May 2020 Newsletter

OUR NEW NORMAL.

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF SPORTS PHYSICAL THERA PY

PREPARING FOR NEXT STEPS.

COVID-19 Resources, Recommendations From APTA Components PT In Motion News, May 6, 2020 The association's sections and academies have been creating invaluable resources and curating offerings from other agencies and organizations. Here's a sampling of what they recommend.

Collaborations COVID-19: Minimizing the Impact of Social Distancing for the Older Adult Recorded webinar Representatives from the APTA Home Health Section, APTA Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy, the APTA Section on Health Policy and Administration, and APTA Geriatrics and its Cognitive and Mental Health Special Interest Group discuss ways individuals, their families, caregivers, and PTs and PTAs can help minimize the impact of isolation being experienced by many older adults.

Post-Acute Exercise and Rehabilitation (PACER) Series Webinar Series This continually growing series of webinars is an initiative shared by multiple APTA sections and academies to increase practitioner proficiency in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy. Currently available modules include information on examination, geriatric considerations, pediatric considerations, cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, pulmonary rehabilitation, and COVID-19-specific considerations. See information on specific modules under the component headings.

Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy Clinical Best Practices in Physical Therapy Management Recorded webinar Highlights current insight into pathophysiology and medical management of COVID-19, including its widespread acute inflammatory microvascular changes resulting in multisystem effects.

Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management Protecting Facial Skin Under PPE N95 Face Masks Infographic An easy-to-understand guide from NPIAP on protecting facial skin is suitable for printing out and displaying.

Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy Is COVID-19 Spread Through Water?

Blog post The Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy is referencing the CDC for the most-up-to date information on the question of whether or not COVID-19 is spread through swimming pools.

APTA Geriatrics PACER Series: Geriatric Considerations, COVID-19 Recorded webinar This one-hour course will provide clinicians with an overview of how and why COVID-19 has had such a significant impact on older adults.

Home Health Section OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 Guidance document These OSHA guidelines include information on personal protective equipment and protection of workers with high risk of exposure.

Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy PACER Series: Pediatric Considerations Recorded webinar This course explores the statistics of pediatric COVID-19, sequela of the disease including heart and lung function, how lung development plays a role in disease’s course, and appropriate outcome measures and interventions following the acute phase of the disease.

APTA Private Practice Section Managing Your Practice Through the Pandemic — Next Steps Recorded webinar A panel discussion looking at how five practices, from small to large and with varying situations, are each responding to keep their practices going through this crisis, especially as many states begin the early stages of lifting bans.

MEMBER OF INTEREST: TIM VIDALE success in high school as a foursport athlete, playing football, basketball, track & field and bowling. He continued his athletic career in college as he accepted a track and field scholarship to Florida A&M University. Following graduation from FAMU in 2006, he headed north to begin the final part of his journey to becoming a PT, enrolling at Rutgers University in pursuit of his DPT. This was certainly a long way from Florida, but he felt this was the best decision for him as a new city and surroundings would help decrease distractions.

Tim Vidale, show with his wife, Jeanna, and daughters Taryn and Sage.

By Vien Vu If you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than one of the AASPT’s very own nominating committee members, Tim Vidale.

Tim is a physical therapist who currently owns his own cashbased clinic in Washington, DC. His incredible journey was wrought with challenges and is one worth spotlighting.

Most people don’t know what a physical therapist does, but Tim knew he wanted to be a physical therapist at the age of 13. He originally wanted to be an athletic

trainer but after a career day during his freshman year of high school, he decided that wasn’t the route he wanted to pursue – but sports were still to be the center of his career path. Shortly after this, he had a conversation with a physical therapist that was doing rehab in the training room on one of his football team mates that made it crystal clear to him what his new path was to be.

With his goal in mind, he began quite an interesting route to becoming a physical therapist.

Like most sports physical therapists, Tim was an athlete. He had

Although this seems like a traditional path to a physical therapy degree, there were tough times that Tim had to endure. Tim, his mother and his three siblings were homeless during his entire time in high school. They would live in a shelter run by nuns in a rough neighborhood in his hometown of Youngstown, OH. His mother still pursued her bachelors’ degree while working during this time. College for him, though, seemed like light years away, as he was tasked with many family responsibilities.

