Inspired by her injuries as a high school athlete, Sara went to Boston University to study in the physical therapy program. Here, she earned her three degrees in health and physical therapy. While in school, she also received her personal training certification to start working with clients in the health industry. Over the years, she has gained experience in many settings and techniques. Sara has worked all over the country including California and New York. Through this experience she has been able to collaborate with world-renowned surgeons and physicians including those who work with the NFL and MLB. She has also been affiliated with the HSS Rehab Network and the Mt Sinai Rehabilitation Center. Additionally, Sara has become a Nutrition Specialist and an Ergonomic Specialist. Sara has also been a contributor to many popular publications such as US News & World Report, MSN, Spine Universe, and Cosmo Magazine. Sara opened her practice in 2016 to offer a more holistic approach to healthcare. She believes in providing lifestyle medicine to improve health -- treating and focusing on exercise, diet, sleep, and stress relief. Sara is based in the Hudson Valley and also preactices in New York CIty.

Dr. Karen Litzy, PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist, international speaker and owner of Karen Litzy Physical Therapy, PLLC.

As the host of Healthy Wealthy & Smart, a top 200 podcast on Apple Podcasts, she has interviewed influencers in the worlds of health, medicine, and entrepreneurship. She also shares how she has prevailed with her own experience of chronic pain.

Karen’s expertise has been featured in The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Well + Good, and more. She was recently added to the Medical Advisory Board of Prevention Magazine.

Dr. Theresa Marko, PT, DPT, MS, is the founder and owner of Marko Physical Therapy PLLC, a private practice in New York City specializing in orthopedics and pediatrics. She is an adjunct professor at Touro University Manhattan and Tufts University Seattle and is an official Spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association Media Corps.

Dr. Marko graduated with a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from Simmons University in Boston and obtained her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University in Iowa. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University. Dr. is board-certified in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Dr. Marko serves on the Private Practice Section’s Government Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee of the APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. In her home state of New York, she is appointed the Federal Affairs Liaison since 2019, serves on its Public Policy Committee, and is the most recent Chairperson of the Nominating Committee. She has been an elected delegate to APTA’s House of Delegates, the highest policy-making body of the association, since 2019.

Seth Greiner is the Founder of Greiner Physical Therapy, a leading provider of outpatient physical therapy. The practice, renowned for its patient-centered approach and exceptional care, has garnered over 150 5-star Google reviews. Greiner Physical Therapy specializes in the rehabilitation management of orthopedic and neurological diagnoses, offering tailored treatments that help patients maximize their ability to move.

Seth graduated cum laude from Boston University in 2005, earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physical Therapy. During his time at BU, he obtained his Personal Training Certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and later became a certified Golf Trainer through the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI). Seth remains dedicated to helping patients achieve their goals by carefully listening to their unique stories. He enjoys working with individuals across all ages and activity levels, from competitive athletes to those exercising for the first time. Seth also serves as the head coach at Rock Steady Boxing Hampton Bays, a non-contact boxing exercise class designed to help people with Parkinson’s fight back to maintain strength and independence.

Seth lives in East Quogue, NY, with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys practicing yoga, playing tennis, and spending time with his family.

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Mike is a proven leader in the PT industry. As a member of the 8150 Advisors team, he is passionate about helping others maximize their personal and professional value. Mike collaborates with private practice owners through strategic growth, creating next-level leaders, operational efficiency, and team engagement. Prior to joining the 8150 team, Mike helped Rock Valley Physical Therapy grow from 26 to 52 locations as its VP of Growth & Development. Previously Mike served as Director of Operations for Proaxis Therapy, where he was an integral leader in developing physician relations, operational excellence, clinical quality, and five-star patient experience. He has served APTA Private Practice as a Federal Affairs Liaison, APTA Delegate, PPS Impact Editorial Board Member, and PPS Annual Conference presenter.

Mike earned degrees from Mount Union College, Indiana Wesleyan University (specializing in leadership), and Duke University (DPT). Mike is a Certified Coach and DISC Personality Assessment Trainer through the Maxwell Leadership Team.
In addition to business ventures, Mike has led trips to Rwanda, Kenya, and Malawi with Zoe Empowers, a program which transforms child-headed households from charity to self-sufficiency. Mike lives in Iowa with his wife Kim, their four boys, and two dogs.

