Are you a DPT student interested in oncology rehab?
Check out our map of oncology rehab clinical internships across the United States.
Clinical Research Grant: Deadline May 1
One clinical research grant award of $10,000 is available to Academy members to assist with a 1-year research study that investigates a question(s) of importance to adult or pediatric oncology or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) physical therapy.
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Oncology Courses
03/23/2019
What to Know about Oncology Rehabilitation for the Outpatient Clinician – Appleton, WI
ThedaCare Regional Medical Center
Pine Conference Room
(enter East entrance of hospital and 1st room on the left)
1818 N. Meade Street
Appleton, WI 54911
What to Know about Oncology Rehabilitation for the Outpatient Clinician – Appleton, WI
Location:
ThedaCare Regional Medical Center
Pine Conference Room
(enter East entrance of hospital and 1st room on the left)
1818 N. Meade Street
Appleton, WI 54911
Course Description
This one-day course will allow for the outpatient clinician to evaluate and treat a patient with a history of cancer diagnosis or is currently undergoing cancer treatments. The clinician will understand the various types of cancer treatments and how the side effects may present in their clinic.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, a participant should be able to:
- Review pathophysiology of cancer, prevalence and important statistics.
- Explain techniques used to diagnose, surgically and medically treat cancer.
- Review appropriate exercise prescriptions when treating patients who have a past or current diagnosis of cancer.
- Learn precautions, contraindications and red flags to look for when working with cancer survivors.
- Review of oncologic emergencies, lab values and screening used to determine safety when treating a patient with a history of cancer.
Specific cancers to be covered in this class: prostate, breast, colorectal, pelvic, melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma and head and neck cancer.
Course Schedule
Saturday – 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- 7:30 am: Registration
- 8:00 am – 12:00 pm: Session
- 12:00 – 1:00 pm: Lunch
- 1:00 – 6:00 pm: Session
Cancellation and Refund Policy
The Academy reserves the right to cancel the course with full registration refund only. Refunds (less a $50 handling fee) will be granted until 2 weeks prior to the course if a letter of cancellation is received.
Instructors: Frannie Westlake, PT, DPT, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurology
Biography:
Frannie Westlake, PT, DPT, NCS received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL in 2012. She went on to complete her Neurological residency at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA and received her NCS in 2014. Since 2015, Frannie has worked at Oncology Rehab in Denver, CO and is the clinical coordinator for neurological and exercise rehab program. She treats a variety of oncology, vestibular and neurological diagnosis. Her passion is working with patients who are currently undergoing chemotherapy and has complaints of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. She is also actively working on a pre-op protocol for patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 13 month old son and black lab. They enjoy going on hikes and spending time in the mountains of Colorado.
Frannie actively lectures at CSM with APTA and has published 2 journal articles in Rehabilitation Oncology. She is the current education chair for the Oncology Section.
Hotels
Hotels South of Hospital Campus:
CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel and Spa
300W College Ave,
(920) 749-0303
- Airport shuttle available
- 35min walk or 6min drive to course
- Rates variable (average $141/night)
Radisson Paper Valley Hotel
333 W College Ave
(920) 733-8000
- Airport shuttle available
- 35min walk or 6min drive to course
- Rates variable (average $109/night)
Hotels North of Hospital Campus:
Cambria Hotel & Suites
3940 N. Gateway Dr
(920) 733-0101
- Airport shuttle available
- 60min walk or 7min drive to course
- Rates variable (average $83/night)
AmericInn Lodge & Suites Appleton
3900 N. Gateway Dr
(920) 968-2124
- No airport shuttle
- 60min walk or 8min drive to course
- Rates variable (average $85/night)
*More hotels in surrounding area with varying costs and distances. Google is the easiest way to find more.
Head & Neck Cancer – Miami, FL
Location:
Baptist Health South Florida
Miami, FL
Course Description
Cancers of the head and neck make up 3 – 5% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States and 5 year survival rates vary widely (30 – 94%) depending on the specific site. Although prevalence rates for head and neck cancer related to tobacco and alcohol use are decreasing, rates are increasing for HPV-related cancers. Medical management of head and neck cancer may include a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments, which can result in a multitude of impairments in body function and structure. Survivorship plans span the point of diagnosis through end of life, and must include caregivers and family members. This one day educational session and lab will review associated outcomes of treatment including surgical/anatomical changes, prosthetic needs and reconstruction implications, TMJ dysfunction/trismus, shoulder and neck impairments, pain, radiation fibrosis, lymphedema, cancer related fatigue, deconditioning and nutritional deficits. A focus on the role of the physical therapist in the interprofessional team will include the best available evidence for the evaluation and treatment of patients with head and neck cancer.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, a participant should be able to:
- Describe the common medical management strategies for patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
- Describe the role of the physical therapist as part of the interprofessional team in treating patients with head and neck cancer.
