Beth Linker, a former physical therapist turned historian, is the Samuel H. Preston Endowed Term Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Renowned for her insightful works on rehabilitation and disability, her latest book, Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America, delves into the historical fears surrounding poor posture in the 20th century.

Full Bio

Beth Linker, a former physical therapist, is the Samuel H. Preston Endowed Term Professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of the History and Sociology of Science. She is the author of War’s Waste: Rehabilitation in World War I America (Chicago, 2011) and co-editor of Civil Disabilities: Citizenship, Membership, and Belonging (Penn Press, 2014). Her most recent book, Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America (Princeton University Press, 2024), is a historical consideration of how poor posture became a feared pathology in the United States throughout much of the twentieth century. For this project, Linker received grants from The American Council of Learned Societies, The National Endowment for the Humanities, The National Institutes of Health, and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Dr. Sarah Caston is physical therapist who is board- certified neurologic and geriatric PT.  She is an Associate Professor within  Emory University’s Division of Physical Therapy. Dr. Caston received her BS in Rehabilitation Science from University of Pittsburgh in 2008 and her DPT in 2011 from Emory University. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Bioethics and Emory’s Center for Ethics. Dr. Caston’s passion for ethics in physical therapy was cultivated as a clinician where she witnessed both the gifts and limitations of the biomedical approach to care, and grew at the intersections of humanism justice and a desire for greater flourishing for patients and clinicians.

Alyssa Mitchell Gibbons, Ph.D., is an associate professor of industrial/organizational psychology at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. Dr. Gibbons’ research interests include safety culture, occupational health, and leadership development. Dr. Gibbons’ research has appeared in journals including Journal of Management, Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, Human Performance, Human Resource Management Review, International Journal of Selection and Assessment and Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice. Dr. Gibbons received her doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  

Dr. Rebecca Edgeworth Ditwiler, an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, is a board-certified orthopaedic specialist in physical therapy. With a PhD in Ethical Leadership, her research and teaching focus on ethics, professionalism, and leadership in the field. She also serves on the APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee.

Full Bio

 Rebecca Edgeworth Ditwiler, PT, DPT, PhD is an Associate Professor and board-certified orthopaedic specialist in physical therapy. She is a practicing physical therapist and educator in the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dr. Ditwiler is DPT Curriculum Coordinator and oversees interprofessional education in that role.  Becca Ditwiler received her DPT from Washington University in St. Louis in 2011 and completed a BS in Movement Science from the University of Michigan. Becca also completed a PhD in Ethical Leadership with a focus in higher education. Her research focuses on ethics, professionalism, and leadership. Dr. Ditwiler has also participated in clinical research and clinical service throughout her career.  She currently serves on the APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee and is an active member of the Florida Physical Therapy Association. She is part of USF’s Academy of Distinguished Educators.

Bernardine Spaulding Evans (She/Her/Hers) is a dedicated Clinical Assistant Professor at Howard University with over 30 years of experience in treating neurological disorders. She has served on the Board of Physical Therapy in DC for the past eight years, is a board member of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), and the Vice Chair of the PT Compact's Education and Outreach Committee.

Full Bio

Bernardine Spaulding Evans (She/Her/Hers) is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Howard University in Washington, DC. She began her academic career at Montgomery College's PTA program, teaching neuro-techniques for six years before joining Howard University's DPT program. She later became the Program Director of the physical therapy department and now teaches in the Department of Radiation Therapy.

Dr. Evans chairs the licensing Board of Physical Therapy in the District of Columbia and serves on the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. She is also Vice Chair of the PT Compact's Education and Outreach Committee and has chaired its compliance committee. At Howard University, she is a member of the College Grievance committee and an alternate delegate for the Faculty Senate.

With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Evans specializes in treating Traumatic Brain Injury and progressive brain disorders. She is a Board-Certified Specialist in Geriatrics and a published researcher in Geriatric Neurology. Her current research focuses on comparative anatomy and oncology. Dr. Evans has spoken at the FSBPT's annual education conference and the NICHD Eunice Kennedy Shriver international conference at NIH.

She also coordinates and serves on the board of Howard University’s Pro Bono Clinic, providing outreach primarily for Spanish-speaking populations in the District of Columbia.

Dustin Willis, PT, DPT, PhD(c), FAAOMPT, an experienced orthopaedic and sports physical therapist, is a fellowship-trained clinician and educator with a focus on ethics in clinical practice. A board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, Dr. Willis brings a unique perspective to the intersection of clinical excellence and ethical care in high-performance sports and orthopaedics.