RICK GAWENDA, PT, is a licensed physical therapist with over 30 years of experience and currently serves as the founder and President of Gawenda Seminars & Consulting, Inc. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, in 1991.

He has provided valuable education and consulting to hospitals, private practices, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation agencies in the areas of CPT coding, ICD-10 coding, billing, documentation compliance, revenue enhancement, practice management, and denial management as they relate to outpatient therapy services. Mr. Gawenda has presented nationally since 2004 and has provided over 1000 on-site seminars and webinars.

In addition, Mr. Gawenda is retained by attorneys to serve as an expert in regard to legal or physical therapy state board issues regarding documentation, billing, supervision, and utilization of support personnel and compliance with insurance rules and regulations as well as physical therapy state board requirements.

Mr. Gawenda is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA). Mr. Gawenda is a Past President of the Section on Health Policy & Administration of the APTA. He is the current Chair of the APTA Private Practice Payment Policy

Mr. Gawenda is also the author of “The How-To Manual for Rehab Documentation: A Complete Guide to Increasing Reimbursement and Reducing Denials” and “Coding and Billing for Outpatient Rehab Made Easy: Proper Use of CPT Codes, ICD-9 Codes, and Modifiers”.

Gwen Simons, Esq, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT is a healthcare lawyer at Simons & Associates Law in Scarborough, Maine. Her law firm caters to the needs of health care providers in private practice, representing providers in contract negotiations/disputes with payers and providing Medicare/HIPAA compliance and practice management consultation. She’s also been a fearless advocate for physical therapy issues, taking on the Goliath insurance carriers on prior authorization, payment, unfair contracting issues in Maine’s state legislature as the Maine Chapter APTA’s lobbyist. She has served on several PPS and AOPT Task forces on payment issues and is the 2023 recipient of the Maine Chapter’s President’s Service Award for her advocacy work to pass Maine legislation to prohibit insurance carrier prior authorization requirements before visit 12.

Bob Hall works for the Private Practice Section by serving as the Senior Consultant handling payment issues. He helps health professionals maximize their collective impact as Executive Chair of a solo consulting firm focused on improving access to quality, affordable health care. From 2016-2018, Bob was the Director of Government Relations at the American Academy of Family Physicians. Bob directed all legislative and regulatory advocacy for the AAFP, including changes to the Medicare fee schedule’s treatment of primary care and oversight of the Academy's Center for State Policy. Bob was also elected to represent AAFP as the first Co-Chair of the Partnership for Medicaid, a nonpartisan, nationwide coalition made up of 23 organizations representing doctors, health care providers, safety net health plans, counties, and labor. Bob spearheaded the access to care portfolio at the American Academy of Pediatrics from 2006-2016, leading efforts to improve insurance coverage for children. Prior to his tenure at AAP, he served as Director of Government Relations for the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, Counsel to US Senator Mark Dayton, Attorney Advisor to the US Securities and Exchange Commission and Chief Clerk to the Texas House of Representatives Insurance Committee. He holds a Masters in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law and a BA from Haverford College.

RICK GAWENDA, PT, is a licensed physical therapist with over 30 years of experience and currently serves as the founder and President of Gawenda Seminars & Consulting, Inc. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, in 1991.

He has provided valuable education and consulting to hospitals, private practices, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation agencies in the areas of CPT coding, ICD-10 coding, billing, documentation compliance, revenue enhancement, practice management, and denial management as they relate to outpatient therapy services. Mr. Gawenda has presented nationally since 2004 and has provided over 1000 on-site seminars and webinars.

In addition, Mr. Gawenda is retained by attorneys to serve as an expert in regard to legal or physical therapy state board issues regarding documentation, billing, supervision, and utilization of support personnel and compliance with insurance rules and regulations as well as physical therapy state board requirements.

