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.

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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.

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 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.

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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.

Dr. Sarah Luna is a physical therapist and an Associate Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at University of the Incarnate Word.  Dr. Luna earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Texas State University in 2001, a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Regis University in 2004, and a PhD in Translational Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2024.  Dr. Luna has taught ethics and professionalism in physical therapy education since 2013, and she promoted humanities, ethics, and professionalism in physical therapy education through her leadership committee work within ACAPT’s former Consortium for Humanities, Ethics, and Professionalism.  Dr. Luna has presented and published class activities that address difficult ethical and professional topics, such as academic dishonesty and communicating about sexuality and disability with patients and clients.

Seth Kress, PT, DPT, DHSc, an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of Clinical Education at Midwestern University, brings over two decades of experience in clinical education and outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy. A credentialed clinical instructor and APTA Level 1 CCIP trainer, Dr. Kress is actively involved in advancing clinical education at both the state and national levels through his work with the APTA and the Illinois Physical Therapy Association.

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Seth Kress, PT, DPT, DHSc, is an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of Clinical Education in the Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University in Illinois. He earned his master’s degree in physical therapy from Northwestern University in 2001, his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Rosalind Franklin University in 2019, and his Doctor of Health Science in Leadership in Clinical Practice and Education from George Washington University in 2024.

Dr. Kress has more than 20 years of experience in outpatient hospital-based physical therapy, clinical management, and clinical education. He has served as a clinical instructor and Site Coordinator of Clinical Education (SCCE), and is currently a credentialed clinical instructor and trainer for the APTA Level 1 Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP). He is a member of the APTA’s Orthopaedic and Education Academies and serves as chair of the Illinois Physical Therapy Association’s Clinical Education Special Interest Group (CESIG).

His research and academic interests include clinical education, professionalism among DPT students, and concussion rehabilitation. He recently published a systematic review on promoting professional behaviors in healthcare students in the Journal of Allied Health.

Tara S. Pearce, PT, DHS an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is a leader in clinical education in physical therapy. With over 27 years of experience as a clinical instructor, SCCE, and DCE, she is a national trainer for the APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program and serves on the Level 3 Workgroup. Her work focuses on clinical instruction, mentorship, and faculty development.

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Tara S. Pearce, PT, DHS is an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has over 27 years of experience in clinical education as a clinical instructor, Site Coordinator of Clinical Education, and Director of Clinical Education.  Her bachelor's degree in physical therapy is from Bradley University, and she earned her post-professional Doctor of Health Science degree at the University of Indianapolis. Her clinical background is as a neurologic physical therapist, and she currently practices in an outpatient setting. Academically, she teaches within the professional practice series and neurologic dysfunction and incorporates simulation-based learning experiences.  She is a Trainer for the APTA's Level 1 and Level 2 Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP) and serves on the Level 3 Workgroup. Tara has presented internationally, nationally, and at the state level on various topics, including simulation, personal leadership, clinical education, neurological, and professional practice.

Janet L. Readinger, PT, DPT, an Associate Professor at Arcadia University, is a long-standing leader in clinical education with over two decades of experience directing hybrid clinical education. A trainer for APTA’s Level 1 and 2 CCIP and a contributor to the development of Level 3, she brings deep expertise in neurorehabilitation and clinical instruction to her teaching and presentations.

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Janet L. Readinger, PT, DPT, is an Associate Professor and the Director of Progression and Professional Development in the physical therapy program at Arcadia University. Prior to this role, she served for 20 years as the Associate Director of Clinical Education and Director of Hybrid Clinical Education. Dr. Readinger received her master’s degree in physical therapy from Temple University and her post-professional DPT from Arcadia University.

Her clinical background includes inpatient acute rehabilitation, with more recent work focused on wellness for individuals with Parkinson disease and multiple sclerosis. She is an author of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Parkinson disease and integrates her neurorehabilitation experience into clinical teaching and mentoring.

Dr. Readinger is a trainer for APTA’s Level 1 and Level 2 Credentialed Clinical Instructor Programs (CCIP) and serves on the national workgroup developing Level 3. She has presented extensively at local, state, and national conferences—including APTA’s CSM and ELC, as well as the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association's annual meeting—on topics related to clinical education and neurorehabilitation.

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.

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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.