Full Bio
Dustin Willis, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, is a board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialist and fellowship-trained sports and manual therapist. He completed his DPT at Loma Linda University, where he was recognized with multiple honors, and went on to complete an orthopaedic residency followed by fellowships at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, the Movement Performance Institute, and Azusa Pacific University. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Dr. Willis is currently completing his PhD, with research focused on the patient-provider relationship and the healing power of empathy and compassion. His teaching and clinical work explore the ethical dimensions of orthopaedic and sports practice, drawing from both research and real-world experience with elite and recreational athletes. Outside the classroom, he works with The Los Angeles Lakers, Quantum Performance, and Move Lab Los Angeles, supporting athletes in recovery and performance optimization.

Jessica Marengo, PT, DPT, SM is a physical therapist and current Duke University Faculty Development Resident. She is a Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor at Northeastern University and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Marengo earned both her BS in Rehabilitation Science and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Northeastern University. She recently completed her Master of Science in Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, where her research centered on disparate access to solid organ transplant for individuals with physical disabilities. Dr. Marengo has presented nationally at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting. Her work in bioethics has been recognized by the International Neuroethics Society and she was awarded an honorable mention for the 2023 Henry K. Beecher Prize in Medical Ethics. Jessica specializes in critical care rehabilitation with a particular focus on the care of patients pre and post heart and lung transplantation.

Babette Seligmann Sanders, PT, DPT, MS, FAPTA is a professor emeritus (2022) from the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. She was involved in DPT courses including ethics in Professional Role Development and Psychosocial Aspects of Human Behavior. She is currently serving as the Ethics Liaison for the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy, a delegate to the APTA House of Delegates from Illinois and a member of CAPTE (ASCC-RAI panel). She previously served on the APTA Board of Directors from 1997-2003 and as APTA Secretary from 2004-2010. During this time, she served as the APTA Board Liaison to the Ethics and Judicial Committee and was involved in the development of the APTA Code of Ethics,(2009).

Dr. Rebecca Leonard is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy. She earned her physical therapy degree from the University of Connecticut, a Master's in Physiology from Marshall University, a T-DPT, and a PhD from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She is an adjunct professor at Marymount University, teaching the pediatric course for third-year physical therapy graduate students. She has served as an adjunct professor at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, teaching the Family Studies course.

Dr. Leonard developed, owned, and directed Early Intervention Associates, a private pediatric physical therapy practice, for over 38 years until 2021. She continues as an active practitioner at EIA, pursuing and fostering continual learning to enhance the practice. She has enjoyed APTA activities with the awards committee, reviewing manuscripts and engaging with the Delphi survey for Angelman’s Syndrome Video Assessment for the development of a gross motor exam. For over 20 years, she has participated in Music and Motion, a dance program at Maryland Youth Ballet for children with disabilities.

Dr. Leonard received the Marymount University Physical Therapy Award for Clinical Excellence in 2017 and the APTA recognition for the Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Practice Award in 2018.

Dr. Magdalena M. Oledzka is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy with over 25 years of experience in the field. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Hunter College in 1998, followed by a Master of Business Administration from Baruch College in 2008, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Pediatric Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2018. Currently, she serves as an adjunct professor in the Pediatric PhD program at Rocky Mountain University and has previously held a position as an assistant adjunct professor at Brooklyn College.

Dr. Oledzka has been a member of the pediatric rehabilitation team at the Hospital for Special Surgery since 2007, where she is now the Clinical Lead at the Pediatric Rehabilitation and Young Athlete Center. Her research on the topic of congenital muscular torticollis has garnered recognition from the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, earning her the 2020 Dissertation Award.

Dr. Oledzka has traveled to China and Ghana to support and educate local pediatric therapists. She has authored numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals on congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) and has presented lectures across the U.S. and internationally on topics including infant development, cerebral palsy, and fostering motor competence in children of all abilities.

Dr. Kristen Snarski is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy who earned a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College in 1987, a Master of Health Science in Pediatric Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 1994, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2018. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Gannon University, where she teaches pediatric content and the evidence-based practice course sequence.   

In addition, Dr. Snarski helped create and teaches in Gannon University's undergraduate Minor in Innovation and Creativity, where she co-teaches a philosophy and ethical reasoning course. Before transitioning into academia, Dr. Snarski spent 25 years in full-time pediatric clinical practice. She maintains a small clinical practice, working with children and families in early intervention, preschool, and outpatient settings.