Managing to graduate high school in the midst of all this, a move across the country for school was hardly an easy decision, let alone an affordable one. However, these tough times are what have propelled him through the rest of his life.

Physical therapy school came with its own share of challenges,

Tim is shown with Luis Arraez, who plays second base for the Minnesota Twins in the Major League.

as Tim struggled to find his way in and out of the classroom during this time. He knew he had a goal and the grit that he learned earlier in life is what got him through as he kept his eyes on the prize. He credits one of his professors at Rutgers, Dr. Evan Cohen, with significantly helping him with his development through this time. He graduated from Rutgers in 2010. Finally, he achieved the goal that he set for himself 12 years earlier. Now he had to become a sports PT. How do you do that?

After PT school, he fielded interviews as any new grad would, weighing his options on what job he wanted to take. It came down to two jobs, one in Houston, TX and one in Washington, DC. The Houston job offered him substantially more money with a

cheaper cost of living, but it wasn’t a sports job. The DC clinic offered a high sports caseload, good culture and staff members but less money in a more expensive city. He took the DC job. It was there that he met other physical therapists and athletic trainers that taught him a lot about the profession and exposed him to both the sports and business sides of the profession.

Another goal that he had, which is common of sports PTs, was to work in collegiate or professional sports. He landed a few interviews, but never got any offers. It left him wondering what else could he do to make him a better candidate. Numerous courses, certifications, and conferences improved him clinically, but did not move him closer to his goal.

In 2013, the AASPT began offering the Kevin Wilk Traveling Fellowship. He viewed Kevin Wilk as a leader in sports PT and someone that he would want to model his career after and this was an opportunity to do that, so he applied. His excitement would soon be quelled as he was denied. He remained enthusiastic and reapplied the next cycle, only to be denied again. At this point, he thought that maybe this fellowship wasn’t for him, so he did not reapply for the next cycle and moved on with other endeavors. A few years later, a chance encounter with Rob Manske at a lobby bar encouraged him to try again. With his newfound inspiration, he decided to apply a third time…and got denied once again. It wasn’t until his 4th application that he was selected for the fellowship. His persistence was rewarded as his experience was memorable and turned out to be just the boost he needed. The fellowship indirectly led him to a job with the Minnesota Twins as their physical therapist. While on the fellowship in South Carolina, he learned about the MOTUS sleeve from Chuck Thigpen. Some time later, during his interview with the Twins, the MOTUS sleeve was brought up as a part of a study they were conducting and his familiarity and exposure to it gave him an edge in the process.

They offered him the job.

In order to pursue his dream with the Twins job, he lived away from his wife and two daughters, but traveled back to DC as frequently as he could. Just prior to accepting the job, however, he

tently attends local and national physical therapy meetings and conferences.

started an Executive MBA program at George Washington University, which he continued with while working. After a year with the Twins, time away from his family was taking a toll, and he decided to move back to Washington, DC to be with them. On the heels of this move, and nearing the end of his FAAOMPT program, he decided to start his own company, Momentous Sports Medicine. By having his own business, he could utilize the full skillset of a physical therapist at the highest level as well as put his MBA to use. He had experience working in insurance-based clinics and found that cash-based was the best route for his company.

With a firm grasp on his business, he is now able to dedicate time to his next goal: serving the profession of physical therapy and the members of the AASPT. Tim is very involved in the profession and holds many positions. Aside from being a Nominating Committee member, he is also the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and a member of the Practice Commit-

tee for the Academy. He is also on the Education Committee for the Private Practice Section and the Nominating Committee chair for FSBPT. Tim also sits on the State Board of Physical Therapy for Washington, DC. He consis-

Tim speaking at TCC.

When he reflects on what and who got him here, he had quick answers. First is his family: his wife Jeanna, and his daughters Taryn (6) and Sage (3). They supported him in this journey and dealt with the sacrifices he had to make. Another motivation was his tough upbringing. He learned how to overcome obstacles, but also knew he never wanted to go back to life like that. Lastly, his list of people that helped him along the way: his godfather, Terrence Hazel; his high school track coach, Art Carter; John DeWitt (Ohio State); Rob Manske (Wichita State); and two very good friends, Ron Weathers (formerly

“Some people only focus on networking but fail to lead a life and career by example.