- Evaluate impairments in body function and structure, activity limitations and participation restrictions related to a head and neck cancer diagnosis and the side effects of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
- Identify appropriate physical therapy outcome measures for use in the head and neck cancer population.
- Apply hands-on approaches for the management of shoulder and neck impairments, TMJ dysfunction and lymphedema through small lab experiences.
Participants will receive a certificate of participation for 0.8 CEUS (8 contact hours) at the conclusion of the course.
Snacks will be provided and lunch is on your own. Please dress comfortably.
Course Schedule
Instructors: Bryan A. Spinelli PT, PhD, OCS, CLT-LANA
Biography:
Bryan A. Spinelli is an Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University in the Department of Physical Therapy. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (2000) and a Master of Science (2001) from Northeastern University. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy (2016) at Drexel University. Bryan is an American Physical Therapy Association Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and Lymphology Association of North America Certified Lymphedema Therapist. He has experience assisting persons diagnosed with cancer manage neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, lymphedema, fatigue, weakness, deconditioning, and balance deficits. He has lectured, published and/or presented at conferences in the areas of cancer rehabilitation, lymphedema, shoulder biomechanics, and shoulder pain and dysfunction in cancer survivors.
Hotels
09/06/2019
What to Know about Oncology Rehabilitation for the Outpatient Clinician – New Haven, CT
New Haven, CT
What to Know about Oncology Rehabilitation for the Outpatient Clinician – New Haven, CT
Location:
New Haven, CT
Course Description
This one-day course will allow for the outpatient clinician to evaluate and treat a patient with a history of cancer diagnosis or is currently undergoing cancer treatments. The clinician will understand the various types of cancer treatments and how the side effects may present in their clinic.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, a participant should be able to:
- Review pathophysiology of cancer, prevalence and important statistics.
- Explain techniques used to diagnose, surgically and medically treat cancer.
- Review appropriate exercise prescriptions when treating patients who have a past or current diagnosis of cancer.
- Learn precautions, contraindications and red flags to look for when working with cancer survivors.
- Review of oncologic emergencies, lab values and screening used to determine safety when treating a patient with a history of cancer.
Specific cancers to be covered in this class: prostate, breast, colorectal, pelvic, melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma and head and neck cancer.
Course Schedule
Instructors: Frannie Westlake, PT, DPT, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurology
Biography:
Frannie Westlake, PT, DPT, NCS received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL in 2012. She went on to complete her Neurological residency at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA and received her NCS in 2014. Since 2015, Frannie has worked at Oncology Rehab in Denver, CO and is the clinical coordinator for neurological and exercise rehab program. She treats a variety of oncology, vestibular and neurological diagnosis. Her passion is working with patients who are currently undergoing chemotherapy and has complaints of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. She is also actively working on a pre-op protocol for patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 13 month old son and black lab. They enjoy going on hikes and spending time in the mountains of Colorado.
Frannie actively lectures at CSM with APTA and has published 2 journal articles in Rehabilitation Oncology. She is the current education chair for the Oncology Section.
Hotels
Exercise Training Guidelines for Individuals With Cancer – New Haven, CT
Location:
New Haven, CT
Course Description
In the past, cancer survivors were encouraged not to exercise for fear that such activities were detrimental. Today, however, exercise is increasingly viewed as an integral component of the treatment plan regardless of where these survivors are on the cancer spectrum. Cancer and its treatment often results in patients with complex medical problems, making it clinically more challenging to utilize exercise training as a therapeutic intervention. This course will address issues associated with using exercise interventions with this population including why exercise interventions are needed for this patient population, how to implement exercise programs for this patient population and do so safely, and how to assess changes in fitness in this patient population. The course includes a lab component which provides the attendees with hands on instruction in both the assessment of exercise capacity survivors and the application of exercise training methodologies to these individuals. Completion of this course will increase the ability of a practicing rehabilitation professional to more successfully treat cancer survivors.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, a participant should be able to:
- Explain the basic biology of exercise, cancer and acute and adaptive responses to exercise
- Describe cancer diagnoses, cancer treatments, and side effects particularly as they relate to impairments
- Understand how exercise training can improve functional capacity, quality of life, and improve prognosis following a cancer diagnosis.
