2021 Virtual Conference

Conference Sponsors

Conference Survey Links 

Keynote Presentation  A Learning Opportunity - See the opportunity and importance of errors in our lives and in our patients

The theme of our conference, Perspectives in Practice, may we start by understanding that errors, mistakes, miscues, and miscalculations - are all beneficial. The evidence is overwhelming to support the fact that human learning requires a repeated stimulus (a challenge) for repetitions and experiences to be meaningful enough to make a memory of any kind: facts, events, and movements. Too many errors and an individual may give up or become depressed, too much success and many more will become bored. Neither condition, depression or boredom, offer a therapeutic environment for learning. We will learn that in the correct dosage, "To err is human, to learn, is divine!".  

Plenary Presentation  Movement in the Background: Your patient learning and retaining motor control without your full attention 

No matter our physical or cognitive abilities, we all have stored procedural memories, ready to use in sport, life, and work. We can adjust these movements in the context of the environment and circumstances of fatigue, pressure, weather, obstacles and opponent. Procedural memories are available and essential, but do we presently do enough to purposefully train them (preserve in persons with degenerative disease) or rehabilitate/return them in those that are recovering (stroke, brain injury, CP)? In this course, we will review, APPLY, and ADVANCE the science of procedural learning (regaining automatic function) in everyday mobility, ADLs, sport and vocation – revealing applications and insights as to how medical professionals can use dual task testing and training to promote optimal function and tolerance of a distracting world and regain, "Movement in the Background".

Keynote & Plenary  Speaker

   Mike Studer, PT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, FAPTA received his physical therapy degree from the University of Missouri–Columbia in 1991. He received his postprofessional MHS degree in physical therapy with neurologic emphasis from the University of Indianapolis. He has been board-certified as a Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy since 1995 and has been designated a Certified Exercise Expert in the Aging Adult (CEEAA) by the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy since 2011. Mike has served as the vice president of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy of the APTA and has been the chair and vice-chair of several special interest groups at the national level in each of the Academies of Neurologic and Geriatric Physical Therapy, including Balance and Falls, Stroke, and the Practice Committee in Neurology. He is a full-time treating therapist and founder of Northwest Rehabilitation Associates in Oregon. Mr. Studer has presented courses and published articles on neurologic and geriatric rehabilitation since 1995 and has authored and coauthored more than 30 articles on topics of neurology and geriatrics, as well as several book chapters on stroke, cognition, Parkinson's disease, and preventive care. Mike is now regularly a guest lecturer on a national and international basis at several universities and national meetings on the topics of stroke, Parkinson’s disease, balance, motor control, motor learning, cognitive impairment, and case management. He was awarded the 2011 Clinician of the Year award by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, a section of the American Physical Therapy Association, and in 2014 received the same award from the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. He was the first to receive this national distinction from each entity.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial:   Mike Studer is an independent contractor for the AHA, Inc. and received a fee from AHA, Inc. for instructional services.

Non-Financial:  No relevant non-financial relationship exists between the speakers and AHA, Inc. 

Concurrent Sessions Program