Publications

• Case Study Master.pdf

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Education • Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Montana, August 2021: specialized education in Physical Therapy law and ethics (depositions, standards of proof, expert witness preparation, APTA clinical practice guidelines) Experience Physical Therapist, Inpatient/Outpatient (GS-0633-13) Veterans Affairs Medical Center (La Jolla, CA), 5/2009-Present (40 hours/week) • Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. • Exceptional customer service as Lead Physical Therapist for Inpatient and Outpatient post-operative population including evaluation, treatment, and direct orthopedic team communication. Inpatient, Subacute, and Outpatient experience including patients with Polytrauma, Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA), loss of limb, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Mental Illness, and visual impairments. • Specialization in post-operative rehabilitation; developed and implemented Pre-Operative Clinic for total joint replacement patients. Established system for scheduling, created home exercise program handouts, produced patient/caregiver education brochures outlining goals/expectations of post-operative rehabilitation. Coordinate and mange pre-op clinic on a weekly basis. Responsible for overall planning, administering, monitoring and evaluating the PT pre-operative total joint replacement program. • Certified Physical Therapy Clinical Instructor for 1-2 Doctor of Physical Therapy students per year; developed a study for total knee replacement patients examining the benefits one pre-operative Physical Therapy visit combined with a home exercise program (HEP) on outcome measures including timed up and go (TUG), patient specific functional scale (PSFS), 6 minute walk test (6MWT), inpatient gait distance walked Post-op day 1, and inpatient length of stay (cost and statistical analysis). Raw research reviewed with Chief of Orthopedic Surgery facilitating process improvement with focus of optimization of total joint replacement process at VA San Diego. Responsible for weekly overall planning, administering, monitoring and evaluating this program. • Serve as subject matter expert, coordinate and collaborate with other disciplines to include physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, social workers, prosthetists, orthotists, and other clinical providers Volunteer Roles and Certifications • Lead Physical Therapist and clinical gymnastics instructor for local, regional, National and International gymnastics competitions, (athlete injury prevention education, athlete on-site treatment, parent/coach education, proper technique for injury prevention/chronic injury, drills for safe skill progression, importance of goal setting, referral to specialists) San Diego County, 8/2008-present • Coordinator for medical team (orthopedic surgeon, Athletic Trainers, EMTs, Physical Therapists) at YMCA National Gymnastics Competition, (athlete injury prevention education, athlete on-site treatment, parent/coach education, referral to specialists, coordinate care with team orthopedic surgeon, coordinate staffing for event, secure medical supplies through donations), San Diego, 7/2010 • NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), 8/2008-present • 1st Aid/BLS Certified, 6/2003-present • Basic Water Rescue Certified, 4/2010-present • Certified Physical Therapy Clinical Instructor, 6/2013-present • Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), 07/2020-present