Mr. Gawenda is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA). Mr. Gawenda is a Past President of the Section on Health Policy & Administration of the APTA. He is the current Chair of the APTA Private Practice Payment Policy

Mr. Gawenda is also the author of “The How-To Manual for Rehab Documentation: A Complete Guide to Increasing Reimbursement and Reducing Denials” and “Coding and Billing for Outpatient Rehab Made Easy: Proper Use of CPT Codes, ICD-9 Codes, and Modifiers”.

Mike Horsfield is President and CEO of Rock Valley Physical Therapy, a Private Practice with 60+ locations in Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. Mike received his MPT and his MBA from the University of Iowa. He is an adjunct faculty member in the DPT Programs at St. Ambrose University and the University of Iowa. Mike has served on numerous APTA Private Practice committees, co-founded Peer2Peer Networks, started the KPI Benchmarking Initiative, been a Director on the APTA Private Practice Board, and is currently serving as the APTA Private Practice President. 

Lori joined the Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy team in 2006 after starting her career in non-profit arts administration and as a professional performer. She is currently Therapeutic Associates’ Chief People Officer, collaborating with teammates in HR, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, and People Analytics to ensure that the experience of the people of the organization thrives alongside the financial, operational and customer experience aspects of overall organizational health. In addition to tracking more "traditional" data points to measure this experience over time, Lori and her team led Therapeutic Associates through a year-long, research-supported journey to formally measure "joy in work" starting in 2023. In 2012, Lori completed her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington. In her free time, she enjoys reading and cooking, hanging out with her husband, family and friends, patronizing the arts, and cheering for her beloved Green Bay Packers.

Dr. Hoekstra is an executive, practitioner, educator, researcher, and data analyst with deep expertise in organizational behavior and technology adoption. He currently serves as the Chief Clinical Transformation Officer for Therapeutic Associates and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. He participated in the PT Outcomes Registry as an inaugural Scientific Advisory Panel member. He has published in the areas of outcomes improvement, measure psychometrics, and technology adoption to improve clinical outcomes. Chris teaches courses in PT and medical professional and post-professional programs, including organizational behavior, qualitative research methods, and business administration. In addition to his clinical, research, and teaching responsibilities, he consults with physical therapy and medical practices related to EHR optimization and implementation, business intelligence and data analytics, and leadership development.

Biagio graduated as valedictorian of his undergraduate class at Rockhurst University in 1999 and completed his MPT through Rockhurst in 2001. He practiced for 4 years prior to opening a private practice in 2005. Biagio is Board Certified by the APTA in both Orthopedics and Sports. He is certified by the IAOM as an Orthopedic Manual Therapist and holds several additional certifications in various areas. Biagio’s Doctorate work was completed in 2010 through the Evidence in Motion Institute of Health.

Biagio started Elite Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy in 2005 as a sole practitioner. Elite has grown to one of the largest, single facility private practices in the country and has been nominated multiple times as one of the top private practices in the United States. Elite is a 2016 recipient of the 25 Under 25 award for small businesses and is the subject of 2 peer reviewed journal articles on practice innovation.

Biagio has a special interest in Sales, Negotiation, and Marketing strategies for the Physical Therapist and has studied and taught in those areas extensively. In 2018, he created the brand of ‘PT Gold Mine’ (theptgoldmine.com) for continuing education on these topics.

Andrew Gorecki, DPT, is a distinguished figure in the field of physical therapy, renowned for his innovative approach and commitment to advancing the profession. As the owner of Superior Physical Therapy in Northern Michigan, he has successfully led an outpatient orthopedic private practice for over 14 years, dedicating his career to elevating patient care through evidence-based practices and cutting-edge techniques.

A respected Fellow of Applied Functional Science at the Gray Institute, Dr. Gorecki's expertise is further acknowledged through his role as an adjunct faculty member, where he imparts his extensive knowledge and experience to the next generation of physical therapists. His commitment to functional science and its practical application has significantly contributed to the evolution of physical therapy practices.

Further expanding his impact in the field, Dr. Gorecki is the founder of MovementRx, a pioneering Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Solution. This platform is specifically designed for private practice physical therapists, emphasizing Dr. Gorecki's forward-thinking vision in integrating modern technology with traditional therapeutic methods. His work with MovementRx not only showcases his innovative spirit but also his dedication to enhancing patient outcomes and operational efficiencies in physical therapy practices.

