Waves

APTA Michigan’s Waves host Andy Wicks interviews Dr. Rachel Auer, a traveling physical therapist from Michigan and a Grand Valley State DPT graduate, about her nearly three years of travel PT across Michigan, Montana, Washington, Colorado, and currently Anchorage, Alaska. Auer explains she chose travel PT to explore the country and sample multiple practice settings, moving between acute care, inpa...

On APTA Michigan’s Waves podcast, host Andy Wicks interviews Dr. Bill McGehee , current Speaker of APTA’s House of Delegates (term ending Dec. 31, 2026), about his background as a physical therapist and Tufts University DPT clinical professor, and his path from chapter service in Illinois to APTA House of Delegates Speaker of the House (elected 2020). McGehee explains the House as the membership’s...

In this episode of Waves, a podcast from APTA Michigan, host Andy Wicks interviews Dr. Kay Mastrocola, a pelvic health physical therapist and the creator of the popular Instagram and TikTok account 'DPTs with Anxiety.' Dr. Mastrocola shares her unique journey through DPT school, her experience with neurodivergence, and how she became a PT influencer by creating memes. They discuss the impo...

In this episode, Andy sits down with Natalie Hoffman, a second-year physical therapy student at the University of Michigan Flint and the 2025 Solstice Scholarship winner. Natalie shares her inspiring journey of organizing a 3v3 soccer tournament to raise funds for local families affected by cancer, turning a $500 scholarship into $3,600 for two deserving families. She discusses the power of commun...

Waves Podcast – "The Tortured PT Department" Host: Andy Wicks Guests: Dr. Katie Noble, Dr. Nancy Boyd, Dr. Julie Wiebe Episode Summary: In this episode of Waves, host Andy Wicks sits down with three outstanding physical therapists— Dr. Katie Noble , Dr. Nancy Boyd , and Dr. Julie Wiebe —to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing women in sports physical therapy. The conver...

This episode of Waves features Jenna Muri-Rosenthal, aspeech-language pathologist and founder of Fit to Function Recovery , highlighting her innovative approach to combining rehabilitation with fitness training to help neurologic patients exceed their therapeutic goals. Host Andy Wicks and Jenna discuss the limitations of traditional rehab, the benefits of functional fitness, and the importance of...

In this episode of Waves, host Andy Wicks interviews Dr. Abby Gordon, a pediatric sports physical therapist based in Seattle. Dr. Gordon shares insights into her diverse career, including her experience working with professional athletes and as an adjunct faculty member. The discussion covers her clinical practice at Seattle Children's Hospital, her love for treating chronic pain patients, and...

Exploring Varied Career Paths in Physical Therapy with Dr. Tiffany WolfIn this episode of Waves, host Andy Wicks is joined by Dr. Tiffany Wolf, a versatile physical therapist from Denver, Colorado. Dr. Wolf shares her diverse career experiences, including working in correctional facilities, handling challenging cases, and treating a variety of patient populations such as chronic pain and oncology...

In this episode of Waves, a podcast from APTA Michigan, host Andy Wicks is joined by Dr. Sarah Cruser to delve into the evolving role of primary care and health promotion within the physical therapy (PT) profession. Dr. Cruser shares her diverse practice background, from outpatient orthopedic care to working with older adults and acute care. They discuss the fundamental impact of factors like exer...

In this episode of Waves, Andy interviews Dr. Ryan Wood,co-owner of Forefront Therapy and co-founder of Forefront Community Therapy in Evansville, Indiana. Dr. Wood shares his journey from his academic background to starting his own clinic and nonprofit organization focused on bringingaccessible, quality care to his community. They discuss the challenges and strategies behind running both for-prof...

This episode explores the impactful journey of 'I Am an Athlete Too ,' an organization founded by Maria Valet, Monica Aho, Abby Flaminio, and Lindsay Marquardt. The initiative aims to integrate adaptive sports into high schools, allowing students with physical disabilities to compete alongside their peers. The discussion covers the organization's origins, its challenges, and its successes in expan...

Renaissance man Dr. F. Scott Feil discusses his journey in physical therapy and shares insights on overcoming monotony in the profession. Dr. Feil emphasizes the importance of looking for opportunities for growth, engaging in side-hustles, and leveraging skills to create multiple income streams. He also talks about the significance of effective communication and sales in healthcare, the challenges...

