

 

Ellen Strunk, PT, MS, GCS , Director
Ellen Strunk, PT, MS, GCS

term expires: 2012

Current Employment
  • President of Rehab Resources & Consulting, Inc, a company providing consulting & educational services to post-acute care facilities and rehabilitation providers.
 Education and Credentials
  • 1999 - Board certification in Geriatric physical therapy
  • 1991 - M.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
  • 1989 - B.S. in Kinesiology & Biomechanics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.
  •  Service to Section on Geriatrics & APTA
  • Board of Directors of the Section on Geriatrics (2005-2009); APTA Governmental Affairs Committee (2005-2008); Federal Affairs Liaison for Section on Geriatrics (2003-2006)
 Personal Goals for My Position
  • Facilitate member's utilization of best practice strategies in physical therapy for optimal aging (including utilization, documentation, collaboration, problem solving).  Advocate for appropriate health policy and reimbursement issues related to the aging adult.
 Research or Area of Geriatric Interest
  • Functional outcomes, healthcare policy, studying different models for the delivery of physical therapy
 Awards
  • Section on Geriatrics' Clinical Excellence in Geriatrics Award (2006)
 Section Members: Contact Me about the Following Volunteer Opportunities
  • Volunteer positions available on the Federal Affairs Committee, Research Committee, GeriNotes Editorial Board
 

Contact - erstrunk@bellsouth.net

 

Bob Thomas , Director
Bob Thomas

term expires: 2013

Current Employment

  • President, Infinity Rehab, Wilsonville, Oregon
Education and Credentials
  • 1986 - BS in Psychology, St. Davids, PA
  • 1993 – MS in Physical Therapy, Hillsboro, Oregon
Service to Section and APTA
  • Oregon Liaison to Section (1996 to 2000)
  • Wrote Home Study Course “Reimbursement Issues in HealthCare” (2008)
  • Published articles in GeriNotes
  • APTA House of delegates (1995-1997, 2001-2003)
  • Past presenter at APTA conferences
  • Board member of Oregon Physical Therapy Association
Personal Goals for My Position

My personal goals are to work to increase membership and increase communication to membership. In addition, I would like to work towards increasing collaboration with other sections and organizations, increase training and education on impending changes to our healthcare and reimbursement system and promote Geriatric practice as a prime choice specialty.

 

Danille Parker, PT, DPT, GCS , Director
Danille Parker, PT, DPT, GCS

term expires: 2014

Current Employment

  • Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education, Physical Therapy Department, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.

Education and Credentials

  • Bachelor of Health Science, Loma Linda University, CA (1998)
  • Master’s degree in Physical Therapy, Loma Linda University, CA (1998)
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL (2009)
  • Board Certified in Geriatric Physical Therapy, 2010

Service to Section on Geriatrics & APTA

  • Central East Regional Leader, Regional Course Committee (2007-2009)
  • Chair, Regional Course Committee (2009-present)
  • Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association, Academic Co-Chair WCEC (2007-2011)
  • Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association, Nominating Committee Member (2010-present)

Personal Goals for My Position

  • Enhance the number of SOG members (PT/PTA/Students) and in turn increase the number of physical therapists that become Certified Exercise Experts for the Aging Adult. 
  • Provide members with quality and cost effective continuing education. 
  • Promote geriatric physical therapy as a quality choice for physical therapy students.

Research or Area of Geriatric Interest

  • Exercise principles for the aging adult, Functional Outcome measures

Contact

 

Cathy H. Ciolek, PT, DPT, GCS , Delegate
Cathy H. Ciolek, PT, DPT, GCS

term expires: 2014

Current Employment
  • University of Delaware Neurologic and Older Adult Physical Therapy Clinic
Service to Section on Geriatrics and APTA
  • Listserv Moderator: 2000 to present
  • Nominating Committee 2002-2005(chair 04/05)
  • Secretary 1999-2001
  • Program Committee 1997-2004
  • State Liaison 1995-2002
  • President DE Chapter 2002-2006
  • Delegate 2002-2006
  • Chief Delegate 2000-2002
  • Membership Chair 1996-2000
  • Continuing Education Coordinator 1998-2003, 2005
  • APTA Advisory Panel on Practice 2002-2005 (chair 04/05)
  • Hooked On Evidence Geriatric Clinical Scenarios 2006-2007
  • APTA Member Representative to the Technical Advisory Panel for Strive Task Force 2005-2007
Education and Credentials
  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy, Ithaca College (1989)
  • University of Delaware Gerontology (1994)
  • AT Still University DPT (2007)

Clinical Interests Dr. Ciolek has worked extensively in the area of geriatric physical therapy – through the continuum of acute care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, home health and outpatient in several local facilities. Her areas of interests are throughout geriatrics, including balance and falls assessment and prevention.

Honors/Awards

  • Joan Mills Award from Section on Geriatrics , Awarded Feb 2008 for outstanding dedication and continuous time and efforts towards the development of the SOG.
  • President's Award, Section on Geriatrics/APTA. , February 2006, presented for service to the Section on Geriatrics
  • Clinical Educators Award, Section on Geriatrics/APTA. , Awarded Feb 2006 for outstanding clinical education to students in Physical Therapy
  • Lynn Phillippi Award: Advocacy for Older Adults, Section on Geriatrics/APTA., February 2001 in recognition of advocacy for older adults through publications, teaching, and practice
Awards
  • Geriatric Clinical Educator Award 2006
  • Presidents Award 2006
  • Lynn Phillipi Advocacy Award 2001

Contact Information - ciolek@comcast.net

 
 
 
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