- Recognize and respond to adverse responses to exercise training
- Appropriately modify exercise program in response to acute patient status
- Write exercise prescriptions for the oncology patient and survivor
- Identify and use of appropriate outcome measures in the oncology setting
- Discuss safety concerns associated with exercising this patient population
- Discuss the use of exercise training across the cancer spectrum
- Discuss exercise interventions in the context of lymphedema and treatment associated peripheral edema
- Describe the role of exercise in treating the cancer survivor
Course Schedule
Instructors: G Stephen Morris, PT, PhD, Fellow American College of Sports Medicine
Biography:
G. Stephen Morris, PT, PhD, FACSM received his PhD from the University of Texas and completed a NIH Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at UC Irvine. Seeking credentials to do human research, he later earned a MS degree in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University, Houston, Texas and a license in Physical Therapy. After teaching stints in physical therapy programs at Texas Woman’s University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, he joined the Dept. of Rehabilitation Services at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. There he both treated patients and pursued research focused on identifying treatment outcome measures that are most appropriate for use in the oncology rehabilitation setting and the integration of the principles of exercise physiology into oncology rehabilitation.
He served briefly as the Director of Rehabilitation Services at St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital and conducted research in the area of cancer survivorship. He recently retired from the Physical Therapy Program at Wingate University, Wingate, NC and was named the University’s first Distinguish Professor. He currently serves as the President of the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Morris has published over 60 manuscripts and 3 book chapters and has spoken nationally and internationally on the utility and implementation of exercise training principals in the context of oncology rehabilitation.
Hotels
09/08/2019
A Comprehensive Management of Balance Impairments and Falls – New Haven, CT
New Haven, CT
A Comprehensive Management of Balance Impairments and Falls – New Haven, CT
Location:
New Haven, CT
Course Description
Physical therapists commonly treat patients with cancer in all settings. A review of cancer pathophysiology, the impact of cancer and its treatment on body systems and functions, balance, fall risk, and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors will be addressed. Participants will be able to use the data gathered from the history, review of systems, systems review, examination and evaluation to identify cancer survivors who are at risk of balance disorders, falls, or chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The use of evidence-based screening tools and outcomes measures as well as the prospective surveillance model in the cancer populations will be emphasized. An evidence-based application of interventions with a lab component of case studies will be addressed. The lab components require active participation. Participants should dress appropriately to allow full body movement. Participants will work on assigned tasks prior to the start of the course.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, a participant should be able to:
- Identify the unique and diverse systemic and local effects of cancer and its treatment that impact balance and increase risks of falls.
- Apply evidence-based screening tools and outcome measures within the ICF framework for the management of balance problems, fall risk, and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors.
- Apply evidence-based treatment strategies while considering physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis to improve balance and reduce fall risks in cancer survivors.
Course Schedule
Instructors: Jena Colon, DPT, Earllaine Croarkin, PT, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurology & Cindy Pfalzer, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Biography:
Jena Colon, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Covenant Healthcare
Saginaw, MI
Jena is a practicing physical therapist and adjunct professor at MidMichigan Community College in Mount Pleasant, MI. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry as well as her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of Michigan – Flint. She has received certifications as an LSVT BIG clinician, Otago certification for the geriatric population, and Level 1 Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT). Jena was recently selected by the Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) as an item writer for the Oncology Specialty Council. She is currently serving as a Federal Affairs Liaison for the Oncology Section of the APTA. She has also served on the APTA Oncology Sections’ Breast Cancer EDGE Task Force of Outcome Measures on Balance as well as many other EDGE Task Force initiatives for cancer through the Oncology Section of the APTA. She has presented her research along with her fellow authors at multiple national conferences to date and is a published author in peer-reviewed journals such as Rehabilitation Oncology.