Disclosure information not submitted.

Sam Echols is one of the co-founders of Therapy Partner SolutionsTM Holdings (TPSH). He currently serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for TPSH in addition to his role as President and COO of Therapy Partner Private Practice Solutions, the outpatient division of TPSH.

With over 29 years of experience in the therapy industry as a clinician, business owner, and team leader, Sam brings a variety of experience to TPS partner clinics. With a foundation firmly based on clinical excellence, customer service, and best client outcomes, Sam understands the importance and relationship between Best Clinical Practices and Best Business Practices. Sam currently oversees the TPS programs for Clinical Quality & Compliance, Talent Development, Leadership Training, Operational Excellence, and Strategic Partnership Development

As a graduate from the Medical College of Georgia in 1995 with a degree in physical therapy, Sam worked extensively in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine. Sam is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) with expertise in Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, business development, developing a reputable clinical team, leadership development, clinical program/protocol development and marketing/relationship development. With advanced training in orthopedics, he was over clinical competency at Advance Rehabilitation, a regional therapy company he helped to found (1997-2013).

Ben Fuson, DPT is an accomplished physical therapist with over 14 years of experience and an eight-year tenure as a managing partner with Superior Physical Therapy. During this time, Dr. Fuson has aided the expansion of the practice into new locations and built a reputation for training and developing skilled staff. Their leadership extends to managing providers and mentoring physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, all while ensuring clinical compliance across the organization.

Known for expertise in biomechanics and a commitment to exceptional patient outcomes, Dr. Fuson has become a sought-after therapist in the field. Their continuous pursuit of knowledge and innovative approaches to care sets him apart as a leader in physical therapy in the Northern Michigan region.

In addition to success at Superior Physical Therapy, Dr. Fuson is an owner of MovementRX, a remote therapeutic monitoring solution designed to empower private practice owners. This venture demonstrates a passion for integrating technology with physical therapy to enhance patient outcomes and create lasting improvements for patients nationwide.

Kennedy Hawkins, MBA, JD, LLM was the President & CEO of PT Northwest for 21 years until starting his own consulting firm in 2023. He helped PT Northwest become a widely respected physical rehabilitation group at the state and national levels. In 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, & 2022, PT Northwest was named a Top Oregon Workplace by The Oregonian newspaper. Kennedy was instrumental in helping PT Northwest win the National Association of Rehabilitation Agencies 2016 Innovation Award. In 2023, Kennedy received Intermountain Healthcare’s ROMS Quality Improvement Award.

Along with his consulting work, Kennedy recently became the Director of the Executive Development Center at Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management. Kennedy will oversee the development of the healthcare leadership program, as well the expansion of the MBA program’s current executive development offerings. Willamette University has become one of the leading MBA programs in the nation.
He has over 30 years of experience and has held numerous national physical rehabilitation industry leadership positions. Kennedy is regarded as a “thought leader” in the areas of healthcare and leadership.

Kennedy enjoys snowboarding with his family, hiking behind his in-laws' farm in the Highlands of Scotland, international travel, and mentoring teens and young adults.

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Marc Gruner DO, MBA, RMSK, FAAPMR is a Mayo Clinic fellowship trained sports physician practicing at Orth Bethesda and Aligned Orthopedic Partners. He also is the Founder of Limber Health, which provides home exercise programs, remote therapeutic monitoring, and is an outcomes registry.

Marc has over 15 years working in the value-based care space. He has an MBA focused on value-based care, briefly worked at the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Center on alternative payment models, attended Michael Porter’s value based healthcare intensive seminar at Harvard Business School, lectured across the country on digital health and value-based care, and represented his medical society nationally on quality, evidence, and clinical practice guidelines.

Most recently, Marc is a consultant to the State of Maryland and PACES working with them and other specialties on alternative payment model development. In Maryland, he developed the first ever physical therapy muscular skeletal alternative payment model that is focused on the entire episode.

