Dr. Arena is an Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Oakland University in Rochester, MI and a licensed physical therapist practicing in the home health practice setting for Henry Ford Home Healthcare in Detroit, MI. She received her physical therapy degree from Grand Valley State University in 1990, a Masters in Exercise Science from Oakland University in 1994, and a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy with a certificate in teaching and learning in 2011. Her teaching and clinical practice areas include health promotion and wellness, cardiopulmonary, therapeutic exercise, and home care. Her specific research focus aims to advance the practice of health promotion and wellness focused physical therapy in both community dwelling and homebound individuals. Additionally, cardiopulmonary health, lifestyle, and fitness levels impacting primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention are incorporated into her research designs. She is the co-founder and co-principal of the HOP-UP-PT program and research initiatives. HOP-UP-PT focused research has received more than ½ million dollars in grant funding which has resulted in multiple peer reviewed publications and state and national presentations. The outcomes of Dr. Arena’s recently published State of Michigan clinical trial of at-risk older adults who participated in HOP-UP-PT, in combination with education on the free community facing prevention-focused resources that have been developed by the HOP-UP-PT research team, will be at the core of the proposed presentation.

Chris Wilson PT, DScPT, DPT is an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the Physical Therapy Program at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and was the founding Residency Program Director for the Beaumont Health Oncology Residency, the first accredited residency program for physical therapists in the United States. His clinical focus is  Acute Care Oncology and Palliative Care. He is active in clinical research in the areas of Oncology, Hospice/Palliative Care and Geriatrics. Dr. Wilson received his Doctor of Science from Oakland University.  He received his transitional DPT from University of St. Augustine with a Primary Care Certification and his Masters in PT from Oakland University.  He has been Board Certified as a Geriatric Clinical Specialist since 2008. Chris has been awarded the Flomenholft Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy in 2022 and the Signe Brunnström Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching in 2015 from the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Wilson is a prolific writer and researcher.  He has published the book entitled Physical Activity and Rehabilitation in Life Threatening Illness by Routledge in 2021 and is the co-editor of the recent textbook entitled Oncology Rehabilitation: A Comprehensive Guidebook for Clinicians published by Elsevier in Fall 2022.  He has published over 35 full-length peer reviewed articles and many invited publications. Chris is the president-elect of the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy and he was previously the Academy’s Hospice Special Interest Group Chair and as the global coordinator of the Hospice/Palliative Care subgroup for World Physiotherapy’s International HIV, Oncology, Palliative care (IPT-HOPE) subgroup.  Chris was the primary author and sponsor of the APTA’s positions on hospice/palliative care, diet and nutrition, and medical necessity in the presence of declining conditions.