Dr. Sarah Caston is physical therapist who is board- certified neurologic and geriatric PT.  She is an Associate Professor within  Emory University’s Division of Physical Therapy. Dr. Caston received her BS in Rehabilitation Science from University of Pittsburgh in 2008 and her DPT in 2011 from Emory University. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Bioethics and Emory’s Center for Ethics. Dr. Caston’s passion for ethics in physical therapy was cultivated as a clinician where she witnessed both the gifts and limitations of the biomedical approach to care, and grew at the intersections of humanism justice and a desire for greater flourishing for patients and clinicians.

Sharon West, JD, joined APTA as Director, Commercial Payment and Policy in late 2024 and now serves as Director, Health Policy and Payment encompassing both commercial payment and federal regulatory affairs as of January 2025. Prior to joining APTA, Sharon was Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs at the American Clinical Laboratory Association. She also served as Director, Economic & Regulatory Affairs at the College of American Pathologists. Prior to her roles with associations, she was Senior Corporate Counsel for WellCare Health Plans. She also led negotiations and managed relationships with key health systems, hospitals, facilities, physicians, and other providers for Aetna, NYLCare Health Plans, and Prudential Insurance Company. She received a bachelor’s degree from Miami University (Ohio) and her law degree from George Mason University School of Law. She is a member of the Virginia bar.

Andrew Amari, JD, is a specialist within APTA's Health Policy and Payment Unit, advocating on regulatory policy issues affecting physical therapists in a variety of practice settings. Before joining the association in March 2022, Andrew was a regulatory analyst at the Association of American Medical Colleges, focusing on hospital payment and graduate medical education policy issues. Andrew received a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Wake Forest University and a JD from the University of Wisconsin School of Law. He is a member of the Wisconsin Bar.

Alice is on staff as senior payment specialist in the Payment and Practice Management Department of the APTA. She received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and a doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of Montana. Her specialties include integrated care delivery models, post-acute care, and long-term care. A board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy, she has lectured and written many articles on topics related to physical therapy and the older adult. She has spent the majority of her career in post-acute care and long-term care settings and has more than 36 years of experience as a physical therapist. Her professional activities include serving as a member of the National Quality Partnership Opioid Stewardship Steering Committee, co-leader of the NQF Opioid Stewardship Member Workgroup, APTA appointee to the NDHI Opioid Crisis Workgroup, APTA appointee to the National Quality Partnership Opioid Stewardship Action Team, Member of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Technical Expert Panel for Skilled Nursing Alternative Payment Systems, Appointee to the National Quality Forum (NQF) for Long Term Care Quality Measures, Member of the Steering Committee for NQF's National Voluntary Consensus Standards for Nursing Home Project, and representative of the Coalition of Rehab Therapy Organizations’ Joint Commission’s Long Term Care Professional and Technical Advisory Committee.

Wanda K. Evans, PT, DPT, MHS, is a senior payment specialist at APTA. Her responsibilities include communicating with members and insurers on inquiries regarding third-party, billing, CPT coding, and payment policies; providing resources in policy development; monitoring trends; and assisting in association efforts to advance payment policies. She remains a treating clinician in the outpatient setting. Before joining APTA, she was the clinical documentation and utilization review coordinator for Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital Network. Prior to that she was the supervisor of physical therapist and occupational therapist services for Kaiser Permanente Mid Atlantic. She has been an APTA member since she was a student. She received her bachelor of physical therapy and doctor of physical therapy degrees from Howard University, and a master of health science degree in orthopedic and sports physical therapy from the University of Indianapolis. She also is a certified kinesio taping practitioner. 

Rachel Miller, MPH, is a health policy and payment specialist within APTA's Health Policy and Payment Unit as of August 2022. Rachel advocates to federal regulators on policy issues that affect the physical therapy profession. Before joining the association, she was working towards her master's degree in health policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While continuing her education, Rachel showed community members how to obtain health insurance as Certified Application Counselor in a student-run clinic. Before that, she helped stop the spread of COVID-19 as a case investigator at a local health department. She obtained her bachelor's degree in public health from the University of South Florida.

Rachel Miller, MPH, is a health policy and payment specialist within APTA's Health Policy and Payment Unit as of August 2022. Rachel advocates to federal regulators on policy issues that affect the physical therapy profession. Before joining the association, she was working towards her master's degree in health policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While continuing her education, Rachel showed community members how to obtain health insurance as Certified Application Counselor in a student-run clinic. Before that, she helped stop the spread of COVID-19 as a case investigator at a local health department. She obtained her bachelor's degree in public health from the University of South Florida.