Scott Hebert is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and respected leader in the field of PT. Holding a doctorate in physical therapy from Quinnipiac University in CT, he carries with him a deep commitment to revolutionizing patient care and the business of Physical Therapy.

Scott is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Second Door Health, a groundbreaking direct care platform that liberates practices from traditional insurance-only models of reimbursement and fosters a direct link between practices and local employers and consumers.

Prior to Second Door, Scott co-founded and served as CEO of Strive Labs, the PT industry's leading Patient Relationship Management system, a tool used by 1 in 3 physical therapy clinics in the U.S. and over 20 million patients nationwide. Strive Labs was acquired by WebPT in 2017. While at WebPT, Scott was responsible for launching numerous high-impact products, including WebPT Reach, WebPT HEP, WebPT Local, WebPT Virtual Visits, and WebPT Digital Patient Intake.

Ryan Klepps is a forward-thinking physical therapist who quickly transitioned into the technology sector after earning his DPT. He co-founded Strive Labs, a pioneering patient relationship management platform specifically designed for the rehabilitation therapy industry. Following the acquisition of Strive Labs by WebPT in 2017, Ryan served as WebPT's VP of Operations, where he played a pivotal role in a period of exponential growth. WebPT is recognized as the market leader in EMR and practice management software for physical therapy.

After his tenure at WebPT, Ryan expanded his expertise into the broader healthcare sector as an executive at Procurement Partners, a leading procure-to-pay platform for healthcare facilities. This role further honed his skills in streamlining operations and enhancing customer success strategies in healthcare

Drawing on his background in healthcare technology and operations, Ryan founded Second Door Health, where he currently serves as the CXO. At Second Door, he is dedicated to revolutionizing the rehab therapy industry by helping practices diversify their revenue streams and achieve sustainable growth. His work focuses on direct contracting with employers, physicians, and consumers to deliver musculoskeletal (MSK) management solutions that not only improve access and reduce costs but also drive superior healthcare experiences and outcomes.

Dave Manzo has 23 years of experience in the outpatient PT field, having founded Atlantic PT Center in NJ with his brother Mike. In those 23 years, Dave has assisted in stewarding Atlantic PT Center from a single clinic to now over 30 outpatient locations throughout Central and coastal New Jersey. Those locations offer physical therapy, hand therapy, and a robust FCE program. Dave has expertise in all things PT-related - including insurance contract negotiating, revenue collection management, financial management, leadership, and scaling a business through start-up and acquisition. Dave has recently taken the lead on the Atlantic PT side in its effort to create value for employers through its WorkHealth program.

Dave is a father of 3 children - Marley, Olivia, and Jaxon... and he and his wife Sue currently reside in Wall, NJ. When not in the office, Dave can be usually be found coaching youth basketball or in the ocean in the summers.

Kallie Slette earned her DPT at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY, and has focused her dedication to patient care and the profession at Movement for Life Physical Therapy since 2013. Over her decade of experience in patient care, Kallie completed a residency to become board-certified in orthopedics and has since acquired certifications in digital health care delivery with a strong commitment to providing excellent care that goes beyond the clinic walls. With a deep-seated passion for patients' well-being, Kallie places their needs and aspirations at the very core of her practice. She firmly believes in the transformative potential of conservative musculoskeletal care as a solution to the complex challenges within our current healthcare system.

Kallie's role in Clinical Operations takes an approach that emphasizes collaborative efforts among various healthcare providers, striving to ensure that patients receive comprehensive and timely access to the MSK care they deserve.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Kallie treasures her family life. In 2011, she married her high school sweetheart, and together, they are raising two young boys. During her leisure time, you'll often find her and her family skiing, hiking, boating, or enjoying the magic of Disney.

Andrew Cherry serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Movement for Life, drawing upon nearly a decade of experience in the physical therapy industry. Prior to this, he held various positions in the public education sector, including roles as a Teacher, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent, as well as District Facilities and IT Director. Andrew's current responsibilities at Movement for Life Physical Therapy encompass a wide range of areas, including HR, IT, Facilities, Marketing, Education, Business Development, and as the Prdouct Owner/Manager of the Everflex Health software suite, which encompasses an array of software products and services.