Develop a strong work ethic and record of high character and accountability; the success, jobs, and people will be attracted to that.”

HELP AN IFSPT MEMBER! Luciana De Michelis Mendonça is a post-doctoral student and the secretary for the IFSPT. She was a cochair of physical therapy at the Rio Olympics and has spoken at our Team Concept Conference. Please take a few moments to help her research by taking this survey.

Dear AASPT member:

of the Orlando Magic and LA Lakers) and Powell Bernhardt (Charlotte Hornets).

Tim and his daughters take in a Washington Wizards basketball game.

He continues to add to an already impressive career and has advice for those who want to succeed in the physical therapy profession.

His advice to new grads and students would be to find a mentor as early as you can. The support and advice will help your process while also keeping you mentally healthy. Most importantly, he says to commit to only things that you enjoy. He advocates against doing something just because it sounds cool, but for the love. He reminds people that physical therapy has many options and you can move around if necessary to find career happiness. His last advice is a spin on a common phrase, “It isn’t about who you know, it’s about who knows you.

Some people only focus on net-

working but fail to lead a life and career by example. Develop a strong work ethic and record of high character and accountability; the success, jobs, and people will be attracted to that.”

It would have been a lot easier to write this highlight if Tim had a straightforward path to physical therapy, and also did not have so many different experiences. However, it is for those reasons why this spotlight is on Tim, and why he will continue to be a leader and role model for the profession.

Thank you for everything and being you, Tim!

I need your help on my post doc research about injury prevention!

If you have been working with a sport or military organizations, and have any experience in injury prevention, please, fill out the questionnaire clicking on the link below.

There is no consensus in the literature about how to organize and implement a preventive program. The aim of this study is to identify the role of physical therapists in this process and characterizes the structure of preventive programs that are being applied in sports teams of different levels worldwide. You will take about 10 to 12 minutes to fill out the questionnaire! Please access the survey on the link: Or: https://bit.ly/2SnY6ez Please contact me if you have any questions: lucianademichelis@gmail.com +32 467818326 +55 31 988882945 Thank you!

Luciana De Michelis Mendonça

APTA is offering Virtual NEXT to provide outstanding continuing education at greatly reduced rates to support the physical therapy community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

APTA members get access to more than 20 courses with related CEUs, plus several special sessions, for only $20. Non-members pay only $40.

Other live events to be announced!

Overview Dates: The Virtual NEXT course bundle is available for purchase in the APTA Learning Center! All Virtual NEXT CEU sessions will be available on-demand starting June 3, 2020. Virtual NEXT is available for purchase through July 31, 2020.

Those who purchase Virtual NEXT will have access to all courses until December 31, 2020, and will have 90 days to complete any individual Virtual NEXT course once starting the course. Additional live events to be announced!

CEUs: More than 2.0 CEUs (20 contact hours) will be available within the Virtual NEXT bundle. CEUs will be assigned individually to each course and provided upon successful completion of a post-test assessment. Restrictions apply in some states.

A Sample of Sessions Providing CEUs Addressing the Opioid Problem With Physical Therapy: Advocacy, Education, and Training Brendon Larsen, PTA; Norman Johnson, PT, DPT, DEd; Rebecca Stevens, PTA, LMT, MA Integrative Pain Management Ziya Altug, PT, DPT, MS Is It Really Back Pain? A CaseBased Approach to Differential Diagnosis and Medical Screening Jeffrey Ebert, PT, DPT; Ellen Perlow, PT, DPT Morbidity and Mortality Conference: Learning From Early-Career Professionals Steven Ambler, PT, DPT, MPH, PhD; Jamie Dyson, PT, DPT; Constanza Aranda Garcia, PT, DPT, MSPH Movement Screening Tests for Athletes: Tools for Effective Clinical Practice Nicole Chimera, PhD; Monica Lininger, PhD, ATC; Craig Smith, PT, DPT; Meghan Warren, PT, PhD Movement System Musculoskeletal Diagnoses of Lumbar Spine and Shoulder Paula Ludewig, PT, PhD, FAPTA; Shirley Sahrmann, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Movement System Neuromuscular Diagnoses Patricia McGee, PT, DPT; Patricia Scheets, PT, DPT, MHS; Shirley Sahrmann, PT, PhD, FAPTA Physical Therapist-Led Telehealth for Postacute Arthroplasty Patients Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic Elizabeth Biehl, PT, DPT, MBA; Charles Fisher, PT, MBA Team Treatment of the Arthritic Knee From First Office Visit to Last Post-op Visit Scot Bauman, PT, DPT; William Claussen, PT Tough to Treat: Increase Your Clinical Expertise by Learning to Assess the Complex Patient Erica Meloe, PT, MA, MBA; Susan Clinton, PT, DScPT What Would You Do? Injury Prevention and Return-to-Play Criteria in Sports Physical Therapy Gary Calabrese, PT, DPT; Walter Jenkins, PT, ATC, DHS; Terry Malone, PT, ATC, EdD, FAPTA; Robert Manske, PT, DPT, MEd There is so much more! Go to this link for all the details!

