John O. Barr, PT, PhDJohn O. Barr, PT, PhD , President
term expires: 2009

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

Email: BarrJohnO@sau.edu

 

 

Anne Coffman, PT MS GCSAnne Coffman, PT MS GCS , Vice President
term expires: 2009

Current Employment

  • RehabCare Group, part-time Physical Therapist, primary treatment setting- SNFs

 Education and Credentials

  • 2007- Re-Certified as Geriatric Clinical Specialist, original certification in 1998
  • 1994- MS in Educational Pschology
  • 1992- BS in Physical Therapy

 Service to Section on Geriatrics & APTA

  • Vice President, 2003- present
  • Director 2000-2003
  • Program Chair, 1997-2002
  • Awards Co-chair, 1997-1999
  • Gerinotes Editorial Board, 1995-2003
  • APTA Committee on Chapters and Sections, 2001-2004

 Personal Goals for My Position

  • Support and disseminate information from the Task Force on Exercise for the Older Adult
  • Begin development of a multi-disciplinary conference related to physical activity

 Research or Area of Geriatric Interest

  • Legislation and regulation related to Medicare, Balance and Falls treatment/research, Exercise parameters and progression with the older adult

 Awards

  • Joan Mills Award, 2003

 Contact information

Acoffman@wi.rr.com   

 

 

Rubye Walker, PT, MS, GCSRubye Walker, PT, MS, GCS , Secretary
term expires: 2008

Current Employment

  • Rehab Pro (Tyler, Texas)
Education and Credentials
  • BS Physical Therapy, University of Texas Health Science Center, Galveston, TX
  • MS Health Care Management, University College, University of Maryland, College Park Maryland
  • Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
Service to Section on Geriatrics & APTA
  • Secretary, Board of Directors
  • Minnesota State Liaison
  • Treasurer, East Texas District, Texas Physical Therapy Association
  • Board of Directors, MN Chapter, APTA,
  • Peer Review Committee, MN Chapter, APTA
  • Geriatrics Functional Outcomes Committee, MN Chapter, APTA
  • Membership Committee, MN Chapter, APTA
  • Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates, MN Chapter, APTA
Contact Information

rubye.kendrick@gmail.com

 

 

Bill Staples, PT, DPT, GCSBill Staples, PT, DPT, GCS , Treasurer
term expires: 2010

Current Employment

  • Assistant Professor, Krannert School of Physical Therapy, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46227

 Education and Credentials

  • Matriculating in Doctor of Health Science (DHS) Program, University of Indianapolis, 2006
  • University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana., Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2005
  • Recertified as Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS). 2005
  • Original certification 1995.
  • Columbia University, Graduate Program in Physical Therapy. M.S. in Physical Therapy, New York City, NY, 1984      
  • Columbia University, New York City, NY, Certificate in Physical Therapy, 1979
  • Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, B.A. Major: zoology, Minor: Psychology.  Cum Laude 1978

 Service to Section on Geriatrics

  • Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair, Section on Geriatrics, 2/21/04 – present
  • Board of Directors, Section on Geriatrics, 2/11/01- 2/21/04
  • Co-Chair sub acute/Rehab SIG 1/1/96-12/1/99
  • Section on Geriatrics, Finance committee member 6/99-present
  • Editorial Board, GeriNotes 6/98- present
  • Section on Geriatrics, Government Affairs Committee 6/97-6/02
  • Section on Geriatrics, Awards Committee member 2/96- 2/01

 Service to APTA & Indiana Chapter

  • Advisory Council, Center on Aging, Anderson, IN 9/96-6/02
  • American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Board member, 7/1/99-6/30/03.
  •  Representing Geriatrics -- Served as chair 2001-2002.
  • American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Geriatric Specialty Council 1/1/97-1/1/99
  • Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) 1/1/96-1/1/97

 Personal Goals for My Position

  1. To present a balanced budget annually to the Board and membership.
  2. To enhance our financial stability and viability for the future.
  3. To raise enough money to allow the section to make a substantial donation to the Foundation for Physical Therapy in order to research topics specific to geriatric physical therapy

 Research or Area of Geriatric Interest

  • Utilization of physical therapy with people with Alzheimer’s Disease

 Awards

  • 2006 Distinguished Educator Award in Geriatrics, presented by the APTA.
  • 2005 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (nominated through Phi Theta Kappa)
  • 1996 Outstanding Faculty Award, Ivy Tech State College
  • 1992 Who’s Who among Human Services Professionals

 Contact

Stapleswh@uindy.edu

 

 

 

Alice Bell, PT, GCSAlice Bell, PT, GCS , Director
term expires: 2010

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

 

 

Jill Heitzman, PT, DPT, GCSJill Heitzman, PT, DPT, GCS , Director
term expires: 2010

Research Interests:

  • Functional outcome tools as related to the aging special needs population; PT assessments and interventions as related to osteoporosis, posture/postural changes, and injury prevention

Practice Interest:

  • Geriatric wellness and fitness, injury prevention, balance and falls, home safety, wound management, osteoporosis, diabetes and cancer related impairments/lymphedema

Goals for the Section:

  • Assist the section in taking the lead on direct access for the elderly, autonomous practice in all geriatric settings, and prevention and reimbursement of prevention interventions in the field of geriatrics. Increase membership of the section through recruitment and retention. Increase involvement of the PTA in the section and in the practice field of geriatrics

Bio:

  • Jill Heitzman is currently a clinical coordinator of education at Mary Greeley Medical Center where she works in the outpatient clinic serving as the geriatric wellness clinician and wound management resource clinician. She is an adjunct faculty member of the Iowa State University Gerontology Department and guest lectures on wound management in the physical therapy program at Creighton University and the Physical Therapy Assistant program at Northern Iowa Community College. She has written articles and spoken nationally on various issues related to geriatric wellness, osteoporosis and social issues. Jill received her degreee in physical therapy at St. Louis University, her Doctor of PT from Creighton University, and is a Board Certified Geriatric Specialist. She was also certified by the American Academy of Wound Management in 1997 as a certified wound specialist. Jill has worked in various areas of physical therapy including , home health, acute care, outpatient orthopedic facilities, SNF, Rehabilitation facility, public schools and teaching at the university level.

Outside interests:

  • Her 4 kids (and their dad), soccer, dance, outdoor activities, reading.

 

 

Greg Hartley, PT, MS, GCSGreg Hartley, PT, MS, GCS , Director
term expires: 2008

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   

 

 

Ellen Strunk, PT, MS, GCSEllen Strunk, PT, MS, GCS , Director
term expires: 2009

Current Employment

  • Director of Restore Staffing Solutions & Restore Outpatient Services, divisions of Restore Therapy, LLC in Birmingham, AL

 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

 

 

Cathy H. Ciolek, PT, DPT, GCSCathy H. Ciolek, PT, DPT, GCS , Delegate
term expires: 2008

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

 

 
 
 
 
 

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