Alex Hill, an outpatient physical therapist based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a gem of a human being. She shares her decade-long journey in physical therapy, specializing in pelvic health, oncology, lymphedema, and gender-affirming care. Alex, perhaps better known as The OncoPelvic PT , discusses the importance of trauma-informed care, patient empowerment, and validation in clinical practice. Add...

The American Physical Therapy Association ( APTA ) represents over 100,000 clinicians and students. Each state chapter, specialty section and academy, and special interest group are run by its members, all of whom serve on a volunteer basis. Brian Gilbert , PT, MSPT, Cert. MDT, Cert. DN, and board certified orthopedic clinical specialist, is the current president of APTA Michigan . He talks about,...

PTs and PTAs are used to treating a myriad of different diagnoses among a myriad of different people. We are present for some of the most vulnerable points in our patients' lives as they navigate their rehabilitation journeys. What is it like when the PT becomes the patient? Dr. Eric Galvez is a former physical therapist, author of multiple books , and brain cancer survivor who talks about wha...

We're back with another episode highlighting the philanthropic work of DPT students! We were honored to speak to the very first winner of the Solstice Scholarship from Western Michigan University , Chloe Catallo. Chloe discusses her journey with the Solstice Scholarship and how she organized a rock-climbing event to support victims of substance abuse through the Community Healing Center and Cl...

The debt-to-income ratio is a hot topic in physical therapy. The costs of education continue to rise but salaries haven't kept pace. Drs. Connor and Hannah Pierce are husband and wife, physical therapists, parents, and founders of After the DPT , a company that helps physical therapists manage their student loan debt. We sat down to talk with them about how folks can pay off their debt without...

Physical therapy is not a diverse profession. One person trying to change that is Kierra Washington, a third-year student at Grand Valley State University . She talked with us about what is has been like being a racial minority in graduate school, what her career goals are, and how she wants to make things better for those that come after her. "Wow, You Look Like Me! - The Need to Increase Di...

If you are a physical therapist, you probably entered the profession with some desire to help your fellow human. If you're a small business owner, you also need to worry about making enough money to pay your staff, keep the lights on, etc. Are the two goals incompatible? NO! Says Dr. Ryan Shelton , owner of PhilanthroPT , a "for purpose" company in Kentucky that ensures that it gives...

Dr. Adam Matichak is a rare bird. Not in the "exotic diagnosis" sense, but in the "really cool guy who does rad things" sense. He is a board-certified oncologic clinical specialist who knows more about cancer rehabilitation than is appropriate, and still has time to be a swell guy. He hopes that you, dear listener, know a little more about oncologic physical therapy after this...

It's here! Part two! The sequel! Drs. Nikki Pappas and Sara Wallace continue our conversation about vulnerability and curiosity, wherein we also stack soapboxes on soapboxes and idioms upon maxims. There's a lot going on here, but I think you'll like it. PTs and PTAs in Michigan! You can get PDR credit just for listening to Waves episodes! Fill out this form and keep it for your record...

Dr. Nikki Pappas and Dr. Sara Wallace are physical therapists and educators in Salt Lake City, UT, and the captains of Team Vulnerability and Team Curiosity, respectively. They have wonderful insight into how to leverage those traits to improve patient care as well as promote well-being among clinicians. Also, I've never had to bleep out as many swears as I did in this interview. Part 2 of thi...

PTs can work just about anywhere, including the exclusive niche market of running comedy content creation on Instagram . And that's exactly what Dr. Laura Green has done. She has traveled the world to work as a PT in some amazing (and not so amazing) places. She has also turned her lifelong love of running into a side hustle that became her main hustle: funny videos about running on social med...

Unless you are a PT student or academic, you may not have a lot of daily exposure to research. But that doesn't mean that PTs are out there on the front lines of clinical research for all kinds of patient populations. We spoke with Drs. Robin Linton-Fisher and Andrew Harrington, both clinicians at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, as well as clinical researchers for pati...

Jordyn Bowman is a 3rd year SPT at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI. She used a personal tragedy as an opportunity to help other people, and by doing so, helped her realize what could be possible in the physiotherapy profession. Guiding Light Mission APTA Magazine article "How PTs Can Help Those in Addiction Recovery" Editing help from Chris Shumate. Music by Andy Wicks...