Min H. Huang, PT, PhD
Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
Min H. Huang, PT, PhD, Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She received a bachelor of science in physical therapy from National Taiwan University in 1992, a master of art and a master of education in Motor Learning and Motor Control from Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Columbia University in 1999 and 2000, respectively, and a PhD in Kinesiology in 2009 from the University of Michigan. Dr. Huang joined University of Michigan (UM)-Flint as an Assistant Professor in 2010. She was promoted to Associate professor in 2016. Dr. Huang chaired the APTA Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy EDGE Task Force on outcome measures for balance in breast cancer survivors in 2014-2015. She currently is leading another EDGE Task Force on outcome measures for balance in all adult cancer survivors in 2018-2019. Dr. Huang is a member and secretary of the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy. Her research focuses on movement disorders and postural control in older cancer survivors as well as patients with neurologic conditions. She has collaborated with Dr. Pfalzer to examine falls, balance and walking difficult in older cancer survivors using the U.S. population-based datasets obtained from the National Cancer Institute.
Lucinda (Cindy) A. Pfalzer
PT, PhD, FACSM, FAPTA
Lucinda (Cindy) A. Pfalzer has more than 35 years’ experience as a physical therapist. She received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy (PT) from Ithaca College in 1979, a master’s in Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation in 1984 and a PhD in Exercise Physiology in 1989, both from The Ohio State University. Dr. Pfalzer joined University of Michigan (UM)-Flint as an Assistant Professor in June of 1986. She was promoted to Associate professor in 1992, Full Professor in 1998, and Professor Emerita in 2014 and the Pfalzer Horizon Award was created in her honor in March of 2014.
Dr. Pfalzer led the development of online and post-professional physical therapy education at UM-Flint with the addition of a transitional DPT program including international education, certificate / residency programs in advanced PT practice and approval of the PhD in PT. Dr. Pfalzer became a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine in 1992. She was named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA in 2007. Dr. Pfalzer currently serves as Editor of Rehabilitation Oncology, the APTA Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy journal, and recently assisted with development of the “ONCO Reads” CEU project in partnership with the APTA Learning Center.
Dr. Pfalzer ia a member of the Academy Board of Directors and Research Committee. She serves the APTA American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) as a member of the Oncology Specialty Council and Item Review Coordinator and is a member of the Accreditation Services Committee of Accreditation Services Council of the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE). She assisted with establishment of the Academy’s newest Special Interest Group for Balance and Falls for Cancer Survivors, and co-teaches a regional course on Balance and Falls in Cancer Survivors for the Academy.
Hotels
A Comprehensive Management of Balance Impairments and Falls – Duarte, CA
Location:
Duarte, CA
Course Description
Physical therapists commonly treat patients with cancer in all settings. A review of cancer pathophysiology, the impact of cancer and its treatment on body systems and functions, balance, fall risk, and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors will be addressed. Participants will be able to use the data gathered from the history, review of systems, systems review, examination and evaluation to identify cancer survivors who are at risk of balance disorders, falls, or chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The use of evidence-based screening tools and outcomes measures as well as the prospective surveillance model in the cancer populations will be emphasized. An evidence-based application of interventions with a lab component of case studies will be addressed. The lab components require active participation. Participants should dress appropriately to allow full body movement. Participants will work on assigned tasks prior to the start of the course.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, a participant should be able to:
- Identify the unique and diverse systemic and local effects of cancer and its treatment that impact balance and increase risks of falls.
- Apply evidence-based screening tools and outcome measures within the ICF framework for the management of balance problems, fall risk, and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors.
- Apply evidence-based treatment strategies while considering physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis to improve balance and reduce fall risks in cancer survivors.
Course Schedule
Instructors: Jena Colon, DPT, Earllaine Croarkin, PT, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurology & Cindy Pfalzer, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Biography:
Jena Colon, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Covenant Healthcare
Saginaw, MI
Jena is a practicing physical therapist and adjunct professor at MidMichigan Community College in Mount Pleasant, MI. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry as well as her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of Michigan – Flint. She has received certifications as an LSVT BIG clinician, Otago certification for the geriatric population, and Level 1 Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT). Jena was recently selected by the Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) as an item writer for the Oncology Specialty Council. She is currently serving as a Federal Affairs Liaison for the Oncology Section of the APTA. She has also served on the APTA Oncology Sections’ Breast Cancer EDGE Task Force of Outcome Measures on Balance as well as many other EDGE Task Force initiatives for cancer through the Oncology Section of the APTA. She has presented her research along with her fellow authors at multiple national conferences to date and is a published author in peer-reviewed journals such as Rehabilitation Oncology.
