Stroke Special Interest Group Leadership

* All the Physical Therapists listed are Board Certified Clinical Specialists in Neurologic Physical Therapy

Chair 

Michelle Sawtelle, PT, MPT, PhD*

Michelle Sawtelle, PT, PhD has been a physical therapist since 2007 and has taught in higher education since 2013 with primary areas of expertise in the evaluation and treatment of adults with neurologic movement disorders. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy and serves nationally within the Academy of Neurologic Physical therapy (ANPT) as the chair of the Stroke Special Interest Group (SIG). Her research is focused on the kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activation characteristics in the neuro population with most emphasis on post-stroke recovery of function. She also has a budding agenda investigating the role of nutrition in neuromuscular recovery. Michelle is currently an associate professor at The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin, TX and continues to see patients in both pro-bono and inpatient rehab settings.  

Vice Chair

Mackenzie Wilson, PT, DPT*

Mackenzie Wilson, PT, DPT graduated from University of Dayton with her Bachelor's Degree in 2016 and Indiana University's DPT Program in 2019. Following graduation, she completed her neurologic PT residency at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston, TX in 2020. She is a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist. Mackenzie is employed at Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, treating both pediatric and adult patient populations presenting primarily with neurologic conditions. She currently serves as the New Professional Board Member for the Indiana APTA, as the Vice Chair of the Stroke Special Interest Group, and is a member of the physical therapy residency accreditation onsite review team. She is passionate about evidence-based practice and knowledge sharing.

Secretary

Anne Boddy, PT, DPT, PhD*

Anne Boddy is Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Baylor University in Waco, TX. She has been in physical therapy education since 2009. Dr. Boddy received her Bachelor's from Ohio University, Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2006, and her PhD in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University in 2019. Dr. Boddy is board-certified as a neurologic clinical specialist and focuses her teaching in the areas of neurology and pediatrics. Her areas of research include clinical care in the areas of neurologic physical therapy and physical therapy education. Dr. Boddy resides in St. Augustine, Florida and serves as the Vice Chair for the Northern District of the Florida Physical Therapy Association.

Nominating Committee

Jessica S.B. Denniston PT, DPT*

Jessica S.B. Denniston is an alumnus of the Arcadia University DPT program (class of 2015), a licensed direct-access physical therapist in the state of Pennsylvania, a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy (2018), and a certified yoga instructor (2020). After rotations with NYU and Brooks Rehabilitation, her clinical practice began at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas in the inpatient rehabilitation setting, where she collaborated with individuals after stroke and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Denniston also specialized within the Disorders of Consciousness (DoC), Neurobehavioral, and Spasticity Management teams, where some of her interests in education and research reside. She is a member of the Neurology and Leadership and Innovations sections of the APTA, and her continuing education focuses on best practice in education, global health and policy, diversity equity and inclusion, and hospice and palliative care. She has also worked with AU DPT's international service learning programs since 2014, in addition to regular volunteer work in local outpatient pro-bono clinics, leading to her current role as Director of Student Experiential Learning with Arcadia University. Jessica comes from her family’s farmland in Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania (fourth generation); she is an avid book reader, mover (preferably outside), traveler, and food cooker / eater. She met her husband in Houston seven years ago, and lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with 3 ‘fur kids.’

Chitra Lakshmi Balasubramanian PT, PhD

   

Chitra Balasubramanian, PT, PhD, CEEAA received her Bachelor in Physiotherapy from Manipal University, India and her PhD in Rehabilitation Science from University of Florida. Dr. Balasubramanian is a Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at University of North Florida (UNF). At UNF, she is also the Director of UNF Hicks Hall Research laboratory and an adjunct faculty in the UNF Biomedical Sciences Program. The overarching goal of her research program is to motivate the design of personalized rehabilitative interventions for improvement of mobility, walking and balance function in older adults and individuals with neurologic injuries. Dr. Balasubramanian’s research methods utilize augmented reality, biomechanical, neurophysiologic, and clinical performance-based tools. She has numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations and has received internal and external grant funding to support her research program. Dr. Balasubramanian has received several awards for her roles as an educator and researcher to include the UNF Community Scholar Award, UNF Graduate Research Mentor Award, UNF Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, Manipal University Distinguished Alumnus Award, UNF Outstanding Research Scholar Award. In addition, she was the recipient of the 2022 ANPT Stroke SIG Research Award. Dr. Balasubramanian also serves several professional organizations, such as the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, Florida Physical Therapy Association, and International Society of Gait & Posture Research. She is also a licensed physical therapist and a certified exercise expert for aging adults and is actively engaged in service of her local community in northeast Florida. Dr. Balasubramanian is passionate about educating and mentoring evidence-based health care professionals, advancing clinical research and community service.