APTA ANNOUNCES AWARD RECIPIENTS AASPT Members Among Honorees The AASPT is proud to announce that eight AASPT Members have been named as award recipients by the APTA.

Danny D. Smith, PT, DPT, BoardCertified Orthopaedic and Sports Clinical Specialist Lucy Blair Service Award

William D. Bandy, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist Catherine Worthingham Fellow

James R. Giebfried, PT, DPT, MA, MBA Societal Impact Award Mark F. Reinking, PT, MPT, ATC, FAPTA, Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist Catherine Worthingham Fellow

Brittanie Rachelle Brantley, PTA Mary McMillan Scholarship Award

Paul A. Rockar, Jr, PT, DPT, MS, FAPTA Catherine Worthingham Fellow, Lucy Blair Service Award and Marilyn Moffat Leadership Award Kaylee Pobocik, PT, DPT Mary McMillan Scholarship Award

Elmer Platz, PT Lucy Blair Service Award

Congratulations to our members and their outstanding achievements and contributions to physical therapy!

UPCOMING FREE WEBINARS On Thursday, May 21, 2020 the PFATS Foundation will be hosting an Educational Webinar via Zoom from 4-7pm EST for athletic trainers, physical therapists, student athletic trainers, physical therapy students as well as other providers who may be interested in virtually attending, as a way to give back to those and other interested health care professionals. In partnering with Gatorade, and more specifically the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, will be able to offer three (3) free Category A NATA BOC CEU’s for attendance and completion of the postwebinar questionnaire.

In lieu of charging for this educational webinar, we will encourage those that are virtually attending to make a donation through a GoFundMe campaign which has been established to raise money for the COVID-19 frontline workers.

Stepping Up Your Rehab Game: Leveraging Laser Therapy for Foot and Ankle Injuries Learn how deep tissue laser therapy can help with several common foot and ankle complaints, including plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy. General laser therapy principles related to sprains and strains, including treatment tips for achieving optimal outcomes, will also be discussed.

The webinar registration information will be going out on the PFATS social media sites later this evening. Please feel free to pass along to anyone who might be interested in attending.

Key talking points will include: 1. Using laser therapy to manage swelling after sprains/strains 2. Treatment recommendations for plantar fasciitis 3. Treatment recommendations for Achilles tendinopathy

More information can be found at the following link: https://www.pfats.com/events/pfats-foundation-educational-webinar/

Watch Webinar Now>https://learn.lightforcemedical.com/aaspt-webinar-stepping-up-your-rehabgame

THE GYMNAST’S SHOULDER Thursday, May 28, 2020 8:00 p.m. EDT Register Now

Facilitated by Matthew Greenfield, PT, DPT Marisa Pontillo, PT, PhD, DPT, SCS

Gymnasts experience unique biomechanical demands and typically demonstrate remarkable flexibility and dynamic stability, and these factors should be considered during assessment and when designing interventions for these athletes. This presentation will examine the biomechanical demands of gymnastics, demonstrate sport-specific rehabilitation progressions, and discuss return to sport algorithm.

