About Us
Who is the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy?
Our association consists of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants managing the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary and cardiopulmonary rehabilitative needs of patients resulting from the treatment of active cancer disease. This encompasses acute secondary sequelae of cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy as well as long-term secondary sequelae of treatments and palliative care.
The Mission and Vision of the Academy of Oncologic PT
Our vision is to optimize movement and quality of life of individuals impacted by cancer and chronic illness. We envision a society where:
- Physical therapists are recognized as practitioners of choice in cancer and HIV rehabilitation.
- Patients have unencumbered access to physical therapist services.
- An abundance of rigorous research informs clinical practice.
- Entry-level practitioners possess a foundational knowledge of oncology rehabilitation.
- Physical therapists are valued as integral partners of the inter-professional oncologic team.
- Culturally diverse physical therapists in cancer and HIV rehabilitation meet the needs of patients in a culturally affirming manner.
- Board-certified physical therapists expand the body of knowledge and advance oncologic practice.
- The Academy collaborates with inter-professional coalitions to advance best practice in cancer and HIV rehabilitation throughout the lifespan.
Executive Board
Laura Sheridan
President Elect
PT, DPT, Chair (19-20)
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
laurasheridanPT@gmail.com
Tiffany Kendig
Member At Large
PT, DPT, MPH, Certified Lymphedema Therapist
(CLT) (19-21)
Kessler Rehabilitation Center
Syosset, NY
tiffanykendig@gmail.com
Lorna Griffin
Nominating Committee Chair
PT, Chair (17-20)
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
lmgriffin1@mdanderson.org
Emil Berengut
Nominating & Awards
PT, DPT, MSW, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (18-21)
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
eberengut@yahoo.com
Kimberly Presson
Nominating & Awards
PT, DPT (19-22)
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
pressonkimberly@gmail.com
Special Interest Groups
Committees
Education
Frannie Westlake, PT, DPT, NCS
fwestpt12@yahoo.com
CSM Programming
Jet Lee, PT, PhD (3:17-19)
jetlee@sfsu.edu
Regional Courses
Taryne Thomas, PT (17-19)
tela@mdanderson.org
Specialization
Specialty Council Chair
Nicole Stout, PT, DPT (17-20)
nlstout90@gmail.com
Research
Shana Erin Harrington, PT, PhD (15-17)
Columbia, SC
heel1998@aol.com
Melissa Eden, PT, DPT
eden.melissa@mayo.edu
Mary Fisher, PT, MSPT, PhD
mary.fisher@udayton.edu
Mary Lou Galantino, PT, PhD, MSCE
galantinoml@stockton.edu
Laura Gilchrist, PT, PhD
lsgilchrist@stkate.edu
Elizabeth Sue Hile, PT, PhD
Elizabeth-Hile@ouhsc.edu
David M. Kietrys, PT, PhD
kietrydm@shrp.rutgers.edu
Tori Marchese, PT, PhD
vmarchese@som.umaryland.edu
Kiri Ness, PT, PhD
Kiri.ness@stjude.org
Bryan Spinelli, PT, MS
bryan.a.spinelli@gmail.com
Editor, Rehabilitation Oncology
Cindy Pfalzer, PT, PhD, FAPTA (15-19)
cpfalzer@umich.edu
Senior Editor
Mary Fisher, PT, MSPT, PhD
(18-19)
mary.fisher@udayton.edu
Outreach
Steve Wechsler, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
Chair
sbwechsler1@gmail.com
Public Relations
VACANT
Publications
Maggie Rinehart-Ayres, PT, PhD (17-19)
Ambler, PA
Maggie_ayres@yahoo.com
Social Media
Stephen Wechsler, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist (16-18)
sbwechsler1@gmail.com
WCPT
Jackie Drouin, PT, PhD
drouin@oakland.edu
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT/LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Tiffany Kendig, PT, DPT, MPH (2:17-19)
New York, NY
tiffanykendig@gmail.com
Advocacy
Bryan Spinelli, PT, PhD (17-19)
Cranston, RI
bspinelli@lifespan.org
Practice
Tiffany Kendig, PT, DPT, MPH
Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
tiffanykendig@gmail.com
Legislative & Payment
Jena Colon, PT (16-18)
jennyc419@aol.com
Executive Director
Suzie Callan
1055 N Fairfax Street, Suite 205
Alexandria, VA 22314
800-765-7848, ext. 7107
703-738-1606 F
oncology@apta.org
Why should you join the Academy of Oncologic PT?
As a partner of the Academy of Oncologic PT, you will become eligible for a variety of benefits such as:
Evidence-based research, an electronic subscription to "Rehabilitation Oncology", free SIG membership options, access to members only pages, and more.
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.
Sign Up to Become a Volunteer
This Academy survives and thrives on it's exceptional line of volunteers. From experienced to clincians; if you want to be a leader, we have a position.