Ann O'Neil PT, DPT*

Ann O'Neil received her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience in 2013 and Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2015 from the University of Kentucky. She completed a Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency in 2021 at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and is board-certified as a neurologic clinical specialist. Her primary clinical experience was in pediatrics, but most recently has transitioned to treating the adult population across the continuum of care (acute care, inpatient rehab, and outpatient). She currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina.

SIG Initiative Volunteer Directors

Awards: Arco Paul PT, PhD, PGDM*

 

Arco Paul is an Associate Professor in the DPT program of Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, VA, and practices part-time as a staff PT at a local hospital. He is an APTA Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist. As a clinician and educator, he is interested in implementing and disseminating best available evidence to guide practice in the field of neuro-rehabilitation. Dr. Paul’s research interest is in studying the effects of exercise and task training on dual-task performance and functional recovery following neurological injuries. He is also interested in studying the efficacy of fall-risk assessment tools for older adults, and has conducted knowledge-translation activities in this area with local clinical partners.

Social Media: Kelly Martin PT, DPT

Kelly Martin PT, DPT obtained a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science, a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, and a minor in Education Studies all from Guilford College, followed by her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Campbell University in December 2022. She is currently working in an outpatient orthopedic and sports clinic in Greenville, North Carolina. Kelly particularly enjoys treating spine and lower extremity conditions, patients with oncology diagnosis, as well as neurological populations post stroke and Parkinsons. When Kelly is not in the office, she can be found discovering new music, enjoying the outdoors with her dog, and cooking. 

Stroke Corner Newsletter & Volunteers: Daniel Dray PT, DPT*

 

Daniel Dray, PT, DPT has been a clinical physical therapist for the past 9 years and is a Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist. Following his graduation in 2014 from the DPT program at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, he gained extensive experience working in the acute care and inpatient rehabilitation settings in Youngstown, Ohio. He received his NCS certification from the ABPTS in 2021. Dan's involvement in the ANPT lead to his personal adoption of high intensity gait training and passion for working to improve patient outcomes at his place of employment. In 2023, he became a part-time faculty member at Youngstown State University, where he assists with teaching neurologic content in the school's DPT program.

Student Corner Co-Directors: Pam Bosch PT, DPT, PhD & Dana Kahl PT, DPT 

     

Dr. Pamela Rogers Bosch, PT, DPT, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training at Northern Arizona University. Dr. Bosch received her entry-level physical therapy training at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor campus), her DPT from A.T. Still University (Mesa, AZ) and her PhD in Exercise Physiology from Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ). Dr. Bosch has clinical expertise in the neurorehabilitation of adults and children, and she has practiced in a variety of settings. Dr. Bosch’s research passion focuses on the successful rehabilitation of adults after stroke, specifically optimizing physical function and community reintegration, while reducing subsequent stroke risk and rehospitalization. Both clinical and research experiences have increased her awareness of the impact of social risk factors on patients’ reintegration into society, thus Dr. Bosch also studies the role of caregivers on patients’ successful return to community. Dr. Bosch has enjoyed many interdisciplinary research collaborations and a list of her published works can be viewed on MyNCBI ( Pamela Bosch's Bibliography) or Google Scholar (Pamela Rogers Bosch).

Dana Kahl is an Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education. She received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma in 1991, her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of New England in 2015, and a Doctor of Education degree in Adult and Lifelong Learning from the University of Arkansas in 2023, and is a graduate of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership. Dana has more than thirty years of clinical experience, primarily treating individuals with neurological disorders, including spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, and Parkinson’s disease, and is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurological Physical Therapy (NCS). Dr. Kahl is passionate about breaking down societal barriers for individuals with neurological conditions, especially in the pursuit of physical activity and wellness. She and her colleagues are currently researching the effects of CrossFit community-based classes in individuals with neurological diagnoses including Spinal Cord Injury and Parkinson’s disease.

Podcast Video/Audio Editor: Cicely Fabiano PT, DPT

Cicely Fabiano claims both Utah and Texas as home. She is a huge fan of music in all its forms. She loves to be outside hiking or taking scenic drives. Cicely currently works in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, but has loved her clinical experiences in inpatient and neurological settings and plans to return to the neurological setting in the future. Like most in our profession, Cicely is most passionate about helping people return to the lifestyle and activities that they love, and providing encouragement to them along the way.

Social Media Student Volunteers: Autumn Creighton SPT, and Dylan Appleman, SPT