Presented by the AASPT Shoulder SIG Registration is required to receive information on how to join the meet up, but there is no cost to attend. Please register before May 22 to secure your space.

Questions? Contact Shoulder SIG Chair Marisa Pontillo

MEMBERSHIP NEWS THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU!

VIRTUAL ACADEMY HAPPY HOUR

THE GYMNAST’S SHOULDER

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 7:00 p.m. EDT Register Now

The Sports Academy is currently looking for volunteers for a number of significant leadership roles on the Academy’s membership team.

Are you looking to get more involved, have a few years of volunteer experience and Academy membership under your belt, and want to make a difference in our members’ overall experience in the AASPT? Then these positions are for you!

To learn more, check out these posts: Membership Team: Vice-Chair Membership Team: New and Returning Member Coordinator Membership Team: Mentoring Coordinator Looking to get involved for the first time? We have the perfect opportunity for you. Become an Academy Ambassador.

Membership Team: Academy Ambassadors (multiple open positions available)

Members of the Academy come together online via Zoom for a virtual Happy Hour with a focus on a special topic(s) sourced by you -the members. Join from your home office or living room where the only rule is to just be comfortable. After that, there are no limits.

This month's topic will be on the future of continuing education, not only for the Sports Academy, but for the profession. Join Erik Meira, PT, DPT, as he discusses where the Sports Academy is looking to go with both virtual and in-person meetings and trends happening in the industry. There will be ample opportunity for discussion and question and answer.

Registration is required to receive information on how to join the meet up, but there is no cost to attend. Please register before May 22 to secure your space.

Register Now! Questions? Contact Director of Member Engagement Jayme Little.

Thursday, May 28, 2020 8:00 p.m. EDT Register Now Gymnasts experience unique biomechanical demands and typically demonstrate remarkable flexibility and dynamic stability, and these factors should be considered during assessment and when designing interventions for these athletes. This presentation will examine the biomechanical demands of gymnastics, demonstrate sportspecific rehabilitation progressions, and discuss return to sport algorithm.

Facilitated by Matthew Greenfield, PT, DPT Marisa Pontillo, PT, PhD, DPT, SCS Presented by the AASPT Shoulder SIG Registration is required to receive information on how to join the meet up, but there is no cost to attend. Please register before May 22 to secure your space.

Register Now! Questions? Contact Shoulder SIG Chair Marisa Pontillo

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: AMBER DONALDSON, PT, DPT Not long after moving to Hawaii to work in a multidisciplinary clinic would Dr. Donaldson’s career flourish in sports. Through her connections in Australia, Dr. Donaldson began an exhilarating career with the Women’s Tennis Association. “I love being pushed out of my comfort zone and being forced to learn, to get better. Being cutting edge. We had an professional team of providers around the world and athletes to work with. And then you’re traveling the world. The things that are stressors are also pretty cool.

Sometimes you forget about that at the eleventh hour when you’re dead tired. It kind of sucks you in and it’s hard to break out of.”

By Shanon Fronek Member spotlights offer an opportunity to learn from the professional journeys of some of our most accomplished memberprofessionals. For this month’s spotlight I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Amber Donaldson, who is one fiercely motivated and inspirational female in sports medicine. Every individual’s journey into the world of sports is different, and Dr. Donaldson’s is no exception. She has touched the lives of many athletes and aspiring professionals throughout her career in the Women’s Tennis Association, and now as the Senior Director of Sports Medicine Clinics for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Her dedication for continual growth and honest reflection of her journey in sports is truly empowering.

Dr. Donaldson always knew her goal was to become a physical therapist. She completed her undergraduate education at Pepperdine University in Sports Medicine and attended graduate school at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, which at the time was one of three Doctor of Physical Therapy programs in the country. In an effort to secure her final clinical rotation in Australia, she sent letters to every physiotherapist requesting to accept a student. She completed her final rotation under the direction of Jenny McConnel working with elite Aussie athletes at Olympic Park Sports Medicine and assisted with post-

polio research at MECRS, a Falls and Balance Center.

Ambitious to continue learning from some of the best in sports medicine, Dr. Donaldson would be the first American to complete the Masters in Manipulative Therapy program at the University of Melbourne. She described the experience as, “amazing! “A lot of the gurus, Butler, Mulligan, Cook, Zito, McConnell and many others, actually taught me in person.”