Jennifer Flynn, CPHRM, is Vice President and Risk Manager for Healthcare Providers Service Organization in the Healthcare Division of Aon’s Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. Specializing in risk management and having worked in the healthcare insurance business for over 24 years, Jennifer is dedicated to educating health care professionals on professional liability risks and offers strategies to mitigate those risks by supporting patient safety principles and developing quality management programs. In addition to being a frequent national speaker on healthcare risk and liability, Jennifer is also a published author on various risk management topics. Jennifer is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management and is a licensed Property & Casualty agent. She earned a BA in Psychology from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Flynn, CPHRM, is Vice President and Risk Manager for Healthcare Providers Service Organization in the Healthcare Division of Aon’s Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. Specializing in risk management and having worked in the healthcare insurance business for over 22 years, Jennifer is dedicated to educating health care professionals on professional liability risks and offers strategies to mitigate those risks by supporting patient safety principles and developing quality management programs. Jennifer is a Certified Healthcare Risk Management Professional and licensed Property and casualty agent. She earned a BA in Psychology from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Nupur Hajela, PT, DPT PhD is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at California State University, Fresno, and Director of Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research at the Central California Sports Sciences Institute. A licensed PT and trained neuroscientist, she integrates virtual reality, AI-based apps, and telehealth to treat patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Dr. Hajela is a recognized leader in advancing healthcare education and equity through immersive technology and interprofessional innovation in physical therapy.

Full Bio: 
Dr. Nupur Hajela is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University, Fresno. She also serves as the Director of Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research at the Central California Sports Sciences Institute and Co-Director of the Gait Balance and Mobility Research & Education Center. A trained neuroscientist and licensed physical therapist in California and Washington, Dr. Hajela specializes in treating individuals with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s using immersive virtual reality, AI-based apps, telehealth, and remote therapeutic monitoring.

Dr. Hajela is widely recognized for her leadership in integrating innovative technology into healthcare education and clinical practice. Her work in interprofessional telehealth simulation, immersive VR, and remote care has influenced curricula and healthcare delivery models nationally and internationally. She is the recipient of the California Physical Therapy Association's notable publication award for her research on telehealth in older adults, and the Leadership in Interprofessional Research Award from California State University, Fresno.

Currently serving as Vice Chairperson for the San Joaquin Valley District of the California Physical Therapy Association, Dr. Hajela is a strong advocate for telehealth and health equity in underserved communities. Her work continues to shape the future of physical therapy through cutting-edge technology and collaborative education models.

Todd is currently Director of Clinical Services at Physera where he leads a nationwide team of exclusively telehealth physical therapists. He first became involved in telehealth in 2016 and has practiced almost exclusively telehealth-based PT since 2017. He completed an orthopaedic physical therapy residency in 2012 and has been a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy since 2013. He became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy in 2015. His outpatient practice focused on orthopedics and sports including sports specific injury prevention programs and bike fitting in addition to traditional clinic-based practice and sideline sports coverage. Todd received his B.A. in Human Biology from Stanford University where he was twice the captain of the cycling team and received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Southern California in 2011. He has been invited to present on telehealth by the North American Spine Society, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and American Physical Therapy Association.

Carol Passarelli is a PT product consultant with a background in elite sports medicine, digital health innovation, and clinical research. Carol provides clinical strategy to product development at Hinge Health, and has previous experiences leading product development at early-stage computer vision and AI ambient documentation health tech companies. She currently researches AI-guided rehab and discharge applications with Stanford Graduate School of Business, and researches with Building H on quantifying the health impact of consumer technology.

Carol is a passionate endurance runner and mountaineering enthusiast, partnering with Mammut as a PT expert and ultra-athlete. She currently practices at CU Sports Medicine & Performance Center and serves on the advisory board at Regis University. She is a contributing writer and specialist for Fast Talk Labs, SageStone, USA Track & Field, and the USA Mountain and Trail Running Teams.  She holds degrees from USC, Regis University, and Stanford University. 

Hali Jones, PT, DPT is a physical therapist, business owner, and digital health innovator based in Boulder, Colorado. She is the Founder of Strong Enough Fitness & Physical Therapy, where she blends concierge and virtual care with a proactive, strength-focused approach to health and aging. She also serves as Clinical Team Lead at ViFiVE, partnering with Stanford Medicine on remote care research, guiding product development for computer-vision and digital rehab tools, and supporting clinician adoption and go-to-market strategy. Previously, she served as Clinical Director at Peak Form Medical Center and practiced at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.