Min H. Huang, PT, PhD
Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
Min H. Huang, PT, PhD, Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She received a bachelor of science in physical therapy from National Taiwan University in 1992, a master of art and a master of education in Motor Learning and Motor Control from Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Columbia University in 1999 and 2000, respectively, and a PhD in Kinesiology in 2009 from the University of Michigan. Dr. Huang joined University of Michigan (UM)-Flint as an Assistant Professor in 2010. She was promoted to Associate professor in 2016. Dr. Huang chaired the APTA Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy EDGE Task Force on outcome measures for balance in breast cancer survivors in 2014-2015. She currently is leading another EDGE Task Force on outcome measures for balance in all adult cancer survivors in 2018-2019. Dr. Huang is a member and secretary of the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy. Her research focuses on movement disorders and postural control in older cancer survivors as well as patients with neurologic conditions. She has collaborated with Dr. Pfalzer to examine falls, balance and walking difficult in older cancer survivors using the U.S. population-based datasets obtained from the National Cancer Institute.
Lucinda (Cindy) A. Pfalzer
PT, PhD, FACSM, FAPTA
Lucinda (Cindy) A. Pfalzer has more than 35 years’ experience as a physical therapist. She received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy (PT) from Ithaca College in 1979, a master’s in Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation in 1984 and a PhD in Exercise Physiology in 1989, both from The Ohio State University. Dr. Pfalzer joined University of Michigan (UM)-Flint as an Assistant Professor in June of 1986. She was promoted to Associate professor in 1992, Full Professor in 1998, and Professor Emerita in 2014 and the Pfalzer Horizon Award was created in her honor in March of 2014.
Dr. Pfalzer led the development of online and post-professional physical therapy education at UM-Flint with the addition of a transitional DPT program including international education, certificate / residency programs in advanced PT practice and approval of the PhD in PT. Dr. Pfalzer became a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine in 1992. She was named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA in 2007. Dr. Pfalzer currently serves as Editor of Rehabilitation Oncology, the APTA Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy journal, and recently assisted with development of the “ONCO Reads” CEU project in partnership with the APTA Learning Center.
Dr. Pfalzer ia a member of the Academy Board of Directors and Research Committee. She serves the APTA American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) as a member of the Oncology Specialty Council and Item Review Coordinator and is a member of the Accreditation Services Committee of Accreditation Services Council of the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE). She assisted with establishment of the Academy’s newest Special Interest Group for Balance and Falls for Cancer Survivors, and co-teaches a regional course on Balance and Falls in Cancer Survivors for the Academy.
Hotels
Meet a Member
Andrew Chongaway, SPT
Meet Andrew Chongaway, a third-year DPT student at the University of New England, currently completing his final clinical rotation at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Join the Academy of Oncologic PT ListServ
The Academy's General Listerv is a very productive messaging system for answering your practice questions. In addition, we maintain specialized listservs for our special interest groups.
Clinical Research Grants
Are you up on the latest Oncology Physical Therapy research or are your just starting out? New and experienced Academy members can make valuable contributions.
Clinical Internship Opportunities
This list of clinical sites is provided as a service to Academy Members.
Host a Regional Course in Your Area
The Academy of Oncologic PT, APTA has several course offerings looking for partners to host. The host facility will be chosen based on the guarantee that they can draw a minimum of 20 registrants.
Academy Member Awards
Know of a PT/PTA professional needing recognition? Here is the place to find out about our Member Awards.
Join the Academy ListServ
The Academy's General Listerv is a very productive messaging system for answering your practice questions. In addition, we maintain specialized listservs for our special interest groups.
Resource Guide for Specialization
This document, prepared by the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy, is designed to help you in your preparation for the specialist examination.
OncoReads
OncoReads allows you to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the comfort of your own home or office. Begin earning today!
Partners Program
Any PT/PTA living in a country other than the US who is not eligible for membership in APTA can take advantage of our membership benefits by becoming a Partner of the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy.
Look Inside the Oncology Toolbox
What's in your Physical Therapy Bag of Tricks? Find more and contribute some.
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