“Coming out of PT school, we are trained as generalists. “I think that my assessment skills greatly improved after the Manips program, as well as my understanding of manual therapy, and sports as well. I feel like the program helped set me up for breaking into sports medicine.”

On the flip side, there are many challenges that come with working in a professional sports environment. “Everyone thinks that working in sports medicine is glamorous, you get to travel and work with pro teams/athletes.

There’s not really anything glamorous about it. It’s a lot of hard work and long hours.”

Language barriers. “At that time, we did tournaments ourselves. It was the first year of a tournament in China. They were serving fried bird heads for lunch. No one spoke English. [Medical professionals] want to try to inject your athlete with something. And you’re like what is that? It was an experience to say the least.”

High pressure. “[The athletes] want you to know them immediately. You shouldn’t have to ask what’s wrong. How they like their ankle taped. You need to be

Caring for Serena Williams on the court.

After serving as Medical Director for the Women’s Tennis Association, Dr. Donaldson joined the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). In her current role as the Senior Director of Sports Medicine Clinics, she oversees administrative aspects across all three sports medicine clinics, and is Team USA medical director for the upcoming Paralympic games. Two pictures on the wall in her office remind her of some tremendous career moments with USOPC. One picture is of a paralympic athlete who competed in Korea.

The athlete dislocated her elbow

able to do it quickly, because on the court you have sixty seconds to assess them and ninety seconds to treat them. You need to know your stuff, be ready and know your athlete. And do all of that with a camera is in your face. I think I cried every day for two years straight, because it was so grueling and intense.”

Long hours and sleep deprivation.

“Some weeks we’d eat lunch at 6:00 PM and dinner at midnight.

Go to bed at 2-3:00 AM, and back at the courts at 7:00 AM. It’s nine weeks straight without a day off.

It’s just the way you live. It’s a challenging lifestyle, though it’s gotten much better since I started.”

The reality is that “it’s a grind.

“You feel like you’re a pretty good therapist and then you go into a setting like that, and you’re like, dang, I don’t know anything, what I am doing here?

And then it starts to click. It’s not so bad. Ninety seconds [feels like] an eternity. I can do twelve things in this time frame! But it is a steep learning curve.”

Dr. Donaldson in Pyeongchang for the the Paralympics Games in 2018.

Photo Copyright Getty Images.

“Females in elite sports: you have to prove yourself a little more.” sport. A lot of athletes I’ve treated along the way have been mentors to me whether they knew it or not.

I’ve learned a lot from them in terms of interpersonal communication, mind of an athlete, and how I can help people achieve their dreams without getting in the way.”

a couple weeks before the games making her status questionable.

“We worked and worked, and she ended up winning five gold medals. She is an incredible athlete. I know she had to have been in a great deal of pain, but she just pushed through.”

“Those little things where I was able to make a little bit of a difference to help her get through and help make her dream come true is unbelievable.” The other picture is of another winter athlete “who had the worst concussion I’ve ever seen in my life, complicated with a lot of other things. I worked with her every day for six months. She won a medal in Korea and reclaimed the world championship.”

“Those are just a couple recent examples. It’s not about anything that I did. It’s just being along the journey with them, keeping them on track, and pulling in resources when they need them.”

Dr. Donaldson continues to push herself to learn and grow outside of her comfort zone. She attributes some of these qualities as being essential to getting her to this point in her career. In 2019, Dr. Donaldson became one of the first Americans to complete the Diploma in Sports Physical Therapies awarded by the International Olympic Committee. She also completed a Women in Leadership program through the University of Utah. “I am willing to seize opportunities

Dr. Amber Donaldson leaves aspiring sports professionals with these final pieces of exceptional career advice.

“Get outside of your comfort zone.”

“Do things that no one else is doing.”

that are a lot of work, but I can see the benefit later on, or take on the less glamorous projects. Being a lifelong learner has paid off for me and being okay with being uncomfortable.”

“Females in elite sports, you have to prove yourself a little more.”

Another important component Dr. Donaldson attributes to her success are her mentors and the opportunity to learn from so many people around the world.

