Dr. Dawson is an Associate Professor in the Division of Physical Therapy at the University of Central Florida and Co-Director of the Innovative Mobility Innovative (IMOVE™) Lab. She  graduated from Ohio University with a Masters’ degree in Physical Therapy in 2002. Dr. Dawson is a Board Certified Geriatric Physical Therapist with over 19 years of clinical experience along with a PhD in Adult Development & Aging Psychology from Cleveland State University. She has been recognized for excellence in teaching by the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy through receipt of the Distinguished Educator Award and the American Physical Therapy Association being awarded the Margaret L. Moore Outstanding New Academic Faculty Award. Her current area of research includes developing non-pharmacological interventions to improve functional and psychosocial outcomes in older adults with chronic disease including those with dementia, identifying predictors of falls and gait disorders in older adults, as well as gaining a better understanding of the disability experience. Dr. Dawson has been published in peer-reviewed journals including The Gerontologist and the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. She has presented at numerous international and national conferences on the subject of geriatric rehabilitation. She is passionate about the bettering the treatment and care of older adults and is dedicated to assisting students and clinicians in gaining skills and knowledge to better help their patients maximize their potential.

Morris “Rick” Beato, PT, DPT, GCS, NCS, is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is the Director of the UCF and Orlando Health Neurologic Residency Program. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Perpetual Help and received his post-professional clinical doctorate from the University of South Dakota. He has a dual Board Certification in Geriatric and Neurologic Physical Therapy with 19 years of clinical experience. Dr. Beato is a Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult. Rick is a past Chair of the Geriatric Specialty Council and is the current Item Review Coordinator of the Neurologic Specialty Council of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties; Dr. Beato was a recipient of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy’s Outstanding Service Award. Rick has been published in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy and Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. His clinical expertise is in geriatric neurology and he has presented nationally and internationally in the topics of neurologic rehabilitation of the older adult. Dr. Beato is passionate in treating older adults and he maintains clinical practice in the skilled nursing facility and home health care settings.

Lise McCarthy, PT, DPT, GCS, is a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatrics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties since 2003. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Volunteer Faculty member at the University of California at San Francisco, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science. From 2014 to 2019 McCarthy served as the Founding Chair of the Cognitive and Mental Health Special Interest Group where she focused her efforts on collaborating with other similarly minded physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in publishing multi-media materials (e.g. peer-reviewed and clinical articles, assistant editor and guest editor of GeriNotes, national lectures, PTNow Test and Measures, poster presentations.) For her exceptional service and commitment to the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, she received the 2018 Presidents award. She has also delivered multiple local, state, and national talks, in addition to workshops and videos on topics related to cognitive and mental health, fall risk, and pain.