“People who have spent time with me and given me opportunities that maybe I would not have had otherwise. I think it’s a lot about the connections you make and maintain especially in this small world of sports medicine.” She thanks Kathleen Stroia, PT, ATC, for challenging and supporting her, and Billie Jean King for being “such an inspiration for women in

“Never work alone. I think you only know what you know, and you don’t know what you don’t know. With other people, that’s where you get to learn and stretch and grow, figure out different ways of doing things to get to the same conclusion.”

“Find good mentors.”

“Put yourself out there. A lot of times that means you’re volunteering and not getting paid. If you really want this then that is what you have to do sometimes to get your skills to where they should be. I don’t think walking out of any physical therapy school in the U.S. you are ready to walk into an elite sports setting, unfortunately. If you want to work in elite sports, you have to do something extra.”

SPORTS ACADEMY WELCOMES NEW MARKETING DIRECTOR The AASPT welcomes Liv Martin as its new Director of Marketing and Communications. As a 2016 graduate from The Kelley School of Business at IUPUI, Liv has been immersed in the world of Digital Marketing in all facets of business

Mary Wilkinson has submitted her resignation as AASPT Marketing Director, effective May 29, 2020.

Mary has made a significant contribution to the growth and success of AASPT during her 17+ years as a consultant with our organization. Her dedication to the Academy has left a lasting impression on all of us.

Most recently, Liv served as the Digital Marketing Specialist at Indiana Blood Center where she focused on recruiting thousands of donors across the state of Indiana to help save the lives of fellow Hoosiers and patients across the country.

Liv also recently served as the Digital Marketing Specialist at Beam, Longest & Neff – a civil engineering firm in Indianapolis, Indiana.

When Liv is not working, she enjoys hiking with her husband Cory and almost one-year old son Greyson, helping women start their own businesses, reading, interior decorating, playing board or card games, and attending Chicago Cubs games with a necessary stop at the Cubby Bear before and after the game.

Liv shares, “I am extremely excited to be a part of the association world once again where I can help and serve members across the country as they continue to do what they love. As the Director of Marketing and Communications, I

WILKINSON DEPARTS AASPT

plan to become a marketing resource for all members, working with Jayme to increase member retention, and developing opportunities for growth and better communication across the Academy."

Liv will take over many of the dayto-day marketing and communications duties of the academy, including member communication, website maintenance, and Academy marketing.

A warm welcome to Liv! She can be reached at lmartin@aaspt.org.

We are likely to see Mary around from time to time, as she continues as Director of Marketing for the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy, of which AASPT is the largest member organization, and the Science of Running Medicine.

“I will truly miss the AASPT and all of its wonderful members,” Mary says. “I wish nothing but the best for the Academy in the future!”

We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to Mary for her years of dedicated service and wish her the best as she undertakes new adventures.

KEVIN WILK TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP CANCELLED FOR FALL 2020 Due to COVID-19, the AASPT has made the difficult decision to cancel the Fall 2020 Kevin Wilk Traveling Fellowship.

The Academy will post additional information when it is available.

Stay safe!

COURSES The current restrictions continue to play havoc on live course plans.

Please see our Calendar on our website for the latest information on AASPT and partner courses.

Stay safe and healthy!

After the last several weeks, clinicians are asking what they can do to increase revenue and help their practices get back on their feet.

In an effort to stand with our customers and clinicians everywhere, LightForce is hosting a webinar series to help you Jumpstart Your Practice.

Part 2- Laser Treatment Techniques With Knee Treatment Application from Kevin Wilk Achieving outcomes begins with the basic building block of performing effective treatments. In order to perform effective treatments, you must understand how to correctly dose based on the condition and desired outcomes.

In this 45-minute webinar, learn from Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS, as he unpacks evidence-based treatment techniques. During this webinar, you will uncover: • The role of joules, watts, energy density, and power density in treating with high power lasers • Dosing concepts for acute vs. chronic conditions • Kevin Wilk, PT, DPT, FAPTA, demonstrating a live knee treatment • Specific treatment recommendations for the neck, back, and shoulder Follow this link!

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER!

TEAM CONCEPT CONFERENCE 2020

DECEMBER 3-5 LAS VEGAS